09-08-2016, 03:19 PM | #1 |
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RWD vs xDrive acceleration times?
So I know the 0-60 times are pretty well known and are easy to find, but I'm wondering about higher end acceleration. The xDrive beats the RWD for 0-60, presumably because it can accelerate from 0-20 faster because it won't spin tires when putting all that power down.
Now I'm wondering about 40-60, 60-80, 60-100 (all in MPH), etc. I feel like the difference in acceleration between RWD and xDrive at really low speeds is probably noticeable, (or at least I noticed it), but on the upper end, is it noticeable? Say you did a pull from 40-80 in the xDrive and 40-80 in the RWD, would you notice increased speed in the RWD? |
09-08-2016, 03:28 PM | #2 |
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At the same power levels RWD will always be faster up top if using the same gearing due to added weight and drag of the additional drive components. Problem is, the xdrive cars only come in 8spd. So only an 8spd comparison can really be had. In the event an 8spd RWD lines up beside the same car in xdrive, it'll be close. The xdrive car will have the RWD car out of the gate, but I'd suspect the RWD car to catch up around the 60-80mph mark and I'd suspect an almost dead even position at the 100mph mark, but that's assuming.
Are there no 1/4 mile video's out there? Trap speeds tell the true story in most cases.
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09-08-2016, 05:00 PM | #3 |
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AWD vs RWD with LSD
We all know that the stock AWD is quicker to 60 mph than a stock RWD M235. However, I wonder how much of that difference would disappear if the RWD car had a LSD? Further, due to the weight difference and drive line losses, one could speculate that the RWD car with LSD might actually be faster in the 1/4 mile than the AWD. Anyone have any experience with this comparison?
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09-08-2016, 05:05 PM | #4 | |
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09-08-2016, 05:34 PM | #6 | |
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In the end I'm wanting that "raw acceleration" feel, but I also like to feel sure-footed through corners. I'm not going to go for the RWD for the "nostalgia" or because it's a "true sports car" or any bull like that, I just want the better driving car. I'm not sure that I would agree with most who probably think oversteer and slippage is fun - I have more fun feeling like I'm on rails. I should be clear that I mean to compare AWD with RWD + LSD, not just pure RWD. I want to be able to go pedal to the floor from 0 MPH and shoot off without any skidding or loss of traction. Through corners, I want to feel in full control of what the car is doing and feel rooted to the ground. On highway pulls, I want maximum torque. It sounds like AWD is best for the 0-60, RWD + LSD is best for corners, and both are probably pretty even for highway pulls. |
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09-08-2016, 10:35 PM | #7 | ||
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I must admit though I am one if he guys you were talking about that thinks oversteer and slippage is fun sometimes. But at the same time I'm not trying to do that when I'm trying to get a good laptime at the track. |
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09-08-2016, 10:47 PM | #8 |
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I think the 235 is gonna be more fun than the 335 either way. I have only drive the xDrive 235 and xDrive 335 and the 235 was way more fun. I did also drive a RWD 335 and didn't notice much of a difference except for low end acceleration, which felt slower.
There's a RWD 235 about 2 hours south of me. I guess I'll have to make the trek to go and see it. |
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09-09-2016, 04:36 PM | #9 | |
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I've driven 335s rwd/awd and m235s rwd/awd. For me RWD and manual was the best combo, I could've gone either F32 or F22. Got a better deal on the F22 so I went that way. Personally though the m235 xdrive would be out for me since it's not offered in a manual. Good luck with your purchase! First world problems.... This awesome car or that awesome car!??? |
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09-10-2016, 01:34 AM | #10 |
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You said you were driving in the winter, no? If so, xDrive all day long. Can always add a rear lsd to an AWD car too
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09-10-2016, 10:36 AM | #11 |
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09-10-2016, 11:00 AM | #12 |
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You can't compare 335xi to 235xi. They are completely different.
I've had my 235xi for a year now and I'm thoroughly pleased with the AWD in this car. Other than having the front drive wheels corrupt the steering, it really drives like a RWD car but with more traction. As far as highway acceleration goes, I think both cars are really uneventful. If you just like the sense of speed and that's what gets you going, then both cars are gonna be fast with probably a slight edge to the RWD. If you like some drama with your speed then you may want to look somewhere else entirely. Test drive an xDrive and gas it around a few slow speed corners with traction control off. Just be ready for some counter steer. If you do this a few times I think you'll know if the xDrive is right for you or not. I'm constantly torn between going back to RWD (E9x M3 vs M2), or modding my AWD car. Living in Seattle, the roads are snotty slick half the year so you can't win either way and I don't have room for an extra car. |
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09-10-2016, 12:49 PM | #14 |
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RWD and xdrive will be close to the same in regards to 0-60 in stock form. In fact Car and Drive got a slightly better time with RWD vs. Xdrive version of our M235i even though BMW says should be .2 quicker. Could have been the weather that day who knows.
If you tune your car the xdrive on stock tires will be much quicker to 60 than the RWD w/LSD. The LSD really helps with powering out of corners, I found no noticeable difference in my 135i in term of straight-line acceleration after LSD install. The 335 xdrive has a different suspension than the RWD version. This is not the case with the M235i, same suspension RWD or xdrive. As will always be the case you need to drive both and see for yourself what you prefer. People on here with RWD will tell you the reason they chose/like that and vice versa with the xdrive folks.
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09-10-2016, 01:14 PM | #15 |
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Bingo....I'm not interested in any differences to the right of a decimal point nor how to launch to affect that, but just don't like the heavier, boggier feeling which XDrive causes to the steering feel...driving them back to back makes it a deal-breaker for me.
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09-10-2016, 03:13 PM | #16 |
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True on the steering part. Noticed it immediately when test driving. The rwd steering is more direct in translation with the road surface. You just don't feel the same feedback because of the driveshafts upfront, and of course more under steer having that type of config. I think it would be a compromise for a 12 month car, though. You can buy a winter beater cheaper than snow tires these days, it almost doesnt justify the "need" for awd. Each persons situation is different I guess..
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09-10-2016, 04:31 PM | #18 | |
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Take whatever you think of the RWD, and make it feel a bit more numb and distant for XDrive. A back to back A/B test drive will explain.
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09-10-2016, 05:55 PM | #19 | |
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