xDrive - for winter
#31
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When we get the x35i's to Finland, not even talking about x-models...
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#32
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My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
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Oh man, that looks sweet! I would love to take my xi out there and see how it handles. I wonder if they have this in the US??? Doubtful...
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#35
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Originally Posted by uglybear' post='387386' date='Feb 4 2007, 09:59 AM
Generally, assumption that people in Northern countries like Scandinavia badly need AWD is incorrect. Having lived big chunk of my life in snowy areas I can tell that if it snows often at some place municipal services usually possess plenty of snow plows, sand spray machines, salt, etc. Never needed AWD car where it was snowy 4-5 months a year. Winter tires, maybe. Where people do need AWD is in those places that show only happens couple weeks a year so there is practically no municipal road cleaning equipment. For example, snow in Seattle = disaster.
I'm not the only one who holds this opnion. Witness Audi, Volvo, Subaru to name just a few have caught on to the benfits of awd for areas with winter driving conditions. And many manufacturers have sold a pile of SUV's for more than the utility of extra space.
I also disagree with the statement that people only need awd where snow only happens a few times a year with poor municipal snow clearing equipment. Why would you want to buy an awd car for use a few weeks a year? And when an area with no snow clearing equipment gets a dump - where are you driving with an awd car? Most don't have the ground clearance to get around in those types of conditions. It's best to wait it out and drive once the municipality does get the roads cleared.
AWD isn't about going "four wheeling". It's about safe traction and better road holding on slippery surfaces. No car can be everything to everyone, but I'm betting the new 535 (twin turbo) xi will be for me (and many others). It's true the car will be a bit of a trade off, but until you've lived in a climate that has snow on the roads for 5 months of the year, I'm not sure you have the full picture.
#36
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Originally Posted by uglybear' post='387386' date='Feb 4 2007, 05:59 PM
Generally, assumption that people in Northern countries like Scandinavia badly need AWD is incorrect. Having lived big chunk of my life in snowy areas I can tell that if it snows often at some place municipal services usually possess plenty of snow plows, sand spray machines, salt, etc. Never needed AWD car where it was snowy 4-5 months a year. Winter tires, maybe. Where people do need AWD is in those places that show only happens couple weeks a year so there is practically no municipal road cleaning equipment. For example, snow in Seattle = disaster.
Firstly Scandinavia is a large area starting from Denmark in the south to Lappland
in Norwey, Sweden and Finland in the North.
You woundn't last a day in the weather and road conditions we have right now
with summer tyres - RWD or AWD!
The roads are icy and snowy and some parts are like blank ice.
I have winter tyres without spikes (as a minority overhere) but the differance
between good spikeless wintertyres and summertyres is simply huge.
I have now driven in winter conditions some 30 years...
#37
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Originally Posted by BlaSTiWi' post='388166' date='Feb 6 2007, 07:07 PM
Great pics!!! What kind of snow tires are they on? Dunlop?
This morning drive to work (80 km) was nice. At start -29 C degree and almost all the time around -32...-34 C. And finally, when I parked at 07:30 am, my 530 xdA indicated -36.5 C !! Shame I had no camera with me. Anyway, next morning will be even colder...none a single problem in colderness, the car works still like a dream
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#38
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Originally Posted by Ricracing' post='388103' date='Feb 6 2007, 03:35 PM
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When we get the x35i's to Finland, not even talking about x-models...
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#39
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Hi.
First of all, sorry for my english, but is not my lang...
All your opinions about X (and Q) are interesting, but I would like to know about the behaviour of E60 on wet roads. I m thinking about buying a new one. We have only (more or less) 2 days a year of snow, but the rain is more representative. Is E60 OK in wet roads, or is similar to its behaviour in snow roads? The reactions of the car on wet surfaces are OK? Have someone compared with Audi, for example? Thanks for ur opinions.
Greetings from Spain!
First of all, sorry for my english, but is not my lang...
All your opinions about X (and Q) are interesting, but I would like to know about the behaviour of E60 on wet roads. I m thinking about buying a new one. We have only (more or less) 2 days a year of snow, but the rain is more representative. Is E60 OK in wet roads, or is similar to its behaviour in snow roads? The reactions of the car on wet surfaces are OK? Have someone compared with Audi, for example? Thanks for ur opinions.
Greetings from Spain!
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My Ride: 2009 535XI, Barbera Red with beige leather, Navigation, premium package, cold weather package, 18 inch wheels,
2007 530XI, Monaco Blue with Auburn leather , Navigation, Logic 7, premium package, cold weather package, M-Aero kit, Rear Spoiler, 18 inch 135m style wheels, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS D3's, AngeliBrights.
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Originally Posted by Ricracing' post='385436' date='Jan 30 2007, 01:00 PM
Did test drive today - on compleately icy roads, in southern Finland - a E90 325xiA.
Did run a couple of hundred miles, with a big smile on my face all the time.
The BMW xDrive is fantastic, great, superiour... simply incredible in a postive way!
I do not remember having such fun in a long time...
Did run a couple of hundred miles, with a big smile on my face all the time.
The BMW xDrive is fantastic, great, superiour... simply incredible in a postive way!
I do not remember having such fun in a long time...
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