How is the E55 dangerous in rain or snow? With a good set of winter tires and using the W switch, you should not have any problems driving the E55. I mean, come on, you should not do some WOT starts in the snow, but driving with care, like you should anyway in snow, you should be alright. You make it sound like you'll crash everytime you go out in snow or rain.

Here is a bit of reality about AWD (former owner), it only works if you have power on the gas. If you are freewheeling or braking, AWD doesn't do anything for you. So during 2/3's of driving, AWD isn't that helpful.