M340i RWD or M440i xDrive?

Rossodio · 09-14-2020, 04:41 PM

From what I can see, the M440i is only available with xDrive, while the M340i I can get with rear wheel drive. I have had only RWD models and have absolutely loved them, most recently my current 2018 340i. My lease ends in February and I have a choice of going with one of two cars which I will have factory built - the M340i with 2 wheel drive or the M440i with xDrive. The BMW USA website does not allow me to choose a 2 wheel drive model for the M440i and I certainly am not in the market for an M4 (maybe in another world where life's expenses don't exist...).

I have in the past heard that xDrive models aren't well centered/balanced and don't have the feel on the road of the RWD models. I LOVE the aggressive and sporty styling of the M440i when compared with the M340i but if my driving experience is compromised in the name of looks, I don't think I would go for that. That said, if the driving experience would not be that much different or would not be significantly inferior, I would absolutely take the 4 over the 3.

I am not looking to take this car on the track but I drive hard and aggressively on the open road and want to have fun with it as we all do.

As a secondary question, I love love love the look of Dravit Grey; I also love love love the look of Tanzanite Blue II metallic. Cognac interior most likely, but also considering black. Which do you think is the more aggressive/sportier looking exterior color of these two? I want something eye catching, too.

Oh, decisions, decisions... poor me for having to make such a tough choice here

...oh, and if anyone here knows that the M440i is available in RWD, let me know. That would make the decision much easier and more obvious. I do know that sometimes the BMW USA website is funny and drops some choices that are actually available in the real world.

sikotic · 09-14-2020, 04:48 PM

If I'm not mistaken the RWD M440i should be available in November. Also the Dravit Grey looks amazing and I sometimes regret not getting that color

mkoesel · 09-14-2020, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikotic

If I'm not mistaken the RWD M440i should be available in November.

It's been pushed to July 2021.

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=901686

OP, I would suggest a lease extension which BMW FS should be more than willing to do in order to accommodate your situation.

Burrcold · 09-14-2020, 05:16 PM

The experience is not going to be compromised. The xDrive is amazing and VERY RWD bias...I've driven both back to back and could not tell much difference at all (especially with the amount of traction nannies these days, RWD is not the RWD of old).

That being said, if an M440i RWD comes out, you might as well go for that because you live in SC and have almost no use for AWD.

NorCalAthlete · 09-14-2020, 05:18 PM

/\ what the others above have said, so I’ll just put my vote in for Tanzanite / Cognac. Amazing color combo IMO. And the combo that I plan on ordering.

sikotic · 09-14-2020, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

It's been pushed to July 2021.

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=901686

OP, I would suggest a lease extension which BMW FS should be more than willing to do in order to accommodate your situation.

Ouch. thanks for that clarification

mfdutra · 09-14-2020, 06:13 PM

After two RWDs, I've just moved to an M340i xDrive. I like it so far, especially the extra traction. It's always ready to go, no slipping at all. Great handling too.

VetteGuy · 09-14-2020, 07:47 PM

Either color would be cool. If you have not seen these, they might help...

NorCalAthlete · 09-14-2020, 09:41 PM

Such a perfect color combo!

stein_325i · 09-15-2020, 08:09 AM

If you've been living fine with RWD all this time, I say stick with it. The weight balance and overall curb weight will be lighter with improved handling and front end feel.

As for coupe vs sedan and color combo's, I would take the sedan as while the car is huge, its still smaller in dimensions and lighter in weight than the coupe, and the 4er's design isn't my cup of tea, the 4er is within an inch of an E-Class Coupe, so going from F30 to G22 may be a big stretch in size.

For color do Tanzanite over Cognac, Grey and Black are so boring, everyone and their mother has a grey car, get something brighter and less boring.

Also take a look at an M240i. Awesome car, great looking and one of the better driver's cars that BMW makes if you can do two doors and a more compact cabin.

Giggler · 09-16-2020, 06:28 PM

If you get snow and ice in the winters in Greenville, I might opt for X-drive for the peace of mind. This car does make enough power to get into trouble... better to have AWD when the road conditions are unfavorable.

Ikester19 · 09-17-2020, 03:00 AM

I was also uncertain about the M340i xdrive as I was accustomed to RWD Bmw's. Here in Aus the RWD version is not available. I can now say with certainty that the xdrive in these cars are absolutely phenomenal- they just hook up and go. They drive just like a RWD. Knowing what I know now, if I had the option I would take the xdrive as it puts the power down so well and you can still get the back out when you want to.

In terms of colour the Tanzanite/Cognac is the classy option and Dravit is the more aggressive looking one. I chose Dravit.

09-14-2020, 04:41 PM	#1
Rossodio Lifelong BMW Owner 15 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 340i Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Greenville, SC, USA iTrader: (0)	M340i RWD or M440i xDrive? From what I can see, the M440i is only available with xDrive, while the M340i I can get with rear wheel drive. I have had only RWD models and have absolutely loved them, most recently my current 2018 340i. My lease ends in February and I have a choice of going with one of two cars which I will have factory built - the M340i with 2 wheel drive or the M440i with xDrive. The BMW USA website does not allow me to choose a 2 wheel drive model for the M440i and I certainly am not in the market for an M4 (maybe in another world where life's expenses don't exist...). I have in the past heard that xDrive models aren't well centered/balanced and don't have the feel on the road of the RWD models. I LOVE the aggressive and sporty styling of the M440i when compared with the M340i but if my driving experience is compromised in the name of looks, I don't think I would go for that. That said, if the driving experience would not be that much different or would not be significantly inferior, I would absolutely take the 4 over the 3. I am not looking to take this car on the track but I drive hard and aggressively on the open road and want to have fun with it as we all do. As a secondary question, I love love love the look of Dravit Grey; I also love love love the look of Tanzanite Blue II metallic. Cognac interior most likely, but also considering black. Which do you think is the more aggressive/sportier looking exterior color of these two? I want something eye catching, too. Oh, decisions, decisions... poor me for having to make such a tough choice here ...oh, and if anyone here knows that the M440i is available in RWD, let me know. That would make the decision much easier and more obvious. I do know that sometimes the BMW USA website is funny and drops some choices that are actually available in the real world. __________________ All the cars I have ever owned/leased: 1987 325 - Cinnabar Red/Pearl Beige (0206) - 1998-2014 2015 328i - Melbourne Red/Venetian Beige Dakota Leather - 2014-2018 2018 340i - Melbourne Red/Venetian Beige Dakota Leather - 2018-March 2021 2021 M340i - Dravit Grey Metallic/Cognac Vernasca Leather - March 2021-Present
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09-14-2020, 04:48 PM	#2
sikotic Lieutenant 488 Rep 575 Posts Drives: 2020 M340I Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Ca iTrader: (0)	If I'm not mistaken the RWD M440i should be available in November. Also the Dravit Grey looks amazing and I sometimes regret not getting that color
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09-14-2020, 05:16 PM	#4
Burrcold Brigadier General 5215 Rep 3,929 Posts Drives: 2024 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	The experience is not going to be compromised. The xDrive is amazing and VERY RWD bias...I've driven both back to back and could not tell much difference at all (especially with the amount of traction nannies these days, RWD is not the RWD of old). That being said, if an M440i RWD comes out, you might as well go for that because you live in SC and have almost no use for AWD. __________________ Current: 2024 BMW M3 Competition xDrive \| 2022 Audi Q7 Gone: 2022 Audi RS5 \| 2020 BMW M340i \| 2019 Audi RS5
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09-14-2020, 05:18 PM	#5
NorCalAthlete Lieutenant Colonel 3177 Rep 1,666 Posts Drives: '23 M4CX - Tanzanite / Tartufo Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	/\ what the others above have said, so I’ll just put my vote in for Tanzanite / Cognac. Amazing color combo IMO. And the combo that I plan on ordering.
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09-14-2020, 06:13 PM	#7
mfdutra Private 62 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 2024 iX xDrive50 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: California iTrader: (0)	After two RWDs, I've just moved to an M340i xDrive. I like it so far, especially the extra traction. It's always ready to go, no slipping at all. Great handling too. __________________ -- 2024 BMW iX xDrive50 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Previously: 2021 M340i, 2019 Tesla Model X, 2018 540i, 2015 335i
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09-14-2020, 07:47 PM	#8
VetteGuy Captain 846 Rep 639 Posts Drives: Arctic Race Blue M440iX Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: St. Louis, MO. USA iTrader: (0)	Either color would be cool. If you have not seen these, they might help...
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09-14-2020, 09:41 PM	#9
NorCalAthlete Lieutenant Colonel 3177 Rep 1,666 Posts Drives: '23 M4CX - Tanzanite / Tartufo Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Such a perfect color combo!
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09-15-2020, 08:09 AM	#10
stein_325i Ring Leader of G8X Haters 25074 Rep 8,762 Posts Drives: A Car Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: All-Around iTrader: (0)	If you've been living fine with RWD all this time, I say stick with it. The weight balance and overall curb weight will be lighter with improved handling and front end feel. As for coupe vs sedan and color combo's, I would take the sedan as while the car is huge, its still smaller in dimensions and lighter in weight than the coupe, and the 4er's design isn't my cup of tea, the 4er is within an inch of an E-Class Coupe, so going from F30 to G22 may be a big stretch in size. For color do Tanzanite over Cognac, Grey and Black are so boring, everyone and their mother has a grey car, get something brighter and less boring. Also take a look at an M240i. Awesome car, great looking and one of the better driver's cars that BMW makes if you can do two doors and a more compact cabin. __________________ Current Garage: 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 580 / 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T / 2007 Mercedes-Benz E 350 / 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retired: '95 E36 325i 5MT / '04 E46 330i 6MT / '05 E83 X3 3.0i / '11 E90 335xi / '17 G30 540i / '19 F87 M2C 6MT / '19 MB CLS 53 / '20 MB GLC 300
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09-16-2020, 06:28 PM	#11
Giggler Banned 408 Rep 334 Posts Drives: 20' M340i, 24' X5 40i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: California iTrader: (0)	If you get snow and ice in the winters in Greenville, I might opt for X-drive for the peace of mind. This car does make enough power to get into trouble... better to have AWD when the road conditions are unfavorable.
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09-17-2020, 03:00 AM	#12
Ikester19 Captain 2124 Rep 908 Posts Drives: G20 M340ix; F30 328i msport Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Brisban iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 330i LCI [0.00] 2020 G20 M340ix [0.00]	I was also uncertain about the M340i xdrive as I was accustomed to RWD Bmw's. Here in Aus the RWD version is not available. I can now say with certainty that the xdrive in these cars are absolutely phenomenal- they just hook up and go. They drive just like a RWD. Knowing what I know now, if I had the option I would take the xdrive as it puts the power down so well and you can still get the back out when you want to. In terms of colour the Tanzanite/Cognac is the classy option and Dravit is the more aggressive looking one. I chose Dravit.
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