Bmw's In The Snow - BMW Forum

Nicolai · 04-15-2005, 10:02 AM

My mom really wants to get the new BMW 325i or 325Ci. But, because we live in New York, it has to be able to drive in the snow. The camaro she has now is useless if there is 3 inches on the ground. Ive always heard that BMW's were great in the snow, but I cant seem to find anywhere that says if the 325i or 325Ci is front weel, all wheel, or rear wheel drive. Can somebody leave some feedback.

h_curtis · 04-15-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nicolai@Apr 15 2005, 10:02 AM
My mom really wants to get the new BMW 325i or 325Ci. But, because we live in New York, it has to be able to drive in the snow. The camaro she has now is useless if there is 3 inches on the ground. Ive always heard that BMW's were great in the snow, but I cant seem to find anywhere that says if the 325i or 325Ci is front weel, all wheel, or rear wheel drive. Can somebody leave some feedback.

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BMW's are rear wheel drive unless you get the 325xi. The xi is all wheel drive.

Curt

jiggs · 04-15-2005, 10:16 AM

Actually the 325i or 325ci aren't the best for snow because they are rear wheel drive. You'll need to get winter tires on them and still heavy snow storms will give you some trouble. What you want to get is the 325xi (all wheel drive). The xi is really good in snow and should not give you any problems (except in the wallet a bit).

That being said definately get a bimmer ... whichever one you choose you cant go wrong

rsn48 · 04-15-2005, 11:26 AM

As said above, add snow tires and buy a fifty pound bag of sand ($6 here) and you should be okay. Remember the car will better respond in the snow than most other rear wheel drive cars because of its 50/50 weight balance. Most cars are weighted towards the front and if they are rear wheel, then more sliding will occur. Remember all cars were rear wheel drive at one time.

Relevart · 04-15-2005, 12:12 PM

I live in NH and have 325i, manual.
When stock all season tires had only 1/3 of the life left, car felt in winter like cow on the ice dispite DSC. After I got winter tires it changed completely: no skidding no fishtailing, unless I do it on purpose, car felt like on rails in your typical comute driving, I even seen SUV's getting stuck, where bimmer just plowed through.
325i, manual in snow shoes felt more stable then Honda Accord and Honda Civic, these are two other cars, that i drive often.
You going to get some wheel spinning moveing from stop light in the snow regardless, but that happens in any car...

Go for bimmer, get snow tires for winter and you will enjoy it like you wouldn't any FWD car, or AWD for that matter.

jbae315 · 04-15-2005, 02:01 PM

I have a 328CI and live in NYC. We had some major snow storms, but nothing to write home about.

I survived using my stock Conti's. But the key was I had 2 60lb bags of sand in the trunk.

Bottom line is get an XI (all wheel drive) if you want peace of mind, but if not, make sure you get snow tires for the winter. Last resort is to put the weight in the trunk.

doughboyea · 04-15-2005, 08:35 PM

Got a 328i, no weight in the trunk and bad snow tires. Had at least two blizzards here in NJ, each one over 12inches. Uphill, downhill no problems. Of course every-so-often, a slip here and there, but the car stayed mostly straight as the traction control did it's job. Steep hills caused a bit of a twist, but nothing that a little wheel turning couldn't handle. I was impressed with how she handled, better than my mom's front wheel drive Taurus. Oh, forgot to mention, by 328i is also lowered. Gotta love this muti-talented bimmer!

Dough

jrhaile · 04-15-2005, 08:54 PM

my 325i with 328i kicked ass in the snow this year... no problems at all. just from my experience though :P to be safe, get a XI

rsn48 · 04-15-2005, 09:20 PM

Oh yes, turn traction control off if you are going up a steep long long hill and the wheels spin every so often. You will slowly lose power, and maybe not even be able to continue up the hill.

CiscoKid · 04-15-2005, 11:55 PM

my car is absolute ass with all seasons in the snow. I would reccomend a xi if it is going to be driven in a decent amount of snow

94BMW325i · 04-16-2005, 02:25 PM

my car was fine in snow with all season tires. Just to be safe get an xi.

rsn48 · 04-16-2005, 05:46 PM

The problem with recommending 325xi's is that they aren't that common in most areas. Here in Vancouver BC I am more likely to see a 330xi for some reason (I own one) than I am likely to see a 525xi.

rclMD · 04-17-2005, 11:05 AM

what brand / type of snow tires are you guys using? does anyone know of good mid-priced snow tires?

thanks.

peterkulesza · 04-17-2005, 01:39 PM

my car had potenzas re040 stock. obviously IMPOSSIBLE to drive in winter. i mean NOT POSSIBLE.

i got semperits 205 x 17 for $88 a piece, tirewarehouse i think. i got stuck only once this winter, and it was going uphill.

given that my car is a 330iPP, any xi stick shift with snow tires woudl be unstoppable i think.

e30driver · 04-17-2005, 02:07 PM

geez i live in cali, so no snow
but some times in rain my car cant get any traction. i remember one time this guy was going to cut me off in the rain. so i slowly push the gas to the floor in 2nd gear, and all i got was the tires spinning bun no go. i no off topic but even in rain you can lose control