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      01-28-2019, 05:05 AM   #1
Ego4sho
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AWD or RWD with snow tires?

Hi everyone,

First post on here but hopefully many more to come! I am currently in the market for an M235i in the Boston area and have been wondering about the nescessity of Xdrive in New England.

I have initially thought I needed Xdrive but since learning that manuals only come in rwd this opened my mind to the idea of RWD with snow tires.

What are your experiences with rwd in the snow? I would of course purchase a nice set of snow tires but would you recommend avoiding any headaches and paying the extra cash to get an Xdrive model?


P.s. I have access to a relatively cheap stage 3 Dinan kit which I would probably be putting on the car.
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      01-28-2019, 07:53 PM   #2
harma24
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So you'll notice my car is AWD. I was concerned about the same thing. My only experience in a New England winter was my friends 20 year old POS when I was in high school and the tires were probably original to the car. I had a few people telling me that it was not necessary, including someone I know who has an M3 as a daily driver. Still, never having experienced it myself, I opted for AWD.


However, after experiencing what a good set of winter tires can do, I would have no concern going for RWD on my next car for typical driving. There's only been a few instances when I think AWD has been necessary (my friends driveway in northern NH for example). Unless you regularly drive up a steep hill that's never plowed, don't worry about it.

Good luck!
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      02-26-2019, 04:15 PM   #3
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Preferred order for driving in the snow:
1) AWD with snow tires
2) RWD with snow tires
3) AWD with all seasons
4) RWD with all seasons

Any with summer tires = accident
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      02-26-2019, 06:30 PM   #4
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I'm in Boston as well, I have M235xi and attempted to drive in a little snow when I first got my car with stock Michelin tires = bad idea. Snow tires are a must RWD or AWD especially if modded.
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      02-27-2019, 12:05 PM   #5
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I would Agree with everyone here, snow tires are night and day. I have them on my M235 Xdrive.

I had on my blizzaks on my e92 m3 and only had a few hiccups, but the AWD with snows in an absolute tank!

As far as $ goes the RWD vs Xdrive will be relatively the same price, good luck with your decision!
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      02-27-2019, 01:03 PM   #6
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I had no issues with my rwd M235i and snow tires last winter. I was actually surprised how good it was in the snow. If you pull the trigger and want some snow tires I have 4 goodyear winter maxx with low miles. I am in the Boston area, 100 for the set.
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      03-02-2019, 08:21 PM   #7
ScttRchrdsn
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M240i with RWD and stick. Nokia’s Hakkapolita R snows. No worries.
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      03-28-2019, 11:39 AM   #8
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I have had no issues with RWD and snows with my M240i as well as my E90 330i (2006) and my E90 335d (2011). I have a mostly highway commute and not any real steep hills though.

If the snow is more than 5 inches or so deep any 2 series regardless of drive wheels would need to stay home.
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      08-24-2019, 05:55 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mecodoug View Post
I have had no issues with RWD and snows with my M240i as well as my E90 330i (2006) and my E90 335d (2011). I have a mostly highway commute and not any real steep hills though.

If the snow is more than 5 inches or so deep any filezilla uc browser rufus 2 series regardless of drive wheels would need to stay home.
I have initially thought I needed Xdrive but since learning that manuals only come in rwd this opened my mind to the idea of RWD with snow tires.

Last edited by MAILIYAT; 08-28-2019 at 02:48 PM..
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      08-25-2019, 07:10 AM   #10
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I have no problems with rear drive and winter performance tires (PA4s) in my M235i 6 speed.

What you need most of the time in Boston is a tire that works great in cold and wet conditions like a winter performance tire. The difference to summer tires is small so I get to enjoy my car all year round - that matters most to me. The few times we get really heavy snow is limited and if it is bad nobody drives anyway - and my office is closed .

Only getting up my steep drive way has been an issue a few times. But that was before I got the LSD installed! With the limited slip it has been nothing but joy. I drive frequently through Maine into New Brunswick, Canada and have no problems. Perhaps putting on 17 inch tires to handle potholes better is all I could improve.
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