[Xcution]

Anyone planning on getting the AWD? Also can you say why you are getting it and cannot be because of snow.

I am trying to decide on RWD or AWD and I have a beater car for the snow so this is not an issue. Looking for someone to convince me here or throw out suggestions.

thank you in advance!!!

YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

[MassBimmer]

If it wasn't for snow I would undoubtedly get RWD - the way BMW's are meant to be. However, because of said snow, I go with AWD.

[SomeRandomer123]

Gotta be RWD! With a set of snow tyres...

[Red Bread]

AWD adds weight and complexity, but does provide two wheel drive over one wheel drive on the 3er. Living where I do, I would prefer RWD with a real LSD > RWD without > AWD.

[Robin_NL]

Always RWD on a BMW plus good quality wintertyres will do the job.

AWD plus summertyres can be dramatic in the snow .(been there done that with an Audi S3)
RWD plus wintertyres is fun en no problems also in 10 cms of snow.

*reading TS post again*
Ah, it's not because of the snow you say...

RWD 100%.

[Xcution]

thanks guys!!! Also why do people say FWD vs RWD in the snow FWD is better if most cars now are a 50/50 weight distribution.

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by Xcution

thanks guys!!! Also why do people say FWD vs RWD in the snow FWD is better if most cars now are a 50/50 weight distribution.

because they're fucking stoopid. If all you care about is going straight, then sure get a FWD car with all season tires. Regardless of the drivetrain, if you have to stop or turn, that's when snow tires are most important.
When was the last time you were caught in a snowy condition and thought to yourself, gee, I'm not going fast enough...

[Xcution]

Originally Posted by gatoman39

because they're fucking stoopid. If all you care about is going straight, then sure get a FWD car with all season tires. Regardless of the drivetrain, if you have to stop or turn, that's when snow tires are most important.
When was the last time you were caught in a snowy condition and thought to yourself, gee, I'm not going fast enough...

LMFAO!!! I was wondering I mean if there is like 12 -14 inches in snow I really dont think a 3 series RWD or FWD is going anywhere, LOL

YOU ARE TO FUCKING FUNNY, BRUH!!!

[gatoman39]

if there is 14 inches of snow on the ground it's probably not a good idea to be out in the first place. An f30 is going to suffer from ground clearance issues, regardless of drivetrain config. Unless you live in Alaska, snow tires and RWD will get you out of 95% of situations without the cost and complexity weight and efficiency penalty.

[Xcution]

So basically, if you get like mabey 2 - 3 inches of now at a time if that. Most would suggest RWD. Sounds good thank you guys!

[JoeyO]

The whole FWD vs RWD thing is this: One is pushing the weight from behind. The other is pulling the weight from the front. The later happens to better for snow conditions.

[clarence]

Originally Posted by JoeyO

The whole FWD vs RWD thing is this: One is pushing the weight from behind. The other is pulling the weight from the front. The later happens to better for snow conditions.

Actually, due to weight transfer during acceleration, rwd offers better traction than fwd, but it's safer as it's easier to control for most ppl.

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by clarence

Actually, due to weight transfer during acceleration, rwd offers better traction than fwd, but it's safer as it's easier to control for most ppl.

But from a standstill in SNOWY conditions a rwd frontengined car(BMW i.e) offers in general less traction than a FWD with the engine(off course) on top of the driven wheels. Try to get up on a slope from standstill with those two configurations and you'll be surprised how bad a 'BMW' will behave in snowy conditions. Been there done that.

On the other hand: A rwd mid engine or even 'better', a 911 like car(rearengine) offers more traction than the aforementioned f-rwd and fwd cars. The added weight of the engine gives way more traction.

fwiw.

Cheers
Robin

[Xcution]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

But from a standstill in SNOWY conditions a rwd frontengined car(BMW i.e) offers in general less traction than a FWD with the engine(off course) on top of the driven wheels. Try to get up on a slope from standstill with those two configurations and you'll be surprised how bad a 'BMW' will behave in snowy conditions. Been there done that.

On the other hand: A rwd mid engine or even 'better', a 911 like car(rearengine) offers more traction than the aforementioned f-rwd and fwd cars. The added weight of the engine gives way more traction.

fwiw.

Cheers
Robin

Because the engine is in the front does not mean that the there is more weight is the front of the car for FWD. If the car has a 50/50 weight distribution how does FWD have the advantage because of the engine in the front?

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by Xcution

Because the engine is in the front does not mean that the there is more weight is the front of the car for FWD. If the car has a 50/50 weight distribution how does FWD have the advantage because of the engine in the front?

I'm talking about snowy conditions here, not dry or even wet conditions(the rwd car has better traction for sure I know) and from experience.

When both fwd and front engine rwd(BMW) cars accellerate from a standstill in snowy conditions, the BMW doesn't have that much weight pressing on the rear wheels...
A solution: Put your mother in law/some sandbags in the trunk/boot= better traction.
The-rather small but still- advantage of a fwd with the frontengine pressing on those frontwheels is there, compared to a rwd BMW with empty trunk/boot.

In snowy conditions, that is.

[Red Bread]

How many fwd cars are there with a 50/50 balance? I'm guessing none.

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

How many fwd cars are there with a 50/50 balance? I'm guessing none.

That's true, I agree, the point is, when accellerating from standstill in the snow with a 2wd(fwd/rwd) car it's not about 50/50 at all. it's about traction and a fwd provides a tad more traction than a BMW rwd with an empty boot/trunk.

You just/also want to have weight on those spinning wheels. So a 911 will win in this case.

[Xcution]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

That's true, I agree, the point is, when accellerating from standstill in the snow with a 2wd(fwd/rwd) car it's not about 50/50 at all. it's about traction and a fwd provides a tad more traction than a BMW rwd with an empty boot/trunk.

You just/also want to have weight on those spinning wheels. So a 911 will win in this case.

jajajaja or I can just throw my wife in the trunk for some extra traction...I mean a ball and chain. No difference

[a_k]

If starting from standstill in snow FWD will "dig" through snow, RWD has to push front wheels through snow. With AWD there are no "braking" wheels.

[Xcution]

Originally Posted by a_k

If starting from standstill in snow FWD will "dig" through snow, RWD has to push front wheels through snow. With AWD there are no "braking" wheels.

Good point!

I want to know less about snow though and more about 0-60, maneuverability, etc.

[a_k]

As it is been said before - for handling RWD will be better and more fun.

[clarence]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

But from a standstill in SNOWY conditions a rwd frontengined car(BMW i.e) offers in general less traction than a FWD with the engine(off course) on top of the driven wheels. Try to get up on a slope from standstill with those two configurations and you'll be surprised how bad a 'BMW' will behave in snowy conditions. Been there done that.

It might be a BMW thing, but yrs ago we found a Vauxhall (Opel) Omega getting off the line better than a Honda Civic (both on summer tyres). The difference is it's very easy to get out of control on a rwd car whereas on fwd car u can be braver.