[atmosphericM]

Just curious - more of a fun thread...

I've noticed that there are a ton of Canada guys/girls here. Perhaps other forums I've frequented have been the same, and I just didn't notice because other forums didn't have the little "flag option" under the user name. But are Bimmers overly popular in Canada? Or is it just me?

I guess the AWD option makes them more attractive up there? I don't remember any 350Z drivers from CAN in my old Z days.. probably with good reason.

[CTinline-six]

They need the better handling to swerve around all the moose.

[atmosphericM]

I think you meant meese.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by atmosphericM

Just curious - more of a fun thread...

I've noticed that there are a ton of Canada guys/girls here. Perhaps other forums I've frequented have been the same, and I just didn't notice because other forums didn't have the little "flag option" under the user name. But are Bimmers overly popular in Canada? Or is it just me?

I guess the AWD option makes them more attractive up there? I don't remember any 350Z drivers from CAN in my old Z days.. probably with good reason.

Why wouldn't they, they're great cars.

And I just said fuck it and went with a RWD (335is). This winter we'll see how it goes

[Pladi]

the american feels threatened ahha love it

[mecheng77]

The yuppies in urban centres like myself love them. Along with Mercedes and Audi. They are all just behind the non luxury brands.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/...es-by-brand/#0

Canada also got the 323i for the E90 which is a stripper version that sold like crazy

[summilux]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

And I just said fuck it and went with a RWD (335is). This winter we'll see how it goes

The need for AWD is vastly overstated. You need winter rubber and common sense.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by summilux

The need for AWD is vastly overstated. You need winter rubber and common sense.

Man this is EXACTLY how I think about it! Just get a good set of winter tires and drive conservatively and not to fast and you'll be good! I'm happy to see someone with the same thought for once.

[jt335i]

Hello up there Canadian friends from sunny Florida!
Well, not so sunny right now due to our typical summer rain.

[Volasko]

Originally Posted by atmosphericM

Just curious - more of a fun thread...

I've noticed that there are a ton of Canada guys/girls here. Perhaps other forums I've frequented have been the same, and I just didn't notice because other forums didn't have the little "flag option" under the user name. But are Bimmers overly popular in Canada? Or is it just me?

I guess the AWD option makes them more attractive up there? I don't remember any 350Z drivers from CAN in my old Z days.. probably with good reason.

Maybe they are, maybe they aren't... what's it to you bud?!?

*takes a long drag of a dart.... and exhales slowly

[atmosphericM]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Canada also got the 323i for the E90 which is a stripper version that sold like crazy

I speculate that the value of the 3 series is slightly better in Canada vs. the US, partially because you guys did get that 323. I really wish the lower end versions of BMW's were offered in the US, but I understand why they aren't. I almost forget that BMW's are spec'd in Europe with cloth seats!

The way I look at it: It costs a lot to ship the cars from Germany, so it makes more sense to only ship cars that carry a higher price tag, so that the shipping costs equate to a small percentage of the cost of the car. I just find it interesting that you guys got the 323 while we did not. It's almost like BMW wants to keep their prices higher in the US and so chooses to not 'dilute' the brand with 'basic' models.. heaven forbid BMW not be considered a 'luxury' brand in the US... then they wouldn't be able to sell them for so much.

Really though, I was at the dealership the other day and I can't believe what they are asking for new X2's and 2 series cars. I feel like one would have to be a serious BMW nut-swinger to buy the X2 for all of that money when considering it's rivals (granted, I'm no expert on the X2, but wtf justifies it's $50,000 price tag!?). Oh shit - going OT here lol.

[atmosphericM]

Hmm, are American cars much more expensive in Canada than they are in the US? If so, that would explain a lot. I guess the a stripped 323 would have a hard time here competing with domestic cars, but if those same cars cost more in Canada, the 323 could edge out ahead.

Assuming US cars cost more there, is it common practice for people to drive to the US to purchase? Is that even legal?

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by atmosphericM

Hmm, are American cars much more expensive in Canada than they are in the US? If so, that would explain a lot. I guess the a stripped 323 would have a hard time here competing with domestic cars, but if those same cars cost more in Canada, the 323 could edge out ahead.

Assuming US cars cost more there, is it common practice for people to drive to the US to purchase? Is that even legal?

3 series starts at $35k in us but $46k in Canada. That’s 31% more but
That is also the dollar difference but I’ve seen bigger differences with other brands and ppl do import cars but the warrantee is not valid so not sure if it’s worth it for new cars

[e90yyc]

To anyone who says AWD is unnecessary, I both agree and disagree.

It’s true that it isn’t as critical as some make it out to be. But I can promise you that in areas with severe, severe snowfall in winter, you are absolutely at a disadvantage with RWD only.

See, for me it isn’t so much about what happens once you’re moving; it’s more about actually getting moving.

For a majority of climates, even snowy ones, you’re probably fine with RWD and good snow tires. But when you have a winter from hell (like we did last year in Calgary), you will understand why drivers in certain cities prefer having power to all their wheels.

There are areas and roads you would quite simply be fucked on with RWD only. The moment you stop, it’s game over. I don’t care how skilled you think you are. They just don’t clear some of the roads in our city, and even with AWD trying to get moving can be tricky.

Could I make due with RWD for 90% of situations in Calgary during the worst days of winter? Probably. But I’d rather not have to worry when I’m stopped on a hill or need to venture into an area with 18” of deep ass rutted shitty snow.

But yes, too many people are afraid of RWD for silly reasons, most of which stem from lack of skill.

It’s actually kind of sad because BMW Canada now sells almost exclusively xDrive vehicles. Only a very small number of RWD offerings here...

[ewicky]

Originally Posted by summilux

The need for AWD is vastly overstated. You need winter rubber and common sense.

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Man this is EXACTLY how I think about it! Just get a good set of winter tires and drive conservatively and not to fast and you'll be good! I'm happy to see someone with the same thought for once.

Apparently neither of you drive hills in the snow. Driving conservatively on winter tires in the snow only helps you stop and turn safely. Only AWD will get you up the hills. Source: I live in Seattle (very hilly) and also go skiing/snowboarding up at the mountain passes all winter. And I drive on 4 Blizzaks. Seattle also likes to hover right around freezing point when there's snow, resulting in a recently-Zamboni-ed-ice-rink level of slipperiness.

AWD is also great in the rain. Where I live, the roads are wet 8 months out of the year. I got tired of whirling my RWD wheels every time I tried to drive even slightly aggressively. AWD easily and completely fixes that.

[King Rudi]

I'm only here looking for the link to buy viagra online. Hopefully the new guy will be along soon to share his location of wares.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by Not_Judy

I'm only here looking for the link to buy viagra online. Hopefully the new guy will be along soon to share he location of wares.

I just spit coffee all over my keyboard...

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

I just spit coffee all over my keyboard...

[Luker2222]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

To anyone who says AWD is unnecessary, I both agree and disagree.

It’s true that it isn’t as critical as some make it out to be. But I can promise you that in areas with severe, severe snowfall in winter, you are absolutely at a disadvantage with RWD only.

See, for me it isn’t so much about what happens once you’re moving; it’s more about actually getting moving.

For a majority of climates, even snowy ones, you’re probably fine with RWD and good snow tires. But when you have a winter from hell (like we did last year in Calgary), you will understand why drivers in certain cities prefer having power to all their wheels.

There are areas and roads you would quite simply be fucked on with RWD only. The moment you stop, it’s game over. I don’t care how skilled you think you are. They just don’t clear some of the roads in our city, and even with AWD trying to get moving can be tricky.

Could I make due with RWD for 90% of situations in Calgary during the worst days of winter? Probably. But I’d rather not have to worry when I’m stopped on a hill or need to venture into an area with 18” of deep ass rutted shitty snow.

But yes, too many people are afraid of RWD for silly reasons, most of which stem from lack of skill.

It’s actually kind of sad because BMW Canada now sells almost exclusively xDrive vehicles. Only a very small number of RWD offerings here...

Well said, I totally agree. I would add that having AWD in the snowy winter months is also a lot more fun. Getting by with RWD would be okay, but a good set of snow tires and AWD is a fantastic combination. After the 6 month winter we just had in Toronto, I could not have been happier with the performance of my 328 xdive.

[gamesfrager]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Man this is EXACTLY how I think about it! Just get a good set of winter tires and drive conservatively and not to fast and you'll be good! I'm happy to see someone with the same thought for once.

Not the only one I do have winter tires on my 2011 328i, but last winter was a bit too much on a slight uphill. My neighbour had to bring these metal ridged tracks to put in front of the tires so I can get some tracktion.
Other than that, no issues.

[Drifter2090]

There's a very large BMW community, especially in the GTA

[BimmerNugget]

BMWs and most luxury cars in general are more plentiful in larger cities such as NYC/NJ area, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, Boston. Outside of the USA, Toronto and Vancouver. I went to school in Buffalo, NY so I frequently ventured into the GTA and the difference in the kind of cars people drive is crazy. In Buffalo it's all Fords/Chevys or any GM car. It's mostly pick up trucks, 3 row SUVs, or econoboxes like the Chevy Spark. When I venture across the border to GTA, I see the same cars that I typically see at home in the NYC/NJ/LI area....Range Rovers (mostly milf driven), whole BMW range (1 series to 7 series with a ton of X3/X5), Whole Mercedes range (C class to S class and alot of Merc SUVs), Lexus RX350 (Another MILF car), Acuras, Audis, Porsche, and Maserati (driven by chinese fobs).

I think most major cities in the USA/Canada will have similar cars roaming around. If you're in a rural area then it's much rarer to see something like a Lexus RX350, Acuras or BMWs/Mercs/Audi/Porsche.