328xi Coupe in Snow - Fantastic

[PeterC4]

Living in Toronto, it was only a matter of time before we had a significant snowfall. For anyone reading who knows the city, the downtown area looks like Chicago, adjacent to lake Ontario. The only way home to central Toronto is north and its up hill. Today was treachorous and it was extremely difficult getting home. Its a big city and traffic slows to a crawl and getting home in certain directions can be dangerous. Fortunately, I drove my wife's 328xi Coupe today and got home with no trouble. I noticed a 330xi sedan making its way ahead of me and a 330i sedan to the right of me, labouring as it approached the incline, and eventually dropped way back.

For those of you who live in these climates, this car does the trick.

[BMW42purple]

Living in Toronto, it was only a matter of time before we had a significant snowfall. For anyone reading who knows the city, the downtown area looks like Chicago, adjacent to lake Ontario. The only way home to central Toronto is north and its up hill. Today was treachorous and it was extremely difficult getting home. Its a big city and traffic slows to a crawl and getting home in certain directions can be dangerous. Fortunately, I drove my wife's 328xi Coupe today and got home with no trouble. I noticed a 330xi sedan making its way ahead of me and a 330i sedan to the right of me, labouring as it approached the incline, and eventually dropped way back.

For those of you who live in these climates, this car does the trick.

Hi, Just got my new 2007 328xi, didnt snow yet here in NYC but I was wondering do you have the Bridgestone EL42 RFT?

[PeterC4]

Hi, Just got my new 2007 328xi, didnt snow yet here in NYC but I was wondering do you have the Bridgestone EL42 RFT?


I have the 18" sport wheels (honestly haven't looked at the tires) but am driving the car with 17" Bridgstone Blizzak's RFT, which was a dealer BMW package - they are great. Here's a pic of with the 17" winter wheels and tires.

[BMW42purple]

I have the 18" sport wheels (honestly haven't looked at the tires) but am driving the car with 17" Bridgstone Blizzak's RFT, which was a dealer BMW package - they are great. Here's a pic of with the 17" winter wheels and tires.

wow that looks nice. I think I am going to get the EL42's traded with the blizzarks- hopefully BMW will do something for me. I had them on my AcuraTL and they sucked, had to replace with michelin to drive properly.

[greenie99]

Living in Toronto, it was only a matter of time before we had a significant snowfall. For anyone reading who knows the city, the downtown area looks like Chicago, adjacent to lake Ontario. The only way home to central Toronto is north and its up hill. Today was treachorous and it was extremely difficult getting home. Its a big city and traffic slows to a crawl and getting home in certain directions can be dangerous. Fortunately, I drove my wife's 328xi Coupe today and got home with no trouble. I noticed a 330xi sedan making its way ahead of me and a 330i sedan to the right of me, labouring as it approached the incline, and eventually dropped way back.

For those of you who live in these climates, this car does the trick.


Hey Peter, I knew that eventually you would put those Blizzaks to good use! Mine have seen only cold weather but with any "luck" they will see some snow as well.

[Enigma735]

You have a beautiful home by the way, I love that style of townhouse. Very cool. The car makes it look even nicer :)

[PeterC4]

You have a beautiful home by the way, I love that style of townhouse. Very cool. The car makes it look even nicer :)


Thanks...while it may look like a townhouse it's actually a detached house in one of the oldest neigbourhoods in Toronto....if only the prices were like townhouses.:eek:. LOL LOL

[ny176X3]

Hi, Just got my new 2007 328xi, didnt snow yet here in NYC but I was wondering do you have the Bridgestone EL42 RFT?

Hey BMW42purple, i noticed that u live in the nyc area also, just wanted to know why you chose the xi over the regular 328i or 335i? My lease on my X3 is up in Jun. and i'm debating between the 328xi and the 335i coupe which i'll have to make up my mind by mid march. As you know, we might have to worry about a handful of snowstorms unlike they have further north. Just wanted to get another perspectivebefore I get the xi..

[Christos]

I live in Central NJ, and choseteh xi model. While we only get a couple snows storms a year, we do get a lot of rain and that means slippery roads here in this congested state. However, If you have the right tires on the two wheel version it rides almost as well as the xi in snow and bad weather.

Here is one anecdote from my Dealer;
My dealer told me when it snows, they have to move all the cars on the lot for the plows to do their job, the xi's just drive off, but they have to push and rock the two wheelers to get them through and out of the snow?

[PeterC4]

I live in Central NJ, and choseteh xi model. While we only get a couple snows storms a year, we do get a lot of rain and that means slippery roads here in this congested state. However, If you have the right tires on the two wheel version it rides almost as well as the xi in snow and bad weather.

Here is one anecdote from my Dealer;
My dealer told me when it snows, they have to move all the cars on the lot for the plows to do their job, the xi's just drive off, but they have to push and rock the two wheelers to get them through and out of the snow?

I can believe they would have to push and rock the two wheelers in deep snow although you'd hope they would not have to do that a lot to the new cars. Anyway on 4wd, I think it drives differently in all conditions such as rain as you point out, not just snow.

[BMW42purple]

Hey BMW42purple, i noticed that u live in the nyc area also, just wanted to know why you chose the xi over the regular 328i or 335i? My lease on my X3 is up in Jun. and i'm debating between the 328xi and the 335i coupe which i'll have to make up my mind by mid march. As you know, we might have to worry about a handful of snowstorms unlike they have further north. Just wanted to get another perspectivebefore I get the xi..

I got the 328xi because I wanted the xDrive for snow and rain. My other car w/FWD slips all over the place and hate torque-steer. I really did want the 335i but did not have xdrive version, i'm sure I will miss the 335i's power though but maybe next time. Im not too happy about the stuff I read about the RFT (run flat tires) Although, so far no rain or snow and the car handles outragous, it really grips and feels attached to the road and handles excellent. It is sorta a little bumpyish/bouncy ride though only on bad roads, like the cross-bronx pkway, but is perfection on smooth highways. It drives pretty quick and has good power. How was your X3 in the snow? Did the X3 have RTF Tires?

[ny176X3]

I got the 328xi because I wanted the xDrive for snow and rain. My other car w/FWD slips all over the place and hate torque-steer. I really did want the 335i but did not have xdrive version, i'm sure I will miss the 335i's power though but maybe next time. Im not too happy about the stuff I read about the RFT (run flat tires) Although, so far no rain or snow and the car handles outragous, it really grips and feels attached to the road and handles excellent. It is sorta a little bumpyish/bouncy ride though only on bad roads, like the cross-bronx pkway, but is perfection on smooth highways. It drives pretty quick and has good power. How was your X3 in the snow? Did the X3 have RTF Tires?


Thanks for the info. BMW42purple. During the 2 1/2 yrs I've had my X3 2.5 it's handled very well in the last couple of snow storms and recall 2 times where I felt X-drive kick in during some tire slippage on a patch of ice. My X3 didn't come w/ RFT, there all-season bridgestone turanza's and the tires are ok. I drove a 06' 530xi sport wagon a couple of months ago for a week as a loaner and wasn't really fond of the RFT the wagon had. Made the ride feel rougher and noisier.. Good luck w/ your 328xi coupe!! Was wondering what color combo you chose? I Luv the sparkling grey metallic but that because it's the same color as my current vehicle..

[steveo242]

And the chains fit well?

[aftp302]

And the chains fit well?

No one mentioned chains in this thread.

[SomeBMWGuy]

I got the 328xi because I wanted the xDrive for snow and rain. My other car w/FWD slips all over the place and hate torque-steer. I really did want the 335i but did not have xdrive version, i'm sure I will miss the 335i's power though but maybe next time. Im not too happy about the stuff I read about the RFT (run flat tires) Although, so far no rain or snow and the car handles outragous, it really grips and feels attached to the road and handles excellent. It is sorta a little bumpyish/bouncy ride though only on bad roads, like the cross-bronx pkway, but is perfection on smooth highways. It drives pretty quick and has good power. How was your X3 in the snow? Did the X3 have RTF Tires?

March 07 production is the beginning of 335xi sedan's. That may be an option for you. The 335xi coupe doesn't start production until the fall which will be a little late for you.

[greenie99]

I got the 328xi because I wanted the xDrive for snow and rain. My other car w/FWD slips all over the place and hate torque-steer. I really did want the 335i but did not have xdrive version, i'm sure I will miss the 335i's power though but maybe next time. Im not too happy about the stuff I read about the RFT (run flat tires) Although, so far no rain or snow and the car handles outragous, it really grips and feels attached to the road and handles excellent. It is sorta a little bumpyish/bouncy ride though only on bad roads, like the cross-bronx pkway, but is perfection on smooth highways. It drives pretty quick and has good power. How was your X3 in the snow? Did the X3 have RTF Tires?

The RFTs are fine in the rain as well as the snow. It beats the pants off of my previous Acuras with built-in torque steer!!!!

[BMW42purple]

The RFTs are fine in the rain as well as the snow. It beats the pants off of my previous Acuras with built-in torque steer!!!!

are your rft's bridgestone turanzas el42?

[greenie99]

are your rft's bridgestone turanzas el42?


Probably! I took delivery in Dec. so I had Blizzak RFT mounted for the winter and the Bridgestone A/S will be mounted in the spring. I have/had Goodyear RFT on my Corvettes and they run fine.

[SleepEatDrive]

This was the thread I was looking for! :) Thanks for relating your experience PeterC4.

I really like the 3-series coupe. The car that we would give up to get it is very reliable and is satisfactory in every way except that it's not fun to drive.

So, if we're going to give it up for the "ultimate driving machine", I want to get it in a form that allows this attribute to shine to the maximum. (Thus, I'm thinking of sports package, etc.)

I have heard that the X-Drive takes away somewhat from the legendary 3-series driving experience. And that there were problems with reliability before??

What are your opinions about that?

I live in Ontario, Canada, not far from Toronto. I rarely encounter deep snow, but definitely encounter ice. I intend to buy top quality winter tires regardless.

[Arustik1]

I have the 18" sport wheels (honestly haven't looked at the tires) but am driving the car with 17" Bridgstone Blizzak's RFT, which was a dealer BMW package - they are great. Here's a pic of with the 17" winter wheels and tires.



Those wheels dont actually look all that bad...nice for winter.

[PeterC4]

This was the thread I was looking for! :) Thanks for relating your experience PeterC4.

I really like the 3-series coupe. The car that we would give up to get it is very reliable and is satisfactory in every way except that it's not fun to drive.

So, if we're going to give it up for the "ultimate driving machine", I want to get it in a form that allows this attribute to shine to the maximum. (Thus, I'm thinking of sports package, etc.)

I have heard that the X-Drive takes away somewhat from the legendary 3-series driving experience. And that there were problems with reliability before??

What are your opinions about that?

I live in Ontario, Canada, not far from Toronto. I rarely encounter deep snow, but definitely encounter ice. I intend to buy top quality winter tires regardless.

I currently drive a Porsche C4S, Acura TL and the BMW. The Porsche and the BMW are AWD cars and the TL is FWD. I can tell you that there is no better driving experience that AWD. You'll get a lot of perspectives on this, in this forum and elsewhere. Setting aside the benefits in inclement weather, in my view, when you push an AWD car hard into a corner, and the front wheels start to turn, you can come out of a turn faster and in a more stable way. There is no doubt about that, just try it at a race track with an experienced driver. If you really want to see how AWD works in action watch the movie "Ronin". In that film a Audi A8 is put through the paces. Watch the car's front wheels in slow motion. I have found the BMW 328xi coupe to be one of the best cars I've owned. I have it very well equipped with Navi, bluetooth handsfree, sport package, premium package etc. It does not have the raw acceleration of the 335 but you soon forget about that...its powerful enough. Its an excellent highway cruiser too.

Winter tires in conjunction with AWD provides excellent grip in winter. You won't be dissapointed.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/PeterC4/DSC00340-1.jpg

[SleepEatDrive]

Thanks PeterC4.

I agree, the 328i already has a beeeeeautiful and powerful motor. I'd never heard anything sound so wonderful. :)

By the way, those are a good loooking set of winter wheels.

[greenie99]

I currently drive a Porsche C4S, Acura TL and the BMW. The Porsche and the BMW are AWD cars and the TL is FWD. I can tell you that there is no better driving experience that AWD. You'll get a lot of perspectives on this, in this forum and elsewhere. Setting aside the benefits in inclement weather, in my view, when you push an AWD car hard into a corner, and the front wheels start to turn, you can come out of a turn faster and in a more stable way. There is no doubt about that, just try it at a race track with an experienced driver. If you really want to see how AWD works in action watch the movie "Ronin". In that film a Audi A8 is put through the paces. Watch the car's front wheels in slow motion. I have found the BMW 328xi coupe to be one of the best cars I've owned. I have it very well equipped with Navi, bluetooth handsfree, sport package, premium package etc. It does not have the raw acceleration of the 335 but you soon forget about that...its powerful enough. Its an excellent highway cruiser too.

Winter tires in conjunction with AWD provides excellent grip in winter. You won't be dissapointed.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l114/PeterC4/DSC00340-1.jpg

Peter, my A8, with Blizzaks, is absolutely incredible through the snow. Last winter, during a blizzard in which no one was venturing out, i decided to give her a whirl. I was astonished at how well she handled, especially for a 4200# car. AWD is in my blood and will more than likely stay that way. Nice pic BTW!

[PeterC4]

Thanks PeterC4.

I agree, the 328i already has a beeeeeautiful and powerful motor. I'd never heard anything sound so wonderful. :)

By the way, those are a good loooking set of winter wheels.

Got them from the dealer with Blizzaks - they are good.