[frenchie1013]

Was thinking about this earlier
Ignoring the benefits in snow, what is better, rwd or xi?
Some say xi some say rwd. Just wondering which everyone likes and why

[Antetokounmpo]

xDrive is nothing but a handicap in every situation except rain and snow. Definitely get RWD if you're not worried about snow.

[frenchie1013]

I'm canadian lol
already have my rwd and snow tires. Just trying to get people's opinions

[Gizm0]

Better is very subjective...

[frenchie1013]

I do feel that off the line sometimes I wouldn't mind xi though

[chepy24]

off the line is nice but how often does that happen? rwd is lighter and better suspension less of a PITA with some things... that being said i have xdrive lol i live in colorado so it comes in handy

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by frenchie1013

I do feel that off the line sometimes I wouldn't mind xi though

Unless you're heavily modded, I don't think the RWD guys have traction issues assuming they're on staggered summer tires like the sport package come with from the factory. The only reason I went for xdrive is because I live on top of a pretty large hill which happens to also be a dead end and it is basically the last road to get plowed in my whole city during snow storms. I've gotten stuck with FWD and blizzaks before so I figured I'd just get xdrive and not worry about it.

[frenchie1013]

Ya I have the sports package on mine. Just waiting on my run flat crap tires to wear down and get some good tires

[hockeyplayer]

I have xi and it doesn't even snow much where I live. However, when it does that thing is a beast with the proper tires on it. My gf has the same car but just RWD and I think it handles a lot better in tight curves, and feels a tad faster due to lighter weight.

Just my 2 cents but if you aren't worried about snow then don't get the xi...I wasn't shopping for that specifically but I found a nice car that met my indy's inspection approval so I went for it.

[kingyang3]

i have rwd and I drive in snow 8 months of the year without getting stuck. XI is obvs better but rwd isn't even bad!

Rwd is way better for modding. it lighter. and if your differential fucks up you can get a LSD instead of oem replacement like XI hahaha.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Hard to get a subjective answer, as better can differ from one person to another.
I say test drive both and decide which one you like better

[kfriceman]

It's not a matter of AWD being better, it's what I wanted......sweet Jesus topics like this are useless..... What does "better" really mean anyways?

-Kevin

[blown07]

Don't have my own video yet to demonstrate how awd is better in everyday driving but I just saw this video today that clearly shows why you need awd. http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-vide...5-ford-mustang

[mike5809]

I've had both and both have their pros/cons. Base your decision on your needs and driving habits.

That said, do research on xDrives - they will not have the sport suspension (even if M-Sport/Sport) and a lot do not come with oil coolers. Also some tasks take more time on the xDrives (ie; installation of DPs). There are a few weird things with them.

[hassmaschine]

I have both. Honestly, I can't tell that much difference between them in daily handling, except the xi is a little heavier and softer since it doesn't have sport suspension (it got a hell of a lot better when we swapped the runflats for snow tires though, lol).

unless we're talking about a weekend track car, xi/rwd isn't going to make a big difference. I wanted RWD mostly because of balance, weight and fuel economy. our xi gets a couple MPG less than my 330i. they're both pretty enjoyable to drive.

we don't get a ton of snow but my wife drives 120 miles round trip for work with the kids in the car, I feel better if she's in something safe especially since we do get a lot of black ice. She used to have a POS Sentra that was terrible in the snow, I got a frantic call once that I don't want to repeat..

[Greyfox]

I live in a hill/mountain (Appalachia) area. Wife has a E90 328i, I have a E91 328xi. Snow comes out of the sky.... she parks her's and drives the Pathfinder. I keep on going.

That being said... I can drive her car in the snow with little or no problem to a point if I needed to.

It's more a driver technical capability and not really a RWD vs XI.....

[robthewrench]

In the long run the X drive will cost you slightly more to maintain and drive. More parts, heavier, more items to maintain. Your driving condition requirements may offset this in benefit.

[Lowly328]

Google "hoonigan" or search on youtube for this video. It show how all wheel drive can benefit a car. It does look heavy and handles like a truck! Sarcasm! Can't get link to work on here.

[cmg5461]

better is subjective.

The best of both worlds is to have both

[blown07]

I have both cars as well
worth mentioning that the more power you add the bigger the performance gap gets between the two in certain conditions.
On a warm day with warm tires my 335i is quicker from a 2nd gear roll and feels so much nicer to drive...lighter...crisper accel etc etc
In all other driving conditions the xi will kick the crap out of my 335i and forget about a brake boost 1st gear launch in any condition with the xi..it will put a couple buses to 60 out of the hole on my equally modded 335i (even with an LSD)

[AllBlackBimmer]

BMW's have always traditionally been RWD cars.

RWD is subjectively more "fun", better "driving dynamics" ,etc...

AWD systems are heavy and make the 50/50 balance of BMW's more front heavy.

AWDs are better for launching from a dead stop, and can help around a track... many new "supercars" are going to AWD like the Lambo's out there... AWD will improve "hard numbers" like 0-60, etc... but might not be "better".

BMWs were never meant for 1/4 mile track times... they are "driver's cars" ... i.e. - public road cars (not that many people don't track them)

[Lowly328]

Thanks cmg5461!