Art of Gears
Fansided

Winter Cars: 5 rides for that crazy Midwestern weather

By Andrew Hulse

IOWA CITY, IA - FEBRUARY 03: A car sits abandoned in the median of I-380 February 3, 2011 between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Iowa. A massive winter storm smashed into a third of the country, from Texas to Wisconsin, on February 1st and 2nd, making travel treacherous. Major highways are now open but a cold snap behind the storm is keeping temperatures hovering around zero degrees in southwest Iowa. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IA - FEBRUARY 03: A car sits abandoned in the median of I-380 February 3, 2011 between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Iowa. A massive winter storm smashed into a third of the country, from Texas to Wisconsin, on February 1st and 2nd, making travel treacherous. Major highways are now open but a cold snap behind the storm is keeping temperatures hovering around zero degrees in southwest Iowa. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) /

The photo above is the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 Series, BMW’s take on fun efficiency.

For the most part, there is a place for the BMW 3 Series on every list.  It has been the standard that all other sports sedans are held up against and even though the current generation released in 2013 gets some flak for watered down steering and suspension, it still holds true to its mission.

I will admit I am unashamedly biased towards the 3 Series as I had a 2002 325i, however, mine is also a big part of the reason the 3 Series as a whole makes the list.  It was the best car for the snow I have ever owned.  The 3 Series I had was equipped with an Auto Trans and Rear Wheel Drive.  I never had snow tires on it, just kept it simple on all season tires.  I shudder at the thought of how good it could have been with snow tires

I will admit I am unashamedly biased towards the 3 Series

There are multiple reasons for the 3 Series to be on this list.  One is BMW’s xDrive All Wheel Drive system which does a great job sending power to wheels as necessary in order to get the car moving and also to help the driver out of a sticky situation.

The other reason the 3 Series deserves to be on the list isn’t a feature limited only to this car, it is one engineered into every BMW.  Perfect or near perfect 50/50 weight distribution really helps with the feel of the car through a corner.  Where it also happens to help is when the back end of the car is starting to step out and makes it much easier for the driver to counteract the impending spin or slide.

All in all the 3 Series has it all if you are wanting sporty fun in all seasons, whether you go for the xDrive or Rear Wheel Drive it makes quick work of the pavement at the track or a snow-covered street.

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