Xdrive or Quattro

[Maximum]

Hi guys what’s everyone’s thoughts input and anytning els on the xdrive and Quattro systems i have been looking into the 335d xdrive or the a7 Quattro I like the bitdi but is it worth the extra price over the 3.0tdi. I am also considering going petrol if I can extend my budget my preference would be eaither a s3 hatchback 14 plate or something like an m140i but diesel will be my first choice. Living in South Wales WHEN the snow comes it is a pain living on a hill and a dead end road so would like something to get me round when we have the small flurry haha. One more thing to add any issues to worry about on all the veichles I have mentioned above and running costs and how well they all perform thanks guys look forward to hearing from you all

[ninjag]

I don't know much about the Audi awd but my 330d xdrive was driving around in last year's snow no problem even where many an suv was getting stuck, I even towed a car out of a snow ditch lol. And that was on summer tyres. I was very impressed with it to say the least.

The only restriction was ground clearance.

[Maximum]

Hi mate thank you for the reply may be worth getting the xdrive then if it’s peforming like that and i have heard there good On mpg too

[tumble dryer]

Tongue in cheek.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOxka3mhKXc

[RammyMP]

I had a 16 reg A5 with quattro and it was brilliant in the snow, I drove over the Pennines and back in it when the M62 was shut due to snow last year. Be aware though there are a few different types of quattro, the A3 / TT system is mainly FWD. saying that, the wife had a S3 which wasn’t too bad in the snow either.

Incidentally, chap I work with is a part time copper, he’s said the 3 series police cars with X-Drive are hopeless. Also the SIL has a X5 which is st in the snow bu I had put that down to the super wide wheels.

[Maximum]

Thank you for the help guys I’ll deffo have to look into this decisions 😬

[Shiv_P]

On an aside the A7 interior is leagues ahead of the 3 series be that current or previous generation A7 vs F30 3 series
On x drive vs quattro terms I doubt the difference will be huge versus getting a set of all season or winter tyres on

[WonkeyDonkey]

Surely both of them are just marketing drivel for AWD or 4WD.

You would be better off having the correct tyres on the car during summer and winter months.

[ninjag]

Maximum said:

Thank you for the help guys I’ll deffo have to look into this decisions ??

Although the BMW is an open diff setup the X-Drive does use the ABS and stability systems to brake a slipping wheel (like a limited slip diff) and send power to the other wheel which may have traction. With a basic open diff setup (like the Honda CRV for example) you need traction with both wheels on one of the axles otherwise it will be going nowhere (that's if it doesn't overheat first! lol)

A good place to check out are those YouTube videos showing the diagonal tests. How deep does the snow get in Wales? If it's just for snow and not mud/off-road then AWD systems do involve extra fuel consumption, maintenance, weight, tyre wear (usually) etc so as mentioned above a good set of winter tyres would be far better.

Edited by ninjag on Monday 22 April 21:16

[tjlees]

I’ve used both types of systems on wet handling circuits with traction on and completely off.

IMHO both are just as good - you can get some serious angles while still under control. Both felt instinctive and easily hamfisted around the handling course.

But as said, xdrive and Quattro only gives you traction - grip comes from the tyre, and last winter proper winter tyres (conti 850s) made sure I could get up our long 1:6 hill when covered 10cm of snow and more importantly get down without becoming a 1.7t sledge!

Xdrive was just icing on the cake, allowing some excellent hooning in the white stuff - the right tyre choice meant getting to/from work

[Maximum]

From what everyone’s saying it’s all down to a decent set of winter tyres this will be a hard decision I like the 14-15 plate f30 335d but also like the look of the a7 but for the bitdi it’s a fair bit more where the 335d is 313bhp for around 16k and the a7 3.0tdi 245bhp is the same price is it worth the extra couple of grand for the 320 bitdi. Also is there a considerable amount of more fuel used would you guys say and mpg compared to the both as I know the Audi is quit heavy

[ninjag]

Also worth bearing in mind many of the 3 series bmws run 225 at the front and 255 at the rear. Not sure if it's all of them but my 330d was and my neighbours 320d does. So no tyre rotation.

[Maximum]

Ahh right okay mate thank for the info

[BUG4LIFE]

Maximum said:

From what everyone’s saying it’s all down to a decent set of winter tyres this will be a hard decision I like the 14-15 plate f30 335d but also like the look of the a7 but for the bitdi it’s a fair bit more where the 335d is 313bhp for around 16k and the a7 3.0tdi 245bhp is the same price is it worth the extra couple of grand for the 320 bitdi. Also is there a considerable amount of more fuel used would you guys say and mpg compared to the both as I know the Audi is quit heavy

How many miles on the clock are you expecting on a £16k 335d mate? I only ask as I’m interested in the two cars you mention so just doing a bit of research on what I could get for about the same money?

[Maximum]

From what I’ve seen mate around 60k up too 100k and same with the a7 if you want the bitdi the cheapest I have seen is £16,300 on 117k or 130k

[Maximum]

Hi guys iv been scrolling through the web looking at a potential new motor my list is now
Q5 would go for the q7 but heard of gear box issues
X5 10-13
335d xdrive f30
535d f10
A7 bitdi

If I where to go petrol my list would be
M140i
S3

Thanks guys all of these will be having a remap in my ownership

[Pistonheader101]

Maximum said:

Hi guys iv been scrolling through the web looking at a potential new motor my list is now
Q5 would go for the q7 but heard of gear box issues
X5 10-13
335d xdrive f30
535d f10
A7 bitdi

If I where to go petrol my list would be
M140i
S3

Thanks guys all of these will be having a remap in my ownership

335d xdrive would be the pick of the bunch

[Equilibrium25]

Maximum said:

Hi guys iv been scrolling through the web looking at a potential new motor my list is now
Q5 would go for the q7 but heard of gear box issues
X5 10-13
335d xdrive f30
535d f10
A7 bitdi

If I where to go petrol my list would be
M140i
S3

Thanks guys all of these will be having a remap in my ownership

I'd narrow down your requirements a little, if possible.

e.g. if you want ultimate refinement on a motorway, the 335d will annoy you more than the 535d. The two SUVs have all the benefits and compromises that SUVs come with. The 335d will take up less space parking. The A7/535d/X5 probably have better interior quality than the Q5/335d as they are effectively from the class above.

Whatever you buy, get winter tyres to ensure that you can stop as well as start in the snow.

I had a RWD E90 320d on winters and it was awesomely capable. A RWD car on winters will be a safer proposition than a AWD car on summers.

[nickfrog]

For grip or even traction, sort the contact patch first and then the number of wheels driven, in the unlikely event that step 1 is not enough.

[Maximum]

I don’t really go on motorways often mainly as there’s non around me it’s mostly town and dual carriageway driving couple of fast B roads things like that what is the x5 like of fuel is it terrible as i have seen the 335d xdrive suppose to be very good my c220 does around 35 round town and if I granny foot it about 47 to my partners house haha