I presume your 535i is AWD? If you want an AWD BMW here in Oz, then it's X3, X5, or X6 or nothing. BMW has never sold any AWD 3 or 5 Series variant here, ever, which is disappointing, to say the least.

I thought only those ones you listed were awd and all other bmw's were rear wheel drive

In some markets you can buy AWD 3 and 5 Series. They may be all wagons, or 'Touring' in BMW-speak, rather than sedans, but either way AWD definitely extends beyond X3, X5 and X6.

cool

No, mine is RWD. While AWD is available, the steering feel isn't the same (less precise) and the handling isn't as good, since the vehicle is lifted slightly (which means that the MSport suspension isn't available for the AWD 5). The AWD variant is also heavier, which results in it being slightly slower to accelerate, and consuming more fuel.

I'm surprised that your RWD 535i would be better than an X5 in snow regardless of tyres, but then again my snow driving experience is limited down here in sunny Oz.

I have a near 20 year-old Range Rover that has no gadgets, is tough as nails and goes anywhere. And when I bang it against a rock or a tree, or three, I don't care.

ah yeah I know the ones
towed a few of them out of creekbeds before they were refitted with maxidrives :D

a man after my own heart!

YouTube - Ormeau's Tower of Terror

No maxidrive here. I don't need it. My RR is the last model before swaybars. If there's any towing to be done, I do the towing.

comp guys would love to know your secret, would save them a few grand on maxidrives
well, the 2 or 3 that still bother trying to run rangies in comps :P