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equ · 10-30-2019, 10:30 AM

Josh, thanks for posting... Snow comparisons are dear to my heart... I've been so many iterations of these cars (except the very last 2019+ 3-series and 2016+ a4/s4; I'm not really up to date on those changes)...

I would echo Kog to begin with. While I didn't own an e46 xdrive, I drove them a bunch of times. I didn't try them in deep snow or ice, but they weren't that great to drive on dry/wet either, really diminishing the e46 experience.

What do I care about in snow driving?
1. Don't get stuck
2. Be fun

My 00 Audi had Torsen longitudinal quattro, NO traction control/ESP. That only caught me out once when I hit black ice and had a horrible half-spin on the highway. Around me were several accidents right in that stretch. I was lucky enough to save it but I cannot forget seeing the windshield facing the median at 55mph. It just snapped and ESP may have been of help. I must have lifted when I saw the 18-wheeler next to me sway and that's probably what triggered the LTO.

It never got stuck and boy did I push my luck. Was it power oversteer-y in a fun way? Rarely, but at the time, having come from RWD and FWD cars, the capability itself was fun, the pull was unbelievable to my 90's experience. I was on a joint ski trip with a 330Ci (on good snows) and my a4 on decent all-seasons, you cannot believe how much easier it was for me to climb hills, the handling disadvantage vanished.

Then I went to RWD for years (04 through 09 with a bit of Subie support from the SO). Various bmw's, fundamentally e90 330i with DTC did pretty great. I did have a 330xi for one winter (before it got rammed) and that was even better.

I came back to AWD with a new 2010 a4. It felt like the best of both worlds. Still strong in almost never getting stuck (I did need a push on a 2ft drift - yes I took my car out in that with Jeeps & LR's stuck around me, I did have snow tires). Additionally, it had a more playful rear on the snow than previous Audis (less weight up front, 60/40 power distribution). Still torsen.

Went to a e90 335xi for one winter. It did ok in the Vermont hills and was generally a nice car (also best color, Lemans Blue!). However, it simply could not park on snow/ice piles. Short of clutch burning, traction on/off/half-off I had real trouble in spots where FWD mini's with all-seasons pulled out of. It could get stuck spinning two diagonal wheels.

That led to the 2014 S4. Two winters in that were fantastic. Just like the 2010 A4, marginally more traction and fun...

Another couple of winters with no AWD (as I traded the S4 for the boxster) and I moved to a hilly area. The 535i soldiered on but did not give me the confidence of not getting stuck.

Now the 340i xdrive... I've only done one storm, one Canada trip. It does feel better than the e90 xdrive, I'm not sure what the difference is. Also, crucially, you can get the adaptive suspension with AWD on this car. No complaints, but the m-sport bumper could take some damage going forward. I would echo the review. It's great to drive on the snow; very neutral.

10-30-2019, 10:30 AM	#6
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,583	Josh, thanks for posting... Snow comparisons are dear to my heart... I've been so many iterations of these cars (except the very last 2019+ 3-series and 2016+ a4/s4; I'm not really up to date on those changes)... I would echo Kog to begin with. While I didn't own an e46 xdrive, I drove them a bunch of times. I didn't try them in deep snow or ice, but they weren't that great to drive on dry/wet either, really diminishing the e46 experience. What do I care about in snow driving? 1. Don't get stuck 2. Be fun My 00 Audi had Torsen longitudinal quattro, NO traction control/ESP. That only caught me out once when I hit black ice and had a horrible half-spin on the highway. Around me were several accidents right in that stretch. I was lucky enough to save it but I cannot forget seeing the windshield facing the median at 55mph. It just snapped and ESP may have been of help. I must have lifted when I saw the 18-wheeler next to me sway and that's probably what triggered the LTO. It never got stuck and boy did I push my luck. Was it power oversteer-y in a fun way? Rarely, but at the time, having come from RWD and FWD cars, the capability itself was fun, the pull was unbelievable to my 90's experience. I was on a joint ski trip with a 330Ci (on good snows) and my a4 on decent all-seasons, you cannot believe how much easier it was for me to climb hills, the handling disadvantage vanished. Then I went to RWD for years (04 through 09 with a bit of Subie support from the SO). Various bmw's, fundamentally e90 330i with DTC did pretty great. I did have a 330xi for one winter (before it got rammed) and that was even better. I came back to AWD with a new 2010 a4. It felt like the best of both worlds. Still strong in almost never getting stuck (I did need a push on a 2ft drift - yes I took my car out in that with Jeeps & LR's stuck around me, I did have snow tires). Additionally, it had a more playful rear on the snow than previous Audis (less weight up front, 60/40 power distribution). Still torsen. Went to a e90 335xi for one winter. It did ok in the Vermont hills and was generally a nice car (also best color, Lemans Blue!). However, it simply could not park on snow/ice piles. Short of clutch burning, traction on/off/half-off I had real trouble in spots where FWD mini's with all-seasons pulled out of. It could get stuck spinning two diagonal wheels. That led to the 2014 S4. Two winters in that were fantastic. Just like the 2010 A4, marginally more traction and fun... Another couple of winters with no AWD (as I traded the S4 for the boxster) and I moved to a hilly area. The 535i soldiered on but did not give me the confidence of not getting stuck. Now the 340i xdrive... I've only done one storm, one Canada trip. It does feel better than the e90 xdrive, I'm not sure what the difference is. Also, crucially, you can get the adaptive suspension with AWD on this car. No complaints, but the m-sport bumper could take some damage going forward. I would echo the review. It's great to drive on the snow; very neutral.