Rear-drive in snow..
 

I'm looking for opinions.. Is rear wheel drive really that bad in snow? I'm slowly starting to look at new cars, and I've been finding some 5-series that I like. My parents think rear-drive is terrible in the snow. I know it's not as good as AWD, but with good snow tires, DSC, etc., would something like a 530i be ok in snow? I see tons of rear-drive BMWs around here, and.. I mean.. They seem to do fine :)

Don't they make 5s with the X drive? My brother drives a 750, never had a problem with the snow, although he does change over to snow tires. You do get considerably more snow up there then we do in NY/NJ. There was a time when all vehicles were rear wheel (could you imagine), we survived. Guess it depends on what type of snowfall and that you understand that you're driving rear wheel and drive accordingly.

The new 5s have Xdrive.. But I doubt I'd be able to find one in my price range. If I get a new car it'd probably be sometime in the spring, so I wouldn't have to deal with snow.. Especially since I'll be going to college in Florida next fall. But I still can't convince my parents..

College in Florida? Why aren't you asking about convertibles?!?!?!? Ahhh, to be young. :thumbup:

:)

I think good snow tires on rear wheel drive will be fine. You can always carry a bag of salt, sand, or kitty litter in the trunk, if needed.

My M3 did better than some FWD and AWD cars in both snow and ice. A good set of snow tires and salt in the trunk and you're good to go. Now, RWD with summer tires, you're gonna be FCUKED... I learned my lesson the hard way last November.

I had 325i in Canada. Once I have changed to snow tires there was no problem. Even in slushy or deep snow the car behaved very well. The snow tires are the answer.
Here in Germany everybody changes to snow tires in November. If you don't and have accident even if it is not your fault, 50% of the blame goes to you.
Voytek

I drove a RWD Formula Firebird for 4 years in upstate NY during college, if that car can handle snow, you'll have no problems. And that was with performance not snow tires.

Yeah The 5 got Xdrive for 2006 I think, I don't think RWD with snow tires should be too bad, the Dynamic Stability Control should help you in slip situations, I would say BUY AN X5 :)