Nice "cold" weather car.

[solstice]

Well not really cold but it's at least below freezing here currently and the F80 is behaving very well indeed. The HVAC heats up quickly and keep the air evenly heated without drafts or funky smells. Haven't noticed any condensation when parked either. I start to wonder if the MT is shift by wire since there is no hint of the oil getting thicker causing more resistance, just as smooth and easy as in 100 F.

The engine runs smoothly and even from cold start even at idle.

No noticeable difference in the PSS during normal driving, still very good traction even under hard acceleration.

The seat heater gives nice even heat and the steering wheel is back to being toasty as in the E60 compared to the luke warm F10.

In summary, very nice to drive in at least moderately cold temperatures.

[Sir Loin]

Totally agree. Love the heated steering wheel! Tire temp is around 58 degrees when outside is below freezing. The heated seats heat up very quickly and very hot. Even level 1 is hot to me. And my kids love the rear heated seats.

[Lups]

Yup, but tires are needed. I fucking lost the info I got from my SO and now I'm facing the winter with PSS's or even worse, humbling enough to ask what the hell he told me to get. I'll update you guys as soon as I know what I was supposed to buy.

I never forget anything, except if it has numbers and letters mixed together, then I'm a waste of air. Can't even get the F8x right ever.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by Lups

Yup, but tires are needed. I fucking lost the info I got from my SO and now I'm facing the winter with PSS's or even worse, humbling enough to ask what the hell he told me to get. I'll update you guys as soon as I know what I was supposed to buy.

I never forget anything, except if it has numbers and letters mixed together, then I'm a waste of air. Can't even get the F8x right ever.

If it makes you feel better tires are needed . As I said in your tire post I've driven 15 years here on performance tires year round. It works perfectly for me since we have a 2nd car/SUV in the family for the 5 or so days with snow and ice that I can ride share with or work from home. Schools are usually closed here if there is a hint of snow on the ground. But as usual whatever make YOU feel good and safe.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by solstice

If it makes you feel better tires are needed . As I said in your tire post I've driven 15 years here on performance tires year round. It works perfectly if you have a 2nd car/SUV in the family for the 5 or so days with snow and ice that you can ride share with or work from home. Schools are usually closed here if there is a hint of snow on the ground. But as usual whatever make YOU feel good and safe.

The thing is Solstice that I'm just back with power again, and just off the boat from a country that gives us no option but to get those. I don't trust myself enough to skate around, and I don't want to limit my options on going to canada for example just because of this. We do have the audi, but if a pair of wheels is the solution, would you rather take the Q7 out?

I've read a bit about this since we talked about this in the regional forum, but all I can say is that I can't risk Peter just because of a 1500 dollars saved, and even without snow I can spot the difference while going on my 3 am runs now and a few weeks ago.

[Lups]

AS soon as I can find a pair of rims I love, I'm getting those for the summer. The 19" are so bloody boring and putting winter rubber on them will give me the reason to buy a new set!

[solstice]

Originally Posted by Lups

The thing is Solstice that I'm just back with power again, and just off the boat from a country that gives us no option but to get those. I don't trust myself enough to skate around, and I don't want to limit my options on going to canada for example just because of this. We do have the audi, but if a pair of wheels is the solution, would you rather take the Q7 out?

I've read a bit about this since we talked about this in the regional forum, but all I can say is that I can't risk Peter just because of a 1500 dollars saved, and even without snow I can spot the difference while going on my 3 am runs now and a few weeks ago.

No doubt your doing the right thing for you. And yes, if you want to go for road trips north or east in winter with the M4 anyone would be a fool to not get suitable tires. I prefer the pig for that in winter. The ground clearance and 55 profiles is a dream for that. Wouldn't like to plow the roads in Montana or Alberta with my M3's air intakes. Then there are trucks blasting ice, sand trucks and drivers who have no idea how to drive in snow and ice. No thanks.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by solstice

No doubt your doing the right thing for you. And yes, if you want to go for road trips north or east in winter with the M4 anyone would be a fool to not get suitable tires. I prefer the pig for that in winter. The ground clearance and 55 profiles is a dream for that. Wouldn't like to plow the roads in Montana or Alberta with my M3's air intakes.

Montana and Alberta would thank you!

Yeah, I've seen you on the road now twice! you drive sensible and I envy you. My runs tend to be different and also not on day time, when you can indeed easily pull off PSS's.

In this everyone does as they feel is the best for them, but I'm hitting Wistler (or what ever) after Christmas, and I do really need to make sure I can run away. The new rims needed for the summer doesn't actually hurt either, I'm kind of running out of modding lies at home.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by Lups

Montana and Alberta would thank you!

Yeah, I've seen you on the road now twice! you drive sensible and I envy you. My runs tend to be different and also not on day time, when you can indeed easily pull off PSS's.

In this everyone does as they feel is the best for them, but I'm hitting Wistler (or what ever) after Christmas, and I do really need to make sure I can run away. The new rims needed for the summer doesn't actually hurt either, I'm kind of running out of modding lies at home.

Nice, the road to Whistler is fantastic. You'll love it. I still wouldn't do it in winter with my M3. It's asking for rock chips and a cracked windscreen with the relative low height of the Ms. And even if they are good at plowing, snow can come down hard.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by solstice

Nice, the road to Whistler is fantastic. You'll love it. I still wouldn't do it in winter with my M3. It's asking for rock chips and a cracked windscreen with the relative low height of the Ms. And even if they are good at plowing, snow can come down hard.

My mother is coming for a visit. I am getting a holiday after it, and IF I get snowed in in Canada, it will make the number one of my favorite countries of all times forever.

The thing is Sol, I want snow under him. That was the stupid reason to buy one because nothing is more fun than snow and an RWD (and then the crash).

[solstice]

Originally Posted by Lups

My mother is coming for a visit. I am getting a holiday after it, and IF I get snowed in in Canada, it will make the number one of my favorite countries of all times forever.

The thing is Sol, I want snow under him. That was the stupid reason to buy one because nothing is more fun than snow and an RWD (and then the crash).

I see you got a solid plan there. Just make sure you have walking distance to Longhorn and you'll do great even if the roads don't open until spring

[Lups]

Originally Posted by solstice

I see you got a solid plan there. Just make sure you have walking distance to Longhorn and you'll do great even if the roads don't open until spring

That would make my year perfect! Actually, I won't even bother to get a working phone plan just so that that risk will be even sweater.

[kinimod]

PSS tires are harsh, noisy and stiff when cold.

This rubber needs to warm up to stick and ride smooth.

DCT clutch is also harsh when cold, jerky.

Agree that seat heating works well, but every BMW I had was heating up seats just as quickly.

[solstice]

I remember that the DCT in my E90 did need a bit of time to warm up before it acted normal. I expected the MT to have more resistance in the shifter until warmed up from freezing temps as every other MT I owned before but no difference, nada, zilch. Weird, does anyone know if it's shift by wire?

[Kief]

Originally Posted by solstice

If it makes you feel better tires are needed . As I said in your tire post I've driven 15 years here on performance tires year round. It works perfectly for me since we have a 2nd car/SUV in the family for the 5 or so days with snow and ice that I can ride share with or work from home. Schools are usually closed here if there is a hint of snow on the ground. But as usual whatever make YOU feel good and safe.

I'm with you...but how has your confidence been in the cold and wet?

[Damasconian]

Even those of us down in Texas are experiencing some truly cold temperatures this week and have recently seen an influx of reports on cold weather features for this car. Other than the burn reported in San Antonio, all seems to be working pretty well.

Good to know.

[solstice]

My tire temp read 21F this morning and 42F when I got to work. To test I did two runs to redline in 2nd gear at a tire temp of 28F, rolled on the power between 2k and 4k where I was WOT to redline. DSC on, not one flicker of traction control and beastly acceleration. IMO, if you have traction issues with this car in these temps it's due to the road surface condition and not the tire temp. The tires are useless on snow and ice but they do not become ice skates just because they are moderately cold. At least mine aren't. Again this does in no way make them suitable for real winter driving in snow and ice or areas that see solid frozen roads and really cold temps. For here in Seattle though as long as there is no snow and ice they are just fine, for my commute. Just as all my other cars been.

[JoeFromPA]

Light flickering means DSC intervention was already happening, but I have felt power pulled without the DSC light flickering - just my thought.

I agree the car is surprisingly smooth so far in freezing temps....i've only experienced down to 32 but literally did not feel any different in easy driving, shifting, or engine sounds. Seat heaters are super fast and feel phenomenal on cloth.

[Sir Loin]

Originally Posted by Kief

I'm with you...but how has your confidence been in the cold and wet?

The tires we get are actually one of the best tires in wet. In the cold, as long as you don't drive like a maniac, the car feels as planted as in the summer.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by Sir Loin

The tires we get are actually one of the best tires in wet. In the cold, as long as you don't drive like a maniac, the car feels as planted as in the summer.

Agree the PSSs are great in the wet and add to that the LSD and you have a very good wet weather car. The steering robs me of some confidence in the dark and wet but it's not due to lack of grip, just a less telepathic sense of the car.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by solstice

Agree the PSSs are great in the wet and add to that the LSD and you have a very good wet weather car. The steering robs me of some confidence in the dark and wet but it's not due to lack of grip, just a less telepathic sense of the car.

Okay, class. Your assignment for today is to use a sentence without the word "steering" in it!

[solstice]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Okay, class. Your assignment for today is to use a sentence without the word "steering" in it!

Last time, promise. For today