545i Performance in Snow
05-21-2007, 01:09 PM
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To all,
I am presently considerting the purchase of a 2004 545i with 6 speed manual transmission. My only hesitation is performance in snow as I need to be able to drive the highway from Vancouver to Whistler in winter. My plan would be to buy a set of 17 inch wheels and snow tires for the December to March snow season. I don't plan to use the car as the primary Whistler car, saving this for an SUV, but don't want to get stuck or lose control on account of not having all wheel drive.
My alternative is to go for an Audi S4 which would give me the performance I am looking for plus all wheel drive. Not a bad option but I am biased towards BMW.
Your thoughts and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
WhistlerDriver
I am presently considerting the purchase of a 2004 545i with 6 speed manual transmission. My only hesitation is performance in snow as I need to be able to drive the highway from Vancouver to Whistler in winter. My plan would be to buy a set of 17 inch wheels and snow tires for the December to March snow season. I don't plan to use the car as the primary Whistler car, saving this for an SUV, but don't want to get stuck or lose control on account of not having all wheel drive.
My alternative is to go for an Audi S4 which would give me the performance I am looking for plus all wheel drive. Not a bad option but I am biased towards BMW.
Your thoughts and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
WhistlerDriver
05-21-2007, 01:18 PM
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My Ride: E46 330, E60 550 on order: Carbon Black/Natural Brown, 6MT.
AWD will not improve the "control" of the car, only straight line traction. You should be fine with a good set of snow tires.
I would study your snow tire options carefully at a site like tirerack. They will also help out on the phone.
I would tend away from "high performance snows" towards more conventional snow tires, knowing the climate you'll be driving in.
I would study your snow tire options carefully at a site like tirerack. They will also help out on the phone.
I would tend away from "high performance snows" towards more conventional snow tires, knowing the climate you'll be driving in.
05-21-2007, 01:19 PM
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I just traded an 04 545 6-speed manual for my LCI 550. I put four snows on the OEM 18-inchers, and like many here will tell you, I had no problems getting through the Boston winters. However, I wouldn't be truthful if I said that I'd feel comfortable needing to regularly drive in deep snow. Driving around a city snowstorm is very different than driving mountain roads. When I regularly did that, it was with a 4WD Audi with snows all around. Now that was a tank.
So if the BMW is a back-up to an SUV, go for it. If it's a primary mountain car or a "gotta get there" car, I'd say the Audi or a 5er "xi" is a better bet.
So if the BMW is a back-up to an SUV, go for it. If it's a primary mountain car or a "gotta get there" car, I'd say the Audi or a 5er "xi" is a better bet.
05-21-2007, 01:30 PM
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My Ride: 2005 545i with Sport Pkg, Nav, HUD, Cold Weather Pkg, Rear Shades
I have the dedicated snow tires (high performance Dunlop run flats _ see my signature), and am very satisfied with it. The car behaves very well in snow/slush.
Of course, if it's icy conditions, you will tend to fish-tail, but you should be careful on icy roads no matter what car set-up you have.
Of course, if it's icy conditions, you will tend to fish-tail, but you should be careful on icy roads no matter what car set-up you have.
05-21-2007, 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by JStraw' post='426896' date='May 21 2007, 04:30 PM
I have the dedicated snow tires (high performance Dunlop run flats _ see my signature), and am very satisfied with it. The car behaves very well in snow/slush.
Of course, if it's icy conditions, you will tend to fish-tail, but you should be careful on icy roads no matter what car set-up you have.
Of course, if it's icy conditions, you will tend to fish-tail, but you should be careful on icy roads no matter what car set-up you have.
If you add to that, some good winter tires....I guess you can hardly improve the car?s behaviour
Regards from the sunny Spain
05-22-2007, 07:27 AM
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My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Originally Posted by WhistlerDriver' post='426887' date='May 21 2007, 04:09 PM
To all,
I am presently considerting the purchase of a 2004 545i with 6 speed manual transmission. My only hesitation is performance in snow as I need to be able to drive the highway from Vancouver to Whistler in winter. My plan would be to buy a set of 17 inch wheels and snow tires for the December to March snow season. I don't plan to use the car as the primary Whistler car, saving this for an SUV, but don't want to get stuck or lose control on account of not having all wheel drive.
My alternative is to go for an Audi S4 which would give me the performance I am looking for plus all wheel drive. Not a bad option but I am biased towards BMW.
Your thoughts and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
WhistlerDriver
I am presently considerting the purchase of a 2004 545i with 6 speed manual transmission. My only hesitation is performance in snow as I need to be able to drive the highway from Vancouver to Whistler in winter. My plan would be to buy a set of 17 inch wheels and snow tires for the December to March snow season. I don't plan to use the car as the primary Whistler car, saving this for an SUV, but don't want to get stuck or lose control on account of not having all wheel drive.
My alternative is to go for an Audi S4 which would give me the performance I am looking for plus all wheel drive. Not a bad option but I am biased towards BMW.
Your thoughts and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
WhistlerDriver
Cheers
05-22-2007, 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by westcoast550' post='427171' date='May 22 2007, 10:27 AM
I have a 550 and an x5 4.4. Get an X5 they are a blast to drive and nothing beats me to Whistler even with my Scorpian snowies. The X5 is the perfect Vancouver car.
Cheers
Cheers
Thanks for the input on the X5. That is the current plan for the primary Whistler vehicle. I only plan to use the 545i when my wife and I have to go up separately.
05-22-2007, 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by JStraw' post='426896' date='May 21 2007, 04:30 PM
I have the dedicated snow tires (high performance Dunlop run flats _ see my signature), and am very satisfied with it. The car behaves very well in snow/slush.
Of course, if it's icy conditions, you will tend to fish-tail, but you should be careful on icy roads no matter what car set-up you have.
Of course, if it's icy conditions, you will tend to fish-tail, but you should be careful on icy roads no matter what car set-up you have.
Thanks for the feedback on the dedicated snows. It sounds like a feasible option. Appreciate your comment on the ice.
05-22-2007, 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by hinckley' post='426892' date='May 21 2007, 04:19 PM
I just traded an 04 545 6-speed manual for my LCI 550. I put four snows on the OEM 18-inchers, and like many here will tell you, I had no problems getting through the Boston winters. However, I wouldn't be truthful if I said that I'd feel comfortable needing to regularly drive in deep snow. Driving around a city snowstorm is very different than driving mountain roads. When I regularly did that, it was with a 4WD Audi with snows all around. Now that was a tank.
So if the BMW is a back-up to an SUV, go for it. If it's a primary mountain car or a "gotta get there" car, I'd say the Audi or a 5er "xi" is a better bet.
So if the BMW is a back-up to an SUV, go for it. If it's a primary mountain car or a "gotta get there" car, I'd say the Audi or a 5er "xi" is a better bet.
Thanks for your input. I think that is a generally positive reply. I am not to worried about deep snow as the highways are plowed fairly well. More worried about the slush and ice.
By the way, did you enjoy your 545i with the manual? I am coming from a 323i, so it will be a big step up for me.
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