AWD or not to AWD

[BTM3]

I actually posted this in the M3 section, but I think i'll get more responses here. just to explain why i'm looking for another BMW - my girl was in an accident about two weeks ago - she had a 2001 honda accord. i've brought her over to our side (bimmer), she's deciding between the RWD 325i sedan or the 325xi (my preference) but i'd like other people's opinions from current owners. thanks!

*postscript to my story

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Well.. today my girl received a call from the honda dealership about her car. they wrote her vehicle off as a total loss. so, now she has to get a new car!! not that its a problem as she wanted something new, we were planning on getting her a new car by the end of the year anyway.

Now that she's driven in my car, she's fallen in love with BMW's. She had a 2001 Accord, which was extremely practical, very reliable, and just excellent overall. As far as car manufacturers go, I think they're great cars. She loved her car, never had problems with it other than little minor things. But, now she's ready to step up. plus, she likes the status of bmw's

She doesn't want anything like my car as I've mentioned in other posts, she's a little nervous about driving it -- a little to much of a thoroughbred for her. but she loves the 3 series and she wants a sedan.

we're looking at the 325xi or just the 325i sedan, debating between the two. any suggestions? we live in southern NJ so we get a decent amount of snow during the winter... i keep telling her that i've had 4 bimmers RWD. they're absolutely horrible in the snow.. especially my current one. i've never driven an Xi in the snow so i don't know how well they handle but its got to be better than the RWD.

she doesn't really care, but she's had the Accord which i thought drove like a tank in the snow, i never worried about getting stuck - the thing just barrelled through snow. her arguement is that we only (really) get snow for about two months out of the year, for overall general performance she thinks that RWD is better, especially since BMW is known for their handling characteristics. what are your opinions as we have to make a choice by next week and any opinions would be helpful. thanks!

 

[LarryE]

You'll find this is a matter of intense debate. There are BMW purists who feel that there is nothing like the feel of RWD, and that you can get traction just as good with RWD and good snow tires as you can get with AWD if not better. I have also heard it said that AWD will only help you on inclines. But my CA told me that AWD will improve traction even in good weather. And I have driven FWD cars for years and wouldn't consider a car without either FWD or AWD.

But it is your decision. Have you girlfriend test drive both and try to draw some comparisons.

Especially if you're in the NE, there's nothing like AWD during the winter.

Good luck!

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

i would recommend going to the dealership and testing them both but i can say that my 325i is a good car (since I have one) and is really good to drive, but living is Southern California i can't really talk about the snow factor but when I got my car if I could have I would have gotten the 325xi but I wasn't able to get itbut I got a really nice 325i (325i Silver Grey Metallic, Premium Package, Sport Package, Harmon Kardon Premium Sound)

Welcome BTM3's girl to BMW!

 

[Maxer]

I just traded in an AWD Audi for a RWD BMW. AWD is good, but its not the magic bullet for perfect handling in the snow. The only thing AWD will do for you is prevent you from getting stuck. Once the car is moving, the AWD the extra ~300 lbs for the drivetrain increases your stopping distance. The stock tires in my Audi were terrible in the snow and the AWD did nothing to improve traction. Snow tires mean as much more than AWD.

This is a good article on the subject:
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=3888&page_number=1

Good luck!

 

[MrElussive]

This can be a hard decision. If you go with the 325xi, not only do you sacrifice the RWD handling dynamics and a bit of acceleration performance, you also lose the Sport suspension. You can get the Sport Package for the xi models, but they do not come with sport suspension...the xi models sit 0.8" higher than the regular i models because BMW felt the added ground clearance would be useful for driving in deep snow.
As for the 325i and snow, you can definitely get around during the winter with a good set of snow tires. But I have always felt that AWD is the best thing in snow, and that I would take an AWD vehicle + all-season tires over a RWD vehicle + snow tires. AWD is great in the snow for getting up hills and going through deep snow, and you have the compression (engine braking) from all 4 wheels when you wanna slow down.
I think you have to evaluate exactly how much snow you receive and how much driving you will be doing in that snow. If you absolutely must be on the road every time it snows, I think the 325xi would be a good idea. If you only need to get home when it's snowing and go out once in a while, a 325i with snow tires would do the job just fine.

 

[LarryE]

See what I mean? This is not one of those choices that you are going to get unanimity one way or the other ...

 

[BTM3]

made a decision

well, we went to the dealer this morning. the guy helping us happened to be a good friend of mine from college. we talked. worked up some numbers and she's getting the 325i. there was one exactly what she was looking for. sedan, electric red, tan interior, premium and winter package, auto. the numbers were really reasonable, so we went ahead and did it. its coming off the boat from germany on tuesday or wed. she is really psyched. we talked about the AWD and my friend said that with a good set of snow tires, she should be fine. we'll see. but we're going ahead anyway. i'll have new pics posted as soon as we pick it up. thanks for the advice though.

 

[frolf]

good call, a good set of snows will get you through anything. just think, all the old cars and trucks were rwd before they were 4x4, and they managed fine. while i'm a huge supporter of AWD, i would still want RWD in a BMW. you really can't go wrong with AWD or RWD (FWD is incredibly overrated), but like Mr.E said, you gain 0.8" of height in the awd version, and thats no fun.

 

[MrElussive]

See what I mean? This is not one of those choices that you are going to get unanimity one way or the other ...

Yup, but at least we can all get along just fine and we can express our opinions freel, this way whoever asks the question can learn and see both sides of the debate. This is what makes BMWBoard great.

Oh and personally, after having the accident in my G, I think I want AWD in the future. I love the handling dynamics of RWD, but TRACTION is extremely important to me. I like the fact that all four wheels are working for you, holding the road whether you are accelerating or decelerating (engine braking, of course).

 

[Xyrium]

For your girl, I definitely suggest the safest route possible, the AWD. The last thing you need is a phone call asking you to come and dig her out of the snow, and you'd want to feel that she has the most capable setup for almost all inclement situations. I drove a 325i and the 330xi (bought the 330xi). The 325i was very sweet. I really liked the way the car felt (and the coupes are wayyy more attractive). However, the 330xi was pretty comfortable for me as well. The suspension is raised a bit higher, but was predictable enough for me. Go for the AWD.

 

[olcrazy1]

I say 325i, as with the xi how many times a year do you really need 4 wheel drive. I live in Cleveland, as far north as you can go in Ohio, winter gets pretty nasty up here and I have a 330i, I have never had a problem even inthe worst conditions. It is fine, for the 2-3 times a year 4 wheel is helpful, it is not worth it becasu eit is never really absolutly needed. I know I will get flamed for this, but it is my opinion. I have never gotten stuck, spun out, or anythign in my 330i and weather has never stopped me.

xi not worth it, you lose rear wheel horse power, worse on gas, not as fast, and more to break.

 

[Xyrium]

Yup, but at least we can all get along just fine and we can express our opinions freel, this way whoever asks the question can learn and see both sides of the debate. This is what makes BMWBoard great.

Oh and personally, after having the accident in my G, I think I want AWD in the future. I love the handling dynamics of RWD, but TRACTION is extremely important to me. I like the fact that all four wheels are working for you, holding the road whether you are accelerating or decelerating (engine braking, of course).

Hey Elusive, are you considering the G35x? That thing weighs 3700lbs and has 20 less hp than the coupe. I'd be really curious in hearing what you have to say if you test drive one and make a comparison to your coupe. I was considering that car as well, but it didn't have a manual tranny.

 

[BTM3]

Our new baby came home today... lol

Well.. the day finally came.. our new baby is home.. she's a bright red, sedan with tan interior.. gorgeous.. My girl is extremely happy, couldn't wait to drive around - looked for any excuse - hmmmm sounds familiar. (must be catching)

I'm attaching some photos- when its a little nicer outside i'll get some pics with mine.

Now......(drum roll).... Please Welcome my girl to BMW!!!

 

[Average Jae]

too late to chip in, but first off congratz.

from a previous awd driver, awd gives drivers false sense of security. took me couple winters to realize that. and took me forever to learn that A/S tires suck in the winter. (well that depends on the brand)

if all those suvs stuck in the ditch in snowy conditions is any indication, awd isn't all that great in the hands of a dumb driver.. whatever drive you have, once the cars in motion, it can't defy physics.

if anything knowing your daughter has a rwd in the winter may maker her be more careful.. (wishful thinking? maybe )

 

[MrElussive]

Hey Elusive, are you considering the G35x? That thing weighs 3700lbs and has 20 less hp than the coupe. I'd be really curious in hearing what you have to say if you test drive one and make a comparison to your coupe. I was considering that car as well, but it didn't have a manual tranny.

The G35x actually wasn't out when I got my Coupe. In fact, Infiniti didn't even talk about it until a few weeks before it came out. Now that it's out, I still do not regret my Coupe. The G35x is not available with a manual transmission, I am a fan of the Coupe's styling (not so much the Sedan's, although it is a nice-looking car), and I have the ML500 to use when the weather gets bad. The G35x is a good candidate for those who want the traction of AWD in the snow, but the handling and performance of RWD in the dry. The system is RWD under regular conditions. Under full throttle, it's a 75/25 (rear/front) distribution for maximum traction and maximum acceleration. When the system detects slippage, it will automatically put power to the front wheels to maintain optimal traction. And when it's snowing real bad, there is a button on the center console which locks a 50/50 power split for a continuous 4WD effect. Pretty great system and a pretty great car, but I just love my G35 Coupe.

 

[brianmw95]

But I have always felt that AWD is the best thing in snow, and that I would take an AWD vehicle + all-season tires over a RWD vehicle + snow tires.

In bad winter conditions, I would take a RWD vehicle with snow tires over AWD with all-seasons. In either deep fresh snow, or black ice in -20 degree temperatures, I have a lot more confidence in our SUV with Bridgestone Blizzaks in rear wheel drive, than in it with all-seasons in 4WD.

For the past 10 winters, I've driven a Miata (also with Blizzaks winters) and only got stuck once (about 100 feet from my house in ~10" of new snow - the Miata was actually 'beached' on top of the snow).

 

[sidney]

As mentioned above this is really debatable and I have to make the same decision AGAIN in a few months. (A4, 325i, 325xi) Right now I have an 1998 A4 Quattro and in the winter I put on a set of steel wheels with Haks. It is, without a doubt, the best vehicle that I have ever driven in deep snow, packed snow, shush, or ice. You may argue that it is the Hak. tires but I have driven FWD and RWD with snows and the A4 has been best no question.

 

[bahnstormer]

i've driven fwd hated it
i drive rwd, love it
awd is next and i think unique, mod that and play with the scoobies!

 

[Wallie05]

This AWD v. RWD debate continues to bogge my mind. The deep snow arguement is lame. Let me tell you, I live in Chicago and go to school in northern Indiana and we get our fair share of snow, ice, sleet, you name it...you think I store my car in the winter because it's RWD, hell no. I used to switch between summer and snow tires, but then I realized the DSC works so well in slick conditions, I don't even need that, and I just when through the past winter (Indiana's snowiest) on All-seasons.

And think of all the 7 series and 5 series drivers out there, for whom AWD is not an option, driving not just in the northern U.S., but in Germany, and all over Alpine and Central Europe with those twisty-ass roads? Do people stop driving them in the winter? Of course not, you seen them all the time, year round. I doubt many European drivers even change their tires. I've never seen a BMW in a ditch, but I've seen plenty of AWD SUVs, whose drivers think they are invisible, end up on the side of the road.

Trust me, a sensible driver who knows how to drive according to conditions during rough weather goes a long way further than any AWD and/or snow tire-equipped car.

I've read that driving an AWD car is like constantly hauling around George Foreman in your car(because of the added weight), and you never know how good the car can be until he gets out [sic]. Why burden your car with the extra 400+ lbs. just so you can think you'll be safer or whatever else you can fool yourself into believing because the car is AWD....

 

[Blue]

if he brought his grill and did the cooking, I'd haul old George around for a while...

what I don't understand is why they have a lot full of AWD 3ers out here in sunny Scottsdale, AZ!