[Vi4Life]

How fast is the RWD 335i vs the AWD 335i from a 25 roll would they be neck and neck or would the RWD take it...just curious I drove a AWD 335i auto I would like to get the manual RWD but it was not available at the dealership but I kinda like the AWD because it would be nice for my area (I live in the Maryland, DC and Va area) I'm just trying to see which ones would be faster stock for stock and has more modding capability...I'd buy one of the cars on the forum but I'm doing a trade in (2011 GTI candy white 3dr hatchback navi package...incase you know someone wanting to buy a GTI)

[B005T3D-G]

4x4 will be better off the line for a drag but due to the increased transmission losses in the drivetrain the RWD would take it on a roll

[Conki9788]

Anything after the launch the RWD is going to take it. The AWD is about 200 lbs heavier. And the RWD is much more mod friendly I believe. I am no expert though. I did have an 07 e90 AWD, now I own a 2010 RWD e92. I greatly prefer the RWD.

[Deadwrong]

I also live in the DMV and in my opinion our winters aren't typically severe/long enough for me to consider a AWD over a RWD. My advise get the RWD and don't look back.

[jippii ensio]

Both are fast enough when traction is not a problem, but on icy and snowy roads AWD beats RWD by bus lengths.

[BMWsky]

Originally Posted by jippii ensio

Both are fast enough when traction is not a problem, but on icy and snowy roads AWD beats RWD by bus lengths.

No.


Ice = no traction, period.

Snow = get dedicated snow tires.


I live in upstate NY on Lake Ontario (think "lake effect snow") and drive a 6MT RWD car with dedicated snows. The biggest issue I have is clearance. If you have an AWD with dedicated snows then yes, you will trounce pretty much everyone in the snow. I had a Chrysler 300C AWD that had all-season tires and my BMW with dedicated snows is better.

[jippii ensio]

Originally Posted by BMWsky

No.


Ice = no traction, period.

Snow = get dedicated snow tires.


I live in upstate NY on Lake Ontario (think "lake effect snow") and drive a 6MT RWD car with dedicated snows. The biggest issue I have is clearance. If you have an AWD with dedicated snows then yes, you will trounce pretty much everyone in the snow. I had a Chrysler 300C AWD that had all-season tires and my BMW with dedicated snows is better.

All seasons are crap. All cars should run dedicated snow tires, both AWDs and RWDs.

I run the best quality studded winter tires there is. Traction on ice is pretty ok. However, acceleration is still quicker in summer than in winter. Especially in case of my RWD.

[benzy89]

RWD > AWD, in all aspects you're considering: stock vs. stock, modifying potential, driving characteristics, etc.

An RWD will obviously be lighter b/c it's not handicapped w/ AWD drivetrain components. The other problem with an AWD is aftermarket mods. While a tune, FMIC, exhaust & intake are all the same, the Downpipes are going to be a headache. B/c of clearance issues w/ the subframe, DPs on an AWD car is A) going to be a nightmare, B) will be signficantly more expensive if done by a shop and C) you are going to be forced to pay a premium for Xi DPs.

If there's no significant arguement behind getting an Xi (I live in NJ & if the snow is that bad, I just don't go out), then try searching for a RWD.

[themyst]

Originally Posted by jippii ensio

All seasons are crap. All cars should run dedicated snow tires, both AWDs and RWDs.

I run the best quality studded winter tires there is. Traction on ice is pretty ok. However, acceleration is still quicker in summer than in winter. Especially in case of my RWD.

You haven't tried the continental DWS then.

[hemi to e90]

Originally Posted by benzy89

RWD > AWD, in all aspects you're considering: stock vs. stock, modifying potential, driving characteristics, etc.

An RWD will obviously be lighter b/c it's not handicapped w/ AWD drivetrain components. The other problem with an AWD is aftermarket mods. While a tune, FMIC, exhaust & intake are all the same, the Downpipes are going to be a headache. B/c of clearance issues w/ the subframe, DPs on an AWD car is A) going to be a nightmare, B) will be signficantly more expensive if done by a shop and C) you are going to be forced to pay a premium for Xi DPs.

If there's no significant arguement behind getting an Xi (I live in NJ & if the snow is that bad, I just don't go out), then try searching for a RWD.

i love how every one forgets fuel consumption.

but the rest are all there, you pay a penalty for being incapable of swapping to winter tires. and you pay that, over and over again.

[djjasper]

If you are going to tune or do FBO, you are going to have trouble keeping traction when you are going hard on the throttle. Even with just a tune, without an LSD on RWD, power can easily overshadow traction. In that case, maybe AWD is a better bet, but only for that reason. I seriously wouldn't worry about snow in your area, so if that's your thinking for AWD I would say a big NO.

[nailer335]

I currently have a 2008 AT e92 335xi and 2007 AT e90 335i, so my opinion may be more qualified than anyone elses here since I drive each one of them practically every day.

RWD is not greater than AWD in every way. I got my xi DPs for $420 new. The drivetrain losses are greater with AWD. Your aftermarket options for AWD are also more limited, but prices are much better than they used to be. Either car can me made extremely fast for extremely cheap. The xi will invariably be faster around town stop light to stop light unless you actually run into a very skilled driver, which doesnt happen very often. If I really want to abuse my xi, I can cut 0-60 times that RWD people can only wish for, especially without dedicated drag tires.
Overall, I like the RWD better. More aftermarket options, better gas mileage, less drivetrain loss, etc

[nailer335]

Originally Posted by djjasper

If you are going to tune or do FBO, you are going to have trouble keeping traction when you are going hard on the throttle. Even with just a tune, without an LSD on RWD, power can easily overshadow traction. In that case, maybe AWD is a better bet, but only for that reason. I seriously wouldn't worry about snow in your area, so if that's your thinking for AWD I would say a big NO.

This is why I got the xi. I've spent less on all of my power mods than LSD would cost and never have a problem putting power to the ground. 19psi launches with 3 meth nozzles and race gas gives a very exhilarating feeling you wont find in many if any RWD cars. Roll races are somewhat of a let down though. An option to disengage the AWD after 2nd gear would be a perfect compromise between maximum off the line traction and minimal drivetrain loss.

[Eracer76]

Originally Posted by Vi4Life

How fast is the RWD 335i vs the AWD 335i from a 25 roll would they be neck and neck or would the RWD take it...just curious I drove a AWD 335i auto I would like to get the manual RWD but it was not available at the dealership but I kinda like the AWD because it would be nice for my area (I live in the Maryland, DC and Va area) I'm just trying to see which ones would be faster stock for stock and has more modding capability...I'd buy one of the cars on the forum but I'm doing a trade in (2011 GTI candy white 3dr hatchback navi package...incase you know someone wanting to buy a GTI)

If they are both stock, the RWD would probably edge it out from a 25mph roll, but not by much... But fully modded, it would be a different story IMO
As for modding, the only thing that would be a factor, money and install wise, are the downpipes. There are a couple companies that make them and they are high quality, so its not like you don't have any options at all... Other then that, everything else is pretty much the same.
I know I'm very happy I chose my xi after driving it though a Chicago winter on all-season tires, and being able to launch the car hard in the rain without spinning the tires, even while going around a corner, and being able to pull 1.59 60's at the drag strip on the same all-season tires is a big win for me!

Originally Posted by B005T3D-G

4x4 will be better off the line for a drag but due to the increased transmission losses in the drivetrain the RWD would take it on a roll

I believe this is true, at least for stock cars anyway. But if we're talking FBO (since he mentioned modding) anything below a 30mph roll, I bet the RWD will still spin and the xi will take it... not to mention if the roads are anything but ideal, like being very cold, dirty, wet, or even just damp where traction would a big problem for a FBO RWD car trying to go WOT...

Originally Posted by BMWsky

No.

Ice = no traction, period.

Snow = get dedicated snow tires.

I live in upstate NY on Lake Ontario (think "lake effect snow") and drive a 6MT RWD car with dedicated snows. The biggest issue I have is clearance. If you have an AWD with dedicated snows then yes, you will trounce pretty much everyone in the snow. I had a Chrysler 300C AWD that had all-season tires and my BMW with dedicated snows is better.

IMO, with the right all-season tires, you will not need dedicated snow tires with the xi, at least I didn't have any problems in the Chicago area... even clearance wasn't much of an issue, as I was dragging the bottom of the car in many places and I even plowed some snow with my front bumper (I had snow packed in the lower grill) and I never even had to rock the car back-n-forth, let alone get stuck!

Originally Posted by jippii ensio

All seasons are crap. All cars should run dedicated snow tires, both AWDs and RWDs.

As someone else said, I guess you haven't tried the Conti's or even the General G-Max AS-03's like mine? Like I mentioned above, my tires work great in EVERY condition I've thrown at them... but maybe its just because of the xi

Originally Posted by benzy89

RWD > AWD, in all aspects you're considering: stock vs. stock, modifying potential, driving characteristics, etc.

An RWD will obviously be lighter b/c it's not handicapped w/ AWD drivetrain components. The other problem with an AWD is aftermarket mods. While a tune, FMIC, exhaust & intake are all the same, the Downpipes are going to be a headache. B/c of clearance issues w/ the subframe, DPs on an AWD car is A) going to be a nightmare, B) will be signficantly more expensive if done by a shop and C) you are going to be forced to pay a premium for Xi DPs.

If there's no significant arguement behind getting an Xi (I live in NJ & if the snow is that bad, I just don't go out), then try searching for a RWD.

Modifying potential of the xi is not that big of a deal vs the RWD. Almost all the mods/installs are the same except the downpipes, and there are a couple companies that make very nice ones for the xi, even if they are a little more money, its not that big of a deal. And the install isn't really a nightmare like everyone makes it out to be. I installed mine in my garage, by myself, with the car on jack stands in under 4 hours.



In the end, the OP should chose what they want and need for the conditions... But I know I'm glad I picked the xi over a RWD, because I've had many RWD cars before and I had finally had enough of the traction issues in all conditions but warm dry pavement. I love how I can drive my car year round in ALL conditions, dry, damp, rain, snow, even the drag strip, with just one set of tires and never have traction issues

[AWD Addict]

Depends on your climate more than anything. THere are plenty of aftermarket mods for each, and most are the same for both (suspension aside, which there are now tons of options for each).

If you drive in rain, snow or ice a lot, get the AWD. THe RWD is basically one-wheel drive unless you spring for an upgraded rear limited slip differential (LSD). No level of snow tires on RWD are going to help you corner and avoid problems like AWD will in inclement weather. I watch RWD BMWs all over the road every time we get an inch of snow. I've driven them with good tires. It's not even close. the AWD, particularly with DSC on simply dominates all conditions without qualification. It's point and shoot, no matter what, and an absolute blast for the driving enthusiast. I live in very, very hilly areas, which is also a good reason to think AWD over RWD. Even in wet leaves it makes a massive difference.

The performance difference is really negligable. I've driven both, tuned and stock, and anyone telling you they feel a difference is totally full of crap. If you're in SoCal, get the RWD, and upgrade your LSD and tires first.

Good luck with the purchase. You'll love this car.

[Quebequer]

Anyone who says rwd is as good as awd in snowy/icy/wet conditions are just missing it all, you just don't have enough bad conditions. I've had both i's and xi's, and seriously, in winter, there is just no comparaison.
Performance wise, there is not a big enough difference to buy a i vs an xi if you have a real winter, unless you really want that 1 second faster 60-130.
With 400whp, even awd will snap your neck in the seat, and even at 60+ mph.

[idrift4wd]

Get rwd! Its not bad in the snow with snow tires. and same HP to HP RWD will win.

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by themyst

You haven't tried the continental DWS then.

+1, I purposely went into a field full of snow to try to get stuck in my S4, no luck, those things work well in deep snow with AWD.

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by Quebequer

Anyone who says rwd is as good as awd in snowy/icy/wet conditions are just missing it all, you just don't have enough bad conditions. I've had both i's and xi's, and seriously, in winter, there is just no comparaison.
Performance wise, there is not a big enough difference to buy a i vs an xi if you have a real winter, unless you really want that 1 second faster 60-130.
With 400whp, even awd will snap your neck in the seat, and even at 60+ mph.

I can't believe people are comparing it as well. AWD will ALWAYS have acceleration traction advantage with all things equal.

[BES335xi]

Im looking to trade/sell my AWD for a RWD, mainly because of that 30-130 is not fast enough and also worrying about Transfer Case, so now im looking for a coupe n54 6mt rwd.

[Carl Morris]

RWD is better any time it isn't traction limited. The more power you make the more often it will be.

[idrift4wd]

Originally Posted by spool twice

I can't believe people are comparing it as well. AWD will ALWAYS have acceleration traction advantage with all things equal.

honestly awd is only cool in the rain. In california idk why you would need awd. but places in the east coast where it rains or snows... its dry for most of the year. rwd can launch just as well as awd.