545i vs. 530xi and winter driving
05-23-2008, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by E_90 driver' post='587082' date='May 23 2008, 04:12 PM
Hey, doc lev, what kind of all-seasons are you running? I just picked up an '05 530i, and it came with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT max. summer performance tires and I'm looking to switch over to all-seasons before the winter comes and don't know which ones to go with. I know I DON'T want RFT's. Just curious as to what your running since it sounds like you have good success with yours.
To be honest, I had those General UHP Exclaims that lots of guys run here, on my '04 Maxima (FWD), and even though they claim to be "ultra high performace" tires, they are actually all-season. And they were awesome in the snow and rain! And for the price and aggresive look to them, you can't beat them!
However, if you have a 530i, I'd put snows on all 4 corners in the winter. Keep the Bridgestones for the Summer. Good luck!
05-23-2008, 02:24 PM
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I had Continental winter tires on my 525i 2 winters ago, they were OK. The tires I have now are the Dunlop M3's. Now thats a great snow tire and I have them in the staggered sizes. 245-40-18 front and 275-35-18 rear Winter sport dedicated snow tires.
05-23-2008, 03:55 PM
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Id have to agree with most of my fellow members on here of course an XI would out perform an I in the snow. 
However just so you know Ive lived in CO for 4 years now and to be honest with you it doesnt snow down in the city that much. I have a motorcycle as well and I can ride it about 10 months out of the year here. Even when it does snow down in the city, its usually gone the next day, not like the north east where its there for months. 
Anyhow you could always invest in a set of snow tires to swap out 3 months of the year, so I say in 2 years if you still want an I, go for it.
Good luck and send us an update in a couple years...!!!!
However just so you know Ive lived in CO for 4 years now and to be honest with you it doesnt snow down in the city that much. I have a motorcycle as well and I can ride it about 10 months out of the year here. Even when it does snow down in the city, its usually gone the next day, not like the north east where its there for months. Anyhow you could always invest in a set of snow tires to swap out 3 months of the year, so I say in 2 years if you still want an I, go for it.Good luck and send us an update in a couple years...!!!!
Originally Posted by ZellDincht' post='577998' date='May 10 2008, 07:11 PM
So I have this crazy dream of mine. My dad had a leased 530i and I personally thought it was one of the coolest looking cars I've seen. Been a BMW fan since 
Only got to drive it twice, though 
I'm heading off to college next year in Colorado. I've got some ideas to help me get a job involving computer networking, just to help me get money during school. Now, this crazy dream of mine is this: I wanna buy a used 2004-2005 5-series my junior year. I'm hoping that the used price will be relatively low in 2010 (relative to how much a brand new one would cost), especially if the car has higher mileage. I don't know if I'll ever make the money to get it, but I'm gonna be open to maybe going for it depending upon what my expenses will be during college
So, let's say I somehow find that I can get a 5-series. Colorado winters can be pretty rough. I'm looking more towards a 545i because it's faster and is apparently more fun to drive. However, it does not come with xDrive. Would a 530xi be a better thing to have in Colorado? How well does xDrive work in winter driving compared to no xDrive? I can't find any website which will give me a definitive answer; I don't know how much xDrive will benefit me in winter driving because of how well BMW's DSC is. Would xDrive with DSC keep me from spinning out/sliding better than just DSC alone?
Only got to drive it twice, though I'm heading off to college next year in Colorado. I've got some ideas to help me get a job involving computer networking, just to help me get money during school. Now, this crazy dream of mine is this: I wanna buy a used 2004-2005 5-series my junior year. I'm hoping that the used price will be relatively low in 2010 (relative to how much a brand new one would cost), especially if the car has higher mileage. I don't know if I'll ever make the money to get it, but I'm gonna be open to maybe going for it depending upon what my expenses will be during college
So, let's say I somehow find that I can get a 5-series. Colorado winters can be pretty rough. I'm looking more towards a 545i because it's faster and is apparently more fun to drive. However, it does not come with xDrive. Would a 530xi be a better thing to have in Colorado? How well does xDrive work in winter driving compared to no xDrive? I can't find any website which will give me a definitive answer; I don't know how much xDrive will benefit me in winter driving because of how well BMW's DSC is. Would xDrive with DSC keep me from spinning out/sliding better than just DSC alone?
05-23-2008, 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by E_90 driver' post='587082' date='May 23 2008, 03:12 PM
Hey, doc lev, what kind of all-seasons are you running? I just picked up an '05 530i, and it came with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT max. summer performance tires and I'm looking to switch over to all-seasons before the winter comes and don't know which ones to go with. I know I DON'T want RFT's. Just curious as to what your running since it sounds like you have good success with yours.
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