[335BOY]

Originally Posted by rhinothatflies

Still fuming that 6MT isn't available on the X-Drive.

I agree. WTF? Getting more and more difficult to find MT........

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Yah, I'm familiar with the facts.
If I needed to be out in bad winter weather I'd agree with you, but as I'm retired and can easily walk to whatever it is I may need or want (restaurants, groceries, pharmacy, etc), - I think that for the 5 - 10 days per year max we have snow covered roads in the area (close to lake in the GTA), I think it's an expense and PITA I can do without.
And, no, I won't necessarily need a 2nd set of tires at some point.
Just got rid of my 2008 128i Cabrio with 52,000 Kms after 6 1/2 years of ownership and still had the 1st set of A/S RFT tires 5/32" - 6/32" tread remaining).

Got it. 5/32 would be nice in snow and on cold pavement. I bet it will be law in Ontario at some point. Congrats on retiring.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by 335BOY

Got it. 5/32 would be nice in snow and on cold pavement. I bet it will be law in Ontario at some point. Congrats on retiring.

Wouldn't have mattered as the 128i cabrio was never winter driven - that's what the X1 is for..

[iamdabest1]

Unless you are tracking the car I don't see why get rear drive if awd is available . I live in Nyc and dread winters because I don't like switching tires on my m3's.
I've enjoyed my xi's plenty and love how works in the snow with all seasons ..

[dan99]

so many pros and cons and there's not "correct" choice, just depends on what you expect from a car and your driving style.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Wouldn't have mattered as the 128i cabrio was never winter driven - that's what the X1 is for..

Nice option.

[M235ixDriveMP]

Originally Posted by BruceOmega

I can understand preferring RWD over AWD if that is based on experience with previous generation BMWs of a RWD with a sport suspension versus an xDrive without a sport suspension.

But with the M235i, and also with the 6 series from what I have read, you can get the same sport suspension with xDrive as with RWD, and its a no cost option on xDrive to get the summer performance tires.

You should now be able to do a driving comparison where the only difference is xDrive vs RWD. I would be very interested in an objective comparison.

Bruce

I agree! My custom order was setup that way too. But I didn't know the suspension different between RWD & AWD, because the (2VF) Adaptive M Suspension was standard on both model.
The main reason I changed because I want the wider rear tires 18x8.0 245/35 R18 for better look, and gain my 840 Increased Top Speed Limiter back.

[BlueM235]

I also ordered an M235 x-Drive with the adaptive suspension and Michelin PSS for the Summer. Given the amount of snow here in Canada and mandated law in Quebec to ride with Winter Tires (15 Dec - 15 Mar), I will used RFT Winter Continentals.

[Diana001]

That depend on what require do you have for that car.for a long time i will recommend a Xdrive.



Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Handyhülle

[jskrilla]

I got Summer tires wouldn't it allow me to put the car to it's max speed? Officailly Ordered my M235i X drive

[KG3356MT]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

Whats right for one person could be absolutely wrong for you...

This is a very personal decision based on all the considerations listed by some smart people:

• How good of a driver are you?
• Do you track the car?
• Are you willing to mess with snow tires or not?
• Do you live in an area with significant snowfall, cold and inclement weather?
• Does the extra $$ bust your budget for Xdrive?
• Does the extra weight of Xdrive cause you to snivel, drool and shake slightly?
• Do you lust for the bias of a RWD experience?

Address these questions for yourself and you'll have your answer.

Who cares what others think?

Awesome post. I never understand why people come to a forum asking random people for help on something as expensive as a car purchase. When it comes to RWD vs AWD, your own personal need and preferences matter the most.

[ska///235i]

Awd with all seasons drives the same as RWD with winters (in my own experience)

Actually, rwd with winter drives better in the ice/snow...its the stopping that its important

Of course awd with winters are best

[Luke Warmwater]

AWD has more benefits than just increased traction in the snow. Check this out...

[AbuQutaita]

Originally Posted by jskrilla

I got Summer tires wouldn't it allow me to put the car to it's max speed? Officailly Ordered my M235i X drive

I think you need to code it to remove the top speed. Otherwise the xDrive version is limited at 130mph.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Luke Warmwater

AWD has more benefits than just increased traction in the snow. Check this out...

This video from BMW Marketing makes the case that their all wheel drive system is better than others. Not surprising, and persuasively presented.

BUT, this video does not address the overall cost/benefit ratio of all wheel drive vs rear wheel drive for:

• Weight
• Purchase price
• Maintenance
• Fuel economy reduction
• Performance reduction(we're not talking about a car with so much torque it otherwise overwhelms just two tires and spins them during launch)
• Steering response reduction
• Maintenance cost
• Increased repair cost

They also don't address the ability of dedicated winter tires on rear wheel drive to get moving on that strategically located patch of ice. In fact, they don't discuss tires at all (as they don't sell them). With winter tires, a rwd vehicle would do better than that XDrive with all-seasons.

The last part which was a bit humorous was the discussion of how handling is improved (reducing understeer) by sending torque to the rear.....rear wheel drive already does that all the time!

AWD does help in some limited winter situations with winter tires installed. But, to justify the above issues every day of the year all year long? Sorry....no sale!

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by AbuQutaita

I think you need to code it to remove the top speed. Otherwise the xDrive version is limited at 130mph.

Isnt it limited due to tires capability? I'd be careful with that.

[Stosh3]

A personal choice for sure. I've had my xdrive for a couple of months and have 5500 miles on it. I'm coming from an '08 335xi with Dinan that gave me 150k enjoyable miles. I really like the M235i xdrive and overall a better car than my 335xi.

Don't discount the comments on the difference tires make. I do put dedicated snows on and just went through our recent 6" with absolutely no problems including steep hills and driveways that hadn't been plowed yet. AWD + Snows is a great combo. I think the weight and mileage penalty is barely noticeable. I'm also a reluctant converter to RFTs. They keep getting better and the ride compromise keeps getting smaller. But - they are tough. On my 335xi I have hit major potholes which bent the rim and caused a major bubble as well and they did not blow out and held air.

I went for the M235 over the 435 as I think the 4 has gotten much softer overall. I've added a dedicated snow pkg (tirerack as bmw couldn't produce one), wrapped the car in xpel (Automobila in West Haven CT does an awesome job), blacked out the kidney grills and added some subtle m-stripes on the driver's side kidney grill.

What I miss the most? MT - this is my first AT car other than the Tesla I had for a year. I know the AT shifts faster than I ever could and that it gets better mileage but I do miss the connected feel between driver and car. I do admit it is easier in the ever increasing CT/NY traffic but still miss the MT.

Overall a happy owner. And with xdrive + snows I never worry about the weather.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by Stosh3

A personal choice for sure. I've had my xdrive for a couple of months and have 5500 miles on it. I'm coming from an '08 335xi with Dinan that gave me 150k enjoyable miles. I really like the M235i xdrive and overall a better car than my 335xi.

Don't discount the comments on the difference tires make. I do put dedicated snows on and just went through our recent 6" with absolutely no problems including steep hills and driveways that hadn't been plowed yet. AWD + Snows is a great combo. I think the weight and mileage penalty is barely noticeable. I'm also a reluctant converter to RFTs. They keep getting better and the ride compromise keeps getting smaller. But - they are tough. On my 335xi I have hit major potholes which bent the rim and caused a major bubble as well and they did not blow out and held air.

I went for the M235 over the 435 as I think the 4 has gotten much softer overall. I've added a dedicated snow pkg (tirerack as bmw couldn't produce one), wrapped the car in xpel (Automobila in West Haven CT does an awesome job), blacked out the kidney grills and added some subtle m-stripes on the driver's side kidney grill.

What I miss the most? MT - this is my first AT car other than the Tesla I had for a year. I know the AT shifts faster than I ever could and that it gets better mileage but I do miss the connected feel between driver and car. I do admit it is easier in the ever increasing CT/NY traffic but still miss the MT.

Overall a happy owner. And with xdrive + snows I never worry about the weather.

Great car. Thats what I'm going to look at next...in MT. I imagine that wheel would not have bent if you were on non RFT. Only 1/2 the sidewall absorbs impact on RFT. I swapped mine out after <500 kms.

[jskrilla]

UPDATE:

My CA just called me today and told me it looks like I'll be having the car by the end of the month.

Amazed as to how fast the whole process was, at least for me.

Did i forget to mention my CA is my uncle?

Will post pics second I get it off the lot! Also post pics when it's tinted and when i get the rims dipped.

[jskrilla]

Update:

Well I didn't get my car when expected

But it finally arrived at port today!!! Should be receiving this beauty by next week! The anxiety is killin me

Again as promised I will post pics!

[Mark's M]

Congrats and you'll love it! Naysayers re RWD vs AWD seem to be thinning out as this particular car gains enthusiast traction (pun intended) because of its capabilities.

As a bonus, I highly doubt that any M235xDrive owners will find themselves starring in their own YouTube video on how "not" to impress friends when you stomp on it. Even with DSC off. How 'bout that!!

[335BOY]

does xdrive still sit higher and softer than sport suspensioned rwd?