Hi all. I live in Michigan and currently drive an all wheel drive RC350 FSport. In addition to AWD, it also has snow mode, so I drive it year-round without issue. I am looking at an LC500. Obviously, it is RWD. It has a limited slip differential, traction control and snow mode. I would appreciate any real world experiences in driving the LC500 during northern winters as a primary car. Is it doable? Thanks in advance!

Frank

 

just me but i find that idea not so great on a couple of levels...
1) huge fat tires in a rwd sporty v8 coupe + ice/snow, not a good combo. i doubt you could get any winter tires for the 21" wheels, maybe the 20"s?
2) all that salt on a poor LC

 

Well, you can steer with your feet but it’s not a good idea.

I’m sure it could be done to some degree but why? Is this your only vehicle, no room for another? We have a Tundra TRD PRO that goes great but I really enjoy a 2003 Tacoma that already has plenty rust. It’s awesome in the truly bad times.

 

I believe the $100,000 car is capable of driving in the snow no problem, but I don't think there are enough people with direct experience since it's not a common car. I will be surprised to see if other LC 500 owners respond that they do here.

A lot of larger model BMWs have similar size wheels and do fine in the snow, so I'm sure that means there must be a market for proper tires. Most BMW are AWD now, but my colleague has a RWD and hammered through the season with caution.

However, I would not recommend doing so because it will destroy the chassis. BMW and a few others are the only companies that offer warranty from corrosion that proves well. My brother moved back from Michigan after many years and has PTSD from the amount of damage vehicles sustain from winter seasons. It's not the rain or snow itself that is an issue if the car has proper channels for it to escape, but the salt of course is deadly.

Don't ruin the LC 500 for those of us who enjoy seeing them cruise by!

 

Buy a $5000 beater for the winter if you live up north. Don't destroy your LC500 by driving it in the salt conditions. I am sure it's possible with snow tires, but why? You can't enjoy it in the snow and drive it like it should be driven in those conditions.

Steve

 

I bought 21in oem rims on ebay.. Pirelli makes a snow tire for the LC 500. Every December I switch summer for winter set- up and drive all winter. I only drive on nice days never in snow.The performance tires are only good above 40 degrees and I don't want the car to sit all winter so I use the snows. I would not daily drive the LC all winter here in CT, I have a SUV for that.

I also change tires and rims on my 911.I store the other sets in my basement.They are a little heavy carrying upstairs but it keeps me in shape.

 

I drive mine all year round, including winter, with really no issues whatsoever.


Oh - - - - - Wait - - - - - I live in southern New Mexico - - - - - - - - - - - - - nevermind.

 

haha, yeah, big rims and tires are heeeeavy not to mention huge.

 

It has a snow button for a reason...

 

Always wondered about that. Large front engine and rear wheel drive is a bad combination for slippery conditions. Might it lock the differential so that neither rear wheel can spin without both wheels spinning?

 

As someone above mentioned, the right answer is used Subaru Outback. Those things are unstoppable in winter driving conditions, and you save the LC from road salt and possible damage.

 

That is a great option that most everyone has at some point taken a look at.

For us though a light pickup fills the bill. 176,000 miles, clean inside, aftermarket sound, and can literally throw anything in the back and not be concerned a bit.

Photo resized to suit this forum:

 

Nice! The wife has a 10 year old Tundra that she wants to keep forever. Her DD is an Outback.

 

Don't get too confident because the snow button. All it does is start you off in second gear to reduce the chance of wheel spin. A good quality snow/studded snow tire are a must, and its a good idea to put around 100-200 lbs. of rocks in the trunk. The extra weight on the rear axle helps. If your going to get a set of winter wheels see if you can find a smaller/less wide set. Get some practice driving a rwd car in the snow if you never have done so before.