I currently have a 2002 745i........but just went through the worse winter in years in New England and have decided to move into an all-wheel drive car. Was first looking into SUVs but decided that I'm just not an SUV person.

I test drove the E500 4Matic and found it to be a pretty decent car. Can anyone comment on how well this car performs in the winter with the 4Matic system. The dealer says it's absolutely wonderful. I'm a 20 year vet of BMWs and am having a hard time pulling the trigger on the deal due to my loyalty to BMW and love of the 745. But I need a more reliable car in the winter.

Comments would be very appreciative. THANKS

 

It performs very well in all sorts of snow and for that matter wet. I am on my 2nd E320 4M. In fact its my opinion that it rides and hanles better than the std 2 wheel drive on dry pavement. I too am an ex BMW guy from years ago. Had 3, 6 series and a 7. I got tired of staying home when it snowed.

 

Just curious pvm, did you have snow tires on your 745? They made a tremendous difference on my 540. We have had an awful lot of snow this year, and I've had no trouble with snow tires installed.

Sorry, no info from me on 4matic. But I will be getting snows for my e55 when it arrives.

 

I have good snow tires on my E (without 4matic) and never had trouble during the entire winter throughout PA, OH and WV. We saw some pretty significant snow falls... I did this same thing with my '02 5 series and had the same results. Might be a cheaper fix...

 

I am just finishing the first winter with my 04 E500 4matic in what you might call the heart of the snowbelt in NE Ohio, Chardon, where average yearly snowfall is in the 150 to 180 inch range. Did not do snows stayed with the all weather Conti's that were essentially brand new that came with the appearance package if you have a 4matic. The 4matic was outstanding, every bit as good as the BMW X-5 and jeep Grand cherokee I had previously. Next year will put dedicated snows on..and lose the Conti's. I do echo the comments about dedicated snows on rear wheel drive cars that have all the latest and greatest traction technology. IMO that works equally fine in most snow areas... I just like the security of 4 wheel drive on my primary winter vehicle. Good luck

 

I drive an E500 4Matic wagon and the performance in the snow is excellent. In NJ, we have had quite a bit of snow thisyear and I have been impressed with the capability. I have the Appearance Pkg which has the all-season tires. It is intersting what happens to traditional luxury cars without at least snow tires. Just last week I passed a 7 series, and LS430 and a 5er which had all had unscheduled off-raod excursions. Nothing agais these cars as I like all of them. But when conditions dictate snow etc., fowl (and all) weather capability becomes very important.

 

Just for fun this winter, I turned off the stability control on my BMW in a deserted parking lot. The asphalt was icy but I had snow tires on. I stepped on the gas and turned 180 degrees in a flash. With the chicken button once again activated, no problems at all. It is amazing what the modern stability control systems can do.

 

I'll echo those who've praised the E500 4Matic in snow. I'm in Connecticut with a fair amount of snow this year. Traction has been terrific. Just using the factory supplied Contis. Very impressive.

 

I second xraymd. pvm21, please tell what tires you are running on your 2002 BMW 745i. Also, please tell if there are other factors weighing against the BMW making you want to sell it. Has the car had a lot of electrical problems? I have a friend who bought a used 02 745i, and sold it a year after he bought it. He would schedule a monthly appointment at the dealership to address the software/electrical problems that would regularly come up. I think the 02 745i was the first year of the current style.

If you already have fallen out of love with the car, dump it. If you seriously are only bothered by the traction issue, a set of modern winter tires will transform your car into a very acceptable winter vehicle. You could even ask Luke, the Tire Rack guy in the wheels and tires forum for a wheel and tire recommendation.

People opt for the SUV if they need to tow a heavy load (boat, camping trailer), go off-road, drive in deep snow on paved/non-paved roads that are not well plowed because a car has less ground clearance than an SUV. I personally prefer a car.

Here is a tangent. I think that many women like SUV's not only because they feel safer (whether they actually are or not is irrelevant) because of the mammoth size and the height. My theory is that SUV's are like high heeled shoes for many women. I am talking about my experience. I live in Miami, Florida, where many 4-wheel drive 6000-7500 pound SUV's function as a modern day station wagon (no towing, no winter driving, no off-road). The fact that the marketers have been able to covert trucks into status symbols inspires awe in me.

I have driven my 2 wheel drive 03 E 320 in winter conditions on a cross-country road trip and encountered winter driving conditions in mountainous areas in Colorado, Utah and Oregon. The car performed beautifully. Of course, I had Dunlop WinterSport M2 tires on the car.

Hope this helps you in your decision making, pvm21
William
2003 E320

 

I know of no one who regrets buying a 4 Matic vehicle. They are flawless and will outperform most cars on the road with the correct tire. I am constantly passing people on the side of the roads here with my 4 Matic.

In spite of having the 4-matic system, I still have dedicated wheels and tires for winter. That is the way to go out here in Colorado. I have Bridgestone Blizzaks WS50s and they grip very well.

I personally will avoid a 2WD car in the future, if I can.

Steve

 

DITTO, what Steve said. I've had my E500 4matic since last Oct. I had two ML's before it, and never looked back. Although we've had an unusually mild and dry winter here in south west Montana, there have been a couple of kick-butt storms. Because of the mild winter I took my snows off several weeks ago.

This weekend last, we had a major storm blow through, 8 - 10 inches of wet heavy snow. The 4matic performed flawlessly. If you drive the condition and prudently, you will NEVER get into trouble with a 4matic.

Bill

 

You have all been very helpful with your insights..........just pulled the trigger on the E500 4Matic this afternoon..........

Again thanks for the feedback, it clearly influenced my decision.

 

Congratulations on your new car, pvm21!! Wishing you the best.

I second SAguirre. Winter tires are the way to go to maximize your 4-matic's perfomance and safety.

For those of you who are interested, check out this Edmund's review of the 2006 all-wheel drive BMW 530 xi tested on an ice track.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=104929

Notice this line from the Edmund's First Drive article; "All of the 530s we drove wore non-factory winter performance tires (no studs). On public roads covered with packed snow and ice, the combination of xDrive, DSC and snow tires made the car basically unstoppable."
I think your new 4-matic is the ultimate ice driving vehicle, for it doesn't have idrive nor does it have the Bangle styling treatment, but it does have a V8 which the BMW does not offer.
William
2003 E320

 

Congrats pvm, but we need more details. What color, options, etc. Do you have to wait long?

 

[QUOTE=xraymd]Congrats pvm, but we need more details. What color, options, etc. Do you have to wait long?[/QUOTE

- Obsidian Black w/ Stone Leather
- 319 Lighting Package
- 401 Active Ventilated Seats
- 426 Premium Package
- 289 Wood/Leather Steering Wheel
- 051 Hands Free Communications Sys w/VCS
- 022 Sirrius Satellite Radio
- 889 Keyless Go
- Upgraded RIMs 18 spoke or AMG (TBD)

 

if you want an SUV, get the porsche cayenne. It is better then a 4matic and BMW X5.

you can kep your 7 series for the summer and get a Lexus LX470 as a winter beater

 

I own a 2004 E500 Wagon with 4matic and live in NYC. I received the first E500 Wagon in the US and since taking delivery, we have had quite the snowfall in and around NY. The car handles PHENOMENALLY in all weather including snow. I have driven it in as much as 8" on the ground and it is superb.

 

Steve supplied a very interesting link of the handling and grip of his 4matic in the snow and it was 'impressive' In fact very impressive.

In Europe we find you get better grip in the snow on narrower tyres as opposed to wider ones. Perhaps you could consider having sensible wheels for winter and poser ones for summer?

Good luck with your very nice car,
John

 

If your going to buy an E500, you might as well get the 4matic.

Put some good snow tires on your 7-series, with the stability control, you will have no problems.