[RaidersFan]

Which would you choose? Why? Talking about snow conditions. Looking at dumping my sedan for a wagon: the space would come in handy, and they drive the the same, more or less, in dry conditions.

I assume the wagon might be better in snow, but would love some confirmation of this. The sedan is OK, not stellar, with performance snows. I owned a few Volvo wagons (old 240/245 RWD) and they were always bomber in snowy conditions.

[ping65810]

Its prob going to be nearly the same. If you want good snow performance, buy an Xi. However, owning both Xi models and regular RWD BMWs over the years, I will say, as long as you don't drive like an ass a regular RWD should be fine.

[VTECaddict]

Negligible difference if any. Get snow tires.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Absolutely no difference whatsoever, other than how much car is going to slide on the snow and ice.
Get yourself some Michelin Alpin PA3 or PA4 tires and call it a day.

[CombatNinja]

Removing tires from the equation, no perceptible difference. Either one with proper winter tires is fine in the snow.

[pits200]

Just because the norm of wagons being better in bad conditions is ridiculous. The e90 and e91 are the same cars just different looks and maybe slightly different f/r weight ratio.

[Kolyan2k]

Go for e92 its the best in snow

[f0xfire021]

The e91 has a couple hundred pounds more in the rear because of the hatch, but I don't think you'd ever feel that in normal driving. I got the wagon to haul our dog, but it has great all around utility the rest of the time as well.

[NormE91]

I don't think the e91 has any/much extra weight on the rear. While it's obviously true it has a hatch, it also doesn't have a trunk lid or trunk/cabin wall.

As far as the OP's question; I don't think the body style has any effect. The awd will be better/easier in snow. Sure, you can get by fine most of the time with rwd and snow tires, but awd is just easier.

Originally Posted by f0xfire021

The e91 has a couple hundred pounds more in the rear because of the hatch, but I don't think you'd ever feel that in normal driving. I got the wagon to haul our dog, but it has great all around utility the rest of the time as well.

[Mardio]

Yeah probably not a huge difference.

[Eddien123]

Not worth the effort and time. Plus sedans looks better

[CombatNinja]

Originally Posted by NormE91

I don't think the e91 has any/much extra weight on the rear. While it's obviously true it has a hatch, it also doesn't have a trunk lid or trunk/cabin wall.

You are way wrong. A wagon body style with all that extra glass a metal adds considerable bulk. While the wagon has no trunk lid it does have a hatch which easily feels twice as heavy. One final thing to consider is that all U.S. tourings had the panoramic roof as standard. We know how heavy moonroofs are and the pano roof is just a triple sized moonroof after all. All in, the U.S. wagons are about +175 pounds over their sedan counterparts.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by dawgcatching

Which would you choose? Why? Talking about snow conditions. Looking at dumping my sedan for a wagon: the space would come in handy, and they drive the the same, more or less, in dry conditions.

I assume the wagon might be better in snow, but would love some confirmation of this. The sedan is OK, not stellar, with performance snows. I owned a few Volvo wagons (old 240/245 RWD) and they were always bomber in snowy conditions.

I suggest you check out 5 series wagon as well. I think it is the best wagon period. Otherwise I would get e90i. Nothing will give you better traction in snow/ice than 50/50 weight balance, awd and winter rubber. Wagons are heavy so try to get the largest engine possible (i.e. 535).

[ny325]

Doesn't matter, wagon or sedan. Rwd is Rwd. I don't drive my car when it snows. I have Rwd, and I don't feel comfortable driving in those conditions, regardless of snow tires.

[NormE91]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

You are way wrong. A wagon body style with all that extra glass a metal adds considerable bulk. While the wagon has no trunk lid it does have a hatch which easily feels twice as heavy. One final thing to consider is that all U.S. tourings had the panoramic roof as standard. We know how heavy moonroofs are and the pano roof is just a triple sized moonroof after all. All in, the U.S. wagons are about +175 pounds over their sedan counterparts.

Ok, I get that the wagon is somewhat heavier, but the weight distribution, apparently, is still close to 50/50 from what I've read. A quick search found this thread on bimmerfest, but I know I saw this elsewhere too

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=234800

[NormE91]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

You are way wrong. A wagon body style with all that extra glass a metal adds considerable bulk. While the wagon has no trunk lid it does have a hatch which easily feels twice as heavy. One final thing to consider is that all U.S. tourings had the panoramic roof as standard. We know how heavy moonroofs are and the pano roof is just a triple sized moonroof after all. All in, the U.S. wagons are about +175 pounds over their sedan counterparts.

I was just thinking... I wonder if the panoramic roof is how they keep the weight distribution even in the wagon...

Also,the hatch may be heavier than a trunk but I think it feels even heavier because when you open it your pulling against some pretty stiff gas shocks. You're also lifting the glass, which obviously is stationary in the sedan.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by dawgcatching

I owned a few Volvo wagons (old 240/245 RWD) and they were always bomber in snowy conditions.

They had more ground clearance and were as heavy as tanks. My sis had a 240 with snows and the thing was a beast.

[brinkmann]

Originally Posted by ping65810

However, owning both Xi models and regular RWD BMWs over the years, I will say, as long as you don't drive like an ass a regular RWD should be fine.

**if you have snow tires

[Bob Shiftright]

Originally Posted by dawgcatching

Which would you choose? Why? Talking about snow conditions. Looking at dumping my sedan for a wagon: the space would come in handy, and they drive the the same, more or less, in dry conditions.

Since I have an E91 (ZSP) RWD and snow tires....

(The car is at the dealer getting reprogrammed tonight but since we saw our first snow flurries of the season this morning, I should put the snow tires on soon.)

[335BOY]

BMW= Barely Moves in Winter.

[f0xfire021]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

You are way wrong. A wagon body style with all that extra glass a metal adds considerable bulk. While the wagon has no trunk lid it does have a hatch which easily feels twice as heavy. One final thing to consider is that all U.S. tourings had the panoramic roof as standard. We know how heavy moonroofs are and the pano roof is just a triple sized moonroof after all. All in, the U.S. wagons are about +175 pounds over their sedan counterparts.

Yes, definitely more weight back there. Purely from a dynamics standpoint it's not very noticeable, but off the line the e90 feels quicker having driven it and my e91 back to back. For what it's worth, the xdrive is a beast in the snow and ice, even with all seasons. I haven't driven a RWD bmw in the snow, but I have a hard time believing it'd be that bad given how heavy they are and their 50/50 weight distribution, particularly with a good set of snows.

[BostonB6]

E93's weight distribution is around 46/54. Does that make them best in the snow, especially with the top down?