Ready for some snow! (Quattro vs. xDrive?)

09Monaco335i · 11-30-2009, 12:43 PM

Put my winter wheels and tires on this past weekend. (Dunlop Winter Sport M3) Coming from a 2001 Audi S4, I'm curious as to how the BMW xDrive compares to the Audi Quattro system? My Audi S4 with winter tires was unstoppable in the snow.

Any comments from former Audi/Quattro owners that switched to a BMW/xDrive equipped car?

maswastage · 11-30-2009, 12:49 PM

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Quattro has the heritage, but xDrive has the technology to match or surpass the Audi. Sometimes xDrive gets cast in a poor light in comparison to Quattro, even on this forum, and I don't understand why.

Top_Gear_Fan · 11-30-2009, 12:55 PM

I hear from people time and time again that Quattro > xDrive. I've never driven either, so I haven't been able to decide for my self.

jrloyd · 11-30-2009, 01:21 PM

I have a 2007 335xi with vredestein snow tires. I feel like it will go through anything and has performed very well the past 2 winters. We get a lot of snow around here in the Boston, MA area!

angler · 11-30-2009, 01:24 PM

8 years with two a4's living in vermont xdrive just as good or maybe even better. put the same snows on the xdrive that you are. have fun!

bmw-hoya · 11-30-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top_Gear_Fan

I hear from people time and time again that Quattro > xDrive. I've never driven either, so I haven't been able to decide for my self.

Agreed, that appears to be the consensus, but I can't say from personal experience, either.

SpmnE9zero · 11-30-2009, 01:25 PM

I have an XI with all season tires and have never even been close to having any problems in the snow. I love it.
Where in the burgh you at? I live in Wexford.

Darkcyd_Turbo · 11-30-2009, 01:31 PM

LoL I'm in the same boat you are....I sold my Stg 2+ B5 S4 and picked up my e92 335xi.

-=Hot|Ice=- · 11-30-2009, 01:47 PM

The quattro is superior because it has a LSD diff, and the BMW has an open diff.

Just remember, you can't defy the laws of physics. Be careful out there.

Ron1n · 11-30-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

The quattro is superior because it has a LSD diff, and the BMW has an open diff.

Just remember, you can't defy the laws of physics. Be careful out there.

This says different.

cb1111 · 11-30-2009, 02:00 PM

Either one will be fine with proper winter tires in normal driving.

The "quattro beats x-drive" or "x-drive beats quattro" is a totally senseless discussion for any owner in the US.

Actually, the MB 4matic is a "better" system as it is a much simpler design, but any modern AWD sedan (Subie, BMW, Audi, MB, Infiniti, Cadillac etc.) will tackle "normal" winter driving equally well - given the correct rubber of course.

alq80 · 11-30-2009, 02:15 PM

I don't think anyone should be worried here... I drive my rwd in the snow just fine! All I use is all seasons so.... No worries!

DFW_M · 11-30-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb1111

Either one will be fine with proper winter tires in normal driving.

The "quattro beats x-drive" or "x-drive beats quattro" is a totally senseless discussion for any owner in the US.

Actually, the MB 4matic is a "better" system as it is a much simpler design, but any modern AWD sedan (Subie, BMW, Audi, MB, Infiniti, Cadillac etc.) will tackle "normal" winter driving equally well - given the correct rubber of course.

finally...

cb1111 · 11-30-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron1n

This says different.

What do you think that an Italian ad for BMW would say?

09Monaco335i · 11-30-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpmnE9zero

I have an XI with all season tires and have never even been close to having any problems in the snow. I love it.
Where in the burgh you at? I live in Wexford.

I'm in the North Hills... Gibsonia area.

09Monaco335i · 11-30-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb1111

Either one will be fine with proper winter tires in normal driving.

The "quattro beats x-drive" or "x-drive beats quattro" is a totally senseless discussion for any owner in the US.

Actually, the MB 4matic is a "better" system as it is a much simpler design, but any modern AWD sedan (Subie, BMW, Audi, MB, Infiniti, Cadillac etc.) will tackle "normal" winter driving equally well - given the correct rubber of course.

This is what I hope to be true. That the differences in AWD systems from the various manufacturers is not as important as having proper winter tires... and having an understanding of how to drive in the snow.

BTW I have attended several BMW winter car control driving classes in the past... back when I owned my S4.

cb1111 · 11-30-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 09Monaco335i

This is what I hope to be true. That the differences in AWD systems from the various manufacturers is not as important as having proper winter tires... and having an understanding of how to drive in the snow.

BTW I have attended several BMW winter car control driving classes in the past... back when I owned my S4.

Me too. My transition from Audi was mainly painless with a few minor annoyances.

The one thing that I find on this board more than on Audiworld, is the the amount of people that think that AWD will cure all winter driving ills. The more intelligent ones think that all-season tires suffice but sadly there are a few that think that summer performance tires and AWD will get them through winter. Once they hit a guardrail they come back here and whine about how crappy BMW cars are.

jopa489 · 11-30-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb1111

Me too. My transition from Audi was mainly painless with a few minor annoyances.

The one thing that I find on this board more than on Audiworld, is the the amount of people that think that AWD will cure all winter driving ills. The more intelligent ones think that all-season tires suffice but sadly there are a few that think that summer performance tires and AWD will get them through winter. Once they hit a guardrail they come back here and whine about how crappy BMW cars are.

Hah.

Equally as bad are the Subaru Forrester/Jeep/Explorer drivers bombing down the unplowed left lane in a snow storm who think their 4WD SUVs are unstoppable. I see it every winter - and they are often in the guardrail a mile or two up the road.

As far as Quattro vs. xDrive goes, eh, it's essentially the same concept being applied across the board these days.

undecided · 11-30-2009, 06:03 PM

Own both, have had 2 Audis and 3 bimmers. My steep driveway is a great test of the AWD system in both brands. With All seasons, the Audi will go up my driveway in snow with no difficulty. BUT, last winter we had ice then snow then ice. Three layers of this slippery stuff and the quattro took a long time to go up. Actually, the rear tires were spinning (I don't understand how).
The 335xi with All seasons went up with no problems the same day.

gd5gd · 11-30-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jopa489

Hah.

Equally as bad are the Subaru Forrester/Jeep/Explorer drivers bombing down the unplowed left lane in a snow storm who think their 4WD SUVs are unstoppable. I see it every winter - and they are often in the guardrail a mile or two up the road.

Unstoppable, literately.

HermesRider · 11-30-2009, 07:21 PM

You're gonna love those tires. You don't even need xdrive with that setup.

Oulixes · 11-30-2009, 08:13 PM

In my experience, a manual wins over an automatic in extreme conditions, so I favor x-drive and quatro cars with MTs over the MB 4-matic. I like driving a MT 330xi, but I understand that many may feel uncomfortable with a MT. The greatest factor are the tires, and the Dunlops OP showed on a 335i with x-drive shall be at least as good as the same tires on anything using the quatro. Note that winter tires performance depends strongly on their condition. Their golden time, after having been broken in, is the first year, when all the edges on the tread are sharp. Have a good time on the white stuff, 09Monaco335i.

11-30-2009, 12:43 PM	#1
09Monaco335i Private First Class 25 Rep 129 Posts Drives: Monaco 335i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i [0.00]	Ready for some snow! (Quattro vs. xDrive?) Put my winter wheels and tires on this past weekend. (Dunlop Winter Sport M3) Coming from a 2001 Audi S4, I'm curious as to how the BMW xDrive compares to the Audi Quattro system? My Audi S4 with winter tires was unstoppable in the snow. Any comments from former Audi/Quattro owners that switched to a BMW/xDrive equipped car? Attached Images __________________ 2009 E90 335i xDrive / Monaco Blue / Beige / 6-speed Manual / Premium / Sport / Cold / iDrive / iPod
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11-30-2009, 12:49 PM	#2
maswastage Resident Diesel Junkie 56 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: 2010 AW 335d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Quattro has the heritage, but xDrive has the technology to match or surpass the Audi. Sometimes xDrive gets cast in a poor light in comparison to Quattro, even on this forum, and I don't understand why.
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11-30-2009, 12:55 PM	#3
Top_Gear_Fan Lieutenant 108 Rep 403 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	I hear from people time and time again that Quattro > xDrive. I've never driven either, so I haven't been able to decide for my self. __________________ My Ferrari 458 experience http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=738262 My McLaren MP4-12c experiences http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=794746 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=939740
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11-30-2009, 01:21 PM	#4
jrloyd New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2007 335xi JB3, DCI Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Woburn, MA iTrader: (0)	I have a 2007 335xi with vredestein snow tires. I feel like it will go through anything and has performed very well the past 2 winters. We get a lot of snow around here in the Boston, MA area!
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11-30-2009, 01:24 PM	#5
angler love to fish! 46 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 13: SG 135i M-Sport Cabrio 6mt Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: riding in the ultimate tanning machine iTrader: (1)	8 years with two a4's living in vermont xdrive just as good or maybe even better. put the same snows on the xdrive that you are. have fun! __________________ PSS\|PPK\|PE\|LUX H8 V4's\|CDV Delete\|Performance Pedals\|Motorsport Emblem\|
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11-30-2009, 01:25 PM	#7
SpmnE9zero DENY THE WORLD THAT SURROUNDS YOU 505 Rep 35,580 Posts Drives: JB 33ZERO Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: City of Champions iTrader: (14) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	I have an XI with all season tires and have never even been close to having any problems in the snow. I love it. Where in the burgh you at? I live in Wexford. __________________ Eurocharged V5 \| ROW's / CC Delete \| K&N's \| H&R Springs \| Single Fin G.B. Grill \| Mode Carbon Diffuser \| JBSpeed CF Spoiler \| Arkym Style CF Splitter \| CF Mirror Caps \| 5% Tints \| 12mm Spacers \|
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11-30-2009, 01:31 PM	#8
Darkcyd_Turbo "Booty Hole Bandit" 32 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: 2008 Montego E92 335xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madison, WI iTrader: (14)	LoL I'm in the same boat you are....I sold my Stg 2+ B5 S4 and picked up my e92 335xi.
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11-30-2009, 02:00 PM	#11
cb1111 I ask the questions you're afraid to ask. 44 Rep 2,489 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DC iTrader: (2)	Either one will be fine with proper winter tires in normal driving. The "quattro beats x-drive" or "x-drive beats quattro" is a totally senseless discussion for any owner in the US. Actually, the MB 4matic is a "better" system as it is a much simpler design, but any modern AWD sedan (Subie, BMW, Audi, MB, Infiniti, Cadillac etc.) will tackle "normal" winter driving equally well - given the correct rubber of course.
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11-30-2009, 02:15 PM	#12
alq80 Lieutenant 47 Rep 437 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: PA / Kuwait iTrader: (3)	I don't think anyone should be worried here... I drive my rwd in the snow just fine! All I use is all seasons so.... No worries! __________________ 335i . Montego Blue . HKS Exhaust .
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11-30-2009, 06:03 PM	#19
undecided Captain 83 Rep 985 Posts Drives: 08 M5 Sapphire Black Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335xi SOLD!!!! ... [0.00] 2008 M5 [0.00]	XDrive is better, ( I know, it sounds crazy ) Own both, have had 2 Audis and 3 bimmers. My steep driveway is a great test of the AWD system in both brands. With All seasons, the Audi will go up my driveway in snow with no difficulty. BUT, last winter we had ice then snow then ice. Three layers of this slippery stuff and the quattro took a long time to go up. Actually, the rear tires were spinning (I don't understand how). The 335xi with All seasons went up with no problems the same day.
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11-30-2009, 07:21 PM	#21
HermesRider Captain 56 Rep 974 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	You're gonna love those tires. You don't even need xdrive with that setup.
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11-30-2009, 08:13 PM	#22
Oulixes Lieutenant Colonel 22 Rep 1,938 Posts Drives: 330xi, 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Terra Borealis iTrader: (0)	In my experience, a manual wins over an automatic in extreme conditions, so I favor x-drive and quatro cars with MTs over the MB 4-matic. I like driving a MT 330xi, but I understand that many may feel uncomfortable with a MT. The greatest factor are the tires, and the Dunlops OP showed on a 335i with x-drive shall be at least as good as the same tires on anything using the quatro. Note that winter tires performance depends strongly on their condition. Their golden time, after having been broken in, is the first year, when all the edges on the tread are sharp. Have a good time on the white stuff, 09Monaco335i.
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