[PhilT3]

So I really want the M-sport suspension. I don't want to get involved with modifying the suspension on an x-drive version. (I am VERY familiar with what's involved with lowering, etc…)

Anyone familiar with the weather in Eastern PA… or the general tristate area… what do you think:

Will I really benefit from X-Drive enough to give up the M-Sport suspension?

[bake]

I live in the tri-state and personally think a dedicated set of snow tires is the key, not X-Drive. Just my $0.02.

[AVIMAX]

No question, with a good set of winter tires you gan get through winter with RWD. I had no issues with my 335i. However, have you driven an AWD car (especially with winter tires) in the snow? It is night and day difference compared to RWD. When I had my 335i and there was a good (or bad, depending on how you look at it) snow storm, my biggest concern for the drive home was other drivers and being stuck behind them on hills. In these circumstances, RWD sometimes was an issue. With my 535 x-drive it never was. It seems in Toronto, the storms always hit during rush hour for some reason.

[AVIMAX]

Sorry, just noticed in your poll questions, you mention "small amount of snow". If that is the case and you like the M suspension, go for it and forget about X-drive, snow tires will do the job.

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by AVIMAX

Sorry, just noticed in your poll questions, you mention "small amount of snow". If that is the case and you like the M suspension, go for it and forget about X-drive, snow tires will do the job.

You bucked the usual trend here. Usually if someone has xdrive they will say that is better. If you have RWD, that is better.

[raleedy]

You asked: Get RWD and winter tires and wheels in a size that will accommodate tire chains. That will cover all eventualities (as long as you are willing to lie in the snow and mud, face down, on the side of the road and wrap your arms around each rear wheel). AWD is good for getting up to a speed where you can no longer brake or steer. We have almost no snow here in the winter; if I lived in a colder climate I might want AWD since I don't much like fitting tire chains. But I would miss the classic BMW RWD characteristics.

[PhilT3]

Thanks for the input guys.

More info....
I also have an X5 in the family. Wife's vehicle with AllSeason Conti DWS. Great in the snow we get around here.
Also, I work from my home office and make my own schedule for the most part. So I don't always HAVE to contend with rush hour or even leaving the house... UNLESS I have a customer appointment. Sometimes, depending on the situation, I can reschedule my meetings... But sometimes, I may not want to, if it was difficult in scheduling the meeting in the first place. My biggest concern is being out and getting "caught" in a storm.

So, is this such a concern for 3-4 months out of the year?....????

[bake]

Not worth getting an X-drive and sacrificing M-Sport suspension in my opinion. I am in a similar situation. When bad weather is in the forecast, I can opt to work from home so I think you are fine. It is not like large snowstorms occur unexpectedly.