Do I need 4WD?
Discussion
So obviously it's a subjective if not stupid question but I'm asking it anyway, as I don't have a room full of petrol heads, such as this, at my disposal.
As I no longer commute my BMW F31 x-drive 320d is only covering 6000 miles/year so I'm thinking of a BMW F31 330i to replace it. My concern is that as I've never had a high powered (for me) rear wheel drive car will the level of winter and wet roads we get in the south to middle of the UK be a problem or would I be better off looking at an Audi A4 Avant Quattro that has very similar figures but 4WD too? I have found my x-drive 320d a great car and have enjoyed peace of mind from the extra traction.
As I no longer commute my BMW F31 x-drive 320d is only covering 6000 miles/year so I'm thinking of a BMW F31 330i to replace it. My concern is that as I've never had a high powered (for me) rear wheel drive car will the level of winter and wet roads we get in the south to middle of the UK be a problem or would I be better off looking at an Audi A4 Avant Quattro that has very similar figures but 4WD too? I have found my x-drive 320d a great car and have enjoyed peace of mind from the extra traction.
I have not driven a 4wd saloon car but I've survived winters in my e36, Boxster, Mercury Grand Marquis and Mustang GT.
Decent tyres and drive to the conditions.
The Mustang was a handful on cold wet roads thanks to the OEM fit Pirellis but once I fitted Michelin's to the rear, it was like driving in the dry.
The Mercury could be lairy in the wet but just be careful with your right foot.
My e36 is currently on Rain Experts front and Falken rears and didn't put a tyre wrong when I was wringing it's neck in a very wet West Country over the summer.
Decent tyres and drive to the conditions.
The Mustang was a handful on cold wet roads thanks to the OEM fit Pirellis but once I fitted Michelin's to the rear, it was like driving in the dry.
The Mercury could be lairy in the wet but just be careful with your right foot.
My e36 is currently on Rain Experts front and Falken rears and didn't put a tyre wrong when I was wringing it's neck in a very wet West Country over the summer.
Evanivitch said:
Depending how enthusiastically you intend to drive, you could switch to an all season tyre in winter and keep performance tyres for summer.
But you really don't need 4WD unless there's somewhere you need to be if/when we get snow, or you're going to the Alps?
Is it that time of year again already But you really don't need 4WD unless there's somewhere you need to be if/when we get snow, or you're going to the Alps?
IMHO 4WD is a waste of time unless you drive off-road or in a cold climate. A set of winter tyres will make your car safer if you drive in icy conditions or the heavy rain. Generally, our winters are to mild these days in the UK.
Think of it like this, all cars brakes work on all four tyres so the cars ability to stop is not improved by 4WD. It helps to get moving, but that only gets you to the scene of the accident quicker! Then there is the issue of 4WD being used on tarmac roads causing them to break. I think air suspension a better value investment rather than Xdrive
Think of it like this, all cars brakes work on all four tyres so the cars ability to stop is not improved by 4WD. It helps to get moving, but that only gets you to the scene of the accident quicker! Then there is the issue of 4WD being used on tarmac roads causing them to break. I think air suspension a better value investment rather than Xdrive
blade7 said:
Evanivitch said:
Depending how enthusiastically you intend to drive, you could switch to an all season tyre in winter and keep performance tyres for summer.
But you really don't need 4WD unless there's somewhere you need to be if/when we get snow, or you're going to the Alps?
Is it that time of year again already But you really don't need 4WD unless there's somewhere you need to be if/when we get snow, or you're going to the Alps?
Evanivitch said:
blade7 said:
Evanivitch said:
Depending how enthusiastically you intend to drive, you could switch to an all season tyre in winter and keep performance tyres for summer.
But you really don't need 4WD unless there's somewhere you need to be if/when we get snow, or you're going to the Alps?
Is it that time of year again already But you really don't need 4WD unless there's somewhere you need to be if/when we get snow, or you're going to the Alps?
t that spins off the road. Although having said all that I am aware of road conditions and driving accordingly as mention in an earlier post.The answer should encompass more than just the issue of 4 v 2 wheel drive. With BMW 4WD (x-drive) you have a limited range of tyres to choose from, if you wish to keep to their recommendations. They recommend star-marked tyres, and keeping the tread depth similar all-round. and also currently for BMW x-drive there are no recommended all-season tyres (a major shortfall, I believe), so with 2WD (s-drive) you have a greater choice of tyres. I have the 335d (it was there, begging me to buy it on the forecourt, on 9 miles, and a very acceptable discount). It is great for accelerating out of wet roundabouts, and pulling out smartly from gravel side tracks.
So I never regret buying it, I will keep it until I am forced to buy a fully electric car.
I did have a 330i as a courtesy car, the fuel consumption around town shocked me, mid to low twenties, and the steering felt way too light.
The answer is always, you don’t NEED 4WD for most situations, so you will not go far wrong with 2WD and all-seasons (if circumstances present only occasional need of winter preparedness). For us, it is summers on the 335d, and all-seasons on a Fabia (6 years in North Wales, with only 1 icy day).
So I never regret buying it, I will keep it until I am forced to buy a fully electric car.
I did have a 330i as a courtesy car, the fuel consumption around town shocked me, mid to low twenties, and the steering felt way too light.
The answer is always, you don’t NEED 4WD for most situations, so you will not go far wrong with 2WD and all-seasons (if circumstances present only occasional need of winter preparedness). For us, it is summers on the 335d, and all-seasons on a Fabia (6 years in North Wales, with only 1 icy day).
Miles Safer said:
Evanivitch said:
blade7 said:
Evanivitch said:
Depending how enthusiastically you intend to drive, you could switch to an all season tyre in winter and keep performance tyres for summer.
But you really don't need 4WD unless there's somewhere you need to be if/when we get snow, or you're going to the Alps?
Is it that time of year again already But you really don't need 4WD unless there's somewhere you need to be if/when we get snow, or you're going to the Alps?
t that spins off the road. Although having said all that I am aware of road conditions and driving accordingly as mention in an earlier post.
Plenty of cars end up in hedges, but it's no different for either brand, and modern BMWs certainly have enough electronics to keep you straight. If you find a ditch, it's not because of the RWD.
Miles Safer said:
That's why I'm asking. I do drive over enthusiastically on occasion and I'm keen to not be that tt that spins off the road. Although having said all that I am aware of road conditions and driving accordingly as mention in an earlier post.
In the dry, not a lot of point unless you have a LOT of power. In the few days of snow we get in the south, not really justified. But, in the wet, you can hoof 4wd in situations that would generate a lot of wheelspin or traction control interference with 2wd. I don't know about Haldex, never had it, I do know that torsen type 4wd used in the Audi A4 etc, generates a lot more traction. Don't take any notice of guff about 2wd and winter tyres either, their benefits apply to 4wd too.t that spins off the road. Although having said all that I am aware of road conditions and driving accordingly as mention in an earlier post.When I had an (albeit) older 330i with rwd, I bought some steal wheels (they do alloys) and winter tyres from mr winter wheels. During winter i'd pay the local indy tyre place to swap them over for twenty quid. So for an outlay of a few hundred quid- if you plan to keep the car a few years, buy winter tyres. I now own a car with quattro and well I've not been able to see if its any good in winter because its been rubbish these past few years...but everything comes down to tyres..
Photos from the olden days, one of those cars I never should have sold...
Photos from the olden days, one of those cars I never should have sold...
_Rich_ said:
When I had an (albeit) older 330i with rwd, I bought some steal wheels (they do alloys) and winter tyres from mr winter wheels. During winter i'd pay the local indy tyre place to swap them over for twenty quid. So for an outlay of a few hundred quid- if you plan to keep the car a few years, buy winter tyres. I now own a car with quattro and well I've not been able to see if its any good in winter because its been rubbish these past few years...but everything comes down to tyres..
Photos from the olden days, one of those cars I never should have sold...
Liking those steels. NicePhotos from the olden days, one of those cars I never should have sold...
croyde said:
_Rich_ said:
When I had an (albeit) older 330i with rwd, I bought some steal wheels (they do alloys) and winter tyres from mr winter wheels. During winter i'd pay the local indy tyre place to swap them over for twenty quid. So for an outlay of a few hundred quid- if you plan to keep the car a few years, buy winter tyres. I now own a car with quattro and well I've not been able to see if its any good in winter because its been rubbish these past few years...but everything comes down to tyres..
Photos from the olden days, one of those cars I never should have sold...
Liking those steels. NicePhotos from the olden days, one of those cars I never should have sold...
Winters always seemed to cause controversy to the erm uneducated...
I doubt you need it, although where you live may have a bearing on that if it is somewhere remote and roads aren't likely to be gritted.
I had a BMW 123d when we had snow in 2009 and 2010 and managed to get through Windsor Great Park to work without a problem - most of the cars I saw off the road were 4 x 4s, like an RR on massive blingy wheels - while they may get going better they don't have any more grip for stopping or cornering!
Still in 2014 I started swapping to winter tyres on my BMWs and never needed them here in Berkshire, until 2018 when the Beast from the East arrived. I was amazed at how good they were on snow and ice - almost as much grip as a summer tyre in rain.
So I have carried on using them on my E90 330i.
You could always fit All Season tyres - I believe Michelin Cross Climates get good reviews.
Personally I'd rather have winter tyres than 4WD.
I had a BMW 123d when we had snow in 2009 and 2010 and managed to get through Windsor Great Park to work without a problem - most of the cars I saw off the road were 4 x 4s, like an RR on massive blingy wheels - while they may get going better they don't have any more grip for stopping or cornering!
Still in 2014 I started swapping to winter tyres on my BMWs and never needed them here in Berkshire, until 2018 when the Beast from the East arrived. I was amazed at how good they were on snow and ice - almost as much grip as a summer tyre in rain.
So I have carried on using them on my E90 330i.
You could always fit All Season tyres - I believe Michelin Cross Climates get good reviews.
Personally I'd rather have winter tyres than 4WD.
I had a RWD supercharged jag with fat tyres that wouldn’t move on flat ground in the snow, never mind go uphill - until I bought winter tyres. Then it was fantastic. It’s a bit of a faff getting your tyres changed twice a year, or spending £1k on a second set of alloys (but you can sell them on when you change car) but it’s worth it, especially in the 1:3 years when we get snow down south but they help in cold wet conditions anyway (though much less so in the dry, given the data produced by Tyre Reviews).
With 4x4 I would (and do) drive on all season tyres all year.
With 4x4 I would (and do) drive on all season tyres all year.
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