UnhandledException
Well-Known Member
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If you are wondering how this car handles in snow, you dont need to wonder anymore. It handles superb.
Facts:
Weather: Snow started around 9:30 am and we had 6.5" of snow by 5pm and temperatures as low as 25F. It became very icy and slippery fairly quickly past 3pm.
Tires: Michelin Alpine PA4. 285s all around on stock wheels.
Slope of my driveway: 9 degrees (which is fairly steep). I measured using my tools - 7' level and a plumb bob and measuring tape.
Tests:
The car have passed all my unscientific tests with flying colors. Granted I haven't owned an AWD car in my life, SUV or Sedan - my comparison is really against all other RWD cars I have owned and driven in snow with snow tires. Those are:
BMW 2009 335i
BMW 2010 E90 M3
BMW 2014 and 2015 F10 M5 (Yes I owned 2 M5s)
BMW 2015 F80 M3
Of all these cars, E90 M3 was hands down the best car in snow. It was light, naturally aspirated, good LSD. I would rate that car probably 6-7. Following that is the 335i a rating of 5. The F80 and F10 were both marginal, probably a rating of 3 for both. I have had great difficulty in the M5 even though its a much longer wheelbase, heavier car. The problem was the insane torque down low. BMW also does not make a "weather" mode in their cars which is a huge problem in my opinion. There is no reduced torque/power in a true sense. Its more of reduced throttle sensitivity. Whereas with the Shelby I may be wrong but car feels like 200 hp. Plus the biggest difference is the ability to modulate clutch. Yes DCT allows starting from 2nd gear, but not from 3rd gear and it doesnt slip the clutch based on your input to reduce torque.
Anyways, all in all, I cant tell you how pleased I am with this. I know this is very unconventional. But I am taking all the precautions. I have XPEL on 50% of the car. I have 3 coats of sealant on the rest. I have sprayed the undercarriage of the car with fluid film (which seems to work because after parking I heard what I can best describe as soda sparkling noise) and I got one of those undercarriage spray things that I will use while the car is on jack stands.
Final statement : SUVs are so overrated. We dont need big ass SUVs guys. We dont need those houses on wheels (Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, I am talking about those ugly looking cars). Good tires and a clutch pedal and a balanced car is all it takes (and not being an idiot and some common sense). Yes, if you get a subaru WRX and snow tires, you ll beat me. But anyone else with their all seasons? Good luck.
Btw, while conducting my tests, I have almost been hit twice by amateur SUV drivers (and MDX and a Cherokee). One couldnt stop and locked the wheels. The other panicked while taking a turn when seeing me coming from opposite direction and hit the curb sideways.
Hope this helps to others who thought about doing this but didnt do it because they thought a RWD 500+ hp car cant do it in snow. This car is meant to be enjoyed
Facts:
Weather: Snow started around 9:30 am and we had 6.5" of snow by 5pm and temperatures as low as 25F. It became very icy and slippery fairly quickly past 3pm.
Tires: Michelin Alpine PA4. 285s all around on stock wheels.
Slope of my driveway: 9 degrees (which is fairly steep). I measured using my tools - 7' level and a plumb bob and measuring tape.
Tests:
- From level ground, drive up on my driveway
- Stop in the middle of my driveway, and start going again
- Stop from 25 mph
- Curve handling at 35 mph
- Going down a steep turn
- Go up and down my driveway about 20 times to make the snow very compact to the point it turned into ice. My wife fell on her butt trying to watch me twice. You can not even walk on tire marks now to the point I am actually wondering how the hell I am going to get 2+ inches of ice off tomorrow morning.
The car have passed all my unscientific tests with flying colors. Granted I haven't owned an AWD car in my life, SUV or Sedan - my comparison is really against all other RWD cars I have owned and driven in snow with snow tires. Those are:
BMW 2009 335i
BMW 2010 E90 M3
BMW 2014 and 2015 F10 M5 (Yes I owned 2 M5s)
BMW 2015 F80 M3
Of all these cars, E90 M3 was hands down the best car in snow. It was light, naturally aspirated, good LSD. I would rate that car probably 6-7. Following that is the 335i a rating of 5. The F80 and F10 were both marginal, probably a rating of 3 for both. I have had great difficulty in the M5 even though its a much longer wheelbase, heavier car. The problem was the insane torque down low. BMW also does not make a "weather" mode in their cars which is a huge problem in my opinion. There is no reduced torque/power in a true sense. Its more of reduced throttle sensitivity. Whereas with the Shelby I may be wrong but car feels like 200 hp. Plus the biggest difference is the ability to modulate clutch. Yes DCT allows starting from 2nd gear, but not from 3rd gear and it doesnt slip the clutch based on your input to reduce torque.
Anyways, all in all, I cant tell you how pleased I am with this. I know this is very unconventional. But I am taking all the precautions. I have XPEL on 50% of the car. I have 3 coats of sealant on the rest. I have sprayed the undercarriage of the car with fluid film (which seems to work because after parking I heard what I can best describe as soda sparkling noise) and I got one of those undercarriage spray things that I will use while the car is on jack stands.
Final statement : SUVs are so overrated. We dont need big ass SUVs guys. We dont need those houses on wheels (Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, I am talking about those ugly looking cars). Good tires and a clutch pedal and a balanced car is all it takes (and not being an idiot and some common sense). Yes, if you get a subaru WRX and snow tires, you ll beat me. But anyone else with their all seasons? Good luck.
Btw, while conducting my tests, I have almost been hit twice by amateur SUV drivers (and MDX and a Cherokee). One couldnt stop and locked the wheels. The other panicked while taking a turn when seeing me coming from opposite direction and hit the curb sideways.
Hope this helps to others who thought about doing this but didnt do it because they thought a RWD 500+ hp car cant do it in snow. This car is meant to be enjoyed
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