[Dark_Knight_335]

I know there are pros and cons to each.

[Braumin]

I guess it depends on what you call a beater, but any "beater" I would buy would likely not have heated seats, heated steering wheel, and AWD, so I just bought tires and rims.

[Dark_Knight_335]

This is a great point. I have been going back-and-forth about the options for quite some time.
There's the possibility and the much greater likelihood of somebody sliding or slamming into me in ice and snow, or me sliding into someone or something.
Then there's the salt...
Maybe I'll just drive my girlfriend's countrymen when it snows lol...

[DDS2015]

Originally Posted by Braumin

I guess it depends on what you call a beater, but any "beater" I would buy would likely not have heated seats, heated steering wheel, and AWD, so I just bought tires and rims.

+1

Don't forget about all the traction control goodies and the safety of your car either.

My opinion on winter beaters is that they have to just as safe if not safer than the car you're storing. There are a lot of idiots out there and it doesn't matter how well you drive. If I get hit by someone I want to be protected. Cars can always be replaced. People can't.

[N8N]

Originally Posted by Braumin

I guess it depends on what you call a beater, but any "beater" I would buy would likely not have heated seats, heated steering wheel, and AWD, so I just bought tires and rims.

I'm with you brother. I've been driving my Jeep to work but the past few days it's been in the mid-30s when I've left the house, I just said "**** it" and drove the Bimmer. The bun warmers are so nice.

Sadly, I think the Jeep rides better (I do have M-sport suspension) but other than that the BMW kicks its butt in every possible way save for cargo capacity and cost of repairs

The way I look at it is, I paid all this money to have a nice car, I want to enjoy it whenever I can. So I do in fact have 17" Blizzaks on it right now.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Sold. 17s and Blizzaks it is.

[AddictedToBavarian]

I don't really agree with storing away a car for winter and buying a beater. I would only agree with buying a beater if say you had a 60+ mile commute everyday to work.

Unless of course you had a Ferrari or something. I would NOT take that out in the winter.

[DDS2015]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Sold. 17s and Blizzaks it is.

Not knocking the blizzaks, but you should check out nokians. If you want a RFT, they make one that's low rolling resistance and has a 150 mph speed rating. They're not much more expensive and an awesome all around tire.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

Not knocking the blizzaks, but you should check out nokians. If you want a RFT, they make one that's low rolling resistance and has a 150 mph speed rating. They're not much more expensive and an awesome all around tire.

No RFT's I fucking loathe those things!
Will definitely check out those tires though- are they on Tire Rack?
Only because they have a tire and wheel package deal that I just can't pass up right now- thanks again for the info!!

[DDS2015]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

No RFT's I fucking loathe those things!
Will definitely check out those tires though- are they on Tire Rack?
Only because they have a tire and wheel package deal that I just can't pass up right now- thanks again for the info!!

Gotcha, well if you're skipping the RFTs then I'd probably just stick with the deal from tire rack. Nokians you can only get through specific dealers and they aren't cheap. Give them a look though, it never hurts!

www.nokiantyres.com

[///M3NACE]

A brand new set will run close to 1500.00. An e30 325ix is 2-3k and is awd heated seats. I had an e30 318 and I got close to 45mpg and great in winter. For me is rust and that's a big factor. I roils get or try to find an e30/e36 or hell even a 5k e46 and drive it. You save mileage and wear on your car and its now snowing everyday so you can drive your e90/92 too. It's up to you to decide.

[Neph]

I used to have a winter car, but paying insurance unnecessarily for 8 months of the year, charging with a battery tender, watching it take up space in the garage led me to sell her.

This week I'll be installing Moda md11+Michelin xIce 2 setup for winter and enjoying my ride year round!

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

A brand new set will run close to 1500.00. An e30 325ix is 2-3k and is awd heated seats. I had an e30 318 and I got close to 45mpg and great in winter. For me is rust and that's a big factor. I roils get or try to find an e30/e36 or hell even a 5k e46 and drive it. You save mileage and wear on your car and its now snowing everyday so you can drive your e90/92 too. It's up to you to decide.

1335 shipped at Tirerack for 17" Blizzaks and wheels.

[Efthreeoh]

Having winter tires doesn't prevent people from hitting you. I'd go with a beater.

[Kolyan2k]

Driving car you like 365 days a year is priceless

[JaSSon]

I maintain my own vehicles, and having a "beater" can be a real pain. I've gone through an '86 Jimmy, 98 Neon, and 93 GSX (most fun I've EVER had driving a car). All three were relatively inexpensive to buy, but all three were raging piles of shit. The last two vehicles I've owned I've decided to bypass the winter beater. As was posted above, it's hard to beat all the creature comforts of my BMW. If I could afford to have my BMW and buy a nice, newer AWD car with heated seats I would consider it.

[Koreyy]

i bought 3k beater before last year and also had winter tires for emergency, now i sold beater and kept my winter tires on. its just not worth it.

[N55]

Go with the blizzaks.

I know a BMW will protect me better than most "Beaters*" if an accident occurred.

[catherineanh]

bmw>beater

[bob.g]

you should check your local classifieds. ive seen tons of good deals on winter wheels (oem) and tires, 17 and 18's, used for 1 season, most were 600-800$. saw some 18" alpine pa3's new for 700$.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by catlam

bmw>beater

All good ideas guys, many thanks.
What a very good point that no matter what I get hit in (god forbid), it's all in what will help me survive.

I think I'm sticking with my bimmer, 365!

[straightcashhomie]

just bought me mine rial salernos 17s with blizzak lm60s all around......... for 600 bucks.. a car is replaceable, you are not.