[Miata13]

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I live in the Midwest and believe in using dedicated winter tires so all my vehicles have them.

* Anyone in a similar climate NOT gotten xDrive and regretted not having it?
* If RWD, do you have any issues in winter driving conditions?
* Does xDrive provide you with noticeably better traction / acceleration in the spring/summer/fall ?
* If xDrive, would you buy it again, knowing what you now know?

Just seeking others' opinions on the need/desire for this initial $2,000 option that adds some weight and likely increased lifetime maintenance costs.

[Bmw240xi18]

Originally Posted by Miata13

I live in the Midwest and believe in using dedicated winter tires so all my vehicles have them.

* Anyone in a similar climate NOT gotten xDrive and regretted not having it?
* If RWD, do you have any issues in winter driving conditions?
* Does iDrive provide you with noticeably better traction / acceleration in the spring/summer/fall ?
* If xDrive, would you buy it again, knowing what you now know?

Just seeking others' opinions on the need/desire for this initial $2,000 option that adds some weight and likely increased lifetime maintenance costs.

I live in Arizona and got xDrive so I can do some mountain runs in the area. I decided at the last minute to drive to Chicago for Xmas and was thoroughly impressed with xDrive out there. It did what it was supposed to do.

I will always do xDrive when the option is available.

[vandridine]

I would buy xdrive again. The only reason I was reluctant in buying it was due to the inability to break the back end lose like RWD. However after the break in period I found in sport + mode it will break the back end lose just like a RWD car does. So personally no, I would not buy the RWD model.

[Miata13]

Appreciate your feedback

[GregoryG]

I live in Michigan and just got a 2015 M235i RWD last October. Like you, I'm doing dedicated winter/summer tires but was worried about how RWD would do in the slippery slush and snow. After a month of driving in this stuff I'm no longer worried, and am very happy to have gotten RWD. Not that xDrive would be bad, cause honestly I don't know, but I certainly don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. With DSC on (default mode) I have great traction and confidence that I can get the car to go where I point it. Then by enabling DTC I can get a little bit more wheel spin and the rear end slides out for the fun snow fish tails, and then with DSC off I can get the car twirling like a top (in parking lots of course). Would consider xDrive next time just to have a different experience, but very pleased so far with no regrets on drive configuration.

[aerobod]

RWD M240i as a daily driver here in the Canadian West, no issues in the snow with winter tyres, I prefer it to our AWD Golf R in the snow, as it has better handling.

[Maynard]

I have a 228 Xdrive and absolutely love it (w/snow tires for winter). I got it for the practicality of winter traction, but find that I really like the awd dynamic for performance driving more than RWD, so definitely worth the $$ to me. The awd puts you in a partial 4-wheel drift even at semi-legal speeds, so much more enjoyable to work with weight transfer and balance - perhaps not ideal at 10/10ths, but I don't drive that way or track it.

In weather like we have now, it outperforms anything I've ever driven (I'm in Upstate NY - right near 'ground zero' for snowpocalypse 2018). When I got mine I was able to get the performance tires (and higher rev limits) w/ the xdrive - not sure that is still an option, but wasn't something the dealer knew about so you may need to check the configurator; a nice option if you know you are going to get snows too, rather than a set of marginal all-seasons that you won't want to wear.

All that said, I also hear many who do quite well w/ RWD and snow tires so it isn't really necessary, even with the 235/240's. Probably goes w/o saying, but drive both so you can get a feel for it. Some really love rwd or hate awd, so it is a matter of taste.

[BEM-S4]

I've had a RWD coupe and an xDrive convertible now. xDrive is Dinan S2 so more power to offset some of the weight difference.

In any event, with RWD-biased xDrive like comes in the 2-series, you're not sacrificing a hell of a lot. Forgetting track time, but for quasi responsible albeit very fast driving on public roads, I don't have any regrets losing the RWD. We're not talking about the Haldex bullshit or the FWD AMG CLA abomination, the xDrive in the 2-series is not even remotely bad.

[v4257]

Another xDrive who is very happy with the decision.

I also have winter/summer tires. I believe xDrive / winter tires are not substitutes but complements.

[Nahlem]

When i had my 235i during a sort winter period i found it rather stable compared to many other cars that i had driven with RWD setup only, but good tires goes a long way during winter times and planning your driving of course so you don't end up in a situation that you can't handle.

then i drove my sisters back then a 420d x-drive though not a sports car but i found the x-drive very pleasant to have especially when needing to accelerate and there is an ice spot that one of the tires might be on top of, so the system just switched the power to the rest of the tires that had grip and you were good to go. So in that case it was nice.

But to be fair people did drive cars back when there wasn't any x-drive and only rwd without dtcs systems and they were fine so in the end is all about planning your trip and not doing same maneuvers in the car that you would do in the summer like driving to fast and breaking just before and taking corners to fast, so just break in good time and keep your distance to other cars and you shall be fine.

[MarcoZandrini]

It’s all in the tires. I’ve driven bimmers since 1974, and driving in snow/slush comes down to the rubber meeting the road. I put 4 Bridgestone Blizzaks on my E46 and never had a problem getting around.

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

It’s all in the tires. I’ve driven bimmers since 1974, and driving in snow/slush comes down to the rubber meeting the road. I put 4 Bridgestone Blizzaks on my E46 and never had a problem getting around.

This is absolutely true. I will add this. When the xDrive vs RWD question comes up most people talk about the merits of each in inclement weather. I for one an a huge fan of xDrive for traction. I like that that you are generally able to apply more throttle without spinning the tires.

A perfect example is entering a roadway or merging. In Sport + I can apply basically as much throttle as I like without having to worry about wheel spin or loss of momentum. For me it's also a deterrent to the Hooligan in me who with a RWD car would probably prefer to drift around most corners. Yes you can get xDrive sideways but it does take a concerned effort.

[amw896]

Not once. Call me old school but rear drive and standard is just the funnest combination around. My is350 was awd and I found it overrated in every single situation with the exception of straight line launch grip.

Like others have mentioned, it's all in the rubbers.

[CE750Jockey]

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

It’s all in the tires. I’ve driven bimmers since 1974, and driving in snow/slush comes down to the rubber meeting the road. I put 4 Bridgestone Blizzaks on my E46 and never had a problem getting around.

I'll add to this. It really is all in the tires. We've forgotten yesteryear when there was no AWD, and people had to put snow tires on in the winter. Somehow we managed to survive. I live in the beginning of the snow belt. This is the third winter for my RWD M235i and with the Michelin X-ice tires, I've never even come close to getting stuck. Now, it doesn't even cross my mind when I go out in the snow. Save the money, weight and potential long term wear of the xDrive and get the RWD. If you're worried about the snow performance, don't. Get the proper tires, and you'll have peace of mind, as well.

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by CE750Jockey

I'll add to this. It really is all in the tires. We've forgotten yesteryear when there was no AWD, and people had to put snow tires on in the winter. Somehow we managed to survive. I live in the beginning of the snow belt. This is the third winter for my RWD M235i and with the Michelin X-ice tires, I've never even come close to getting stuck. Now, it doesn't even cross my mind when I go out in the snow. Save the money, weight and potential long term wear of the xDrive and get the RWD. If you're worried about the snow performance, don't. Get the proper tires, and you'll have peace of mind, as well.

I agree with you to a certain extent. Tires do mean everything. The drawback to winters is the are soft and spongy. When there's no snow on the ground you're sacrificing performance. I work from home when it snows so very rarely do I drive in the snow. For me I'd rather run xDrive with AS in the winter. Unless there's snow on the ground I'm pretty sure xDrive with AS will out handle RWD with snows.

That would actually make for a good comparison video. AWD with AS vs RWD with snows in dry conditions and light snow. Especially with a tire like the Conti DWS which is pretty great in the snow for an AS tire.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by xantdieselx

I agree with you to a certain extent. Tires do mean everything. The drawback to winters is the are soft and spongy. When there's no snow on the ground you're sacrificing performance. I work from home when it snows so very rarely do I drive in the snow. For me I'd rather run xDrive with AS in the winter. Unless there's snow on the ground I'm pretty sure xDrive with AS will out handle RWD with snows.

That would actually make for a good comparison video. AWD with AS vs RWD with snows in dry conditions and light snow. Especially with a tire like the Conti DWS which is pretty great in the snow for an AS tire.

AWD with AS will potentially accelerate better than RWD with winter tyres, but won't stop or turn as well. One of the biggest dangers in winter driving a RWD car with proper tyres is stopping at a red traffic light and being rear-ended by someone with AS tyres on their vehicle. I see this happen several times each winter, luckily hasn't happened to me yet, as I tend to stop short of the light then slowly pull forward to the line if the car behind isn't stopping well.

[Denk]

XDrive with winter tires will out perform RWD with same tires big time. Depends on how much better winter performance you want or need.

[MarcoZandrini]

I consider all season tires too big of a compromise. With the E46 I’d leave the MPS2/MPSS on until we were supposed to get more than a dusting of snow (I live in the DC metro area). Then I’d pull the snows (LM25 Bkizzaks mounted on BMW steelies) out if storage and put them on the car. I haven’t bought snows/steelies for the M240i.

[mike519]

I have my RWD 6spd on order. Would LOVE to have the Xdrive but not at the expense of the manual so, for me (as someone who grew up in Northern Canada and can actually drive in the winter), I am happy to stick to the RWD.

[ivegotklas]

I went from a 328i with Xdrive AS, to 2wd with a dedicated winter wheel tire set up. IMO its all about the tires. AS tires in the winter just don't cut it some times. I have had no issues with RWD. I don't think I'll go back to xdrive. I live on a steep hill too. Recently my area got 5-6 inches and I never had any issues.

[msej449]

I swapped a 330d Touring xDrive for a RWD M235i - we take our car to the Alps for skiing (us, not the car) a couple of times each year. I had the exact same concern as you, but in the UK, we don't get M-Lites in xDrive format, so had to bite the bullet and live with RWD.

To date, I've driven the M235i in snow, slush and some steep standing-starts in the snow and not needed to resort to chains. So I'm quite pleased.

It's shod with snow-biased Pirelli Winter Sottozero S3 tyres. The previous car had the more performance-biased Sottozero Serie-II but I decided to trade a bit of wet handling for better snow performance on the S3. It is noisier than the S-II and doesn't quite handle as well in warmer, non-snow conditions, but I'm OK with that. You can see how the tread pattern is pretty 'chunky' for a performance winter:



And I did the recommended 'square' setup of 7.5J x 17 all-'round with 225/45 R 17 94V XL, I have also been impressed by how good these tyres have been in heavy rain and standing water. I never seem to get traction control engaging.

[Miata13]

Originally Posted by msej449

I swapped a 330d Touring xDrive for a RWD M235i - we take our car to the Alps for skiing (us, not the car) a couple of times each year. I had the exact same concern as you, but in the UK, we don't get M-Lites in xDrive format, so had to bite the bullet and live with RWD.

To date, I've driven the M235i in snow, slush and some steep standing-starts in the snow and not needed to resort to chains. So I'm quite pleased.

It's shod with snow-biased Pirelli Winter Sottozero S3 tyres. The previous car had the more performance-biased Sottozero Serie-II but I decided to trade a bit of wet handling for better snow performance on the S3. It is noisier than the S-II and doesn't quite handle as well in warmer, non-snow conditions, but I'm OK with that. You can see how the tread pattern is pretty 'chunky' for a performance winter:



And I did the recommended 'square' setup of 7.5J x 17 all-'round with 225/45 R 17 94V XL, I have also been impressed by how good these tyres have been in heavy rain and standing water. I never seem to get traction control engaging.

Thanks for your feedback...I currently run the Pirelli Sottozero 3 as my MINI Roadster's winter setup and have been quite pleased with their dry winter driving capabilities. The MINI is still fun to drive in the winter and the Sottoszero 3's provide me needed winter snow traction too.

The economic consideration - For the U.S. $2k cost of the xDrive option, one can buy a very nice set of winter wheels and dedicated winter tires... and avoid the potential additional maintenance costs of xDrive and its uneven tire wear multiple tire replacement issues....