RS4 in the snow

[Lewy1000]

Suprised there's no snow related posts yet so thought id kick one off.. Anyone had any stories over the past few days? Im facing a long drive from the south coast to yorkshire tomorrow night and havent been out in mine in the snow yet. After seeing the weather forecast Im wishing id invested in winter tyres!

In general how has everyone found the RS4 performing in the snow in standard tyres?

[drcarrera]

I found mine great, although I haven't exactly taken it off piste!
I've got Vreds which are supposed to be good in the snow, and I was driving round almost like normal whilst laughing at all the BMW drivers ...!

[Pie]

No problems - yet - and have had the ESP completely off every time I've been out (hold for 3 seconds)
Running Pirelli Rosso's all round.

The quattro system is just immense!

[P_G]

Likewise on Vred's with ESP off in Tyenside / Northumberland today and had no issues. Had to rescue the other half in her A2 3 times today in same conditions. RS4 is just immense in this weather although I'm sure it would be even better on winter tyres. All this in up to 6 inches of snow / ice.

[Norre]

I drive my RS4 every day here in sweden, and now when the snow is here (about 40cm and still counting) the RS4 on winter tyres is wonderful! ESP off and just step on it! I love it!

[SKG_C63AMG]

ive still got the original michilen tyres on with 3mm and it was so much fun and never got stuck once, more fun than my previous R32 and i had the ESP off all day get my vred's fitted tomorrow along with the miltek, oh happy days lol

[wolfgang]

Guys, do you need to turn the ESP off in snow? I'm not sure of the settings for snow.

[P_G]

Don't have to but I personally find it better using my feet that relying on ESP to cut the power in certain situations.

[Lewy1000]

Well im running pirelli's all round too, sounds like the drive tomorrow should be fun rather than something to worry about - so long as i dont get stuck behind a beemer in the central reservation!

[irvind]

I just had my Vred Wintracs fitted and was enjoying the grip around town yesterday. Drove from Glasgow to Manchester tonight which was pretty solid, just scary when the car occasionally gets shunted about a bit by the snow in the outside lane when it's deep.
I was overtaken by a lorry at one point but I couldn't see the motorway edge for the snow flying at me! How he thought it was safe to be going quite a bit faster is beyond me!

[wolfgang]

It'll be my first experience of snow in the RS4 in a couple of hours. Looking forward to it!

[Jonah]

First trip in the snow also this morning.

Was a bit surprised at first how much the car cut the power, so I decided to turn the eps off. Not fully, just a quick press. This was a lot better, however getting a bit giddy turning a corner on an empty road was almost very expensive, arse end out almost clipping about 3 parked cars. Heart beating like mad, esp button re-pressed and drove like a big girl the rest of the way.

Can someone explain what difference the 5 second press of the esp button will do to the handling in the snow please.

[PeteS4]

I took the RS out on Sunday. I don't have winter tyres, but it was fantastic. I was really pleased with how it handled. I had a TT before, which has the haldex quattro. The RS gave me much more confidence than the TT.

[wolfgang]

Well, very little snow this morning but the car felt very sure-footed in it anyway. It's the first car i've owned where i've not been soiling my trousers driving in snow.

[adsgreen]

IIRC quick esp press disables traction control and long press disables traction and stability control.
I wouldn't be surprised if the SCS was "loosened" a bit even with a quick press.