How to use a Z4 in the snow

[ben g]

Anything less than 7 degrees they perform better, once you've used them you'll never go back. I've got a set of 17s for the winter, smallest you can go over the front callipers.

Living in the south east, winter tyres wouldn't be worth the investment. We can quite easily see a 10-12 degree celcius temperature swing in one day here, dropping below freezing at night.

I've had my Z4 for 6 years and done 60,000 miles in it and I haven't had any problems in general winter weather.

I have seen people struggling in rwd vehicles over the years, but some of it is due to people not driving to the conditions.

Lastly, winter tyres may save you from sliding around, but it doesn't stop other vehicles from hitting you, so you can never be 100% safe.

 

[ronk]

Lastly, winter tyres may save you from sliding around, but it doesn't stop other vehicles from hitting you, so you can never be 100% safe.

That sort of contradicts your argument?
ie If the other fella had suitable rubber he probably wouldnt be sliding about.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Living in the south east, winter tyres wouldn't be worth the investment.

I also live in the South East. Most of the time in winter I am commuting and the temps are at or below 7, even if they are above, winters in the warm are better than summers in the cold.
The only real cost is the wheels as the tyres are just an upfront cost, i.e. when I'm using the winters, the summers are not being worn and the wheels will probably sell for most, if not all, of what I paid for them.

If someone is going to hit you then they will, you can only to your best to manage what you can control.

 

[ronk]

I think our German cousins have the right idea.

Looking at the TV tonight it was so obvious that the folk stuck in the snow and thus blocking others progress didn’t have winter rubber and I think that would attract a fine in Germany?

Perhaps some of our German members would comment please?

 

[ben g]

Lastly, winter tyres may save you from sliding around, but it doesn't stop other vehicles from hitting you, so you can never be 100% safe.

That sort of contradicts your argument?
ie If the other fella had suitable rubber he probably wouldnt be sliding about.

You're assuming the other fella isn't driving like a cock because they have winter tyres on.

 

[Mr Tidy]

I live in the South East too, and remember 2010 when I couldn't even get my 123d out of our road! :lol:

A few days later I had to go over to my elderly Mother's and take her to see her solicitor, and we nearly didn't get there - it was hopeless!

Then a few years ago I watched an Autocar video where they compared 2 Skoda Yetis, one with 4WD and summer tyres and one with 2WD and winters. The 4WD got going better, but the 2WD was much better at turning corners and stopping.

So in 2015 I bought a set of winters for my 325ti daily and have fitted them every winter since - which is probably why it hasn't snowed! But I sold that on Saturday so I won't get to try it.

Still I bought an E91 Touring to replace it which has winters on it - I haven't needed to go out, but I'm looking forward to seeing how they perform.

 

[ronk]

Stand by to be amazed!

Many years ago I had an MGB with a set of Pirelli 35 m&s fitted to the rears (that’s what we did in the olden days) - a front wheel drive Saab of friends needed a push to get up a hill - I refused their help and got up. No sandbags / flagstones in the boot either!
MGBs were useless in the snow they told me

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I abandoned my RS4 half a mile from my house, rather than continue sliding down an icy hill. Four wheel drive made no difference. A Discovery was stranded on the same hill, so clearly Hill descent and Snow Mode don’t work with summer tyres either.
My friend has just driven back from visiting his parents in Switzerland where winter tyres are a legal requirement, so he had no difficulty collecting me.

 

[twizellb]

This for me.

 

[Number5]

I thought I'd try taking the Zed yesterday rather than the Automatic 520

 

[grumps]

Looking at the TV tonight it was so obvious that the folk stuck in the snow and thus blocking others progress didn’t have winter rubber and I think that would attract a fine in Germany?

This is certainly the case in Luxembourg. Whenever there is snow on the ground the police stand at junctions watching the traffic waiting to turn. If a car hasn't got winter tyres its an on-the-spot fine. There is also a risk that they'll impound the car if the fine isn't paid there and then but they will accept credit cards!
On the plus side though, the traffic doesn't tend to grind to a halt at the first sign of snow, because the majority of vehicles have the right kind of tyres on.