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12-26-2012, 11:26 PM | #1 |
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535i and Snow
The car is just a week old and got caught in some light snow. I should have got the X drive. It does not move well at all in the snow. (Much better than my e60 M5 though) Overall I'm very happy with the car but it needs some minor tweaks. Below is the first phase of mods currently planned:
-Gloss black kidney grills -Gloss black roof and sunroof wrap -35% tint -HR Springs -Rear spoiler painted white -N55 stage 1 The car is very smooth. Almost too smooth and too quiet. It may need an exhaust and intake but will hold off for now. (or I can just pump some engine noise into the speakerds...lol) Also, may need a short shifter. |
12-26-2012, 11:35 PM | #2 |
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You don't really need X drive, but you should get some winter wheels/tires for snow use. In any event, you can't get Xdrive with a manual transmission. I drove a 540 with rear wheel drive for 9 years here in Colorado and was only slowed by deep snow - not enough clearance. And 4WD wouldn't have helped with that.
I drove my 550 six speed in the snow today (with a winter wheel set up), and it did very well. Have fun! Last edited by Boulder Bill; 12-27-2012 at 12:02 AM.. |
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12-27-2012, 12:07 AM | #3 | |
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12-27-2012, 01:04 AM | #4 |
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12-27-2012, 07:51 AM | #5 |
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You live and learn I guess. In areas such that doesnt get a lot of snow too often, such as NJ, all you need is AWD and a good set of all season tires. If you have AWD, you can always add snow tires easily if you feel the need, but you have a RWD, you cannot add AWD if you want more traction.
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12-27-2012, 09:38 AM | #6 |
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+1 for winter tires. I had an e90 RWD when it snowed really bad 2yrs ago, it rolled around like a tank on Blizzak winter tires. If you had xDrive with the same tires you have now, you'll stop just like any RWD car. So xDrive with standard summer tires = false confidence in the winter.
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12-27-2012, 12:45 PM | #7 |
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12-27-2012, 02:41 PM | #8 |
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12-27-2012, 03:09 PM | #10 | |
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Just my $.02. |
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12-27-2012, 04:05 PM | #11 | |
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Lastly, this gives my wife something to bitch about when I'm taking up more room in the barn and spending time and money on my mistress. |
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12-27-2012, 04:50 PM | #12 | |
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You don't need xdrive for what looks like 1 cm of snow! If you have trouble, it's your tires that suck.
People (me included) are driving all over the mountain with rear wheel drive BMWs and as much as 10 inches of snow here in Norway. Quote:
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12-27-2012, 06:03 PM | #14 | |
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AWD is not only for snow, its handle rain stroms and puddles better than RWD as well. AWD also provide more traction off the line and thru high speed turns. I have owned AWD with all season and RWD cars with snow, they both have their advantage and disadvantages. RWD with snow will stop better in the snow, but AWD with all season climb hills better in the snow and accelarate better. With a RWD, if one gets the two rear wheel stuck, you are out of luck, with AWD, you still have the front wheels to pull get you out of trouble. AWD with snow would be ideal. In citys with mild winters, somedays it snows and the next it can be up to 50 degrees F. If you are caught with snow tires in warm weather or summer tires in cold weather, it is worst than driving with all seasons. |
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12-27-2012, 06:33 PM | #15 |
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12-27-2012, 09:11 PM | #17 | |
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I don't think snows are much different in feel from many all seasons, and summer tires are vastly superior here for 7-8 months of the year. As to cost, $20 to switch them out typically (unless you go to the dealer). To me, the cost of switching to the best tool is insignificant. I tend to buy cars and keep them quite a while (I drove a RWD E39 540 for 9 years). The extra set of wheels is appealing on resale (or so the guy who bought my car advised). Anyway, no right answer I guess, only opinions. I love the feel of the summer tires and the security of stopping and control with winter tires. The OP certainly has some reasonable information to consider. Bill Last edited by Boulder Bill; 12-27-2012 at 09:27 PM.. |
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12-28-2012, 02:51 AM | #18 | |
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I can see the idea of xDrive and All Seasons being attractive, but a compromised BMW from my perspective. Then there is the weight penalty, something like an extra 75kgs over the front wheels and the increase in fuel consumption. I'm not sure I'd want all those compromises in a BMW, when for most of the driving xDrive is not really necessary, or a clear advantage. Happy with RWD and summer/winter tires here in the Highlands of Scotland. Not that we've had the xDrive choice in the UK, unless using X-series models. The new F30 320i xDrive is our first sedan for many years with xDrive option. HighlandPete |
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12-28-2012, 08:43 AM | #19 |
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Not really statistics, more of a observation. Why do you think you got your 550i RWD from a new england dealer for such a good price and they are willing to ship it across the country for you free of charge. Its because RWD BMW simply do not sell well here. Chances are, your 550i RWD was ordered by someone who change their mind about buying a RWD car in New England and the dealer is stuck with it and want to get rid of it fast before the snow hits the region. RWD sell as well convertibles in New England during winter
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12-28-2012, 09:04 AM | #20 | |
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12-28-2012, 09:54 AM | #21 | |
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Somehow, I dont think Manning and the Broncos will even get to the AFC title game. Their 11 game winning streaks consist of beating mostly bad teams and we all know that the Broncos already lost their head to head game with the Patriots earlier in the year. I would love to see another Brady Manning matchup, but I dont think it will happen this year. There is nothing I like to see more than Andrew Luck beating out Manning to the tiltle game. Last edited by The X Men; 12-28-2012 at 10:09 AM.. |
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12-28-2012, 10:16 AM | #22 |
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No, he was truthful. The same customer then returned a 3 series with less than 500 miles roughly a month later. Just weird. No reason to lie; the car is flawless. The stock of Herb Chambers tells me only what the customers it services like to buy, not anything more. It hardly bears on the issues raised in this thread. Coming from Maine, living in Colorado and having lived in Boston many years ago, I would never glean much insight or draw any intelligent conclusions from what the fine folks in Massachusetts choose to do or spend their money on.
As to the Broncos, we shall see. It has been many years since Mr. Brady won a Super Bowl.
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2013 F10 550i | 6 Speed Manual | M Sport Package | Carbon Black | Oyster & Black Nappa | Dynamic Handling w/Dynamic Damper Control | Executive Package (Comfort Access - Soft Close - HUD) | B&O Sound | Luxury Seating & Heated Seats
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