[Bandini3]

It appears that roughly half of the new 535s and 550s arriving in the USA this year are xDrive (all-wheel drive) models. I find that surprising since even in the snow-prone US northeast and midwest, drivers probably encounter significant snow or ice no more than 10-15% of the time in a typical year (say, 30-50 days annually).

I had a chance to test drive a 550-xDrive last week. I can't say that I felt any real difference compared to RWD F10s I have driven previously, which I thought was a positive. (By comparison, my Mercedes E-Class 4Matic is great in winter, but would not be singled out for offering agile handling)

My questions:

1) Are there any owners of xDrive cars who wish they had a RWD version?

2) Are there owners of RWD 535s and 550s who wish they had opted for an xDrive version?

Obviously both versions have their advantages and disadvantages. Just curious to see what owners think.

[Goodchip]

I live in the harshest climate you can find in North America, and I like my RWD (with snow tires for winter). AWD does not make you stop any quicker.

[MBrown1003]

At one point, I compared a 335i sedan and 335xi sedan. The RWD car felt livelier and more responsive. That was what I planned to order, then I noticed a lonely little M3 sedan sitting off by itself in a corner, and I decided to give it a good home.

One other consideration (critical to me; a non-issue to most): you can't get a manual transmission on an xDrive F10. That's a deal-breaker for me.

[Edman951]

I now have a 550X drive, coming from a E90 M3, i drove my M3 in 3 Quebec hard winter.
And it drove great with good snow tires. The car is so well balanced, that it just made it very stable and safe.
I chose to go Xdrive since i figured it was time to try it since my last 2 Bimmers where rwd. And playing with xdrive in the winter must be alot of fun too.
Also not sure the big car would fell more sportier in RWD anyways, car kick ass all around.
And with xdrive, no tire slip when driving hard.

[scottz5]

I would change mine to 6spd when I ordered over 15 months ago. Right now I would do an 535 with msport in xdrive and a few other goodies. Xdrive to make it a little more practical since my wife has an M.

[toot535ix]

I am sure rear wheel drive in a BMW drives very well in snow and handles better than other rear wheel drive cars (it is a BMW!), but the Xdrive makes driving in snow an awesome experience. I know it does not stop faster on snow and ice--but man does it handle and drive well!!!!! I live where it snows 150 to 200 inches a year and I love my 2011 535xi.

[bubbahead]

Originally Posted by toot535ix

I am sure rear wheel drive in a BMW drives very well in snow and handles better than other rear wheel drive cars (it is a BMW!), but the Xdrive makes driving in snow an awesome experience. I know it does not stop faster on snow and ice--but man does it handle and drive well!!!!! I live where it snows 150 to 200 inches a year and I love my 2011 535xi.

For MY2012 in Canada, you can only get the 535 and 550 in XI from now on.

For people in the southern US, i dont see a reason for it....but to each their own.

[mrcamp]

Even here in the midwest, most dealers only have xdrive on their lots. So, this was the only one I test drove. Of course, I could have ordered non-xdrive, but the I liked the way the xdrive felt.

[AVIMAX]

I'm coming from a 335i cab that I drove year round and had no real problems in the winter using good snow tires, in fact it was really pretty good. That being said, my 535xi this past winter was just amazing, it is like a tank (also with good snow tires) and there is never a time in the snow that I get worried, say approaching a hill in traffic and knowing that I will have to stop mid hill and start again, this used to get me worried in the 335i. However now that it is summer, I wish I had gone with RWD so I could have the 6-speed I originally wanted (tough to think about the winter in the summer!). It was a trade off, winter tank, or summer fun. Also I find that the 535xi handles pretty well, not as good as the 335i, but that may be more the car not the AWD. Recently I put on some Michelin Super Sports and I have to say, they cornering is much more RWD like now, less plowing into the corner it just turns, these tires really did make a noticeable difference.

[sieben1973]

Originally Posted by Goodchip

I live in the harshest climate you can find in North America, and I like my RWD (with snow tires for winter). AWD does not make you stop any quicker.

HAlleluja

[bubbahead]

Originally Posted by Goodchip

I live in the harshest climate you can find in North America, and I like my RWD (with snow tires for winter). AWD does not make you stop any quicker.

No comparing which is more effective in the winter...xi of course

[O.S.]

Originally Posted by Bandini3

It appears that roughly half of the new 535s and 550s arriving in the USA this year are xDrive (all-wheel drive) models. I find that surprising since even in the snow-prone US northeast and midwest, drivers probably encounter significant snow or ice no more than 10-15% of the time in a typical year (say, 30-50 days annually).

I had a chance to test drive a 550-xDrive last week. I can't say that I felt any real difference compared to RWD F10s I have driven previously, which I thought was a positive. (By comparison, my Mercedes E-Class 4Matic is great in winter, but would not be singled out for offering agile handling)

My questions:

1) Are there any owners of xDrive cars who wish they had a RWD version?

2) Are there owners of RWD 535s and 550s who wish they had opted for an xDrive version?

Obviously both versions have their advantages and disadvantages. Just curious to see what owners think.

Had e39 540 before - rwd.
Now got 535 x drive. Xdrive is the best feature of my car. Loved it in snow. LOVE it in dry. There is nothing like flooring it on green light and turn. Rwd would be slow with the tail coming around you the xdrive shoots like from a sling. Just turn the wheel and floor it - feels amazing.
I cant understand why everyone thinks AWD is for snow only. Have you guys tried flooring your car off the intersection in the rain? My 540 would just spin tires , even on dry. My 535x just GOES. Straight or turn. Most who praise rwd did not spend enough time behind a wheel of a powerful awd car. I was all for rwd before i drove audi s5 and 535x.
Xdrive is not just for snow countries - but dont take my word for it. Try it - chances are youll love it. Bmw did such an amazing job that my 535x feels like rwd but gives stability and grip like awd.

[kave]

Couldn't agree more.

Originally Posted by O.S.

There is nothing like flooring it on green light and turn. Rwd would be slow with the tail coming around you the xdrive shoots like from a sling. Just turn the wheel and floor it - feels amazing.
I cant understand why everyone thinks AWD is for snow only. Have you guys tried flooring your car off the intersection in the rain?

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by MBrown1003

One other consideration (critical to me; a non-issue to most): you can't get a manual transmission on an xDrive F10. That's a deal-breaker for me.

Ditto. I did not know that about the Xdrive. xDrive. Whatev. Although maybe it's just a Canada thing?

Originally Posted by bubbahead

For people in the southern US, i dont see a reason for it....but to each their own.

I concur. However, if given the choice, which apparently I don't have, knowing what I know now, I'd rather have xDrive so that I could get the proper hydraulic power steering assist instead of that incredibly annoying electrical bastardization that they have on the 2WD cars. Hate it.

Hate it, hate it, hate it.

[Whipple]

I dont have my car yet,but getting the 535xi,I live in NY,it doesnt snow that much but enough,I dont know how many of you been stuck in the snow but it really sucks!Watching all the awd cars and suvs passing you bye as your digging your car out, then you finally get out and still have to drive miles to get home.Having a Denali for 10 years never got stuck once,laughed a people many times passing them in the snow and telling myself man that sucks im glad I have awd.It pays for itself the first snow storm,I go awd all the way for a daily driver there awesome!

[BobRBob]

I drove my E39 530i for 10 years in the snow with snow tires all around so I know what RWD is like on a BMW in winter - marginal, at best. That said, I never got stuck. Now, we spend our winters in Florida so there's no need for AWD. It wasn't available on the 528i but I wouldn't have bought it anyway because of the hit on gas mileage. I believe AWD is better overall but not enough difference to justify the extra cost unless you drive in the snow. I have no issues with the electric steering vs hydraulic. I couldn't feel any difference when I test drove them and I love the way my car handles. It's a BMW!

[MBrown1003]

Originally Posted by BobRBob

I drove my E39 530i for 10 years in the snow with snow tires all around so I know what RWD is like on a BMW in winter - marginal, at best. That said, I never got stuck. Now, we spend our winters in Florida so there's no need for AWD. It wasn't available on the 528i but I wouldn't have bought it anyway because of the hit on gas mileage. I believe AWD is better overall but not enough difference to justify the extra cost unless you drive in the snow. I have no issues with the electric steering vs hydraulic. I couldn't feel any difference when I test drove them and I love the way my car handles. It's a BMW!

I've been putting four winter tires on my cars for the last 11 years (540i/6, M5, 335i coupe, M3), and have found the cars very stable and easy to drive in the snow or ice. I tend to start out in second gear (manual transmissions), which reduces the amount of torque going to the pavement. And once moving, I think the superior handling and steering make it a much safer car. For some of the time I had the 540 and M5, I also had VW GTIs, and I took the BMWs in really foul weather. (Note, I had all-season tires on the GTIs; dedicated winter tires on the BMWs.)

[sanf]

had RWD for the past 10 yrs over here in boston. Every winter I would put on snow tires and a shovel in the trunk. It got me thru most of the ridiculous storms but not without a fight of course (going sideways up hill, fish tailing out on a downhill turn etc.)

I have a 535xi now. I think it's not really about having 2nd thoughts. It's more like if I want to go thru the hassle of swapping out snow tires and having to change my driving habits in the snow RWD VS AWD.

[Snapper Chris]

Originally Posted by Bandini3

My questions:

1) Are there any owners of xDrive cars who wish they had a RWD version?

2) Are there owners of RWD 535s and 550s who wish they had opted for an xDrive version?

Obviously both versions have their advantages and disadvantages. Just curious to see what owners think.

xDrive on the F10/F11 is not available in the UK, more is the pity since many people would probably benefit from it.

The respondent who said the brakes are the same whether 4WD or 2WD is absolutely right. But I would also say that in common with many powerful, wide tyred, stiffly sprung and heavy cars the F10/F11 is virtually undriveable in snow on standard summer tyres. If you experience these conditions on a regular basis get some winter (snow) tyres - the difference is amazing and much, much safer in temperatures below 7 degrees C. (45 degrees F)

BTW there is a guy elsewhere on this forum who may be selling his wheels in exchange for 22 inchers (Mamma Mia!) but they could be a bargain for somebody who needs a set of rims to fit snow tyres to!

[copello]

+1
Winter Tires are THE key issue to me. At least over here in western Europe with few journeys in the Alps.

[bimmer_335]

Originally Posted by Goodchip

I live in the harshest climate you can find in North America, and I like my RWD (with snow tires for winter). AWD does not make you stop any quicker.

I'd agree with that. I drove RWD through roughest winters in new england. If anything, get winter tires and be done with it.

[Soon ExAudi Guy]

Maybe 5 days last winter where the snow and ice was bad. With snow tires, the drive was fine once you pulled away...and this is where the advantage AWD/4WD begins and ends. When you're rolling, you're good to go. So no regrets.