4Runner or BMW in snow
- Thread starter Black4runner
- Start date
WillK
New member
Why are both tires not good in the snow....??
And anyone who recommends the BMW with summer tires over the Runner with all weather tires needs to really reexamine driving all together.
First, the BMW has summer tires. They are made of a harder compound, which helps them to grip better and hold the road in turns IN DRY WARM CONDITIONS. Harder compound tires will stiffen in cold and wet conditions, making them even less reliable and making your BMW ride like roller skates on an ice rink.
We have had three (or four at this point- can't remember) snow falls here in MD in the last two weeks. And it's been the nasty, wet, almost frozen, slushy stuff. Add the ice on top of the snow (twice) and the roads haven't been great. My wife drives an 08' Runner with the same tires you're running. And she hasn't even had to turn on the 4WD yet.
I wouldn't say your tires are bad, but maybe you're not used to driving in the snow, which is a challenge to learn to drive in the snow when it doesn't snow enough where you live...
I grew up in the Midwest in the 70's and everyone had RWD land yachts but were accustomed to snow and really never had problems driving in it.
With all that said, my choice would be the Runner. Better tires, better wet road/inclement weather mannerisms, higher seating so better view of the road, cheaper to repair (should you have an accident), and just better designed for the conditions.
mikebontoft
New member
Hard to say if you're not used to snow. I rarely ever use 4WD when the roads are icy and snowy (today we got sheet ice on the roads).
I've been out in crappy weather like this recently with a few different BMW's and other cars. My general opinion is TRACTION CONTROL OFF. (DSC for you). Yes you need to be careful with throttle. But when I can't even MOVE because traction control is kicking in, that's a safety hazard. I've just gotten good at controlling the "snow drifts" now.
RWD cars sure kick out easily. I'll have to go test drive an E90 for you. There's already a 4th gen here I can test. But I'd drive the 4runner.
I've been out in crappy weather like this recently with a few different BMW's and other cars. My general opinion is TRACTION CONTROL OFF. (DSC for you). Yes you need to be careful with throttle. But when I can't even MOVE because traction control is kicking in, that's a safety hazard. I've just gotten good at controlling the "snow drifts" now.
RWD cars sure kick out easily. I'll have to go test drive an E90 for you. There's already a 4th gen here I can test. But I'd drive the 4runner.
coconutpete
New member
You make it sound like there may be one day where you need to drive it .. is that the case? Is that all?
Both those vehicles will do just fine in the snow with the PROPER tires.
If it comes down to driving the BMW with the summer tires that BMW provides with the sport package - then leave it parked where it is and take a cab!
I have had 3 different 3 series BMW's, 2 e46's and an E90. All RWD - it's the only way those cars were meant to be!
I drove 20miles each way to and from work in New England winters with a set of winter tires ...... no sandbags etc. Just a good set of winter tires. Those cars went everywhere my Grand Cherokee did and my 4Runner did, before I moved to NC. Every winter day I would pass Jeeps and Land Rovers in the ditches because people were too cheap to buy proper tires or because they didn't know how to drive.
That one year where I was late on the tires ... I barely made it home and it was just SLUSH!
Both those vehicles will do just fine in the snow with the PROPER tires.
If it comes down to driving the BMW with the summer tires that BMW provides with the sport package - then leave it parked where it is and take a cab!
I have had 3 different 3 series BMW's, 2 e46's and an E90. All RWD - it's the only way those cars were meant to be!
I drove 20miles each way to and from work in New England winters with a set of winter tires ...... no sandbags etc. Just a good set of winter tires. Those cars went everywhere my Grand Cherokee did and my 4Runner did, before I moved to NC. Every winter day I would pass Jeeps and Land Rovers in the ditches because people were too cheap to buy proper tires or because they didn't know how to drive.
That one year where I was late on the tires ... I barely made it home and it was just SLUSH!
mikebontoft
New member
OK you're in luck! I've successfully tested an E90 (with summer tires!) and a 4th gen on the same snowy roads.
Good god... don't drive the E90 in snow with summer tires. I couldn't make it out of the shop. Had to hold the DTC button and disable DSC just to move. Still could hardly go anywhere.
The 4th gen... fortunately had 4WD but I tried 2WD first. OK... the lack of a VSC OFF button is just damn stupid. I had it floored and the damn thing wouldn't move. had to just let it idle up to speed. 4WD with center diff locked (and vsc off! yay!) made it OK. still loose.
So my bottom line is...they both suck man. sorry. I'd go with the 4Runner with the VSC mod.
Good god... don't drive the E90 in snow with summer tires. I couldn't make it out of the shop. Had to hold the DTC button and disable DSC just to move. Still could hardly go anywhere.
The 4th gen... fortunately had 4WD but I tried 2WD first. OK... the lack of a VSC OFF button is just damn stupid. I had it floored and the damn thing wouldn't move. had to just let it idle up to speed. 4WD with center diff locked (and vsc off! yay!) made it OK. still loose.
So my bottom line is...they both suck man. sorry. I'd go with the 4Runner with the VSC mod.
A couple of points since I own 2 BMW's and a 4Runner:
The OEM runflat Bridgestones on the BMW are NOT summer tires - they're all-seasons. I have them on my 135i. They're passable in the rain - but I don't push it when it's nasty out. I don't drive the 135i in the snow - that's what the 4Runner is for.
My wife's car - E90 328xi - no Msport package, but it has x-drive, has the Conti all-seasons. It's fine in the rain, but horseshit in the snow. She survives driving it (since she's less aggressive), but if it were my car, or not a lease, I'd have winter tires on it no doubt.
The 4Runner - traction is fantastic even with all-seasons. I have high confidence driving it in any condtions. Sure, it's 4x4 but it's all I have to compare to. The downside is gas mileage.
So my choice? 4Runner with normal tires or the BMW with winter tires. How much does it snow in GA anyway?
The OEM runflat Bridgestones on the BMW are NOT summer tires - they're all-seasons. I have them on my 135i. They're passable in the rain - but I don't push it when it's nasty out. I don't drive the 135i in the snow - that's what the 4Runner is for.
My wife's car - E90 328xi - no Msport package, but it has x-drive, has the Conti all-seasons. It's fine in the rain, but horseshit in the snow. She survives driving it (since she's less aggressive), but if it were my car, or not a lease, I'd have winter tires on it no doubt.
The 4Runner - traction is fantastic even with all-seasons. I have high confidence driving it in any condtions. Sure, it's 4x4 but it's all I have to compare to. The downside is gas mileage.
So my choice? 4Runner with normal tires or the BMW with winter tires. How much does it snow in GA anyway?
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CrazyNorwegian
New member
For the BMW (I'm guessing Bridgestone potenza 050a run flats)not very good in cold weather/snow. The general grabber ht/s tires on the others hand are highly praised in the snow/rain by many people, including consumer reports. Save the bimmer for summer when you can really enjoy it.
Youngerarlaw
New member
The 4runner without a doubt. If you slip and bounce over a curb, no worries. Tire shops around here like Les Schwab will let you buy chains and if you don't use them, return them at the end of the year for a full refund. Buy a set of chains for the ass end of the 4runner and carry them in case it doesn't perform well or conditions are terrible. Problem solved. I have a 4wd LE and still carry chains even though I run snowflake tires. Better safe than sorry. Good luck and be safe.
