[thatblack335]

I own a '09 335i with the n54 in it, I want to get some advice on how well it will do in the winter and if the salt is going to destroy my rust free body. It does have the cold air intakes on it, anyone have experience with them in the winter?(sucking in slush and snow) the only other problem that I can see would be the cold mornings and how well it will start. (As there is no block heater due to synthetic oil) I do have a heated shop that I can be parked in for those -40 days but that would only be a last resort as it is a tight squeeze with my other cars. TIA to any responses!

[Vivek.]

By 'cold air intake' do you mean unshielded cone filters? Aka warm air intake...but anyways. Probably best to swap it for stock but that's just for the general health/longevity of your engine and turbos, nothing to do with winter.

I see no reason snow or slush would make it up there to the intake area; do you have the splash guard (black tray) under the engine bay installed?

Go thru a car wash (touchless if possible) with an underbody spray regularly to avoid rust.

Beyond that, it's a BMW and they're no stranger to cold; it'll be fine in freezing weather

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by thatblack335

I own a '09 335i with the n54 in it, I want to get some advice on how well it will do in the winter and if the salt is going to destroy my rust free body. It does have the cold air intakes on it, anyone have experience with them in the winter?(sucking in slush and snow) the only other problem that I can see would be the cold mornings and how well it will start. (As there is no block heater due to synthetic oil) I do have a heated shop that I can be parked in for those -40 days but that would only be a last resort as it is a tight squeeze with my other cars. TIA to any responses!

Wouldn't worry about it, unless you plan on leaving it out in the cold for weeks and not bothering to start it up and warm up the engine every now and then, andnot bothering to wash/clean the car.

[Bimmer_Bro]

Originally Posted by Saif2018

Wouldn't worry about it, unless you plan on leaving it out in the cold for weeks and not bothering to start it up and warm up the engine every now and then, andnot bothering to wash/clean the car.

I live in Canada and drive my car year round. It sees lots of salt ,rocks and cold temps.
My paint is still beautiful. I have a clear bra for the rock chips as well.
Best advice I can offer is wash your car when you can so the salt doesn't sit too long.
Last year I did 3 coats of HydroSilex Recharge In September and my car was still beading in March... even after all the salt. It's a very good ceramic coating.
Mine gets parked in a garage at night but it is outside all day while I'm at work. It's always started fine in the cold. I just sit for a min or 2 to get the juices flowing before i drive.

[ewicky]

The stock intake is a cold air intake, so please be more specific as to what you mean with that.
If you're concerned about oil, let us know which oil you're running/plan on running in the winter.
Some context for what types of nightly temperatures your climate has would be helpful.
Would you daily drive it during the winter, or let it sit?
Do you have comfort access keyfobs? iDrive? Those, if not treated right, can accidentally create an extra load on the battery when the car is off.
Treat the door sills, seals, locks, latches, window wipers, etc. well as any winter driver should.
Running winter tires?
As Vivek asked, are all your factory splash guards intact?

[thatblack335]

Originally Posted by ewicky

The stock intake is a cold air intake, so please be more specific as to what you mean with that.
If you're concerned about oil, let us know which oil you're running/plan on running in the winter.
Some context for what types of nightly temperatures your climate has would be helpful.
Would you daily drive it during the winter, or let it sit?
Do you have comfort access keyfobs? iDrive? Those, if not treated right, can accidentally create an extra load on the battery when the car is off.
Treat the door sills, seals, locks, latches, window wipers, etc. well as any winter driver should.
Running winter tires?
As Vivek asked, are all your factory splash guards intact?

It is the dual cones that go in place of the stock air box. I have liqui Moly in there right now. It's 5w40. Some nights hit -40. It will be parked in the heated garage on any night that is colder than -20. If it is parked for any longer than a week it will be on a trickle charger to maintain battery.

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Bro

I live in Canada and drive my car year round. It sees lots of salt ,rocks and cold temps.
My paint is still beautiful. I have a clear bra for the rock chips as well.
Best advice I can offer is wash your car when you can so the salt doesn't sit too long.
Last year I did 3 coats of HydroSilex Recharge In September and my car was still beading in March... even after all the salt. It's a very good ceramic coating.
Mine gets parked in a garage at night but it is outside all day while I'm at work. It's always started fine in the cold. I just sit for a min or 2 to get the juices flowing before i drive.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by thatblack335

I own a '09 335i with the n54 in it, I want to get some advice on how well it will do in the winter and if the salt is going to destroy my rust free body. It does have the cold air intakes on it, anyone have experience with them in the winter?(sucking in slush and snow) the only other problem that I can see would be the cold mornings and how well it will start. (As there is no block heater due to synthetic oil) I do have a heated shop that I can be parked in for those -40 days but that would only be a last resort as it is a tight squeeze with my other cars. TIA to any responses!

You just need a set of dedicated winter tires like a Michelin ICE or Blizzak's on a separate set of rims.

I'd turn off all the tunes for the winter. Ice & snow don't mix too well with 400 plus HP & 500# of torque

[ewicky]

Originally Posted by thatblack335

It is the dual cones that go in place of the stock air box. I have liqui Moly in there right now. It's 5w40. Some nights hit -40. It will be parked in the heated garage on any night that is colder than -20. If it is parked for any longer than a week it will be on a trickle charger to maintain battery.

Ah ok. That would be a warm air intake.
You might consider a 0W-40 or 0W-something. Sounds like you have a good plan for the battery. Shouldn't be a big issue; you aren't the only one with a BMW in a cold climate.

[ewicky]

I suppose you could do a preventative coolant flush. Refill with slightly stronger concentration. I'd recommend using BMW coolant concentrate without any additives. The different mixing ratios and temp ranges are listed on the jug.

Related but less critical, have good winter wiper fluid in your reservoir. Shops are known to top it off with water.