[thesampage]

Hey guys,
I'm planning on purchasing a used 340i and am kind of torn between xdrive and rwd. I know the whole debate around snow tires and how all wheel drive with all seasons isn't actually that great in the snow. I live in colorado so when it snows it's usually gone within 1-3 days.

What I'm really wondering is if the xdrive 340s come with the 704 suspension or not. I'm only looking at msport 340i's so from a handling perspective am I really losing a ton if I choose xdrive over rwd? Anyone have any thoughts?

[joeyb26]

You don't get the 704 suspension with xdrive. You need the rwd 340i to get that. If you go with xdrive, you get the base suspension which unfortunately has a large amount of wheel gap. I lowered my xdrive 340i on coilovers to remedy that

[jmack]

There are only two suspensions for 340i xDrive, standard and Adaptive. Unfortunately, M Sport models with xDrive come with the standard suspension. You have to either look for the Track Handling Package to get the adaptive suspension or go with an aftermarket suspension.

[Sigtran]

If as you say, I would opt for 340i without xDrive with performance summer tyres, they are way better then all seasons on hot climate... And for those 2-3 snow days a year, just don't drive or rent a car.

For really lot of snow and snowy days, xDrive with winter tyres is great, but as said in your case, I know I would go for RWD - more fun, better performance, no need to worry about transfer box etc.

[im_an_alien]

RWD with a stick!!!

[vmaniqui]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

RWD with a stick!!!

that will be the ultimate ride..... and the best choice too

[dmaxdmax]

I was sorry I couldn't find a rwd 6-speed...and you probably won't either...but there are, I believe, about twice as many awd 6-speeds...took me months to find mine.

You can still throttle steer, but the car's limits are beyond what I'll go near on the road.

Living in NJ where we get snow, I find it comforting to have the awd...and it makes it very stable in the rain. The only downside is the extra weight and the embarrassment of having awd in a community like this where bragging rights seem important.

[BWbimmer]

I didn't go for AWD because of the disadvantages of the limited tire choice, the additional weight, the issue with lowering and the problems the the transmission box.
If I really need the car in heavy snow I could still put some chains on.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by thesampage

Hey guys,
I'm planning on purchasing a used 340i and am kind of torn between xdrive and rwd. I know the whole debate around snow tires and how all wheel drive with all seasons isn't actually that great in the snow. I live in colorado so when it snows it's usually gone within 1-3 days.

What I'm really wondering is if the xdrive 340s come with the 704 suspension or not. I'm only looking at msport 340i's so from a handling perspective am I really losing a ton if I choose xdrive over rwd? Anyone have any thoughts?

You just got a few RWD biased guys to comment first. Most of what they said is nonsense. XDrive is the best AWD system that there is.

Stop thinking of xDrive as for the snow. Yes, it's great in the snow but it's incredible for handling every day of the year. It just blows RWD cars off the line every time. I've owned many brands of AWD cars and most are FWD oriented. BMW is RWD oriented. It's a drivers car. I've been out to Colorado and rented many different cars there. A 340i xDrive would be a blast there!

Forget that suspension chatter too. You can mod the suspension many different ways to get it just the way that you'd like for your needs and your roads. If you find a 340i xDrive then great! If you find one with the Adaptive struts and shocks, then even better! Let me know and I'd be happy to give you tips on suspension, steering, brakes, etc.

Good luck!

[Machinebuilder]

I think that for Colorado x-drive is a fine choice. I think the new x-drive cars are great and the suspension travel makes it more comfortable in comfort mode and sporty enough in sport mode. It is also alot safer when giving it gas and driving fast. I test drove a M240 6 mt rear wheel drive vs a 440i Xdrive and for New England went x-drive.

[thesampage]

Originally Posted by johnung

You just got a few RWD biased guys to comment first. Most of what they said is nonsense. XDrive is the best AWD system that there is.

Stop thinking of xDrive as for the snow. Yes, it's great in the snow but it's incredible for handling every day of the year. It just blows RWD cars off the line every time. I've owned many brands of AWD cars and most are FWD oriented. BMW is RWD oriented. It's a drivers car. I've been out to Colorado and rented many different cars there. A 340i xDrive would be a blast there!

Forget that suspension chatter too. You can mod the suspension many different ways to get it just the way that you'd like for your needs and your roads. If you find a 340i xDrive then great! If you find one with the Adaptive struts and shocks, then even better! Let me know and I'd be happy to give you tips on suspension, steering, brakes, etc.

Good luck!

I think you're right, definitely keeping my eye out for a xdrive with the adaptive suspension. What I've been looking for is the blue calipers with larger wheels and no front fog lights. All signs of the track handling package, am I correct on that? Is there a better way to identifying them or do I have things mixed up?

[M Smurf]

Originally Posted by Sigtran

If as you say, I would opt for 340i without xDrive with performance summer tyres, they are way better then all seasons on hot climate... And for those 2-3 snow days a year, just don't drive or rent a car.

For really lot of snow and snowy days, xDrive with winter tyres is great, but as said in your case, I know I would go for RWD - more fun, better performance, no need to worry about transfer box etc.

RWD all day long! I can tear through the worst winters in the country. You gain nothing by going AWD IMO

[M Smurf]

Originally Posted by johnung

You just got a few RWD biased guys to comment first. Most of what they said is nonsense. XDrive is the best AWD system that there is.

Stop thinking of xDrive as for the snow. Yes, it's great in the snow but it's incredible for handling every day of the year. It just blows RWD cars off the line every time. I've owned many brands of AWD cars and most are FWD oriented. BMW is RWD oriented. It's a drivers car. I've been out to Colorado and rented many different cars there. A 340i xDrive would be a blast there!

Forget that suspension chatter too. You can mod the suspension many different ways to get it just the way that you'd like for your needs and your roads. If you find a 340i xDrive then great! If you find one with the Adaptive struts and shocks, then even better! Let me know and I'd be happy to give you tips on suspension, steering, brakes, etc.

Good luck!

Worth a read to counter the performance angle of xdrive

https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show...1787327&page=2

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by BWbimmer

I didn't go for AWD because of the disadvantages of the limited tire choice, the additional weight, the issue with lowering and the problems the the transmission box.
If I really need the car in heavy snow I could still put some chains on.

Also turn radius is worse with x drive.

[Sigtran]

On non-slippery road, xdrive is just a additional weight, potential failure point and a fun killer. BMW is as it is perfectly balanced, no need xdrive on dry.

However, on slippery road conditions or snow, xdrive is just awesome to have, really a peace of mind.

And yes, I have a xDrive, but where I live it makes sense. If for example, I live on Florida, or somewhere with even dryer climate, I would prefer RWD.

[tjlees]

Its best to try both.

I have xdrive and adaptive. on a wet track or wet handling circuit, it's a real hoot - providing you fully turn off the traction control.

The steering is not the last word in feedback and feel but ok for a rep mobile - it maybe better on sdrive but can't really say I noticed with my ham fists.

main plus' for xdrive is traction, amazing power slides without having a scenery interface problem and, for me doing 20k pa on the highway, fairly even tyre wear and getting 50k out of my rears.

main minus' is weight/fuel consumption, maintenance on xfer box/diff and something else to go wrong

of course it's the best (or at least as good) 4wd system in snow ;-). This has been posted before but always good to have an objective test

[braxius]

I got the RWD and it handles well. Tires are going to make a big difference too.

[M Smurf]

Originally Posted by braxius

I got the RWD and it handles well. Tires are going to make a big difference too.

If discussing winter driving, tires make ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

[johnung]

Originally Posted by Sigtran

On non-slippery road, xdrive is just a additional weight, potential failure point and a fun killer. BMW is as it is perfectly balanced, no need xdrive on dry.

However, on slippery road conditions or snow, xdrive is just awesome to have, really a peace of mind.

And yes, I have a xDrive, but where I live it makes sense. If for example, I live on Florida, or somewhere with even dryer climate, I would prefer RWD.

Florida has daily downpour rain storms that come on suddenly and vision can be cut to zero. Not only would xDrive be preferable to RWD in those situations, I'd make sure that I had a superior rain tire like Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, the best brakes for rain conditions like Hawk 5.0 pads with superior bite and StopTech crossdrilled rotors with superior bite and the best protection against water getting between swept area between pad and rotor surface.

[Desertnate]

RWD. No question about it.

Along my journey to buying a RWD 435, I drove a lot of AWD F30's since my original intent was to get a sedan. I test drove a lot of AWD cars since that is all the dealerships typically stock. I found the AWD cars with the standard suspension to be too floaty and soft for my taste. The adaptive suspension was much better, but there was still something about the feel of the car I didn't really like.

Some time later while visiting my local dealership for one of the corporate drive events, a salesman I knew offered to let me drive one of their special service loaners: a RWD MSport with adaptive suspension. That test drive made all the difference and kept me from shopping a different brand.

I can't place my finger on exactly why, but I found the RWD cars to be better balanced and just feel better to drive IMO.

Once a RWD car landed in my garage, a set of winter tires was the next step. I've never had any issues in some truly terrible snow and very happy with the decision.

[im_an_alien]

Originally Posted by johnung

Florida has daily downpour rain storms that come on suddenly and vision can be cut to zero. Not only would xDrive be preferable to RWD in those situations, I'd make sure that I had a superior rain tire like Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, the best brakes for rain conditions like Hawk 5.0 pads with superior bite and StopTech crossdrilled rotors with superior bite and the best protection against water getting between swept area between pad and rotor surface.

I'm not sure xdrive has any measurable advantage over rwd in the rain unless temps are near freezing...awd only helps you get going from a stop. Tires make a bigger difference..

[insanecoder]

RWD
I never understood why people are concerned about performance driving in rain and snow
everyone else is driving slower then as well
and when heavy snow comes down, how often then do you really want or need to go out?
and they usually plow it within hours
just get yourself RWD, a set of good summer & snow tires, and drive safely in iffy weather