Hello all, just discovered the board

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Michigan
#1
I've been driving a 2005 Volvo S40 T5 the last couple years and my lease is almost up. I've decided to splurge and buy my first BMW this summer. I'm planing on a black on black 335i sedan. I live in MI so my only concern is if i should get the sports package or not. I've been reading over the forum and see that the tires on these 3's aren't meant to last long (20k mi). Anyone here put winters on their 3's? If so, how much cost am i looking at?
 
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Reading,PA
#2
Welcome Aboard, Captain!!!

Lots of people put winter tires on their BMWs. I would suggest getting a set of rims for the winter tires as well. Swapping tires on rims frequently leads to bead air leaks. If you go with 4 rims and tires, you will spend $75 - $200 each for rims, and $100 each or so for tires. You do have the luxury of watching EBay for some nice used rims for a few months. Sometimes you can get a nice set for a $200 - $300.
 
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#3
Also, as Kirby suggested you can pick up a set of winter wheels with tires for fairly cheap off ebay or craigslist. Just have to be a little vigilant and buy it in the summer.
 
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Michigan
#5
Thanks guys. Appreciate your help. I don't see the point of getting the 335i without the sports package (won't be able to put the power to the road) so i'm going to have to shell out some extra cash for the wheels. God i hate living in Michigan!

I really can't wait to pick up my new car this summer. I've been waiting all my life to get into a Beemer.
 
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#7
Captain_Ahab said:
Thanks guys. Appreciate your help. I don't see the point of getting the 335i without the sports package (won't be able to put the power to the road) so i'm going to have to shell out some extra cash for the wheels. God i hate living in Michigan!

I really can't wait to pick up my new car this summer. I've been waiting all my life to get into a Beemer.
Michigan isn't that bad as far as weather, unless you're in the UP. I spent a year in Detroit; weather was no different than Maryland. I saw many performance cars out starting in early April.
And I'm with Dan (Big Daddy), go for the sport package; you'll most likely be happy you did. I drove up to Grand Rapids on several occasions in my buddy's e46 and on those highways there was plenty of room to enjoy the 'sports package,' if you know what I mean.
 
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#8
Big Daddy said:
I would get the sports package as well, and Captain it's Bimmer, not beemer (that's the motorcycle) Post us some photos when you get her!

Thanks for the correction. Not even a few hours on the board and i've already learned something. [:)]
 
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#9
selavia said:
Michigan isn't that bad as far as weather, unless you're in the UP. I spent a year in Detroit; weather was no different than Maryland. I saw many performance cars out starting in early April.
And I'm with Dan (Big Daddy), go for the sport package; you'll most likely be happy you did. I drove up to Grand Rapids on several occasions in my buddy's e46 and on those highways there was plenty of room to enjoy the 'sports package,' if you know what I mean.

I live in a suburb of Detroit. you'd be suprised sometimes we just get extreme blizzards. Yes, i think i'm going to get the sports package it just doesn't make sense to spend 40k for a car and not spend the extra 1600 to make it a real sports sedan. I remember getting my Volvo and thinking it was very fast (i had a Ford Focus out of college) so i can only imagine the power of that new twin turbo engine. I've never owned a car above 220hp.
 
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#11
Just avoid the lodge 10.... haha.
I know MI can have extreme blizzards, MD as well; but the type that type of weather will only keep you from enjoying the sport package maybe a month out of the year; so, at least in my opinion, it's worth it. And Detroit was pretty good about cleaning up the snow, at least when I was there.
 
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#12
selavia said:
Just avoid the lodge 10.... haha.
I know MI can have extreme blizzards, MD as well; but the type that type of weather will only keep you from enjoying the sport package maybe a month out of the year; so, at least in my opinion, it's worth it. And Detroit was pretty good about cleaning up the snow, at least when I was there.

M10 is great. There is no speed limit on that highway(no place for cops to park as there are no shoulders). I've heard that even with an inch of snow its not safe to be on sports tires.

Where abouts in Maryland do you live? I've got some family near Baltimore.
 
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#14
Well, yes, with Summer Tires one inch of snow will cause problems. But if you have a good brand of all seasons you'll be fine. In MI, I'd probably use All-Season tires most of the time. Also, snow tires really help alot in the snow.
 
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#15
Wilkommen an Bord [driving2]

I almost always get the sport pkg. on our Bimmers. The wheels and seats alone, make it worthwhile, and the sport tuned suspension makes it handle and feel great (although here in L.A., the potholes are murder with the sports pkg.)

You'll enjoy the 335i a lot. You might have a much more intimate relationship with your service advisor, opposed to Volvo, but it seems that the majority of BMW owners sacrifice great reliability for performance and sheer driving pleasure.

Good Luck!
 


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