4WD BMWs... who knew? (Not X3, X5 or X6)

[ChapppeRS]

Wow... I've just found out that BMW have been offering 4WD in most markets since the 80s, and that 50% of BMWs in Canada have 4WD.

You can get 4WD 3-series and 5-series. Wonder why they've never offered them in the UK?

I realise on a forum of car buffs quite a few people will already know this, but having had "Ultimate Driving Machine" adverts drummed into me for years it's quite a weird thing to only just find out?

Lol... car revelations shocker!

Edited by ChapppeRS on Thursday 7th January 14:53

[plasticpig]

They did. BMW E34 525IX was sold in the UK.

[y2blade]

I didn't

[ChapppeRS]

If anyone's interested... go onto the Canadian BMW site. You can configure a 4WD 335i coupe if you want... now that would be... well slightly less interesting than a RWD one.

[croyde]

Had my E36 for 12 years and do love Beemers but I never knew that. Explains the Canadian on the Snow thread claiming that loads of BMWs were NOT having problems in the snow.

[abels]

Lots of them over here. They have been very popular over the years. Although I have stuck to RWD and I am finding it quite difficult to lose the back end or traction at all with the winter tyres on

[Ranger 6]

ChapppeRS said:

.....Wonder why they've never offered them in the UK?

There's been both 3 and 5 iX cars sold in the UK however in recent years thay haven't made a RHD version due to tooling costs and low sales.

[sparks_E39]

A 4WD E39 would be pretty handy right now.

[0836whimper]

330XD's are advertised heavily on ski resort lift station billboards.

[Ashok]

I love the look of the all wheel drive Alpina B3:

[4nonymous]

I've known about them for ages

XI XD extra

[MarkwG]

One lurking here as well: I remember the e34 4x4 Tourings here, can't recall seeing the 3's though.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1187587.htm

[abarber]

Yes, seen plenty over the years hammering around the alps!

Also Mercs too.

[ChapppeRS]

4nonymous said:

I've known about them for ages

XI XD extra

Well I didn't, and now I do, and so do a few others.

[dibbly_dobbler]

I vaguely knew about these things - got to say I would quite fancy one

I take it they are not available in RHD ?

[gizlaroc]

They are a massive part of their business and they are also the best selling European 4 wheel drive manufacturer as well, which most people really don't know, even outselling Audi with their Quattro system.

It was a marketing decision by BMW UK to not bring the 4WD versions over here, nothing more than that.

The Xi and Xd cars still feel very much 'BMW' when you drive them, they are still wonderfully balanced and far more dynamic than any Audi equivalent, if you get the chance try one.

[NickXX]

Popular in the rest of Europe.

[MarkwG]

dibbly_dobbler said:

I vaguely knew about these things - got to say I would quite fancy one
I take it they are not available in RHD ?

- me too! I think the only RHD were the e34s: here's a saloon http://aberdeen.gumtree.com/aberdeen/20/45429520.h... : they weren't big sellers here, by any measure, just a toe in the water to test Audi & Ford, I think.

[Sticks.]

I think the tyre pressure/sizes are listed in your handbook.

[gizlaroc]

Just been announced that BMW are bringing them back to the UK market, starting with the new 5 series in 2011.