[Allerum]

Sport Auto I think has the first comparison with the same driver on the 'Ring.

AWD 7:28:57
RWD 7:30:79

So Both are M4s. Same Driver. Same Tires

So settled! AWD is the highest performance version.

[6speed_M2]

I haven't watched the video yet, but I thought the difference would be a little larger.

There was a similar test done by a British reviewer, same driver same track, and the difference was about two seconds on a 2min sub lap time.

Personally I will go for a xDrive when I order my G80 in the future. I would have more confidence in tighter corners knowing the xDrive will help me increase pace and traction, as well as the launching ability.

[Drift Master]

I think M3 and M4 are GT cars!

Track performance is not the issue. If you want a track car so many better options.

X drive is a way better car. Better SAFETY, Better ACCELERATION and TRACTION , ALL YEAR car if you deal with snow. Unless you need a manual car I don't see the reason to go for RWD the price and the weight difference is not an issue. Much better resale value with X drive and much more second hand appeal

[6speed_M2]

Originally Posted by Drift Master

I think M3 and M4 are GT cars!

Track performance is not the issue. If you want a track car so many better options.

X drive is a way better car. Better SAFETY, Better ACCELERATION and TRACTION , ALL YEAR car if you deal with snow. Unless you need a manual car I don't see the reason to go for RWD the price and the weight difference is not an issue. Much better resale value with X drive and much more second hand appeal

Definitely agree. This isn't the ideal track car. If you want a track car you're better off with a C7/8 Z06 or a GT3/4.

[Erebor]

Originally Posted by 6speed_M2

I haven't watched the video yet, but I thought the difference would be a little larger.

There was a similar test done by a British reviewer, same driver same track, and the difference was about two seconds on a 2min sub lap time.

Personally I will go for a xDrive when I order my G80 in the future. I would have more confidence in tighter corners knowing the xDrive will help me increase pace and traction, as well as the launching ability.

Well, the Nordschleife is a very high speed circuit, so the difference isn't that big, because there aren't that many slow corners, where the xdrive really benefits the laptime by much. On smaller tracks with more slow turns, the difference is bigger.

[Purekoryo]

Keep in mind that they just renovated the track. Not sure how much that would account for in lap times.

[jkap27]

Originally Posted by 6speed_M2

I haven't watched the video yet, but I thought the difference would be a little larger.

There was a similar test done by a British reviewer, same driver same track, and the difference was about two seconds on a 2min sub lap time.

Personally I will go for a xDrive when I order my G80 in the future. I would have more confidence in tighter corners knowing the xDrive will help me increase pace and traction, as well as the launching ability.

could be a lot of other reasons for variability in lap times too...this definitely could be true

[BA///MA]

Originally Posted by Drift Master

I think M3 and M4 are GT cars!

Track performance is not the issue. If you want a track car so many better options.

X drive is a way better car. Better SAFETY, Better ACCELERATION and TRACTION , ALL YEAR car if you deal with snow. Unless you need a manual car I don't see the reason to go for RWD the price and the weight difference is not an issue. Much better resale value with X drive and much more second hand appeal

Exactly my thought. If I wasn't going for the 6MT, I'd be getting the Xdrive. Particularly since the Xdrive can disengage the front axle and become RWD if you choose, it's an absolute no brainer.

And any difference in cost is easily offset by residual value of having an AWD car.

[la02max]

Regarding xDrive being a no-brainer, that might be the case up north, but down here in the South, I have no real use for AWD. I don't launch my car at every stoplight, and the RWD version actually has a lot of traction. I actually eliminated BMW AWD cars from my short list because I currently have an E53 X5 4.8is and just spent $1,800 replacing the front differential that grenaded itself. In addition, the added complexity and packaging makes an xDrive car overall much more difficult to work on, even for things unrelated to the driveline.

To get to the point: I think RWD and AWD both have a purpose for different audiences. The RWD version is less maintenance and way easier to work on, and that's especially valuable for people like me who never see snow and enjoy turning their own wrenches.