[Aymu]

Hey I’m new to this platform and It seems you guys are well educated people on here.

I have a question I live in Florida and plan on getting a M340 2022-2023, should I plan on getting Xdrive or RWD is there a better version which one has more power which feels better and will make me more happy.

Overall, does the price difference matter in between getting a Xdrive or Rwd M340i

[jpowers36]

Stock for stock, xDrive is typically faster from a dig. RWD is faster on a roll. All depends on driver, car, and road/weather conditions. Technically they make the same power at the engine but there is more drivetrain loss on xDrive which equates to slightly lower numbers on a dyno.

If you plan on adding more power, xDrive is nice to have for added traction. RWD has weaker axles as well.

You don’t have to worry about snow in FL so RWD would still be a good option.

I personally love having xDrive. Tons of grip and power off the line which is what I’m most concerned with, acceleration from a stop or low speeds. I want to be able to floor it from 40 and have no traction issues. I’ve seen plenty of RWD ones (not stock) break traction at those speeds. Of course you can battle that with a better tire setup. I also like having it because I feel safer in bad weather when I have my son with me.

Just my .02 cents, happing hunting!

[Aymu]

Thanks for your input

[G30M]

if you want to go fast in the wet, get the XD

if you want to drift, get the RWD

[Gryph8n]

Xdrive will also help you go faster in the corners. The front outside wheel picks up traction to help pull you through the corner.

[Rawhide]

XD = better overall performance and traction/safety
RWD = more fun

Take your pick.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by jpowers36

Stock for stock, xDrive is typically faster from a dig. RWD is faster on a roll. All depends on driver, car, and road/weather conditions. Technically they make the same power at the engine but there is more drivetrain loss on xDrive which equates to slightly lower numbers on a dyno.

If you plan on adding more power, xDrive is nice to have for added traction. RWD has weaker axles as well.

You don’t have to worry about snow in FL so RWD would still be a good option.

I personally love having xDrive. Tons of grip and power off the line which is what I’m most concerned with, acceleration from a stop or low speeds. I want to be able to floor it from 40 and have no traction issues. I’ve seen plenty of RWD ones (not stock) break traction at those speeds. Of course you can battle that with a better tire setup. I also like having it because I feel safer in bad weather when I have my son with me.

Just my .02 cents, happing hunting!

X drive is rwd unless awd needed for traction so the drivetrain loss isn’t an issue in rwd mode. Though it does weigh more. G80 lets you put it in rwd only mode but with no traction control. Not sure about turn radius on x drive cars. I know on f30 cars the turn radius is not as good and the suspension might be higher and ride softer but don’t know if that’s the case now that m340 are all m sport package. RWD cars that are stock have surprisingly good grip with standard power level.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by jpowers36

RWD has weaker axles as well.

You don’t have to worry about snow in FL so RWD would still be a good option.

The rear half-shafts (axles) are identical for the M340i and M340i xDrive - example: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...556&series=G20

[TheJungatron]

RWD - for the win

Im biased as im in Florida

[Assassin]

The axles are indeed the same its just that all the power goes through the rear axle alone on RWD whereas as soon as you ask for any sort of get up and go with XD it starts putting power to the front axle thereby reducing the strain on the rear axle a lot. That said the RWD is a robust setup for normal spirited driving but the treatment some guys give them would break any setup eventually!

[jpowers36]

My point was to simply state that in comparison to xDrive, RWD cannot handle as much and will have failures first in regards to the axles. This is something to consider if the power goals get to a certain level. Most won’t have to worry but it’s worth mentioning.

[Paulskit]

Since you're asking this question, my assumption is you don't have tons of driving experience, thus xDrive would be both faster and safer choice for you in every condition.

[wdc330i]

Typically AWD is more expensive to buy and maintain.

You don’t need it for snow where you are, but it will offer better traction in the rain, which is a factor in Florida, for sure.

I picked it for better overall performance and I have mountain driving nearby. I also might relocate someplace that gets snow at some point

Where you live and because you are buying used, it truly is a toss up, and I would choose the car with the best options.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

X drive is rwd unless awd needed for traction so the drivetrain loss isn’t an issue in rwd mode. Though it does weigh more. G80 lets you put it in rwd only mode but with no traction control. Not sure about turn radius on x drive cars. I know on f30 cars the turn radius is not as good and the suspension might be higher and ride softer but don’t know if that’s the case now that m340 are all m sport package. RWD cars that are stock have surprisingly good grip with standard power level.

It’s a 40/60 Rwd bias if I’m not mistaken…

[G30M]

Originally Posted by JK479

It’s a 40/60 Rwd bias if I’m not mistaken…

It's 99% rwd until l you need awd.

But I won't drift. And if you force it to drift the awd will break.

So awd no Brainerd for me. But it's annoying coz I can't drift it. It just won't. Awd kicks in. And if I force it, then it will break.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by g21

It's 99% rwd until l you need awd.

But I won't drift. And if you force it to drift the awd will break.

So awd no Brainerd for me. But it's annoying coz I can't drift it. It just won't. Awd kicks in. And if I force it, then it will break.

From what I have always understood about the xdrive on the 3 is that there is a rear wheel drive bias. I though about 60 percent of the rear drive.

It may feel like RWD but those front wheels are always gripping and calculating. I believe it’s much more than 1 percent front wheel drive.

Perhaps searching this forum could bring up a better explanation.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by JK479

From what I have always understood about the xdrive on the 3 is that there is a rear wheel drive bias. I though about 60 percent of the rear drive.

It may feel like RWD but those front wheels are always gripping and calculating. I believe it’s much more than 1 percent front wheel drive.

Perhaps searching this forum could bring up a better explanation.

Get the app called protool by bimmergeeks. You can read front wheel torque with protool. When going straight and not accelerating, in my car front wheel torque is 0 the whole time. Only reads a non zero number when accelerating and turning.

This is suggestive when my car's rear end went sideways at 55mph when driving straight onto loose tarmac (roadworks) from normal tarmac. Traction control was fully on also. In the rain the rear also goes sideways randomly when I was sure there wasn't any visible puddles. TC fully on.

However people have said European traction control is different from American traction control. But I doubt that has anything to do with power sent to wheels while driving straight.

I have to say that Americans report driving around in the snow with all season tires with no issue so I'm not sure how that is possible with RWD. So maybe your cars are different.

Despite that if you think you can drift then you're also wrong. Try as I may as soon as I turn the wheels power gets sent to the front and it won't drift drift.

[jcl78]

xDrive is indeed rear biased, one of my favorite AWD setups, and I have owned quite a few AWD sports sedans. With DSC off, you can rotate the rear with good throttle application. Not talking about drifting by the way, just good ol fashioned cornering prowess. Being in Colorado, USA, xDrive is a must.

[RCtennis3811]

Originally Posted by JK479

From what I have always understood about the xdrive on the 3 is that there is a rear wheel drive bias. I though about 60 percent of the rear drive.

It may feel like RWD but those front wheels are always gripping and calculating. I believe it’s much more than 1 percent front wheel drive.

Perhaps searching this forum could bring up a better explanation.

Look up most recent BMW press releases including from when the G20 was launched - AWD not always engaged.

[toddwalton]

Save the weight, save the money, go RWD.

And make sure you get the Adaptive M Suspension no matter which way you go, that's actually far more important.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by RCtennis3811

Look up most recent BMW press releases including from when the G20 was launched - AWD not always engaged.

It would be interesting to read that- mainly because AWD is always engaged unless you can deactivate the system like on the M5.

From all my time in the m340i xdrive it’s always felt like an AWD car. On almost every twist and turn.

[RCtennis3811]

Originally Posted by JK479

It would be interesting to read that- mainly because AWD is always engaged unless you can deactivate the system like on the M5.

From all my time in the m340i xdrive it’s always felt like an AWD car. On almost every twist and turn.

That’s because during acceleration and spirited driving, the fully-variable AWD system directs power between the front and rear axles (with most going to the rear). At normal cruising speeds, all torque (read: 100%) is directed to the rear wheels.