Automobiles

[rwsaunders]

Saab...fly on down to PIT and you can borrow my 2001 A6 Avant for a while. It only has 185,500 mi on the odometer so it’s still being broken in. No acceleration to speak of but it likes to travel the PA Turnpike at a good clip. davids...I want your TSX wagon.

The statement that wagons hold their value is so true as there are limited numbers produced for us wagon nerds. I too picked up my Avant as a 3-year lease return and I found it 400 miles away on the Audi certified website.

[AngryScientist]

did i miss something upthread? what's wrong with the GTI?

[Saab2000]

what's wrong with the GTI?

It’s 12 years old and showing signs of age.

[thomas]

This seems like a very knowledgeable, experienced group of not just owners of nice bikes, but of nice cars. So here's a question: what do you know about BMW 328i xDrive wagons, specifically a 6mt 6cyl 2012 version? A sporty MT AWD wagon seems to be an obsession of mine lately. My 2014 VW JSW 2.5L 5MT is quite adequate, so this is a bit of an irrational interest in a more robust AWD version, but with more age and more mileage on the odometer. Am I nuts? The inline 6 is outdated, but seems more reliable that the newer turbo 4. Car I'm looking at has 70000 miles on it, but I keep seeing these cars with >150K, so this one seems to have some life left in it.

Any comments on your experiences with Bimmers? I've owned a Saab and VWs, along with Mazda and Toyotas, but never a high end car like a BMW.

[sk_tle]

AWD versions of regular wagons aren't "more robust". If anything they can only be less reliable with more transmission parts.

Don't know about modern Awd BMWs but back in the day (BMW e30 era) the awd version were nice for people living in mountains and places seeing regular snow but the handling was much less enjoyable than the rwd versions. Something probably related to weight balance and differentials.

[tickdoc]

Getting ready to let this one go. Makes me sad but it is time. First new car I ever purchased and only car I ever ordered.

VpdrMCVl.jpg

[Lionel]

This seems like a very knowledgeable, experienced group of not just owners of nice bikes, but of nice cars. So here's a question: what do you know about BMW 328i xDrive wagons, specifically a 6mt 6cyl 2012 version? A sporty MT AWD wagon seems to be an obsession of mine lately. My 2014 VW JSW 2.5L 5MT is quite adequate, so this is a bit of an irrational interest in a more robust AWD version, but with more age and more mileage on the odometer. Am I nuts? The inline 6 is outdated, but seems more reliable that the newer turbo 4. Car I'm looking at has 70000 miles on it, but I keep seeing these cars with >150K, so this one seems to have some life left in it.

Any comments on your experiences with Bimmers? I've owned a Saab and VWs, along with Mazda and Toyotas, but never a high end car like a BMW.

Good car and that engine is good.

[sailor]

I have one, and it is a nice upgrade from the JSW in most ways. Drives well and handles snow well, comfortable seats and decent power. They are heavy, not very big inside and I get ~20mpg in mixed driving. The n52 inline 6 is reasonably reliable but maintenance isn't cheap or optional but not horrible DIY, that said it has been cheaper than the B5 passat I had so far but is lower miles. All in I really like the car on backroads and the highway and it meets most of my needs well.

This seems like a very knowledgeable, experienced group of not just owners of nice bikes, but of nice cars. So here's a question: what do you know about BMW 328i xDrive wagons, specifically a 6mt 6cyl 2012 version? A sporty MT AWD wagon seems to be an obsession of mine lately. My 2014 VW JSW 2.5L 5MT is quite adequate, so this is a bit of an irrational interest in a more robust AWD version, but with more age and more mileage on the odometer. Am I nuts? The inline 6 is outdated, but seems more reliable that the newer turbo 4. Car I'm looking at has 70000 miles on it, but I keep seeing these cars with >150K, so this one seems to have some life left in it.

Any comments on your experiences with Bimmers? I've owned a Saab and VWs, along with Mazda and Toyotas, but never a high end car like a BMW.

[rwsaunders]

One of our clients recently acquired this '48 Ford for promotional purposes. Apparently they're going to be doing some paint and pinstripping work.

[Too Tall]

Panel trucks are so awesome. I very nearly restored a 55 Chevy Panel instead of my pickup.

Congrats to him....lose the flames.

[rwsaunders]

Panel trucks are so awesome. I very nearly restored a 55 Chevy Panel instead of my pickup.

Congrats to him....lose the flames.

There will be a do-over you can be sure.

[Too Tall]

There will be a do-over you can be sure.

Please let there be steelies, split manifold, duals, glass packs...I could go on.

[72gmc]

steelies

this!

[j44ke]

Been driving upstate, and I am not happy with the tires on the Volvo but they are likely a 3-season tire for maximizing fuel mileage. Not their fault then, but I'd rather have a bit more tire. The car is FWD, and I won't have storage space for tires and won't be upstate 24-7 for another 1.5-2.0 years. Everyone I know upstate switches out for some form of winter tire, but since I am still driving mostly on pavement up and back with slushy stuff only while I am up there, I was considering an all-weather tire. Don't want to wear out a set of winter tires going from here to there, so I kind of need something I can drive all year. A friend's (Volvo V70 owner) recommendation was the Nokian WRG3 tires. A little late in the season too. Should have dealt with this last fall. Advise me if I should just keep practicing my drift technique & do winter tires next season or switch to all-weathers as daily drivers.

Survey says?

[Saab2000]

Survey says?

Survey says there's no substitute for proper winter tires if snowy, slushy roads are part of the equation. The fact that they will be driven on dry roads part of the time is unavoidable.

I put mine on around the first of December before the real snow starts and I can't imagine winter without them. Yes, they wear out faster and are boing boing boingy and imprecise on dry pavement, but when it's snowy and slushy I have way, way more traction than I would otherwise have.

An all-wheel drive vehicle with good ground clearance and winter tires would be nearly unstoppable in upstate NY.

I know that's probably not what you want to hear, but in my experience, there's no such thing as an all-season tire. They're compromised and are really a no-season tire. The 'all-seasons' on my VW GTI are heavily weighted towards summer driving and are awful in the snow.

BTW, we're deep into the latter part of winter at this point. If it were me I'd also probably try to make it through this winter and do the winter tires next season. Within a few weeks the strengthening of the sun will mean the roads clear much more quickly after any snow event.

[cp43]

Survey says?

I'm running Nokian "year round winter tires" on my Tacoma. I think they're the WRG3 SUV. I've been pleased with them. I think they are a good option for your situation.

edit - they might be Rotiiva's.

Chris

[cyat.es]

Survey says?

I ran Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires on two vastly different vehicles* and did OK through three Mass winters. They're not going to beat pure winter tires in snow, but they do well in the cold, adequately on snow, and have a great wear rating.

I'm certainly happier with dedicated winter and summer tires, but these worked.

* 2002 911 Turbo, 2003 Dinan BMW X5

[htwoopup]

Jorn-
We have two Volvos, an XC60 and a Polestar V60. Going up the Northway into Quebec was absolutely frightening without dedicated snow tires. Not to mention they could get sticky on the law about snow tires in Quebec for the winter months.

We got 235/40R-19 Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 for the V60 which are great (although I think they may wear somewhat quickly as really good tires do) and some Kumho Andros (the model isn't made anymore) for the XC60 which were good. The Kumhos lasted three winters (which includes a boatload of miles between Tremblant and NYC on dry pavement. We do about 33K miles a year between the two places). When the Kumhos wore out, I got some kind of Michelins that were recommended by Canadian Tire and seem fine.

I got extra wheels and had the tires mounted and balanced on them. Keep the not in use ones in the shed. Which is another thing you need to build on that property. The Ford/Volvo dealer in Rhode Island was best for purchasing the Volvo wheels.

Even if you don't go all in on the extra wheels and tire pressure monitors that are necessary, ATMO you really really need snow tires for up North.

The only vehicle I don't use snow tires on is Big Red, my 2500 Silverado diesel, that stays up there. But those tires have a tread like snow tires to begin with as it is meant for going in places that cars don't go.

[rydesteel]

I've ran Conti DWS on all my cars for a while, the newer DWS 06 is a decent winter tire and more than adequate in the summer for the most part. YMMV of course but we've had good luck with them on multiple cars.

[rwsaunders]

Jorn, I agree with Saab as usual. Blizzaks are my tire of choice for our van which is fwd. When your new crib is complete, buy a set and have them installed on a pair of steel wheels. Maybe not as bling as the OEM wheels, but they’ll keep you out a ditch and the seasonal switch is simple.