[AllaVodka]

Long story short - I'm from the northeast, and used to AWD cars. Moved down to Houston TX the end if March 2020. Covid was ramping up, and couldn't find an awd 340i... so ended up with rwd (f30)... planning on moving back to NY within the next 7 months, and am trying to figure out what to do with my car to make it safe in the snow.

I know tires, and wheels are the most important, and I plan on that... but I'm also debating an LSD... thoughts?

Also debating the new audi s3 or rs3 not gonna lie lmao

[deviantspeed]

Minimal gain IMHO. You'll have 1.5 tires spinning instead of 1, and a potential conflict with the stock electronics. Snow tires. What happens when you slam on the brakes in the snow/ice? Or turn the front wheels? Snow tires.

Audi IMHO has a better awd system and the S models will usually come with a sport rear diff, which is great, I'm sure you have done the research. IIRC the 4's are 55/45 distribution, which isn't bad, not sure about the 3's, but guessing they are close. Full disclosure, I recently traded in the F31 for a B9 and I've done H&R sports, JB4 and a few other things so far, couldn't be happier.

But again, SNOW TIRES are often overlooked. I love awd "suv's" with summer biased tires going up to the resorts in the winter, always a good laugh.

[BimR]

Snow tires. They will give you more traction than you might expect. I personally didn't drive my previous car in too heavy snow with snow tires so can't speak to that. But I also don't drive my AWD in too heavy snow so...

[Wires]

I love AWD, but getting real tires (snow) and drive normal, and you are fine. Marketing has done a beautiful job of ensuring us that without 4WD or AWD we will all die in the winter.

I grew up in 2WD vehicles, and "4x4" was putting tire chains on our '73 F150 2wd. I owned a 2000 Mustang GT 5 speed. Tossing on a great set of snow tires, and I could out drive all the FWD vehicles out there. Never had an issue in all my years of driving; you just need to drive within the constraints of physics.

[Wires]

I will add one additional note: Braking is by far the biggest issue in the winter. AWD. 4WD, whatever you ask for does nothing for this.

All they do is ensure you can get to speed faster, but stopping is another issue. Honestly, from where I live, AWD/4WD makes some of the worst drivers because of that. They think because a vehicle can peel away from a light that all is well. I've driven white-knuckled down the highway, doing 40MPH with the car with winter tires drifting lane to lane (as in it just slides sideways for no reason). People blow by me doing highway speed, even while driving past rolled 4WD pickups in the ditch.

[dmaxdmax]

OP, you'll be fine somehow.

I live in NJ and got by with my rwd e46 with all-seasons and 100 lbs. of sand in the trunk. Useful for both traction and traction.

If you have to get to work every day, then snow tires will increase your security substantially. I could always stay home, if needed in a blizzard, so managed with AS.

Also, you know, most places are plowed pretty quickly but for tertiary roads--you might still have some fun in the beginning or end of your trip, but for the most part, there's plenty of plowing and salt. Rinse off your bottom well.

[chhappy7]

I live in NH, where it really snows and I have a rwd. With snow tires and some common sense, I get around perfectly fine.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Wires

I will add one additional note: Braking is by far the biggest issue in the winter. AWD. 4WD, whatever you ask for does nothing for this.

So true. My view in discussions like this, "best not to get going, if you can't stop". It's all about tires.

[zipstic]

The correct answer here is to go with the 2022 RS3 and have dedicated snow tires and summer tires for each season.