I live in Minneapolis. BMW has sold 1000's of cars here with RWD. I'd like input particularly from BMW owners with RWD about winter driving with snow tires.

Thanks.

Paul

I don't know how things are in minneapolis, but here in the philly area, the snow plows clear the road completely within 2 or 3 hrs of the end of the storm. So it isn't like you'd be needing to drive through a foot of snow for a while.

If it makes you feel safer, then yeah you should get snow tires, but I do not think they are very important.

I had a 330ci and with snow tires it was better in the snow than my A4 quattro was with all seasons.

Get the snow tires. Well worth it.

How much snow on the ground is it when you usually drive?

Here are some xi's playing.
http://kenvsryu.blogspot.com/2007/05/bmw-xi-awd-system.html

I was in the same exact position as you. I was almost set to pull the trigger on the rwd 335 - then we had the late spring storms and now I am happy w/ our 335xi. I do agree that a rwd car w/ snow tires would be adequate - but the xi w/ snow tires is that much better in the snow.

I live in Minneapolis. BMW has sold 1000's of cars here with RWD. I'd like input particularly from BMW owners with RWD about winter driving with snow tires.

Thanks.

Paul

I don't know how things are in minneapolis, but here in the philly area, the snow plows clear the road completely within 2 or 3 hrs of the end of the storm. So it isn't like you'd be needing to drive through a foot of snow for a while.

If it makes you feel safer, then yeah you should get snow tires, but I do not think they are very important.

Disagree. Tires are the most important factor in driving through snow. The combo of AWD and dedicated snows is unbeatable. AWD may add a bit of weight to the car but it also adds stability on dry roads as well.

RWD-- Sports cars can smoke rear tires. I survived this winter with my original OE sports package tires on factory 18's.

AWD-- sports cars cannot smoke rear tires. Must replace all4 tires at once, every time.

RWD is only way to go.

Winter tires are much more important than AWD.

AWD will keep you from getting stuck. It can help you up a hill or out of a snow bank that might be more difficult with RWD.

Snow tires allow you to stop and corner in slippery conditions, which is what keeps you from having an accident.

If you must drive with all-seasons, AWD is the way to go. I would never drive any car, AWD, RWD, or FWD, with summer performance tires in the snow.

Relative performance, top to bottom:

- AWD with snow tires
- RWD with snow tires
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- AWD with all-seasons
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- RWD with all-seasons
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- AWD or RWD with summer performance tires

If you have to drive in the snow AWD no question. Nothing can compare to AWD even with snow tires. My family owned a 2001 Lexus GS 300 and we put snow tires on it. We had a hard time getting up some minor hills. We noew have a 2006 Lexus GS300 AWD and nothing can compare. It has all seasons and beats the hell out of our 2001 with snows. Despite what people may say AWD kicks ass in the snow. NO QUESTION!

I wouldn't drive rwd car in the snow period. Maybe some slush on flat pavement...I would definitely consider an awd car if you do consistent driving in snow. The Subaru Legacy GT or Spec B GT would be a great sport luxury vehicle for spirited all weather driving, and would do laps oround a rwd car in these conditions.. 2 cents

I wouldn't drive rwd car in the snow period. Maybe some slush on flat pavement...I would definitely consider an awd car if you do consistent driving in snow. The Subaru Legacy GT or Spec B GT would be a great sport luxury vehicle for spirited all weather driving, and would do laps oround a rwd car in these conditions.. 2 cents


Are you from somewhere that it snows? People here in SoCal can't drive in the rain, when you grow up in snow country it's not that hard. If you're buying the car for winter driving...AWD.

Are you from somewhere that it snows? People here in SoCal can't drive in the rain, when you grow up in snow country it's not that hard. If you're buying the car for winter driving...AWD.

Hello "Beer Goggles":

Up here where we do not even consider it to be a snow storm unless we get at least 6-8 inches, I agree. I have owned RWD, front wheel drive, and AWD. There is no substitute for AWD. Which is why I keep my X5 as a backup. Last winter, I did not even bother clearing the driveway unless we had over a foot of snow.

P.S. Although it is a bit unusual, we do get from 3 to 4 feet in a single storm.

We get snow in Maine like you do in Minneapolis. I learned to drive on rear-drive American sedans and wagons in the 1970s. You put snow tires on 'em, you use good judgment, you pretty much get wherever you want to go.

Now that that's out of the way, buy the AWD. I have an 01 325xi touring (station wagon for those of you not to proud to admit it). There is nothing like having BMW handling and composure all winter long. Mine has a manual transmission and I put dedicated snows on. The car is unstoppable. And unstoppable is very, very fun. And, for me, necessary - my work takes me all around the state, all winter long. Go AWD, you won't ever regret it.

Thanks everyone for the input. I'll very likely go with AWD. I'm really excited about this car.