[GFK007]

Hi,

I have seen posts on the forum that claim the ride height of the RWD and AWD cars is the same.

I just read a C&D article that says the XDrive sits 0.3 of an inch higher.

Can someone provide some clarity?

Thanks.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by GFK007

I just read a C&D article that says the XDrive sits 0.3 of an inch higher.

They are taking that from the BMW USA site. I created a previous post and asked people to take measurements, they all seemed to be the same so who knows. You would have to have a RWD and AWD next to each other and measure...otherwise there are too many variables as to how people are measuring. Just look at a bunch of pictures, I can't notice a difference even if there is one.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by GFK007

I just read a C&D article that says the XDrive sits 0.3 of an inch higher.

C+D would have done everyone a favor and actually asked bmw (hi bmw your press release says the xdrive m340 models are lowered 0.3 but I heard they are not, what is the truth)... more than likely they just were notating history from the F3x where the xdrive models sit 0.3 higher. Car and driver doesn't really do any actual journalism anymore they just write what they feel about the cars. They didn't even comment on the rwd model only being available in the USA and why that might be, I think one of the most important parts of the xdrive/rwd discussion on the M340.

[GFK007]

Originally Posted by xlover

C+D would have done everyone a favor and actually asked bmw (hi bmw your press release says the xdrive m340 models are lowered 0.3 but I heard they are not, what is the truth)... more than likely they just were notating history from the F3x where the xdrive models sit 0.3 higher. Car and driver doesn't really do any actual journalism anymore they just write what they feel about the cars. They didn't even comment on the rwd model only being available in the USA and why that might be, I think one of the most important parts of the xdrive/rwd discussion on the M340.

Got it. For the e9x the difference was visible. Not sure if that was also the case for the F3x.

So sounds like BMW reports a difference but it's tiny?

[Lo2]

Not sure on the M340

But on the 330i xdrive, there is a 10mm difference in ride height depending on which suspension you have.

Option codes below lower it 10mm (0.393701 inches)
704 - M Sport suspension
or
2VF- Adapative M suspension

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Lo2

Not sure on the M340

But on the 330i xdrive, there is a 10mm difference in ride height depending on which suspension you have.

Option codes below lower it 10mm (0.393701 inches)
704 - M Sport suspension
or
2VF- Adapative M suspension

M340i is the same height whether you opt for fixed M suspension or adaptive M suspension (there is no "standard" or "base" suspension...that's only on the 330i models). The question is a RWD vs xDrive M340i with the exact same suspension, are they the same height. BMW USA's website says no (.03" difference) or is that info carried over from the F30 gen. People have measured both models and it seems like there's no difference, and it's not noticeable in pictures either (unlike the F30...it was very noticeable even from pictures).

[xlover]

Originally Posted by GFK007

Got it. In the e9x the difference was visible. Not sure if that was the case for the F3x.

So sounds like BMW reports a difference but it's tiny?

The only two "official" sources most reference are the original press releases for the m340 which state the ride height is lowered by 0.3 for rwd/xdrive both and the bmw USA site which shows the overall height of the xdrive m340 higher than the rwd model.. but also uses the same graphic as the base car. the bmw USA site is a marketing tool and small detail errors are common.. Personally I trust the official presser considering bmw has been very clear in overall messaging that with the latest G chassis for the 5 then the 7 and then 3 that xdrive is now on suspension parity with rwd as the market shifted to awd being a performance tool vs winter traction aid. If you reference the sticky threads you will find the us market press release for the m340 which refers to the ride height as the same for xdrive and rwd and the detail chart shows the same height and ground clearance for both the m340 rwd and xdrive. Obviously the global press release makes no mention of the rwd model as the rwd car is US market only

Unofficially some members have started measuring and seen no conclusive difference in ride height.

In my eyes visually the m340s look the same.. for comparison I have an f32 440 xdrive msport with m adaptive and parked next to a rwd msport 4 or m4 if you are looking for it you can see the 0.3 difference

[Randy Johnson]

Would there be any advantage of x-drive if you live in an area that doesn't gets snow or below 40f?

[iifymbro]

Originally Posted by Randy Johnson

Would there be any advantage of x-drive if you live in an area that doesn't gets snow or below 40f?

better in the rain as well, better grip when going full throttle off the line. Otherwise no, just adds weight and complexity to the drivetrain and corrupts the steering feel.

I'm in south FL too so rain is a daily thing for 5-6 months a year but still went RWD, can't wait to drift around in it instead of stick like glue with AWD lol

To the OP's questions, I read somewhere on here someone mentioning the front rides higher with x-drive, idk where they got that from could be BS

[springerdrive]

Originally Posted by Randy Johnson

Would there be any advantage of x-drive if you live in an area that doesn't gets snow or below 40f?

xDrive is faster.

[iifymbro]

Originally Posted by springerdrive

xDrive is faster.

from a dig, not a roll*

[wdc330i]

AWD is also slightly more front heavy, rather than BMW's touted close-to 50/50 ratio.