12-16-2016, 08:22 AM | #1 |
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What xDrive? I don't need it!!!
I just wanted to share my experience with my rwd 335i 6 speed manual. I live in Cleveland where we had a good amount of snow yesterday. My 335i is equipped with Michelin X-Ice snow tires and didn't skip a beat. At no point did I get stuck or lose confidence driving the car. So for those of you thinking you need an xDrive car because it snows in your area, think again.
This is not me stuck. I just stopped for photos. Thats two weeks now driving at times in 12"+ of snow. Save some money. Save some weight. Come over to the rear-wheel-drive darkside!!! |
12-16-2016, 08:28 AM | #2 | |
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12-17-2016, 01:23 PM | #4 |
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I would say it depends. If you are starting in the deep stuff I like to have the traction control in the middle setting...dynamic traction control I think it is called. This means either turning it to sport+ or just pressing the traction off button once if in sport, comfort or eco mode. This allows some tire spin and the best traction on snow getting moving. This traction mode works good for driving around and allows you to have a little more fun but not really get in to much trouble.
With traction control fully on the power gets cut too easily and the tires never slip. I find it isn't as good for getting moving off stop lights or in deeper snow. Once I am out driving on around...not in stop light traffic but on open roads the full traction control works really well. If you apply too much throttle it stops wheels spin or loss of traction really quickly. Holding the traction control off button down till it turns the traction control fully off is for playing around in open parking lots only! You can have a blast and drift the car around all day. However, you can also spin the car in a straight line with ease. Fun in a parking lot...not good on the streets. |
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12-17-2016, 10:49 PM | #5 | |
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Me in a RWD passed all the trucks and SUVs on the freeway with ease However, I still think I should buy a cheap ass <$10k AWD like a Subaru for those early morning heavy snow days. Also, I drive around with winter tire only guarantees me 50% safety. The other 50% come from people with winter tires (not so many) and all season tires (a lot of them). I don't want my babe to get hit haha. |
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12-18-2016, 06:35 AM | #6 | |
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This is my experience in my RWD 335i with Michelin X-Ice Xi-3 tires. xDrive in a 335i doesn't offer significantly better deep snow performance since the main problem is the lack of ground clearance with these vehicles. If it's the deep stuff, I'll just use the BMW X3 35i. |
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12-18-2016, 07:51 AM | #7 |
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That's awesome. I have Nokian Haka R2's on my f80 M3, and have no problem getting around in the white stuff.
BUT ... truth be told, xDrive does a much better job. Even with all seasons. The problem with xDrive is that it is a compromise 100% the time, when you only ever need it 5% of the time. |
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12-19-2016, 07:53 PM | #8 |
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12-21-2016, 04:17 PM | #10 | |
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12-22-2016, 09:11 AM | #11 | |
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12-22-2016, 09:34 AM | #12 |
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12-22-2016, 11:29 AM | #13 | |
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I'm using Michelin Alpin PA4 winter tires and the car is impressive in the snow/sleet and never feels unsafe or at risk of getting stuck. I can't say the same about my outgoing G37. I'd imagine xDrive with snow tires is the ultimate snow performance, but much more than I need on streets that are plowed relatively quick. I prefer the feel of the RWD over the couple days I may marginally benefit from AWD. Not to mention the small bump in MPGs! (Not like anyone in cars like these are most concerned about fuel economy. lol) |
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12-23-2016, 12:43 AM | #14 |
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