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- "Getting a Grip on Wintery Roads", Motor Trend, February 1999. This article covers a report by US Auto Club using a RWD 328i vs an 4WD SUV and two FWD luxury sedans. Also talks about tests done by Jaguar. Shows the value of 50/50 weight distribution, good TC system, and winter tires.
- "What Price Traction: Snowbelt commuters are spending big for four-wheel drive in the name of improved traction. Is there a better way?", Car & Driver, May 1999. Winter tires improve performance for all configurations. AWD with winter tires the best for traction: "winter tires can improve straight-line grip by a much as a third relative to all-season tires. But four-wheel drive doubles the grip of a stock two-wheel-drive car when accelerating or climbing a grade."
- "Slip or Grip? Should your next sport sedan have all-wheel drive? We test to find out." Automobile, April 2004. Test A4 in FWD and AWD versions and G35 in RWD and AWD versions.
I've got the stock SP summer tires on 17" rims and Dunlop winter tires on 16" rims-there definitely is a difference, but I really like the SP option.
It does seem that the whole AWD craze that's happened in recent years is bit overblown in the marketing hype
I totally agree!
But bimmers in particular have had a notorious "fishtailing" rep in snow. Maybe it's just bad buzz.
I've demonstrated this to a few people in a parking lot after a couple inches of snow:
Push accelerator to the floor and alternately turn the wheel 1/4-1/2 turn back and forth...the car simply tracks right to left with NO fishtailing! Of course you can turn off the DSC and do a 180 with no trouble if you want, but winter tires and DSC make this car virtually fool proof.
Bottom line, if you're fine with FWD now, there is no reason to get AWD, especially if you don't mind swapping out winter tires.
-murray
It's a lot easier to get our A4 with all-seasons to fishtail than the 325's with DSC on.
Braking in snow with the snow tires is significantly better than braking with all-seasons. You have to brake often. You rarely if ever climb very steep hills.
AWD needs more maintenance long-term. It may not last as long as RWD because it is more complex.
A RWD 3-series with SP will handle significantly better than an AWD 3-series, esp. because BMWNA does not offer a true SP on the AWD cars.
As far as fishtailing, the BMW DSC really does a good job keeping you out of a spin. Last weekend, I was out on an empty big street at the crack of dawn. The ground was slick, so I turned the DSC completely off and floored it and it definitely fishtailed coming out of the start.
Personally, I think the specs of the diesel version is pretty impressive.
Anybody have any ideas?
Snoopy
Fast forward to the Winter of 2003/2004. I equipped my 2001 Honda Prelude with a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin Sport tires (minus 1) and steel wheels. Not only do they handle exceptionally well in the snow, but driving on them every day was quite pleasant. The taller sidewall gave me some extra cushion if I couldn't avoid a pothole. And I don't have to worry about cracking rims that cost well over $300 each.
Also remember that all season tires are jacks of all trades, but masters of none. Imagine only having one pair of shoes for working out, business meetings, formal affairs...
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I work for a division of Cummins so you don't have to convince me of the benefits of diesel!
-murray
For 95% of driving (or 100% of my wife's driving), you can't tell the difference between them and the stock Bridgestone Turanzas that came on the car. If you want to keep that crisp BMW handling all year round, I think the sport package with same size winter tires is the way to go... But, I definitely recommend the Goodyears. I think they are a step up from the Q- or H-rated winter tires.
As far as wheels for your winter tires.. I see sets of used style 44s for sale all the time for under $500. Considering you will be driving on dry pavement with them for 25 days a month for four months, I think its worth the expense. Plus, your summer tires last that much longer, helping negate the extra cost.
regards,
kyfdx
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Diesel fuel has more btu’s per gallon than gasoline meaning you will generally get more horsepower and/or better mileage out of a diesel engine. This is illustrated by comparing the 330i & 330d on the international BMW site. The 330i gets 170 KW of power and 300 Nm of torque while the 330d gets 150 Kw of power and 410 Nm of torque. Note the extra 37% of torque for the 330d! This while getting 25% better mileage on the highway and 29% better in the city!
Seems to me that it makes sense to get 37% more torque and 25% better mileage! Oh, and the diesel had lower CO2 emissions as well.
Besides, maintenance costs are substantially higher on diesel vehicles.
Do you have some data besides the GM diesel disasters of the ‘80’s to back this up? There plenty of trucks on the road that are expected to run hundreds of thousands of miles without major overhauls.
FWIW, we can all thank GM for creating the negative perception the public has towards diesel engines.
-murray
Another thing mentioned, there was some legislation at the time limiting or prohibiting the use of diesel engines in passenger cars (I can’t confirm this).
Once again, Thank You GM!
-murray
Diesel sells for $2.00 a gallon here. Premium what a BMW requires is running $2.25 a gallon. 25% better fuel economy AND saving a quarter a gallon? Sign me up.
Americans have to keep in mind that European fuel prices are mainly driven by taxes. They have very high petrol taxes. Relatively lower diesel taxes, though still higher than in USA. The underlying cost of both petrol and diesel are similar to USA. We just have a different and lower tax structure.
And another thing: When I was in Germany picking up my 530i, I was talking with some of the BMW folks at the ED center about a 530d that I saw out in the lot. They showed me some of the published BMW specs, and while the 530i was faster to 30 kph or so, the 530d had the acceleration edge (and a substantial edge it was) from there all of the way up to well past 160 kph. Yup, count me in on the "I'd get the diesel here if they'd just bring the darned thing over here" group. ;-)
Regarding Snows: I just returned from a several day 600 mile trip from New Hampshire to various points in NYC and out on the "Gyeland". Given that we had well over a foot of snow here just last week, I still have my Michelin Arctic Alpin winter set on my car, and I have to say, they handle well (maybe 8 tenths as well as the OEM SP rubber), and ride better than the OEMs on a long trip over typical New England and NYC roads. My previous BMW was a 1999 328i with the standard All-Season tires, and there was virtually no ride or handling difference between them and the Arctic Alpins. So much for bad driving characteristics on dry pavement.
Best Regards,
Shipo
CAR also had wonderful things to say about an X5 3.0d which I believe they said averaged in the low 30's as far as mpg goes. That'd be incredible to have an SUV (which many Americans love), that handles and drives like a BMW (because it is a BMW), and gets good fuel economy.
I'm all for more diesels! Put me down on the list!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Thanks again.
I own a 325i 2001 and orderd my new 330ci last month.
Is there a place I can go to see where my car is in the production line?
Thanks
Robert
Can also email me at docupro@sympatico.ca
I was thinking of posting this, but diesels do have higher compression ratios and higher torque output at lower RPM's. Some of this may add to the maintenance.
I can tell you diesel emissions are pretty serious and complicated. I worked on exhaust filtration products for nearly 3 years. By 2007, that puff of black smoke will be history.
-murray
If you're not registered, your dealer can provide you with a production number and you can then sign up for an Owner's Circle account and track the status of your car. The status is a couple of days behind, but it's not bad. The status goes On Order, In Production, Waiting to ship, In Transit (i.e., on a ship), At Prep Center (in the USA), and In Transit to Dealer.
My 325i just went from Production to Waiting to Ship today. It's getting closer!
regards,
kyfdx
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Houle1, if I were you I would delete that message with your address in it.
Quick question .. does the 325XI comes with the sport suspension already but not the tires ? I know that the 325CI have the sport suspension but not the tires. SO just wondering about the XI version.
thanks
regards,
kyfdx
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Live and learn...
Costco gave me some limited road hazard thing with the tires. I can't say I believe it'll pay off, but who knows.
YOU GUYS WERE RIGHT about the XI vs. the I...
I drove both back to back, manuals with sports package, and the difference was both surprising and very noticeable...the i really handled much better, much tighter...and the pickup accceleration was particularly much better - the xi really lagged in second gear. You could really feel the power in the 325i, yes, it was such an effortless acceleration. The ride on the i was firmer, but what you would obviously expect. It was such a clear, obvious choice...after all, buying a BMW one wants that penultimate driving thrill...wow, it was just so kool to drive the 325i, I love that car, I've never been so excited about getting a car before.
You know, after testing both (xi and i) back to back, i wonder why they offer the xi in manual anyway...if one was to get an xi I would strongly suggest automatic...it's just not suited to manual.
My final order:
Mystic blue
Manual (of course)
sports package
Black leatherette
power sunroof
power seats
xenons
cold weather package.
delivers in 6-8 weeks. Now i have a real question..how can i wait that long??!! :~)
You all have been fabulous in giving me advice on this board, really helped me out in many decisions, and guided me to the right purchase. Thank you so much.
Have a great day!
Blackhawker
Congrats!
I test drove a saab 04 arc vs 04 325xi and much prefer the bmw. i wanted to buy the saab until i drove the 325. i have owned two saabs and do not like the new 9-3's. need buying advice on 325xi. want premium pkge, auto, leather,cold weather & metallic paint(oriental blue). 36 month 15k lease......any advice in north jersey. getting a $485/month price....also do i need leather. how is the leatherette? excited to join the bmw family
I test drove a saab 04 arc vs 04 325xi and much prefer the bmw. i wanted to buy the saab until i drove the 325. i have owned two saabs and do not like the new 9-3's. need buying advice on 325xi. want premium pkge, auto, leather,cold weather & metallic paint(oriental blue). 36 month 15k lease......any advice in north jersey. getting a $485/month price....also do i need leather. how is the leatherette? excited to join the bmw family
Dan, if you are leasing the car and can find it, get the leatherette. It will save you lease dollars and it is just a good as the leather, except for the smell.
Best, and good hunting! ...BlackHawker
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
regards,
kyfdx
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Brave, every on-ramp I take triggers my traction control. I thought maybe they were overinflated- which they were - and adjusted the air pressure down. It didn't help. Launches, turns, etc the car doesn't seem to have nearly the same grip.
and yes, they're louder than my RE40s. My REs were bald and still held the road better. And were quieter. Bummer.
I think the toyos are the ones people online are suggesting most.