Which would you rather drive this winter?

[yayaya]

Would you rather drive your F8x through a Midwest winter or drive an E9x 335xi with cam damage in perpetual limp mode? Trying to figure out if it's better store my F80 or drive it this winter.

[Germanauto]

Just move someplace sunny.

That's why I plan to do.

[mkoesel]

You don't have the option to either fix the 335xi or sell it and get a different winter vehicle?

[yayaya]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

You don't have the option to either fix the 335xi or sell it and get a different winter vehicle?

Fixing could be anywhere from 5-10k I've made decision not to fix at this time out that money down on my f80.

I could probably sell the 335 for ~5k but not sure I could get a nicer car (aside from limp mode), it still gets up to safe speeds on highway just can't drive how I'd like.

[zorrro]

Originally Posted by yayaya

Fixing could be anywhere from 5-10k I've made decision not to fix at this time out that money down on my f80.

I could probably sell the 335 for ~5k but not sure I could get a nicer car (aside from limp mode), it still gets up to safe speeds on highway just can't drive how I'd like.

Do you own or lease F80? If owned I would sell the beater (sounds like a ticking time bomb) and use the proceeds on good winter wheel/tire set, clear bra, winter mats etc.

[yayaya]

Originally Posted by zorrro

Do you own or lease F80? If owned I would sell the beater (sounds like a ticking time bomb) and use the proceeds on good winter wheel/tire set, clear bra, winter mats etc.

Own the F80, just put full clear bra and ceramic coated.

[SherM4n]

Originally Posted by yayaya

I could probably sell the 335 for ~5k but not sure I could get a nicer car (aside from limp mode), it still gets up to safe speeds on highway just can't drive how I'd like.

If you're gonna use it as a winter beater, why does it have to be nicer than your 335? I had an '03 Elantra 5-speed for 12-13 years and it was pretty liberating having a car you didn't care about parking wherever or getting salty. If my girlfriend's Mini hadn't died, I would still have it.

[minn19]

Easily my F80 on a good winter set.

[nicknaz]

fix the 335 and use it, or sell it. You might have a paper weight if you keep driving it

[Ian1973]

F80 for sure.

[325iExecutive]

I have a winter tire set and use the car all year around in Mississauga/Toronto/GTA area.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Ian1973

F80 for sure.

When I lived in Chicago a few years back, there were a couple of days when RWD + snow tires (i had a 6MT e90 328) wasn't good enough.

On the worst day, my car started to oversteer when leaving a stop sign from just engaging the clutch (no throttle) in 1st gear

On several days, I couldn't exit some inclined parking garages until after the ramp been shoveled and sanded/salted.

I can see the rationale for wanting AWD + snow tires, especially if there are some inclines and streets that are slow to be plowed on the commute

[yayaya]

Originally Posted by SherM4n

If you're gonna use it as a winter beater, why does it have to be nicer than your 335? I had an '03 Elantra 5-speed for 12-13 years and it was pretty liberating having a car you didn't care about parking wherever or getting salty. If my girlfriend's Mini hadn't died, I would still have it.

You are right, shouldn't be "nicer" anyway, this car isn't nice it's in limp mode forever. I think I've gotta sell it either way.

[yayaya]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

When I lived in Chicago a few years back, there were a couple of days when RWD + snow tires (i had a 6MT e90 328) wasn't good enough.

On the worst day, my car started to oversteer when leaving a stop sign from just engaging the clutch (no throttle) in 1st gear

On several days, I couldn't exit some inclined parking garages until after the ramp been shoveled and sanded/salted.

I can see the rationale for wanting AWD + snow tires, especially if there are some inclines and streets that are slow to be plowed on the commute

Originally Posted by nicknaz

fix the 335 and use it, or sell it. You might have a paper weight if you keep driving it

You are right, meeting a buyer tomorrow, I hope.

Originally Posted by 325iExecutive

I have a winter tire set and use the car all year around in Mississauga/Toronto/GTA area.

What tires/wheels do you recommend?

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Yeah, I really don't want to drive in limp mode all winter.

When I lived in Chicago a few years back, there were a couple of days when RWD + snow tires (i had a 6MT e90 328) wasn't good enough.

On the worst day, my car started to oversteer when leaving a stop sign from just engaging the clutch (no throttle) in 1st gear

On several days, I couldn't exit some inclined parking garages until after the ramp been shoveled and sanded/salted.

I can see the rationale for wanting AWD + snow tires, especially if there are some inclines and streets that are slow to be plowed on the commute

Damn been there, drove a 996 turbo with summer tires in the city for years before I knew what winter tires even where, it kept me on my toes...

Oh I wasn't going to put winter tires on my 335 that purchase would be about 30% of the car's value at this point haha.

I'm going with winter tires and wheels any suggestions?

[scott13]

Originally Posted by minn19

Easily my F80 on a good winter set.

+1

F82 with good winter tires got me through some very nasty New England winters over the last few years with minimal drama.

Plus...it's like getting a new car every spring once the summer wheels go back on.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by scott13

+1

F82 with good winter tires got me through some very nasty New England winters over the last few years with minimal drama.

Plus...it's like getting a new car every spring once the summer wheels go back on.

Agreed, I’ve driven RWD F150s, high roof Sprinters (both on A/S) through years and years of winters and always got to where I was going. Sometimes it isn’t/wasn’t pretty, but I always made it. A M3/4 with a great set of winters doesn’t worry me. My 15 M3/4s were my favorite winter vehicles off all time. Very balanced and fun to drive in the snow.

[kdeleon]

I drove an E46 M3 for over 13 years in the snow and it was great. I have passed several 4x4 SUVs with all seasons on. They would just spin all 4 wheels and I would go right by. Snow tires make a huge difference. And with traction control and the differential, you will be fine in all but the worst conditions. I did choose not to drive when the snow was above the front fender and the car would snow plow. But you really shouldn't be out in that weather in any car.

[ejonsson90]

I've done two Chicago winters on Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2s, never had any issues. Would never dream of storing my car for that long! Built to be driven year round.

[JibSTir13]

Sell the 335 and get a pick-up or SUV with 4 wheel drive.

[uniqueMR]

I do not drive my M. I have Audi S3 (quattro) for winters

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by yayaya

You are right, meeting a buyer tomorrow, I hope.



What tires/wheels do you recommend?



Damn been there, drove a 996 turbo with summer tires in the city for years before I knew what winter tires even where, it kept me on my toes...

Oh I wasn't going to put winter tires on my 335 that purchase would be about 30% of the car's value at this point haha.

I'm going with winter tires and wheels any suggestions?

I got caught in a late winter storm in my 996TT on pss tires. There were some pucker moments.

For your f80? Get some 18s cheapest setup in the oem recommended size.

[JoeFromPA]

First off, driving a 335xi with engine damage is simply not a good long-term prospect. If it's in permanent limp mode, that engine damage isn't going to get better. And driving an unreliable vehicle as a winter weather vehicle is asking for trouble.

Second, you've defined your driving environment as "the mid-west" - that's vague and for some reason not a single person has asked WHAT that means for you.

If you are going to need to traverse inadequately treated/plowed roads with 6-12" or more of snow, you are going to need AWD and more ground clearance than the f8x has to offer. If you are talking a major mid-western city with well cared for winter roads and you just need something that can handle a few inches of snow, the f8x with winter/snow tires on is an excellent choice.