Winter beater

[tjm129]

So, as luck would have it I will be moving from southern VA to Chicago in about a month, so my days of enjoying mild winters are over. I contemplated getting a winter wheel and tire set-up for the 1M, but have decided that a better route will be to just store it for the winter months, and get a winter car to drive.

Just wondered what some of my fellow 1Mers have for winter vehicles. I'm looking at something under $15k, and that seems to get me into an '08 to '09 328xi, a '05 audi S4, or a '05 WRX. I've been thinking of something all wheel drive, and would prefer a manual....thoughts? What else should I consider?

I wish the prices on used golf Rs were a little softer...

TJ

[inline sex]

Quattro is nice. I'd rather have the 2.0t as a winter beater tho.

[1mm2]

The 1M is my winter beater.

[Em/1]

Originally Posted by tjm129

So, as luck would have it I will be moving from southern VA to Chicago in about a month, so my days of enjoying mild winters are over. I contemplated getting a winter wheel and tire set-up for the 1M, but have decided that a better route will be to just store it for the winter months, and get a winter car to drive.

Just wondered what some of my fellow 1Mers have for winter vehicles. I'm looking at something under $15k, and that seems to get me into an '08 to '09 328xi, a '05 audi S4, or a '05 WRX. I've been thinking of something all wheel drive, and would prefer a manual....thoughts? What else should I consider?

I wish the prices on used golf Rs were a little softer...

TJ

GTI stick or DSG with winter tires kicks ass as a DD

[scotty_miller]

05 wrx would be my choice. I have a friend with 170k on his and runs like a bat outta hell. Those things are indestructible.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by vocan

The 1M is my winter beater.

same here! life is too short to drive a 'beater'!

my 135is did fantastic last winter (a heavy winter) with Nokian Hakkapeliitta snow tires so I am expecting the 1M to do just as well if not better with the LSD.

FWIW I do have a TT quattro coupe which I've had for 11years----but that's not my beater or anything. that's a car I've had for a long time which still needs some things sorted out.

I've never liked the idea of buying a 'beater'

[III Caruso III]

I'd do the Audi A4 w/ winter tires or BMW 328xi w/ winter tires.
-Caruso

[sjw985]

GTI would be my choice as well... you could probably get a 6th gen 20120-2012 loaded for 10-15K. Of course I'd go manual instead of DSG.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by tjm129

So, as luck would have it I will be moving from southern VA to Chicago in about a month, so my days of enjoying mild winters are over. I contemplated getting a winter wheel and tire set-up for the 1M, but have decided that a better route will be to just store it for the winter months, and get a winter car to drive.

Just wondered what some of my fellow 1Mers have for winter vehicles. I'm looking at something under $15k, and that seems to get me into an '08 to '09 328xi, a '05 audi S4, or a '05 WRX. I've been thinking of something all wheel drive, and would prefer a manual....thoughts? What else should I consider?

I wish the prices on used golf Rs were a little softer...

TJ

All winners! Great choices. I love Manuals myself but your 1M is already manual and if you encounter lots of traffic, I recall the WRX clutch being heavier than 1M or 325i clutches. Subies are pretty reliable and fast. Audis somewhat unreliable not sure if I would go that way though they are best looking. 328i probably very nice. If you don't need AWD, the new GTI is a blast and the clutch is super light. You could pick up a brand new one for about 24500 and really a cool practical car with great seats. I believe FWD works well with snow tires and it gets great mileage.

Best of luck and thanks for keeping the 1M out of the snow! That would be like using a racehorse to pull a plow.

[mayhewjr]

I actually discussed this with a local dealer service advisor and BMW Club member, and his conclusion was to drive the car he actually wanted to drive (in his case an M3) rather than spend a long winter driving one he didn't. So I've driven my 1M every winter (18"/235's Bridgestone Blizzacks). (Not that I needed much encouragement.)

[sjw985]

Now when I lived in the Great White North (Rochester, Ithaca, Philly, and to a much lesser extent Richmond), I wasn't worried about my driving - I was worried about two things:

1) Salt
2) The other guy who didn't know how (or didn't have equipment) to drive in winter.

If I had salt-free winter roads all to myself I'd put on some snow tires, toss some chains in the trunk, and wouldn't worry about a beater either.

And yes, I know that Richmond is THE SOUTH, and in fact was once the capital of THE SOUTH, but relative to Atlanta it's THE NORTH and it still snows and ices a bit more frequently than where I am now.

[1mm2]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

same here! life is too short to drive a 'beater'!

my 135is did fantastic last winter (a heavy winter) with Nokian Hakkapeliitta snow tires so I am expecting the 1M to do just as well if not better with the LSD.

Had no issues with Dunlop winter sport 3D's last winter.

Manual and LSD help for sure.

I've gone the beater route before and as you've said, life is simply too short...

[Dee Pee]

Why not just rent a car? Can't imagine the cost would exceed 15k. You would get frequent flier miles if you did it right.

[VMRWheels]

WRX sounds like a solid choice.. if you want a better interior maybe the A4 could be a better option. Not sure how hard it may be to find a MT Audi (any model) in your area

[tjm129]

Originally Posted by sjw985

Now when I lived in the Great White North (Rochester, Ithaca, Philly, and to a much lesser extent Richmond), I wasn't worried about my driving - I was worried about two things:

1) Salt
2) The other guy who didn't know how (or didn't have equipment) to drive in winter.

If I had salt-free winter roads all to myself I'd put on some snow tires, toss some chains in the trunk, and wouldn't worry about a beater either.

This is exactly my thought. I'm 100% confident in my abilities, since I'm from Canada and cut my winter driving teeth there. I'm worried about the other guy/gal driving by feel in the dead of winter, ricocheting down the interstate.

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

WRX sounds like a solid choice.. if you want a better interior maybe the A4 could be a better option. Not sure how hard it may be to find a MT Audi (any model) in your area

I've actually seen a few S4s listed online for decent money, all manuals, and look to be in good condition. I will say, maintenance on an audi scares me. My neighbor has a really nice A8L and is constantly pouring money into it.

Also I'm a little toung and cheek about the "winter beater" term. Years ago when I first got my 944, I had a Chevette as a winter car, then a series of Bronco IIs and other vehicles that had rust holes the size of VW beetles with poorly applied duct tape to keep the elements out, those were "beaters"! My thought this year is do do something that I won't dread driving every day.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm liking the thought of a GTI, it was on my list but somehow I talked myself out of it. Also I think i need to drive a subie, I've only ever driven a regular impreza, and that was years ago, don't even recall if it was manual or automatic. Regardless of what it is, winter tires are a must I completely agree. I had winters on both of my Mini's and they were tanks in the snow. I had also thought of getting another Mini, but figured I should explore something I haven't had yet.

TJ

[Em/1]

Originally Posted by tjm129

This is exactly my thought. I'm 100% confident in my abilities, since I'm from Canada and cut my winter driving teeth there. I'm worried about the other guy/gal driving by feel in the dead of winter, ricocheting down the interstate.



I've actually seen a few S4s listed online for decent money, all manuals, and look to be in good condition. I will say, maintenance on an audi scares me. My neighbor has a really nice A8L and is constantly pouring money into it.

Also I'm a little toung and cheek about the "winter beater" term. Years ago when I first got my 944, I had a Chevette as a winter car, then a series of Bronco IIs and other vehicles that had rust holes the size of VW beetles with poorly applied duct tape to keep the elements out, those were "beaters"! My thought this year is do do something that I won't dread driving every day.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm liking the thought of a GTI, it was on my list but somehow I talked myself out of it. Also I think i need to drive a subie, I've only ever driven a regular impreza, and that was years ago, don't even recall if it was manual or automatic. Regardless of what it is, winter tires are a must I completely agree. I had winters on both of my Mini's and they were tanks in the snow. I had also thought of getting another Mini, but figured I should explore something I haven't had yet.

TJ

Loved my GTI--actually very fun to drive in snow with decent tires, but gave to son and now will have Macan as the "winter beater" to share with my wife!

[tjm129]

Originally Posted by Em/1

Loved my GTI--actually very fun to drive in snow with decent tires, but gave to son and now will have Macan as the "winter beater" to share with my wife!

Drooooool ! That is awesome, I love the look of the Macan, wonder if I can cook the books to make the numbers work...

TJ

[BimmerMat135]

How much is a slightly used ford fiesta st in your area? Could be alot of fun for winter. This winter will be my first winter without a beater. Let see what x-drive will do for me.

[m cpe]

Welcome to road salt city! I put in a plug for the AWD e30!!! I have a 88 325iX (manual) that's a blast to drive and handles the road like a mountain goat. I also have a X5 4.6 for highway/long distance travel. SNOW TIRES are a must!!

[Em/1]

Originally Posted by m cpe

Welcome to road salt city! I put in a plug for the AWD e30!!! I have a 88 325iX (manual) that's a blast to drive and handles the road like a mountain goat. I also have a X5 4.6 for highway/long distance travel. SNOW TIRES are a must!!

I had a 4.6 and with snow tires it was awe-inspiring; hoping the Macan will erase the memories with new feats of lapping the dopes with AS tires and AWD that forget that being able to go does not equal being able to stop!

[///BYU]

E30! Who cares if it's not ideal for winter? It's fun and, with winter tires, should do the job just fine most days.

[Reedomn]

Winters are brutal in Chicago. I'd suggest getting up off the ground a little. Used X3 or Q5 etc.....heated steering wheel and seats...!!