07-09-2012, 03:01 PM | #23 | |
Banned
17
Rep 533
Posts |
Quote:
In serious snow and ice, we all drive conservatively and more cautiously, the speed and the maneuverability are practically non-issues. It's the stopping that is the crux of the matter and no AWD helps you there. Here's a guide to winter traction from my experience with all the technologies and tires being questioned here: Snow Tires + AWD = The best solution. Snow tires + RWD = 90% of that. All Seasons + AWD = 70% of that. All Seasons + RWD = 40% of that. XDrive is just savvy marketing for lazy Americans who don't want to have to be inconvenienced having their tires changed each year. It's a nice concept on paper; doesn't work in the real world. It's all about the tires. Save the $3000 on XDrive, get $1000 worth of snow tires, spend the $200 to have them swapped 2x a year, done. Better traction, better safety, saves you money. BJ |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-09-2012, 03:17 PM | #24 | |
Dejan
1759
Rep 4,194
Posts
Drives: 2018 Audi S3
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan Ave.
iTrader: (6)
Garage List 2013 BMW 335i [10.00]
2015 BMW 228i M Spo ... [0.00] 2013 Ford Focus (DD) [0.00] 2001 Alfa Romeo 156 [0.00] |
Quote:
__________________
FBO-PS1 and stuff
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-09-2012, 04:16 PM | #25 |
Captain
229
Rep 838
Posts |
X-drive is good to have even when there's absolutely no snow on the road during the frozen months. Between Nov - March there could be unexpected ice around any corner in the road that you might not visually see. You know the kind I'm talking about. Black Ice. Sometimes it's only 6 inches wide and blends in with the cracks in the road. The kind where your car slides first and then your brain notices it second. X-drive is less likely to make your car slide than RWD while accelerating around that corner. For me, an extra $2000 is a cheap insurance policy during my long five winter months, where my car can slide at any given time.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-09-2012, 04:34 PM | #26 |
Lieutenant
153
Rep 487
Posts |
Completely agree that AWD does not help with braking in snow and ice at all, which is a mistake many inexperienced drivers make. You will find it much improved in accelerating off the line, especially on inclines.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-09-2012, 04:37 PM | #27 | |
Lieutenant
153
Rep 487
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-09-2012, 04:42 PM | #28 |
Private First Class
5
Rep 160
Posts |
To me xDrive is worth it. I've driven all wheel drive cars for years and would always prefer 4 wheels moving the car to two. It's all in what you prefer.
__________________
2013 335i xDrive
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-09-2012, 05:01 PM | #29 |
BMWCCA #470039
9
Rep 77
Posts |
For the Chicago days when the snow is falling heavily fast and furious, and my driveway; my company's parking lot; my friends apartment; grocery stores parking lot have not been plowed, I know I will not be stuck with AWD regardless of tires.
I've been stuck in those situations with FWD and/or RWD a few times, regardless of tires so I always buy AWD now. It's like buying insurance as most of the time you think you're wasting money, but its in those few unfortunate moments that you glad you got them. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-09-2012, 05:36 PM | #30 | |
Major General
894
Rep 7,047
Posts |
Quote:
I too am in the Chicago area. The flat lands. Current 135i with Conti DWS all season tires, all year long. 2006 A4 2.0T quattro Bridgestone RE960 all season tires, all year long. 2003 325i sport with Pirelli P Zero all season tires, all year long. 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse 3.0 V6 FWD with Goodyear RSA all season tires, all year long. Not going back any further, but all those cars had all seasons as well. Number of times actually stuck in snow, for the above mentioned? 0 Bad braking experience with compacted snow, extreme cold, ABS, and all seasons? 1 (325i) The best in the winter was the A4. 2nd best Mits Eclipse. 3rd best is my 135i. 4th best was the 325i, and I think it was due to the Pirelli's not being so great in the snow. BMW RWD or Xdrive? The quickest 3's have had AWD. The best overall handlers and performers are RWD. Best on snow, especially on hilly terrain? I'll go with Xdrive. Since you asked which one? RWD! Lots of uncleared snowy roads with hilly terrain for much of the winter? If you're daring and not affeared - RWD! A bit scared and unsure? Audi A4. Ok, Xdrive as runner up. Whaaaa....? YUP! Now, get out there and order your RWD 3, and get some snow shoes for the winter! Last edited by RPM90; 07-09-2012 at 05:55 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-09-2012, 10:27 PM | #31 |
Colonel
2258
Rep 2,196
Posts
Drives: F80, G80 & G87
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chicago
|
I live in mixed weather Des Moines, IA. I had a rear wheel drive 2007 328i. First winter all seasons only had one instance of limited traction going up a hill. Next year got Blizzaks never any issues and they extended the life of the all seasons. Currently have 2011 X3 3.5i and miss the rear wheel drive car so I ordered 2013 328i rear wheel drive sport package with all seasons. Will get snows in November.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-09-2012, 11:50 PM | #32 |
#savethemanuals
2562
Rep 2,044
Posts |
I would get RWD, but I go skiing about 15 times a year and mainly in powder days, I feel like xDrive with snows is a tank, better than any SUV I have had.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-10-2012, 07:25 PM | #33 |
Second Lieutenant
8
Rep 292
Posts
Drives: 2011 E90 328xi 6MT Alpinweiss
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Inside The Beltway
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2014 BMW 535i X-Drive [0.00]
2004 BMW 325cic 5MT [0.00] 2016 BMW R1200RT [0.00] 2011 BMW 328xi 6MT [0.00] |
I had an E46 RWD MT and now have an E91 AWD. The E46 DSC was incredibly annoying in rain and snow. The slightest slipperiness powering up a hill and the whole car would shudder while its brain would cut engine power and the brakes try to decide which wheel to clamp down. By contrast, the AWD is incredibly fun in dry, wet or snow. The control is amazing.
My daily commute includes a winding 1/8-mile sweeping uphill curve left changing to 1/8-mile uphill curve right, through some woodsy parkland. I really enjoy feeling each of the individual wheels bite as needed as I power up the hill, dry or wet. The car just tracks like it's on a rail powering up a curvy hill. Of course, 6MT makes it even more fun. There are sadly few AWD MT sport sedans built anymore. Thanks BMW. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-10-2012, 08:10 PM | #34 |
Private First Class
5
Rep 107
Posts |
I think that for 95% of people during everyday driving x-drive is an added benefit. For most people who live in places with winter weather "the disadvantages of awd" are outweighed by the advantages when the bad whether hits.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-10-2012, 08:41 PM | #35 |
Lieutenant
17
Rep 510
Posts |
Loved it for snowy conditions
And I have owned an xDrive e92 and now an e93 with the same set of snow tires.
__________________
2014 911 C2 Cab, Considering adding 2er convertible
Past - 2011 328i Convertible 2008 BMW 335xi Coupe (ED), 2003 BMW 530i, 1999 BMW 528i Last edited by ede92; 07-12-2012 at 05:23 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-11-2012, 11:19 PM | #36 | |
New Member
2
Rep 13
Posts |
Quote:
And the MSRP for xDrive is $2000 on the 3 series, and even less if you know how to haggle for a car, so the price difference once you've bought snow tires and pay to have them swapped is negligible, just to say your car handles slightly better when you...get on the highway or take a right on red . The way some people talk here, you'd think their commute to work was on a drag strip. Last edited by THizzle7XU; 07-11-2012 at 11:26 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-12-2012, 01:13 PM | #37 | |
Colonel
1183
Rep 2,135
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-12-2012, 02:36 PM | #39 | |
Private First Class
21
Rep 191
Posts |
Quote:
Clearance is an issue, but it will be with any 3-series unless you have an X3. I did, however, have a loaner 328Xi sedan one day in the snow, and without a doubt, that car had less cornering and braking ability on the ice than my RWD with snow tires. It was borderline scary when coming from my car. Personally, I'd rather be able to turn and stop faster in my RWD/Snow-tire car than have the false confidence that many people have in their AWD/All-season tire cars!
__________________
2013 X3 3.5 | SAP | DHP | NAV | CWP | AW | Mojave
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-12-2012, 02:46 PM | #40 |
(Sold) '00 M Roadster '06 M Coupe '16 M3 '20 X3MC
1633
Rep 2,604
Posts |
$2000 for X Drive, and $1000 back when you trade it in! so $1000 is your total cost to have it, and it helps acceleration in all situations!
If you come to a stop on ice or certain types of snow, RWD with snow tires can still get you stuck, AWD is a much better option. Also it looks like the new BMW AWD systems are only adding around 150 pounds to the car, so if we just took our lazy american asses to the gym we could shed some of the drivers weight to offset that I always remind my wife AWD does not help her when stopping and she understands that, but she does feel safer in knowing she has a lot less risk of getting stuck. I will always put winter wheels and snow tires on all my cars, if they have RWD or AWD, doesn't matter. And if you get your tires at certain places like discount tire, they change them for free whenever you want (or go to a place like NTB and get it done for $20, not $200 a year) |
Appreciate
0
|
07-12-2012, 02:57 PM | #41 | |
Private First Class
21
Rep 191
Posts |
Quote:
Turning and stopping is highly underrated.
__________________
2013 X3 3.5 | SAP | DHP | NAV | CWP | AW | Mojave
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-12-2012, 03:32 PM | #42 |
(Sold) '00 M Roadster '06 M Coupe '16 M3 '20 X3MC
1633
Rep 2,604
Posts |
If you are just trying to stop your car, tires is all that matters, AWD will not help, this is agreed upon.
But "safer" with AWD does matter when you are trying to accelerate off ice or snow, especially on on/off ramps during rush hour, this happened several times to me in my C63, you are stopped on a ramp going up hill in traffic, you got unlucky and your rear tires are on ice, you try to go and just slide backwards (possibly into another car) or off to the left into another car! AWD could have prevented that by having other tires grip and get you going straight. This is an instance where all season tires with AWD could get you out of a jam better than snow tires on RWD! Like I said in my previous post we will always use the combo of Snow tires and AWD so the all season tire vs snow tire debate does not apply with my decision to buy AWD or not. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-12-2012, 09:28 PM | #43 |
Second Lieutenant
11
Rep 228
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-13-2012, 01:53 AM | #44 |
Captain
229
Rep 838
Posts |
Yes Mako, I agree 100% with your scenario. Accelerating around a circular on-ramp and unexpectedly hitting a skinny patch of black ice will likely put a RWD car in the ditch. A AWD car has a better chance of finding tires with grip and surviving the ordeal. It doesn't matter what kind of tires you have.
The way some of these people write, it makes me wonder if they've ever driven on ice before. |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|