M3/M4 xdrive?

M3OW · 08-13-2014, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Weight is an issue, but it's not the only issue. Driving characteristics of RWD is way better than AWD. Better steering, better balance, less to none under steer...

LaFerrari, MacLaren P1 are 700+ HP and RWD. And both would crash the 1000HP Bugatti on a track and they would obviously be way more fun to drive. And BMW M5 Comp is 575 HP and RWD. BMW or others doen't need to figure out how to put more power on ground, because they've already figured it out.
AWD is good if you see cars as tools, for driving from point A to B... For incompetent drivers... SUVs... extreme weather conditions... That's about it.

In most instances, yes awd cars are more prone to under steer and lack in feel compared to rear wheel drive but then there are great cars like the gtr, 911 turbo, gallardo, and Audi r8.

The cars you mention la Ferrari and mclaren while rear wheel driven also have the benefits of more weight over the rear wheels. The current high horsepower high torque m5/6, m3/4s have no such advantage with the engine out in front.

Just take a look at the recent comparisons between the f8x and base 991 911 around a track. The 911 is able to put the power down more efficiently in almost every scenario, which is why you see the 911 out run the m3 on track. Let's also not forget the 911 is down almost 100 horsepower and even more torque. Don't you think this is a compelling reason for bmw engineers to figure out a more efficient way to put the power to the ground? I wouldn't rule out awd.

I for one would like an m3 with more grip, maybe not as much as a 911 but at least close. Sure slipping and sliding is fun but carrying a lot of speed through a turn with tremendous grip and confidence is very fun too.

SOM3 · 08-13-2014, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblansten

Completely agree. Give me RWD platform M cars. I'd rather the M5 get lighter and stay with RWD than get more power and do AWD but stay heavy.

This would be ideal in my book. This concept was tried with the new M3/4 but not exactly executed to perfection BUT it is a stepping stone.

SOM3 · 08-13-2014, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3OW

In most instances, yes awd cars are more prone to under steer and lack in feel compared to rear wheel drive but then there are great cars like the gtr, 911 turbo, gallardo, and Audi r8.

The cars you mention la Ferrari and mclaren while rear wheel driven also have the benefits of more weight over the rear wheels. The current high horsepower high torque m5/6, m3/4s have no such advantage with the engine out in front.

Just take a look at the recent comparisons between the f8x and base 991 911 around a track. The 911 is able to put the power down more efficiently in almost every scenario, which is why you see the 911 out run the m3 on track. Let's also not forget the 911 is down almost 100 horsepower and even more torque. Don't you think this is a compelling reason for bmw engineers to figure out a more efficient way to put the power to the ground? I wouldn't rule out awd.

I for one would like an m3 with more grip, maybe not as much as a 911 but at least close. Sure slipping and sliding is fun but carrying a lot of speed through a turn with tremendous grip and confidence is very fun too.

Cool story but 911 is a sports car designed from ground up with performance in mind.

It's a lighter two seater so it being down 100 HP means little.

voodoogeek · 08-13-2014, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOM3

This would be ideal in my book. This concept was tried with the new M3/4 but not exactly executed to perfection BUT it is a stepping stone.

my thoughts exactly. or, at the very least, they should keep 2 versions available, with and without 4wd.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOM3

Cool story but 911 is a sports car designed from ground up with performance in mind.

It's a lighter two seater so it being down 100 HP means little.

what I wanted to say: the C4, or better the C4S (porsche dealer once told me that with the 4wheel, you'd want to have the S engine to compensate the 4wd and increased weight) are different cars. comparing a Lambo to a M4? not the same league. If BMW starts to compete the M3/4 with C4(s), Lambo and other sport cars with sport-car-4wd, we're quickly going to see higher prices on our most beloved vehicle.

STooK · 08-13-2014, 10:53 AM

If they did make an option I can see them selling well in the north east where almost every BMW is a xdrive. I can definitely see them making it an option in the future, at least for the M5/6's.

Velociraptor · 08-14-2014, 04:09 AM

If you're in the EU Alpina offers their B3 and B4 models with Allrad drive... they also offer an optional rear LSD on 4x4 models.

solstice · 08-14-2014, 04:41 AM

More options for us is better than less IMO. Bring on the AWD M3s as long as the RWD is available. Porsches formula is good, offer RWD and AWD and while you are at it offer M NA and M FI engines just as Porsches GT cars.

Russkey · 08-14-2014, 10:10 AM

Interesting to read everyone's opinion about that. We'll see what happens. I just want to see xdrive as an option in future.

purdyawesome · 08-14-2014, 11:35 AM

The LSD in the M3/M4 already makes it better than the X Drive that my X5 had. The AWD on the X5 I had was pretty worthless. I got stuck in 5in of snow in a driveway. If the wheels spin and the drive wheel can't find traction, all the wheels just stop turning. Mash on the accelerator all you wan't, but if the computer can't detect any resistance, it won't send any power anywhere. So dumb...

X2Board · 08-14-2014, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purdyawesome

The LSD in the M3/M4 already makes it better than the X Drive that my X5 had. The AWD on the X5 I had was pretty worthless. I got stuck in 5in of snow in a driveway. If the wheels spin and the drive wheel can't find traction, all the wheels just stop turning. Mash on the accelerator all you wan't, but if the computer can't detect any resistance, it won't send any power anywhere. So dumb...

What tires were you running on the X5? Snow traction is heavily weighted to the right type of rubber. My X5 M with snow tires never had an issue, eve on steep hills from a dead start.

purdyawesome · 08-14-2014, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X2Board

Quote:

Originally Posted by purdyawesome

The LSD in the M3/M4 already makes it better than the X Drive that my X5 had. The AWD on the X5 I had was pretty worthless. I got stuck in 5in of snow in a driveway. If the wheels spin and the drive wheel can't find traction, all the wheels just stop turning. Mash on the accelerator all you wan't, but if the computer can't detect any resistance, it won't send any power anywhere. So dumb...

What tires were you running on the X5? Snow traction is heavily weighted to the right type of rubber. My X5 M with snow tires never had an issue, eve on steep hills from a dead start.

Honestly I don't recall, but they were the run-flat all-season tires.

X2Board · 08-14-2014, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purdyawesome

Honestly I don't recall, but they were the run-flat all-season tires.

Yeah, those don't do well in the snow at all. Might as well call them 3 season tires.

tdizzle · 08-14-2014, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblansten

No

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Quote:

Originally Posted by egalley

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Shame on you for asking

(although, secretly I'm sure some would like all wheel drive, it does do fine work for acceleration and the GTR makes good use of it on the track)

08-13-2014, 10:53 AM	#27
STooK Lieutenant Colonel 726 Rep 1,974 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (6)	If they did make an option I can see them selling well in the north east where almost every BMW is a xdrive. I can definitely see them making it an option in the future, at least for the M5/6's. __________________ 2013 BMW E92 ///M3 AW/BLK ZCP CF Roof 6 Speed - Perfection 2011 BMW E90 328i xDrive Space Grey/Black - Daily 2011 BMW E93 ///M3 MW/FR/BLK 6 Speed - Gone but not forgotten
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08-14-2014, 04:09 AM	#28
Velociraptor Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: e39 525i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Cro iTrader: (0)	If you're in the EU Alpina offers their B3 and B4 models with Allrad drive... they also offer an optional rear LSD on 4x4 models.
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08-14-2014, 04:41 AM	#29
solstice Major General 5457 Rep 7,037 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 6MT Join Date: May 2013 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	More options for us is better than less IMO. Bring on the AWD M3s as long as the RWD is available. Porsches formula is good, offer RWD and AWD and while you are at it offer M NA and M FI engines just as Porsches GT cars.
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08-14-2014, 10:10 AM	#30
Russkey Captain 155 Rep 751 Posts Drives: '12 BMW AW 550xi Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 550xi [10.00]	Interesting to read everyone's opinion about that. We'll see what happens. I just want to see xdrive as an option in future. __________________ '15 Porsche Macan S / Black & Garnet Red / 20" RS Spyder Wheels / CF trim / Red Calipers / Black Rear Badge. '12 AW 550xi / Dinan S2 / Arkym CF Spoiler / 3D Design Style Splitter / Eisenmann Race Exhaust / 20' HRE FF01 / ACS Springs / CF Grill / CF 3D Design Diffuser / Blue Calipers...
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08-14-2014, 11:35 AM	#31
purdyawesome Private First Class 26 Rep 184 Posts Drives: 2015 F80 M3, 2014 F15 X5 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	The LSD in the M3/M4 already makes it better than the X Drive that my X5 had. The AWD on the X5 I had was pretty worthless. I got stuck in 5in of snow in a driveway. If the wheels spin and the drive wheel can't find traction, all the wheels just stop turning. Mash on the accelerator all you wan't, but if the computer can't detect any resistance, it won't send any power anywhere. So dumb...
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