Snowstorm today
#1
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Hi,
I have been very satisfied with my 530xi so far. A snowstorm and the start of winter season begun today. We got -10C and about 20 cm of snow in just one day. Finally, it was time for a real test of the xi handling capabilities.
1) Traction (rate 100%)
Going from standstill to 60 on a road with mixed snow / ice was unbelieveable. Ok I have 225x50x17 with studs on 138 rims so I guess the studs helped a bit but 0-60 went on 8.4 sec which was just 1.1 sec slower than I did with my summer tyres. I would call that "almost instant traction"
2) Handling (rate 90%)
Accelerate through curves was not a problem. I could almost keep twice the speed vs my FWD car, a Volvo V70 without drifting. But I rate it 90% only beacuse I had to release the pedal until the DSC system started to adjust respective wheel speed. I thought that the system would adjust while riding. Perhaps it does it very subtile. Anyway, it was very noticeable when I released the accelerator.
3) Summary
Sorry for the Audi people but the BMW xdrive does infact react faster than their Quattro system. A collegue at work has a 3.2 Quattro sedan. With synced starts on a road with ice and snow the BMW got traction quicker vs the Audi. When we reached about 40 mph I was 1.5 car lengths ahead an growing. Yes, both cars had studs. Would I chose the 4WD option again, YES most definitely.
Thank you BMW, you got one more repeat customer.
/Knubblo
I have been very satisfied with my 530xi so far. A snowstorm and the start of winter season begun today. We got -10C and about 20 cm of snow in just one day. Finally, it was time for a real test of the xi handling capabilities.
1) Traction (rate 100%)
Going from standstill to 60 on a road with mixed snow / ice was unbelieveable. Ok I have 225x50x17 with studs on 138 rims so I guess the studs helped a bit but 0-60 went on 8.4 sec which was just 1.1 sec slower than I did with my summer tyres. I would call that "almost instant traction"
2) Handling (rate 90%)
Accelerate through curves was not a problem. I could almost keep twice the speed vs my FWD car, a Volvo V70 without drifting. But I rate it 90% only beacuse I had to release the pedal until the DSC system started to adjust respective wheel speed. I thought that the system would adjust while riding. Perhaps it does it very subtile. Anyway, it was very noticeable when I released the accelerator.
3) Summary
Sorry for the Audi people but the BMW xdrive does infact react faster than their Quattro system. A collegue at work has a 3.2 Quattro sedan. With synced starts on a road with ice and snow the BMW got traction quicker vs the Audi. When we reached about 40 mph I was 1.5 car lengths ahead an growing. Yes, both cars had studs. Would I chose the 4WD option again, YES most definitely.
Thank you BMW, you got one more repeat customer.
/Knubblo
#3
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wow....you are psychic. I was about to ask to the forum about the performance of the xi on the snow.
Thanks for the report.
i had a chance to order the Xi...but went with the i version instead. Oh well...
Thanks for the report.
i had a chance to order the Xi...but went with the i version instead. Oh well...
#4
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Originally Posted by Kadonny' post='204404' date='Nov 28 2005, 11:02 PM
Did he have studs too? They make a HUGE difference.
Hi,
I think you missed some text in my previous post. "Yes, both cars had studs.". Anyway, I noticed something else today which was news to me, maybe not to the rest of you BMW drivers. But when I drove my xi in the snow using DS mode the dsc system did not respond as forceful as when driving in regular D-mode.
/Knubblo
#5
Hi,
I think you missed some text in my previous post. "Yes, both cars had studs.". Anyway, I noticed something else today which was news to me, maybe not to the rest of you BMW drivers. But when I drove my xi in the snow using DS mode the dsc system did not respond as forceful as when driving in regular D-mode.
/Knubblo
[/quote]
Oops, my bad, you did mention that.
Anyway, very interesting. I have a quattro now and the cars are only as good as the tires on it. I spun my quattro out last year in about an inch of snow, so it is not that hard. But I am glad that the X drive seems to be a good system.
#8
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My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Originally Posted by geneclark' post='204902' date='Nov 29 2005, 11:35 PM
Also the first week of snow for me. I drive an "i" and the car works on snow and ice WITH studs. I like RWD in these conditions (winter until late april).
For the 5 to 10 days when I would really need the x, I could take the bus or taxi,
or have girlfriend to pic me up with her VW Golf
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My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
Thi is all very fine to hear, but the "bad rap" on winter driving still lingers on for BMW in 2WD format. Even after 30+ years, I've never found them to be a problem, but it has been considered a major sales hindrance here in the northeast US. It's all probabaly attributable to guys moving up from front-wheel drive Japanese cars. I came from American and British iron, so the BMW's 50/50 weight ratio was a pleasant surprise 20-30 years ago.
I guess the electronics and good tires all around have made a big difference in popular opinion. But I still recall buying a set basically new snow tires from some dentist clown who totaled his new 320i playing in the snow; he bought an Audo after that. Silly boy.
Ray Hull
I guess the electronics and good tires all around have made a big difference in popular opinion. But I still recall buying a set basically new snow tires from some dentist clown who totaled his new 320i playing in the snow; he bought an Audo after that. Silly boy.
Ray Hull
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