Winter Driving

[jpf]

Hey guys,
I'm a tremendous fan of the z4 and i'm faced with a gorgeous black/tan 3.0i (11k miles) with the sport rims at a joke of a price. So I have to ask, as i'm looking for a year-round car, can it be driven in the winter (obviously with winter tires) without it slipping and sliding all over the place? I'm a young guy so a year-round 2-seater isn't an issue.
Thanks!

[ELFANDREINDEER]

HAVE HAD THE Z4 WINTER EXPERIENCE -- THE CAR IS A SLED ON THE SNOW AND ICE. ON THE SLIGHTEST OF INCLINES THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING FORWARD. JUST PARK IT AND WAIT FOR THE FIRST THAW

[miumiu]

absolute impossible! i had z4 2.4 smg before i try to drove in winter when i drove out of my garage my z4 was totally fucked up. if you really want to drive it in winter you must do two things the first is winter tier two you need go to canadian tier to buy four bag of sand taotal is 200 pound put it in the trunk then you can drive but don't faster then 40km/h or i will see you on news paper next day

[p2itary]

I live in Indianapolis. I drive my Z4 all winter. However, I change to winter tires. It makes all the difference and I would not attempt this without the winter tires. I have a long steep driveway. In fresh snow there is no problem unless my wife and kids have packed it down and I try to make a new path. Only a few times I left it on the street because i couldn't make it up. I have the custom front spoiler that is only about 6 inches from the ground. Thus, rather than make the Z4 a snow plow I will not drive it after a deep snow and before the roads are cleared.

[Z4 not fun in snow]

I was caught in a blizzard on I90 West of Buffalo headed for Chicago in early April. Still frightens me to think of the terror of those 5 hours. I couldn't get off because the ramps were too deep. Back end almost came around 1/2 dozen times. Couldn't pull over due to visibility. The chances of being buried and run over were high. Had to get towed off at an exit ramp in Erie. Didn't have snow tires. Had the cursed run flats. Wrong equipment for circumstances, but who expected 14" of snow, in a few hours, in April? I drive it year round, but it doesn't go out if snow is in forcast. Thank goodness Chicago doesn't get much snow.

[sir]

yeaa i wanted to get eithr the z4 or honda s2k but im worried it might be tough...my frnds got a 04 328ci and he manages in the winter...with winter tires ouf course, but i donno if it is the same thing

[RENNIE]

I live in Ossining NY and drive to Newtown Conn 3-4x per week. I would like to buy a Z4 to drive year round with 4 snows and weight plates in the trunk
in winter. How wise is this?

[Vic]

You'll be ok. Remember that driving is controlling the car and ultimately it all comes down to your driving technique (if you have any). Winter tires are an excellent idea but then again i've managed the tough winter in NJ with the run flats just fine. The rear end slides when the power to grip ratio is 3-1, which means that you have to accelerate in a jerky manner to make that happen. Another thing i see a lot is people braking unnecesarily, and guess what happens when you do that in snow, ice or rain?? I think that nowadays people are getting too spoiled and wussy about cars and their "handling" instead of worrying about how to be better drivers.

PS: Get ALL WEATHER rubber mats, you'll definitely need those!