[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by Araemo

As noted, everything up to my last paragraph is verifiable in BMW literature, parts catalogs, etc. The comments about adaptive suspension are my understanding based on reading about the technical details of similar systems, but I have seen very little detailed info on BMWs system specifically.

Agreed except for BMW's is actually RWD biased

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Araemo

As noted, everything up to my last paragraph is verifiable in BMW literature, parts catalogs, etc.

You mean as in: detailed specs, reviewed, approved, tested, engineered, tested again after installed in our cars and documented. And all by fairly reputable engineering and manufacturing company ?

Nah... I don't buy it .
That just makes too much sense, just like "winter tires are indeed better choice on the snow". Instead it's better to go shopping for a new car trusting the "feel" of internet forum users.

Originally Posted by Araemo

The comments about adaptive suspension are my understanding based on reading about the technical details of similar systems, but I have seen very little detailed info on BMWs system specifically.

BMW's DHP has to be the most elusive piece of documentation out there. When I first got it I was very curious on exact details, and it's really difficult to find them all in one place.

[Araemo]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

BMW's DHP has to be the most elusive piece of documentation out there. When I first got it I was very curious on exact details, and it's really difficult to find them all in one place.

Yeah, I've read up on many systems, and I have found decent details of the Delphi/GM/Ferrari/Audi magneride system, and I believe that the older valved systems like BMW uses operate on the same principal (and as much as Delphi talks about the 1000 Hz sampling/command rate for their dampers, engineers have commented that they tend to have to filter the input/output to lower the command rate to keep the car from feeling too 'busy' over bumps.. don't get me wrong, that still means they may be able to start responding almost 4x faster than a 250 Hz system like most of the valved dynamic dampers, but in both cases the response is going to happen before you can even feel the bump, so they probably both 'feel' very similar when tuned by the same engineers with the same goals.

[DrifterX]

God... this thread is 3 days old and it's already at 5 pages...

RWD with manual is life... that is all...

[AGONXF30]

I live south of lake Ontario. Plenty of snow. RWD F30 335 with the best all seasons in the market and I have zero issues.

[S.BMW23]

Awd in the Chicago land area makes a world of difference.

[cfm56d7b]

I had experience with both AWD and RWD F30 vehicles: 2013 335i xDrive and now 2017 440i GC (rear wheel drive).

Ignoring less-than-sporty base suspension on 335i xDrive, equipped with Pirelli Sottozero snow tires 335i xDrive could handle practically any weather on the East Coast. All suspension issues were addressed by KW Street Comfort coilovers.

I don't think the handling characteristics of F30 with RWD or AWD in daily driver mode are significantly different.

[Shadycrew31]

As you can see Quattro is the superior AWD. If you live in an area that gets blasted with snow its best to get an Audi. If you have a steep driveway get xdrive. Outside of that just stick with RWD.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

I had experience with both AWD and RWD F30 vehicles: 2013 335i xDrive and now 2017 440i GC (rear wheel drive).

Ignoring less-than-sporty base suspension on 335i xDrive, equipped with Pirelli Sottozero snow tires 335i xDrive could handle practically any weather on the East Coast. All suspension issues were addressed by KW Street Comfort coilovers.

I don't think the handling characteristics of F30 with RWD or AWD in daily driver mode are significantly different.

This is all true, but upgrading suspension with aftermarket parts isn't exactly inexpensive and might cause issues with BMW warranty coverage. From what I read, (no firsthand experience), upgrade costs range from 2-4K. Take the price difference between the two and upgrade, perhaps tires, or tune to RWD then you're comparing apples to apples.

I think those that do have issue with AWD don't have any issue with drivetrain itself (I know I don't), but somewhat softer and higher base setup to start with (causing more body roll) combined with lack of (sporty) suspension options directly from BMW.

[hollandog]

Originally Posted by Shadycrew31

As you can see Quattro is the superior AWD. If you live in an area that gets blasted with snow its best to get an Audi. If you have a steep driveway get xdrive. Outside of that just stick with RWD.

I tried to look into it but couldn't find any confirmation if they were tested with same tires on all 3 cars. If they did Quattro hands down. On the last part hill climb the xDrive went side way it looked like all season was on it. Not sure thought.

[Altima]

Originally Posted by hollandog

I tried to look into it but couldn't find any confirmation if they were tested with same tires on all 3 cars. If they did Quattro hands down. On the last part hill climb the xDrive went side way it looked like all season was on it. Not sure thought.

If anyone lives where it looks even remotely like that, they should be thinking about a new place to live, not a new car.

[Altima]

Originally Posted by AGONXF30

I live south of lake Ontario. Plenty of snow. RWD F30 335 with the best all seasons in the market and I have zero issues.

Thank you! We need more people like you to spread the truth. Most people have no idea and just spread what they've been told by someone else who has never driven a RWD vehicle.

[Shadycrew31]

I have a RWD car as well. I'd rather drive my AWD car in any weather other than warm and breezy.

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by Shadycrew31

I have a RWD car as well. I'd rather drive my AWD car in any weather other than warm and breezy.

To each their own. But I have a AWD, a FWD, and RWD cars and my RWD gets me everywhere. I don't even wheel spin in the rain. Most of you just need better tires.

[Araemo]

Originally Posted by AGONXF30

To each their own. But I have a AWD, a FWD, and RWD cars and my RWD gets me everywhere. I don't even wheel spin in the rain. Most of you just need better tires.

You don't wheel spin in the rain when you gun it in 1st/2nd with TCS off(or in TRACTION mode), or you just drive slower in the rain?

My previous cars got me through all sorts of snow despite not being AWD, but I noticed a definite difference in the ability of my AWD car in the snow, and I am comparing good snow tires to good snow tires. Admittedly very different curb weights, which probably had an effect, but not as much of one as you'd think, as the higher curb weight car also has noticeably larger/wider tires.

[donkey]

Yeah every time it rains I crash into the first thing I see

[Zentan]

Never knew my thread would become this popular!

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Zentan

Never knew my thread would become this popular!

Oh, it was pretty much guarantied to be. If you want another "success" try "Audi Vs. BMW Vs. Benz" next, followed close by "manual Vs. auto".

Originally Posted by Araemo

My previous cars got me through all sorts of snow despite not being AWD, but I noticed a definite difference in the ability of my AWD car in the snow, and I am comparing good snow tires to good snow tires.

I don't think anybody will argue that AWD is superior in the snow with same tires, that's pretty obvious and universal agreed on. Just like the fact RWD is more fun... kidding... kidding, couldn't resist.
What personally "gets me" is this idea of "have snow - must buy AWD (but winter tires are optional since you have AWD)"

[Shadycrew31]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Oh, it was pretty much guarantied to be. If you want another "success" try "Audi Vs. BMW Vs. Benz" next, followed close by "manual Vs. auto".

Followed by, "Which color is fastest? Estoril Blue?"

[Zentan]

Originally Posted by Shadycrew31

Followed by, "Which color is fastest? Estoril Blue?"

Most definitely Estoril Blue.

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by Zentan

Never knew my thread would become this popular!

Yes, it sure is. And like the hundred of other threads on RWD vs AWD it has the same outcome:

If you have RWD, that is better

If you have FWD, that is better

Bravo

[hollandog]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Oh, it was pretty much guarantied to be. If you want another "success" try "Audi Vs. BMW Vs. Benz" next, followed close by "manual Vs. auto".



I don't think anybody will argue that AWD is superior in the snow with same tires, that's pretty obvious and universal agreed on. Just like the fact RWD is more fun... kidding... kidding, couldn't resist.
What personally "gets me" is this idea of "have snow - must buy AWD (but winter tires are optional since you have AWD)"

If was amusing to see deep pocket guys driving performance AWD cars that came with summer tires and wonder why they aren't moving in the snow. cough, GTR, S5...etc