[ASAP]

How many folks have driven both the Xdrive and RWD Comp back to back?

A few questions-

1) Can you feel the weight difference?
2) Is the RWD car wilder, twitchier and feels more alive?
3) Are there any traction issues from a launch with the RWD model on warm days and good pavement?

I drove the Xdrive yesterday quite hard and just didn't get much feedback from it all. The car just felt WAY too safe for me and that was absolutely punishing the car in the corners... trying to find a rwd model to drive but its tough with the limited market size.

I don't want this to be a bro get the Xdrive, its way better blah blah... because according to my drive yesterday, it definitely isn't for me. I just need objective answers to the 3 above.

[skyline408]

Will be hard to get objective answers as folks will naturally defend what they bought.

That said, I've driven the compx (what I originally ordered) but ended up buying a base 6MT because I liked the driving engagement more-primarily the 6MT.

You will not feel the difference in weight IMO.

The RWD has more than enough traction for hard launches. No problems there.

The xdrive will also allow overseer, but as you said, it feels very 'safe' because of all available traction. You can also decouple the front axle completely on the X if you want a straight 100% RWD experience.

[forcefed]

You could have switched it to rwd and get an idea how it would feel.
Switch MDM on next time or completely turn off DSC, should feel more loose.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by skyline408

Will be hard to get objective answers as folks will naturally defend what they bought.

That said, I've driven the compx (what I originally ordered) but ended up buying a base 6MT because I liked the driving engagement more-primarily the 6MT.

You will not feel the difference in weight IMO.

The RWD has more than enough traction for hard launches. No problems there.

The xdrive will also allow overseer, but as you said, it feels very 'safe' because of all available traction. You can also decouple the front axle completely on the X if you want a straight 100% RWD experience.

Yes but does that not necessitate DSC to be entirely off? Even if you have the multistep controllable traction modes?

Originally Posted by forcefed

You could have switched it to rwd and get an idea how it would feel.
Switch MDM on next time or completely turn off DSC, should feel more loose.

It was in MDM mode... and it just felt way too safe to me. Yes you can completely turn off DSC but then you still have AWD... unless you go 2wd and DSC off which is questionable on the street.

[Gottagofast]

The RWD version uses 2nd gear when you use launch control, that should tell you something. It's also about half a second slower to 60 than Xdrive.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Gottagofast

The RWD version uses 2nd gear when you use launch control, that should tell you something. It's also about half a second slower to 60 than Xdrive.

i am 100% ok with that... launching gets boring very quick to me... in fact I almost never do it... I want the car to feel alive.

[Tyga11]

That's exactly why I'm not interested in XDrive. RWD is a pure experience

[Murf]

Go watch some of the early reviews, particularly Mischa on the Nord. He thought the RWD comp was AWD, that's how much traction these cars have. And that was pretty close to flat out on one of the most challenging tracks in the world. You cant go wrong with either but I see you live in FL (as do I) and tbh other than heavy rain when would AWD be needed (other than launches)?

[Rux]

So you are looking for the correct combination in the G8x line-up for what? A daily, a track car, fun car?

Not sure what too safe means but having driven them all up to a 23, the car is marketed to the people that buy them and as such you are going to have some compromise. I don’t feel the weight but around a track, if you are not used to how an AWD performance car handles, it will feel strange. Monoball conversion in a 21 comp RWD or even better a 21 Manual would be the way to go if you want more of the original M feel.

CSL is also a great option but, and i’m sure i’ll feel the hate, if i’m spending CSL money I’m buying a Porsche instead.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Murf

Go watch some of the early reviews, particularly Mischa on the Nord. He thought the RWD comp was AWD, that's how much traction these cars have. And that was pretty close to flat out on one of the most challenging tracks in the world. You cant go wrong with either but I see you live in FL (as do I) and tbh other than heavy rain when would AWD be needed (other than launches)?

Exactly- to me where we live, it only seems like it would make sense in some terrible weather conditions or unless you are stoplight racing against Teslas. People get way to caught up in 0-60s and miss the bigger picture... there are better cars for that and ultimately we end up with a heavy compromised car.

FWIW - I don't advise anyone drive a performance car hard in less than good conditions - Xdrive or not.

BTW- Mischa is very talented and credible but his experience is track based not street based which has no meaning to me... he can run a few laps, warm up his tires, switch tires etc.

On the other hand you have shills like Joe Achileees who will tell you the Xdrive is the one to get as opposed to RWD because he lives in the UK where its raining every other day and tries to use the car for everything... plus of course he will tell you the next BMW product is the best... I.e. I believe he is now onto a G80 touring lol.

I watch review by anyone online VERY carefully because at least in my case, rarely have they ever mimicked reality. When the F87 M2 Comp came out, people praised it as the greatest car ever... I owned one and man I could list every fault under the sun with that car.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Rux

So you are looking for the correct combination in the G8x line-up for what? A daily, a track car, fun car?

Not sure what too safe means but having driven them all up to a 23, the car is marketed to the people that buy them and as such you are going to have some compromise. I don’t feel the weight but around a track, if you are not used to how an AWD performance car handles, it will feel strange. Monoball conversion in a 21 comp RWD or even better a 21 Manual would be the way to go if you want more of the original M feel.

CSL is also a great option but, and i’m sure i’ll feel the hate, if i’m spending CSL money I’m buying a Porsche instead.

Daily + Fun on streets only in good weather.

[beamlord]

Someone who is at such a level where they need the edge of 2wd car to feel free is an absolutely serious pro racing driver and they don't hang out on this forum.
Everything else is just..well make your own conclusions.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by beamlord

Someone who is at such a level where they need the edge of 2wd car to feel free is an absolutely serious pro racing driver and they don't hang out on this forum.
Everything else is just..well make your own conclusions.

thats a powerful statement... have you driven an F80 my friend?

[yousefnjr]

I thought the RWD car had plenty of grip in stock form. Didn’t feel like it was trying to get away from me at all on the track, but I’m not exactly Verstappen over here. On public roads I think you’ll have to make a conscious effort to get either model to break loose. Didn’t notice a weight difference but I drove them months apart.

If you’re considering doing some power mods, I’ll add that even my xDrive car is struggling to put it down on factory rubber. I’d prefer the 4-wheel slipping felt ‘less alive’ lol

[cashsmoney]

Go get the Base M3 with the 6spd and really feel alive

[ASAP]

so far only 2 folks have answered the questions lol - one of which has a modded car... and another who compared to the lower powered 6mt rwd version lol

the rest are somehow justifying their purchases

anyways... i'll find one to drive and report back without (hopefully) any biases

[beamlord]

Originally Posted by ASAP

so far only 2 folks have answered the questions lol - one of which has a modded car... and another who compared to the lower powered 6mt rwd version lol

the rest are somehow justifying their purchases

anyways... i'll find one to drive and report back without (hopefully) any biases

Beats someone trying to justify saving 5k. Maybe go for a Golf

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by beamlord

Beats someone trying to justify saving 5k. Maybe go for a Golf

i think you just told me everything I needed to know lmao

[kgelfen360]

Originally Posted by beamlord

Someone who is at such a level where they need the edge of 2wd car to feel free is an absolutely serious pro racing driver and they don't hang out on this forum.
Everything else is just..well make your own conclusions.

Yea I kind of agree with that. I want the safety and power at the same time. I also live in PNW and of course prefer x drive.
I am not sure what people expect this car suppose to do. Like it needs to be hard to handle then it’s fun?

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by kgelfen360

Yea I kind of agree with that. I want the safety and power at the same time. I also live in PNW and of course prefer x drive.
I am not sure what people expect this car suppose to do. Like it needs to be hard to handle then it’s fun?

same question as above sir. have you driven an F80 M3?

[davidmct-M3]

Back to the original question. I have driven the M3 comp x-drive and M4 comp rwd around brands hatch. Both have fantastic levels of grip. Sadly, I couldn’t try both side by side in the same conditions but after some rain the back end on the M4 was what I would call squirrelly on the corner exits. You could feel it start to brake traction.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by davidmct-M3

Back to the original question. I have driven the M3 comp x-drive and M4 comp rwd around brands hatch. Both have fantastic levels of grip. Sadly, I couldn’t try both side by side in the same conditions but after some rain the back end on the M4 was what I would call squirrelly on the corner exits. You could feel it start to brake traction.

thank you for this... this is the most valuable contribution so far

which is confirming what as I suspected... awd only is needed in poor weather conditions and stop light launching