[mkarike]

I live in Arkansas where there is hardly snow. 2020 is the only year we saw snow after 2013. Do I really need to go for an xDrive or spend the extra $2000 on driving assistance pro.

[gtmassive75]

i say use that $2000 and add more options or use it towards a m40i (standard xdrive). Majority of the 30i in the "South" are "S" drive. So if you hardly get snow why not. jmo

[methodtim]

Does it rain? Will you use the car for inclement weather trips? How versatile do you want your SUV to be?

All things being equal, AWD is safer and more versatile than RWD (duh, right?). Also, I personally would never get an SUV that's not AWD. FWD is "practical" and RWD is "fun," but it you really wanted to bias for fun, I contend you shouldn't be buying a high center of gravity vehicle like this.

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by mkarike

I live in Arkansas where there is hardly snow. 2020 is the only year we saw snow after 2013. Do I really need to go for an xDrive or spend the extra $2000 on driving assistance pro.

An interesting and valid question, on the same train of thought and given the price premium of an X model over sedan/coupe style, as well as significantly worse gas mileage/fuel economy, why not look at 5 series?

I personally see no point in getting a 2 wheel drive SUV, you just end up paying thousands to sit 6 inches higher off the road. For me, an X model had to be awd.

[Wgosma]

SUV w/o AWD will be hurt on resale value- going SUV...go AWD, or look at sedan.

[mkarike]

I finally changed my mind to xDrive. Even though I will be paying $2000 more I would get my money back while selling the same. So I will enjoy the 4 wheel option during the period I own it.

[spangle1980]

Originally Posted by MJE60

An interesting and valid question, on the same train of thought and given the price premium of an X model over sedan/coupe style, as well as significantly worse gas mileage/fuel economy, why not look at 5 series?

I personally see no point in getting a 2 wheel drive SUV, you just end up paying thousands to sit 6 inches higher off the road. For me, an X model had to be awd.

What he said :-)

You made the right choice OP ponying up the extra 2k to make the car all it can be :-)

S-Drive - Smesh drive :->

[Dilbert2402]

I don't suppose the foot of snow outside your door had any influence on your decision ;-)

[x3Prancer]

I prefer the sDrive because it handles better in my opinion.
I get the same versatility and practicality of an SUV and
the driving dynamics of a rear wheel drive sports car.
When you are looking at the AWD, sure you might get
better resale value, but you will get slighter less gas milage,
and if you keep it long enough, more maintenance on the
AWD system. I tried the xDrive vs the Sdrive and felt
the front wheel torque steer, especially on slow tight turns.
Also going fastaround corners, the sDrive steering was
better. I live in the South where it doesnt snow much,
and my other car is a large SUV with AWD, so I really didnt need it
for the X3.