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[DesiInCT]

I feel that the only major thing I would change if I had a chance to re-order my E90 was to get an 'XI' instead of 'I'. The obvious reason is spending almost the same amount on getting a winter package for the 'I' and the hassle of changing them twice every year.

But now I see in the forum that people are getting winter tire packages for XI too, why? Do they really need winter tires with all wheel drive?

[robinli]

AWD will not help you to stop.

[StewtheBassman]

Originally Posted by robinli

AWD will not help you to stop.

I don't know what the weather is like in CT, but in Montreal the snow covers the roads for a long time, and xi makes a big difference WITH snows. Without is good, but as robin points out, snows give better traction when braking, and AS tires don't.

[ACZakka325i]

I think that my e46 325Xi was great in the snow and i never had a problem. i had the sports package and my all-season goodyears were great all year. But i do remember it sliding when i hit the breaks a few times in the snow. Winter tires will be better than no. Go figure...

[icedragon]

"i" models with all-season tires will perform okay in winter.
"i" models with snow tires OR "xi" models with all-season tires will perform even better than that.
"xi" models with snow tires will perform even better than that.

So it just depends which level of safety you want.

Personally, I'm too lazy to change my wheels and tires twice a year. I'm happy with my xi and my high performance all-season tires.

[ward]

if you have tires that are poor for conditions, (summers in snow)
it won't matter how many wheels have power because none of them have grip.

most people have no idea how traction and grip works,
AWD won't give you more grip, and won't help you stop

I'd beg to differ with icedragon that a RWD with snows would be better than an XI with all seasons

(also "high performance" all seasons is like having lowfat ranch dressing)

[LEDZEP]

That's not what he said Ward... read again.

I think a lot of this argument has to do with where you live and what type of winter you have. Here, where we get only a few snowfalls per year, I think my all seasons will be okay. I'll get to compare the "i" vs. the "xi" myself!

[icedragon]

Originally Posted by ward

if you have tires that are poor for conditions, (summers in snow)
it won't matter how many wheels have power because none of them have grip.

most people have no idea how traction and grip works,
AWD won't give you more grip, and won't help you stop

I'd beg to differ with icedragon that a RWD with snows would be better than an XI with all seasons

(also "high performance" all seasons is like having lowfat ranch dressing)

Sorry, I wasn't thinking straight before.
Generally, "i" models with snow tires OR "xi" models with all-season tires will have similar winter performance.

[ward]

I'm on board with that thought!!

[ACZakka325i]

Originally Posted by icedragon

Sorry, I wasn't thinking straight before.
Generally, "i" models with snow tires OR "xi" models with all-season tires will have similar winter performance.

i beg to differ, half of the equation is not getting the car moving, it is bringing it to a halt. and all seasons will not bring the car to a stop quicker than snows, as the number of wheels that are driven is irrelevant.

thoughts....

[JonnyCrash]

Originally Posted by icedragon

Sorry, I wasn't thinking straight before.
Generally, "i" models with snow tires OR "xi" models with all-season tires will have similar winter performance.

Icedragon is only correct if the climate is snowy but not snow-covered. The xi will give you better traction on clear or mostly clear roads. If you have all four wheels on ice or snow, the AWD won't give you much except for a little bit of extra confusion as you slide towards the ditch. AWD provides an increase in traction when the tires can get grip: snow tires allow for tires to get grip in snow.

If you are in a place where the roads are often snow covered, get winter tires whether you have an i or an xi. An xi will perform better under those conditions, because it has the AWD.

If you are in a place where the roads are barely ever snow covered, leave the all seasons on your xi as long as they have reasonable amounts of tread left. You'll be ok. All seasons on an i will be good too, but you might have more chance of slippage if neither rear wheel gains traction. Snow tires will help on the i because of this.

If you are in a place that just gets rain with the tinyest bit of snow, either the i or the xi with all seasons will be fine. The xi will provide extra traction, again, because it has awd.

People have a large misconception that AWD=save your ass in snow. It doesn't. It means save your ass in slippery road conditions with a clear-ish road. If you don't have any wheels with traction, you'll slide just as far with AWD as without. Which is why half the vehicles you will see in a ditch after any given snowstorm up here are 4x4s.

Drive safe, and know the facts!

[icedragon]

Originally Posted by Mr.Abulia

Drive safe, and know the facts!

Thanks. And knowing is half the battle.