Noob Question: S5?

Skrawny · 11-26-2009, 07:47 AM

OK, here it is...
I have been in love with the M3 since my early teens. I have driven the last two incarnations of the M3 (and recently driven an Audi S5). This spring I will finally be able to buy my own. HOWEVER, I now find myself living in Indianapolis (raised in CA) and will have to deal with snow and ice in the winter. The cautious side of my brain says I should rather buy the Audi S5 because I fear the M3 will be too much of a monster when the weather gets nasty. I enjoy driving but I am no expert on cars. I have never owned a car as powerful as either of these two. This car will be my daily driver.

I acknowledge that by posting in a BMW forum I am asking a biased group, but I would appreciate as much of a balanced response as you guys can muster.

I also am purposely posting in the Canadian forum because, well, you guys deal with more weather than most of us Yanks; but along those lines, weather that doesn't phase you may worry me.

Thanks,
-s

(yes, I have read the recent post on M3 winter tire options)

niqui · 11-26-2009, 07:58 AM

i drive my m3 in the winter, it is exremely capable. 2 of my friends do also...
the s5 with quattro will be better, but not necessary except in heavy snowfall.
the lsd in the m, works wonders.

i made a thread a while back about how good our cars are in the winter, it was a pleasant surprise when i bought it.
good rubber is key

frenchM3dreamer · 11-26-2009, 08:34 AM

x2 on the rubber...
M3 with snow shoes will probably be > or = to S5 with all-seasons...

Jaypod · 11-26-2009, 08:47 AM

The biggest problem for both cars is clearance. I had the chance to drive a new S5 two weeks ago and it really is a great car - but honestly it is no M. I say if you have your heart set on an M go for it. You really should compare the S5 to an Xdrive 335 though (personally I would take the S5 over a 335 - S5 has an awesome interior). Good luck - either way you wont be dissappointed.

As the others mentioned. Snow tires will be the key on either car for winter.

darkseid2k · 11-26-2009, 10:23 AM

I've had both cars, albeit I only drove the M3 in real winter conditions. I picked up my S5 towards the tail end of winter with a dusting of snow on the ground. From my POV, the M3 handles well enough in the winter with proper winter tires of course. There were times last year when the back end was giving out significantly in a good amount of snow - manageable but you have to work extra hard to control. I ended up garaging it after a month or so.

If given the chance to choose again, I'd take the S5 as an all year round vehicle - it's got the looks, interior, performance (not an M3 but still better than most cars out there) and it gives you the comfort of being AWD. The S4 as well is just as good - with 2 extra doors!.

Skrawny · 11-26-2009, 01:28 PM

Over in the Audi fourm they're big on the S5 AWD superiority in the bad weather: "The M3 would be useless in the winter"

-s

Gearhead999s · 11-26-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skrawny

Over in the Audi fourm they're big on the S5 AWD superiority in the bad weather: "The M3 would be useless in the winter"

-s

What do they know

I have not driven my E92 M3 in the snow but my E46 M3 was driven for 3 winters with no great problems except for ground clearance issues.With the M-diff and proper selection of snow tires,you will be OK.My wifes 335 without the diff is not nearly as good as the M was.

Jaypod · 11-26-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skrawny

Over in the Audi fourm they're big on the S5 AWD superiority in the bad weather: "The M3 would be useless in the winter"

-s

I guess people parked thier cars for the winter before AWD was around. Can't believe my dad used to drive a 67 charger in the winter without snows - I guess he must have been some sort of driving genius...

Absolutely no problem Driving the M3 around last winter. My neighbour with his S4 (prev gen) used to plow the snow with his front bumper just like me after a heavy snow fall. I see a lot of people driving AWD in the ditch because of this sort of thinking....

Besides AWD is not nearly as much fun!

ep99 · 11-26-2009, 04:55 PM

This is also my first winter with the M3 and have a 328XI as backup.

I had a 330XI for the last 2 seasons with no issue.
As everyone said AWD is not the ultimate winter ride...you still have to drive smartly.

I suspected clearance will be an issue for the M3...we'll see.

ching · 11-26-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skrawny

Over in the Audi fourm they're big on the S5 AWD superiority in the bad weather: "The M3 would be useless in the winter"

-s

We could both be right. In the hands of the drivers in this forum, driving the M3 in the winter is not an issue. In the hands of the drivers in the audi forum...

shagkie · 11-27-2009, 07:25 AM

I drove mine last winter (with winter tires of course) and there isn't really any issues. I mean onces in a while you want to have a little fun and step on it a bit and the tail end gives a bit but if you're driving normal it shouldn't be a problem. I only see problem if I'm sitting on a icy hill and need to start moving from there

In the city clearance shouldn't be a problem if these damn city workers cleared the road before you head out

BimmerBoomer · 11-27-2009, 09:51 AM

I've has a 200 kilometer commute for the past five years. I did the first two winters with an E46 M3 and the last three with a 335i. In addition I do a great deal of winter wildlife shooting (ducks, owls, etc.). I've driven nothing but BMWs in the winter for the past 14 years. Many winters there are three or four days when the snow is just too deep, but otherwise it isn't a problem. Of course you need to respect the dynamics of a powerful rwd car in wet, snowy and icy conditions. The lack of an LSD with the 335i worried me because of some of the parking situations I get into with the wildlife photography.

frenchM3dreamer · 11-27-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

I do a great deal of winter wildlife shooting (ducks, owls, etc.). .

I thought you were going shooting = hunting with your Bimmers

i was like "WTF, this dude shoot owls, and bring them back in a M3???"

Pat

BimmerBoomer · 11-27-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchM3dreamer

I thought you were going shooting = hunting with your Bimmers

i was like "WTF, this dude shoot owls, and bring them back in a M3???"

Pat

That's funny.

frenchM3dreamer · 11-27-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

That's funny.

i know it's totally OT, but do you have a website or stg where i could see your pics? even though i'm not a good photographer i do enjoy wildlife...

Pat

BimmerBoomer · 11-27-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchM3dreamer

i know it's totally OT, but do you have a website or stg where i could see your pics? even though i'm not a good photographer i do enjoy wildlife...

Pat

http://images.nikonians.org/gallerie...0/ppuser/66280

Gearhead999s · 11-27-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

http://images.nikonians.org/gallerie...0/ppuser/66280

Wow!Some real nice shots there!

shagkie · 11-27-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

http://images.nikonians.org/gallerie...0/ppuser/66280

thats alot of nice picture there

footie · 11-27-2009, 02:01 PM

I don't think anyone here would deny that the AWD S5 will be superior in the snow, but it all depends on whether the snow is heavy enough or if it stays for long enough periods to again warrant the winter tyres. If the answer is yes then a sensible driven M3 with winter rubber would be fine, but if it's light snow and comes and goes then probably the S5 would be the wiser decision.

frenchM3dreamer · 11-27-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

http://images.nikonians.org/gallerie...0/ppuser/66280

Thanks for the link Jim, you've got some great pics there!!!
i especially like the beaver ones on page 4 or 5... i'm keeping your website open in my browser for those times when i get bored...

congrats!

BimmerBoomer · 11-27-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchM3dreamer

Thanks for the link Jim, you've got some great pics there!!!
i especially like the beaver ones on page 4 or 5... i'm keeping your website open in my browser for those times when i get bored...

congrats!

Now back to footie's Audi thread!

Gearhead999s · 11-27-2009, 02:31 PM

:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

Now back to footie's Audi thread!

11-26-2009, 07:47 AM	#1
Skrawny New Member 2 Rep 21 Posts Drives: White 2011 M3 coupe, manual Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT iTrader: (0)	Noob Question: S5? OK, here it is... I have been in love with the M3 since my early teens. I have driven the last two incarnations of the M3 (and recently driven an Audi S5). This spring I will finally be able to buy my own. HOWEVER, I now find myself living in Indianapolis (raised in CA) and will have to deal with snow and ice in the winter. The cautious side of my brain says I should rather buy the Audi S5 because I fear the M3 will be too much of a monster when the weather gets nasty. I enjoy driving but I am no expert on cars. I have never owned a car as powerful as either of these two. This car will be my daily driver. I acknowledge that by posting in a BMW forum I am asking a biased group, but I would appreciate as much of a balanced response as you guys can muster. I also am purposely posting in the Canadian forum because, well, you guys deal with more weather than most of us Yanks; but along those lines, weather that doesn't phase you may worry me. Thanks, -s (yes, I have read the recent post on M3 winter tire options)
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11-26-2009, 07:58 AM	#2
niqui Brigadier General 127 Rep 3,111 Posts Drives: Jet Black E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (7)	i drive my m3 in the winter, it is exremely capable. 2 of my friends do also... the s5 with quattro will be better, but not necessary except in heavy snowfall. the lsd in the m, works wonders. i made a thread a while back about how good our cars are in the winter, it was a pleasant surprise when i bought it. good rubber is key
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11-26-2009, 08:34 AM	#3
frenchM3dreamer Captain 8 Rep 784 Posts Drives: 08 Mitsu Eclipse Spyder GTP Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB iTrader: (0)	x2 on the rubber... M3 with snow shoes will probably be > or = to S5 with all-seasons...
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11-26-2009, 08:47 AM	#4
Jaypod Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,971 Posts Drives: Frozen M3, AM V8V, 991 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	The biggest problem for both cars is clearance. I had the chance to drive a new S5 two weeks ago and it really is a great car - but honestly it is no M. I say if you have your heart set on an M go for it. You really should compare the S5 to an Xdrive 335 though (personally I would take the S5 over a 335 - S5 has an awesome interior). Good luck - either way you wont be dissappointed. As the others mentioned. Snow tires will be the key on either car for winter.
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11-26-2009, 10:23 AM	#5
darkseid2k Private First Class 13 Rep 153 Posts Drives: '10 E71, '11 E92 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E90 M3 [0.00]	I've had both cars, albeit I only drove the M3 in real winter conditions. I picked up my S5 towards the tail end of winter with a dusting of snow on the ground. From my POV, the M3 handles well enough in the winter with proper winter tires of course. There were times last year when the back end was giving out significantly in a good amount of snow - manageable but you have to work extra hard to control. I ended up garaging it after a month or so. If given the chance to choose again, I'd take the S5 as an all year round vehicle - it's got the looks, interior, performance (not an M3 but still better than most cars out there) and it gives you the comfort of being AWD. The S4 as well is just as good - with 2 extra doors!.
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11-26-2009, 01:28 PM	#6
Skrawny New Member 2 Rep 21 Posts Drives: White 2011 M3 coupe, manual Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT iTrader: (0)	Over in the Audi fourm they're big on the S5 AWD superiority in the bad weather: "The M3 would be useless in the winter" -s
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11-26-2009, 04:55 PM	#9
ep99 Private First Class 38 Rep 199 Posts Drives: 2024 M4 Competition xDrive Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	This is also my first winter with the M3 and have a 328XI as backup. I had a 330XI for the last 2 seasons with no issue. As everyone said AWD is not the ultimate winter ride...you still have to drive smartly. I suspected clearance will be an issue for the M3...we'll see.
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11-27-2009, 07:25 AM	#11
shagkie Captain 27 Rep 632 Posts Drives: a....V8 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: GTA, Canada iTrader: (0)	I drove mine last winter (with winter tires of course) and there isn't really any issues. I mean onces in a while you want to have a little fun and step on it a bit and the tail end gives a bit but if you're driving normal it shouldn't be a problem. I only see problem if I'm sitting on a icy hill and need to start moving from there In the city clearance shouldn't be a problem if these damn city workers cleared the road before you head out
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11-27-2009, 09:51 AM	#12
BimmerBoomer demoted 453 Rep 1,172 Posts Drives: 2022 Audi S5 Sportback Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Grimsby, Ontario iTrader: (0)	I've has a 200 kilometer commute for the past five years. I did the first two winters with an E46 M3 and the last three with a 335i. In addition I do a great deal of winter wildlife shooting (ducks, owls, etc.). I've driven nothing but BMWs in the winter for the past 14 years. Many winters there are three or four days when the snow is just too deep, but otherwise it isn't a problem. Of course you need to respect the dynamics of a powerful rwd car in wet, snowy and icy conditions. The lack of an LSD with the 335i worried me because of some of the parking situations I get into with the wildlife photography.
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11-27-2009, 02:01 PM	#19
footie Major General 1094 Rep 8,013 Posts Drives: i4M50 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: No where fast iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW i4M50 [0.00] 2020 BMW M5 Competi ... [0.00] 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	I don't think anyone here would deny that the AWD S5 will be superior in the snow, but it all depends on whether the snow is heavy enough or if it stays for long enough periods to again warrant the winter tyres. If the answer is yes then a sensible driven M3 with winter rubber would be fine, but if it's light snow and comes and goes then probably the S5 would be the wiser decision.
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