[The X Men]

Did you actually talk to the last owner or you are just going by what the used car salesman told you? If you are going by what the used car salesman said, then he has every reason to lie, he wants to sell you a car that is in low demand.
I am sorry, when was the last time the Broncos won a Super Bowl? Did you say 13 years ago

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Well, 90% of owners here in the northeast disagree with you. For every 10 BMW here, 9 are X-drives. The convenience of all season out weights the performance disadvantage for most BMW owners, unless you track your car. The cost of the rims, snow tires and the cost of mounting 2 times a years is a big turn off for most people. In a 4 year period, we are talking about $2000 or so. That happens to be about the cost of the AWD and you get half of that $2000 back when you trade in your X-drive after 4 years.
AWD is not only for snow, its handle rain stroms and puddles better than RWD as well. AWD also provide more traction off the line and thru high speed turns.
I have owned AWD with all season and RWD cars with snow, they both have their advantage and disadvantages. RWD with snow will stop better in the snow, but AWD with all season climb hills better in the snow and accelarate better. With a RWD, if one gets the two rear wheel stuck, you are out of luck, with AWD, you still have the front wheels to pull get you out of trouble. AWD with snow would be ideal.
In citys with mild winters, somedays it snows and the next it can be up to 50 degrees F. If you are caught with snow tires in warm weather or summer tires in cold weather, it is worst than driving with all seasons.

awd is great for traction off the line and aids in handling. But without snow tires in northern climates, you won't stop any quicker than a car with rwd and the same tires. Too much go without the same level of slow can result in a no no (crash).

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Looking at MA's biggest BMW dealer's website, Herb Chamber BMW, they have over a 100 F10 in stock and not one of them is RWD, that should tell you something.

Same situation in Kansas City, it's really hard to find a 5 and 7 with RWD during the winter time. My next car will be a .50i xdrive, having 400/445hp only make sense to have AWD. For .28i and .35i, RWD will do just fine with winter tires. I've seen old mustangs and Camaros on the road during the snow storm with winter tires, they do just fine w/o any traction control. BMW 5 weighs more with 50/50 balance and superior traction control, it's not a problem on the now.

[hufington]

I've had both RWD and AWD cars for the last 12 years here in the Northeast.

Except being burried in deep snow overnight and very steep hills, the only deciding factor for both systems is the tires.

They are your only contact to the surface and if you have crappy tires, it does not make any difference even if you have the best AWD system on the planet. It is like Usain Bolt trying to run in stripper heels!!

That's why I ordered my 535i w/o xDrive and will have a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 or Michelin X-Ice Xi3 if I can find a good deal.

By the way, the best "snow plough" that I have owned in NYC was a 2000 Crown Vic Police Interceptor.

Cheers.

[Lee]

Pretty good article and video: http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...er_tires_test/

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by Grover432

Too much go without the same level of slow can result in a no no (crash).

Too much slow and without any go means you car is as good as a car in a ditch.

A lot of old timers still like RWD with snow, along with 5000 miles sythetic oil change and 25000 miles tranny fluid changes....... There is nothing wrong with that except that modern technology is simply passing them by. Snow tire's only advantage is shorter stop distance, a good set of all season will come very close in stopping power. Today AWD system are much better than what was available 20 years ago. A AWD system such as X-drive or Quattro can improve on performance in some areas and weight penalty and gas mileage penalty is very minimal.

[OzDriver]

Originally Posted by hufington

They are your only contact to the surface and if you have crappy tires, it does not make any difference even if you have the best AWD system on the planet. It is like Usain Bolt trying to run in stripper heels!!.

Interesting metaphor, conjures up all sorts of bizzare images ...

[Boulder Bill]

I wonder why the M5 doesn't offer X-drive?

Just saying. . .

[Lee]

Originally Posted by Boulder Bill

I wonder why the M5 doesn't offer X-drive?

Just saying. . .

My friend's dad used to say that having sex with a condom on is like washing your feet with socks on -- RWD is sans socks, right?

[hufington]

Originally Posted by OzDriver

Interesting metaphor, conjures up all sorts of bizzare images ...

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by Boulder Bill

I wonder why the M5 doesn't offer X-drive?

Just saying. . .

Maybe for the same reason why RS4, RS6 and R8 always come in Quattro ?

[Juiced46]

With the correct tires for the conditions, there is no need for AWD plain and simple.

Just took my 535i RWD 6spd out in the snow with Pirelli Pzero Sotto snow tires and it faired just fine with the 10 inches we have on the ground. It did just as good as my AWD 335i with Blizzaks. The AWD is just dead weight added to the car IMO

[Alan l.]

I don't agree. RWD with snow tires can do just fine but AWD will always do better in the same conditions. For me the slight (if any) performance edge that rwd has doesn't out weigh the safety and confidence of having awd on a snow covered road.

For the E90 crowd the Xi cars were actually quicker doing the quarter mile than the rwd counterparts because of the extra traction during take off. I was pissed because i had a rwd 6mt 335i thinking it had the advantage lol

Alan

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by Juiced46

Just took my 535i RWD 6spd out in the snow with Pirelli Pzero Sotto snow tires and it faired just fine with the 10 inches we have on the ground. It did just as good as my AWD 335i with Blizzaks.

I think you are reaching now, the 335i AWD with Blizzaks can probably drive circles around your RWD in the snow
We just had our 1st major storm here in New England yesterday, about 10 inches. My wife was driving her 328xi with oem conti pro contact. It handled it fine. On one stretch of the way home, we were behind a old Subaru, the front of the Subaru kept sliding sideway everytime he try to stop. If you RWD guys mean that AWD with the inproper tires such as the Subrau is dangerious in the snow, then I agree. Tires are one of the most important factors in snow traction, a RWD with a bald set of snow is just as bad.

[jdong]

I think AWD is hands down an improvement over RWD given both have the same tires, but as someone who's lived a long time in snowy climates, I'd have to say if the false dichotomy is between AWD + all seasons or RWD + snow tires, I'd pick the latter. Of course my ideal choice would remain AWD and winter tires.

[bubbahead]

I had snows on my e92 335i and now on my f10 550xi. Even though i got by fine with the 335i, there is no comparison with the 550xi. It goes thru the snow much easier.
If you live in Canada or northeast USA, the AWD is and will always be much better suited, regardless if you have snow tires on RWD. In the winter time, I don't want to just 'get by' ..I want to have the best setup possible in the winter. Just like Goodyear (or MIchelin(?) use to say "Cause so much is riding on your tires"
In Canada you can only buy the AWD...aside from 2011 when they offered the RWD. For resale in snowy climates, doubt anyone will look at a RWD f10.
Just my 2 cents.

[The X Men]

I agree, resale is a big issue to consider when buying a RWD in the snow belt US states as well.

[pMart36]

Question - which traction control is better for snow (driving an XI), DTC or DSC?

[The X Men]

DSC

[Boulder Bill]

Originally Posted by The X Men

DSC

If you post on this thread enough, you may just convince yourself you are right about AWD. And about the Patriots.

[chsu74]

AWD w/snow tires > RWD w/snow tires > AWD w/summer tires > RWD w/summer tires. There is also the issue of weight over the wheels that are transmitting power.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by chsu74

AWD w/snow tires > RWD w/snow tires > AWD w/summer tires > RWD w/summer tires. There is also the issue of weight over the wheels that are transmitting power.

Those orders are only valid for stopping distance. If you are talking about accelaration in the snow, climbing a hill in the snow or getting unstuck when your rear wheel has no traction, then AWD w/all season tires > RWD w/snow tires. Another advantage of AWD is that if you can always add snow tires if one need more stopping power but if you want more traction in thw RWD with snow, you cannot add AWD.