Yeah that would be scary for sure. I had a couple rough drives where a normal 30 minute drive turned into 3 1/2 hours...but im glad you and your Ti made it home without incident!

I dunno, for me and my experiences, my Ti will never see snow again - for any type of commute anyways... a run to the bank or store, sure but thats it.

ASC is a joke if you have any decent hills to climb. My opinion may change when I swap to a LSD... but nothing does better in the snow than a FWD car with good all-seasons tires, no matter how good you may think the Ti does with top of line snowshoes on it...
and not everyone is willing or can afford to pay $1000 for purpose snow/ice tires. So if your ballin on a budget, chances are your not gonna be spending that kinda dough on tires. Id sooner buy a 88 Ford Tempo for $400 and run it for winter.
I guess everyone has their own opinions, but my winters last 5-6 months of the year, and Ive been driving in brutal winters for the last 6 years, so I think I know what Im talking about.
Don't get me wrong, you'll make it where ever your going, just factor in a lot more time and also, you'll probably have alot less hair by the time you get there. :rolleyes:

dbl post, delete pls.

Gosh, so much to think about, esp. in regards to the snow situation. I expected it would be hard and expensive to give the 318 more pep, bummer. I know a lot of parts for these cars are 318ti specific. So is sourcing parts difficult?

snow & ti do not mix... I dont come near mine when it snows!
its horrific on snow.

P.S. - ASC+T sux too on snow.. I had to shut it off and baby the throtle last time I drove on snow, otherwise I could not get it moving while ASC+T was engaged.

Man, I know snow conditions vary but there are some very conflicting opinions here, hahaha.

i love driveing my ti in the snow not to mention i have blizzaks , have not got stuck this winter at all . but with the front being so low its like driveing a little snow plow hehe

Snow tires are a must I use Michelin arctic alpines on my stock rims then flip to my summer tires. Arctic Alpines are like four wheel drive they are that good. Have not had a problem with Michigan winters matter of fact we are getting eight more inches of snow right now :frown: over 80" so far this year....

I think you will enjoy the Ti shares a lot of parts with the other 3's b piller forward................vwt3

you mean a-pillar? I'm pretty sure most stuff behind the a-pillar is ti-specific, in front it's a 318 sedan

The 1996 318ti's came with a LSD correct?

My guess is alot depends on your driving style. I had I-40 in colorado close on me once when I was going out to ski, but then I took a back road that was snow covered and drifted my car all the way up and down the mountain. It was a great time and was very predictable despite my use of bf traction t/a tires. I don't think I would do it with the bf gforce sports that I have now. I would highly recommend getting the lsd as it would definitely help with getting up snowy hills, I don't have it and I can tell that it hurts traction when it comes to those situations only having the ASC. I know the LSD came on clubsports, I think it was optional in later years (96+)

I drive my ti in the winter with a set of winter tires and didn't get stuck at all. I like it way more than all seasons.

Here is a tip on ASC+T that might work for everyone. You can read up on it on BAVAUTO website.

http://www.bavauto.com/newsletter/20...newsletter.pdf

it was optional on all years, my 95 active has one :biggrin:

Fine in Boston
 

Put on Michelin Pilot Alpine and it is great in the Boston Snow. It is much better than my wife's Mazda 3 with her Continental snow tires, and that is front wheel drive. Buy a used set of wheels from Craigslist and it shouldn't run too much money. I got a set of wheels for $300 in perfect shape, but you can do cheaper if you don't mind a little corrosion or rash for cosmetics.

IMHO, $5500 seems too high. KBB on my 1998 with less miles is only around $4500. Unless this thing is excellent, I would try to get at least $1000 off.

Car isn't very fast, but it is light and a blast to drive around. For a city, it is perfect. On the highway, my manual turns 4K rpm at 80 mph, which is great for acceleration but not for noise. However, you already know this is a sporty car, not a luxury car. Otherwise, find a used 5 or 7 series for a nice comfy ride.

With some good snow tires and careful driving you will be fine. An LSD helps a lot too.

yeah we got slammed with snow this year in the midwest!!

driving wise my 95 is desent in the snow with norm. driving all season tires its done fine this year but its definetly gettin garage bound next year because i'm goin off to college so..... yeah