I am new to this forum, but I am hoping to gain some knowledge from it. I have a 535xi on order and I would rather have the 550i. My concern is the handling during the 4 snow days a year that Chicago has. My understanding is that if you have the snow tires on the 550 there won't be an issue. I would like to know if the winter tires really do something or if I really need to have an all wheel drive in Chicago.

 

4 snows should be fine in your area. But if the snow piles up, stay home regardless.

 

I use four 18" snow tires . . . no problem in Boston. I wouldn't reccomend summer or all-weather tires in Chicago during the winter.

 

I used 17" Blizaks and they worked great for the few days of snow nd ice, very happy with handling with thm.

 

17" Blizzaks here in Pittsburgh. We've got hills, you don't. You'll be fine.

 

Four Dunlap M3 Sport Snows on my 545, and no problems here in Cleveland.
We get a lot of snow and once it gets too deep then snows or no snows the car sits pretty low and only a 4X4 sitting high won't get stuck.

Trust me four good snows on a 550 will do just fine in Chicago.

But a 535 Xi with a six speed, non-sport ( all season non-run flat tires ) would be a VERY cool car.

DR.Z

 

I also use four Dunlap M3 Sport Snow Tires in the winter. My 545 runs great in the winter time. For living here in the Chicago all wheel drive is not necessary for winter driving.

 

Ditto ... Dunlop Winter Sport M3s on the stock sport wheels and the 550 is excellent in the winter.

 

Four Dunlop M3s on 17" OEM 138 style wheels and all is good in the winter here.

 

I have a 550i and would rather have a 550i.

My winter setup is aggressive with blizzack snow and ice RFTs on 18 inch 128 replicas. Handled the snow fine here this year and beat any FWD car I've owned. The snow tires make a difference and E60s balance and traction control help alot. Just alittle sluggish when moving from a stop with heavy snow.

I'm not missing AWD in Chicago.


CVT Benhogan