Do you really need All Wheel Drive

[Redline]

Your G35 should be fine 98% of the time. But during those 2-4 weeks of possible snow at least get some snow tires and even then you may be driving around white knuckled especially if you are going up and down hills.

They may start using salt now though but apparently only during "extreme" conditions (4" or more).

[fastsix]

Rear wheel drive is just fine in Seattle. You probably can't go for more than 3 minutes without seeing a BMW, the vast majority of which are RWD. During a regular winter there's probably 2 or 3 days where snow is an issue - this year was the exception. If it's really a concern get a pair of snow tires, but I've never bothered with them.

[mitsuturbo]

I don't believe BMW has ever sold a FWD vehicle in the US. Unless you count the "mini" as a BMW.

[cabocurtis]

I have previously had the infiniti G35 rear wheel drive with traction and now the M35 AWD and the AWD is much better for the freeways with the standing water. The last several years we have had more of the severe rain and spurts of more snow. Also although not recently I remember in the late 80s and parts of 90s periods multiple days of frozen icy roads. If you have a choice I would take AWD especially with all the hills Seattle has.

[fastsix]

Originally Posted by mitsuturbo

I don't believe BMW has ever sold a FWD vehicle in the US. Unless you count the "mini" as a BMW.

You're probably right. I can't think of any FWD BMWs off the top of my head, but there quite a few AWD BMWs. Mostly the SUVs, but also the occasional sedan or wagon.

[texastrigirl]

Had to chuckle tonight as we headed up Exit 18 off of I-90 into Issaquah Highlands. There were probably six cars pulled off the road in a quarter mile stretch up the hill due to the inch or so of snow received. We zipped right up in our 1998 4-Runner with no problem. As much as we miss our Infiniti G35 on a sunny day, so glad for this old 4-Runner. It gets around.