328xi Snow performance

douger · 01-11-2007, 06:47 PM

I took delivery of a 2007 E90 328xi last week. We happened to get a big (for Seattle) snow storm over night so I woke up to about 8” of snow and temp of about 27F. I, of course, made up an excuse to run an errand so I could test the snow performance. The only cars driving around my neighborhood were big SUVs and a few cars with chains. I have the stock sport package 17” wheels and tires (Continentals). I had high expectations for this car and it met my expectations. The car tracks very straight – even in the frozen rutted stuff, with a very secure feeling. The ABS works wonderfully. I decided to leave the DTC fully engaged (it is a new car, so I am still driving cautiously) and the thing I noticed the most was how seamless the system works. I had an Acura TL before and I could always tell when the traction control was working – I could feel it switching “on and off” – it was kind of jerky. The E90’s ABS was equally smooth. The ABS in my Acura was not very smooth by comparison – I could always feel it “jerking” on off on off. I could not get the E90’s wheels to spin – even when I floored it, it just accelerated (surprisingly quickly given the road conditions). I have owned many all wheel drive cars (Audi A4 quattro, Passat 4Motion, Honda Pilot and Acrua MDX) – and this is one of the more smooth systems I have driven. Overall, I was impressed!

Earlier impressions on the thread below:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ng+impressions

FirstClass · 01-11-2007, 07:27 PM

If you want to have to pick your jaw up off the floor find a hill thats really steep and use HDC. Its the best reason to buy the car. Its that good.

Hawkshaw · 01-11-2007, 07:34 PM

Was your romp through the winter wonderland on your stock summer tires or do you have snow tires? I found my summer's garbage when the first snow hit (snow tires arrived two days later, were on order from tiretrends.com).

douger · 01-11-2007, 08:00 PM

I have the stock sport package tires -- they are not snow tires but have a more open tread than the summer tires with the non-xi sport package.

FirstClass · 01-11-2007, 09:02 PM

The 17" wheels on the xi sport come with all-seasons.(Which is what I've got) The 18" wheels come with sport tires.

wdlfbio · 01-11-2007, 10:27 PM

too bad everyone else out here can't handle driving in the snow. The wife didn't have any problems getting to and from work either (328xi).

MacAttack · 01-11-2007, 10:36 PM

The big debate....328xi (common sense decision) or get the 335.

You can see which whay I swayed. Just praying it doesn't snow this year.

FirstClass · 01-11-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacAttack

The big debate....328xi (common sense decision) or get the 335.
You can see which whay I swayed. Just praying it doesn't snow this year.

I feel your pain. I was between the same rock and hard place and decided to go 335i too. Except my decision was made for me by the nice people that paid for my car, so I can't complain. TBH I think I'd kill myself in a 335i, the 328xi is on the quick side when coerced and I'm doing a relatively easy break-in. And when it snows I get to laugh at all the people sliding backwards down the steep hills we have all over the place here.

Related question: Do non-xi 3er's get HDC? Its not listed on the BMW website for any of the 3 series cars but mine has it

MacAttack · 01-11-2007, 11:03 PM

Both rides are nice. Heck...they're BMWs!

As for the people paying for your ride....yep...no complaints there. Lols. They made the right choice for you. ....the "common sense decision".

douger · 01-11-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacAttack

The big debate....328xi (common sense decision) or get the 335.

You can see which whay I swayed. Just praying it doesn't snow this year.

If we had an autobahn I might have made the same choice as you!

bimmerFUD · 01-11-2007, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacAttack

The big debate....328xi (common sense decision) or get the 335.

Wait until March or April and get the 335xi.

Heidelberg328i · 01-12-2007, 01:55 AM

I have the 2007 328i (no x drive) and it performs great in the snow out here in Germany. I have the stock 16" rims with ASR tires, and with DSC and DTC engaged in unison, I have no issues, the car basically controls itself.

Now of course, you must use good driving skills and the usual winter driving fundamentals and GO SLOW!, regardless of what your car can handle!

Dosen't matter what you drive, if you speed down a steep icy hill at 45 mph and slam on the brakes, your BMW WILL become a merry-go-round!

01-11-2007, 06:47 PM	#1
douger Private First Class 11 Rep 139 Posts Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle iTrader: (1)	328xi Snow performance I took delivery of a 2007 E90 328xi last week. We happened to get a big (for Seattle) snow storm over night so I woke up to about 8” of snow and temp of about 27F. I, of course, made up an excuse to run an errand so I could test the snow performance. The only cars driving around my neighborhood were big SUVs and a few cars with chains. I have the stock sport package 17” wheels and tires (Continentals). I had high expectations for this car and it met my expectations. The car tracks very straight – even in the frozen rutted stuff, with a very secure feeling. The ABS works wonderfully. I decided to leave the DTC fully engaged (it is a new car, so I am still driving cautiously) and the thing I noticed the most was how seamless the system works. I had an Acura TL before and I could always tell when the traction control was working – I could feel it switching “on and off” – it was kind of jerky. The E90’s ABS was equally smooth. The ABS in my Acura was not very smooth by comparison – I could always feel it “jerking” on off on off. I could not get the E90’s wheels to spin – even when I floored it, it just accelerated (surprisingly quickly given the road conditions). I have owned many all wheel drive cars (Audi A4 quattro, Passat 4Motion, Honda Pilot and Acrua MDX) – and this is one of the more smooth systems I have driven. Overall, I was impressed! Earlier impressions on the thread below: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ng+impressions
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01-11-2007, 07:34 PM	#3
Hawkshaw Major 100 Rep 1,013 Posts Drives: X3 xDrive28i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Was your romp through the winter wonderland on your stock summer tires or do you have snow tires? I found my summer's garbage when the first snow hit (snow tires arrived two days later, were on order from tiretrends.com). __________________ Paul
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01-11-2007, 08:00 PM	#4
douger Private First Class 11 Rep 139 Posts Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle iTrader: (1)	I have the stock sport package tires -- they are not snow tires but have a more open tread than the summer tires with the non-xi sport package.
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01-11-2007, 10:27 PM	#6
wdlfbio Captain 68 Rep 796 Posts Drives: 2013 4S, 2015 3500 HD Dually, Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maple Valley, WA iTrader: (1)	too bad everyone else out here can't handle driving in the snow. The wife didn't have any problems getting to and from work either (328xi).
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01-11-2007, 10:36 PM	#7
MacAttack Colonel 29 Rep 2,134 Posts Drives: fast enough Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Afghanistan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW [0.00]	The big debate....328xi (common sense decision) or get the 335. You can see which whay I swayed. Just praying it doesn't snow this year. __________________ 2007 E92 335i Coupe: Monaco Blue/Premium/Sports/Winter Package/Nav/CA/6MT/TT/Active Cruise/Active Steering/iPod/Rear Shade/Tint/Short Shifter/OEM Alum Pedals//
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01-11-2007, 11:03 PM	#9
MacAttack Colonel 29 Rep 2,134 Posts Drives: fast enough Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Afghanistan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW [0.00]	Both rides are nice. Heck...they're BMWs! As for the people paying for your ride....yep...no complaints there. Lols. They made the right choice for you. ....the "common sense decision". __________________ 2007 E92 335i Coupe: Monaco Blue/Premium/Sports/Winter Package/Nav/CA/6MT/TT/Active Cruise/Active Steering/iPod/Rear Shade/Tint/Short Shifter/OEM Alum Pedals//
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01-12-2007, 01:55 AM	#12
Heidelberg328i 2007 328i in Germany 12 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany iTrader: (0)	I have the 2007 328i (no x drive) and it performs great in the snow out here in Germany. I have the stock 16" rims with ASR tires, and with DSC and DTC engaged in unison, I have no issues, the car basically controls itself. Now of course, you must use good driving skills and the usual winter driving fundamentals and GO SLOW!, regardless of what your car can handle! Dosen't matter what you drive, if you speed down a steep icy hill at 45 mph and slam on the brakes, your BMW WILL become a merry-go-round! __________________ 2007 BMW E90 328i/6spd. Manual Transmission/Jet Black/Black Leatherette/Burl Walnut Trim/PDC/OEM Front Strut Brace
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