Looking out from the side windows, what a feeling?

[adc]

You know what they say, that real drivers have dead flies on their side windows. Well, I'm here to tell you that while it may draw a chuckle from you when you hear it the first time, I wasn't laughing at all last night, driving home in one of the worst driving days in DC history.

The combination of a bottom layer of ice topped of with copious amounts of wet snow proved a little challenging to my M equipped with Conti DWS all seasons. I've never driven sideways for so long, or been so scared doing it, in my life.

At points on certain roads, the car would only move in one scenario - DSC off, 2nd gear, 5000 RPM and steer with the throttle. Fortunately, that only equated to about 5 mph so there was ample time to catch the slides. At times, it definitely felt the M3 needed wipers on the side windows...

Let's just say, I don't think I'll need any more skidpad sessions anytime soon.


Is there any other M3 survivor from last night on the boards?

[smmmurf]

wow that sounds awesome, i wish i could go through something like that. we only get rain here

[kmarei]

me!
it was fun at first, had my dsc off
but when i ran out of gas it was not fun!
except i ran out of gas about 3 feet from a gas pump
winter tires useless!!
slipping and sliding all over the place
still, it was fun

[baarii]

Glad that you two made it home safe!
I left Dulles to go to Falls Church at 3PM got back at 12AM, And the most cars i saw abandoned were BMWs. There was an M5 space gray in the ditch between the 66 lanes and the metro rail.

[adc]

Originally Posted by kmarei

me!
it was fun at first, had my dsc off
but when i ran out of gas it was not fun!
except i ran out of gas about 3 feet from a gas pump
winter tires useless!!
slipping and sliding all over the place
still, it was fun

Glad you made it back home man!

Performance winter tires have their limitations - ice being the most severe of them. You'll see when we get "regular" snow it will be even more fun, and less scary.

Originally Posted by baarii

Glad that you two made it home safe!
I left Dulles to go to Falls Church at 3PM got back at 12AM, And the most cars i saw abandoned were BMWs. There was an M5 space gray in the ditch between the 66 lanes and the metro rail.

Hey man, glad to hear you made it, albeit late. A coworker of mine hoping to get to Ashburn only made it to Tysons around 3:30 AM.

Yesterday morning (so not even in the bad stuff) I called 911 on a white Z4 in a ditch on Cabin John Pky... And I still have a silver 5 series left on the road right next to my driveway.

All these abandoned BMW's are most likely on summer tires - I am absolutely amazed that their drivers have no clue as to the differences. It would be madness to drive on summers in conditions like these.

[adc]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

wow that sounds awesome, i wish i could go through something like that. we only get rain here

It's almost become a nice adventure to share with the buddies, but at the time it was more on the nightmare side, I have to confess...

[John Tanglewood]

I made it around fine in my M with Pilot A3 winters. Good times! Car is buried now though, no hope.

[CarForHire]

Last night was ridiculous. A friend spotted an E92 M3 in AW that was left on the side.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by adc

You know what they say, that real drivers have dead flies on their side windows. Well, I'm here to tell you that while it may draw a chuckle from you when you hear it the first time, I wasn't laughing at all last night, driving home in one of the worst driving days in DC history.

The combination of a bottom layer of ice topped of with copious amounts of wet snow proved a little challenging to my M equipped with Conti DWS all seasons. I've never driven sideways for so long, or been so scared doing it, in my life.

At points on certain roads, the car would only move in one scenario - DSC off, 2nd gear, 5000 RPM and steer with the throttle. Fortunately, that only equated to about 5 mph so there was ample time to catch the slides. At times, it definitely felt the M3 needed wipers on the side windows...

Let's just say, I don't think I'll need any more skidpad sessions anytime soon.


Is there any other M3 survivor from last night on the boards?

You're ready to compete in Formula D, mate.

[adc]

Originally Posted by OC3

You're ready to compete in Formula D, mate.

Not quite, those people actually know what they're doing.

[OC3]

Ahh, don't be modest. All the ingredients are there (DSC off, 2nd gear, 5000 RPM and steer with the throttle, counter-steer, Looking out from the side windows, etc), plus you made it home!

[positiveions]

back east sounds like an adventure.

[adc]

Originally Posted by OC3

Ahh, don't be modest. All the ingredients are there (DSC off, 2nd gear, 5000 RPM and steer with the throttle, counter-steer, Looking out from the side windows, etc), plus you made it home!

Ok then, these ingredients seem in favor.

Against - not sure the spectators were cheering & many moves read more like major saves than artful arcs.


And I was very surprised I made it home. Mentally I had prepared myself for a long slog through the snow in my dainty dress shoes.

Overall I have to say, if we get another snow storm I think I'll head home a little sooner...

[White Shark]

Originally Posted by adc

At times, it definitely felt the M3 needed wipers on the side windows...

Pic from Top Gear video

You need this wiper

[adc]

Originally Posted by White Shark

Pic from Top Gear video

You need this wiper

Awesome! Perhaps BMW should offer it as an option?

[ersin]

Originally Posted by adc

... Is there any other M3 survivor from last night on the boards?

Been there, done that. That's why I have a 4WD SUV to drive during this time of year. To all, good luck and be careful out there.


Cheers.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by White Shark

Pic from Top Gear video

You need this wiper

Hah

[VonSwoopington]

I knew the blizzard was coming so I took my trusty FWD 1998 Toyota Avalon that day. It's been through plenty of snowstorms and has never gotten stuck. I saw wayyy too many abandoned BMWs that day.

I did have a large tree branch fall on top of my car though... and saw a couple of transformers blow. One actually fell right next to my car off of 123 near Lee Chapel.

Either way, it took me 6 hours to get home from Alexandria to Fairfax Station....I dont think the M would've had enough gas to make it that far anyways.

[adc]

Originally Posted by ersin

Been there, done that. That's why I have a 4WD SUV to drive during this time of year.

Problem is, our X3 is on the same Conti tires as the M3. Now granted, it wouldn't have required 5000 RPMs to get going, but where would the fun be then?