Ultimate winter driving vehicle??

[JCL]

Our 2007 X3 is similarly equipped, but without the Comfort package. We have the cold weather package as standard here. You didn't say which transmission you have, but the manual six speed provides more control IMO.

Our X3 goes just about anywhere, I agree with your comments. It is actually very similar in capability to what 325xi was. The 325 didn't have quite the same ground clearance, but the lower weight helped it, and it pushed unplowed snow very well with the bumper. It couldn't have brought the Honda tracked snowblower home that I fit in the back of the X3, though, similar to yours.

The X3 actually does better than our X5 did. It has the advantage of x-Drive, but I think the lower weight is even more of an advantage.

Make sure you try the HDC on a steep icy hill, it is very good as well, and worth learning about before you actually need it.

[RickM5X3]

Originally Posted by JCL

Our 2007 X3 is similarly equipped, but without the Comfort package. We have the cold weather package as standard here. You didn't say which transmission you have, but the manual six speed provides more control IMO.

Our X3 goes just about anywhere, I agree with your comments. It is actually very similar in capability to what 325xi was. The 325 didn't have quite the same ground clearance, but the lower weight helped it, and it pushed unplowed snow very well with the bumper. It couldn't have brought the Honda tracked snowblower home that I fit in the back of the X3, though, similar to yours.

The X3 actually does better than our X5 did. It has the advantage of x-Drive, but I think the lower weight is even more of an advantage.

Make sure you try the HDC on a steep icy hill, it is very good as well, and worth learning about before you actually need it.

Agree with everything here except the Honda track drive. Just sold our hs928 track drive b/c it's such a pain to maneuver. No driving pleasure there and replacing it with the wheeled version, traction be damned.

[wallyx5]

It's good to hear that you love your X3 so much. I enjoyed the post. Over here we could only dream of that much snow. Here we are lucky to get a few inches.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by RickM5X3

Agree with everything here except the Honda track drive. Just sold our hs928 track drive b/c it's such a pain to maneuver. No driving pleasure there and replacing it with the wheeled version, traction be damned.

Off topic here, but sorry to hear it didn't work out. At least you went for the Honda wheeled version, so you got the Honda engine whatever the track/wheel configuration. I am a big fan of Honda engineering in mobile power equipment.

I have used a number of wheeled snowblowers, and always felt that the large ones were like horsing around a rototiller, I felt it later in my shoulders. Maybe I need to do more training.

I had a Honda tracked snowblower in northern Alberta years ago, and it was fantastic. A few years back just outside Vancouver (above the snow line) I got a Honda HS724, hydrostatic, tracked drive. I loved it. The tracks provided front/rear balance, and far better traction (unless one puts chains on, and I didn't want chains on my driveway due to the surface finish).

It wasn't the same to turn as a wheeled machine, and I did find there was a knack to it. Pushing down on the handles allowed spot turns as well. I was able to clear in long runs (150' lot frontage, circular driveway spanning all of that), so maybe that helped.

[RickM5X3]

Originally Posted by JCL

I am a big fan of Honda engineering in mobile power equipment.

Every 3-wheeler (ATC), dirt bike, generator, and mower I've owned has been Honda. My Harmony mower got its first oil change after 9 years of duty. Owning no maintenance Hondas balances out needful BMWs. I bought way too much snowblower with the 928. My first Honda mistake.