as0105

I'm in a dilemma here, currently stuck between the 350 and the 250AWD. I drive 60 miles total to work and back everyday all year round, and am worried about driving in snow/rain with the 350. On the other hand, I feel the AWD feature of the 250 would help me a lot under those circumstances. My main hindrance from the 250AWD is the lack of power compared to the 350.

So, the question for 350 drivers is: How does the 350 drive in the snow? What would you recommend from personal experience?

250AWD drivers: Do you feel a significant lack of power in the 250?

I really appreciate any advice I can get. Thanks everyone!

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

AWD does not fully protect in snow. Snow tires do.

Get a 350. You'll enjoy the power; just be more conservative in inclement weather...

projectdna

iTrader: (56)

350 + snow = slip 'n slide

however

350 + safe driving techniques = no problems

r1lee

I would have prefered a Lexus IS350AWD and that would have solved everybody's problem.

RWD = BAD
RWD + SNOW'S = BETTER
AWD + SNOWS = BEST

I'm quite happy with the low end feel in the car for my everyday driving. But when I step on the gas, it's all show no go. Meaning, my BLITZ intake sounds great and all, but the car really doesn't go.

I'm sure the IS350 would be lots more fun, but there are days that I'm glad I have an AWD car. 1-2ft of snow and not enough plows to remove it from the ground, are days that I'd rather not risk.

But that's the reason why I actually have 2 cars, it fulfills my needs. If you think you can be safe and if the route that you take home is cleared very well, all the time. Then go with 350, but if you know there are times when you will be driving in the deep stuff. Maybe reconsider..... even another car like the G35x which gives you a lot of go and a safety factor.

Chigger

Not even a question in my book... 350 with snow tires all the way. If you don't want to drive it in the snow... get a beater.

TheLexSter

I'm in Chicago and have awd... works great in the 4 or 5 snows a yr that we have! Better that acura's awd setup by far.. even with the stock crap tires, I drove with over confidence in 8"'s of snow....
That said, I wished I bought the 350 as for as little as it snows... I coulda bought a used 4x4 in decent shape for 10K.... anyway hind sight! You will love it during winter conditions... if it's only a few times a yr... then you may consider a beater truck for those few days just my .02 cents
Either car will knock your socks off.. sure the 350 rocks... the awd is zippy & fun.... more than enough power to pass most anyone you want, whenever you want...

GSE25

If I had to do it all over again I'd be in a 350 right now. But if I were in your shoes, I'd get the 335xi sedan.

mlee21

i would do the same

fantom

Well, we each have our own book, don't we?

The 250 will go just about as fast as the 350. It will just take a few more seconds to get there. If you use your car mainly for highway travel to and from work, and as you say, that's about 300 miles a week, you'll like the better MPG of the 250, and in your harsh winters the AWD + snow tires will be great.

Only you can write "your book" about the added power of the 350 vs the economy and safety of an AWD 250. I wouldn't want a 250, but we don't get snow down here. You really can't go wrong with either, but test drive both and make up your own mind as to what a "significant lack of power" is.

Good luck!

PS: The BMW 335xi will be a great ride IF you want to both wait for delivery and pay about $18K more.

IS_NIICE

iTrader: (1)

only make 328xi and 18k more? no, not possible.

joonsta

Well, the 335xi was supposed to come out in March .

hihi410

I have yet to drive my IS250 AWD in any hazard condition, but I have to say that I wouldn't mind having the IS350.

I am please with my car, but just a bit disappointed with the intial accelaration.

I know we are all Lexus fans here, but I have to say that I wish they would of had just a bit more kick to IS250.

Hopefully my opinion is subject to change once I tested my IS250 AWD in hazardous conditions.

intrinsic

iTrader: (2)

I was in the same boat as you but i decided to go with the AWD. Back in June last year i crashed my 06 EVO MR and and needed to get a car ASAP since it was my daily dirver. decided to go with the handling on the AWD rather than the power in the 350 since i go to Lake Tahoe more than trying to race rice rockets. So far i love it, no problems in the snow and just enough power for me.

IS_NIICE

iTrader: (1)

bmw is laggin, but lets calculate the numbers. at MSRP my car was 44200. the 335i sedan runs around 44-47k. so add an xi awd option probably around 50k for the 335xi sedan. the is350 is only rwd so lets say they make an awd. it would around 3-4k more so that would put the car around 48k vs 50k. but bmw has free maintenance. who the hell said 18k more?

i am getting 50k on a coupe by the way. and that's on a loaded coupe, minus steptronic.

mctuners

For the performance, we all know that IS350 is much better.
However, for you, as a commuter who drives that far of distance everyday including snowy winter, I would go for AWD. IS250 AWD does not have as good power as IS350, but it has enough power you need.