Project: 2014 328i xDrive Wagon F31

[Steve85]

I took it out for some fun and test out the xDrive in different traction control modes. 

Regular mode (full TC) was more intrusive but it did ultimately let me apply excessive power to some degree. Or it just gave up trying with worn out Pilot Super Sports in the snow.

Hitting the DTC button reduced the power cutting and seemed to let the xdrive do its thing without really cutting power or over-modulating the brake. It did remind me of the old E30 ix and allowed it to slide around and power through as needed - think slick conditions and not wanting to lose momentum and just keep digging.

I'll get some proper tires next winter and drive with confidence. Regular full TC mode should be fine for anything short of the most extreme conditions I would drive in.

Also went to  a soccer tournament last weekend and...we've had minivans and SUVs, so I get it, I do (we had two in baby seats with two teenagers at one point), but man it was nice to see this amid the sea of gray / black / silver SUVs and minivans that dominate the lot.

Pics from test day: 

[JustinG]

HNNNNGGGGGG....

God I cant wait to get mine.

Do you have the Matte Black or Gloss Black Kidneys? I am leaning Gloss black for mine.

Cant wait to see the splitter on.

[ScottyB]

How do you like the pilot SS's? Leaning towards those for my next set. I think I'm done trying to make all seasons work for everything on a FWD.

[.RJ]

Summer tires arent instant death in winter, either.

My 135 had them. Still alive, car sold in one piece.

[JustinG]

Didn't realize that OEM tires on the msports are max performance summers.....

I'll probably snag some wheels this fall and get winter's put on.

[Jake]

Steve, did you do the full press-and-hold to fully disable DTC? Just tapping the button once raises the threshold before it intervenes but doesn't disable completely. Depends how much hoonage you want to do.

My 128i would do really well in snow with DTC in "higher threshold" mode like you say. Open diff and all-seasons, nothing special. Glad this is doing well for you and those photos in the snow look great!

[Senor_Taylor]

That 3/4 shot is money. Great color.

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[Apoc]

I want to like this car, but it appears your bumper is drilled.

Pass.

[Steve85]

Do you have the Matte Black or Gloss Black Kidneys? I am leaning Gloss black for mine.

Cant wait to see the splitter on.

Gloss black, it's the way to go since it is surrounded by gloss paint (IMHO)
The splitter is matte black and I've been toying with various paint options - fangs blue/black splitter; fangs black/blue splitter; all blue (but don't really like that). But I'm pretty sure I'm going to just leave it as is so it doesn't look all banged up over time.

How do you like the pilot SS's?  Leaning towards those for my next set.  I think I'm done trying to make all seasons work for everything on a FWD.

I like them. They are pretty grippy and even at this well worn stage have worn evenly and are still quiet. They are very responsive on turn-in.

Summer tires arent instant death in winter, either.

My 135 had them.  Still alive, car sold in one piece.

Yeah, just not sure I'd want to drive to WV ski resorts regularly on summers.

Steve, did you do the full press-and-hold to fully disable DTC? Just tapping the button once raises the threshold before it intervenes but doesn't disable completely. Depends how much hoonage you want to do.

My 128i would do really well in snow with DTC in "higher threshold" mode like you say. Open diff and all-seasons, nothing special. Glad this is doing well for you and those photos in the snow look great!

I didn't, should have. I'll try it again next spring when it snows again. I was reading about what is the best mode and people generally debate between the middle and full off and that's probably mostly driving style.

This made me think though, that book with all the instructions we've been talking about, instead of a long name "Manual of Instructions for the Owner That Fits in Glovebox" we could shorten it to "The Jake".  

That 3/4 shot is money. Great color.

Thanks, I'm really liking it, it's not getting old.

[SlimKlim]

I want to like this car, but it appears your bumper is drilled.

Pass.

You have officially expended more brain power over what I chose to do with my car than I have. I really get in your head huh?

[JustinG]

Trollolololololol

[Senor_Taylor]

Looks like a nice thread here.

Sure would be a shame if I ruined it with some irrelevant salt.

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[.RJ]

If you're using it in legitimate snow, then a 2nd set of wheels w/ snow tires will make that thing unstoppabru.

Justin, you're fine with summer tires in Richmond.

[ViPER1313]

I have driven on summer tires through inches of snow to snow resorts in the DSM. That is possible, but not enjoyable. Buy winter tires. Even when there is no snow on the ground, the grip they give in sub 40 degree weather vs all seasons or summer tires makes their ownership worth while.

[Apoc]

I want to like this car, but it appears your bumper is drilled.

Pass.

You have officially expended more brain power over what I chose to do with my car than I have. I really get in your head huh?

[SlimKlim]

[Nis01]

I don't have much to add here but that blue is on point, especially with the contrast of the snow.  The worn out "summer-only" tires (Bridgestone Dueler Sports) I originally had did fine in the several Virginia snowfalls/icing if I was quite careful but any moderate accumulation or attempting to do something other then coast could get questionable.  Emergency braking/avoidance was minimally effective, luckily I never had to test that theory.  My work doesn't afford snow days off so I swapped out for all-seasons and the performance difference was quite substantial.  I've never had the pleasure of driving on winter specific tires, but thus far all-seasons have been sufficient.

[ViPER1313]

I've never had the pleasure of driving on winter specific tires, but thus far all-seasons have been sufficient.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0wALArd2rvo

Also - hey Shea! Long time no see!

[GTBrandon]

I’ll just add my car was a nightmare going to WV with fresh snow, no salt, no plows on hilly mountain roads. Was running almost new PS4S tires and even with 4 people (around 4800lbs) the car wanted to get the tail out above 30mph. I will never run summer tires in the snow again lol, almost died twice, only to pick up a RWD car with Conti DW’s to drive back

[.RJ]

I wouldnt use summers to head up to a ski resort, but around nova/richmond areas, the roads are plowed in a day or two so its just not an absolute necessity.