[jarsdad1]

Hello all: New to the f10 forum, but not BMW. Had an e28, e30, two e36s, e90, f10 and an e84 x1 (still have). My f10 (x-drive) was totaled last month and I found a nice f10 to replace it. It's fully loaded, but is RWD. All of the threads I read talk about snow handling, but I have my x1 for the winter.
How much of a difference is AWD vs. RWD on dry ground? I occasionally hit the turns hard, so will my driving style have go change?

I appreciate your thoughts.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by jarsdad1

Hello all: New to the f10 forum, but not BMW. Had an e28, e30, two e36s, e90, f10 and an e84 x1 (still have). My f10 (x-drive) was totaled last month and I found a nice f10 to replace it. It's fully loaded, but is RWD. All of the threads I read talk about snow handling, but I have my x1 for the winter.
How much of a difference is AWD vs. RWD on dry ground? I occasionally hit the turns hard, so will my driving style have go change?

I appreciate your thoughts.

I've never had an AWD car, but "we" drove many, many years in the snow before 4 wheel or AWD drive. How did we manage?? I bought into the FWD myth when we lived in SLC. It wasn't better, in fact, IMHO, it was more dangerous as there was no easy way to correct a slid/skid. How much snow do you get? If you like the car I would say get it.

All that said, with the F10's balance all you should need is a good set of snow tires for snow driving. I'm sure someone from "The Great White North" will comment.

[jarsdad1]

TThanks but my concern is dry weather handling. My e38 and my e90(2006) were RWD, but had heavy steering and good road feel. I'm looking at having to adapt to BMWs "new" steering.

[lsturbointeg]

Freakin love my RWD! Running the most staggered set of wheels I could

Sorry, but I almost find this question quite funny

[et7007]

On a dry road you will have more fun on RWD. Go and get it

[jarsdad1]

Ok. Thanks. I had RWD 330 as a rental. Handled like crap, so I was concerned.

[Surly73]

Enjoy - many of us are jealous.

Get good rubber, keep things aligned properly, if you drive in the winter too, see #1 - get good rubber.

[BigKutta]

I live in the DC area and only drive RWD. Road here get cleaned pretty quickly and I never find myself driving in snow.

[Snakle535i]

Get yourself a RWD and fit some Michelins.

[VAB5]

I have a RWD in the DC area and I love it.

That being said, you may want to try both. I believe the xDrive has hydraulic steering and the RWD has electric, due to the electric rack being bigger--there wasn't enough room in the xDrive for the electric rack.

[jarsdad1]

Thanks. I had an x-drive f10 and loved it. I've been shopping for a replacement x-drive, when I came the RWD one. The dealers make you sign forms and give you keys and let you go alone. I'll really try it out. As I said, the car will NOT be used in ice or snow.

[spielnicht]

I'm in the DMV and my only regret about my F10 is getting the xDrive. All-wheel drive was the standard for every car that I've owned for past 15+ years, but times have changed. In the 3 years of owning this car, I can count on one hand the number of times I needed xDrive to bail me out. I've been riding around in a floating boat because it took me this long to bite the bullet and spend the $$$$ on the only available suspension upgrade for the F10 with xDrive. With standard drive, the options are endless at a fraction of the price.

If you already have an X1 with xDrive, that settles it then.

[Qsilver7]

With you having previously owned multiple BMWs with hydraulic steering...I say give it a test drive first to see how YOU like the electronic steering of the RWD f10.

The AWD f10 has the hydraulic steering which feels much like the old BMWs. The new gen BMWs with electronic steering...I've found the steering numb and light...so for me it wasn't a pleasant driving experience (or perhaps I should say a "not familiar" driving experience). That numb/light feeling is what has kept me (so far) with BMW's with AWD. You may find it totally fine...so give it a test drive.

[lsturbointeg]

I dunno. i love breaking the back end loose every now and than

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

I dunno. i love breaking the back end loose every now and than

Steering from both ends!

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

With you having previously owned multiple BMWs with hydraulic steering...I say give it a test drive first to see how YOU like the electronic steering of the RWD f10.

The AWD f10 has the hydraulic steering which feels much like the old BMWs. The new gen BMWs with electronic steering...I've found the steering numb and light...so for me it wasn't a pleasant driving experience (or perhaps I should say a "not familiar" driving experience). That numb/light feeling is what has kept me (so far) with BMW's with AWD. You may find it totally fine...so give it a test drive.

As someone who came to the F10 from an E39 (an I6 with rack-and-pinion) through an E90 RWD, I'd call the F10 AWD steering "heavy-ish and numb". Electric steering can be great, I'm pretty sure Porsche is doing a good job. I don't think BMW is trying anymore - "cushion and isolate" are the design criteria.

[spielnicht]

Hear hear. The hydraulic steering of my old E46 was exactly how a BMW should feel. The one on the F10 just doesn't do it justice. I would gladly take electric steering if I had the option. I always tell my wife, I'd never trade my car for yours, but I envy the hell out of the electric steering in your MB.

Originally Posted by Surly73

As someone who came to the F10 from an E39 (an I6 with rack-and-pinion) through an E90 RWD, I'd call the F10 AWD steering "heavy-ish and numb". Electric steering can be great, I'm pretty sure Porsche is doing a good job. I don't think BMW is trying anymore - "cushion and isolate" are the design criteria.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by jarsdad1

...How much of a difference is AWD vs. RWD on dry ground? I occasionally hit the turns hard, so will my driving style have go change?

I appreciate your thoughts.

So...it's been a week...have you had a chance to take a test drive? If you did...what are YOUR thoughts?

Do you like, dislike, or find it doesn't matter either way in regards to the way the RWD handles/feels versus your old BMWs?

We'd appreciate your thoughts (all opinions matter and are respected).

[Pierre Louis]

After reading about the early f10 electric steering being numb and the base suspension pillow-like, while getting used to the sheer size and weight of the 5-er, I got an LCI diesel with standard suspension. Seems like they paid attention to improving the steering on this thing, albeit with Continental run-flats that are a bit stiff.

I went to the complimentary BMW Driving Course and found M-style 235i's and 335i's steering worse - especially the 2-series. Was happy to be back in my 5-er. After a while, the suspension and tires seemed to "settle in" and get better.

Still would prefer manual steering if I could handle it....

[jarsdad1]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

So...it's been a week...have you had a chance to take a test drive? If you did...what are YOUR thoughts?

Do you like, dislike, or find it doesn't matter either way in regards to the way the RWD handles/feels versus your old BMWs?

We'd appreciate your thoughts (all opinions matter and are respected).

I haven't had a chance to test drive the car yet. That is a story in itself. As soon as I do, I'll give my verdict. Be patient, please.😊 Thread is interesting.

[Qsilver7]

Will await patiently.

[jarsdad1]

Drove it. Liked the feel - being pushed down the road. Gonna pull the trigger. Again, thanks for your help.
Everyone have a safe holiday, and remember those we have lost.