Here's a new one: Winter Tire/Wheel package...or a FWD daily driver for the winter?

[galahad05]

Well, I'm in the (relatively) unique position of having the 335i and a solid, reliable FWD Toyota on my hands. I was going to sell the Toyota to family, leaving me with just the BMW...but I got to thinking.

What if I just make the Bimmer a garage queen during the winter and drive the Toyota? It's already gone through 4 winters up here in NY...

Financially it probably ultimately makes more sense to just have the 335i, but it can be convenient having the alternate car around.

What do you think?

[ziggypup]

Get a set of snows for the 335i and drive it. I'm all in favor of keeping a 2nd car around unless you still have a payment on the toyota. If you are only talking about the additional insurance then I'd keep it.

My only problem about driving in the snow is the other cars around me. I'm pretty confident about my driving abilities, but last year I almost got clobbered just waiting for a red light to change. She missed me only because I saw what was going to happen and moved my car up alittle. Instead of being hit she ran up onto the curb and hit the fire hydrant. I was a little pissed and had a talk with her father. She just got her license a week earlier, never had any experience driving in snow and her parents are just letting her drive like it's the perfect day for a picnic.

So, in a sense it is nice to have an older car around just in case you have to take a hit.

[galahad05]

The Toyota is eight years old, going strong...and of course totally paid for.

I'm really leaning towards this option. Though I'd still like to drive the 335 at times in the winter--which might mean I'd have to spring for the wheel/tire package anyway.

Hmmm...maybe UHP all-seasons for the 335? Tirerack indicates that these are as good as summer tires from a few years ago...and they can handle the cold.

[mryakan]

Depends how long your winter is. Here it is too long to be not driving your beloved BMW. Plus I'd miss the power slides and donuts in the snow :devillook. YEah don't worry, I do it only when safe for myself and others.

[galahad05]

"Winter" is basically from December through early March here. But...very little snow, really. Worst case, possibly 3 or 4 snowstorms, with snow maybe a total of 1 or so weeks on the roads, tops. It's the cold cold temps that would kill me in the 335 with it's summer tires.

This is why I'm considering the UHP All-Season route...

(UHP All-Seasons mounted on new alloys, in addition to the Toyota)

[mryakan]

"Winter" is basically from December through early March here. But...very little snow, really. Worst case, possibly 3 or 4 snowstorms, with snow maybe a total of 1 or so weeks on the roads, tops. It's the cold cold temps that would kill me in the 335 with it's summer tires.

This is why I'm considering the UHP All-Season route...

(UHP All-Seasons mounted on new alloys, in addition to the Toyota)
If that is the case, dump the toyota and use the $$ to buy tires. Check out the Michelin Sport A/S. They have a combination of summer and winter compound. They work very well in moderately freezing temps (20s/30s) and light snow and are 90% as good as the Michelin Sport performance tires. I had them on my e36 for the last 6 years or so and would keep them on till Mid/late Dec when snow starts to accumulate, otherwise they worked fine. Had I lived where you are I'd have kept them on all year long.
Good Luck

[GatorM]

Snows on the 335 will handle the snow better than A/S on a fwd car. My old E36 M3 routinely climbed snow-covered hills passing sliding Toyotas.

[Sexymeatball]

The problem is not the snow or getting around in it, its the rust inducing salt that comes with the season.

My M has never seen the winter and I plan to keep it that way. Not because i'm scared of getting stuck, but because I want to keep it in prime condition its entire life. My SHO has seen winters its whole life, and at this point is starting to develop some rust on the frame. Its going to be my winter beater from now on, although that doesn't mean i'm going to neglect it.

My vote goes for keeping the Toyota.

[E92!Dreier]

The real problem is the cost of Run flat tires in winter/snow tread designs, with an 18-inch configuration.

18 inch run flat snow tires are insanely pricey. For the cost of a 16 inch wheel package AND snow tires you could buy about two snow RFT @ 18 inches.

keep this one going...I want to hear what other people are doing and how much of a hit their wallet is taking....

[mryakan]

The problem is not the snow or getting around in it, its the rust inducing salt that comes with the season.

My M has never seen the winter and I plan to keep it that way. Not because i'm scared of getting stuck, but because I want to keep it in prime condition its entire life. My SHO has seen winters its whole life, and at this point is starting to develop some rust on the frame. Its going to be my winter beater from now on, although that doesn't mean i'm going to neglect it.

My vote goes for keeping the Toyota.
Agree with the rust comment, but it really comes down to whether you consider your car as a collectible or as a daily driver (albeit a fun one at that). Since BMW has a 12 year unlimited km rust through warranty, realistically if you don't plan to keep the car for longer than half that period, it probably won't matter. Giving it a good undercarriage wash after the winter is over would keep it in a decent shape, not necessarily 100% rust free, but nothing that would affect the resale value. Now if it is only couple of months of snow and salt where you live, a beater is not a bad idea, but in places like here where it is alomst 6 months, that would be a big bummer to live without your bimmer for that long. I even see some people here driving their Porsche 911 all season long. To each their own I guess.

[Jhunter]

Keep the Toyota through this winter, then decide next spring.

[galahad05]

I'll probably do just that--keep the Toyota through the winter. However, I'm probably going to sell it afterward. It's just too much of a logistical headache to keep around on top of the other car (single, one-car garage).

[mryakan]

I'll probably do just that--keep the Toyota through the winter. However, I'm probably going to sell it afterward. It's just too much of a logistical headache to keep around on top of the other car (single, one-car garage).
I know what you mean. I couldn't wait to sell my e36. I also have a 1 car garage and obviously wanted to garage my new baby not my old car which meant a headache every morning/evening. I for sure didn't want to do that during the winter and was even going to sell it for a loss if I had to before the winter/snow comes, but luckily I sold it way ahead of time. But in your case you plan to garage your e90 during the whole winter, so shouldn't be as much trouble.

[nm335]

Well, I'm in the (relatively) unique position of having the 335i and a solid, reliable FWD Toyota on my hands. I was going to sell the Toyota to family, leaving me with just the BMW...but I got to thinking.

What if I just make the Bimmer a garage queen during the winter and drive the Toyota? It's already gone through 4 winters up here in NY...

Financially it probably ultimately makes more sense to just have the 335i, but it can be convenient having the alternate car around.

What do you think?

Hello "galahad05":

Nearly the same as my situation. After much thought, I put some very agressive all-season skins on the Chrysler LHS and plan to park the 335i when the roads are not clear. Generally that is not more than a week or so after a significant storm.

As others have posted, I am also concerned about all those Mensa members that I have to share the road with. Traction does me no good if some moron slides into me.

[mryakan]

Hello "galahad05":

Nearly the same as my situation. After much thought, I put some very agressive all-season skins on the Chrysler LHS and plan to park the 335i when the roads are not clear. Generally that is not more than a week or so after a significant storm.

As others have posted, I am also concerned about all those Mensa members that I have to share the road with. Traction does me no good if some moron slides into me.
Hey nm,
With good traction you can try to get out of the way (assuming you see it coming). Check this out:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9989847&postcount=4

If I had my snows on I'd have done better than climbing the curb and almost escaping the tree.

[nm335]

Hey nm,
With good traction you can try to get out of the way (assuming you see it coming). Check this out:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9989847&postcount=4

If I had my snows on I'd have done better than climbing the curb and almost escaping the tree.

Hello "mryakan":

Perhaps that would work some of the time, but up here, we have World Class (R) morons on our streets. Never underestimate a Ph. D. in a rice burner.

[mryakan]

Hello "mryakan":

Perhaps that would work some of the time, but up here, we have World Class (R) morons on our streets. Never underestimate a Ph. D. in a rice burner.
Yeah they are probably still calculating the slip angle and optimal steering input in their head by the time they crash :D. Be careful old man, I heard you almost kissed the guardrail recently.

[nm335]

Yeah they are probably still calculating the slip angle and optimal steering input in their head by the time they crash :D. Be careful old man, I heard you almost kissed the guardrail recently.

Hello "mryakan":

'Tis true. But then perhaps I am getting a bit too old to be doing monster, Bridgestone burning, smoking, cop baiting, wild ass drifts going to my boring office in the morning. Used to be fun, way back in my day. Back when the pregnant wife had to bail my butt out of the hoosegow.

[nm335]

Well, I'm in the (relatively) unique position of having the 335i and a solid, reliable FWD Toyota on my hands. I was going to sell the Toyota to family, leaving me with just the BMW...but I got to thinking.

What if I just make the Bimmer a garage queen during the winter and drive the Toyota? It's already gone through 4 winters up here in NY...

Financially it probably ultimately makes more sense to just have the 335i, but it can be convenient having the alternate car around.

What do you think?

Hello "galahad05":

To follow up a bit on my earlier post, I put a set of Uniroyal Tiger Paw AS6000 skins on both the spawn's Bronco II and the pimp-wagon LHS. Very agressive tread for an all season and really cheap. The spawn has confirmed this with his off-road travels. Works about as well as AT shoes.

Just received and installed the Valentine V-1 in the LHS pimp-wagon. Even something as lethargic as this 3.5 liter, 24 valve HO V-6 can manage, on occasion, to get extra-legal. I guess that I am cursed to drive this thing a few times before the snow flies.

OK, we are now a 3-Valentine family. I am that sold on this device.

One in the 335i, one in the old lady's X-5 (and she really needs it), and one in this "purple" smelling, old lady, pimp-wagon LHS.

[mryakan]

Hello "galahad05":

To follow up a bit on my earlier post, I put a set of Uniroyal Tiger Paw AS6000 skins on both the spawn's Bronco II and the pimp-wagon LHS. Very agressive tread for an all season and really cheap. The spawn has confirmed this with his off-road travels. Works about as well as AT shoes.

Just received and installed the Valentine V-1 in the LHS pimp-wagon. Even something as lethargic as this 3.5 liter, 24 valve HO V-6 can manage, on occasion, to get extra-legal. I guess that I am cursed to drive this thing a few times before the snow flies.

OK, we are now a 3-Valentine family. I am that sold on this device.

One in the 335i, one in the old lady's X-5 (and she really needs it), and one in this "purple" smelling, old lady, pimp-wagon LHS.
I've yet to see one person criticize the V1 after trying it. A great example of how a great product should be. I hear good service and support too (upgrades, repair etc). Not to mention it seems the price doesn't seem to have creeped up over the years. Too bad they are illegal here, not that has stopped me from getting as you say "extra-legal".

[nm335]

I've yet to see one person criticize the V1 after trying it. A great example of how a great product should be. I hear good service and support too (upgrades, repair etc). Not to mention it seems the price doesn't seem to have creeped up over the years. Too bad they are illegal here, not that has stopped me from getting as you say "extra-legal".

Hello "mryakan":

The only people who seem to criticize the V1 are the ones who are trying to justify their decision to purchase something else. Having more than a few degrees in this area, I just might have a bit of knowledge.

But then, what the hell do I know.

[senz1]

Hello "mryakan",
living in ottawa, do you have a RWD for which you change to snow tires? What do you think of the AWD with all season tires? Is RWD with snow tires as good as or better than AWD with all season?
Living in chicago and looking to purchase a 335i.
Thx

[mryakan]

Hello "mryakan",
living in ottawa, do you have a RWD for which you change to snow tires? What do you think of the AWD with all season tires? Is RWD with snow tires as good as or better than AWD with all season?
Living in chicago and looking to purchase a 335i.
Thx
Well RWD will never be better than AWD in the snow, but with good snow tires, it is good enough if AWD isn't to your liking or you don't want to pay more for it. I have gotten by pretty well with RWD BMW and snow tires for the last 10 years.
I wouldn't go through any real winter weather with all seasons no matter what drivetrain. The issue is not getting going, but stopping and emergency maneuvering, all seasons are not nearly as good. Also when the temps drop to the -20/-30 or below, even snows will get hard and start to skid, but all seasons become pretty worthless. I have seen to many accidents on such cold days involving people with AWD and all seasons.

In short, I recommend snow tires no matter what for Chicago weather and if you don't want to go for the AWD the RWD would be fine if you drive carefully and take the lead out of your foot. If you haven't driven RWD in the snow before though, I recommend either a professional winter driving course or at least some self trials in a wide parking lot to get used to the handling and emergency maneuvering. You don't won't to learn the neuances of RWD in the snow the st time you need to avoid an accident or start to fishtail.
Good Luck