BMW 330 ZHP + Snow = good times

[nk_zhp]

I used to be an E46 guy, then in '07 went to a E92 and now I am back. I forgot how much better E46s are in the snow if they are equipped with proper snow tires. I am running the same winter rims/tires on the ZHP as I did on the E92 and the difference is night and day between the cars. With the numbed out E9x steering I never knew what's going on where the rubber meets the road.

[danewilson77]

Good deal. When I initially read the thread title, I thought it was going to be a video of you doing donuts in Lowes parking lot.

[nk_zhp]

Hey... how did you know what I was doing in the parking lot? :)

[mimalmo]

Yes, these are very capable cars in the snow with the right tires. Much better than a typical FWD due to the near 50/50 weight balance and traction control along with stability control.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

nk, what setup are you running?

[zhp43867]

What E90 did you have before?

[az3579]

What E90 did you have before?

Doesn't matter, it was an E90. 'Nuff said. :biggrin

[nk_zhp]

nk, what setup are you running?
These are straight off the E92. Rial wheels with Dunlop M3 or 3D I can never get it right.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=152



What E90 did you have before?

E92 335i. Engine power is phenomenal. Sadly that's all I can say about that car. Fit and finish looked of lesser quality than the E46 and the extra weight can be felt in the turns. The feedback in the steering wheel was completely taken away which makes highway rides a little more pleasant but I like the feel of the ZHP better.

[Mike V]

Funny, our cars look identical for the winter (besides the corner lights). :) My wheels also were originally on an E9x. A buddy sold them to me for $400 after trading his 335i for an S4.

The E90 offset works pretty good on our E46s!

[zhp43867]

hey if these pictures are thread jacking let me know and I'll delete them. I thought it'd be good because it's the same theme. Last year, Dunlop Wintersport M3s rear/M2s front.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7893/photoyr.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/photoyr.jpg/)

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/7784/photo1gi.jpg (http://img693.imageshack.us/i/photo1gi.jpg/)

[nk_zhp]

Let it snow! let it snow! let it snow!

[zhpnsnv]

The ZHP is amazing in the snow. I've got skinny winters on. I turn OFF the DSC, and I can get through just about anything, tail wagging all the way home.

DSC really blows 90% of the time in the snow. I turn it back on if it looks icy or if I'm just cruising around. But for getting through the tough stuff, it just makes it worse.

*I don't do the full DSC turn off (hold it for a few seconds) unless I want to really have some fun. Just pressing the button gives you enough leeway to let the wheels spin while the car gets sideways, or it will allow you to spin the wheels until you get grip in slush.

[danewilson77]

^+1......only got stuck once. In my driveway...hehe

[mimalmo]

Drove mine Monday night when I went snowboarding and blew past a bunch of Subarus and SUV's on the way there and back to home. If you ever get bored of driving your car, just do what I did - park it for a month and then go drive some twisties for an hour or so. :)

[az3579]

The ZHP is amazing in the snow. I've got skinny winters on. I turn OFF the DSC, and I can get through just about anything, tail wagging all the way home.

DSC really blows 90% of the time in the snow. I turn it back on if it looks icy or if I'm just cruising around. But for getting through the tough stuff, it just makes it worse.

*I don't do the full DSC turn off (hold it for a few seconds) unless I want to really have some fun. Just pressing the button gives you enough leeway to let the wheels spin while the car gets sideways, or it will allow you to spin the wheels until you get grip in slush.


It's kind of funny, actually. I have crappy all-seasons on mine, and there is this hill I tried going up one of these past few days. It was unplowed, and cars were stopped in front of the hill in fear of getting stuck. Two front-wheel-drive cars were there on the hill, spinning their wheels not really going anywhere. So, while still rolling, bypassed ALL of them, slowly rolling up the hill in first gear, and not a single flicker from the DSC light. I breezed by all these people with front wheel drive with nothing but DSC on and crappy all-seasons and huge 255-wide rear rubbers. I'm absolutely floored by that...
It truly comes down to "are you a good driver?" in the "do you or do you not need AWD in the Northeast?" argument. It's proven time and time again, 4WD ist für sissies. :biggrin

[mimalmo]

...and a manual trans makes it easier too.

[jjcools]

I don't know, our allraod kills it over the Sierras!!! The adjustable ride height kills it in the deep stuff too, up to 4 inches higher at 25mph or so. :)

I do love my Zhp for really driving though. I have been using an old Tahoe to drive to the commuter bus stop and parking my Zhp so everytime I get to drive it I feel like it is a new car. That will soon end though so I may need to start racking up miles on the Zhp. :( I need to find another one with low miles to preserve for when the time comes to get a new car!!

[Mike V]

I haven't even had an opportunity to drive mine in snow yet. We had our first snow in Missouri last week but I've been in Minnesota while the zhp is sitting in the garage back home.

[mimalmo]

I haven't even had an opportunity to drive mine in snow yet. We had our first snow in Missouri last week but I've been in Minnesota while the zhp is sitting in the garage back home.

What area in MN?

[Nivo]

My Euro bought ZHP imported to USA

snow tires on asa wheels

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Nice car, Nivo. Be sure to introduce yourself in the new members section.

[Rovert]

I love snow driving in my Dunlop 3D's. I've used Blizzak LM25's previously and I really enjoyed their feeling more. So I may goto the new LM60 next or just go more aggressive with a non performance winter tire like the Michelin X-ice (jargon placed here) 2. LOL.

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7453/lonelywinterday.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSnoaY2ci6Y

[danewilson77]

Pic is srsly :drool

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[kayger12]

Enjoyed the video. Very cool.

[Rovert]

My car is like professional Krispy Kreme machine when it snows. Soft, snowy, white glazed donuts, placed for all to see, enjoy, and touch. I cater to left hand donuts and right hand donuts. Nausea might be felt so please keep tray tables and seat backs in the upright position so you may access car sickness bags found in the seat pocket in front of you. Thank you for riding with Krispy Kreme, fresh donuts made every second*.

*Not applicable to hot places where suntanning is a daily scheduled to do item.

[pyreguy]

tres cool

[danewilson77]

Video cool. Video scared the crap outta me.

[Rovert]

Don't try this at home:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu3-LuoVxrQ

Just try it somewhere else other than home. LOL

[Crickett]

DSC FTW!

I've noticed during this year's snowpocalypse that the E46 is particularly competent in loose footing when you bury the go pedal. (I have Conti DWSs, btw, in lieu of full-on snow rubber.) It allows juuust enough rear step-out. :-)

[Rovert]

It does pretty good for sure. Just don't ask it to send you Hawaii. It will though send you to Heaven when the snow is perfect enough for your tires to drip and slide with ideal balance and feel. :D