[mr10smith]

Ok, so I have a 325I sport package AND live in Minnesota. I'm sure you understand the problem...WINTER. I tried driving the car on the low profile wheels last winter and it was terrible. Would it drastically help to get winter tires? Will winter tires even help with a my car since it's pretty low?

I'm trying to decide if I should already trade my car in for something else. I'm looking at the A4, Acura TSX, IS 250, or maybe a used 325XI if I can find one with low miles.

I just can't decide what to do...any help?

[picus]

The winter tires will help dramatically. I've been driving RWD "sports" cars my entire life and learned the hard way that a good set of winter tires make all the difference. Set aside some money, get 4 good winter tires mounted in Novemember, and you'll be fine.

I recommend winters for people with FWD, RWD and even AWD. It's nice having an AWD car, but there really is no substitute for the right tires.

[mr10smith]

Do you think there will be enough ground clearance with the sport suspension?

I appreciate the response. New to the forum. Seems to have a lot of useful information.

[shinsverk]

I could not imagine driving my 325i sport package in a Minnesota winter. Put it in storage, and buy a SUV for the winter. I have been doing this for the last 20 years.

[picus]

Originally Posted by mr10smith

Do you think there will be enough ground clearance with the sport suspension?

I appreciate the response. New to the forum. Seems to have a lot of useful information.

My cars are probably not quite as low as yours (330xi and G35), but the G35 is lowered so I bet it's close. I run Blizzacks on it in the winter without any issues. This is in Toronto, ON; so maybe not as bad as MN, but close. Could I go through a 6-foot snow bank? Probably not. Can it drive every day in the winter? Sure, I've been doing it for years without a stuck/slip issue.

As shinsverk mentioned maybe it'd be wise to get a winter beater. I'd certainly trade-in the 325i as a last report, though.

[mr10smith]

Thanks for the info guys.

[akhbhaat]

As mentioned, your problem is tires.

Even AWD vehicles are ineffective if the tires can't get decent traction. I'd be worried about trying to climb icy hill roads in any car with all season garbage mounted to the wheels, let alone a 2WD car with summer tires.

[powderhound]

Snow tires on 325i worked wonders in The alps - tirerack.com has good prices now. Even better if you can get and xi. WOuldnt get rid of the car...

[govtec]

Originally Posted by mr10smith

Ok, so I have a 325I sport package AND live in Minnesota. I'm sure you understand the problem...WINTER. I tried driving the car on the low profile wheels last winter and it was terrible. Would it drastically help to get winter tires? Will winter tires even help with a my car since it's pretty low?

I'm trying to decide if I should already trade my car in for something else. I'm looking at the A4, Acura TSX, IS 250, or maybe a used 325XI if I can find one with low miles.

I just can't decide what to do...any help?

try the winter setup as others have suggested. ur taking a big hit if u trade it in, looking at at least $5k loss. the winter setup is worth a shot but it'll cost u $1k.

[mr10smith]

Thanks again for everyones help. I think I'll try the winter setup and see if the suspension is too low. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[hotsand5]

I would get some crappy rims off of the tire rack....some 17's and winter tires. That extra sidewall might help slightly. I am not sure if 16's will clear the rotors on the sport package

[ward]

yup, try better winter tires first

that only costs about a grand, trading in and buying a different car would cost way more than that

[e90fanatic]

xi doesn't guarrentee. My roommate's 325xi still skidded everywhere. Snow tires are what counts....

[ashecnc]

Originally Posted by hotsand5

I would get some crappy rims off of the tire rack....some 17's and winter tires. That extra sidewall might help slightly. I am not sure if 16's will clear the rotors on the sport package

Hey I know this if off topic here, but whats the update on your car, I think I missed it. Did they give you what you wanted, did you get another e90?

[mr10smith]

Well, I went to the dealership today and I'm still undecided. I can trade my car in (premium, sport, cold weather, navi) for $32,500! That seems really low...

On the bright side I would be able to get a 325xi with premium, cold weather, and xenon for $350 above COST! Unsure what to do. The difference would be $5,000.

I also ran across a used Audi A4 Quatro completely loaded (premium, xenon, cold weather, sport) where I could trade my car in and get $2,000 BACK! Sounds like a good deal. The only problem is that I've had very bad luck with Volkswagen in the past and I'm unsure if I want to try their brother company. Does anyone have any positive or negative feedback on Audi?

[Asiann]

Keep the car. Buy some Blizzaks and save yourself a lot of money. Unless of course you like losing $5k. Did you forget that winter could be an issue. I don't see it as a problem but a fact of life. Put it in the garage and go buy a $5k POS for the winter.

[needashower]

Do us all a favor and get the winter tires. Its an accident waiting to happen if you go out with the performance tires on a wintery day. You'd be foolish to trade. Private party the car if you really want the XI.

[BMW0]

Keep your E90 and try on a set of winter tires and go with smaller wheels (16" perhaps) to off set the low profile of the tire (225/45). More profile (215/60) to your tires equals to a more comfortable ride. Oh if you haven't learned yet, BMW is the bench mark sports sedan manufactuer, which means your car has a stiffer suspension setup than Mercedez or Lexus.

So, pretty much try out the new wheel/tire setup and see how you like it, if not; its time to think about switching over to Lexus or Mercedez for comfort.

[mr10smith]

Unsure if you read my first post. The problem isn't ride comfort it's traction in the snow. I've decided to keep the car and try a winter setup. Hopefully that will help enough.

ps - Wouldn't even consider a Mercedes...

[Saintor]

A 325 RWD with winter tires will feel better in winter than a 325XI with summer tires - easily.

[Barry626]

Originally Posted by govtec

ur taking a big hit if u trade it in, looking at at least $5k loss. the winter setup is worth a shot but it'll cost u $1k.

Boy I wish you were right!
Fun of it I went to two different dealers "Audi & Cadillac".
My 330i is loaded & cost me $49,000. Car is mint!

Cadillac $51,000 wanted to give me $34,000
Audi $56,000 wanted to give me $30,000-$31,000 for my car.

I've owned 12 new cars & traded all of them.
Never once was I offered such low $ then with this BMW.
I thought BMW's resale was suppose to be fantastic?
If this is any sign of things to come looks like we all will be keeping our BMW's.

[seevemonka]

GET A DEDICATED SET OF SNOW TIRES.YOU CAN'T DRIVE SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES IN THE SNOW.I live in mn,i actually use a tire called nokian,and i use there allseaon tire called (wr)These are the best allseason tires for winter in the world.They are more expensive than other brands,but you will get at least 50,000 miles out of them.These allseaon tires are one of the very few that have a winter rating.I use them 6 months out of the year.I didn't have any problems last winter.I purchased a set of replica 162 17" wheels,and these are deicated to my nokians.The nokian will still give you performance,much better than winter tires,and will get good tread wear.They won't handle the snow as well as (snow tires),but there not bad. You just need to use common sense.And you know in minnesota,the roads get cleared pretty quick.We have top notch road clearing in minnesota after and during snow storms.