PSULion

First some background info...I live in Pennsylvania and drive an '02 540 that is coming off lease in late May. The car was scary in the snow until I put snows on it the second winter. It has been tolerable since then although not without a few anxious moments despite some relatively mild winters.

Because of the winter issue I decided recently to test drive the RL as well as an A6 and an A8. Finally I test drove the 545. The other cars were great and the A8 is very luxurious, but damn the 545 is in another league as far as torque and fun to drive factor IMHO. Still I am debating this choice.

What experiences have you folks in cold weather areas had with the 545? The dealer tells me it is better in the snow than the 540, but I find that hard to believe given the extra torque, etc. Any other thoughts are appreciated.

ademitt

Firstly, let me point out that I am writing as a 530 owner, but one that had an 01 530 and an 02 525. My E60 is the best handling car in the snow that I have ever driven. I have 17" Dunlop snows on alloys and find the handling superb, even in the heavy snow we received this winter. I would not hesitate at all to recommend the E60 over the other cars you mentioned. I test drove both the Infinity and the Audi before I bought my E60 and there is no comparrison. Do not hesitate, go for the E60 IMHO.

gdavis

You MUST use winter tires for handling. I've been using Blizzak LM-22s and have had no slipping to speak of. These rear wheel cars are delivered with summer sports tires which makes the combo of rear wheel and sports tires nearly impossible to use in snow.

Winter tires takes care of it all.

Marco545

I just turned in my 02 540it (wagon) w/ sport pkg, which, like yours was one of the worst in the snow, but , to date, by far, my favorite car. I put Michelin all seasons on it which really helped and were far quiter and better wearing than the crappy Continentals which came on the car.
I, like you, tested the Audi, Acura, MB etc. but, alas, fell back in love with my new 545 sport pkg. I still do like my 02 better, but I think the 545 beats the competition in fun\styling\ride\handling. Tomorrow will tell just how bad the run flat tires will be in the NJ snow!

hinckley

This is my 4th 5er, and all previous ones had been tolerable in the snow, provided I used winter tires. But the E60 is nothing short of amazing, especially when compared with my prior cars. I have Dunlop M3s all around on the original 18 inch rims that come with the 545 sport . . . and I feel invincible in the snow. We've had a pretty bad winter here in Boston, and I've never hesitated to take this car out once.

TObmw

I live in Toronto, Canada where there is no shortage of snow. Currently, I have winter RFTs on 18" rims. In conjunction with the traction control, this car handles amazingly well. Granted, I own a six speed and try to keep my revs as low as possible on icy surfaces, but I have never felt out of control. I owned two previous BMWs that were death traps even with winter tires and a front wheel Volvo that, although better than the BMWs, still slid and skid in the winter. As long as you get winter tires, you will have no problems (and if you are concerned, use 16" or 17" wheels).

kt8509

Had E39 540iA and E46 M3 as primary cars for past 6 yrs in Minnesota. Put winter tires on every season and never once got stuck or "scared".

My E60 545i also has winter tires on and I get around just fine.

But if you want/need to rank best to worst in snow/ice, here's my take:
(assuming all have some form of traction control)
1. AWD with winter tires
2. FWD with winter tires
3. RWD with winter tires
4. AWD with all season tires
5. FWD with all season tires
6. RWD with all season tires

So you just have to make your decision based on how important snow driving is in your region. And how much snow *will* you actually get vs. just cold?

If I could get *exactly* what the 545 is now with AWD, I'd probably get that. But since the A6/A8 has some compromises when it comes to the performance side, I opted to the 545 with snows.

To each his own. For me, I have no worries in blizzard conditions (other than other drivers slamming in to me!).