More ice and BMWs

So today I discovered two things.

Firstly, I discovered the reason why, in the beautiful sunshine on dry roads, BMW drivers have a reputation for driving like idiots.  Instantly, once behind the wheel, I revelled in the joy of people scooting out my way in terror, as the 3 series loomed up behind them.  I enjoyed the fact that when I put my foot down, the car booted me in the back from behind and took off with glee.  I loved the fact that the turbo responded with very little lag, and it turned into corners like it was on rails.  As I pulled up to my meeting, I got out of the car and realised that I'd driven over 100 miles and felt as fresh as a daisy.  I strode across the car park, feeling very self important.  Yes - yes, I was going to get myself one of these.  Why didn't more people drive them?!

Secondly, I discovered that 3 series BMWs are SH*T in the snow, freezing fog, sleet, freezing rain and black ice.  And terrifying.
I left my meeting in Leamington Spa, and bounced across the car park, leaping into my trusty pool car, looking forward to the drive home.  Snow was not forecast until later.  Then, a little south of Nottingham, the snow came.  I was on the M1, there were gritters out, it should have been OK.  The overhead signs were saying "SEVERE WEATHER WARNING: EXPECT DELAYS" - the first moment of terror.  The second moment of terror came, as I switched lanes.  I realised that the snow, which had now turned to sleet, was freezing on contact with the road, and I was driving at (a reduced) 60mph on sheets of ice.  As the lane change happened, the car slid all over the road.  Used to driving a front wheel drive car, I also corrected the slide incorrectly.  The weird sensation of having no traction at the front, and that I was no longer in charge of my own destiny, left me with an icy chill.  Seemly the entirity of the drivers on the M1 realised at the same time that the road we were travelling on was now a death trap, and everyone voluntarily slowed down to approximately 30mph.  We crawled along, watching the snow / sleet fall, and emergency vehicles tearing up and down both sides of the motorway, presumably going to rescue people who had realised too late.  This odd mixture of freezing conditions continued in varying degrees of seriousness, all the way to Sheffield, where it turned to rain.  Relieved, I put my foot down.  And a few miles later, drove into freezing fog.  By this time, my nerves shot, I considered stopping the beast that I was driving, finding a hotel, and just giving up.  I soldiered on, hearing Matty in my head - "Don't worry G, you're in Yorkshire now.  It's just a bit of snow.  It's only a bit of ice.  Be brave, G."  I gritted my teeth (literally) and carried on.  By the time I reached home, it was snowing again.  There is snow on my drive, and I have to be at work tomorrow for a management meeting.  I moan about my fiesta quite a lot.  It's not powerful enough, it's a go-cart etc etc.  But WHAT I would do to be trotting along in my little green goblin tomorrow, safe in the knowledge that I know the car, it pulls rather than pushes, and has some level of stability.

So, to conclude - BMWs are not winter cars, and are apparently useless in Yorkshire.

G out x