[neo871]

I was just wondering, since i've placed my order for a Quaife LSD, how does that affect snow traction? Will it be a little better or i will find myself in the same situation of not being able to move unless the rear has serious grip?
I think this applies to the M3 since it has the same type of rear differential.... any opinions?
I've been watching some youtube videos of M3s in snow and they look like they have no chance at all....

[mikem]

Tyre size and choice will be more important in snow.

[neo871]

already done that....

[Carrera RSR]

Originally Posted by mikem

Tyre size and choice will be more important in snow.

Agree on the tyres are the most important element. The LSD should help traction with good tyres as both wheels will have power to them over non LSD where one wheel loses power over the other. Then you get one wheel doing nothing and one wheel spinning.

[dxb335d]

Andrei your less likely to get stuck with a LSD than a conventional open diff.

But if your really do end up getting stuck, buy an X5 LOL.

[CD]

ive found my car isnt ideal in the snow (actually its more like sheet ice that ive been driving on tonight) , i carnt coment on what it was like prior to the LSD as i never drove it in snow without it.

Im sure Tony E92FAN can help out with a little more background theory on the LSD in these conditons.

[mikem]

I don`t think the Quaife LSD will be better than the M LSD, in fact I`d expect it to be the opposite as the M version has 100% lock-up, pretty sure the Quaife has upto 80% lock-up ??

[neo871]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Andrei your less likely to get stuck with a LSD than a conventional open diff.

But if your really do end up getting stuck, buy an X5 LOL.

looool....that may be right but maybe I should have opted for the new 330xd...since i really feel that even on dry tarmac putting the 335d's power on the the road it's quite difficult.....

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by neo871

looool....that may be right but maybe I should have opted for the new 330xd...since i really feel that even on dry tarmac putting the 335d's power on the the road it's quite difficult.....

but so much more fun. You would lose rolling speed also with a XD.

Just be careful in the winter! Whats the temperature there mate?

[neo871]

it's still quite hot...around 10 degrees Celsius...but snow is inevitable.....

[dxb335d]

Round my way this morning at 07:30 it was -5Celcius.

Dont worry about it Andrei, its manageable.

[biscuits]

The biggest issue here is lack of weight over the rear wheels.

Stick two big bags of gravel in the boot (trunk) and get some thinner winter tyres...

All RWD cars are pants in the snow... it's the only time I'd prefer a FWD

+++

[E92Fan]

To be honest, I don't think whether a car is equipped with an LSD or not is a real issue in snowy or icy conditions - yes, theoretically you might get a little more traction from standstill as the torque can be vectored to either of the driven wheels (at 100% in the case of the M Diff, and 80% maximum in the case of the Quaife). However, the car is inherently unstable in these conditions, and once on the move it is debatable whether an LSD actually gives you any real advantage.

Bottom line - the car will slide and lose grip in extreme conditions, LSD or no LSD. As Biscuits (Paul) says, the best thing to do is to load up the rear of the car with some bags of sand or gravel, and fit narrower wheels with winter tyres. If it's very bad snow for a considerable amount of time, then fit studded tyres.

Above all - drive slowly and be safe!