[donkey]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

It's not just the snow, it's the hills. I have a pretty good one next to my house: my driveway. For 30 years with FWD or RWD with snows if there was even an inch of snow the only way I could get up my driveway was to back into the driveway opposite mine to get a good head start, and even then it was fishtailing most of the way. If I parked the car halfway up the only way to get all the way up was to back all the way down and start from scratch. With XDrive and AS I don't need a head start. I can park in the middle of the driveway and later drive it the rest of the way up even in four inches of snow from a standing start with no slipping, sliding or fishtailing. I do heed God's admonition that a snowstorm is his sign that you should take the day off, going out only if absolutely necessary, but mainly out of fear of getting hit by someone else who either doesn't have AWD or someone who has AWD but not the sense to drive in snow with appropriate caution.
I only got AWD because the car I wanted happened to have it. If I'd had the option to go without it I probably would have, but since the first day of driving it in snow haven't regretted it for a moment.

All good points. A lot of it does come down to circumstance and there's definitely been times where I've been thankful for owning an AWD car and times where I wished I had one but didn't.

I do think that if it's snowing out, it's not worth going out unless for an emergency. I work from home though so it's a lot easier for me than someone with a commute. If I had to go through snow on a frequent basis, I probably would go AWD.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Well that sure is short sighted. By that logic an AWD with bald tires is good to go, but a RWD with brand new snow tires isn't allowed.

The similar WA State standard requires a minimum of 4/32" on tires rated M+S. Just because RAK didn't elaborate the entire standard and laws doesn't mean you have to post so obtusely.

[rak299]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

A perfect example of how the blanket statement of "if snow, then AWD" is flawed.

You are expecting laws to be logical?

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

The similar WA State standard requires a minimum of 4/32" on tires rated M+S. Just because RAK didn't elaborate the entire standard and laws doesn't mean you have to post so obtusely.

I can only go off the info provided, as I am not aware nor does it apply to me. You will note my next line was "if this is how things go down" which was intended to imply I suspect it's probably not exactly as portrayed.

Regardless, you would be better off driving RWD with good snow tires than average m+s tires all the way down to 4/32" with AWD.

I have some experience of lawmakers, specifically in California, writing legislation using even less supporting info or practical method of enforcement, so it's not outside of the realm of possibility.

To be fair, I did get off topic, so back to the general point, such enforcement might be a reasonable excuse to select all wheel drive, or hills as I had already stated, but often the statement of "if you get snow you need AWD" is not qualified with such reasonable info, just spewed blindly. That's all I really take issue with as it causes some buyers to miss out and en masse it continues to dilute the BMW sport sedan.

[metallicpea]

Nearby me in the greater Chicago area, everything is flat and the roads are cleared very quickly, yet an unbelievably vast majority of BMWs are x drive and it just causes me to die a little inside

[eluded]

Tractors are great in the snow

[wrickem]

Thanks all for yet another fascinating x-drive vs RWD debate, it made me remember I had to order a winter set up for my 435-xdrive before the tires I wanted got hard to find.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by wrickem

Thanks all for yet another fascinating x-drive vs RWD debate.

Said 'debate' always has the same result. RWD owners tend to say "I don't need XDrive", XDrive owners tend to say "I like it". What you don't see is a member of either camp saying "Don't get what I have".

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by wrickem

Thanks all for yet another fascinating x-drive vs RWD debate, it made me remember I had to order a winter set up for my 435-xdrive before the tires I wanted got hard to find.

I didn't see it as debate, AWD beats RWD with same tires every time in the snow, I think we all agree on that.
Debate was more over statemens like "there's snow you must get AWD" or one I personally hate "I've got AWD I don't need "no" winter tires".

Whatever makes one happy, AWD, RWD even FWD, no judgment .

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Whatever makes one happy, AWD, RWD even FWD, no judgment .

+1!

I was able to get the snow tires I wanted. I usually wait too long and have to go with a second choice, so thanks to all for the reminder.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by wrickem

+1!

I was able to get the snow tires I wanted. I usually wait too long and have to go with a second choice, so thanks to all for the reminder.

Ha ha, you are welcome.
That's exactly why my wife's AWD has Michelin xIce (great but not my first choice). Same as you, this time I was a bit smarter, just placed my order for new set of Nokians yesterday.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

I didn't see it as debate, AWD beats RWD with same tires every time in the snow, I think we all agree on that.
Debate was more over statemens like "there's snow you must get AWD" or one I personally hate "I've got AWD I don't need "no" winter tires".

Whatever makes one happy, AWD, RWD even FWD, no judgment .

I completely agree. I think many of us fully understand the differences. I also am not justifying anything or concerned with what others have purchased. I buy what I like and never suggest what other should like or purchase unless I am asked.

The issue is when advice is provided with key information missing. That is all.

I appreciate the people here and especially enjoy the points of view of others who are into their cars. I don't have these discussions to impose my ideas, just understand those of others.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by wrickem

+1!

I was able to get the snow tires I wanted. I usually wait too long and have to go with a second choice, so thanks to all for the reminder.

Good news.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by eluded

Tractors are great in the snow

Not really. My 4WD Kubota requires chains if you want to do any pushing or pulling in the snow. I've even high-centered it plowing snow!

My current 335d isn't, of course, AWD. With snow tires, it's adequate in most circumstances. In those circumstances where it isn't adequate, I'll take my 4WD truck or my wife's 328xd.

I hate it when going down the unplowed Forest Service road in my car when the snow blows up on the windshield and I have to steer by looking out the side window.

[anotheran]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Said 'debate' always has the same result. RWD owners tend to say "I don't need XDrive", XDrive owners tend to say "I like it". What you don't see is a member of either camp saying "Don't get what I have".

If someone was looking for a track car or live in a sunny state then i'd say don't get what I have (xDrive)

[nicknaz]

not sure if it was discussed, but I would go to empty road, DSC OFF, rev engine/drop clutch

you'll know with 100% certainly what the drive configuration is

[VinnyS]

I can see this thread got a little out of hand

Just to give you an update, I decided not to go with that car. Price was good but I really wanted to go with something that had xDrive. BTW, the dealer never got back to me. Even though it was from a Nissan dealer, was a little too shady for me.

This is not my first BMW, and I can say that the winter months in Montreal have actually been really mild in the last couple of years whereas some other parts of Canada and the US have triple our snow fall. But BMWs RWD have gotten better with the traction control but when there's a nice chunk of snow that just fell, there's nothing like an AWD.

BMWs RWD propulsion is just too addictive and if I wasn't living in a city with winter months of snow, I would have stuck with RWD, but I've gotten into too much trouble with the E90 years ago when there were days that the snow was just too much.

Thanks for all your help everyone. Cheers

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by VinnyS

BMWs RWD propulsion is just too addictive and if I wasn't living in a city with winter months of snow, I would have stuck with RWD, but I've gotten into too much trouble with the E90 years ago when there were days that the snow was just too much.

Just move away from Westmount, the rest of the city is more flat, shouldn't be an issue.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

You can call whatever you want to, it won't alter my personal experience.

Stopping power is "a bit less" . Youre ok with that?? Whats the point of winter tires?

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Said 'debate' always has the same result. RWD owners tend to say "I don't need XDrive", XDrive owners tend to say "I like it". What you don't see is a member of either camp saying "Don't get what I have".

Youre right. gotta love the annual rwd vs rwd vs winters vs AS.............

This started out as ...."how to tell if its x drive'..................

[binjammin10]

Emblems can be installed to give a superficial spike in resale value. Always run the VIN over relying on labels.
I made the mistake once in buying a used 'S-LINE' A4 Quattro.. I learned to check the VIN after finding out it was not a Quattro.
Same happened to my ex when she bought a 328 off a used car lot and found out later it was not xdrive