[Cosa Nostra]

I drive a 2009 335i coupe. I've never had xdrive. Is it all its cracked up to be? I'm of the opinion that snow tires (costing $1,500) are mandatory and will give u the best traction/handling regardless of whether u opt for xdrive ($2,500 option). All-wheel drive gives u better steering/handling but not better stopping power. I presume xdrive uses more gas as well. Anyone with experience with this. I know the knock on xdrive for the 328i's is that it zapped too much of the engine's power hence poorer acceleration, but I think they've fixed this issue?

[deletedelete]

Depends. I got the xdrive and love it. I got all the speed and handling of the rwd, and I can get to the mountains perfectly fine. During our first snow here in maryland a 335i got stuck and had to be towed, and I was able to drive fine with the xdrive. I wouldnt trade my xi for anything. As per many threads on the forum has stated, the xi doesnt have any less performance.

[bavarian19]

X-drive is not bad for those in places that get a lot of winter weather.

I drove a 335xi coupe loaner last week, and it was real nice!



I could not justify X-drive here in DC, but I would if I lived north more.

[John 070]

For most in places where it snows, the answer is yes to x-drive. Lets' face it, to many the decision is "how much more does it cost per month?"

To those who want performance and may even have another car to drive when the weather is bad, or who run snows on all corners, the answer is definitely no. Why do I get the feeling this tread is flame bait?

[markinva]

xdrive helps with traction in rain and even in dry...it's not just a snow thing. It's amazing that people don't think twice about the advantages of awd when you are on a subaru or audi forum, but on bmw forums, people go out of their way to avoid it.

[reprod]

335xi + KW v1 coilovers...
You get all the traction of the xi models and still get the sporty ride height of our non-xi siblings.

I love driving this car in the rain, snow and dry!!!

[adelphi_sky]

I say drop it if you live in a flat area. One thing that sold me on BMW and snow was the time I drove from Dayton to Indy on top of a 4 inch snowpack doing and average of 40 - 50 mph with no fishtailing. Drove around the city as well. And the tires were all-season. The DSC and TC in the BMW does wonders. Now, if you want to drive 75mph int he snow, then by all means, get the xdrive. Or if you live in a mountainous region, then perhaps xdrive will serve you well where DSC and TC might not.

[cstavaru]

xDrive = more weight (+100 pounds), more drivetrain losses, taller suspension and less performance. Do the math.

PS: And it does not help stopping the car in the winter !

[hhkim]

Do you live in heavy snow with many hills?

If yes, get xdrive.

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

xDrive = more weight (+100 pounds), more drivetrain losses, taller suspension and less performance. Do the math.

PS: And it does not help stopping the car in the winter !

Well yes it does add weight and probably does not handle as well - most would not notice. However not all performance numbers are less. Car and Driver just tested both the XI and the i. The Xi was faster 0-60 and faster in the 1/4 mile by .2 seconds for both.

[cgpublic]

Much like many other questions, there is no right or wrong answer. It's whatever works best for the person signing the purchase/lease agreement.

Personally, the days I'm glad to have xDrive outweigh the days I wish I had RWD. It's that simple. Everything else is just another internet clustercuss.

That said, if you're driving an 09 non-xDrive, what difference does it make?

New car or buyer's remorse?

[Alan l.]

For you yes.

If i had a chance to change my car the only thing i would add is the xdrive. The additional weight of the xdrive is easily overcome by the added traction during spirited driving/launching. Especially if you are tuned too. I light up my rear tires far too often with my non xdrive msport.

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

Much like many other questions, there is no right or wrong answer. It's whatever works best for the person signing the purchase/lease agreement.

Personally, the days I'm glad to have xDrive outweigh the days I wish I had RWD. It's that simple. Everything else is just another internet clustercuss.

Well said.

I would prefer not to have it, but for where you (and I) live it's pretty handy. Not to mention that I live on a hill that eats RWD cars in the snow. Nothing pisses me off more than shoveling my way up the driveway after working all day, so the xDrive is completely worth it for that reason alone.

[thlax]

yes xdrive is nice for snow...but even better for rain! Im in DE and we dont get too much snow, however when it comes i can handle it. I notice the biggest difference in everyday driving in the rain...it just STICKS to the road like no other. Its also rear weighted power so its not like its 50/50 split anyways.

I see only + for XI and no -

[Cosa Nostra]

OK but if you're on a budget - will u get better handling with x-drive and no snow tires or snow tires and no x-drive? The latter I suspect?

[John 070]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

Much like many other questions, there is no right or wrong answer. ?

Ask a BMW professional driver (I did in late '05 when the E90 330i first came out), and there is a right and wrong answer. Put it this way, in Fall '05 the xi's were not out yet, and the driver told me I was driving the right answer, with the wrong answer coming next year.

[philsteroni]

I live in montreal and we have similar climate. Stop listening to anal people running after .1 seconds in performance increase and .1g inthe skidpad. Those things won`t make a diffence even in a race, your driving skills will (unless your an f1 driver). You will never get stuck in the snow again, ever. Ask anyone on this forum who lives with snow and has x drive if they regret it. Be realistic with yourself.

[Craig@SupremePower]

xdrive in canada would be a plus...

[Ender514]

if i were in canada, i would probably go with x-drive. and like you kinda already said, tires are a big part of the equation too.

[Twilight1]

I have a 335d with 205/50 WS 60 Blizzaks and the only thing that would slow me down, is ground clearance if the snow gets too deep. If you do have some steep hills to climb, then the x would probably be the way to go. I would greatly prefer a RWD with Blizzaks to a AWD with all season tires.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by John 070

Ask a BMW professional driver (I did in late '05 when the E90 330i first came out), and there is a right and wrong answer. Put it this way, in Fall '05 the xi's were not out yet, and the driver told me I was driving the right answer, with the wrong answer coming next year.

He can come to NYC, drive the roads I drive to MA, CT, NJ and PA, in the same conditions, arrive at meetings on time with minimal BS 24/7/365, and if he still believes RWD is the right answer, I'll gladly agree with him provided he makes the payment on my xi.

[noro]

Real BMWs are RWD... let the fight begin...