[pred8er]

Anyone know which tires should have snow chains on them for the M3C xdrive?
Not sure if only 2 need them or all 4.

[jummo]

I would say the rears since they do the bulk of the work, but no I wouldn't put chains on my car.
I'm part way through the second winter with this car and with Vredstein Wintracs,
there haven't been any problems with grip at all.
The only scenario where I could envision needing chains would be really deep snow, where the front spoiler will be a far greater problem than traction.
Once the car begins to plow snow, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage.

[pred8er]

Cheers. I'll be traveling Snoqualmie Pass and Blewett Pass in WA to my vacation home in Chelan and those 2 passes can get some heavy snow I hear.

I did plan just getting some all weather tires but my understanding of the 2 passes are that we need to keep chain by law (just in case)

Id rather have chains and some all weathers as needed and to be safe

[davidmct-M3]

Originally Posted by pred8er

Cheers. I'll be traveling Snoqualmie Pass and Blewett Pass in WA to my vacation home in Chelan and those 2 passes can get some heavy snow I hear.

I did plan just getting some all weather tires but my understanding of the 2 passes are that we need to keep chain by law (just in case)

Id rather have chains and some all weathers as needed and to be safe

Might be hard to find compatible fine link snow chains that will fit. I think BMW didn’t recommend chains on these cars. However, the manual says dealer can recommend fine link ones. I would put on all four wheels to keep the same grip levels. I had a taxi driver once who had winters on rear driven tyres and summer on the front to save money. Excellent way to power into a hedge …

[ChrisM4]

With an Xdrive you need to have the correct overall height front and rear or you’ll damage the differential. Do four chains (if they can fit) or no chains at all.

This thing is incredible in snow with winter tires though…

[pred8er]

Thanks all I'll keep the slicks on and switch them out before Winter next year

[BeamerBoomer]

Here in Germany the 829M winter wheels are the only ones certified by BMW and suitable for chains. This is the biggest point to get those instead of any other potential setup (like the 825/826) if you ever consider using snow chains.

[dazed2day]

I was told very explicitly on delivery to NOT put chains on the car (G80 xDrive). However, the manual says you can but they recommend a specific type. I forget now, but you can look it up in the BMW app.

[jmg]

What about snow socks? You can put them on all four and not change the rolling diameter. From what I've seen, they actually do better than chains.:

[YamaLink]

Originally Posted by pred8er

Cheers. I'll be traveling Snoqualmie Pass and Blewett Pass in WA to my vacation home in Chelan and those 2 passes can get some heavy snow I hear.

I did plan just getting some all weather tires but my understanding of the 2 passes are that we need to keep chain by law (just in case)

Id rather have chains and some all weathers as needed and to be safe

I've traveled those passes for years in many makes/model of AWD sports cars. Can be white knuckle drive, whew.
Had to learn to take it out of full nannies otherwise the car (any modern car) will be pathetic in the slush and snow if/when you need to throttle and get out of the deep white stuff.
Took me a year to realize I was wintering my M4X "wrong", it was trying to be a RWD car especially in Efficient non-M mode. Leaving a snowy or slick intersection just spiiiiinnnning in back to the point I once thought "did I get a pretend xdrive during the parts shortage", haha.
Configured M1 to not be so sporty in terms of power delivery and shifting and gave the wheels a little more spin.

[Lupeskew]

Originally Posted by pred8er

Cheers. I'll be traveling Snoqualmie Pass and Blewett Pass in WA to my vacation home in Chelan and those 2 passes can get some heavy snow I hear.

I did plan just getting some all weather tires but my understanding of the 2 passes are that we need to keep chain by law (just in case)

Id rather have chains and some all weathers as needed and to be safe

In Washington all wheel/4 wheel drive cars are exempted from the need to carry chains on the pass

[harperium]

I got a pair of Snow Socks for my G80 xDrive (arrives soon). With the M HAS kit port installed, I'm not sure I'll be able to put the socks on the rear wheels lol. I may have to put them on the front.

For the comment about xDrive needing the same wheel height: Last summer I had a spare tire on my X3M - a very large height difference. Drove that way for over 50 miles until I could replace the tire at a tire shop. So xDrive can handle some height variance for limited periods.

[G-Ram]

If you're going where snow is being pushed around by your front splitter, just get dedicated snow tires. All weather/season tires suck in all seasons. Summer tires for summer, winter tires for winter. Stay safe out there.
Hate to see someone slide into an oncoming vehicle and there beings a massive wreck and fatalities involved for trying to save a few bucks. Do it right, OP.