[westcory]

I had an e90 xdive and with the all seasons it was worthless on the ice we get in Seattle (3-4 times a year). I got the rwd F30 just because all we see is 3- bad days a year.

To put my xdrive review in perspective I learned to drive in the snow in a Camaro in BC, Canada. I think the x drive is fine in deep snow but ice its just not fantastic....

[c3r2z8f30i]

To The X Man I know it didn't save my ass that much because I also had a z3 with all season tiers and that did just as good as my xdrive. If you live in a city that's flat no hills what so ever, a good set of all season or winter tiers will be good.

[wayman519]

Originally Posted by bnekic

Riigghhtt who wouldn't want better traction all year round?

It's funny how some of you guys on here are complaining about the additional xDrive weight which compromises your performance during the dry times. I'm sorry but 99% of you are not doing anything on the street that's "compromising your performance".

If your at the track every weekend then I understand.

Its not the performance we are worried about, as you said most of the time on normal streets performance isn't even touched. But its the RWD driving experience that makes a 3 series so enjoyable. That said if you have your heart set on a 3 and you live in the bush then xdrive is probably a decent option. But you don't want xdrive unless you need it. But you may be better off with an Audi or Subaru.

[bnekic]

Well just had the privilege of driving behind a newer 328i in 0.5-1in of snow and yyeeaahh hope that guy gets home safe.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by wayman519

Its not the performance we are worried about, as you said most of the time on normal streets performance isn't even touched. But its the RWD driving experience that makes a 3 series so enjoyable.

Thats funny, car and driver find the 2012 S4 more enjoyable to drive on the curves than the RWD 2012 335i.

[wayman519]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Thats funny, car and driver find the 2012 S4 more enjoyable to drive on the curves than the RWD 2012 335i.

well thats car and driver 's opinion. Either way RWD, FWD and AWD is a preference for different styles and feels of driving.

[batislav]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Thats funny, car and driver find the 2012 S4 more enjoyable to drive on the curves than the RWD 2012 335i.

RWD vs AWD isn't the only issue in that comparison. LSD is a factor in the handling of the S4, which also has the AWD system programmed for RWD bias so it would feel more like a RWD car than many comparable AWD vehicles.

[TreborDrolet]

Originally Posted by TreborDrolet

My Beast needs X Drive. Last 2 weeks we got freezing rain, heavy snow, winds etc. daily. My 2010 323i rear wheel drive was manageable, but driving in these conditions daily I would highly recommend X Drive and 4 very good snow tires. Practicing in a empty parking lot helps. Using fog lights is a good idea. Following a plow is a better idea. And a emergency snow kit.
In most U.S. cities in the snow belt 4 good tires would save your ass!
I keep my old winter tires from my 323 in the garage. Ready for the 320d when BMW finally brings it to North America.

Parking in a Montreal snowbank, before an army of trucks take it away. The entire city looks like the picture below. What you do is buy a used Jeep Wangler for winter. That way you don't have to shovel in and out of parking spots. And you don't have to worry about your BMW getting clipped by a plow, it's nice and warm inside. . Indoor parking is gold in this city.

[TreborDrolet]

Originally Posted by howiegu

Did you have summer tires on? If so, that could be the issue, regardless xi or i.

We had 15 inches yesterday, mine xi with AS tIres had no problem going through snow banks.

I live off island in a very hilly area. I'm in Montreal daily. When I encounter a deep snow start off, I take the DTC off and have little problem getting going.
I do several K of this road. With RWD drive it was interesting. X drive is easier, but don't get too confident. The "be afraid" mode keeps you in check.

[1.fresh.f30.335]

I live in New Hampshire (New England area for the international crowd) and my 335i is in storage for the winter. I live on a hill and without AWD you can't get home during a storm... I know how to drive RWD in the snow but unless its absolutely necessary I take my Jeep or Audi.

[TreborDrolet]

Originally Posted by 1.fresh.f30.335

I live in New Hampshire (New England area for the international crowd) and my 335i is in storage for the winter. I live on a hill and without AWD you can't get home during a storm... I know how to drive RWD in the snow but unless its absolutely necessary I take my Jeep or Audi.

You know that Jeep Wangler is getting more interesting as a go to vehicle in heavy blowing snow or heavy pot holed streets. Keep the BMW nice and cozy in the barn while maneuvering the Jeep through the snow banks. I have seen Jeeps parking in city snow banks on narrow snow clogged streets with incredible ease. You don't have to shovel in or out.

[1.fresh.f30.335]

Originally Posted by TreborDrolet

You know that Jeep Wangler is getting more interesting as a go to vehicle in heavy blowing snow or heavy pot holed streets. Keep the BMW nice and cozy in the barn while maneuvering the Jeep through the snow banks. I have seen Jeeps parking in city snow banks on narrow snow clogged streets with incredible ease. You don't have to shovel in or out.

Facts! Which is exactly why the Bimmer is tucked away, warm and cozy with her trickle charger/maintainer hooked up. I have a grand cherokee, a V8... I kind of wish I had a wrangler, their more fun!

[elistan]

I have no idea what sort of weather Chicago gets. But here's my recent winter-weather driving experience.

2013 328i RWD
All-season Pirelli Cinturato P7

Dallas -> Keystone -> Denver -> Dallas

Dallas -> Keystone. An ice storm moved through North Texas the day before. Wichita Falls was a two-hour experience going about 20mph on a sheet of solid ice. The car did twitch some, and got slightly sideways once, but no issues. We passed numerous old and new accidents. I-70 going west out of Denver was slushy and snowy, but no issues there either.

Keystone. There was the typical sanded snow-pack you get on roads at a ski resort. Zero issues getting around.

Denver -> Dallas. A snow storm had gone through northern New Mexico and the Texas panhandle the day before. Lots of packed snow and ice on the highways. Some sanded, some salted to slush, some left alone. We did feel the car wiggle occasionally on a particularly slick patch of ice, but it again, no issues. (The computer reported 803 miles travelled in 11:58hr, for an average of 68.8mph and 35.9 mpg.)

So, for our usage, we have no regrets with our RWD 328i and all-season tire purchase.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by batislav

which also has the AWD system programmed for RWD bias so it would feel more like a RWD car than many comparable AWD vehicles.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt the X-drive RWD bias as well.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by wayman519

well thats car and driver 's opinion. Either way RWD, FWD and AWD is a preference for different styles and feels of driving.

Oh, its not just car and drivers who thought the S4 was more fun to drive than the RWD F30, its motor trend and almost all professional drivers who did comparo between the 2 cars .

[328inGE]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Thats funny, car and driver find the 2012 S4 more enjoyable to drive on the curves than the RWD 2012 335i.

Why are you trying to use an audi as your justification that a BMW Xi performs better than RWD in curves?

[batislav]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt the X-drive RWD bias as well.

Yeah I think you're right. I don't remember reading about the f30 xdrive, but the e90 was rear drive biased so I'm sure the f30 is too.

[TreborDrolet]

Originally Posted by 1.fresh.f30.335

Facts! Which is exactly why the Bimmer is tucked away, warm and cozy with her trickle charger/maintainer hooked up. I have a grand cherokee, a V8... I kind of wish I had a wrangler, their more fun!

You are a wise and intelligent man.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by 328inGE

Why are you trying to use an audi as your justification that a BMW Xi performs better than RWD in curves?

I am trying to prove a point that RWD does not necessarily mean better performace than AWD.

[rconti]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Thats funny, car and driver find the 2012 S4 more enjoyable to drive on the curves than the RWD 2012 335i.

but... they're *different cars*. Of course they handle differently. Nobody's trying to argue that a RWD pickup 'performs' better than a WRC car. The point is, *all other things being equal*.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by rconti

but... they're *different cars*. Of course they handle differently. Nobody's trying to argue that a RWD pickup 'performs' better than a WRC car. The point is, *all other things being equal*.

Even though we all know the S4 performs better than 335i, I still would not equate the 335i to a RWD pick up truck

If you can find me a link for a comparo between the 335i and the 335xi with the same tires on slalom and skid pad, I am all ears.

[wayman519]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Oh, its not just car and drivers who thought the S4 was more fun to drive than the RWD F30, its motor trend and almost all professional drivers who did comparo between the 2 cars .

The s4 is a boss and i did not mean to put it down in any way. But the s4 is a higher class car and comparing it to a standard f30 is obviously one sided.