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XI vs I - Winter Driving w/RWD
Anyone here live in a "wintery" area and drive a RWD car? Did you choose not to go with a XI on purpose? Do you just throw some bags of salt in the trunk for traction?
I'm trying to decide if I *really* need AWD or not. During a normal winter in Denver, from what I understand, you really only need AWD a few days, say 5-8 working days, out of a year, if that.
I appreciate your thoughts.
| | Reply » XI vs I - Winter Driving w/RWD |
If you`re an "enthusiast" driver, you`ll give up a lot with the Xi....RWD with a dedicated set of (4) winter tires makes a HUGE difference....the right tires will get you through just about anything. With more than 5 or 6 inches of unplowed snow, lack of ground clearance will prevent you from going *anywhere*, AWD or not....
Regards,
Bob
| | Reply » XI vs I - Winter Driving w/RWD |
Quote: | With more than 5 or 6 inches of unplowed snow, lack of ground clearance will prevent you from going *anywhere*, AWD or not.... | I "high centered" in an Explorer once. I sure as heck wasn't expecting that... 
| | Reply » XI vs I - Winter Driving w/RWD |
There are many dimensions that need to be considered here.
First with regard to X-Drive, BMWs with X-Drive are not necessarily for wintry weather. They exhibit improved handling characteristics in wet weather and slippery conditions (think lots of leaves on the road) compared to RWD cars.
In the 3er Reihe, they fall somewhere between standard and sport package in terms handling. I guess the term I would use is sure-footed.
Tires play a role. Put sport tires and wheels onto an X-Drive car (such as the option for the 3er) and the car's handling improves more towards sport package. Leave AS tires on and it is more towards non-sport.
More about tires: in snow, AWD with AS tires are no substitute for snow tires. If you compare AWD with AS v. RWD with snow tires in snow, the BMW RWD with snow tires will probably do better (assuming same conditions and same driver). Put snow tires on the AWD and you can get through more than a RWD with snow tires.
Now, in most conditions outside of wintry weather, BMWs with RWD will feel tighter, most noticeably in the suspension and steering compared to AWD. Again, putting sport tires on the car will make the handling much tighter.
A lot of this depends on what you would order if you don't order X-Drive. Are you ordering the car with all seasons or sport tires?
Actually, it also depends on whether you would order X-drive with AS or sport tires as well
So as you can see, there are a lot of variables here.
In sum: wintry conditions alone are not the only variable for X-Drive. If that is the consideration, for a handful (i.e. just a few days) of wintry conditions a year, RWD with snow tires should be sufficient. X-Drive with snows is ideal.
Remember, all season tires are a compromise for all seasons.
| | Reply » XI vs I - Winter Driving w/RWD |
One variable to consider is whether or not you may be required to put on chains to travel on a snowy road. Going over Donner pass a year or so ago, Caltrans was requiring chains unless you has AWD and AS (or winter) tyres. They just looked at my 325xiT and sent me on.
| | Reply » XI vs I - Winter Driving w/RWD |
Quote: Anyone here live in a "wintery" area and drive a RWD car? Did you choose not to go with a XI on purpose? Do you just throw some bags of salt in the trunk for traction?
I'm trying to decide if I *really* need AWD or not. During a normal winter in Denver, from what I understand, you really only need AWD a few days, say 5-8 working days, out of a year, if that.
I appreciate your thoughts. | Four snow tires and a dose of common sense is all you need.
Ed
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XI vs I - Winter Driving w/RWD