Intro and 6mt/snow question

[bimmerguy]

Hi - I've been considering 6mt. I am accustomed to near 300hp rear wheel drive bmw in snow with dynamic stability control.

Can anyone report on how the 6mt does in snow (northeast) with snow tires ( i usually use dunlop wintersport if you're interested Does the 6mt have the "snow" switch for the vsc like the awd model?

thanks -

[Hot Foot]

The "G35" has a similar system call Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS) to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle. Have not driven in any snow yet, however, I am sure with the right tires the G should perform as well as the BMW especially if you get the G35X.

[jl9618]

I'm in Colorado but haven't had any issue with the snow here. Keep the traction control and you're good to go.

[bimmerguy]

thanks - are you driving the 6speed in CO or the awd?

the bimmer has nearly 1000 pounds on this thing and their dynamic stability control/traction control is great. I drove an g35 awd for a few miles in light snow and it was good, but I prefer the manual and the dealer wouldn't let me take one out.

thanks -

[Nismo7]

My new 05 6mt was christined in snow the 2nd day I had it. It came with Bridgestone Torenzas and managed very nicely in the wet stuff. The VDC and Traction control did nicely. I turned it off to see the difference and it was very noticble. Don't hesitate.. Get it!! :P

[Edge]

Welcome bimmerguy. I have an 04 6mt sedan currently installed with the Winter Sport M3. I live in Detroit area. I'll tell you this. On snowy days, I try very hard to find reasons to leave my family and go drive it. And if the major streets are cleared too fast, I'd find side streets to drive on. THE HANDLING AT THE LIMIT IN THE SNOW IS AWESOME!!! I don't really like the VDC system's calibration. But I've benched marked some BMW's systems as part of my work. They are the same in terms of being too intrusive. But if you're not comfortable sliding around in the snow and enjoy the base chassis engineering, just leave it on. You won't be dissappointed compared to your Bimmer.

[chenga]

Luckily the 6MTs all have VLSDs now. I had a few instances where I had to rock the car and slip the clutch more than I would like to because of my silly open diff and the lack of power going to the wheel with traction. I guess I should have bought an '04 instead of that '03.

No trouble in the Michigan winter for me either though. Only two instances I recall where my G35 had trouble in snow, and those were starting from a stop situations on an incline. Good luck finding a car that can handle that situation with ease.

Turning off the VDC is a good way to practice steering with the accelerator pedal.

[jl9618]

thanks - are you driving the 6speed in CO or the awd?

Sorry it took a few to get back. I own a 6mt here in colorado. I have driven the G35X as a rental and it does feel a little more planted. I'm not sure of the specs but it felt a lot heavier. You really couldn't go wrong either way but the 6mt is IMO way more fun to drive and handles just fine in the snow.

[raven6mt]

I have an auto 05 sedan with the Bridgestone Turanzas and I've had a couple of bad experiences in the snow so far. But then again I live in a hilly area with lots of trees which equals lots of shaded areas for icy slush to stick around in the worst areas...no problems at all getting out of my home but coming back and having to go uphill after a sharp turn was tough.

[bimmerguy]

ok great - thanks to everyone who responded on this one. despite my preference for rear wheel drive in the snow, the local dealer would not let me take their 6mt out in the recent snow (and there wansn't much at that...).

Thanks for all the input, i doubt the 6mt would be trouble. btw - I've had turanza's on a fwd drive car about 10 years back - quite unsettled in the snow and rain from what I remember. A good set of snow tires on these cars would likely work wonders...

Thanks all -

bimmerguy

[GZire]

Originally Posted by bimmerguy

ok great - thanks to everyone who responded on this one. despite my preference for rear wheel drive in the snow, the local dealer would not let me take their 6mt out in the recent snow (and there wansn't much at that...).

Thanks for all the input, i doubt the 6mt would be trouble. btw - I've had turanza's on a fwd drive car about 10 years back - quite unsettled in the snow and rain from what I remember. A good set of snow tires on these cars would likely work wonders...

Thanks all -

bimmerguy

Can't blame the dealer. I remember seeing pictures of a brand new 2005 several weeks back. It was totalled and it looked like it was probably a test drive situation.

In any case, best of luck in purchasing your new car.


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Just remembered. I have a Quick time video of a 350Z with Blizzaks. Full on snow. It should be similar to what a G will experience, but it's a whopper at 53 megs. If you want I can email it to you. Let me know if you want to do that.