Project: Swagger Wagon

[Apoc]

Finally got to drive this car on some snow. There was no weather to be had during our trip, so the chains went unused. The AS tires were fine for what we saw, but they can could be broken loose with any actual effort. The car's pretty steady though - a quick countersteer and some gas straightens things up. Note this was on packed snow that was likely compressed ice underneath. This car really does make road trips more pleasant. Creature comforts certainly help, but I like it because it just does whatever we ask it. 

We had a parking garage for our condo rental. I was originally concerned about the roof box, but the clearance for the garage was 7'2" and we max out at about 6'4". There were some SUVs/trucks in the garage that were taller than our car with the box and I'm thinking this car is more fun to drive... so there's that.

The Cascades are a pretty sweet part of the country. Going over these mountain passes, the temp will go from 50€° to 17° in a matter of 20 minutes and then back up again on the other side. If you're ever in the area, give me a shout and I'll point you in the right direction.

[Jake]

Those are some incredible photos. Looks like a great trip!

[JPolen01]

Those views are amazing. I have family in Portland. Hopefully one day soon I'll make it to the PNW.

[ScottyB]

geez man. that is spectacular country.

If you're ever in the area, give me a shout and I'll point you in the right direction.

when the camper's done i intend to make good on this

[Goodspeed]

That fuckin' scenery jesus christ. I didn't know why all the locals weren't just walking around staring at it all the time last I was up there. The things we take for granted I guess...

[Apoc]

Unplowed street with compacting snow frozen overnight. Traction control didn't even activate.

[.RJ]

no donuts. turrible.

I complained about the AWD system in the E91 last year, but the tires were mismatched - Pilot A/S 3 & A/S 3+ - supposedly the older versions were shit in the snow if you believe the tire rack reviews. I've since replaced the rears and its much better in the snow. I still think Quattro > xDrive, but, its acceptable.

[Apoc]

I've really been impressed by it, but it's been a dozen years since I've driven an Audi. The GTI spins wheels if it's just wet on some of these hills. I had one minor skidder going up a different hill - think it was ice, though. I've got the factory AS tires on and they're pretty solid, even when I mash the brake. I'm surprised, but it makes me feel good about wet traction when the wife is hauling the kid around.

[davej]

Is there any chance we can get you to sell your wagon for an older, slower, squarer one?
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1993-m...e320t-amg/

[Apoc]

I feel like I should really like Mercs because I'm an eurotrash fanboi, but there has never really been one that I would want to pay money for. The styling just doesn't click with me.

Start throwing me old and boxy Volvos, then we'll talk.

[Apoc]

Any F31 cool dads out there look into towing? It seems maybe Invisihitch is the fancy euroboi option and towing limits are all over the place.

[JustinG]

The only US based hitches I found involved either hacking up the muffler heat shield ( the curt one I think?), or a 50/50 shot of notching the bumper to fit (hidden hitch?). Check etrailer for pics/install notes. One didnt mention needing to notch the bumper, but you could see where some customer pics showed they had too.

I know you'll pay someone to do it, so effort isn't an issue, but looks may bother you if the bumper needs to be notched.

That baller, folding euro one is like $1500 isnt it?

[Sijray21]

looks may bother you if the bumper needs to be notched.

we had to cut a notch in my wife's golf sportwagen for the hitch (which was used a fair amount of times for bicycles), but if i could do it again i wouldn't bother and would've stuck mounts on a roof rack.

[.RJ]

The only US based hitches I found involved either hacking up the muffler heat shield ( the curt one I think?), or a 50/50 shot of notching the bumper to fit (hidden hitch?). Check etrailer for pics/install notes. One didnt mention needing to notch the bumper, but you could see where some customer pics showed they had too.

I know you'll pay someone to do it, so effort isn't an issue, but looks may bother you if the bumper needs to be notched.

That baller, folding euro one is like $1500 isnt it?

I helped Alistair install one on his wife's 2-series when we did my TDI wagon, which is basically a shrunken F30.  It wasnt too bad, we had to make some small notches in the bumper and we trimmed the heat shield rather than removing it per the instructions.  I dont know that you'd ever want to remove it once its on because of the trimming, but I dont know why you'd need to either.  It looks fine once installed.... although you guys know my stance on roof racks so I'm probably more likely to overlook those things.

[Apoc]

paging Scotty

I'm interested in pulling something like a small teardrop. I have a bunch of time off work and we've been talking about taking a week to do the Olympic Peninsula loop... just stopping wherever for a night or two. I don't think I mind notching the bumper, so long as it doesn't look like shit. I put one on my Legacy and that wasn't supposed to fit one. It was kinda a bitch, but didn't require any cutting. These things come in at just over 1000 lbs and I gotta think these cars can pull that fine.

https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental/bell...27-listing

[.RJ]

a friend near us pulls a similar size teardrop with a Subaru Forester, I think you'll be OK.

[Jake]

In Europe, the 3-series is probably rated to pull 9,500 lbs or something ridiculous. I think a lil' camper would be fine.

[ScottyB]

you'll be fine.  any modern car has the muscle to pull it (see below), if the manufacturer doesn't list a towing capacity its simply because they feel they could get sued due to wheelbase/braking induced handling risks.  i wouldn't pull one with a Smart car or something but a big BMW wagon, absolutely.

just make sure your tongue weight is about 100 lbs (10% of total mass) and go have fun.

[Sijray21]

In Europe, the 3-series is probably rated to pull 9,500 lbs or something ridiculous. I think a lil' camper would be fine.

wtf? that has to be the diesel variant, right?

[JPolen01]

In Europe, the 3-series is probably rated to pull 9,500 lbs or something ridiculous. I think a lil' camper would be fine.

wtf? that has to be the diesel variant, right?

I think that is sarcasm due to the fact that every European tows some kind of camper when they go on 'holiday'.