[borntovin]

Moving to Toronto sometime in March from Dallas,TX USA. I will be driving my 2006 330I with All Season Continental DWS tires. Is it safe to drive around in Toronto with these tires? Will be driving no more than 30 miles a week once i am in Toronto. Just spent over 1000$ fore New Wheels and New tires to make a drive all the way.

Any suggestions, warning and things to take care before making this drive?

[Kalidian]

If you're only driving around 30 miles a week honestly you'll be fine with those tires. Winter weather isn't all that bad here now (we've barely gotten any snow thus far). Usually through Jan. and Feb. we may get the snowy/slushy periods but it won't be too heavy, and the city is fairly decent at keeping the roads plowed and salted for ice anyway. If anything just drive a little slower/more careful and your all seasons will see you through just fine. Shouldn't have any problems on your way up.


Welcome to TO whenever you get here ^^.

[PepE92M3]

We still getting snow in March until mid April. You may need winter tires for safer driving.

[Wolf 335]

Youll be ok, but for a rear wheel drive car you should have exclusively winter tires regardless of where you drive.

Major roads get claned up pretty fast and they salt the road like crazy.

Few things you should be aware:

1. Do not dive 50km/h over the posted speed limit (thats KILOMETERS and not MILES). If you are caught driving 50 over it gets your car towed, licence suspended, and a heavy fine. All that right on the side of the road.

2. It is now illegal to use any hand held devices while you are driving unless its hands free. So dont get caught holding your cellphone to your ear. The fine is $155

3. 19 years is the legal age for drinking, alcohol, strip clubs, etc

Other than that we are all cool people up here, nothing to worry about.

What area will you be moving to?

[///M3NACE]

Dont bring your guns there.

[e90-328i]

Welcome to 13% tax on almost everything. And fill gas tank and booze before crossing border.

[Kalidian]

Originally Posted by e90-328i

Welcome to 13% tax on almost everything. And fill gas tank and booze before crossing border.

Yea our tax rate sucks but we do have OHIP which is freaking awesome. Assuming OP is a permanent resident/citizen. Also, Timmies =D.

[tcharged]

I'd rather pay for health care than pay the taxes we pay here haha. Why the move here??

[Zebra99]

Originally Posted by tcharged

I'd rather pay for health care than pay the taxes we pay here haha. Why the move here??

You wouldn't say that when you actually get really sick and need to foot a $100,000 + bill on your own....
Or a family member.

OP as others have said you'll be fine, just be more cautious of driving. Once you're here try and set yourself up with Ontario insurance as the coverage for injury is much better than what you're used to.

The gun comment is 100% spot on. You bring that shi* over here prepare yourself for problems. We do NOT accept that kind of stuff here unless you are licensed and registered and have are able to advise police about it too. Be better to leave em behind.

Either way, we are very chilled over here and friendly too.

What part of T.O. You moving too?

[farbmw]

Don't do it, it is really, really cold up here, but in you have to come you are more then welcomed, but it is cold, bring warm clothing, and have fun on the ride up!

[ja.]

Originally Posted by tcharged

I'd rather pay for health care than pay the taxes we pay here haha. Why the move here??

Really? I mean REALLY???

[Bladerunner]

Originally Posted by tcharged

I'd rather pay for health care than pay the taxes we pay here haha. Why the move here??

Did you bump your head?

[borntovin]

Thanks for all of your feedback. I will try to respond to eveybody response here.
1) I am moving to Canada as a part of Job Relocation and would be there for year or two. So no more second thoughts. I am not a PR or Citizen yet.
2) In Taxes there is no State Income Tax, that's the best part of being in TX. The only annoying thing is i will see more deep tax cuts in my salary and day to day expenses. Hopefully i can save some taxes by shopping online like i do here in USA.
3) I lived in NY and PA area before, so i am used to snow and all but not the snow in Canada. I had one bad experience going up hill mere 20 degrees with my stock RFT.
4) I am totally against Gun culture as well. Its more like a menace similar to cancer.
5) I will keep in mind that i don't go over 30 Miles/H 50 Km/h in snow.
6) Car comes with Professional Radio with BT, so i will have hands free.
7) Still did not decide on any location. Might need some suggestions from the fellow brothers here.

Coming to my actual concerns about car

1) What would be the total cost to put on winter tires? With tires and installation etc.
2) Are there a lot shops where they have reasonable labor charges? or Indi shops or BMW enthusiasts who can get some maintenance work
3) So far i got my
a) Wheels replaced and Got brand new DWS tires, pending ALignment. b) WIll get my Annual Oil changed this week. My last oil change was done 1 year ago with 10K miles.
c) Going to perform Brake Fluid Flush.
d) I was told i have over 10000 miles life on my Bake pads, so might not get them replaced now, will take care of them when i am in Canada.
e) I have no leaks of any kind so i guess i am good there

4) Any other checks that i need to get done

[borntovin]

13% tax is ridiculously high!! Is it on groceries, clothes, Alochol/Liqour and day to day stuff like Milk, vegatables etc?

[clairvoyant]

It's not a bad idea to replace your radiator coolant, transmission fluid, differential fluid as you will be going from a super hot to a super cold temperature.

There is also the salt factor. Perhaps a "non drilled" rust proofing in April 2013 [this is a very debatable topic here].

As far as wheel alignments, wait until May 2013 as pot holes are notorious here. I am in Ottawa, ON but I can safely say potholes are everywhere during the early spring.

Actually, certain grocery items are not taxable here (fruits, vegetables, and milk).
================================================== =======
Damn, I miss the Tex-Mex foods in Dallas, TX. Yes, I lived in Plano, TX for 7 years in the late 90s and early 2000s. Is Ojeda's restaurant still there?

Originally Posted by borntovin

13% tax is ridiculously high!! Is it on groceries, clothes, Alochol/Liqour and day to day stuff like Milk, vegatables etc?

[Zebra99]

If you are adamant about getting winter set-up I would worry about it for next year as by the time you get here (March) you won't need to worry anymore. Being cautious either way helps.

A good shop for maintenance would be Ivo on Columbus Rd. in Mississauga. There are some good BMW (Indy) shops all around so no worries.

A shop for winter swap if you wanna do it is SimplyTire in Toronto. (Keele/Finch) area.

Tax is only on non-essential goods. Our salary is also taxed progressively so the more you make the more you pay. You being out of town and working for a U.S. based company I'm sure you will get some breaks somewhere.

Shopping online is huge here too and if you still have a US address you may be able to get away with all the bs fees. It ain't so bad over here tho man....so just worry about your safe travel here.

As for areas to live, I find that Mississauga is a smaller version of Toronto, quieter, cleaner and calmer with less crime.

If stay away from Brampton and Scarborough. (Sorry for those of you who disagree)

I have a place in Sauga and love. I also have a place in Scarborough and hate it. Just my honest opinion.

Toronto (downtown) will be a busy area, much more fun at night, but also much more expensive.

Depends what you're looking for. And if anything, keep asking questions and we'll guide you along

[Kalidian]

Agreed with Zebra - avoid scarborough lol. Steer clear of Oshawa too. What happened with your stock RFT's before?

[borntovin]

Got my alignment done, oil change done and brake flush done. Did not go with transmission fluid or

[shaginwagon13]

Originally Posted by borntovin

Got my alignment done, oil change done and brake flush done. Did not go with transmission fluid or

If you need a Chartered Accountant to file your tax returns when you get up here pm me

[Dc88]

You should buy a new car and bring it up here. Cars in the US is so much cheaper and since you are coming here as part of a job relocation, your company will probably assist you with the paperwork.

And yes, use snow tires here. Snows are needed since you lose traction once the temperature drops below negative 7 regardless if there is snow on the ground.

[borntovin]

Actually i was shopping around for Infiniti FX35 AWD, but could not part with my first BMW when I was told it is in best condition without any issues.

[borntovin]

I want to start do some shopping for the things that are expensive in canada but cheaper in USA. I am not talking about groceries, but things like Formal Shoes, Suits, Nike Shoes, Office Clothing any electronics?

Please suggest things that i can buy and bring from US and save some money and taxes. Thanks in advance for all of your input so far.