What car-A5 S line or BMW 3 series M sport

[vanquish s]

Will so, thanks.

[Tony Schofield]

I still say that a 320d can out run an M3 driven by the right person

Agreed but not in a straight line or on a motorway with very sparse traffic!

[Tony Schofield]

Anyone ever seen how a BMW performs on ice or snow? I've seen one that couldn't get out of a FLAT icy drive way one time. Talked to previous owners who say never again, paying for the badge only, practically they are about as useful as tits on a bull!

The problem is the combination of rear wheel drive and traction control. Traction control cuts the power to the spinning wheel. In a front wheel drive car the engine weight over the wheels means that there is better traction (until moving after which weight is transferred to the rear wheels) so it takes longer before traction control cuts in. When it does cut in, power to the wheel is reduced and can actually be zero despite how hard you rev the engine. Net result is that you cannot move.

I have had BMWs, Jags, a Porsche 911 (997) and Mercedes cars (all RWD and all responding as described above) and in every case, switching off traction control and being very careful with the throttle has enabled me to get started. Once started you have better traction due to the above described weight transference. Of course once going, rear wheel drive and snow can be very tricky but you soon get used to it.

It helps that I am fairly old and learned to drive in a rear wheel drive escort.

[LeftArm]

I have heard also that in many countries that don't grind to a halt in snowy weather people routinely use winter tyres for part of the year.
Low profile minimal tread things are great on tarmac but little use on snow.

[Defblade]

Of course once going, rear wheel drive and snow can be very good fun, and you soon get used to it.

It helps that I am fairly old and learned to drive in a rear wheel drive escort.

Corrected that for you

I'm a similar vintage in regards to snow... a red mk2 in which I did a lovely slow 180 trying to pull out of the first T-junction

[Defblade]

I have heard also that in many countries that don't grind to a halt in snowy weather people routinely use winter tyres for part of the year.
Low profile minimal tread things are great on tarmac but little use on snow.

I can't really justify winter tyres for the small amount of snow we get here , I carry AutoSocks once the weather gets dodgy. They do (as Jim) what it says on the tin

I do use 2 pairs as my BMW is RWD and I fancy being able to steer and stop to the same level I can accelerate....

Buy now; they'll be out of stock in December!

[Tony Schofield]

Heard a C63 drive past today....lovely sound....immediate thought was "I want", might not like the mpg too much though.

I've driven a C class 350 AMG diesel around Silverstone during the Britcar 24 hour race (its the Safety Car), it has a very smooth seamless seven speed autobox and flappy paddles, but didn't bother with them after a lap or two, just left it in Sport (for the suspension) and cruised round..

Mine is the same (although petrol). The sport setting changes the gear change settings also so don't need flappy paddles.

[johnep]

Million-Dollar Fender Bender - Yahoo! Autos

Can just imagine Upstart and Vanquish in this incident.
johnep

[vanquish s]

thats funny, but I hope im not that bad a driver