[LateNate]

Ok guys i bought a 2013 f30 335i xdrive.
M sport. About 2 months ago , loving the car. But theres 1 thing , ive always owned rwd cars , just feels more right and fun, when your a car enthusiest.
I live in Mass where it snows in the winter but nothing crazy, if u add up we might get 1-2 storms a winter and about total of 5-7 days of normal snow a winter. But i when searching f30 i could nt find a rwd searched for about 5 months then gave up and got awd, also thought it would be more practical. Butttttt lately i have been kind of regreting it, miss being able to slide a little and do some burn outs. Miss that handling feel of a rwd car. Miss the racecar feel of a rwd car. And the thought that im burning a little more gas and that iam a little slower is haunting me.Im also maybe moving to FL in a year or so.

Soooo to finalize this a 2014 f30 335i m sport just popped up in the market in my price range.
Should i do it???? Awd to rwd? Help!

[Bbb34]

Yes, just do it, but I'm biased of course.

Make sure you budget for good winter tires though.
A lot more info here, have fun reading it all.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1160997

[Gitte]

Sounds like you're definitely feeling the need for rwd! Maybe line up a test drive and go back to back with your current vehicle. If your previous rwd have been ok for your winters and FL is in your future then go with whichever feels right!

[CntryClub007]

RWD FTW

[donkey]

+1 for RWD, bonus points for manual

[F30_SixSpeed]

Nothing better then a true BMW enthusiast car... RWD + manual. I must be bias

[alex2364]

+1 RWD!!!

[alex_f30]

Lived my whole life in Cali so never really had that trouble going through AWD. But since I might move to Chicago, it got me thinking abit of switching lately. After long and thoughtful nights, I come to realized a awd is not gonna cut it. If you have the money, go for a second car. If not... well there is always the wife's car. So for me +1 rwd

[Michael Schott]

I think your expectations are too high. Maybe a member here will let you drive their RWD car but don't expect "racecar" handling. Yes it will be better than your xDrive car but modern 3 series still have issues, most notably the steering. I had the sportiest configuration, RWD, 704 suspension and 6MT. It was a nice car but the steering let it down.

[tgmsocal]

Switch chassis. Go drive the RWD and you'll see. If all you want are burnouts and tail sliding... Well that's a different conversation and a lot of money to switch for something you (hopefully) do once every now and then.

I've driven both and as long as you're not Mario Andretti you can barely tell the difference in most situations. I'm not saying one is better than the other, just saying for what it will cost you to switch cars it is likely not going to be worth it.

I'm so sick of "purists" hating on modern variations. You're making a mistake if you are trying to apply anything "pure" to the F30. I love it, its a great BMW, but I've owned the older ones and they are a blast to drive but not nearly as comfortable as DDs. This car is a perfect compromise in my eyes.

My advice? Get yourself an M235i or similar if you want a zippy RWD animal that is designed for all the things the "purists" are after. You'll sacrifice some convenience but you'll gain that fun factor.

To each their own, as they say. GL and let us know which way you go!

-tgm

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by tgmsocal

My advice? Get yourself an M235i or similar if you want a zippy RWD animal that is designed for all the things the "purists" are after. You'll sacrifice some convenience but you'll gain that fun factor.

Great advice in my opinion.
The only issue is finding one of these on CPO market, and of course potential size issue.

[insanecoder]

old school prefer RWD
mine was already on the heavy side

[LateNate]

Thanks everyone for you'r input, i will definitly go for a test drive this week i hope. As in price i might be good because awd cars are little more expensive here in New England. Also i did test drive and consider a m235i , great car and very zippy. But just felt small and not right for me, i rlly enjoy having rear doors. I will keep reading you guys posts and test drive one today and let you guys know. One of the other reasons as i mentioned is that i might be moving to FL so this car that is awd and worth little more for it being awd here in new england might actualy be the other way around im FL and be cheaper lol. 1 more thing that i just noticed is that the rwd f30 that im looking at has the rear view cameras and PDC that might does not have. ALSOO noticed that the used parts market here on the forum is very big on Rwd f30's compared to xdrive f30's.

[enjoythemusic]

Lived in NE for ~15 years and while we got more snow so AWD/4WD was a must-have, if you move to FL you have no need for AWD. Maybe wait until you're sure about FL and then trade her while in NE as odds are you may get a better deal on a AWD in NE versus in FL? Just a thought.

[jeffc83]

I can understand you are looking for opinions and feedback but only you know what will make you happy. In the end, the only regrets we should have are the chances we didn't take. Best of luck!

[insanecoder]

you said it just feels more right and fun.. go with that
I'm in the NE and dont have a prob with RWD

[NWest]

Sounds like you want RWD, get it.

[donkey]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

I think your expectations are too high. Maybe a member here will let you drive their RWD car but don't expect "racecar" handling. Yes it will be better than your xDrive car but modern 3 series still have issues, most notably the steering. I had the sportiest configuration, RWD, 704 suspension and 6MT. It was a nice car but the steering let it down.

This is a good point, I have the same configuration but the steering, weight, and lack of LSD makes it fall short of a true sports car.

Although I do still manage to have fun on the backroads. So if you can do it without taking too big of a hit it may be worth it, just make sure you know it's a luxury sedan first and sports car second.

If I were in your shoes, I'd switch chassis like another poster said, or possibly switch to something completely different. The need for 4 doors and RWD does narrow your options though.

[anotheran]

swap car. especially since u'r moving to FL

won't fix the feel but will let you do burn outs and slides more easily

[LateNate]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Lived in NE for ~15 years and while we got more snow so AWD/4WD was a must-have, if you move to FL you have no need for AWD. Maybe wait until you're sure about FL and then trade her while in NE as odds are you may get a better deal on a AWD in NE versus in FL? Just a thought.

Yes Reason why I want to trade it now because its SOOO HARD to find a rwd m sport 335i in NE. They are all AWDs. So since this rare opportunity showed up I'm thinking of taking it.

[LateNate]

If I were to switch chassis I would WANT THE F80!!! haha my dream. Even though the chassis is not even thatttt much different. wider rear, front and the vents. But essentially its kind of similar. Not a big fan of the 2 doors, like f32 or m235i. My past 3 cars have all been 2 door and I always wanted a 4 door.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by anotheran

won't fix the feel but will let you do burn outs and slides more easily

Oh not so sure about the "feel" comment unless you're talking only about steering feel. I think they handle significantly different especially since the one OP is looking at has sport suspension. Lighter, lower, firmer suspension and RWD, the difference is significant in my opinion.

OP, please update the thread once you've had a chance to drive it and made your decision, good luck.