Hello all,
I've just joined because I am considering purchasing a 350Z. Believe it or not my BMW Z3 2.8 with blizzaks and traction control goes like a tank in the snow and ice.

Do any of you drive your car in the snow? How does the car perform in the snow? Does your car have traction control? Do you have snow tires?

Thank you,
Brian Day
Boston, MA

 

Here you go buddy, welcome to the forum!
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=57989

 

Welcome to the boards, bday...always good to see more MA folks here.

My Z is my only car, so I drive it year-round. Mine's an entusiast model, so I've got traction control only (no VDC). I have Blizzak LM-22's on my Z right now, and so far, they've been great. You do not wanna mess with the stock tires in the snow. Browse some of the other boards on the subject here, and you'll see what I mean.

 

Thanks for the reply. I've got the LM-22s on my Z3 and my wifes 328ic and I've been so happy with them. I'm encouraged to hear that they are working out well for you on your 350z too.

 

This car sucks in the snow. Im in NC and we have 2 inches on the ground topday and i cant get out of the parking lot. It just spins!!!!

 

bday-

I have a 2004 Enthusiast with Traction Control in theChicago area. I'm still running with the stock tires. You'll have difficulty taking off from a stop sign or light, but spending about $800 for snow tires for the very few days we have bad snow on the roads in the Chgo area, didn't appeal to me. You'll get by. Just be real gentle on the throttle. If you live in a major metro area, you'll probably only have one day before the roads are plowed out and safely driveable again.

al
"gettin' there is half the fun."

 

I agree completely. I hope to buy some snows in the future, but this winter being strapped for cash after the car purchase, I'm making do. If its that bad on the roads, I wont go to work anyways. Maybe i'll pick up a set of snows and 17s cheap this summer.

In MA, we are due for another good storm later this week... as long as I wait a day, my car is at least drivable.

 

I have the performance Z with the VDC and with stock tires the vdc actually doesn't just about as much as it does with it off. you will just drift shakeing down the street when the VDC kick in like a X-mas light. i just had my LM-22's installed Sat just in time for a snow storm and man its like night and day. i can actually move my car, hell i can actually turn off the vdc and still have no problems. since then i don't really see the vdc really blink at all. so yes this car can be driven in the winter, but you also have to realize even with good winter tires your still have to take it easy on the lanch or you will just be kicking up snow for a few seconds and maybe slide a little, but hell i was doing that in the summer with stock tires.

 

Excellent!
Thanks.

 

I used to always use lm 22 but didnt like them because they only lasted me two winters.

thus I decided to go with yokohamasz rated htr+ all seasons.

$135/each at sears 40K warranty

check out tire rack for discounts and reviews.

sumitumos htr=very good in snow

blizzaks=excellent in snow

I have 245/45/17 back and 235/45/17 front; overall diameter decreased half inch on the front and back

 

My track sucks when its cold let alone w/ snow on the ground. Its all in the tires tho. The stockers get so damn hard when their cold its like driving on flinstone wheels w/ a full-spool in the rear end lol. after alittle driving their alot better but I couldn't imagine a cold set of stock tires on ANYTHING but a completely dry road surface, any snow could be a disaster untill they got back up to PSI. My advice? Get some snow tires.. albeit I should practice what I preach, lol, but I got a 4x4 to drive in the snow and a garage to hide my baby so its all good. But its ALL in the tires.

 

Had to drive home from work Friday with about 2 inches on the ground and did not think I was going to make it. From a dead stop, going slightly uphill, I spun and spun, but I DID make it home. Am sure I pi$$ed off a driver ot two behind me, but oh well. Lat night we got another 4-6 inches; no school and my wife works for the schools so I have her Windstar - excellent in the snow but I feel like such a dweeb driving it. By next winter - Blizzaks for sure!
2003 SB Performance - all stock until summer gets here!

 

bday, as you know from your bimmer, the Blizzaks transform a cars traction in snow. It's no different with the Z. Mount some LM-22s and you'll be good to go. BTW...I traded in a '00 Z3 on my 350Z...still miss the smoothness of that inline 6...

 

I drive 25k miles per year. This is my 3rd season on my Blizzak LM-22s (BMW Z3 2.8). The fronts are good for a 4th season. This will be the last season for the rears, however. I think the reason these tires are lasting longer on my car than on many other applications is because the car weighs only 2900 pounds.