X-Drive vs Rwd

[Car-Matt]

Hi I drive an E91 320d M-sport usually but this week i've put 760 miles on a 420 M-sport grand Coupe with X-Drive

What's peoples opinions on the X-Drive?

I use Winter Tyres on my E91 and touch wood havent ever got stuck anywhere but i've always been interested in the x-drive, however after the last few days I really didn't like it.

My car is an auto and the 420 was a manual which clouds the issue as the manual gearbox was hateful IMO and ruined the car for me but I felt the extra load through the front axle and the lovely steering feel from my E91 was totally absent.

What are peoples thoughts on the X-Drive, do the positives outweigh the negatives? Do you think there's any negatives?

[Smuler]

The F Series as a whole (I forget which number the 4 Series gets ) lacks steering feel and feedback compared to the E90 generation in my opinion so maybe some of your disappointment would be there in RWD guise ?

I’ve got X Drive on my X1 and appreciate the grip and traction though having (in Cardiff’s one bad winter) got around on winters on my old E46 I’d bet on those in the snow any day

I don’t know whether I get the point of X Drive on a 420d; it’s not a X vehicle which may be used more roughly ,say, up muddy lanes or limited “off road” and neither is it a fast car , say the X Drive only 435d with , allegedly, a need for X Drive to put (all) it’s power down.

[Car-Matt]

Yes I was wondering wether the F series steering was as good on the whole. I really do
Think the E9x series steering is fabulous.

[Smuler]

Car-Matt said:

Yes I was wondering wether the F series steering was as good on the whole. I really do
Think the E9x series steering is fabulous.

During 19 months of E92 335i ownership reckon I drove as loaners most of the F series certainly 1-5 in 20d or small petrol format.

Every time it was a real pleasure getting back in my 335i with its hydraulic heavier steering with feel

[11jhw]

Car-Matt said:

Hi I drive an E91 320d M-sport usually but this week i've put 760 miles on a 420 M-sport grand Coupe with X-Drive

What's peoples opinions on the X-Drive?

I use Winter Tyres on my E91 and touch wood havent ever got stuck anywhere but i've always been interested in the x-drive, however after the last few days I really didn't like it.

My car is an auto and the 420 was a manual which clouds the issue as the manual gearbox was hateful IMO and ruined the car for me but I felt the extra load through the front axle and the lovely steering feel from my E91 was totally absent.

What are peoples thoughts on the X-Drive, do the positives outweigh the negatives? Do you think there's any negatives?

Scandinavians say winter tyres first and 4WD second. And I tend to agree as you can stop steer and move with winters . However an X-Drive I would be considerably better for the very few times you would need it in the UK.