Here's why you buy snow tires

[Fenrir]

Buy snow tires.

Here's what happens if you don't...

http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3/ms3c/100_7587.jpg
http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3/ms3c/100_7589.jpg
http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3/ms3c/100_7590.jpg
http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3/ms3c/100_7591.jpg
http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3/ms3c/100_7592.jpg
http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3/ms3c/100_7593.jpg

hit a pole going around an s-curve onramp :\

Here's the pole:

http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3/ms3c/Picture095.jpg

Tons of damage to the right suspension setup.

In the shop till the 24th. Hope it still drives the same after this...

(p.s. pics taken by the insurance company. Unsure what the heck the pen is doing there o.O)

[BSTD3]

Wouldn't think of driving my Speed3 in the New England winter without my snow tires.

My Blizzaks work great in the white stuff..

[creina1221]

I made it through last winter with some white nuckle driving in the snow w/ oe tires, this year i bought blizzaks and I'm extremely pleased, especially after the 7 inches we just got last friday
---
good luck!

[Fenrir]

I made it through last winter with some white nuckle driving in the snow w/ oe tires, this year i bought blizzaks and I'm extremely pleased, especially after the 7 inches we just got last friday
---
good luck!

Blizzaks are already on order, just have to wait to get the car back and something to wrap them on. Anyone have any stock M3 wheels or MS6 wheels? :P

[enshadowed]

damn that sucks bro

[FrequentFlyer]

I feel your pain. How fast were you going? I did almost the same thing to my 11 month year old Honda S2000 a few years back ~ $4,500 worth of damage. Luckily the car didn't have suspension damage, just body. Coincidentally, that car had Potenza RE050's also. These tires are suicide in the snow and they even have traction issues on dry pavement in below freezing temps. Lots of people like to roll the dice and don't think it's worth buying a cheap set of wheels with winter tires for this car, but all it takes is an inch of snow from one snow event and a little too much speed. I once crawled my way around a parking lot with the S2000, went around a turn with a slight incline and the whole ass end came right around and I was facing the opposite direction. I wasn't even on the gas. Just coasting around the turn at no more than 5mph. These tires absolutely suck in the snow. You may as well put Hoosiers on the car.

[Fenrir]

At this point, I'm fairly convinced it was the onboard TCS/DSC that crashed me. I was going maybe 20mph through a business center. There's a double s-curve before an onramp onto a highway at the end, and I was going around that. Turned left to complete the first s-curve and just didn't turn, so I tapped the brakes and that kicked the rear end out, sending me sliding on pretty much pure ice. I knew I was headed for the pole, so I turned away from it and gassed trying to get at least a little bit out of the way, but the car basically said "Nah, I'm not gonna let you do that."

Was probably going 15-20 when I hit the pole, and it cause about $3,200 worth of damage. Boy am I glad I got decent insurance on this :P

Like I said earlier, I'm pretty terrified that the car will never drive the same again. Everyone I talk to about it keeps telling me it won't, but I'd like to hold on to at least SOME shred of hope :x

[oaklandopen]

i realize that the stock tires aren't all-weather, but you can't really put all the blame on them. for instance, if you didn't have to be out driving with snow on the roads then you shouldn't have, or you coulda taken a different vehicle that is better equipped for snowy situtations. or even you could have tested out how bad the car handles in the snow at some safer area.

this is stuff that insurance might be thinking about...not trying to say that your decision making is bad

one thing my dad used to make me do when i first started driving is take the car out in the snow or ice in our sparsely populated developement and see what it feels like to lock up the brakes, or feel ABS with an equipped car. knowledge is power i guess, and it helped a lot. i still do a stop test on iffy days no matter what car im driving, just to see how bad the road slickness is

[Fenrir]

Yeah, but I was at work. This is the only car I have available to me, and I didn't have any money for snow tires. I wasn't blaming the tires, I was blaming the electronics, fyi :P The tires are pretty horrible for driving in the snow, and with the amount that we get here in Chicago, I am justified in blaming them if I so choose to. They're complete and utter RUBBISH in the snow. I got next to no traction, and could barely get above 30mph in general. On a highway. Going in a straight line.

EDIT: I've also been driving in the snow for 8 years, a few of which were in a slammed, heavily modded 240SX. That's RWD, with no ABS, no traction control, and summer tires as well. I did just fine in that car since it wasn't fighting me when I tried to correct. I would have taken the car out to learn how it drove in the snow, but like I said, I was at work. I didn't really have time to go and play. I honestly don't think it was any one thing, it was a combination of the car, my driving, and the conditions on the road. Shit happens.

[GoFast]

ouch!
but that is a sexy pole(naughty)

[axisboldaslove]

blizzaks are the way to go...just be careful with your all seasons/summer tires

[niz55]

suspension damage is really bad. Car can't never be the same like factory.

[MSP2024]

damn that really sucks ass

[GoFast]

suspension damage is really bad. Car can't never be the same like factory.

so maybe in the future it can be?(dunno)

[hectik1]

I run all-seasons....it is all in the way you drive. Be careful out there guys/gals!

[Kain]

Yeah, but I was at work. This is the only car I have available to me, and I didn't have any money for snow tires.

Money to buy a >$20k car... but not a few hundred for snow tires? Wonder what your deductible is.


so maybe in the future it can be?(dunno)

I lawl'd.

[Pmpkinhead]

I think the pen is showing a hole in the resivoir?!

[squidmotion]

or holding something open for a better look...


man, being from florida and now texas... i REFUSE to drive on icey roads... i have done it... in an old beater in colorado, and it was fun, cuz the car was a 'winter beater' (i do suck at it, however... chronic curb nailer)... but if we get that here in texas, you are better off staying in the house... you might be the best snow/ice driver in the world, but you don't stand a chance against the other million 'first timers' around here... INSANITY.

i hope your car can be fixed correctly... that really sucks.

[White 6s]

right around this time last season i hit a pole in my work lot...they didnt salt...and i had snow tires...same corner...same black mica...only my damage was worse...that headlight housing is expensive (HID) no suspension damage tho. also from IL.

man was i pissed off. snow tires cant stop you on sheer ice...they will only help alil...still pissed tho

[PCspeed3]

suspension damage is really bad. Car can't never be the same like factory.

Do you ever have anything positive to say? haha

that really sucks man, atleast you will have her back before Christmas!

[GoFast]

Do you ever have anything positive to say? haha




what are you talking about?! that is very positive!! he is saying in the future it can be (attn)

[Rainman]

The stock tires are NOT meant for winter driving...period. In fact, they aren't even that good in wet conditions during the summer. Save up and buy some winter tires.

Sucks brother.

R

[///M Compact]

Money to buy a >$20k car... but not a few hundred for snow tires? Wonder what your deductible is.

Yep, there's always enough money and time to do it right the second time.

[240ka]

im so glad i live in florida. id be pissed

[spdjnke]

dude, I was afraid of that, that's why I shouted out 1200 bucks for a new setup for winter. SO glad that I did. SORRY about your ride bro.

[Fenrir]

Money to buy a >$20k car... but not a few hundred for snow tires? Wonder what your deductible is.


Car payment takes up most of my money. People have bills. It's also Christmas time and I dipped a bit low into my account for it. I wasnt counting on the stock tires being worse than useless in the snow. Take your sarcasm elsewhere.

Oh, and it's 500$. Not enough for a decent set of snow tires and rims to wrap them on. This car is my baby, I'm not settling for second best. Had no idea the first snowfall of the season would be all it took to destroy it :/

[Captain KRM P5]

where did this happen? near to us, ririal?

[Captain KRM P5]

Oh, and it's 500$. Not enough for a decent set of snow tires and rims to wrap them on. /

yes it is :) give me a holler

[Fenrir]

Yeah it happened in waukegan, northpoint business center near where Lakehurst used to be. Shoot me a pm with more info on those wheels/tires?

[Kain]

Car payment takes up most of my money. People have bills. It's also Christmas time and I dipped a bit low into my account for it. I wasnt counting on the stock tires being worse than useless in the snow. Take your sarcasm elsewhere.

For once I wasn't being sarcastic, was just playing Monday Morning Quarterback. But hey, lesson learned, right?

[///M Compact]

Had no idea the first snowfall of the season would be all it took to destroy it :/

Well, now you do!

[Outkast]

The MS3 on (4) 215/45R18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 are well worth the extra change. I have a jeep wrangler (basically a John Deere tracker with bumpers) and I will omit, after getting caught in this past weekend snow dump (8 to 16 inches depending on where you lived) I had to drive home from work in some nasty stuff - no plows, no lanes visible (on a 3 lane highway), temps in the 20's with limited visibility and the car handled wonderfully. I was passing 4x4 vehicles and had as much traction in the MS3 as I do in the John Deere. I am now going to swap out the wife’s all seasons for winter tires.

Breaks my heart to see your Speed after being wrapped around a pole. Truly sucks!

[eg6motion]

Bummer. well, lesson learned I suppose. No matter what the cause, it always hurts to have your car damaged. Hope it gets fixed quickly for you and that everything functions like normal after.

[robin2660]

one thing my dad used to make me do when i first started driving is take the car out in the snow or ice in our sparsely populated developement and see what it feels like to lock up the brakes, or feel ABS with an equipped car. knowledge is power i guess, and it helped a lot. i still do a stop test on iffy days no matter what car im driving, just to see how bad the road slickness is

+1000! It makes my GF hella nervous but what you gonna do? You have to know your environment.

[robin2660]

Yeah, but I was at work. This is the only car I have available to me, and I didn't have any money for snow tires. I wasn't blaming the tires, I was blaming the electronics, fyi :P The tires are pretty horrible for driving in the snow, and with the amount that we get here in Chicago, I am justified in blaming them if I so choose to. They're complete and utter RUBBISH in the snow. I got next to no traction, and could barely get above 30mph in general. On a highway. Going in a straight line.

EDIT: I've also been driving in the snow for 8 years, a few of which were in a slammed, heavily modded 240SX. That's RWD, with no ABS, no traction control, and summer tires as well. I did just fine in that car since it wasn't fighting me when I tried to correct. I would have taken the car out to learn how it drove in the snow, but like I said, I was at work. I didn't really have time to go and play. I honestly don't think it was any one thing, it was a combination of the car, my driving, and the conditions on the road. Shit happens.

You are a perfect example of people trying to cheap out and paying for it. When you bought the car you should have known that the tires were summer only. You should have budgeted tires in having known about this. If you couldn't afford the proper tires, you should re-think your priorities and buy a car in your budget (one in which you can afford repairs, insurance, and SNOW TIRES).

Hell, since you like to gamble just drive without insurance. At least then you could've afforded snow tires. Now you get to pay your deductible and perhaps an insurance rate increase.


Sorry you're the horse to beat but I get sick and tired hearing people's excuses and rationalizations. There really is no excuse for avoiding obvious safety precautions. If you slid into me and I saw your car NEW car had summer tires on it I would be tempted to do more damage to you or your car. (deadhorse

Hopefully now some people can learn from your mistake. That said I'm sure there will be bone-heads that keep insisting they know better than all of man's aquired wisdom and knowledge gleened throughout the millenia ....

[robin2660]

[snip] but the car basically said "Nah, I'm not gonna let you do that."

How about, "but the TIRES basically said, "Nah, I'm not gonna let you do that."???????? (headshake

[///M Compact]

How about, "but the TIRES basically said, "Nah, I'm not gonna let you do that."???????? (headshake

I wonder how fast the pole was moving when it ran into him...

[Fenrir]

You are a perfect example of people trying to cheap out and paying for it. When you bought the car you should have known that the tires were summer only. You should have budgeted tires in having known about this. If you couldn't afford the proper tires, you should re-think your priorities and buy a car in your budget (one in which you can afford repairs, insurance, and SNOW TIRES).

Hell, since you like to gamble just drive without insurance. At least then you could've afforded snow tires. Now you get to pay your deductible and perhaps an insurance rate increase.


Sorry you're the horse to beat but I get sick and tired hearing people's excuses and rationalizations. There really is no excuse for avoiding obvious safety precautions. If you slid into me and I saw your car NEW car had summer tires on it I would be tempted to do more damage to you or your car. (deadhorse

Hopefully now some people can learn from your mistake. That said I'm sure there will be bone-heads that keep insisting they know better than all of man's aquired wisdom and knowledge gleened throughout the millenia ....

First, I was planning on buying snow tires. It was in the budget, and they were going to be ordered right about now once Christmas expenses were covered. Shit happens, plans change. My budget isn't exactly going the way I had planned when I bought the car. The economy is shit right now.

Second, it's easy to point and laugh when it wasn't you who it happened to. I'd really love to see how you'd react if it was YOUR car that hit the pole. I made a mistake, I should have bought snow tires sooner. I've said that. I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm sharing a story. Get over yourself.


How about, "but the TIRES basically said, "Nah, I'm not gonna let you do that."???????? (headshake

Tires don't cut throttle when you try to accelerate :P

[Fenrir]

For once I wasn't being sarcastic, was just playing Monday Morning Quarterback. But hey, lesson learned, right?

Lesson learned indeed. I'm not driving it again until I get snow tires :P

[Olestra]

Tires don't cut throttle when you try to accelerate :P

When your tail end breaks loose and you're sliding into a pole, chances are throttle, brake, e-brake, TCS or lack of etc. aren't going to save you.

Well I'm glad you're getting your priorities straight now. Good luck.

[robin2660]

Second, it's easy to point and laugh when it wasn't you who it happened to. I'd really love to see how you'd react if it was YOUR car that hit the pole. I made a mistake, I should have bought snow tires sooner. I've said that. I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm sharing a story. Get over yourself.:P

Don't take this as a personal attack. I don't even know you. Besides, what I think (and anyone else on innanets) shouldn't matter to you so much so don't get your panties in a bunch! ;-)

And I am not laughing at you at all. I am scolding you for blaming the car and not your faulty reasoning. Hopefully someone will learn from your mistake.

[pdqgp]

Yeah, but I was at work. This is the only car I have available to me, and I di I wasn't blaming the tires, I was blaming the electronics, fyi :P The tires are pretty horrible for driving in the snow, and with the amount that we get here in Chicago, I am justified in blaming them if I so choose to. They're complete and utter RUBBISH in the snow. I got next to no traction, and could barely get above 30mph in general. On a highway. Going in a straight line.

at least you're okay.

System wise though, you can't really blame the TCS and Stability Control. They rely on available traction to work properly. Thus you really needed to put the correct rubber on there for them to do their job.....or push the button and turn the system off.

My only complaint is the systems seem to be connected. On my GXP I was able to leave Stability Control on yet turn off the Traction Control.

I drove on the OEM rubber with her for two winters, although new tires on the front each year with little issue. Wasn't great but I usually kept TC off yet still had the protection of Stability Control (to a point) through it's independent braking.


When your tail end breaks loose and you're sliding into a pole, chances are throttle, brake, e-brake, TCS or lack of etc. aren't going to save you.

Exactly....at that point Darwin already kicked in and the rest is just plain physics combined with hope.

[robin2660]

http://videos.streetfire.net/profile/Crash-of-the-Week.htm

LOL at the guy jumping out of the car like his feets are going to help him stop the car!

[phillyb]

you deserve what happened to your car. what are you thinking rolling around in the snow with these tires?
the stock tires suck, even for dry weather. hahaha

[oaklandopen]

You are a perfect example of people trying to cheap out and paying for it. When you bought the car you should have known that the tires were summer only. You should have budgeted tires in having known about this. If you couldn't afford the proper tires, you should re-think your priorities and buy a car in your budget (one in which you can afford repairs, insurance, and SNOW TIRES).

Hell, since you like to gamble just drive without insurance. At least then you could've afforded snow tires. Now you get to pay your deductible and perhaps an insurance rate increase.


Sorry you're the horse to beat but I get sick and tired hearing people's excuses and rationalizations. There really is no excuse for avoiding obvious safety precautions. If you slid into me and I saw your car NEW car had summer tires on it I would be tempted to do more damage to you or your car. (deadhorse

Hopefully now some people can learn from your mistake. That said I'm sure there will be bone-heads that keep insisting they know better than all of man's aquired wisdom and knowledge gleened throughout the millenia ....

ummm...that would end up hurting the other person if he ends up getting into an accident. don't give him ideas (notcool) haha

[FrequentFlyer]

I'm not talking about the OP specifically, but alot of people are in the mindset when they buy a car that they don't have to change the tires until the originals wear out and just figure they can drive all year round with the tires that came with the car because they're OE. That's really why most cars these days come with all-season radials because too many people would be killing themselves and/or others driving around on max performance summer tires all year. Especially the way people drive these days. In warmer climates, you can get away with it. The good part is that at least the MS3 comes with sticky max performance tires and not all-seasons like the regular 3 does because those usually SUCK in the summer and the winter (if it snows). The only thing they do well is last a long time because they're hard as a rock.

[Captain KRM P5]

Yeah it happened in waukegan, northpoint business center near where Lakehurst used to be. Shoot me a pm with more info on those wheels/tires?

used to live over there. snow service is awful, when it comes at all. PM sent.

[Fenrir]

at least you're okay.

System wise though, you can't really blame the TCS and Stability Control. They rely on available traction to work properly. Thus you really needed to put the correct rubber on there for them to do their job.....or push the button and turn the system off.

My only complaint is the systems seem to be connected. On my GXP I was able to leave Stability Control on yet turn off the Traction Control.

I drove on the OEM rubber with her for two winters, although new tires on the front each year with little issue. Wasn't great but I usually kept TC off yet still had the protection of Stability Control (to a point) through it's independent braking.

I agree. I don't like how it feels like I'm voiding my warranty every time I turn it off. Most cars have little switches. Here we get both on, DSC off, or both off. Lame :\

[Fenrir]

you deserve what happened to your car. what are you thinking rolling around in the snow with these tires?
the stock tires suck, even for dry weather. hahaha

Your insult is discredited by the apparent fact that you know nothing about tires. Sorry. Wonder what Ferrari has to say...

[wheresthericego]

poor pole

[Fenrir]

poor pole

I etched profanity in it :P

[Lord_Zath]

Reminds me of what happened a couple years back. I was doing 25 or so coming around a downward sloping curve when I realized I was on ice, and the car refused to turn. I tried very hard to correct, but no dice. At the last second, I turned the wheels straight into the curb. The entire p5 went up and over the curb. I got super lucky, as a fire hydrant was mere feet away. I took it to the local Mazda dealer and had them check it. To my astonishment, the only thing I needed was a new tire! That's when I decided to get snow tires.

Then last year on the way to work, I cut a curve too sharply and ended up sliding at a 90 degree angle to the road, all while a school bus was approaching. I was able to correct, despite my wife slugging me in the arm :).

[Antonio DiMarco]

Buy snow tires.

Here's what happens if you don't...

http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3c/100_7587.jpg
http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3c/100_7589.jpg
http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3c/100_7590.jpg
http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3c/100_7591.jpg
http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3c/100_7592.jpg
http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3c/100_7593.jpg

hit a pole going around an s-curve onramp :\

Here's the pole:

http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3c/Picture095.jpg

Tons of damage to the right suspension setup.

In the shop till the 24th. Hope it still drives the same after this...

(p.s. pics taken by the insurance company. Unsure what the heck the pen is doing there o.O)

I was just at my dealers the other day and a MS6 had the same damage on the same side from skidding on the snow with the stockers. They estimate about 3,000 worth of damage.

I purchased a set of snows and wheels for $700, well worth it if it prevents this type of damage.

[CTGrey02]

Thats what having an SUV is for

[Antonio DiMarco]

First, I was planning on buying snow tires. It was in the budget, and they were going to be ordered right about now once Christmas expenses were covered. Shit happens, plans change. My budget isn't exactly going the way I had planned when I bought the car. The economy is shit right now.

Second, it's easy to point and laugh when it wasn't you who it happened to. I'd really love to see how you'd react if it was YOUR car that hit the pole. I made a mistake, I should have bought snow tires sooner. I've said that. I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm sharing a story. Get over yourself.



Tires don't cut throttle when you try to accelerate :P

When I purchased my car I knew I couldn't buy snows then and there. SO I asked my dealer to include Pirelli All Seasons in the deal. Since the stock tires didn't have any miles on them it made sense and allowed me to get through one winter with All Seasons and then spend money on the winters the next year. The Pirelli's did fine the first year but are pretty useless this year.

Yeah and like the other guy said TCS, ABS and DSC DEPEND ON TRACTION to work properly.

[my3needsaname]

The pen is there for funsies...or to show the hole in the washer fluid reservoir.

But I do have to say, that is one sexy pole...meeeeeow.(butthump)

[18psiWhiteMS3]

this is why my Mazdaspeed3 stays in the garage all winter

[///M Compact]

this is why my Mazdaspeed3 stays in the garage all winter

That's why I have winter tires on MS3; when the weather is nasty and the roads are salted my MS3 is the car of choice.

[GoFast]

this is why my Mazdaspeed3 stays in the garage all winter

yeah i keep my Ferrari in the garage too

[mo08ms3]

... In warmer climates, you can get away with it ...

Warmer climates FTW! I'm glad I don't have to worry about this in Florida. The only winter setup I need is brake replacements for all of the elderly drivers stopping in the middle of the road and pulling out in front of me! haha

Seriously, to the OP, that sucks. Good luck with the repairs.

[FrequentFlyer]

Warmer climates FTW! I'm glad I don't have to worry about this in Florida. The only winter setup I need is brake replacements for all of the elderly drivers stopping in the middle of the road and pulling out in front of me! haha

Seriously, to the OP, that sucks. Good luck with the repairs.

lol How's that heatsoak treat ya in the summer?

[mo08ms3]

lol How's that heatsoak treat ya in the summer?

Not fun, I hope that there is an intercooler upgrade in my future!

[Anna-chan]

yeesh, looking at that makes my insides hurt. Do you have your car back yet?

[Fenrir]

yeesh, looking at that makes my insides hurt. Do you have your car back yet?

Nope. It was supposed to be ready on the 24th (with multiple assurances from everyone involved that it WOULD be ready). I called on the 23rd asking what time it would be ready, and they told me it wasn't going to be ready "for a while still." Nobody could tell me why it was taking longer, or even ballpark when it was done. I'll be calling tomorrow and confirming when I get it back. I miss my baby :(

[GoFast]

its probably because of the holidays. i feel your frustration though!

[///M Compact]

Nope. It was supposed to be ready on the 24th (with multiple assurances from everyone involved that it WOULD be ready). I called on the 23rd asking what time it would be ready, and they told me it wasn't going to be ready "for a while still." Nobody could tell me why it was taking longer, or even ballpark when it was done. I'll be calling tomorrow and confirming when I get it back. I miss my baby :(

I don't believe I've EVER had a body shop finish a project on schedule; It's just the nature of the beast I suppose. If you get the car back by the 31st you'll be luckier than most.

[Fenrir]

I don't believe I've EVER had a body shop finish a project on schedule; It's just the nature of the beast I suppose. If you get the car back by the 31st you'll be luckier than most.

I'm more annoyed that I wasn't informed and nobody had ANY idea where my car was in the repair process. Makes me a bit nervous. :\

[GoFast]

I'm more annoyed that I wasn't informed and nobody had ANY idea where my car was in the repair process. Makes me a bit nervous. :\

too much egg nog?

[///M Compact]

I'm more annoyed that I wasn't informed and nobody had ANY idea where my car was in the repair process. Makes me a bit nervous. :\

That is inexcusable. My shop always keeps me in the loop.

[my3needsaname]

Yea I would call make sure somebody tells you where they are on the car everyday since they are running past the time it was promised.

[Lord_Zath]

Some body shops even take digital pics and post them on a website to keep their customers updated with each stage of the repair...

[opt_ms3]

I like the TCS. Unless I'm going to do some launches from a dig, or an AutoX run, I leave it on. Even in the snow. With snow tires, I think it does a decent job. Unless I get it stuck from a stop, then it needs to be turned off for a min. I went out at like 2AM the last time we got 4-5in of snow and challenged the biggest hill in my neighborhood. It passed with flying colors.

[my3needsaname]

I like the TCS. Unless I'm going to do some launches from a dig, or an AutoX run, I leave it on. Even in the snow. With snow tires, I think it does a decent job. Unless I get it stuck from a stop, then it needs to be turned off for a min. I went out at like 2AM the last time we got 4-5in of snow and challenged the biggest hill in my neighborhood. It passed with flying colors.
That's good to know. Even if my car has boatloads less power, it's still good to know we've got a good system strapped onto it.

[08_MS3_GT]

driving skill has to play a part as well. my snows are good in the, well, snow. BUT they are as miserable on ice as a dog on a freshly waxed floor.

where can i get, um, ice tires?

[GROUCHSpd3]

Was probably going 15-20 when I hit the pole, and it cause about $3,200 worth of damage. Boy am I glad I got decent insurance on this :P

Like I said earlier, I'm pretty terrified that the car will never drive the same again. Everyone I talk to about it keeps telling me it won't, but I'd like to hold on to at least SOME shred of hope :x

Don't feel too bad -- I was "attacked" by a guardrail :P I messed up my suspension pretty bad - the tie rod or something like that. My steering wheel was completly turned the worng way but the car was going straight. Weird. But after $2K ... all is well. You'll feel much better when it gets fixed ... promise.

[18psiWhiteMS3]

sell it and buy a new car and it will drive and handle like new

[Fenrir]

Don't feel too bad -- I was "attacked" by a guardrail :P I messed up my suspension pretty bad - the tie rod or something like that. My steering wheel was completly turned the worng way but the car was going straight. Weird. But after $2K ... all is well. You'll feel much better when it gets fixed ... promise.

Thanks :) After talking to a few ACTUAL mechanics and people who have first hand experience with this sort of accident, my hopes are a bit higher.

Now I just need to get the damn shop to UPDATE me -.-

[my3needsaname]

sell it and buy a new car and it will drive and handle like new
hahaha, that's what went through my head at first.

[maestro]

That is inexcusable. My shop always keeps me in the loop.

Are you saying you have a running tab with them?

[ms3=evokilla]

I live in the northern Illinois and the snow this year sucked im happy to have a winter car. The stock tires suck in the snow. And tcs and abs is useless on the snow with stock tire. Ririal sorry to hear what happen. And who saying it ur fault they really don't know how much r car suck in the snow with the stockers. Pm if ur ever down for a cruise in the summer. I live in Round lake.

[Super Unique]

I would disagree with the comments about it never being the same again. Installation of new supsension parts and a proper 4 wheel alignment will put things right. If there are issues with alignment, they can check the unibody to be sure it wasn't tweaked, even if it was, a proper body shop can fix that too.

[Fenrir]

I would disagree with the comments about it never being the same again. Installation of new supsension parts and a proper 4 wheel alignment will put things right. If there are issues with alignment, they can check the unibody to be sure it wasn't tweaked, even if it was, a proper body shop can fix that too.

That's about what I've been hearing lately, now that all the trolls are out of the way. It's a small relief to know that there's a good chance I won't even be able to tell anything happened.

[///M Compact]

Are you saying you have a running tab with them?

No but I've had them do some work on my wife's old car as well as my track rat- and they are going to weld the passenger floor pan into my 2002.

[Super Unique]

That's about what I've been hearing lately, now that all the trolls are out of the way. It's a small relief to know that there's a good chance I won't even be able to tell anything happened.

The results you get will depend entirely upon the quality of the work that the shops turn out. This is one of those situations where you really do want the best people working on your car.

[Fenrir]

The results you get will depend entirely upon the quality of the work that the shops turn out. This is one of those situations where you really do want the best people working on your car.

Yeah, I've heard good things about this shop and they've been rated really well. Here's hoping.

I did finally get a hold of them too, and got them to agree to throw my snow tires on for free when I get them since I don't really have room to do it myself. Wee!

[my3needsaname]

Haha, nice!
Free mounting FTW!

[Pmpkinhead]

Now you can say you waited a year but you got mounted(idhitit)LOL


367 (mp3yellow

[dkswim]

damn that sucks. i didnt think the tires were that bad in the snow they have quiet a few channels that aid in directional stability. granted i would not want to do it all the time but if you only have to deal with it 1-2 times a year its not that bad. hell the all seasons i have on my car are worse then any tire ive ever used

[Babyface13]

damn that sucks. i didnt think the tires were that bad in the snow they have quiet a few channels that aid in directional stability. granted i would not want to do it all the time but if you only have to deal with it 1-2 times a year its not that bad. hell the all seasons i have on my car are worse then any tire ive ever used

Dont act like you have not had any problems with the summer tires in the snow lol ..... I know you better than that ha ha ha

[Captain KRM P5]

ririal, snow tires should be here tomorrow for you!

[Fenrir]

ririal, snow tires should be here tomorrow for you!

Sweet :D I'll have to bring them over to the body shop after work for free mounting :P

[nykole0408]

My hubby hit a deer in November- 2 months later ours is still in the shop. $8800 worth of damage. So I feel your pain!

[Fenrir]

Total bill was $4600, but I got it back today :)

So far seems to drive just fine, but can't really say for sure cause it's snowing again. The day I get it back. Sigh.

[Captain KRM P5]

thanks for coming by tonight, ririal. good to meet you. please let me know how you like the tires.

[Fenrir]

thanks for coming by tonight, ririal. good to meet you. please let me know how you like the tires.

Got them put on when I got home, and the difference is astounding. Many thanks again :)

Pics! (snow1-3) (http://www.rirnef.net/images/ms3/) Hopefully I get the Rallyarmor mudflaps for my birthday in a few weeks...

[Gvr4-330]

The problem with summer tires in the winter is:
1. A tread pattern optimized for dry grip and not for whisking away rain and snow
2. A rubber compound designed to provide great grip in warmer weather hardens up at colder temperatures, with reduced grip.

Add those two traits together and you get a very dangerous combination. That is why they are not M+S rated and why they should NOT be used in snow or expected to be useful at all in the snow. They are just not designed for it.

Riral - glad you got your car back and glad it's running like it always had. And I'm glad the snow tires are working out for you.

[Fenrir]

The problem with summer tires in the winter is:
1. A tread pattern optimized for dry grip and not for whisking away rain and snow
2. A rubber compound designed to provide great grip in warmer weather hardens up at colder temperatures, with reduced grip.

Add those two traits together and you get a very dangerous combination. That is why they are not M+S rated and why they should NOT be used in snow or expected to be useful at all in the snow. They are just not designed for it.

Riral - glad you got your car back and glad it's running like it always had. And I'm glad the snow tires are working out for you.

Wasn't expecting much, just underestimated how UTTERLY useless they'd be. Live, learn, move on :P Car is fine and quite happy in the snow now :)

[Captain KRM P5]

you see now why i have been so happy with the same setup. running it on three cars in the family right now and been very pleased.

[TRDMS3]

here's even when snow tires dont work

http://videos.streetfire.net/profile/Crash-of-the-Week.htm

[LOL WUT]

Snow tires ftw!!! After the first snow we got here I went out and dropped some $$ on a set of 18" Blizzak LM22's. It did suck spending money on tires for a car with 1,000 miles, but 900$ for tires is much better than paying for a accident.

[robin2660]

Here's what AWD will do for you ... with summer tires! LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RRQbHIaSZE&feature=related

[DAC17]

i realize that the stock tires aren't all-weather, but you can't really put all the blame on them. for instance, if you didn't have to be out driving with snow on the roads then you shouldn't have, or you coulda taken a different vehicle that is better equipped for snowy situtations. or even you could have tested out how bad the car handles in the snow at some safer area.

this is stuff that insurance might be thinking about...not trying to say that your decision making is bad

one thing my dad used to make me do when i first started driving is take the car out in the snow or ice in our sparsely populated developement and see what it feels like to lock up the brakes, or feel ABS with an equipped car. knowledge is power i guess, and it helped a lot. i still do a stop test on iffy days no matter what car im driving, just to see how bad the road slickness is

Wow; there are still signs of intelligent life on this planet!

[Beltonius]

With my previous car (2005 Corolla) I found the stock tires (Integrity soemthing or other) were terrible in really every driving condition. Some road debris slashed a sidewall on one of them (happily about 300 ft from my driveway) and I replaced the whole set with some nice Michelins (Pilot Exalto's I believe) and the difference was night and day. The car lacked any kind of control systems aside from cruise (no ABS, TCS, DSC etcetc) but I was finally able to stop reliably in rain and snow.

I got my MS3 over the summer and loved the tires (I thought they did a fine job in the rain as well) but once the road temps first thing in the morning were around freezing I noticed dramatically less traction and I knew I needed some other tires. I ended up going for Continental ExtremeContacts since they seemed to offer the best combination of price and performance (based on Tire Rack reviews), especially in the snow. I live in eastern Pennsylvania and frequently visit my parents in Boston, so I knew snow would be an issue.

Luckily I got the tires before I went to visit them for "the Holidays" where the Boston area was blanketed by several inches of snow. I felt more confident driving around in my MS3 than in my parents Acura MDX (SUV with AWD, TCS etc).

Still, performing test stops and starts in bad weather is important. I did that in some slush on the stock tires and a small blip in the throttle while rolling through slush at under 25mph left me in basically a completely uncontrolled slide. I basically threw on the hazard lights and hoped I didn't encounter anyone else on the road. It was scary but I managed to recover before I hit anything.

Regardless....good to hear noone was hurt and that your car is back in your hands.

I should get back to work now

[15min5k]

I'm not talking about the OP specifically, but alot of people are in the mindset when they buy a car that they don't have to change the tires until the originals wear out and just figure they can drive all year round with the tires that came with the car because they're OE. That's really why most cars these days come with all-season radials because too many people would be killing themselves and/or others driving around on max performance summer tires all year. Especially the way people drive these days. In warmer climates, you can get away with it. The good part is that at least the MS3 comes with sticky max performance tires and not all-seasons like the regular 3 does because those usually SUCK in the summer and the winter (if it snows). The only thing they do well is last a long time because they're hard as a rock.

Mine were gone at 10k miles, do you push the car at all?

[Sport6]

Seems to be a pissing contest of how fast people wore out the stock tires.

[15min5k]

Seems to be a pissing contest of how fast people wore out the stock tires.

No, I just find it amazing how anyone can say the stock tires last long (they're ultra high performance summer tires for Chirst sake!). I mean I had mine rotated on time and wasn't even that hard on them and got like 10k out of them. Maybe if I drove around really slow everywhere it would make a big difference but that would be incredibly boring..

[mckraut]

I make a point of not squealing the wheels or taking turns too sharply and before I put my all-season tires on for the winter, my stockers were still going strong around 23k or so.

[Fenrir]

When I crashed, it was the first snow-storm of the season, and the tires were near new still. They were STILL useless :P

[Sport6]

When I crashed, it was the first snow-storm of the season, and the tires were near new still. They were STILL useless :P

They are SUMMER TIRES. Read: It doesn't snow in the summer.

[Fenrir]

They are SUMMER TIRES. Read: It doesn't snow in the summer.

Well aware, thanks for the kindergarten lesson on seasons.

[AllLostThings]

Ouch! That's why a snow wheel package last year. Z rated tired and snow SUCK


My stock tired haven't worn out fast at all though. I have around 15k on the tires (21 on the car itself) and I could make it through most of the summer with them this year too I bet. It's all a matter of how hard you push it around corners and stuff.

[pdqgp]

Mine were gone at 10k miles, do you push the car at all?

I only got 12k out of the fronts on my Grand Prix GXP. Rears would have made it to 24k. Can't rotate the GXP but the wore evenly. Took upwards of 4" snow just find in that car. It's heavy and has an auto transmission. No way I would try it in the MS3 though.

[oaklandopen]

I only got 12k out of the fronts on my Grand Prix GXP. Rears would have made it to 24k. Can't rotate the GXP but the wore evenly. Took upwards of 4" snow just find in that car. It's heavy and has an auto transmission. No way I would try it in the MS3 though.

was taht one of those rare cars that had fwd with different size tires? my dad was talking to me about this a long time ago but he couldn't figure out what type of car it was

[pdqgp]

was taht one of those rare cars that had fwd with different size tires? my dad was talking to me about this a long time ago but he couldn't figure out what type of car it was

Yep.....awesome car but a bit dated now. Drove one as part of a five day course at Bondurant back in 05 and liked it so much I bought one. It was fun but was time to move on.