What is your opinion of xDrive?
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I'm in the process of acquiring my 2nd Bimmer, a '07 530xi with manual transmission. I had a 5 speed E39 previously.
What is the general consensus about BMW's xDrive system? My understanding is that under normal conditions, 60% of power goes to the rear axle and 40% to the front, but that if the car senses slippage, it dynamically allocates power to the axle that needs it most. Is that a correct synopsys? Sounds like what Subaru has had for years.
My question is: does the 40/60 ratio "ruin" the driving experience in your opinion? I'm sure I'll appreciate it in the snow here in the Northeast, but what about the majority "normal" conditions? Also, I understand gas mileage for the 5 series is pretty respectable. Does the xDrive system degrade that in any way? I would have to guess that it has some impact, no?
I'm in the process of acquiring my 2nd Bimmer, a '07 530xi with manual transmission. I had a 5 speed E39 previously.
What is the general consensus about BMW's xDrive system? My understanding is that under normal conditions, 60% of power goes to the rear axle and 40% to the front, but that if the car senses slippage, it dynamically allocates power to the axle that needs it most. Is that a correct synopsys? Sounds like what Subaru has had for years.
My question is: does the 40/60 ratio "ruin" the driving experience in your opinion? I'm sure I'll appreciate it in the snow here in the Northeast, but what about the majority "normal" conditions? Also, I understand gas mileage for the 5 series is pretty respectable. Does the xDrive system degrade that in any way? I would have to guess that it has some impact, no?
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I'm in the process of acquiring my 2nd Bimmer, a '07 530xi with manual transmission. I had a 5 speed E39 previously.
What is the general consensus about BMW's xDrive system? My understanding is that under normal conditions, 60% of power goes to the rear axle and 40% to the front, but that if the car senses slippage, it dynamically allocates power to the axle that needs it most. Is that a correct synopsys? Sounds like what Subaru has had for years.
My question is: does the 40/60 ratio "ruin" the driving experience in your opinion? I'm sure I'll appreciate it in the snow here in the Northeast, but what about the majority "normal" conditions? Also, I understand gas mileage for the 5 series is pretty respectable. Does the xDrive system degrade that in any way? I would have to guess that it has some impact, no?
I'm in the process of acquiring my 2nd Bimmer, a '07 530xi with manual transmission. I had a 5 speed E39 previously.
What is the general consensus about BMW's xDrive system? My understanding is that under normal conditions, 60% of power goes to the rear axle and 40% to the front, but that if the car senses slippage, it dynamically allocates power to the axle that needs it most. Is that a correct synopsys? Sounds like what Subaru has had for years.
My question is: does the 40/60 ratio "ruin" the driving experience in your opinion? I'm sure I'll appreciate it in the snow here in the Northeast, but what about the majority "normal" conditions? Also, I understand gas mileage for the 5 series is pretty respectable. Does the xDrive system degrade that in any way? I would have to guess that it has some impact, no?
Any AWD vehicle will have a lower mpg compared to its non-AWD equivalent
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I love how my X-drive handles - having said that it would most certainly not compared to a sports suspension non-X drive. The X-drive is confidence inspiring and I really don't notice too much of a fuel economy difference. I have a535 xi and these days in regular driving I am getting between 19-21 mpg (all around). On a long trip I can get up to 28 plus mpg.
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i get great gas mileage on my xdrive and the handling is great.its still a BMW xdrive or not.could not be more happy.great car and a great all around car!
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You don't need it in CT. I would get a 530i Sport and invest in a second set of winter wheels with some Blizzaks. You'll regret not having the BMW sport tuned suspension if you get the XI, which makes a BMW, a BMW!
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I'm in the process of acquiring my 2nd Bimmer, a '07 530xi with manual transmission. I had a 5 speed E39 previously.
What is the general consensus about BMW's xDrive system? My understanding is that under normal conditions, 60% of power goes to the rear axle and 40% to the front, but that if the car senses slippage, it dynamically allocates power to the axle that needs it most. Is that a correct synopsys? Sounds like what Subaru has had for years.
My question is: does the 40/60 ratio "ruin" the driving experience in your opinion? I'm sure I'll appreciate it in the snow here in the Northeast, but what about the majority "normal" conditions? Also, I understand gas mileage for the 5 series is pretty respectable. Does the xDrive system degrade that in any way? I would have to guess that it has some impact, no?
I'm in the process of acquiring my 2nd Bimmer, a '07 530xi with manual transmission. I had a 5 speed E39 previously.
What is the general consensus about BMW's xDrive system? My understanding is that under normal conditions, 60% of power goes to the rear axle and 40% to the front, but that if the car senses slippage, it dynamically allocates power to the axle that needs it most. Is that a correct synopsys? Sounds like what Subaru has had for years.
My question is: does the 40/60 ratio "ruin" the driving experience in your opinion? I'm sure I'll appreciate it in the snow here in the Northeast, but what about the majority "normal" conditions? Also, I understand gas mileage for the 5 series is pretty respectable. Does the xDrive system degrade that in any way? I would have to guess that it has some impact, no?
The link below is to a video on cnet that illustrates the performance of xDrive.
My link
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to me, xdrive cars feel more disconnected and understeer noticably. In the northeast, most bmw's are xdrives, so when i found my RWD, i jumped on it.
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I currently own an E39 '98 and 535xi '06. There are few things to consider before deciding on with or not "x"?
1) if you drive in bad weather, definitely a plus in having the x
2) if you want to upgrade the suspension, you will spend a lot more than on a non-x
3) if you want to upgrade the wheels, less options due to higher offsets but still acceptable options
4) about 15% more fuel on the x version
5) handling - same driving experience (IMO)
Good luck
1) if you drive in bad weather, definitely a plus in having the x
2) if you want to upgrade the suspension, you will spend a lot more than on a non-x
3) if you want to upgrade the wheels, less options due to higher offsets but still acceptable options
4) about 15% more fuel on the x version
5) handling - same driving experience (IMO)
Good luck
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Thanks for your comments, guys. Now an add-on question... Do you run winter tires with your xDrive or just rely on the same tires year-round?
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Seriously, unless you are tracking the car or will be driving like an idiot all around the country everytime you get into the vehicle, the difference between X-drive and RWD with sport is moot.
I currently own a 2008 550i with M-sport package and my wife owns a 2006 325XI. I previously owned a 2003 330XI. Are there differences - of course. do they really make that much of a difference in everyday driving - absolutely NOT.
the X-drive system is great, makes the car a year rounder instead of a summer crusier. If you are even thinking about using the car all year round and you live where it is known to snow and ice frequently during the winter months - go with an X-drive system and don't ever doubt that you made the absolute best decision. Hell, my 550i sits in the garage all winter while I drive my old Jeep Liberty, as my wife passes me in her 325XI, in a foot of snow.
So, although you will hear all the pro's and con's about this and that and how X-drive sucks and steals the thrill of driving a BMW, DO NOT beleive the hype. they're all damn close to the same unless you are a freakin' expert in car handeling or race cars for a living - for us normal folk, go XI and love it.
I currently own a 2008 550i with M-sport package and my wife owns a 2006 325XI. I previously owned a 2003 330XI. Are there differences - of course. do they really make that much of a difference in everyday driving - absolutely NOT.
the X-drive system is great, makes the car a year rounder instead of a summer crusier. If you are even thinking about using the car all year round and you live where it is known to snow and ice frequently during the winter months - go with an X-drive system and don't ever doubt that you made the absolute best decision. Hell, my 550i sits in the garage all winter while I drive my old Jeep Liberty, as my wife passes me in her 325XI, in a foot of snow.
So, although you will hear all the pro's and con's about this and that and how X-drive sucks and steals the thrill of driving a BMW, DO NOT beleive the hype. they're all damn close to the same unless you are a freakin' expert in car handeling or race cars for a living - for us normal folk, go XI and love it.