01-21-2016, 11:07 AM | #45 | |
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I know you don't want to go aftermarket, but I believe Dinan, ACS, or Alpina might be your best bet. Dinan has xDrive specific suspension parts, and most dealers carry their stuff anyways. I personally have their springs on my xDrive and I am very happy with them. With the spring swap, I noticed a very mild drop (.75-1 inch) and less roll in the corners. I would say that 90% of the comfort was retained which was pretty important to me since this is my daily. My old car was lowered by about 2 inches and boy, is this a good change lol. The springs gave me everything that I wanted/expected, but I know tastes/preferences are different so they may or may not serve your needs. |
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01-21-2016, 09:34 PM | #46 | |
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01-24-2016, 09:46 AM | #47 | |
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The xDrive is fabulous in the snow and ice, in fact even better than some AWD trucks I have owned. During these winter mornings after an evening dusting of 1-2" of snow, xDrive never failed to impress. However, the trade-off was the detachment from the road, the standard suspension and the heavy components of AWD attached to the front wheels. It numbed the feel for the other 335 days a year with out slippery conditions. After 3 years and 60K trouble free miles, I moved over to a F30 RWD 335i M-Sport and purchased a set of winter rims and Pirelli Sottozero winter tires. In low traction conditions, the RWD vehicle always goes into traction control, however, when I run in "EcoPro" mode on those challenging days, the traction is much easier to control. I have given up little in the agility and maneuverability through snow BUT gained much in the overall feel and handling department. The RWD with the 704 suspension is much more "planted" to the road and the steering is not as "numb and detached" as the AWD. Even my Wife has commented that although the two cars appearance in and out are nearly the same, it is amazing how different they feel, the RWD to the good. I would go with the RWD unless I lived outside the 'burbs and had 120+ inches of annual snowfall that was last to be plowed (if ever), otherwise, use the $4K saved ($2K for DHP and $2K for xDrive) towards a winter rim & tire set. If I was to get xDrive again, the DHP would be a must! The Dinan Spring set will lower the xDrive car 1" (the AWD is 3/4" higher than the RWD) and increase stiffness 30% (MSRP $299) and one should add the Supplemental Ride Handling Kit ($159 MSRP). This would certainly have a huge impact. I do not know if the 704 springs would work on the AWD. |
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metallicpea714.00 |
01-24-2016, 02:44 PM | #48 |
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^ I agree with “kpgray”, and here’s my additional 2 cents on the subject.
I've only owned RWD 3-Series BMWs with Sport Packages (ZSP or ZMM) and manual gearboxes, which I drive during northeast winters on dedicated snow tires (I also own a manual E46 M3 which has never been driven in the winter). I have driven a friend's xi and numerous xi loaners, which seem to be the only cars that BMW dealerships keep on their lots in the northeast. Every time I’ve driven an xi, I’ve been underwhelmed by the chassis dynamics and handling compared to RWD BMWs with Sport Package. It’s probably got a lot to do with the non-sport-tuned suspensions and/or all-season tires on the x-drive cars. In my opinion, x-drive cars (and non-sport RWD 3-Series BMWs) handle more like my parent's E-Class Mercedes than my RWD ZSP/ZMM BMWs with sport-tuned suspensions. The question I always ask myself when purchasing a BMW is this: “Do I want to compromise chassis dynamics and handling all year long for the few days a year that I might prefer to have an all-wheel-drive vehicle?” In my case, the answer is always “No.”
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01-26-2016, 10:59 PM | #49 | |
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I think xDrive is pretty much a gimmick to suck more money out of customer wallets. Take for example the 4 series. XDrive on a 340 in Canada is 2k more than RWD. On the 428, it's 5k more. Does that make any sense either than plain old price gouging? The idea you'll get no where in the winter without AWD completely depends on where the car is driven. The overwhelming majority of cars on my street here in 'Winter Wonderland' Toronto, where we've had less snow than Kentucky so far, are FWD. No chaos. No economic collapse. No drama. Streets are well maintained, plowed, and most cars have snow tires. When there is no snow on the road, I'll see the occasional motorcycle on the road, in the winter. One-wheel drive. I'm not advising you to not spend an extra 2-5k on options but BMW has much better options than xDrive to spend money on. |
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01-27-2016, 11:03 AM | #50 |
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After this 2 feet snow storm. The biggest issue is the ground clearance than the drive system.
I backed into 1 foot of snow with slight slope and almost got stuck. RWD + Blizzak WS80. If the car isn't bellied, you probably won't get stuck with either AWD+AllSeason or RWD+Snow.
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01-28-2016, 10:34 PM | #52 |
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After trying to build a few cars, I am so bummed that manual tranny as an option is on the 3 x series but not the 2 or 4!! WTF
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03-23-2017, 01:55 PM | #54 | |
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Once again, it's tires and modern electronics that'll stop you from loosing grip. |
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03-23-2017, 04:33 PM | #55 |
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As a Minnesotan living in Minnesota I will agree it is a matter of choice. I will also state categorically that all things being equal an xDrive equipped vehicle will beat a RWD vehicle up to speed in low traction situations every single time.
edit: it will not stop or steer any better though.
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12-03-2017, 03:00 PM | #56 | |
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12-03-2017, 05:53 PM | #57 |
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You can't go wrong with xDrive and snow tires. The car is like a tank.
I used to have RWD E39 with snow tires. It got the job done but going up some hills in my area was always a white knuckle experience. |
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12-04-2017, 06:28 AM | #58 |
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BAA435I9.00 Blubaron791431.50 |
12-04-2017, 09:45 AM | #59 |
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I will say the suspension on this car is really pedestrian. It body rolls and understeers like a pig. For some people it probably handles 'amazing' but from what I'm used to it's closer to a cadillac. It definitely needs some sway bars, slightly stiffer springs, and high end dampers. Probably bushings as well.
The fact that a 300+hp car would come with 225 wide tires is also a joke. |
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12-04-2017, 06:04 PM | #60 |
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Get busy!
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12-04-2017, 10:39 PM | #61 |
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Do not ever get an xdrive (regular shitty xdrive, not M-xdrive onF90) on a non SUV bmw.
I drove a e90 323i rwd with about 180hp And now a f32 435xi with 300. E90 is much more fun. Just can't really drift in this shity awd. Winter? Get a winter tire and u will be fine. Just don't turn in the corner at your normal summer speed. It will crash regardless of xdrive or rwd. |
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12-05-2017, 11:06 AM | #62 | |
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12-05-2017, 11:09 AM | #63 | ||
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metallicpea714.00 jeffc83725.00 |
12-05-2017, 11:16 AM | #64 | |
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Lots of people where I live get stuck with RWD at lights or parkings. It snows alot here (average of 30cm a week) and I plow through everything with my xDrive. And of course you can't drift, it's AWD. Unless you want to break components on your car, and burning through tires for no reason, I would highly advise against drifting.
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12-05-2017, 12:35 PM | #65 | |
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You and I have disagreed on this topic before. But my short statement is still, unless you get extreme snow (I'll give you 30cm per week) or have snow combined with hills. I would always buy RWD. AWD gives most drivers more confidence than they should have to go, then get into trouble when turning or stopping at speed when it is much more dangerous. What tires do you run in the winter?
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12-05-2017, 12:47 PM | #66 | |
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That seat was meant to be used, are you going to deny it's purpose in life? |
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