[Revn29k00]

So I purchased my E90 back in Oct as my daily driver. This would be my first rear wheel drive car that I have driven in the winter and was a bit nervous on how it would perform. The car came with new Gislaved snow tires and the owner assured me that winter driving in this car would be a breeze.

Fast forward to our snow falls and I have to admit that this car is probably the best car I have driven in the snow. The dynamic traction control works wonders. This car is quickly becoming my favorite daily driver I have owned.

[drevil2k2]

Sweet. Living in the GTA, I always had some sort of 4matic, quattro or x-drive drivetrain just for extra peace of mind.

Thanks for your feedback.

[GB-335xiCoupe]

The xDrive is sweet in summer too.

[Chadi335is]

This my first winter as a DD and with brand new X-ice3. Slipping around in the slightest bit of snow/ice.

Don't feel comfortable at all

[meehowhow]

I'm driving my 1990 535i in the winter.....rwd, no traction control, all season tires. Chicago winters are pretty rough too....

[cpie168]

My RWD E90 328i is amazing in the snow with a set of Nokian Hakka R2 winter tires.

[GB-335xiCoupe]

I'm a big fan of the Continental Extreme Winter tires. Like driving on clean roads, unless it's sheer ice.

[TOPEC]

Originally Posted by Chadi335is

This my first winter as a DD and with brand new X-ice3. Slipping around in the slightest bit of snow/ice.

Don't feel comfortable at all

how old r ur xice3? reason being new tires if not broken in yet will still have a layer of releasing agent, used to release the tires from the tire mold when it was produced in teh factory, on the surface of the treads. these take time to wear down and then ull get down onto real winterized tread compound. same applies for summer tires as well.

my xice3 has less than 200KM on it right now n its hella slippery on damp roads.

[Revn29k00]

Originally Posted by Chadi335is

This my first winter as a DD and with brand new X-ice3. Slipping around in the slightest bit of snow/ice.

Don't feel comfortable at all

Interesting. I find with DTC on I rarely slide around. I find the DTC works wonders. I have even tried the winter driving with it off and yes traction from a stand still is worse and in corners the back end tends to kick out more but being rear wheel drive I find it easy to control. With a front wheel drive car sliding in a corner your capability to control the car is limited. Just my 2 cents.

Does anyone know exactly how DTC works?

[roast_]

Chadi335is, try being very light with the gas pedal on starts. I don't have XI3's on my BMW however I did notice that my right foot needed to be less iron like.

I put XI3's on my wife's car, they're fantastic tires.

[Chadi335is]

Originally Posted by TOPEC

how old r ur xice3? reason being new tires if not broken in yet will still have a layer of releasing agent, used to release the tires from the tire mold when it was produced in teh factory, on the surface of the treads. these take time to wear down and then ull get down onto real winterized tread compound. same applies for summer tires as well.

my xice3 has less than 200KM on it right now n its hella slippery on damp roads.

The tires have roughly 500km on them Which was mostly on cold dry surface. My first preference was general altimax artic but the price was too high compared to the x-ice with 30% off at Canadian Tire.

[Chadi335is]

Originally Posted by roast_

Chadi335is, try being very light with the gas pedal on starts. I don't have XI3's on my BMW however I did notice that my right foot needed to be less iron like.

I put XI3's on my wife's car, they're fantastic tires.

I hear what your saying and trust me.... Cuz of the torque overboost At 370lb of the start... I start in DCT 2nd gear to minimize slippage. It helps but still.

Maybe it's just me not there yet with rwd winter driving

[TOPEC]

Originally Posted by Chadi335is

I hear what your saying and trust me.... Cuz of the torque overboost At 370lb of the start... I start in DCT 2nd gear to minimize slippage. It helps but still.

Maybe it's just me not there yet with rwd winter driving

u DO know that no cars produce maximum torque when a) u start moving and b) without flooring it right????? from the sounds of it u need to be a lot more gentle on the throttle when in slippery conditions...

[bomiheko]

I wish it snows here so I can test out my Pirelli sottozero II.

[SpeeDemoN]

RWD 6spd jb4 with bolt ons and having an absolute blast out there. I love it.

Drive safe people!

[roast_]

Originally Posted by Chadi335is

I hear what your saying and trust me.... Cuz of the torque overboost At 370lb of the start... I start in DCT 2nd gear to minimize slippage. It helps but still.

Maybe it's just me not there yet with rwd winter driving

RWD certainly isn't a point and go snow machine.

I've driven rwd in the winter for the majority of my driving career, I can say for certain that I prefer AWD, FWD then RWD for winter driving. On the other hand, if considering fun as the most important factor my rankings would change... RWD, AWD, FWD. RWD and AWD could change place based on the car... (STi in the snow is amazingly fun)

I would try releasing the brake, tapping the gas lightly to release the calipers and seeing if you get moving with little input... Might piss people behind you off.

[maxgohan]

got some hankook ipike winters on and I haven't had any problems so far

that being said, you do have to be a extra careful and have a light foot, try not to make sudden movements, nice and smooth and you won't have a problem

[TorqueAddict]

Originally Posted by maxgohan

got some hankook ipike winters

iPikes are the best!

[Kid Eh]

I'm driving on 19" Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme. Car drives like it's on rails.

[datbimmer]

I love driving my 335i in the winter. People seem to complain that it slides well what did you expect ? That is the fun. Go in an empty parking lot and practice at sliding it. It will definately help you feel more comfortable.

[ssshake]

I purchased an e92 328i this year in the summer, RWD. I was on the fence about getting xdrive or not, but my daily driver got totaled and I was short on options and time. The only coupe I could find with all the upgrades I wanted was RWD. Leading up to winter I was a little worried about how it would behave. I had been driving FWD cars for the last 16 years.

Anyway, snow tires are a must, but that goes without saying in any car in my opinion. But after a little bit of practice and research on the physics of weight distribution under throttle and brake, I have to say I'm surprisingly comfortable driving in winter.

The ass end will get out from you if you floor it too hard but the traction control kicks in before anything bad would happen and it's actually kind of fun.

Driving without TC as well seems fine to me, although I'd want to make sure I'm paying full attention without TC on.

Ice is ice. I've slid farther than expected sometimes where there was icey downhill roads, but RWD or xdrive it isn't going to help that. Also I'm not used to ABS, which I find more of a hindrance than anything at this point as I'm used to having to pump my brakes.

[Nirvanatude]

I drove 335is with 18' Nokian Hakka R2 during last winters...never had any problems. Obviously you have to be gentle on the gas pedal...spl with the IS