My 335i which is RWD seems to be much better up to 9". At some point the low clearance really hinders the 335i. But it is a stick which helps. At the same time, I avoid the salt with it, so even though it too has 4 snows (Ultragrips), it stays garaged. The snows are more for low temps.

 

I was trying to move my car from storage at my house to wash it again when it warmed up to 50°F I got the car stuck in 4 inches of mud lol I am waiting for it to stay below freezing before I try to move my car again, so tires make all the difference as someone previously mentioned.

 

I don't have the pic anymore but our car got stuck unexpectedly in the mud because of a huge washout, and we parked on soccer fields. All cars were stuck including FWD based AWD cars. The only types I saw getting out were the Range Rover/Land Cruiser soccer mom cars, i.e. the real off road vehicles.

It's kind of interesting how incapable many AWD cars are, it's a false sense of security.

 

Toyota's 4WD system that they "prototyped" on the 4runner first in 03 was quickly moved up market to the Land Cruiser
when it proved so effective. The full time 4WD in my V8 4runner is the best I have experienced. Here in the Pacific NW
it comes in handy. When it was new it's off road prowess made old school 4wd guys jaw's drop. It's just as good today, that's
the beauty of Toyota products. I've only owned one "bad" Toyota product an 80's diesel pickup, I bought my first new Toyota in
1975 a Celica GT, am joining this forum due to the 05 430LS UL that will arrive soon. I do love Toyota products.