[chatoyer]

Having just sprung more than a few thousand for winter tires and OEM wheels, I'm now thinking I should have invested the money in a winter beater.

In the deep winter months, when it will be -30C at night, I'll only be traveling long distances two days a week. For the other three days, just short hops to my daughters school and then back to my home office. I know the short hops are not that good for any car, and I could probably run it out a bit each time. We don't salt as much here because it's too cold. Not like Ontario anyway.

So, just curious: anyone else going the beater route this winter?

Mine is a 2011 328xi with 41000km on on the odo. I do have the OEM battery tender.

[P-rex]

Think about it... The added insurance... Maintenance...winter tires on the beater... Added headache of where to park and etc..

A good set of winters is a no-brainer unless your driving an M3

[Gizm0]

I've been thinking about it... I can find old pickup trucks or old Jeep Cherokees for less than a set of winter tires and rims for my car... I'm mostly worried about other drivers driving with their all season tires in the snow crashing into my car, so if I was to drive one of these old beaters, I wouldn't have worry about it. I came really close to get hit multiple times last winter because of that... idiots driving just a few feet away from your rear bumper on A/S tires.

There was this one time I was coming up on a traffic light, doing maybe 35/40mph on a 55mph road covered up with snow/ice, going downhill, and a woman in a Honda Accord probably two or three car lengths behind me the when the light turns yellow... I press on the brakes and slow down without a problem (I was on winter tires), I see her getting closer and closer to my rear bumper, then she swerved to the left to avoid me, the back started sliding, counter steered and swerved back to the right, and repeated the left/right/left/right slides a few times. Meanwhile I let go off the brakes and go through the red light so she doesn't end up crashing into me... I look in my mirror and her car ended up sideways in the middle of the intersection.

[_Sinister_]

Gonna be driving my whip. Hopefully my tires are still good for this winter lol if not ill be buying some snow threads or driving the wifes Acadia.

[Miller335]

I drive my honda accord in the winter.

I personally would never drive a nice car I cared for in the winter but then again I'm poor compared to some people here so I might be coming from a different prospective.

[Mardio]

The question is what is affordable. If you can garage your baby and have a beater this is a perfect solution. It depends on your bank account.

[bbbuzzy]

I personally would never drive a nice car I cared for in the winter but then again I'm poor compared to some people here so I might be coming from a different prospective.

Buying a second car to avoid driving the one you have in the winter doesn't always make financial sense. In addition to the money spent on buying it, you have to register, inspect, insure, and maintain it. I'd like to see some real numbers from anyone that thinks it will cost you less. Admittedly, your chance of sliding off the road and crashing it goes way down if you don't use it, but you will pay more for the security.

It's just a car, I say drive it.

[NorthernCAE90]

-30??? Jesus I'm glad I don't live where you live, let alone in a winter tire needed area. 40F is cold enough for me.

[Gizm0]

Originally Posted by NorthernCAE90

-30??? Jesus I'm glad I don't live where you live, let alone in a winter tire needed area. 40F is cold enough for me.

[Miller335]

Originally Posted by bbbuzzy

Buying a second car to avoid driving the one you have in the winter doesn't always make financial sense. In addition to the money spent on buying it, you have to register, inspect, insure, and maintain it. I'd like to see some real numbers from anyone that thinks it will cost you less. Admittedly, your chance of sliding off the road and crashing it goes way down if you don't use it, but you will pay more for the security.

It's just a car, I say drive it.

Naw, my 98 accord cost me $2500 and it is a one owner 5 speed.
The car will still be worth $2000 in 5 years. Car was bought with cash so I keep only liability on it (I drive like a pro, son) so it's dirt nothing to insure.

Driving a car in the rain/snow just accelerates the wear on it, someone else will end up bumping into you also thats a fact. The stress I would go through driving my mint 335 manual in the bad weather wouldn't be worth it. The TCO on an older accord is really good and it's something to take advantage of IMO.

Then again you're talking to a person who hasn't drivin his 335 in two weeks now cause of the rain.

[rdub315]

I support winter beaters... I've got a 2002 Subaru Outback Sport and it's great fun to drive in the snow. Being in upstate NY, we get plenty of it. The Subie also allows me to rally-x, and I also plan to start ice racing this winter.

335 is lowered on H&R cup kit, so I chose to go with a beater instead of a winter set. I would be snowplowing with my front bumper all over the place.

[Anthonyv335is]

i don't get it unless its m car our 3 series is beater

[techietaichi]

If I had a decent garage or the space to park more than two vehicles, I'd likely get a beater. Unfortunately, I'm not that fortunate, so my baby's gotta do. F**k I hate winter.

[Hops128i]

well you already have a xi, for me I would feel I was wasting its capability when it counts the most.

[MattMD]

Nope, usually doesn't get below 32F here.

[Dark_Knight_335]

I thought about it, but that I forgot about it.
Just winterize your car man- there's other things in life to piss your money away on.

[nanceman]

If you've got salt and want to keep your car for a while definitely do it. I've got a 9-2X Aero which is the perfect all weather car and between difference in maintenance and the 20% insurance discount for multiple policies, it's actually cheaper (other than car payment) to own both. If you plan to start building a collection of cars you'll do it eventually anyways. Plus it's just fun to drive different cars, and with a daily you can jump around easily if you want.

[straightcashhomie]

My 335 is my winter car lol

[mynycbimmer]

My bimmer is my all year round beater.

[miker2013]

Originally Posted by mynycbimmer

My bimmer is my all year round beater.

x2

[ping65810]

I drive a Winter beater sometimes, its a 1997 Range Rover. I also use it to tow with, trips to Home Depot, etc, so I already have it. I would not use a Winter beater if it wasn't for needing the towing for our boat or heavy hauling capability. However, it is nice to have an older SUV I can take through the really deep snow.

[Miller335]

Originally Posted by ping65810

I drive a Winter beater sometimes, its a 1997 Range Rover. I also use it to tow with, trips to Home Depot, etc, so I already have it. I would not use a Winter beater if it wasn't for needing the towing for our boat or heavy hauling capability. However, it is nice to have an older SUV I can take through the really deep snow.

I thought the spouse drives the full size rig in the stable year round?
At least that's how I do it. That way I don't have to drive that doofy thing around daily and just use it to tow something a few times a year and when it rarely snows it can punch through the drifts you'll find in the neighborhood roads before you get to the prepped main roads.