New M3 Today in Munich! Colder Temps and Tires?

HotSoss · 05-31-2010, 01:57 AM

So the big day is here- picking up my M3 E92 LeMans Blue later this afternoon! Everything is going great- and I'm trying to get over my jet lag... The only thing is this (apparently) unseasonably cool weather over here. (of course it is sunny and hot back at home- makes me think of that "rain on your wedding day" ironic song though I really dislike Alanis).

Anyways...I assume my car will have either the Continental or Michelin PS2 summer rated performance tires. With continued rain in the forecast and cooler temps (lows to 43F tonight) should I even be driving on these tires? I'm thinking I certainly won't take it very fast on the autobahns if my traction is in jeopardy. I'm just remembering when I was at the dealers back earlier this year and it was cooler and the tires seemed to lose a LOT of grip when they'd stiffen with the cold. I just don't know how cold is "cold'? Anyone have data from the manufacturer on how cold you can drive with the tires and still grip the road?

I was hoping for sunny weather, but I think picking up the car and driving in the rain immediately will help me not be so worried about the finish, etc from now on.

Benjjman007 · 05-31-2010, 02:07 AM

Since your still in break-in mode, you should be fine. Lows in the 40's is nothing to worry about. We get low's in the 40's all the time and I've had no problems. Driven in what I would consider a monsoon, with temps around 46, on the freeway. If I could make it home with all the bad drivers we have here in the bay, you will fine with the smart European drivers.

Cross your fingers for PS2's!

Congrats and Welcome! Post up some pics of your journey!

r53s65e90 · 05-31-2010, 02:08 AM

Cold and rainy weather is normal over there this time of year (unseasonably??? really? maybe its on the colder side). Based on the forecast you should have absolutely no problem with grip. Continentals and PS2s are made for northern European weather.

Cold=close to freezing and then some.

Congrats and Enjoy!

HotSoss · 05-31-2010, 03:30 AM

I just said "unseasonably" because on the weather site it showed the average temp to be high 60's lower 70's I think, for this time of the year, and the temps today are like 43 to 55. That much lower than the average seemed unseasonable, but I can't really say since I've logged only about 24 hours in Germany so far, making me about the least qualified person on the planet to judge German weather!

Benjjman007 · 05-31-2010, 04:40 AM

As long as your not going thru ice or snow you'll be fine. Enjoy your trip!

SenorFunkyPants · 05-31-2010, 05:40 AM

You will notice ultimate grip starting to drop off as the temps drop below around 7-10C (don't know what that is in old money)...you will feel it more with loss of rear traction with full throttle than front end grip. In your situation it won't be a problem as long as you don't go crazy!! I run my car on PS2s with temps below 0C during the winter, you just have to take the reduced grip into account.

Mark's M · 05-31-2010, 08:13 AM

Not to worry, had similar weather for about 1/3rd of my trip earlier in the month, including the rain. The Michelins handled everything just fine.

Bubbles · 05-31-2010, 10:35 AM

Contis 3 and fine as well.

I got caught in some snow.

quality_sound · 05-31-2010, 03:03 PM

Personally, I like the Contis better than the Michelins, especially in these less than tropical temps.

kaykay · 05-31-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quality_sound

Personally, I like the Contis better than the Michelins, especially in these less than tropical temps.

Would you say the Michelin is a better tire for always sunny, hot and dry Southern California?

HotSoss · 05-31-2010, 04:34 PM

Update: Got the car, enjoyed the Welt, drove the car 2 hours, and loved it! Getting used to those squeaky brakes (that is just part of the M3 as I understand it, correct?). I'll post some pics when I get some time and after I learn how to post pics here. There was a little rain on the drive, but not much. I was hoping for the Michelins and got them. Either way the car seemed to handle beautifully. I just hope I don't run into any snow!

I thought the factory tour was more of a highlight that I thought it would be. Pretty amazing stuff. A great way to start enjoying this car.

quality_sound · 06-01-2010, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaykay

Would you say the Michelin is a better tire for always sunny, hot and dry Southern California?

If you're going to track the car. I'm from NorCal and even in CA I preferred COntis to Michelins for a DD car. I think they're quieter, a bit better in the rain, and last a little longer. If you're going to do some significant tracking and don't want to swap wheels, do the Michelins.

quality_sound · 06-01-2010, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotSoss

Update: Got the car, enjoyed the Welt, drove the car 2 hours, and loved it! Getting used to those squeaky brakes (that is just part of the M3 as I understand it, correct?). I'll post some pics when I get some time and after I learn how to post pics here. There was a little rain on the drive, but not much. I was hoping for the Michelins and got them. Either way the car seemed to handle beautifully. I just hope I don't run into any snow!

I thought the factory tour was more of a highlight that I thought it would be. Pretty amazing stuff. A great way to start enjoying this car.

They shouldn't squeak. Mine don't. You won't hit any snow. It rained like a son of a bitch in Berlin this past weekend though.

05-31-2010, 01:57 AM	#1
HotSoss Private 22 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2018 M550i XDrive, 2006 Z4 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Utah iTrader: (0)	New M3 Today in Munich! Colder Temps and Tires? So the big day is here- picking up my M3 E92 LeMans Blue later this afternoon! Everything is going great- and I'm trying to get over my jet lag... The only thing is this (apparently) unseasonably cool weather over here. (of course it is sunny and hot back at home- makes me think of that "rain on your wedding day" ironic song though I really dislike Alanis). Anyways...I assume my car will have either the Continental or Michelin PS2 summer rated performance tires. With continued rain in the forecast and cooler temps (lows to 43F tonight) should I even be driving on these tires? I'm thinking I certainly won't take it very fast on the autobahns if my traction is in jeopardy. I'm just remembering when I was at the dealers back earlier this year and it was cooler and the tires seemed to lose a LOT of grip when they'd stiffen with the cold. I just don't know how cold is "cold'? Anyone have data from the manufacturer on how cold you can drive with the tires and still grip the road? I was hoping for sunny weather, but I think picking up the car and driving in the rain immediately will help me not be so worried about the finish, etc from now on.
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05-31-2010, 02:07 AM	#2
Benjjman007 Lieutenant 36 Rep 469 Posts Drives: X5 50iMSport & MP4-12C Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: California iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 Mclaren MP4-12C [0.00] 2014 BMW 328d [0.00]	Since your still in break-in mode, you should be fine. Lows in the 40's is nothing to worry about. We get low's in the 40's all the time and I've had no problems. Driven in what I would consider a monsoon, with temps around 46, on the freeway. If I could make it home with all the bad drivers we have here in the bay, you will fine with the smart European drivers. Cross your fingers for PS2's! Congrats and Welcome! Post up some pics of your journey! __________________ 2012 McLaren MP4-12C 2015 BMW X5 50i MSport 2017 BMW M2 (on order)
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05-31-2010, 02:08 AM	#3
r53s65e90 8300 19 Rep 573 Posts Drives: r53 s65e90 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	Cold and rainy weather is normal over there this time of year (unseasonably??? really? maybe its on the colder side). Based on the forecast you should have absolutely no problem with grip. Continentals and PS2s are made for northern European weather. Cold=close to freezing and then some. Congrats and Enjoy!
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05-31-2010, 03:30 AM	#4
HotSoss Private 22 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2018 M550i XDrive, 2006 Z4 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Utah iTrader: (0)	I just said "unseasonably" because on the weather site it showed the average temp to be high 60's lower 70's I think, for this time of the year, and the temps today are like 43 to 55. That much lower than the average seemed unseasonable, but I can't really say since I've logged only about 24 hours in Germany so far, making me about the least qualified person on the planet to judge German weather!
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05-31-2010, 04:40 AM	#5
Benjjman007 Lieutenant 36 Rep 469 Posts Drives: X5 50iMSport & MP4-12C Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: California iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 Mclaren MP4-12C [0.00] 2014 BMW 328d [0.00]	As long as your not going thru ice or snow you'll be fine. Enjoy your trip! __________________ 2012 McLaren MP4-12C 2015 BMW X5 50i MSport 2017 BMW M2 (on order)
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05-31-2010, 05:40 AM	#6
SenorFunkyPants Brigadier General 2511 Rep 4,381 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	You will notice ultimate grip starting to drop off as the temps drop below around 7-10C (don't know what that is in old money)...you will feel it more with loss of rear traction with full throttle than front end grip. In your situation it won't be a problem as long as you don't go crazy!! I run my car on PS2s with temps below 0C during the winter, you just have to take the reduced grip into account.
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05-31-2010, 08:13 AM	#7
Mark's M Lieutenant Colonel 617 Rep 1,820 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Individual Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Stoney Creek, ON iTrader: (3)	Not to worry, had similar weather for about 1/3rd of my trip earlier in the month, including the rain. The Michelins handled everything just fine.
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05-31-2010, 10:35 AM	#8
Bubbles Brigadier General 2753 Rep 4,445 Posts Drives: Green Bastard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bishop Bend iTrader: (3)	Contis 3 and fine as well. I got caught in some snow. Attached Images __________________
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05-31-2010, 03:03 PM	#9
quality_sound 8 tracks of madness 62 Rep 2,735 Posts Drives: Slowly Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: At home iTrader: (1)	Personally, I like the Contis better than the Michelins, especially in these less than tropical temps.
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05-31-2010, 04:34 PM	#11
HotSoss Private 22 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2018 M550i XDrive, 2006 Z4 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Utah iTrader: (0)	Update: Got the car, enjoyed the Welt, drove the car 2 hours, and loved it! Getting used to those squeaky brakes (that is just part of the M3 as I understand it, correct?). I'll post some pics when I get some time and after I learn how to post pics here. There was a little rain on the drive, but not much. I was hoping for the Michelins and got them. Either way the car seemed to handle beautifully. I just hope I don't run into any snow! I thought the factory tour was more of a highlight that I thought it would be. Pretty amazing stuff. A great way to start enjoying this car.
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