BMW 325xi

[lemon boy]

I've seen a 4wd pickup do it too

[scoober]

Question for the car people here: is torque steer only a concern with FWD cars?

Generally yes. You could theoretically get it to happen in a torquey AWD car if the rear wheels were on a patch of ice (i.e. all power going to the front wheels).

[mr_gyptian]

I loved my old POS BMW, and I will always love BMWs first and foremost. But I would never buy an AWD Bimmer. A few reasons:

1. BMWs are meant to be RWD, I wouldn't want any 40/60 torque split bastardizing my Bimmer's ride.

2. Audi does AWD better. BMW offered AWD on the e30 three series bodystyle but discontinued it on the e36 three series then brought it back for the e46 (current 3). Audi has had quattro available forever, and bases their whole car line, racing strategy, and image on it.

3. quattro is based on rally experience, it is meant to be a "snow car" AWD system. My impression of the BMW AWD is that it is simply a dry driving "enhancement", not really there to allow people to go rallying their Bimmers around gravel roads. This is much the same as the Infinity G35 that someone mentioned. That AWD, while maybe one of the best driving AWD systems available today is not going to make the G35 a snow car. It is basically the system from the Nissan Skyline V-specs which are not meant to see anything worse than wet pavement.

I just think that if AWD for snow and bad roads is the selling point on the car, go with a company that is good at it like audi, subaru or even volvo.

I grant you the above, but how often are you really in snow where something as advanced as quattro is needed? not often, I bet.

I've driven the M3 and the 325xi back to back and the M is just a different car. I wouldn't say the AWD was the difference at all.

but again, talking overall quality where German vehicles are concerned is kinda fast and loose.

[scoober]

I grant you the above, but how often are you really in snow where something as advanced as quattro is needed? not often, I bet.

I've driven the M3 and the 325xi back to back and the M is just a different car. I wouldn't say the AWD was the difference at all.

but again, talking overall quality where German vehicles are concerned is kinda fast and loose.

I agree that quattro works so well it could be considered overkill, but if one is buying a "snow car", it shouldn't be counted out. I still hold the BMWs as "foul weather cars", but also perfectly capable in the snow.

If I was buying an AWD car for snow capability it wouldn't be a BMW. If I was buying an AWD car for foul weather capability and general driving sweetness, it would be a BMW. But then again if I am buying a BMW for general driving sweetness, it wouldn't be AWD, and would probably be an M.

Don't worry, that barely makes sense to me and I just wrote it.

[Supermoon]

Bump.

Looking for an AWD car to drive up to Hood this year, and have seen a few 07-09 32- xi's around in the 10-12k range. What's the consensus on how they handle in the snow (assuming good tires of course)? On any days where it's super deep snow I'd probably just take our Tundra, but for most days I'd like something that gets a bit better mileage and is more fun to drive. Any big things I should look for maintenance-wise? I'm pretty much a BMW newb, so any info helps.

I've done the subie thing, and would do it again, but again, I'd like something more fun to drive. Open to an Audi as well, but there don't seem to be as many in the price range I'm looking at.

[plugboots]

I had a 2007 328xi wagon w/ MT, and now have a 2011 version of the same car. First one I put 110K on it, the current one has 155K on it. Only non-maintenance item on the first one was a right rear axle bearing, about a $750 fix at the dealer. Current one has had only a couple small sensors go, for ~$200 total.
I want to get the new version, but only sissy-matic in the States, so I'm waiting.
The car is really great in the snow. I usually drive a few snowy/storm days on the all-seasons, before I switch to the studded snows, and it's OK, (need to actually try and be careful), but with the snow tires it's fan-fucking-tastic. Like Steven's Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, Bluett Pass, Hood River rain/ice storm passing everyone in a blizzard fantastic. I drive like a maniac. I'm not particularly cautious by other people's standards. 26MPG. But ya know, my Golf R ain't that different.

[Supermoon]

Nice. Thanks for the info!

What are the maintenance intervals on them? Somewhere I read they need more/sooner maintenance to keep them in good shape

[plugboots]

I really don't know compared to other cars. You can google it. I bring it in when the car tells me. I take it to BMW, as the oil needs to be done there. So it ain't Oil Can Henry cheap.

[54-46]

Have a 2011 328 xdrive wagon - does great in snow. Not too much maintenance between 35K-55K miles. Oil change, wipers. Battery was 5 years old, so swapped it out. Find a good Indy if you have a BMW or you'll need to DIY to avoid taking it in the shorts.

[Bosco]

Just bought the 2016 sports wagon. I'd prefer a manual, but it's not an option, but I'd have to say in sport mode it's pretty fun to drive. I've driven it to Yosemite along the back roads and to Tahoe, and got it to over a hundred by "accident". No snow experience yet, and like you I plan to drive the truck (looking for a 2005 / 2006 Tundra) when the snow is bad.

[nutmegchoi]

My E92 M3 pooped on me somewhere way upstate New York while I was coming back from Toronto.
I end up driving back in limp mode for 285 miles which took me over 5 hours.
BMW service center called and it's Throttle Body Actuator.
$3,000 parts and labor.
Get a new or used with solid warranty.
Otherwise, you'll be paying a lot.

[Supermoon]

Oof that sounds terrible, and kind of what my uneducated view of BMWs was.... but yeah, I'd definitely get some sort of warranty on one if I buy it