And now, my new 530d M-Sport Touring!
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From: Turku, Finland
My Ride: 2005 BMW 530d M-Sport TouringExterior: Titansilber Metallic, M5 mirrors, ACS rear roof spoiler, BMW Carbon Fiber rear diffuser, Adaptive Xenon headlights, AngeliBright v.3 Angel Eyes, F1 Autohaus Euphoria 6000K LED license plate lightsInterior: Black
Originally Posted by rsyed' post='1056591' date='Nov 17 2009, 10:31 AM
something as beautiful as this can only be austria 
Great looking car. Nice and simple - just OEM... The way to go....

Great looking car. Nice and simple - just OEM... The way to go....
Originally Posted by Patrick E61' post='1057583' date='Nov 18 2009, 08:29 PM
Well said. We saw amazing and unbelievable places this summer in Austria. I cannot wait to do a further west-east tour of the country!
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,398
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From: Turku, Finland
My Ride: 2005 BMW 530d M-Sport TouringExterior: Titansilber Metallic, M5 mirrors, ACS rear roof spoiler, BMW Carbon Fiber rear diffuser, Adaptive Xenon headlights, AngeliBright v.3 Angel Eyes, F1 Autohaus Euphoria 6000K LED license plate lightsInterior: Black
Originally Posted by rsyed' post='1058160' date='Nov 19 2009, 09:43 AM
next time you head to this beautiful country, let me know. i can point out some beautiful drives...
What's it like driving a rear wheel car with all that power on snow and ice in Finland ? How does the E61 handle.
My German colleagues always prefer front-wheel drive cars because of the handling in snow and ice - even on winter tyres.
Generally in Finland and Scandinavia, do you guys prefer rear-wheel drive , givnen your severe winters and snow etc - would be very interested to know if it is more difficult or Scandanvians prefer front-wheel drive like Germans.
My German colleagues always prefer front-wheel drive cars because of the handling in snow and ice - even on winter tyres.
Generally in Finland and Scandinavia, do you guys prefer rear-wheel drive , givnen your severe winters and snow etc - would be very interested to know if it is more difficult or Scandanvians prefer front-wheel drive like Germans.
Originally Posted by higher' post='1075152' date='Dec 17 2009, 03:00 PM
What's it like driving a rear wheel car with all that power on snow and ice in Finland ? How does the E61 handle.
My German colleagues always prefer front-wheel drive cars because of the handling in snow and ice - even on winter tyres.
Generally in Finland and Scandinavia, do you guys prefer rear-wheel drive , givnen your severe winters and snow etc - would be very interested to know if it is more difficult or Scandanvians prefer front-wheel drive like Germans.
My German colleagues always prefer front-wheel drive cars because of the handling in snow and ice - even on winter tyres.
Generally in Finland and Scandinavia, do you guys prefer rear-wheel drive , givnen your severe winters and snow etc - would be very interested to know if it is more difficult or Scandanvians prefer front-wheel drive like Germans.
Winter is not a problem, as we are forced to learn to drive in icy and snowy conditions or then you have to learn to live without a car for almost half a year.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,398
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From: Turku, Finland
My Ride: 2005 BMW 530d M-Sport TouringExterior: Titansilber Metallic, M5 mirrors, ACS rear roof spoiler, BMW Carbon Fiber rear diffuser, Adaptive Xenon headlights, AngeliBright v.3 Angel Eyes, F1 Autohaus Euphoria 6000K LED license plate lightsInterior: Black
For the 20+ years that I have lived and driven in Finland, I have only ever had a RWD car - granted, my father-in-law's ZETOR tractor was AWD.
So, I guess that I can't have an opinion about RWD vs FWD in the winter. That said, I have not had a single issue with any of the four BMW vehicles that I have had for the last 10 years of "winter" driving.
So, I guess that I can't have an opinion about RWD vs FWD in the winter. That said, I have not had a single issue with any of the four BMW vehicles that I have had for the last 10 years of "winter" driving.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,186
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From: UK
My Ride: Jan 2006 E63 650i Sport
.
Options:
Sport version (includes: sport-seats, sport-suspension, M-Sport steering wheel, Anthracite headliner, Shaddow Line), Saphire Black, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood trim, Steptronic Auto, Xenons, NAV-Professional with Voice Control, TV, CD-Changer, Bluetooth, Logic7, Head-up Display, Comfort Access, Seat Heating front, Auto Dimming & Folding Mirrors, Extended Auto Air Conditioning, PDC.
.
Mods:
Spacers 5mm front & 15mm rear
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Wheels:
20" Alpina Softline (Classic) with Dunlop Sport Maxx non-RFT (255/35/20 & 285/30/20)
Originally Posted by higher' post='1075152' date='Dec 17 2009, 02:00 PM
What's it like driving a rear wheel car with all that power on snow and ice in Finland ? How does the E61 handle.
My German colleagues always prefer front-wheel drive cars because of the handling in snow and ice - even on winter tyres.
Generally in Finland and Scandinavia, do you guys prefer rear-wheel drive , givnen your severe winters and snow etc - would be very interested to know if it is more difficult or Scandanvians prefer front-wheel drive like Germans.
My German colleagues always prefer front-wheel drive cars because of the handling in snow and ice - even on winter tyres.
Generally in Finland and Scandinavia, do you guys prefer rear-wheel drive , givnen your severe winters and snow etc - would be very interested to know if it is more difficult or Scandanvians prefer front-wheel drive like Germans.
The previous 4 years I have been doing approx 20000-25000km on 18" or 19" winter set-ups, including skiiing trips to Austria. So I think it comes down to how well prepared the roads are where you drive and the quality of the surfaces. I am running 275 Dunlop Wintersport on the rear at the moment and am (**touch wood**) currently able to make it through the snow here in Copenhagen.
Good luck with your choice.
ps. there's a reason the Nordic countries are good at rallying... i.e. driving side ways and slippery surfaces
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Southern Europe
My Ride: E61 CarbonBlack 535d, Ventilated and Heated Comfort Seats with Massage in Black Nasca Leather, Dark Poplar Wood, Professional Navi, Folding Rear Seats, Load Through, Advanced Remote, PDC, Bluetooth, Dimming and folding Mirrors, Bi-Xenons, Hi-Fi, Tinted
Originally Posted by rsyed' post='1058160' date='Nov 19 2009, 08:43 AM
next time you head to this beautiful country, let me know. i can point out some beautiful drives...
It looks like you went crazy and got back to the best car format
Thank you!
If by group buy, you mean you and me, lets do it!
I have finally made a decision on summer wheels and tires (thanks to all of the posts here): M172 staggered and ContiSportContact 3 tires. Wheels from Germany, and tires from somewhere local.
And let me know if there is ever a Finnish "group" get together!
If by group buy, you mean you and me, lets do it!
I have finally made a decision on summer wheels and tires (thanks to all of the posts here): M172 staggered and ContiSportContact 3 tires. Wheels from Germany, and tires from somewhere local.
And let me know if there is ever a Finnish "group" get together!

I must confess, however, that I really like your car as it is.
Good luck



You'll love it!