To X Or Not To X

[richrydes]

Struggling with getting all wheel drive or not. Looking at buying a 2002 330 but can't decide if all wheel drive is necessary. I live outside the boston area and do some driving on snowy roads. In talking to some none x owners they say they get around pretty well with only snow tires. Any insights, thoughts or opinions are greatly appreciated. Any additional service concerns with all wheel drive?

[2001BMW325xi]

This just my experience cant say about others:

I have a 01 325xi....and I lived in Iowa for a long time before I moved south. Now I know lately Boston has been getting "some" snow but thats everyday winter for us there. I was a little apprehensive in driving the xi in the snow when we had the first 12 footer (yeah yu read that right ) but lemme tell ya it was awesome. I just tore through the snow and coupla night i took it to a open parking lot full of snow and just gunned it across and not a single skid or instability.....even my ABS light did not come on. Of course you cannot say the same for icy roads or slush...no car can not skid on that including the biggest SUV. I have not driven NON X Bimmers and cannot say they will not perform as well.....it could be a BMW thing. But I was just blown away with the confidence I had in driving in that snow woth this small car which well kept pace with the large SUVs out there. So yeah I think it was a great experience having the xi. Plus the xi works wonders coming out of corners.....the car literally hugs the corners...... heaven. Its a little expensive but i think its worth spending the extra $$$. My 0.02$ anyways. The decision has to be yours.

[exjarhead328]

Good snow tires and maybe a little weight in the back is all you'll need. I live in ct and never have had a problem. For aprox. 4 mos I wouldn't bother.

[richrydes]

Thanks for the replies. I've found some other posts on the forum that address the same issue. the majority seem to say that with good snow tires the rwd will do fine

[nookatee]

I'll throw my 2 cents in even if it means possible castration by the other members. Mind you, I've never driven a BMW with all wheel drive, but I'll make this comment anyways. If you are thinking about getting a four wheel drive system, go with Audi.

There! I said it!

Now this is just my humble opinion but, after driving an old audi quattro for 4 years (untill my brother cracked it up - last time i let anyone drive my car). Audi makes the best four wheel drive system out there (some Subaru drivers may disagree). I'm actually from the Boston area myself and went to school in upstate NY and, i tell ya, there is no feeling like driving an all wheel drive car when it's snowy (though I've never seen 12 feet. LORD!).

I'll also say that you can get a few more creature comforts if you buy an audi than if you buy a bimmer (albeit a scant few). I say all of this and will also tell you without hesitation that I hate the new audis. I much MUCH prefer the older body style of the A4 (much less round - much less like the A6). Again...that's all just my 2 cents so, don't beat me mercilessly because of it.

[stknrdr]

Based on my experience,

I have owned over the last 6 years or so... an e30 325is, and E36 325is, and now an E46 325xi.

I commute 100 miles each way weekly for my job, and I live in southern ID where we get a lot of snow..

With the RWD models..without good snowtires...and I mean GOOD snow tires like michelin artic alpins or blizzaks, the rwds are a chore to drive in the deep snow..bordering on dangerous...right after I got the e36 I had to drive it after a snowstorm with just its yokohama all seasons on it...wow...bad news.. I had to go really really slow...after I got the artic alpins on it it was doable..not excellent but ok. Also in that first little bit before we got snowtires my wife did $2000 damage to it by trying to turn into our driveway a little too fast and plowing into the mailbox. If you get any kind of snow at all, with the RWD models I would say that snowtires are a MUST.

I just got the xi, and I havent had to drive in a really bad storm yet..but, in just playing around with it its a LOT better, more stable, and safer in the slick stuff, especially with the DSC engaged. However...I went and did some canyon carving the other day, and I really kind of miss the punch of my old E36 5 speed...so i guess its all a trade off, you have to decide whats more important to you, and how bad the conditions are that you are forced to drive in.....mine get pretty bad sometimes...hence the xi this time around.

[exjarhead328]

Like I said, good snow tires, I personally use Dunlop WinterSport M3's, great in the snow, good on dry pavement, will get you through a tough New England winter.

[sardar]

the xi models are also slower and are worse on gas. but if it snows there alot and its really a matter of safety go for the xi. I have also drivin a 04 328xi, its slower but you can really feel the diffrence in handeling. RWD kinda slips out.

xi- slower, worse on gas, better handling --- no xi- faster, better on gas, cheaper

[325isBaby]

Fuel consumption

325i 19-27mpg
325xi 19-26 mpg

330i 19-27mpg
330xi 18-25mpg (mine averages 19.3-20mpg)

0-60

325i 8.1sec
325xi 8.8sec

330i 5.9sec
330xi 7.5sec

(all specs based on 5spd auto trans from BMWNA)

Yes the RWD is slightly faster than the Xi but living in WA myself I LOVE my Xi over my RWD hands down. I actually get better fuel economy out of my 330xi than my 325is(E36) I would say if you live in an area that AWD is necessary than an Xi for sure...if not than RWD.