sNOw fun today

bounderboy · 12-26-2014, 07:38 PM

Had a little snow today and was at my parents who live on a mountain (technically). Normally they have gritters up at a hint of frost. However today nothing. Anyway snow hit and I had a few drinks and my wife drove my new x3 for only the third time.

Long story short we ended up going down 1in4 hill using hill descent set to 6mph. Worked fine for a little bit then car just lost all grip. She panic'd, probably through more fear of damaging new car than our safety. However I managed to take control of wheel and keep the car in the middle of road - more than a few times we were perpendicular to the road. Can only think hrs on Sega Rally paid off..

So long story long. Not sure if cars clever HDC allowed us to steer in really bad conditions or it was ABS or 4WD or just luck but we avoided hitting anything thank god.. and we were all safe..!

DonC · 12-26-2014, 08:08 PM

All season tires?

Roundown · 12-26-2014, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonC

All season tires?

LS2s strike again! Grab yourself a set of Nokian Hakkapaletia R2s ASAP!

Andy_o · 12-27-2014, 05:37 AM

Great pic .. Glad it got to the bottom of the hill in one piece

Andy_o · 12-27-2014, 06:03 AM

I've already got a set of 307 style wheels with Dunlop winter sports sitting in the garage for my x3 and I haven't even got the car yet

bounderboy · 12-27-2014, 07:30 AM

Yes standard tyres I am afraid..

philtrick123 · 12-27-2014, 10:13 AM

1 in 4 snowy hill on standard tyres? Are you crazy? Glad you are safe.
I think hdc is only good if you are slightly loosing grip, not if your car is out of control with no grip.
Just traveled to Switzerland yesterday, glad I've got winters fitted. Immense in the snowy streets of a ski resort. Pictures to follow soon.

halfalife · 12-27-2014, 10:16 AM

I had a similar experience , I have winter tyres now !

Andy_o · 12-27-2014, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philtrick123

Just traveled to Switzerland yesterday, glad I've got winters fitted. Immense in the snowy streets of a ski resort. Pictures to follow soon.

Looking forward to the pics

plymjack · 12-28-2014, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philtrick123

1 in 4 snowy hill on standard tyres? Are you crazy? Glad you are safe.
I think hdc is only good if you are slightly loosing grip, not if your car is out of control with no grip.
Just traveled to Switzerland yesterday, glad I've got winters fitted. Immense in the snowy streets of a ski resort. Pictures to follow soon.

+1 Crazy? a little Safe? Glad

Look forward to the pics.... we had a fab time in Kitzbuhel, -15, 12" snow in parts and great fun driving with snow tyres on.

bounderboy · 12-28-2014, 06:23 AM

It was a little crazy in hindsight - but where my parents live they grit if someone leaves a fridge door open for too long. And assumed it was surface snow on top of grit. However this boxing day for the first time in 30yrs they didn't grit at all - it was very strange..

People mentioned LS2's what are they? Mine has Dunlop Sport Maxx GT. 245/50 R18s.. not sure I feel I can totally recommend them in Snow.. but we didn't end up in a field either.

I know obvious answer is winter tyres but with cost and storage it isn't an option for me, it doesn't feel like it anyway..

So glad this lesson ended up without heartache of trashed car (never going fast enough to cause ourselves damage) to teach me a lesson though..

Andy_o · 12-29-2014, 04:12 AM

I'm just wishing for snow..feel I'm missing out

Best I can do is an iced up car .. Still -3 at 10am

Andy_o · 12-29-2014, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bounderboy

It was a little crazy in hindsight - but where my parents live they grit if someone leaves a fridge door open for too long. And assumed it was surface snow on top of grit. However this boxing day for the first time in 30yrs they didn't grit at all - it was very strange..

People mentioned LS2's what are they? Mine has Dunlop Sport Maxx GT. 245/50 R18s.. not sure I feel I can totally recommend them in Snow.. but we didn't end up in a field either.

I know obvious answer is winter tyres but with cost and storage it isn't an option for me, it doesn't feel like it anyway..

So glad this lesson ended up without heartache of trashed car (never going fast enough to cause ourselves damage) to teach me a lesson though..

Second hand winter wheel sets can be bought very reasonably

The ones I have retail from Bmw @ £2500

I got them for a fraction of that .. In fact for little more than the cost of a couple of tyres

Bmw dealers will store them for you if you need that I think about £30 pa roughly

I am a total convert I have to say

flavius · 12-29-2014, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bounderboy

Mine has Dunlop Sport Maxx GT. 245/50 R18s.. not sure I feel I can totally recommend them in Snow.. but we didn't end up in a field either.

Those aren't even all-season tires, glad you are ok.

drodnyc · 12-29-2014, 12:38 PM

they're often called "dunflops" for a reason. Get them replaced with a really good all season set. I use Michelin Pilot sports AS and Continental Extreme DWS. plenty of good ones out there. a good resource is linked below.

glad you and the wife made it down without incident.

http://www.1010tires.com/Tires/Reviews

12-26-2014, 07:38 PM	#1
bounderboy Private First Class 6 Rep 180 Posts Drives: BMW X3 LCI 2.0d X-Line Join Date: May 2014 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	sNOw fun today Had a little snow today and was at my parents who live on a mountain (technically). Normally they have gritters up at a hint of frost. However today nothing. Anyway snow hit and I had a few drinks and my wife drove my new x3 for only the third time. Long story short we ended up going down 1in4 hill using hill descent set to 6mph. Worked fine for a little bit then car just lost all grip. She panic'd, probably through more fear of damaging new car than our safety. However I managed to take control of wheel and keep the car in the middle of road - more than a few times we were perpendicular to the road. Can only think hrs on Sega Rally paid off.. So long story long. Not sure if cars clever HDC allowed us to steer in really bad conditions or it was ABS or 4WD or just luck but we avoided hitting anything thank god.. and we were all safe..! Attached Images Last edited by bounderboy; 12-26-2014 at 07:49 PM..
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12-26-2014, 08:08 PM	#2
DonC Lieutenant 29 Rep 427 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 3.5i M sport, etc Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: near Seattle iTrader: (0)	All season tires? __________________ 2013 X3 3.5i AW,Msprt,rear fogs,PS,CP, Tech, etc... Other cars 2005 S2000 2018 i3S
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12-27-2014, 05:37 AM	#4
Andy_o Captain 77 Rep 746 Posts Drives: X3 20d Xline Melbourne Red Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Uk - Lancashire iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2015 BMW X3 [0.00]	Great pic .. Glad it got to the bottom of the hill in one piece __________________ Gone: E90 crimson red/black Gone :X1 23d Msport manual, Space/Beige Pro Nav, Adaptive zenons, privacy glass, 18's, ext storage, Current: X3 20d Xline auto, Melbourne/Beige, Sport seats, Viz pack, heated steering wheel, Folding mirrors, privacy glass, luggage net, pro nav Current: E85 Z4 3.0si roadster titanium/Syrah individual Current: F31 320d touring black/black work hack
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12-27-2014, 06:03 AM	#5
Andy_o Captain 77 Rep 746 Posts Drives: X3 20d Xline Melbourne Red Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Uk - Lancashire iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2015 BMW X3 [0.00]	I've already got a set of 307 style wheels with Dunlop winter sports sitting in the garage for my x3 and I haven't even got the car yet __________________ Gone: E90 crimson red/black Gone :X1 23d Msport manual, Space/Beige Pro Nav, Adaptive zenons, privacy glass, 18's, ext storage, Current: X3 20d Xline auto, Melbourne/Beige, Sport seats, Viz pack, heated steering wheel, Folding mirrors, privacy glass, luggage net, pro nav Current: E85 Z4 3.0si roadster titanium/Syrah individual Current: F31 320d touring black/black work hack
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12-27-2014, 07:30 AM	#6
bounderboy Private First Class 6 Rep 180 Posts Drives: BMW X3 LCI 2.0d X-Line Join Date: May 2014 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Yes standard tyres I am afraid..
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12-27-2014, 10:13 AM	#7
philtrick123 Lieutenant 44 Rep 469 Posts Drives: TBA Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maidenhead iTrader: (0)	1 in 4 snowy hill on standard tyres? Are you crazy? Glad you are safe. I think hdc is only good if you are slightly loosing grip, not if your car is out of control with no grip. Just traveled to Switzerland yesterday, glad I've got winters fitted. Immense in the snowy streets of a ski resort. Pictures to follow soon.
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12-27-2014, 10:16 AM	#8
halfalife Private First Class 21 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 3.0D Msport Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Stockton on Tees iTrader: (0)	I had a similar experience , I have winter tyres now ! __________________ 3.0 Msport, Black, Msport Plus Pack, Media Pack, Interior Comfort Pack , LED's, VDC, B&O speakers, Heated rear / steering, Towbar, Extended storage, Servo Steering.
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12-28-2014, 06:23 AM	#11
bounderboy Private First Class 6 Rep 180 Posts Drives: BMW X3 LCI 2.0d X-Line Join Date: May 2014 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	It was a little crazy in hindsight - but where my parents live they grit if someone leaves a fridge door open for too long. And assumed it was surface snow on top of grit. However this boxing day for the first time in 30yrs they didn't grit at all - it was very strange.. People mentioned LS2's what are they? Mine has Dunlop Sport Maxx GT. 245/50 R18s.. not sure I feel I can totally recommend them in Snow.. but we didn't end up in a field either. I know obvious answer is winter tyres but with cost and storage it isn't an option for me, it doesn't feel like it anyway.. So glad this lesson ended up without heartache of trashed car (never going fast enough to cause ourselves damage) to teach me a lesson though..
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12-29-2014, 04:12 AM	#12
Andy_o Captain 77 Rep 746 Posts Drives: X3 20d Xline Melbourne Red Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Uk - Lancashire iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2015 BMW X3 [0.00]	I'm just wishing for snow..feel I'm missing out Best I can do is an iced up car .. Still -3 at 10am Attached Images __________________ Gone: E90 crimson red/black Gone :X1 23d Msport manual, Space/Beige Pro Nav, Adaptive zenons, privacy glass, 18's, ext storage, Current: X3 20d Xline auto, Melbourne/Beige, Sport seats, Viz pack, heated steering wheel, Folding mirrors, privacy glass, luggage net, pro nav Current: E85 Z4 3.0si roadster titanium/Syrah individual Current: F31 320d touring black/black work hack
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12-29-2014, 12:38 PM	#15
drodnyc Private 20 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X7 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Westchester County, NY iTrader: (0)	they're often called "dunflops" for a reason. Get them replaced with a really good all season set. I use Michelin Pilot sports AS and Continental Extreme DWS. plenty of good ones out there. a good resource is linked below. glad you and the wife made it down without incident. http://www.1010tires.com/Tires/Reviews __________________ 2019 BMW X7 M-sport 2017 Harley Street Glide Special 2018 Triumph Bobber Black
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