E39's On Ice...

[TFD528iT]

I have a E39 1999 528iT w/Cold&Premium Pkgs
I told my friend about my purchase and mentioned that my Touring (i've recently learned that wagon is not proper terminology) anyhow that my Touring is rear-wheel drive. And his reply was, O' how sad it's rear drive you can't drive on the snow and ice compared to my saab wagon. This might be exaggerating my friend's reply but is it true.. that rear wheeled bmws suffer on the wet and slick stuff? I did notice even on dry roads pulling a corner a little fast I felt the rear slide a bit.

Anyhow what do you folks think of the positives and negatives to our rear wheel drive machines?

cheers to all,
rzhttp://achtungproductions.com/royzoellner/BMW528iT2.jpg

[Alias]

My father has the same car and we are in the deep freeze in VT. They do fine with studded snows.

[rph74]

I'm not worried about driving my 540i on the slick stuff at all. I'll just put a little bit of weight in the back when the snow gets real bad. Sure, it's not as easy to drive as an AWD SUV is, but the way I see it people drove RWD cars in snow for 70 years without complaining too much. I think we've been spoiled in today's age of SUV's and FWD cars, that so many people think that RWD's are impossible to drive in snow. I had no problem driving my old RWD Pontiacs and Chevy's, so the BMW with the aid of DSC should be just fine.

[awahl63]

Tell him to shut the front door

[Qsilver7]

... people drove RWD cars in snow for 70 years without complaining ...

That part of your statement was so true...and might I add...mounting snow tires in winter was a yearly ritual back then, too!!! If you live in an area that gets any appreciable snow...you would do yourself a big favor by getting a set of dedicated snow tires/wheels to swap on for winter driving. I highly recommend going to http://www.tirerack.com/ and check out their links about winter driving FAQS & winter driving tips. As they say, the worst dedicated snow tire is just as good as the best all-season tire in snow & ice. TireRack has some great tests & reviews of the latest snow tire technolgy...please check it out and if you decide to get a set of snow tires...we'll see who will have the last laugh this winter between you and your friend.

BTW, I have a set of Michelin Arctic Alpins that got me through last winter without one problem...I never missed my 4x4 F150 truck.

[christos3000]

I HATE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE!

I do not understand why people have this misconception that front wheel drive is such and advantage in the winter. You could MAYBE make the arguement that an unskilled driver is safer with a front wheel drive car. Anyone with half a brain, and a little bit of driving skill can get by just fine with rear wheel drive in the winter. Especially if your BMW has decent tires and traction control.

If front wheel drive is so great, why do all the high end car manufactures produce only rear wheel, or AWD vehicles? Most produce ONLY rear wheel drive. Until very recently, BMW and Benz produced nothing BUT rear wheel drive cars. Bently, Rolls, Maybach-all rear wheel drive.

There are many disadvantages to front wheel drive :
- Torque steer during hard acceleration
- Front wheel drive cars usually are front heavy
- The steering feel sucks
- You can't drift/power slide with front wheel drive (this may not be important to many people, but it is one of my favorite activites in the rain or snow)

I was first exposed to BMW when my mother bought a 525 in '95. I remember being absolutly amazed at how well this car handled in the snow! I had a 4runner with 4WD, and I can honestly say that the 525 with traction control was just as capable as my suv.

I have no doubt that you will also be amazed at how well your car handles in the winter. Get some decent winter tires, and it'll seem like you are driving on dry pavement in the middle of july.

Never in my life will I ever purchase a front wheel drive vehicle.

[tjn182]

BMW on ice = Jeep on ice = Honda on ice = Mitsubishi on ice = Mercedes on ice.
Ice is ice. You can't drive on it without some chains etc.
Snow on the other hand - If you got some nice snow tires and traction control (or limited slip) then you should be sound as a pound if you have a light foot.