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Thread: Who needs AWD when you have an E38??

  1. #1
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    Who needs AWD when you have an E38??

    TIRES: 235/60R-16 BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK WS80 https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...WS80&tab=Sizes


  2. #2
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    This will be our first winter with ours and we have similar driveway to you.

    Glad to know we may be able to get out haha

    Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

  3. #3
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    As long as you have snow tires, you will be ok. It will not go anywhere on all seasons

  4. #4
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    Snowed in Denver the other day and I had the 750iL out. That thing on it’s normal M-Par tires is crippled by the lightest dusting of snow, I swear! Luckily the 650i has xDrive

  5. #5
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    It's all about the tires, seen yesterday a lot of FWD cars stuck with "all seasons" while I had zero issues.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by georgebest View Post
    It's all about the tires, seen yesterday a lot of FWD cars stuck with "all seasons" while I had zero issues.
    I drove over Brandon Gap in VT a few weeks ago and was shocked by the snow covered road as I approached the pass. Pretty hard packed snow and ice. Was rocking the worn almost to wear bars 285 Continental summer tires. Damn, I was like “we gonna die”,but to my surprise we made it up and over no problem. Probably 2 miles of steep up then down.

    I went ahead and installed the winter tires shortly thereafter... With dedicated winter tires these cars are fantastic in the snow. As long as it’s not too deep...
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  7. #7
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    I had 16 inch blizzaks on basketweaves on my 98 and it was like 4x4. Loved it!

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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by purplecty View Post
    I had 16 inch blizzaks on basketweaves on my 98 and it was like 4x4. Loved it!
    yes, very happy with the Blizzaks, never got stuck with them

  9. #9
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    Staggered mpar reps with Blizzaks on front and Falken Eurowinters on the rear. Looks much better than any 16” wheels.
    Last edited by clarkitect; 11-16-2018 at 07:38 PM.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by clarkitect View Post
    Staggered mpar reps with Blizzaks on front and Falken Eurowinters on the rear. Looks much better than any 16” wheels.
    Looks better for sure, but 16'' drives better in winter, you need the side wall of the tire in deeper snow.
    I wish there was a 17'' M-Par, i just dont want to drive 18'' on the bad roads around Philly.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by georgebest View Post
    Looks better for sure, but 16'' drives better in winter, you need the side wall of the tire in deeper snow.
    I wish there was a 17'' M-Par, i just dont want to drive 18'' on the bad roads around Philly.
    I also think a thinner tire may even work better as well. 215 65 16?

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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by purplecty View Post
    I also think a thinner tire may even work better as well. 215 65 16?
    I try to stick to factory size

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by georgebest View Post
    I try to stick to factory size
    IIRC BMW recommended this size for winter tires...

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  14. #14
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    I ran 225 65 16 blizzaks on Borbet wheels for the last set up I had. Those worked great, just hated looking at the car with them on! Never any issues with the current winter set and the roads up here.

    Some have been known to run four front mpars.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by purplecty View Post
    IIRC BMW recommended this size for winter tires...
    I've had no idea, interesting!

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by clarkitect View Post
    I ran 225 65 16 blizzaks on Borbet wheels for the last set up I had. Those worked great, just hated looking at the car with them on! Never any issues with the current winter set and the roads up here.

    Some have been known to run four front mpars.
    I kind of gave up finding any wheel that is good looking AND also provides good riding comfort on bad roads. "Granny wheel" for me for now, until I see something that I like in 17'', that size would be for me the best compromise for summer. But for winter I'd always stick to the 16'' because of the higher sidewall. Of course, it only matters in a very few situations.

  16. #16
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    I have that same *ting* when I put it in drive or reverse. Been like that for 40k miles.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  17. #17
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    No, they do not. And they shouldn't: the car is heavy enough that 235 works just fine with winter tires.

    George is right, it is all about the tires themselves - I have Michelin XIce3s, since snow in the Philadelphia area is (or at least used to be..) a very sporadic event and I can confirm that the car does just fine with them in the stock 16" size.

    It would be nice to have limited slip but it's certainly not necessary. OTOH, with aged summer tires on M-pars (ref. my post about the car pulling to the right) the best thing you can do if it starts to snow, even lightly... is call an Uber. Or a SO who, feeling guilty because he neglected to put winters on in time, drives 4 x 60 miles to pick you up...

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by clarkitect View Post
    I have that same *ting* when I put it in drive or reverse. Been like that for 40k miles.
    Yeah, it's the CV Joint. I cant decided if I should buy just a joint ($250), or the whole drive shaft including the joint ($950)...causing no issues so hard to justify spending any money on it
    Last edited by georgebest; 11-17-2018 at 01:12 PM.

  19. #19
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    This is how it feels driving an E38 in snow with proper tires


  20. #20
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    We have been running winter tires on 16 inch basketweaves for the last 17 winters. Had a set of good year ultra grip ice tires for 15 years. Replaced them with some Michelin X ice tires. The e38 does very well in the snow, we use to take it over our old Jeep ZJ because it wasn't skidished and darty on the packed snow like the 4x4 was on packed snow.
    Current fleet:
    1999 BMW e36 M3
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  21. #21
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    Nice photo, E38 looks good in snow!

  22. #22
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    This is my driveway in the winter... mpars and 275 all seasons, she made it fine.

    221.jpg

    - - - Updated - - -

    Uuuunnnnnnnntil one day she didn't do just fine, and while stuck the shovel decided to puncture the tire! (wasn't me!) Ever changed a tire in -35°c + windchill, in a snow-covered driveway? Hahha LOUSY WORK!

    223.jpg

    || 1995 740i || M60B40 || DUDMD || ̶o̶r̶i̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶b̶l̶u̶e̶ Mercedes Brilliant Blue Metallic || Style 168 Wheels 1" Spacers ||



  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jamos View Post
    Ever changed a tire in -35°c + windchill, in a snow-covered driveway?
    No...but I'm sure it builds a lot of character

  24. #24
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    If by character you mean, "Hatred for the E38" ....... almost! Almost. .

    || 1995 740i || M60B40 || DUDMD || ̶o̶r̶i̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶b̶l̶u̶e̶ Mercedes Brilliant Blue Metallic || Style 168 Wheels 1" Spacers ||



  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jamos View Post
    If by character you mean, "Hatred for the E38" ....... almost! Almost. .
    )

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