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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo GT (F07) Forums General 5-Series GT (Gran Turismo) (F07) Forum What does xdrive sacrifice?
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      03-09-2011, 10:42 AM   #1
kwilkins
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What does xdrive sacrifice?

I’m close to placing an order for a GT 550i and am debating between RWD and xdrive. I live in New Jersey and would like the xdrive for our winters but am also considering the option of RWD and getting a set of winter tires.

I’m interested to know if xdrive models give up anything to RWD models in “non-winter” driving.

In every day driving would the xdrive be better, worse, or the same, with respect to:

Acceleration?
Handling and cornering?
Comfort, handling bumps, general ride quality?
Road noise?

Please let me know your thoughts on the tradeoffs between xdrive and RWD.

Thanks,

Ken
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      03-09-2011, 11:58 AM   #2
Hooplescat
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the reason I have RWD id that xdrive would presumably have killed the MPG to X5 levels...

don't know about driving differences, although would imagine the xdrive drives fine...
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      03-09-2011, 12:23 PM   #3
kwilkins
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hooplescat View Post
the reason I have RWD id that xdrive would presumably have killed the MPG to X5 levels...

don't know about driving differences, although would imagine the xdrive drives fine...
Thanks Hooplescat. Given the total expense of the GT I'm not too concerned with a couple miles per gallon loss in MPG.
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      03-09-2011, 12:25 PM   #4
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I think in real world it amounts to about 10mpg difference, although that matters a lot less to you guys with your fuel costs under half of what we pay...I would go for the xdrive if I were you - the GT is quite a boat like car in comparison to other BMW's, and the xdrive suits the size vehicle better in my opinion...
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      03-09-2011, 06:05 PM   #5
relic
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I would suggest the fuel increment is no more than 1 mpg.

I find the handling slightly better with the x-drive plus there is the traction improvement in the wet to consider.

Having done nearly 9000 miles in my 550GT with x-drive, including a 6000 mile trip from Chicago to Florida to Philadelphia and back to Chicago last month - with everything from warm to two feet of snow - my view is that if you have any winter conditions go for the x-drive but if it is for California or such I would stay with RWD.
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      03-09-2011, 06:38 PM   #6
jadnashuanh
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If you can believe the EPA's fuel mileage testing, the x-drive accounts for 1-2mpg.

All-wheel drive means more parts, more weight, and potentially greater expense. It also means that depending on the wear, if you need to replace one wheel, you may need to replace all 4. There is a maximum difference in rolling diameter that is fairly small when using an all-wheel drive vehicle or you induce excess wear in the differentials.

There are some really enlightening discussions of the differences in all-wheel verses rear-wheel drive in bad conditions on www.tirerack.com website. Even with snow tires, they had a huge difference in accelleration and cornering capability on similar cars between the two drive systems. The all-wheel drive accellerated significantly quicker, and went around corners at higher speeds under control compared to rear wheel drive in bad conditions.

That extra help in adverse conditions seems worth it to me. The system BMW uses keeps many of the characteristics of a rear-wheel drive until there is some slip, so the impact on fuel economy is more from the weight rather than say on an Audi with the torsen differential which has all wheels driven all the time (not all Audis use the same system).
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      03-09-2011, 10:33 PM   #7
avus
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simple -
DINAN tune not available for XDrive models

BIG reason for me...
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      03-10-2011, 03:54 PM   #8
kwilkins
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Thanks for the replies. It seems so far no one feels there is any meaningful disadvantage to xdrive in every day driving.
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      03-10-2011, 04:39 PM   #9
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Integral Active Steering is not available with X-Drive.
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