Your next car?

[Rich]

How about a 535d. It got a pretty good review recently on C&D. The mileage is fantastic and you lose almost nothing to the gas version.

As far as the 5-series goes, there is a regular gasoline engine, as well as a diesel and a hybrid.  I ruled out the hybrid when I learned it is about $12,000 more than the gasoline, and the hybrid only works up to 30 mph.  Realistically, it wouldn't be much value to me, and would cost more than it saves IMO.  I'm also inclined to rule out the diesel, since it also costs more (a couple of grand), and I don't think I drive enough to get the real benefit from it.

[MrH]

What about waiting for the new M3 sedan?  It's honestly about the same size interior wise compared to what you drive now, will be so much more exciting than a 5-series, and probably around the same price.

Get a second set of wheels and snow tires, and enjoy the RWD

[dazzleman]

What about waiting for the new M3 sedan?  It's honestly about the same size interior wise compared to what you drive now, will be so much more exciting than a 5-series, and probably around the same price.

Get a second set of wheels and snow tires, and enjoy the RWD

I'm planning to get RWD either way, if I get a BMW.  The question is whether I will get the sport suspension or not.  I know what a nightmare that can be in the snow, so I'll probably get the regular suspension with tighter steering.

[dazzleman]

How about a 535d. It got a pretty good review recently on C&D. The mileage is fantastic and you lose almost nothing to the gas version.

They didn't have one available to drive the day I was there, but I would really like to drive it.  Still, I'm inclined against it because of the limited mileage that I drive, so I'm not sure that I will get the benefit of the great fuel economy vs. the additional up-front cost plus the higher cost of diesel fuel.

[CALL_911]

Diesel's definitely not worth it.

Sport suspension, OTOH, is!

[MrH]

I'm planning to get RWD either way, if I get a BMW.  The question is whether I will get the sport suspension or not.  I know what a nightmare that can be in the snow, so I'll probably get the regular suspension with tighter steering.

The sport suspension really won't change the performance in the snow.  Might be slightly more prone to oversteer, but not really.  It's all about the tires.  Honestly, a second set of wheels and snow tires makes all the difference in the world.  I'm going into my 4th winter with tiny, light, RWD cars.  On snow tires, I've been able to get around just fine.

[280Z Turbo]

I'm guessing he's talking about ride quality in the snow because the DSC pretty much sorts everything, even if you're a ham fisted driver.

[Laconian]

I think it would be worth driving the diesel for the pleasure of it, not just the economy. He might enjoy it more.

[NomisR]

I think it would be worth driving the diesel for the pleasure of it, not just the economy. He might enjoy it more.

The torque on the diesel is fun in itself.  BMW Diesel doesn't really drive or sound like a diesel either which adds to it's appeal.

[mzziaz]

Sport suspension can deteriorate winter driving abilities because:
1) lowered
2) wider tire dimensions

also, less comfortable on bad roads.

[MrH]

Sport suspension can deteriorate winter driving abilities because:
1) lowered
2) wider tire dimensions

also, less comfortable on bad roads.

-Snow rarely gets high and uneven enough for ride height to be much of an issue.

-Just because he's running wider summer tires doesn't mean he needs to run wider snow tires.  He can run narrow than the non-sport tires if he wants

I'm guessing he's talking about ride quality in the snow because the DSC pretty much sorts everything, even if you're a ham fisted driver.

The roads aren't really drastically less even when it snows around here

[Laconian]

What about a Tesla, Dave? BUY DOMESTIC!

[dazzleman]

What about a Tesla, Dave? BUY DOMESTIC!

Was your Infiniti produced domestically?

[280Z Turbo]

I think it would be worth driving the diesel for the pleasure of it, not just the economy. He might enjoy it more.

False. Gasoline turbos are better.

[Laconian]

Was your Infiniti produced domestically?

Nope, Japan. I don't believe in the "buy domestic" line (esp. since domestic means Opelaewoo by way of Mexico), I was just throwing it out there as a joke.

But Tesla seems to be really impressing the bajeezus out of everyone that reviews it. I think you should test one, if only for the heck of it. 0-60 in five seconds with all the torque right off the line... I bet that's a hoot!

[MexicoCityM3]

Tesla would definitely be on my list. Not available down here though. Dave, it seems to fityou situation well since you have said you don't do that much mileage.

[Laconian]

Tesla would definitely be on my list. Not available down here though. Dave, it seems to fityou situation well since you have said you don't do that much mileage.

Never go to a gas station again == reinforced anti-riffraff bubble.

[dazzleman]

Never go to a gas station again == reinforced anti-riffraff bubble.

[dazzleman]

Tesla would definitely be on my list. Not available down here though. Dave, it seems to fityou situation well since you have said you don't do that much mileage.

I do mostly short drives with an occasional longer trip.  I don't know if I could go all-electric at this point.  From a personality standpoint, I'm not an early adopter of new technology or ideas.  I need to see how they work out for other people before I jump on the bandwagon, plus I like to buy something after the early version kinks have been ironed out and the technology has become less expensive.  So I don't think I'll go electric this time.

[MX793]

-Snow rarely gets high and uneven enough for ride height to be much of an issue.

Maybe not where you live.  I've had to drive home from work in snow deep enough that I was dragging the front splitter.  Not to mention that added ground clearance can make it easier getting into or out of a driveway that has a small berm of snow at the end that the road plow left.

[Rupert]

From a personality standpoint, I'm not an early adopter of new technology or ideas.

No, really?

[Laconian]

Diesel's still a century too new for him

[dazzleman]

No, really?

Some people are so open-minded that their brains have fallen out.

[dazzleman]

Diesel's still a century too new for him

Can I get something that runs on steam?

[MX793]

Can I get something that runs on steam?

Would you like coal fired or wood fired?

[dazzleman]

Would you like coal fired or wood fired?

Wood is better, since I have logs in my yard.

[CALL_911]

Today I drove a Golf TDI for like 40 miles. Great car, really is, but I'd take the GTI over it every single day. Thing was averaging like 40 mpg, though. That's a good 10 mpg more than I get in my car.

[68_427]

Dave check out the recent motor trend video of the new CTS

[Rich]

Dave check out the recent motor trend video of the new CTS

Good luck trying to find it

[68_427]

2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport: Boosting Ahead of the Germans in Their Own Game! - Ignition Ep. 90