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Sedans BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series AWD - Pros and Cons
74 messages, Last post on Feb 04, 2008 at 4:16 PM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: imran62781 (Aug 11, 2006 7:57 am) mass is rarely an advantage. Most problems are from stopping (or rather not stopping) or loosing control not from being unable to get going. Krzys |
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I have owned all the current drive train technologies, RWD, 4WD, FWD, AWD and traction control. I owned cars, trucks and a van. I and tell you this much if you do not know how to drive in snow and ice, it does not matter which drive system you have. Grant it, having AWD and 4WD does help keep you from getting stuck, but if you do not know how they respond or act under various conditions it will not help you. I have got them all stuck and some times on purpose. When I was younger, I had available to me a very large parking lots that was not used during the winter since it was a public swimming pool and use that parking to learn how my and my friends cars & trucks would respond to various driving maneuver in snow and such. Ok, so I was really doing donuts  but I learned how to control a car when it lost control from all the fun. Everything I experienced and learned I still used today. The thing I find is people have a false sense of confidence when they have AWD or 4WD they think the vehical is safer or will not get stuck. It all comes down to your driving. Traction control is not always the best thing to have. I have gotten stuck more time with the TC turned on and not having it at all. What I found is it work for getting car moving on slick roads but once you have the car rolling turn it off because it can slow your momentum down and when trying to climb a slippery hill keeping the wheel speed up is better. Oh course a good set of snow tires and/or chains/cables will never let you down.
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Replying to: maestro64 (Nov 15, 2006 1:52 pm) I second your comments. Today however, I would rather have AWD. I don't feel invincible with AWD, but I feel more vincbile than not. I will gladly sacrifice some handling for feelings of security in very deep now. I find it interesting that some people think anyone who has a 4WD or AWD system has a false sense of security. I guess it's better than always worrying about getting stuck or worrying about running off the road. |
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 18, 2006 8:29 pm)  Like the title says... Regards, OW
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Replying to: circlew (Nov 27, 2006 1:34 pm)  Last winter after a snowstorm dumped several inches+ on the east coast, I went out. I saw three accidents, all within 1/2 mile of one another. Two of the accidents, by an Accord and Camry, just ran off the road at exit ramps. The third was a collision between two cars. Did I feel safe in my AWD? Well not really. But I wasn't worried about getting stuck. I know I don't have to say, prudent driving practices need to be followed based on conditions. But with 4 wheels pulling it does help the traction.
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 27, 2006 7:39 pm) Although the purists on this board opt for RWD and snows during inclement conditions, I tend to feel as you do and with the added weight, I do not see that much of a performance difference vs. the 330i non-SP. I drove one for 1K miles and actually feel the dry performance in my ride was better than the standard i. So far, at the end of this lease in Dec. '08, I will look at the 335xi as it will be in the mainstream and feedback should be good. Best Regards, OW |
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Hi, I'm looking at both the 2007 X3 and the 2007 328xit. I like them both. I'd appreciate any recomendations. Thanks |
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Replying to: circlew (Nov 27, 2006 1:34 pm) Those conditions require complete focus and a slow speed (and overgear, I might add) in any kind of drivetrain configuration. |
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If anyone still reads this forum, I have a new 335xi w/17" all-season ContiProContacts and I love it! I haven't driven it in the winter yet, but I don't anticipate any problems. The trick is not going too fast. Pretend you have summer slicks mounted and you'll be safe. Save the acrobatics for dry conditions. There will be those days even in the winter, but remember that your tires and colder and harder and will tend to slide more. The 300 hp and 300 lbs of torque will entertain you, I promise! I realized today that I haven't even revved beyond 4700 RPM, and I have so much fun left before 7,000 appears. This is one great vehicle! xeye
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Replying to: xeye (Oct 18, 2007 2:33 pm) 
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