BMW Xdrive
- Thread starter buster
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Its one of the best. When I was looking at 4x4/awd vehicles, my research turned up that X-drive is pretty awesome. Its a great predictive system. Quattro is probably close in overall performance.
Some tests and such will show one system edging out another in a certain situation, but for the most part anything you can throw at it weather wise it will handle, with decent tires of course.
Some tests and such will show one system edging out another in a certain situation, but for the most part anything you can throw at it weather wise it will handle, with decent tires of course.
For deep snow, the most important is ground clearance and proper winter tires. Awd is secondary, IMO.
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For deep snow, the most important is ground clearance and proper winter tires. Awd is secondary, IMO.
And, fat tires and excess horsepower are not in your favor in deep snow. You want skinnier tires that will cut down to traction and not float you on the snow, and you want to drive like there is an egg under your throttle foot so you aren't spinning your wheels.
For deep snow, the most important is ground clearance and proper winter tires. Awd is secondary, IMO.
And, fat tires and excess horsepower are not in your favor in deep snow. You want skinnier tires that will cut down to traction and not float you on the snow, and you want to drive like there is an egg under your throttle foot so you aren't spinning your wheels.
Our X3 did fine on the beach with all seasons. I don't think snow would give it any pause with the proper tires.
Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
Quote:
For deep snow, the most important is ground clearance and proper winter tires. Awd is secondary, IMO.
And, fat tires and excess horsepower are not in your favor in deep snow. You want skinnier tires that will cut down to traction and not float you on the snow, and you want to drive like there is an egg under your throttle foot so you aren't spinning your wheels.
I would argue with that. For really deep snow, you do not want to sink in, because then you will be plowing snow with your bumper. You may be better off sitting on top of it.
Quote:
For deep snow, the most important is ground clearance and proper winter tires. Awd is secondary, IMO.
And, fat tires and excess horsepower are not in your favor in deep snow. You want skinnier tires that will cut down to traction and not float you on the snow, and you want to drive like there is an egg under your throttle foot so you aren't spinning your wheels.
I would argue with that. For really deep snow, you do not want to sink in, because then you will be plowing snow with your bumper. You may be better off sitting on top of it.
Agree with everyone else pretty much. Depending how deep we're talking, it should do great. Standard all season tires are never spectacular, but the Xdrive will make the most of it. Good ground clearance is important, but in my opinion if snow is up to the bumper of the X3, its probably a good idea to stay home.
I've had a 2004 X3 in my garage since late 2005. While it obviously doesn't have the capability of my Wrangler TJ it is an excellent system for "soft-roading." Several years ago our driveway was flooded and in one spot it was covered by over a foot of viscous mud. The X3 drove through it with no drama at all- but I lost count of how many quarters I used cleaning the undercarriage at the self serve car wash. Mud was even covering the fog lamps and brake calipers. In my experience snow under 18" or so is a non-issue.
The xDrive cars are okay, but they certainly aren't biased towards performance. Unless you order the Adaptive M Suspension you get the base suspension- even with the M Sport package. Me, I like xDrive in the trucks, and RWD in the cars.
The xDrive cars are okay, but they certainly aren't biased towards performance. Unless you order the Adaptive M Suspension you get the base suspension- even with the M Sport package. Me, I like xDrive in the trucks, and RWD in the cars.
Buster, I think it will be fine for basic daily driver duties.
If possible, use snow tires in the winter to get the most of the system.
If possible, use snow tires in the winter to get the most of the system.
For snow duty, the best are anything German, and Subaru.
Personally, I am too old to want to maintain a German anything.
So I have a Subaru. Not nearly as fun, but a whole lot less work.
Personally, I am too old to want to maintain a German anything.
So I have a Subaru. Not nearly as fun, but a whole lot less work.
You guys need AWD, Xdrive, Quattro ... for winter driving on snowy/icy roads. Some Californian bought AWD vehicle so they will be able to drive on barely wet road 5-10 days a year in So Cal, unbelievable stupid !
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
You guys need AWD, Xdrive, Quattro ... for winter driving on snowy/icy roads. Some Californian bought AWD vehicle so they will be able to drive on barely wet road 5-10 days a year in So Cal, unbelievable stupid !
I've actually had brain-dead morons tell me that they can't buy a RWD car because they need something that they can drive when it is raining. I'm tempted to suggest that they turn in their driver's license and start making use of public transit.
You guys need AWD, Xdrive, Quattro ... for winter driving on snowy/icy roads. Some Californian bought AWD vehicle so they will be able to drive on barely wet road 5-10 days a year in So Cal, unbelievable stupid !
I've actually had brain-dead morons tell me that they can't buy a RWD car because they need something that they can drive when it is raining. I'm tempted to suggest that they turn in their driver's license and start making use of public transit.
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Originally Posted By: MCompact
Me, I like xDrive in the trucks, and RWD in the cars.
Yeah, I wish BMW still offered an rwd 3series wagon in the US. I really don't care for awd.
Me, I like xDrive in the trucks, and RWD in the cars.
Yeah, I wish BMW still offered an rwd 3series wagon in the US. I really don't care for awd.
Originally Posted By: 4wheeldog
For snow duty, the best are anything German, and Subaru.
Personally, I am too old to want to maintain a German anything.
So I have a Subaru. Not nearly as fun, but a whole lot less work.
That seems like an oversimplification. Many of the AWD/4WD systems (all?) are from third parties anyway, like Torsen. Audi is not building their own AWD hardware, they're just buying it from someone. The Japanese are doing the same thing, as are the Americans, Koreans, etc.
For snow duty, the best are anything German, and Subaru.
Personally, I am too old to want to maintain a German anything.
So I have a Subaru. Not nearly as fun, but a whole lot less work.
That seems like an oversimplification. Many of the AWD/4WD systems (all?) are from third parties anyway, like Torsen. Audi is not building their own AWD hardware, they're just buying it from someone. The Japanese are doing the same thing, as are the Americans, Koreans, etc.
BMW X-drive is amazing. I have tried to find fault with it, and it just performs. I have driven AWD from Subaru, Saturn, Audi, Chevy/GM (several systems), and none of them out-perform the X-drive on our X3 from my experience.
I will say I had to replace a stupid plastic gear in the AWD system that was poorly designed, but it was less than $80 and just an hours worth of labor. I would guess since yours is much newer that problem has been resolved.
The only AWD system I might prefer more is the auto 4wd on my full size chevy truck...which just automatically kicks in true 4wd when it is needed.
I will say I had to replace a stupid plastic gear in the AWD system that was poorly designed, but it was less than $80 and just an hours worth of labor. I would guess since yours is much newer that problem has been resolved.
The only AWD system I might prefer more is the auto 4wd on my full size chevy truck...which just automatically kicks in true 4wd when it is needed.
I dont like the idea of a nylon gear engaging x-drive. It is a poor design on a rather expensive vehicle. It seems this happens on MANY x-drive vehicles. If you dont DIY it will be a heck of alot more than $80. My wifes failed at 41k miles never offloaded.
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