[cmartin]

I am thinking about replacing the tandem Civic/Mini combination with a 1995 M3. How do/did you like the car? Anything really annoy you with the car? This would be the daily driver/home depot mobile.

I'm specificall curious how these cars really handle in MD/Va winters. I would plan on running smaller winter wheels/tires, but I'm not sure if I would have to call in sick if it every snowed. Any info is much appreciated.

Thanks!

[VaSteve]

A friend told me that her 328 sucked in the snow. I can imagine that the M3 would only be worse.

[87turbolook911]

A friend told me that her 328 sucked in the snow. I can imagine that the M3 would only be worse.

We have a 323 Touring and I put on a set of snow tires Jan-Feb. Combined with traction control, I can easily get through 3 inches of snow. And the ABS brakes are great too.

I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have the right tires and driving technique.

[cmartin]

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

A buddy is an M guy, says some of his pal's run Blizak's all winter and love the car in the snow. Might take some getting used to, my Honda is baiscally point and shoot in the white stuff.

The M3 in question doesnt have traction control, oh well, less weight, right? Hmmm, I can track the M3 with the Schattenbaum group....

[87turbolook911]

A buddy of mine tracked an M3 in college. There's so much you can do to that thing....the E36 platform is great. If you haven't checked this site out, http://bimmerforums.com/main.cfm , it's got tons of info.

My personal favorite is a 4-door M3 in Graphite.

[BW911]

As a BMW guy from farther back than I care to admit, I can tell you that traditionally they were pigs in the snow. However, the point about the tires is critical. I set up a late 80s 325 with front and rear snows, and it turned into a champ in the snow. I wouldn't hesitate to get it, so long as you resign yourself to a set of 4 snows in the cold months. The Blizzaks are good, but there are some others that are good too. I'd check the Tire Rack. They can also sell you some cheap steel rims for the snows if you want to save a few bucks.

I'd hate to part with that Mini S if I were you, though.

-- Bill

8)

[cmartin]

Good point. The Mini is a great car, soooo much fun to drive. It's my first new car though, and I'm still a little up tight about it getting dinged up, so I dont drive it into the city too much. 1 year old and ~5500 miles. I also dont like having a loan for it, and dont like the idea of tieing up too much $$ in a car. I know I have issues. That 400/mo could be better spent on track time.

Whoever buys the Mini is getting a great car. Looking at the market they are holding their value very well, so I wont be losing too much $$ on it.

[rs911t]

I sold my 98 M3 just a week ago. Drove it two years. Awesome car.
Obviously, heavier than the 911s but a hoot to drive around town. Never
took it to the track, just one AX. Don't know about the 95 models, but
the 98 had traction control. It was fine in the snow, even with Toyo T1S
tires, as long as traction control was engaged. Real easy to loop
when disengaged.

[Rick Lee]

I don't think I've ever driven an M3, but my '87 325is was the most reliable of anything I have ever owned. It handled just fine in the snow. First clutch lasted me 232k miles and I sold her at 245k miles when she was still running like a champ. I will own another one of these cars.