Hi everyone, i know a lot of you on here use your 997 as a daily driver and i try to use mine as much as possible as well. However, living in the heart a major city necessitates another set of wheels. I am considering a 335xi sedan, which would be perfect for my situation (Chicago winters, driving others comfortably, still want top perfromance and looks). Any fellow rennlisters use this car (or something similar like the 328xi) as a daily driver? Is it great in the winters? As far as other choices, I really like the new C class but those bozos made the slower C300 sport available with a manual but not the more powerful C350 sport! I should buy a BMW for that alone.

 

I have an S4 for my daily driver - AND LUV IT!!!

 

^ +1

 

I'm in a similar situation. I have a C2 and had my AWD winter car totalled. Leaning towards a C4S for all year use, but have considered the $50K price point cars that I'd use in winter while keeping the C2 for good weather use.

My candidates are the 335xi and Audi's 4 series. The Audi S/RS would satisfy my sports car jones, but I can't pull the trigger given the pukey gas mileage they get (14 city/18 hwy). May consider the A4 w/ S-line package that is identical to the S4 except for the engine.

The BMW would have been the perfect choice, good mileage, excellent performance, sports car heritage, blah-blah. But it is NOT offered with their "sport tuned suspension" which is available on the "i" cars. And the suspension is raised an inch or so higher than the "i's" too. I'll be testing the xi, but am pessimistic that I'll like the handling without the sport suspension. And when I've asked on their forum about aftermarket fixes, I've yet to be pointed at the likely sources.....

 

I live in similar winter environs with the added pain of altitude, so I went with a 335xi sedan as my wife's DD. I'm stuck driving a Porsche V8 turbo as my DD... oh, the agony.

The BMW is a really nice machine. Very nice ride quality and a very nice interior. Can't beat the bang for the buck.

 

I own a 2003 BMW 325 XIT Sportwagon and LOVE it. Comfortable, fun to drive, good ground clearance for heavy snow, all-wheel drive, and lots of storage for hauling things needed for the house. I took a hard look at the Audi A4 Avant but enjoyed the handling and styling of the BMW better.

 

I almost bought a 328xi to DD with my 911, but a guy who owned one told me the AWD sucks on it. He got stuck a couple of times last winter and didn't recommend it. As a multiple Audi owner, I can tell you that quattro is great in the snow. If you don't want to pop for an S4, get a 2.0T A4 (all are S-lines in 2008 models). Most of the same car for a lot less money...

 

I was a hardcore BMW fan until the latest flame designs and the poor "modern" interiors (no longer form over function). So I avoided the newer 3 series in favor of a simple A4 for my daily / winter driver. The point of a 2nd car for me is to be rock-solid in the rain, cold, snow, etc. So, no reason for anything more than a simple A4. The lease deal I got back in October was really amazing -- something like $350 a month with no money down for 10k miles a year (which is plenty as I put about 6-7k a year on the 997S). The A4 has actually been the only car I've purchased that has had zero issues with it...

 

The A4 Quattro with a 2.0 and a six-speed is the way to go. Great lease deals on 07's right now! Be sure to get dealer to throw in "free" maintenance.

 

My daily is an 07 328XI coupe. It has met all of my expectations and MORE! I mount Blizzaks for the winter months and it climbs trees!

 

My wife has an S4, I have a C2S and use an A3 for my Daily. With an the A3 chipped and few other minor nods I really prefer the A3 over the S4 or an A4.

 

I don't know if BMW changed their traction control module on the E90s . E46s actually cut power when detecting loss of traction where Audi sends more power to the other wheels. I would turn traction control off when driving up a hill with 8+ inches of snow and have never had a problem getting around.

 

I'd Go with an Audi instead. Their all wheel drive system is far superior to BMW's.

 

I am also in the market for a new winter driver. I drove the 328xi and was a bit disappointed with the harshness of the runflats. My old 325xi was significantly smoother. The handling of the 3 series are still the benchmark that others strive to acheive. The 335xi apparently has a less harsh ride which I cannot explain.

I will also look at the A4 but the BMW free maintenance (not so for the new Audis) is very attractive to me.

 

I also have an Audi S4 for my daily drive. V8, 6 speed, great in the snow with snow tires. I have 42k miles on my 05 and no problems.