It's been a while since I posted here, figured I would as this is the forum that first inspired me to get my 545i.

Stormy day in New Jersey, left work early to beat the weather. Black ice on the road over a low bridge. Literally driving straight under 50 MPH - most other cars were flying by me at 70MPH+. Started to fishtail wildly, then into 360 degree spin, then hit concrete barrier.

Luckily, the 3 cars bearing down on me avoided hitting into me. Scared the crap out of me, but I was OK. Got the car over to the shoulder, towed away, and awaiting insurance report.

Lessons learned:
* Don't drive a RWD car in ANY kind of weather.
* Probably have to get an xi (AWD), I don't think I trust this car anymore, despite the fact that I loved it and it was a tank - probably saved my life.


At what estimate amount do you think the insurance company (GEICO) will total this car?

I wouldn't take these lessons from what happened. The most important question is: What kind of tires did you have on the car? Even AWD won't help much on black ice. It's not your car that was the problem....it was the ice, and probably your tires.

Glad to hear you are ok, though. Fix her up and get some good snow tires afterward. You'll be good to go.

man sorry to hear about that. good to know that you are alright though.

Wow! Glad you OK... black ice are nasty... don't think even an AWD will do any better on somethin' like that...

There were plenty of SUV's flying by me. The rear end just lost traction. I can't explain it any other way. I didn't actually *see* the ice, I just assumed it.

I had new tires put on by the dealer when it was CPO'd after I bought it out from my lease. I am not sure what they were - "stock" Bimmer tires I assume.

RWD and non-winter tires is a recipe for disaster waiting to happen. You have to get winter tires if you have RWD, the stock all seasons are junk on ice and snow. Sorry to hear about your collision and glad to hear no one got hurt.

Thanks for the kind words, I am lucky. You are right, I should have had better tires on her.

I am also too lazy to deal with switching tires every season, if they total the car I'll get an xi model (maybe even a 3) or another brand but I really don't want to do that, I love my Bimmer.

Until I bought my '07 530xi I drove RWD BMW's beginning in the 1980's with my 1986 524TD.

Lesson learned from learning to drive in Upstate NY winters ... including a few stints at driving on frozen lakes; Never try to "out-drive" the car or your own driving abilities - that's a losing combination.

Snow is somewhat forgiving - ICE never forgives no matter how many wheels you're driving or stopping.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune but if you insist on testing the limits of your next car do it in an environment that is less risky to you, your car, or others. For example, EVERY new car I have purchased since 19XX ... was tested at near limits on a deserted parking lot. First snow / ice to see how it accelerated or braked and handled in sharp cornering, etc. Rainy and slick same thing ... dry road handling etc.

Better to slip and slide with hundreds of feet of nothing in the way than on a busy highway with no escape routes and no margin for error.

Sorry this was your very own reality show but it seems that no one was hurt. Cars can be repaired or replaced.

sorry to hear, glad you and no one else were hurt...lesson learned, insurance will take care of the rest hopefully....hope things get resolved/repaired quickly....