BMW xDrive. Would you tick the option box?
Discussion
Just wondered what the PH consensus was on xDrive (haven't driven an xDrive equipped BMW yet), as I know BMWs are very popular with PHers due to being RWD. I can see why they now offer it on most models, as some people appreciate the extra traction and security of AWD in inclement weather and for this reason, many potential customers would have previously bought an Audi (quattro) instead. Modern AWD systems are fairly light and efficient now, so I think the compromise in performance and fuel economy that you get with AWD is less of an issue than it used to be.
I can see why quattro is so popular, as the alternative is FWD but will xDrive be as popular or does it detract from the purity of BMW's RWD chassis? Is this why the M cars (X5 and X6 excepted) are still RWD?
I'm still amazed that a manufacturer famed for its quality engineering (Mercedes-Benz) still hasn't been able to engineer AWD into its RHD cars. Can you get 4MATIC on the new C-Class? Surely if BMW and Audi can do it, Mercedes-Benz should be able to offer it on future new models in RHD markets.
I can see why quattro is so popular, as the alternative is FWD but will xDrive be as popular or does it detract from the purity of BMW's RWD chassis? Is this why the M cars (X5 and X6 excepted) are still RWD?
I'm still amazed that a manufacturer famed for its quality engineering (Mercedes-Benz) still hasn't been able to engineer AWD into its RHD cars. Can you get 4MATIC on the new C-Class? Surely if BMW and Audi can do it, Mercedes-Benz should be able to offer it on future new models in RHD markets.
I think given BMW's blanket turbocharged engine range X drive is a very worthwhile consideration.
Sure, the purists will still want a RWD but hey, go buy an e46 M3 if you want oppo lock frivolity. In the real, world getting to hoof it no matter what the weather and utilise all that turbocharged torque is far more important imho.
The X drive on current models really doesn't make that much of a difference to the feel of the chassis and only really helps out when needed.
Get it ticked now
Sure, the purists will still want a RWD but hey, go buy an e46 M3 if you want oppo lock frivolity. In the real, world getting to hoof it no matter what the weather and utilise all that turbocharged torque is far more important imho.
The X drive on current models really doesn't make that much of a difference to the feel of the chassis and only really helps out when needed.
Get it ticked now
I moved to the USA and I do find it quite amazing that pretty much the whole BMW model range is available with xDrive - and has been for a while!
Cant help thinking that something like this would be unstoppable:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/20...
And even Merc does the 4Matic on more models too:
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/model/class...
Not sure if the C400 4Matic is available in the UK, but again, that has got to be unstoppable too!
For ultimate precision and driving involvement, RWD is the way forward (excuse the pun). But for year around abilities and general usability on all roads, the rear biased 4WD systems like these have got to be winners! I am a big fan of these and I would love one myself. Daily driver for fun and then up to the mountains for winter and get to places that no-one else can! Nice - oh and 300+ BHP too. Got to be better than a giant SUV?
Cant help thinking that something like this would be unstoppable:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/20...
And even Merc does the 4Matic on more models too:
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/model/class...
Not sure if the C400 4Matic is available in the UK, but again, that has got to be unstoppable too!
For ultimate precision and driving involvement, RWD is the way forward (excuse the pun). But for year around abilities and general usability on all roads, the rear biased 4WD systems like these have got to be winners! I am a big fan of these and I would love one myself. Daily driver for fun and then up to the mountains for winter and get to places that no-one else can! Nice - oh and 300+ BHP too. Got to be better than a giant SUV?
No, I wouldn't want it. I've enjoyed many an AWD car, but the negatives outweigh the positives when considered against a RWD car. I love the way AWD cars can overcome any traction issue in the middle of a corner and fire out of the bend like a rocket (Audi A8, I'm thinking of you), but I prefer the sweeter turn in and balance of a RWD car.
Unfortunately, Britons are useless drivers and always looking for something to make the job easier, so AWD will continue to become more popular. Mention a BMW to them and they'll probably say "oh, they're useless in the wet/snow. RWD, you see". Mention an AWD Impreza or Audi Quattro and they'll tell tales of how it can climb Everest in summer tyres ("four wheel drive, innit!"). Falling for the marketing rubbish.
Unfortunately, Britons are useless drivers and always looking for something to make the job easier, so AWD will continue to become more popular. Mention a BMW to them and they'll probably say "oh, they're useless in the wet/snow. RWD, you see". Mention an AWD Impreza or Audi Quattro and they'll tell tales of how it can climb Everest in summer tyres ("four wheel drive, innit!"). Falling for the marketing rubbish.
Yes
A) as I've tried to use my previous BMW in the snow and it was utter utter rubbish. Borrowed one with winter / snow tyres ans was much better, but still lacked the security of AWD.
B) For the past 16 years I have mostly had AWD cars and have got lazy in my driving, and become V used to the extra grip that AWD gives pulling away at junctions, etc.
C) BMW traction control = cuts the power when don't really want it to cut the power
D) I live up a steep hill, in an area that gets bad weather and not always gets snow ploughs up
RWD antics just dont do it for me on public highways
A) as I've tried to use my previous BMW in the snow and it was utter utter rubbish. Borrowed one with winter / snow tyres ans was much better, but still lacked the security of AWD.
B) For the past 16 years I have mostly had AWD cars and have got lazy in my driving, and become V used to the extra grip that AWD gives pulling away at junctions, etc.
C) BMW traction control = cuts the power when don't really want it to cut the power
D) I live up a steep hill, in an area that gets bad weather and not always gets snow ploughs up
RWD antics just dont do it for me on public highways
I currently live near the alps and it’s still a tough choice. I test drove the new M3, the M135i and the M135i xDrive.
RWD is without a doubt the most "fun" choice but for a daily driver around here, all of the power of a M3 would is wasted for half of the year. It even struggles for traction in the dry with sticky tires.
Sometimes you just want to get from point to point fast and safe. My ideal car would be a M3 with a naturally rear-biased xDrive that can be locked into RWD with a trick. I heard that you can lock some 997 AWD Porsches into RWD by pulling up the handbrake one click. Not sure if that is true but something like that would be perfect.
Having AWD in winter would absolutely cancel out the extra weight for the rare times I "have fun" on a closed course.
Ok, go ahead M purists, do your thing now.
RWD is without a doubt the most "fun" choice but for a daily driver around here, all of the power of a M3 would is wasted for half of the year. It even struggles for traction in the dry with sticky tires.
Sometimes you just want to get from point to point fast and safe. My ideal car would be a M3 with a naturally rear-biased xDrive that can be locked into RWD with a trick. I heard that you can lock some 997 AWD Porsches into RWD by pulling up the handbrake one click. Not sure if that is true but something like that would be perfect.
Having AWD in winter would absolutely cancel out the extra weight for the rare times I "have fun" on a closed course.
Ok, go ahead M purists, do your thing now.
EricE said:
I currently live near the alps and it’s still a tough choice. I test drove the new M3, the M135i and the M135i xDrive.
RWD is without a doubt the most "fun" choice but for a daily driver around here, all of the power of a M3 would is wasted for half of the year. It even struggles for traction in the dry with sticky tires.
Sometimes you just want to get from point to point fast and safe. My ideal car would be a M3 with a naturally rear-biased xDrive that can be locked into RWD with a trick. I heard that you can lock some 997 AWD Porsches into RWD by pulling up the handbrake one click. Not sure if that is true but something like that would be perfect.
Having AWD in winter would absolutely cancel out the extra weight for the rare times I "have fun" on a closed course.
Ok, go ahead M purists, do your thing now.
Maybe I am getting old and I'm over the hill. But I REALLY like the M135i and in xDrive, thats a killer combination. And saw an M235i xDrive the other day and it looked even better. Really like the evolved look and the slightly more mature capabilities. Only $44k in the USA too! What a steal. But fast, nimble, all year around use and a nice size - that would, and this is showing my age, would be the perfect car for me. An M3/4 would just be overkill for 90% of the time. Shame, but just being honest too.RWD is without a doubt the most "fun" choice but for a daily driver around here, all of the power of a M3 would is wasted for half of the year. It even struggles for traction in the dry with sticky tires.
Sometimes you just want to get from point to point fast and safe. My ideal car would be a M3 with a naturally rear-biased xDrive that can be locked into RWD with a trick. I heard that you can lock some 997 AWD Porsches into RWD by pulling up the handbrake one click. Not sure if that is true but something like that would be perfect.
Having AWD in winter would absolutely cancel out the extra weight for the rare times I "have fun" on a closed course.
Ok, go ahead M purists, do your thing now.
off_again said:
Maybe I am getting old and I'm over the hill. But I REALLY like the M135i and in xDrive, thats a killer combination. And saw an M235i xDrive the other day and it looked even better. Really like the evolved look and the slightly more mature capabilities. Only $44k in the USA too! What a steal. But fast, nimble, all year around use and a nice size - that would, and this is showing my age, would be the perfect car for me. An M3/4 would just be overkill for 90% of the time. Shame, but just being honest too.
I suppose it always depends on where you live, but with the M135i and M135i xDrive I would absolutely go with the AWD version. The RWD version without a LSD would be a real pain in winter here in Austria. Mind you snow tires are mandatory here but what good is a 320 hp one-wheel drive car on a snowy mountain pass...
I think a lot of people still associate AWD in small cars with the old front heavy implementations with the old versions of Haldex and very "safe" calibrations (Audi). True rear biased AWD like xDrive is a wonderful thing and the newer Haldex (VAG MQB, A45) systems are almost as good now.
As nice as it would be, you simply can't drive a RWD car on the road like Chris Harris does in his videos. I absolutely would choose xDrive on a BMW. You can use more of the power, more of the time. I'd choose AWD on any rival brand's car too - I believe Jaguar will be offering it on their new XE. Will there be a M3 / M4 xDrive? I reckon there might.
No, given my current car a 3 series I wouldn't, for a start I can't imagine a situation where I would need it living where I do and when you see an F30 x drive there's no way I could live with the elevated ride height.
I'm pretty sure my next car will be a 330d M Sport, I wouldn't get the 335d because it's x drive only, they just don't seem to sit right.
I'm pretty sure my next car will be a 330d M Sport, I wouldn't get the 335d because it's x drive only, they just don't seem to sit right.
Welshbeef said:
For me its the looks it does sit a little higher, handling I've not tired the Xdrive yet but really enjoyed the rwd (thing is if you want the 335d you can only have it Xdrive unless you go for a lot more £ and get D3).
I'm not sure they're just a little higher, the ones I've been behind most of the diff has been visible, I'm not sure what the stats are but IMO they are noticeably higher.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff