[328i2013]

After 5 fun filled years of driving my 2007 Mini Cooper S, finally I'm selling it to get a 2013 BMW 328i. This will be my first RWD car and I'm in upstate NY (ROCHESTER). Do I need to be worried about driving in the snow. Planning on getting snow tires for sure.

In case anyone is interested in buying an awesome Mini, details and photos of my car can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/2007cooperforsale/

[MrScott]

RWD is going to handle like a pig in the snow--even with snow tires. I lived in Syracuse for 25 years so I know what the winters are like. Now, that being said, it is doable if you're a reasonably competent driver and don't live in a house with a super-steep driveway. If you're really concerned about the handling you can always get the XDrive.

Also, doing donuts in an empty, snow-covered parking lot w/ RWD is fun. :-)

[JoeyO]

Good luck on hitting an ice patch while turning a corner. Unless you have studded tires, your rear tires will loose their grip, whether you have snow tires or not.

[metrickid]

It is no problem at all driving RWD in the winter if you have proper tires.
I have had 4 RWD BMW's during the last 8 years and I haven't been stuck once! Never used studded tires on any of them.

I live in Sweden so we have plenty of winter. Sure I've owned a couple of AWD cars, and no question about it - they perform better in the winter. But it is not like I have any regrets on getting a RWD 335.

[TonyS]

Originally Posted by JoeyO

Good luck on hitting an ice patch while turning a corner. Unless you have studded tires, your rear tires will loose their grip, whether you have snow tires or not.

Only if you're a hooligan - but then that's half the fun

[CE750Jockey]

Get these, otherwise you might as well be on ice skates:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Modern%20Line

[328i2013]

Blizzaks are what I was planning on getting. That's what I put on my Mini too Nov-March and I've never been stuck.

The more people I talk to, the more I find out that there is a split opinion on RWD in the snow. Half say its crazy. Half say with snow tires it's no problem. Since I've already ordered the 328i, maybe i'll take my chances.

Or maybe I should hold on to my Mini till next winter, just in case I need it's FWD finesse.

#confused

[328i2013]

@MrScott - What sort of wait time are you looking at to get your 2013 328i?

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by 328i2013

The more people I talk to, the more I find out that there is a split opinion on RWD in the snow. Half say its crazy. Half say with snow tires it's no problem.

I would say that most comments about how bad it will work are from people without first hand knowledge. As I said, I live in Sweden and we get full on winter and I have never had any issues (M3, 335i, 120d, 535d, Lexus IS-F) as long as you have good winter tires. I have a lot of friends with RWD BMW's and they are also fine.

Yes, the DTC/DSC icon will flash a lot because the systems are working a lot but the car feels just as stable as it can be and you get good traction in almost every condition.

So no need to worry, just drive with your head during the winter months and all should be just fine!

[MrScott]

Originally Posted by 328i2013

@MrScott - What sort of wait time are you looking at to get your 2013 328i?

I ordered the car on Monday, July 16th. The car started production today (July 20th) and I should take delivery at the Performance Center in SC sometime in September. I haven't gotten a final delivery date yet.

[rconti]

Originally Posted by JoeyO

Good luck on hitting an ice patch while turning a corner. Unless you have studded tires, your rear tires will loose their grip, whether you have snow tires or not.

I'd much rather have the tail hang out a bit rather than have the car plow headlong into a snowbank. One is controllable, the other is not. There's nothing more insane to me than the insistence that FWD cars are better in slippery conditions than RWD. Spin up the front wheels? Suddenly no steering! Try to turn? Suddenly no forward momentum!

Sorry, I'd rather be able to manage my cornering with one set of wheels and my motive power with the other set.

OP, buy proper snows and you'll be fine.

[328i2013]

Originally Posted by MrScott

I ordered the car on Monday, July 16th. The car started production today (July 20th) and I should take delivery at the Performance Center in SC sometime in September. I haven't gotten a final delivery date yet.

Wow! It went into production really quickly. Did the dealer pull any strings? Also, if it's already in production, do you really think you will have to wait till September??