Can your RWD w/ winter tire handle snow covered rockies?

nobelium27 · 02-19-2019, 04:13 PM

wow this thread heated up with all the locals chiming in. Thanks for all your feedback.

I'm considering AWD because of the snowy mountain road trip up to ski resorts, not really worried about daily driving at all. Money isn't an issue, but I'd prefer to have the RWD for the joyrides around the twisty mountain roads.

There is one m235ix that looks solid near me, but I'm thinking about keeping my 228i for as I'm just driving to CO in 2 days! I may just keep the 228i and buy some chains for the tires and see how things go with it while I'm still in the process of moving in.

I will keep in mind what everyone said when I'm ready to move onto a m235i though. Thanks everyone!

mblaucoupe135 · 02-26-2019, 08:34 AM

I just wanted to add that I've lived in Colorado my whole life and have been driving bimmers for the last 20 years or so. for a good portion of that time I was driving rear wheel drive manuals with snows in the winter. for the most part I got around town fine although I did get stuck a few times over the years but mainly because of getting high centered as my cars always had sport package and were thus pretty low. however I'm not an avid skier and don't go deep into the mountains in the winter. once the m235i xdrive came out and I heard that it had a rear wheel drive bias I figured why not get that to give me extra traction in the winter. I had that car for 3 years and now have an m240i xdrive and have never gotten stuck in either one. in my mind it's the best of both worlds due to the rear wheel bias of the xdrive which allows me to still slide it around corners especially if I turn off the traction control. also it's amazing in the snow especially with snow tires as it just digs in and goes. In my opinion, if you are planning to go to the mountains a lot, I would get an xdrive 2 series as I don't think you will regret it. The extra traction in the snow will be worth it especially during a winter like this when the mountains have been getting pounded with snow!

Peakrunner · 02-26-2019, 06:10 PM

I have the Xdrive 240 with Blizzaks and it's great DD and has no issue in the worst of conditions. Also it great to put the power down in the dry. That being said, if you want to opt for the non xdrive I would say you'll want to go with a studded snow tire for the weekend trips to the mtns.

ghost.M · 02-28-2019, 11:03 PM

I live in SLC and daily my 6MT RWD 235i year round. Driving on the OEM 225/245 PSS was not fun last winter so I put 4 225/40 Hankook I-cept W320s on it this winter and I have so much more confidence now. I recently had to climb a steep driveway with a very thin later of hard-packed snow (plowed and compacted but no salt). I would get almost to the top and then drift sideways with DSC Off, and Sport mode would get maybe 1/3 of the way up before the nannies would stop forward progress. With "Traction" mode I made it to the top on the 3rd try no problem.

This is definitely doable and you likely wont have any major inconveniences as long as you drive sensibly and have some quality winter tires. I've taken it skiing during "chain or 4x4 only" conditions, driven through blizzards, etc. and haven't had any issues that "Traction" mode and my right foot couldn't solve.

dkbldvl006 · 03-01-2019, 09:49 PM

You could also consider tire chains if you prefer to stick with RWD. There are multiple places to chain up on I-70 heading from Denver to the ski areas. That would let you stick with RWD but carry an extra measure of safety in the trunk in case you need it.

nobelium27 · 03-03-2019, 08:26 PM

Thanks for the input everyone. I've officially moved to CO about a week ago and it snowed quite a bit today so I just did some small testing. The road was about 20-30 degrees (maybe lower), snow still on the road (though was driven on) and I just stopped uphill and throttled with traction control on. The car (228i RWD) did slide a little side to side but it did make it up.

I think I will keep the car for a while (unless a buyer shows up) and have fun with it for a while. I'll keep tire chains in the trunk just in case, when I'm driving up to the resorts. Thanks again!

dradernh · 03-03-2019, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobelium27

I think I will keep the car for a while (unless a buyer shows up) and have fun with it for a while. I'll keep tire chains in the trunk just in case, when I'm driving up to the resorts. Thanks again!

If you get a chance after you've been up a few times, let us know how it went.

Unicorn123 · 03-04-2019, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dradernh

If you get a chance after you've been up a few times, let us know how it went.

What drader said...

FWIW, I spent last winter in CT driving a 550i (6M, RWD) with Conti DWS 06 tires. Not as good as snows but it worked fine and not as snowy as your area. RWD and a set of snows with chains in the boot should serve you well. I'd also throw a collapsible shovel and a bag of cat litter in the boot for good measure.

gnjlee · 03-14-2019, 12:55 PM

I live slightly to the south of you, in Santa Fe at the south tip of the rockies and have a rear wheel drive M235i. We get far less snow here that you guys up in CO, but it still snows enough here in town at 7000ft. to where rear wheel drive on all seasons is a problem when it comes down. On days where the white stuff is on the ground, I have a Jeep Wrangler Rubi that I use instead. That thing is a blast on the forest roads, so no matter what, I have a fun vehicle. Highly recommended in mountain country!

nubbster927 · 03-14-2019, 08:46 PM

You should join us up on the Denver Auto Enthusiast facebook page. We do weekly cruises up to the mountains every week in the summer, would be great to have another 2 in the squad! Those cruises are some of the highlights of my summers here.

And if you change your mind on a 235 xdrive, I have a buddy here in Denver that has one for sale.

nobelium27 · 03-20-2019, 09:55 AM

Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to go snowboard this winter

I'm planning on keeping it for another year so I'll update this next winter if I go!

Are you CO folks comfortable swapping in summary mer tires yet? I thought we were safe from snow but it was snowing yesterday afternoon lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by nubbster927

You should join us up on the Denver Auto Enthusiast facebook page. We do weekly cruises up to the mountains every week in the summer, would be great to have another 2 in the squad! Those cruises are some of the highlights of my summers here.

And if you change your mind on a 235 xdrive, I have a buddy here in Denver that has one for sale.

That sounds fun! Denver might be a bit out of the way from me (from the springs) but I hear the roads on the west side that goes up to Denver are fun. Might do one in the near future.

ZeeJM · 03-20-2019, 12:55 PM

I've lived in Colorado for the past 39 years. I wait until Mother's Day at the earliest to swap my winter setup for summer.

02-19-2019, 04:13 PM	#23
nobelium27 Not so new anymore 25 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 2014 F22 228i m-sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	wow this thread heated up with all the locals chiming in. Thanks for all your feedback. I'm considering AWD because of the snowy mountain road trip up to ski resorts, not really worried about daily driving at all. Money isn't an issue, but I'd prefer to have the RWD for the joyrides around the twisty mountain roads. There is one m235ix that looks solid near me, but I'm thinking about keeping my 228i for as I'm just driving to CO in 2 days! I may just keep the 228i and buy some chains for the tires and see how things go with it while I'm still in the process of moving in. I will keep in mind what everyone said when I'm ready to move onto a m235i though. Thanks everyone!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-26-2019, 08:34 AM	#24
mblaucoupe135 Major 285 Rep 1,287 Posts Drives: 2022 M240i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Littleton, CO iTrader: (2)	I just wanted to add that I've lived in Colorado my whole life and have been driving bimmers for the last 20 years or so. for a good portion of that time I was driving rear wheel drive manuals with snows in the winter. for the most part I got around town fine although I did get stuck a few times over the years but mainly because of getting high centered as my cars always had sport package and were thus pretty low. however I'm not an avid skier and don't go deep into the mountains in the winter. once the m235i xdrive came out and I heard that it had a rear wheel drive bias I figured why not get that to give me extra traction in the winter. I had that car for 3 years and now have an m240i xdrive and have never gotten stuck in either one. in my mind it's the best of both worlds due to the rear wheel bias of the xdrive which allows me to still slide it around corners especially if I turn off the traction control. also it's amazing in the snow especially with snow tires as it just digs in and goes. In my opinion, if you are planning to go to the mountains a lot, I would get an xdrive 2 series as I don't think you will regret it. The extra traction in the snow will be worth it especially during a winter like this when the mountains have been getting pounded with snow!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-26-2019, 06:10 PM	#25
Peakrunner Mile High Member 6 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 2012 x5d Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Renton, WA iTrader: (0)	I have the Xdrive 240 with Blizzaks and it's great DD and has no issue in the worst of conditions. Also it great to put the power down in the dry. That being said, if you want to opt for the non xdrive I would say you'll want to go with a studded snow tire for the weekend trips to the mtns. __________________ I believe in Karma. That means I can do bad things to you all day long and assume you deserve it
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02-28-2019, 11:03 PM	#26
ghost.M Private 23 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 2015 BSM M235i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	I live in SLC and daily my 6MT RWD 235i year round. Driving on the OEM 225/245 PSS was not fun last winter so I put 4 225/40 Hankook I-cept W320s on it this winter and I have so much more confidence now. I recently had to climb a steep driveway with a very thin later of hard-packed snow (plowed and compacted but no salt). I would get almost to the top and then drift sideways with DSC Off, and Sport mode would get maybe 1/3 of the way up before the nannies would stop forward progress. With "Traction" mode I made it to the top on the 3rd try no problem. This is definitely doable and you likely wont have any major inconveniences as long as you drive sensibly and have some quality winter tires. I've taken it skiing during "chain or 4x4 only" conditions, driven through blizzards, etc. and haven't had any issues that "Traction" mode and my right foot couldn't solve.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-01-2019, 09:49 PM	#27
dkbldvl006 Experienced Lurker 32 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 30i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Northern Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i xDrive [0.00]	You could also consider tire chains if you prefer to stick with RWD. There are multiple places to chain up on I-70 heading from Denver to the ski areas. That would let you stick with RWD but carry an extra measure of safety in the trunk in case you need it. __________________ Current: 2016 340i xDrive - Imperial Blue/Saddle Brown Previous: 2007 328i - Jet Black/Black
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03-03-2019, 08:26 PM	#28
nobelium27 Not so new anymore 25 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 2014 F22 228i m-sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input everyone. I've officially moved to CO about a week ago and it snowed quite a bit today so I just did some small testing. The road was about 20-30 degrees (maybe lower), snow still on the road (though was driven on) and I just stopped uphill and throttled with traction control on. The car (228i RWD) did slide a little side to side but it did make it up. I think I will keep the car for a while (unless a buyer shows up) and have fun with it for a while. I'll keep tire chains in the trunk just in case, when I'm driving up to the resorts. Thanks again!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-14-2019, 12:55 PM	#31
gnjlee New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW M235i, Jeep Wrangler JKUR Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: New Mexico iTrader: (0)	I live slightly to the south of you, in Santa Fe at the south tip of the rockies and have a rear wheel drive M235i. We get far less snow here that you guys up in CO, but it still snows enough here in town at 7000ft. to where rear wheel drive on all seasons is a problem when it comes down. On days where the white stuff is on the ground, I have a Jeep Wrangler Rubi that I use instead. That thing is a blast on the forest roads, so no matter what, I have a fun vehicle. Highly recommended in mountain country!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-14-2019, 08:46 PM	#32
nubbster927 Enlisted Member 64 Rep 36 Posts Drives: AW M235xi Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	You should join us up on the Denver Auto Enthusiast facebook page. We do weekly cruises up to the mountains every week in the summer, would be great to have another 2 in the squad! Those cruises are some of the highlights of my summers here. And if you change your mind on a 235 xdrive, I have a buddy here in Denver that has one for sale.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-20-2019, 12:55 PM	#34
ZeeJM New Member 9 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I've lived in Colorado for the past 39 years. I wait until Mother's Day at the earliest to swap my winter setup for summer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote