How is the M35 (non-AWD) on snow ...

[Pooka]

looking to buy M35 .. deciding between RWD or AWD ... how is the non-awd M35 on snow (with or without snow tires) ..

if M35 is not good on snow even with snow tires, how does M35x fare?? better or comparable to handling on snow to 328xi ?

thanks!

[macmanks]

I live NE of Wichita and am experiencing my first snow with my 07 M35x. I have the Cooper Zeon Sport A/S tires and with the snow button activated this car is awesome! No snow tires needed if you get the AWD. About 1.5 weeks ago we got about 5 inches of snow and I was passing everybody including the 4x4 pick-ups and SUVs. Having test driven both, I recommend the "x" in the Overland Park area.

[SunLitSandMax00SE]

I have the 06 m35 and it is not good at all in the snow....not at all. One day, i had to leave it in the snow and other days it was a miracle if I could get out of neighborhood. In snow, any rwd car is not going to do very well and the m35 is one of the worst.

[tytamto]

It is not really a question of starting, as much as it is stopping. Any tire outside of a winter tire is a compromise in the snow. Some A/S are better some are worse. Nokian WR is the best A/S tire for snow and ice. Conti Extreme are probably next. Potenza RE960AS are close behind. Eagle GTs are not bad. Problem is, only some come in our sizes.

If the temps are below 35F and you get more than a few days of snow, you should really use winter rubber.

[stumbleweed]

I'm in North KC and have the 06 M35x without snow tires and it's great in the snow provided you have the snow button turned on. I had a Lexus IS300 last winter (RWD) and couldn't get into my subdivision in the snow (all uphill).

The snow we had a few weeks ago was a good test and nothing stopped it. In and out of the subdivision with no problems - passing others as I went. Highly recommend the X although it rides a little rougher than the sport model I tested. The AWD more than makes up for it though.

Good luck

[Bruno]

I picked my m35x up in the snow two weeks ago. I drove over in my 4 x 4 Ford Explorer and it did well, but the AWD did better. My wife has a Chrysler 300C without AWD and with only 1/2" of snow we can barely get it in our driveway. Out on the open road it is horrible. IMO, I would go with the AWD if you are concerned about snow and it is within your budget.

[szh]

If the temps are below 35F and you get more than a few days of snow, you should really use winter rubber.

Exactly right!!

Z

[SupraMike]

I live in Toronto Canada and recently purchased a 06 M45 sport. As a condition of the sale I had them put on some 17 inch winter tires (Continental TS810S). We've had a few snow storms and I can say that the car performs extremely well in the snow for the following reasons:- it's a heavy car- Snow Tires is a MUST (don't compromise when it comes to safety), get smaller diameter rims and a taller tire- VDC (vehicle Dynamic Control) works EXTREMELY Well!! With it on you can floor the car in a snow storm and it keeps the car perfectly straight and under control, in fact I've become very familiar with finding that switch to turn it off when I want to have some fun in the snow I'm sure the all wheel drive will do better in the snow, but from what I've seen the RWD M is very capable in the snow.

cheers

[SammyTheBull]

I live in Kansas City, we had snow a couple of weeks ago and it was AWFUL (2006 M35 Sport) I have brand new tires, granted they are not A/S (i figure there are more nice days than not) but i could barely get traction to get up my driveway, which is about a 15-20 degree angle.

The M35 Sport is a beast during the summer months but a burden in the winter.

[szh]

I live in Kansas City, we had snow a couple of weeks ago and it was AWFUL (2006 M35 Sport) I have brand new tires, granted they are not A/S (i figure there are more nice days than not) but i could barely get traction to get up my driveway, which is about a 15-20 degree angle.

The M35 Sport is a beast during the summer months but a burden in the winter.

Summer tires will definitely be dangerous in snow ... even in cold weather near freezing or below. The rubber hardens and the tread will nto flex to shed any snow. Then, what you have is an expensive, high-powered sled. Eek!

Z

[Bob24]

I got my M45 sport with the summer rubber on it and it would go NOWHERE in the snow. I garaged it until and ordered 17 inch wheels and Blizzaks for winter use.

The car was so bad in the snow that it would have been foolish and irresponsible to attempt to drive it in a Minnesota winter.

Now that the Blizzaks are on we have had a steady diet of snow and cold here and the car goes through it with no problems whatsoever. Those Blizzaks are incredible. I went from fearing for my life to confident that I was driving a car that could handle the conditions.

Your safety and the safety of others on the road is way too important not to have the appropriate skins on your car.

[Boss05]

Depending on the amount of snow fall in your area... I personally would go with a M35 Sport looks way nicer and to you really want to drive it alot in the snow get a 17 inch rim and blizzak tires..

My M35 sport in the snow

[Sexima34]

what kind of car is that right next to your m35? looks like a maxima

[palincal]

what kind of car is that right next to your m35? looks like a maxima

Its a Volvo S60

[tytamto]

Its a Volvo S60

Correction: Volvo S80.

BTW, Boss05, what tires do you have on those 19"?

My M45S car would barely move on packed, icy snow with the summer RE050A. I just wanted to see how it does, and the rubber is way too hard at temps near 32F to have any grip. Even on dry pavement it had very little traction.

My A/S Eagle GTs on the other hand have done great so far in the freezing temps. No snow experience yet, but will keep y'all posted. Did very well in heavy rain too!

[Boss05]

I got Bridgestone Potenza RE050A. 245/40-19 94W. Max Performance Summer.and that car right beside my M35 is my 2005 Nissan Maxima SE and that other car is a Volvo no idea what model... Its all about Nissan, Infinti and Chevy