BMW i8 in bad weather

Does anyone own an i8 in the Northeast and have driven it in snow or heavy rain? Does it do ok? I'm thinking of picking one up to put at my parents in Pittsburgh for when I visit and I'm there during the Holidays which can mean snow.

 

I haven't driven my i8 in snow but the owner of the local BMW dealership does. He says it's great in the snow. Make sure you have good tires. You want all four wheels being driven so don't let your battery go to zero.

How do you like your i8? I've had mine for about 4 months and think it's a great car.

 

I haven't purchased it yet, just looking. I have an S550 back in Pittsburgh for when I visit home. I bought it new two years ago. I knew it was a good vehicle, I really liked the interior and it had plenty of punch for the rough roads. Thing is, I want something with some more personality. i8 seems like an interesting choice.

I'm between the i8 or an RS7. RS7 would be about $25k cheaper.

 

I'd go GTR or 991TT over i8 for year round duty in PA.

 

For year round go with the RS7.

 

991 TT in Pittsburgh snow?

I'd get a Jeep or Range Rover. Or an Audi with Quattro. The last thing you need is 500 bhp in a low-to-the-ground car.

(Said as a former Cleveland-er.)

 

Pittsburgh roads are harsh and the winters can be brutal. The last thing you need is a car with low ground clearance and 20 or 21 inch wheels--you will destroy wheels and tires. I recommend a Porsche Macan.

 

With snow tires the 991TT is very capable.

 

I drove a 911 (non turbo) a few winters in the midwest (STL, not Pittsburgh, which has much more mild winters). with decent snow tires it was fine. big issue was ground clearance in snow more than 3-4 inches deep. of course that's pretty rare on most roads, except during storms.

also, the larger diameter the wheel, the more likely you are to bend/crack a rim on a pothole.

one concern for any electric vehicle would be instant availability of full torque, which may not be desirable in snow/ice but people drive Teslas as winter daily drivers so maybe traction/stability control solves that problem.

 

Good point about electric vehicles. In addition, batteries are much less efficient in cold weather. Range is reduced, sometimes significantly.

 

Thanks fellas. If I was back home and the roads got really bad I'd just use it as an excuse to do nothing I guess.