chobit

IMHO
BMW = Best handling, feedback, real sport sedan, not as luxury
Audi = Good handling, decent feedback, good luxury, and pretty LED Daytime running light if you like the look
Benz = Least handling, minimal feeback, great luxury, status
VW = inexpensive alternative, it was never on my list.

Finance vs Lease:
Lease may yield lower monthly payment, but it cost alot more for total owership.  If I remember correctly, your down payment doesn't save you on (interest) money factor.
http://www.leaseguide.com/Glossary/money-factor.htm
because the money factor is base on the amount before the down payment.
Lease amount is base on the the residual value.  The lower the residual value, the more you end up paying on the lease.  So, car with better resale value may yield better over lease total expenses.  Jap better than Euro.
If budget is limited, I highly recommend you to check out some Certified Pre-owned.  Most CPO warranty is just like the original warranty offer by the car manufacture.  In some cases, the warranty is stackable.  Eg. if a 2011 car comes with 3 years warranty, CPO offer 2 years warranty.  Then a 2009 of the same car would give you 1+2= 3 years warranty.
If you are patient enough, you may find something that has low milage (like new) local car available.
I am personally driving a 06 Porchse C4S which I bought just 6 months ago.  Purchase with only 13K miles with 2 years CPO warranty.  I am probably saving $40K.
Have fun shopping for your next car =D

chobit

Without asking High quality + good condition snow tires would be my #1 item when it comes to snow driving vs FWD/RWD/4WD.  Provided with same snow tires, then that AWD with traction control would be much easier to drive than both FWD and RWD.

My snow driving experience with RWD was not so good.  It was my 99 Miata with snow tires.  I was down a 2% grade hill, in 2nd gear at slower speed than most other cars already, but the engine braking in the Rear wheel was enough to break loose twice.  I drove the same road many times with my AWD Subaru at much higher speed with ease. I think the engine braking happen more even to all 4 wheels help big time for overall balance to the car.
It may also has to do with the fact that there is more traction at the front when going down hill, therefore, with most front engine car where weight is already at the front, the rear would provide alot less traction then the front which then allow the rear end to break loose much earlier.  As I read more about Porsche 911 on the forum during this winter, I learn that the Rear Engine RWD setup actually work very well in the snow, because the extra weight in the back.

As long as you have snow tires, AWD/4WD would be easier to drive than FWD, while FWD is easier to drive than RWD in most cases.

chobit

Provided with the same amount of traction from the tires and road conditions.  4WD/AWD would help not only to keep your car moving, but it will help putting power from the engine to the road where it needs, so that your car will also turns better at turns.  Afterall, you now have 4 tires vs 2 to control where the engine powers go.  So, it's not wise to dismiss the additional traction control provided by AWD or 4WD.

I don't try to be an expert, but with 4 years of 4x4 off road expereince, and owing 5 modern AWD for the last 10 years.  I do know enough about 4WD/AWD/4x4

Point is moot...

The contenders mentioned, BMW, Audi, Merc, VW, even the Buick, all have TCS and  ...
BiscottiGelato 發表於 2011-2-10 14:29

chobit

Good for you.  I did test drive a 328xi back in 2008.  The automatically transmission seems abit slow when get the car to go from stop to move.  It's like there is a delay of .5s before it responses to the gas pedal, but once it started moving, you can tell it's good.

But then driving in Vancouver is far too diff. than where I live now (Seattle).  So, I am sure both cars will serve you very well.

前幾日終於去試左車 C300 4matic / 328xi, 兩部車都好好揸, 超正 !!! 不過 C class 既 Interior 真係好過架 ...
miga 發表於 2011-2-10 15:04

chobit

Calm down my friend.  I was trying to reply BiscottiGelato, since he mentions AWD is no use for cornering & braking , but car moving only.

回復  miga

BMW包換油，good deal.

想請問，日本車每5000km換一次油，歐洲車8000km換一次，為什么BMW可 ...
elan7e 發表於 2011-2-10 22:16

chobit

To be honest, not AWD are design the same.  But I pick good snow tires on RWD over average AWD + average OEM all season tires.

我都知呀媽係女人.  鬼唔知 snow tire + AWD 最好咩?

I thought the debate was about RWD snow tire VS ...
MSN04 發表於 2011-2-10 16:39

chobit

I think your statement on the following are true anymore

Japanese car = 5000km
European car = 8000km
BMW = (16000km) guess u had a typo

(Sorry about the mix of km and miles)

Some Japanese made like Acura doesn't go by the 5000km interval, it uses the computer to analyze the driving style and speed for oid change interval instead, which in our case is around 10,000km average

Some euro car allow 20,000 miles or 2 years interval, which I think should at least be done in 10,000 miles or 1 year.

By previously owned Jeep and Subaru were both using synthetic Amsoil and long interval filter.  I kept my Subaru with the recommended interval of 7500 miles because it's a turbo car + modifed and was driven pretty hard.  But then, my Jeep was recommend for oil change every 5000km and I was doing approx 15,000km, and the car was sold at around 90,000km.  A leak down/compresssion test were done before it was sold, and the engine condition is like new.

So, my conclusion:  As long as you go with high quality engine oil and filter, your car would be safe by following the oil change guideline provided by the car manufacturers including BMW.

回復  miga

BMW包換油，good deal.

想請問，日本車每5000km換一次油，歐洲車8000km換一次，為什么BMW可 ...
elan7e 發表於 2011-2-10 22:16