[BMerDRMer]

I continue to chuckle with the "negativisim" of the "BMW purists" ( all driving RWD configurations) on what they feel to be BMW's subserviant position in AWD. I would like to see an OBJECTIVE "snow,wet and dry" analysis of BMW, Audi, and Subaru AWD sedans.

Most BMW drivers have convinced themselves that BMW is second class in this space ....... my hunch tells me this is nonsense, and that BMW's efforts to APPROACH 50/50 weight distribution, even with its AWD setup, its lower center of gravity, its 60 /40 (R TO F) power distribution default, and the increasing sophisitcation of its DSC/DTC capabilities will indeed outshine all of em. I have read R&T's recent bakeoff, but that was a joke......Perf Tires on AUdi and Subaru....Dry Track testing only, and All Season on BMW ......combined with the "relatively" underpowered 325Xi ...... and SONORA uglies.

I would think, somebody could give us something really objective to consider. Canadian Driver may be the best bet!

[ages944]

[noro]

It's not about being 1st or 2nd. It may very well be that an AWD BMW is just as good or better than other AWD cars. The point is that I (and many others) personally believe that a RWD car fits my needs better and has certain characteristics that appeal to me in a RWD configuration. Even though I live in Boston I only get to drive on snow 2-3 times in a year. Sure there is snow all around me, but not under my wheels. My take on this is that the extra weight, lack of overstreer, more moving parts and worse fuel consumption is not worth having a car whose AWD capabilities I get to test 3 times out of 365 days. Oh yeah some may pop in the better launch capabilities of AWD cars, but I personally am not a big fan of dragracing.

To each his own, but yes putting down Xi versions of the car with no substantial evidence is stupid.

[ALPINE6SPD]

Originally Posted by noro

It's not about being 1st or 2nd. It may very well be that an AWD BMW is just as good or better than other AWD cars. The point is that I (and many others) personally believe that a RWD car fits my needs better and has certain characteristics that appeal to me in a RWD configuration. Even though I live in Boston I only get to drive on snow 2-3 times in a year. Sure there is snow all around me, but not under my wheels. My take on this is that the extra weight, lack of overstreer, more moving parts and worse fuel consumption is not worth having a car whose AWD capabilities I get to test 3 times out of 365 days. Oh yeah some may pop in the better launch capabilities of AWD cars, but I personally am not a big fan of dragracing.

To each his own, but yes putting down Xi versions of the car with no substantial evidence is stupid.

this is the exact reason I dont have an xi. It has not snowed once this year enough to make my RWD car stay home. Its nice 99% of the year so I dont need AWD.

[wj4]

AWD is nice, but in SoCal, we only get rain so I felt that I didn't need it.

[BMerDRMer]

Believe you me ......... if I was lucky enough to live in a more "pleasant" climate, I would make the same choice you have. But I think we need to give BMW some more credit on their implementation. The weight distribution itself is close enough to 50 / 50 vs an Audi ..... that the Classic oversteer problem mentioned in the attached YOUTUBE "101 Class" is reduced.

I would enjoy seeing some objective tests on these systems ......

[BMerDRMer]

Originally Posted by wj4

AWD is nice, but in SoCal, we only get rain so I felt that I didn't need it.

Certainly not a requirement in rain ...... but still can be amazing ......