03-31-2019, 11:32 AM | #1 |
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M340i with RWD or AWD?
As someone who lives in a place where it almost never rains, I think I would be more inclined to get an M340i with RWD. However, I'm just curious to see if anyone would rather spec an M340i with AWD instead. If so, why?
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03-31-2019, 11:40 AM | #2 |
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RWD = lighter and less complex. Power to rear, steering input all up front. Less understeer and, typically, less weight over the front axle as well contributing to better steering feel. I live in the DC/Baltimore corridor though so personally? I'm springing the extra money for AWD. YMMV.
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03-31-2019, 11:47 AM | #3 |
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If you need them get real winter tires. They are great in the snow.
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03-31-2019, 11:51 AM | #4 |
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I live in a climate that requires AWD, but I still think there are benefits if you live somewhere that doesn't require it.
The biggest thing is traction. In my F30 340xi, I can go WOT from a stoplight and I know the car will put the power down immediately in a straight line with no wheelspin whatsoever. The AWD car is going to be faster around the city, and the RWD will have an edge on the highway since it's lighter and the traction benefit disappears at speed. It really depends on where you do most of your driving and what your priorities are. AWD turns the car into a "point and shoot" vehicle which may turn some people off. I'm personally a fan of not having to worry about traction and knowing I can put all of my power down in a straight (or mildly straight) line at any given moment. Last edited by RPM1123; 03-31-2019 at 11:57 AM.. |
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03-31-2019, 11:51 AM | #5 |
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RWD
The value of XDrive (when equipped with proper winter tires) will help get you going on snow/ice. If that is not a factor, the next possible benefit is helping get power to the ground by splitting it among 4 tires if the torque would overwhelm just two. I don't think we have much of that situation here either. I think I recall reading a benefit of .1 second to 60, which might interest the drag-race obsessed, assuming one pulls away from standstill at WOT very often. Against that you incur:
XDrive should be chosen if/when absolutely necessary, not as the default.
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03-31-2019, 04:57 PM | #6 |
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One thing to think about with the M340 in particular is that the suspension and setup were optimized for the awd model. The rwd version is an afterthought being sold in the US market only where there is still significant traditionalist pushback against awd. Globally the m340 is xdrive only, the demo cars they had the press track test were all awd. Personally I would want the setup the car was planned, developed and optimized for.
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03-31-2019, 05:04 PM | #7 | |
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03-31-2019, 05:40 PM | #8 |
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If you live in an area with very little rain (possibly little snow?), then I can't see much use of xdrive beyond the extra bit of traction you get from a standing start. I personally won't pay for that extra cost as I don't really have a use for it where I live.
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03-31-2019, 07:21 PM | #9 |
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Even the 330 can take advantage of xDrive for additional traction from a performance perspective. While 0-60 times aren't everything, the 330 xDrive is a whole .3 seconds faster in a 0-60. xDrive also doesn't ruin the driving dynamics, as I believe it's still RWD based.
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03-31-2019, 07:27 PM | #10 | |
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03-31-2019, 07:28 PM | #11 | |
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03-31-2019, 07:35 PM | #12 | |
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03-31-2019, 09:39 PM | #13 | ||
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I will fairly admit we won't really know how compromised the rwd variant is until is compared in an apples to apples scenario against the xdrive variant, it may be significant it may not be at all Bmw does have a history of this type of reactionary sales management , like the 6MT on previous gen M5, US only with mismatched ratios and a compromised experience. |
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03-31-2019, 09:46 PM | #14 | |
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I live in NH. If I go back to a sedan...it will be a rear drive for the 10-20 days per year the roads are lousy from snow. My X3M40i takes care of the snow roads |
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04-01-2019, 01:23 AM | #15 | |
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Not sure if you or someone else stated that the 330 x drive benefits from .3 second faster 0-60 than the RWD. The gap on the M340 is only .1 second. My guess is the 330 RWD did not have the limited slip diff which is standard on the M340i and pretty much eliminates the gap with awd A properly balanced RWD car with limited slip and good tires can easily handle the power the M340 is putting out, AWD is not necessary at these power levels. If you need it for snow or whatever it’s a great feature, but absolutely should not be considered the default especially when a limited slip is standard. |
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04-01-2019, 05:55 AM | #16 |
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I'm considering replacing my E90 M3 with an M340i. I live in New England and never had a problem with driving it in the snow. Investing in a good set of snow tires with wheel rear drive is better than AWD with all season tires IMO.
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04-01-2019, 07:10 AM | #17 | |
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The other thing is, you can, and should outfit your awd with winter tires as well, at which point there's no debate. The most important component, though, is the driver. I see plenty of awd suvs driving like clueless idiots during snow storms every winter. You see them fly by as if they're exempt from driving carefully on messy roads. Sadly, they're a statistic waiting to happen. |
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04-01-2019, 07:15 AM | #18 |
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If in the foreseeable future, you plan to live somewhere that gets little to no snow, go with rwd. If you live somewhere that can get accumulating snow from November to April, you can certainly benefit from awd.
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04-01-2019, 07:59 AM | #19 | |
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I sense that the word "optimizing" is somehow exciting. This really just means that the more complex system, with more parts, more development needed, required BMW to do more work to essentially penalize the base platform with more weight, variable cost, and investment to accomodate XDrive. They did that, recoverable with revenue of the option price, and did it extremely well. They may have found some areas where they could commonize parts, but it is standard industry practice not to waste something like a bracket where it is not needed due to cost and weight unless the complexity in the plant outweighs those factors. Powertrain electronics engineers wrote more code because it was required. They did their homework to co-develop both configurations. The "optimization" fantasy may be entertaining, but has no actual meaning outside of each specific task that each configuration required, and both were attended to. This entire story about "last minute" doesn't happen. And, even if BMWNA went from zero to some mix of RWD, which it didn't, RWD's presence in other markets makes it also irrelevant to the basic platform engineering task. We haven't even touched on the unique impact testing certification programs needed for each variant, a major long-term project in of itself. The platform was designed for both drive configurations starting from the ~4 years ago when the first CAD program was fired up to create the design. "Optimized" here really just means the platform was designed to allow for both configurations, with XDrive complicating the task a bit. Whichever international BMW subsidiary wishes to have whatever mix simply becomes a matter of production programming of that which Engineering has already planned to offer and have available. But, the markets also have to submit their plans with similar foresight so as not to waste resources later on with late changes...the bane of all engineering departments. Romanticizing XDrive may have an appeal, but in reality, it was just one program variant from a widespread modular platform. One can comfortably purchase either configuration knowing that each represents the best overall set of attributes BMW AG can provide as a profitable OEM.
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04-01-2019, 08:43 AM | #20 | |
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On the other hand, I had an easier time getting out of snow banks with the AWD system, which is to be expected. Once again, I’m talking about 3 inches or less, have to account for height clearance also.
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04-01-2019, 12:47 PM | #21 | |
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+ non staggered wheels + higher stance Unless I lived in North Dakota or Minnesota or Canada I'd never look at xi |
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04-01-2019, 01:05 PM | #22 |
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