[MMiami]

The rolling race is much closer than I expected. Since the xDrive is running the carbon ceramics, do you guys think the lower unsprung weight helped it a lot?

[02M3ForMe]

BMW M did a fantastic job catering to almost everyone with the current assortment of G8x.

The only (minor) miss is not giving 6MT Competition power.

[________]

Now all BMW needs is a Canadian special 2023 G81 Xdrive with a manual, sunroof, and bucket seats. Take my money (I'll make it easier, it does NOT have to be an xdrive).

[superbrew]

Originally Posted by Hawkdog

Looks to me like both cars are on Michelins, though the RWDs tires look more worn. Are you seeing differently somewhere?

RWD jumped the 3rd race too…not as bad as the 2nd, but still jumped.

The RWD looks to be on Cup2's. Notice the 3 channels vs 4 on the AWD.

[Hawkdog]

Originally Posted by superbrew

The RWD looks to be on Cup2's. Notice the 3 channels vs 4 on the AWD.

Possibly - was also thinking they could be 4S’s that have been driven hard as to wear out that outer 4th channel?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

BMW M did a fantastic job catering to almost everyone with the current assortment of G8x.

The only (minor) miss is not giving 6MT Competition power.

I agree that they should've offered a 6MT Comp.

[frank70]

I think the conclusion must be that both cars are very close. In the real world - normal driving - the difference is likely near zero. For me, after 6 months in my G80 competition i think i can say that BMW wasted money developing 2 versions of the M3. I think they should have just stayed with RWD for this latest version of the M3. AWD is unnecessary.

[M3AWD]

Originally Posted by superbrew

The RWD looks to be on Cup2's. Notice the 3 channels vs 4 on the AWD.

Very good point. It is on CUP 2's. If you watch carwow video from a month ago where Matt ran his M3 vs. the new Golf R you can see that in some of the shots

[Gfit]

Originally Posted by frank70

I think the conclusion must be that both cars are very close. In the real world - normal driving - the difference is likely near zero. For me, after 6 months in my G80 competition i think i can say that BMW wasted money developing 2 versions of the M3. I think they should have just stayed with RWD for this latest version of the M3. AWD is unnecessary.

Glad they didn't or me and a lot of others wouldn't have gotten one, it's brining a lot of new buyers into the market and it's selling like crazy. Sounds like BMW made the right call

[Ruyseart]

Originally Posted by frank70

I think the conclusion must be that both cars are very close. In the real world - normal driving - the difference is likely near zero. For me, after 6 months in my G80 competition i think i can say that BMW wasted money developing 2 versions of the M3. I think they should have just stayed with RWD for this latest version of the M3. AWD is unnecessary.

I could not disagree more, IMO xDrive brings the best of the two worlds, I have a rear bias AWD car, with better performance during inclement weather, plus if I want, I have a RWD car to a more fun driving experience.
They made the absolute daily driver for all weathers with this generation, IMHO.

[Gfit]

Originally Posted by MSpain

I could not disagree more, IMO xDrive brings the best of the two worlds, I have a rear bias AWD car, with better performance during inclement weather, plus if I want, I have a RWD car to a more fun driving experience.
They made the absolute daily driver for all weathers with this generation, IMHO.

Agreed. That statement made no sense on so many levels

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by Gfit

Glad they didn't or me and a lot of others wouldn't have gotten one, it's brining a lot of new buyers into the market and it's selling like crazy. Sounds like BMW made the right call

There is no comparison between rwd and awd in areas where it snows
Or even rains
I've owned several M3s, one with winter tires
Sucks compared to my Audi with all seasons
Like no contest

Obviously if you live in Texas etc, then this becomes a moot point

Does the M3 have the same rwd/awd selector like the M5?
If it does there is no reason to buy the rwd, unless you really think you can detect 50kg weight saving.

Also on ceramic brakes vs steel brakes
I've owned 2 RS5s, first one with steel brakes, second with ceramic.
Ceramic is way better than steel
I've never had a situation where I was worried the car wouldn't stop quickly enough on the ceramics, I have a few times in the steel brakes
But on the Rs5 the ceramics are roughly 1" bigger discs, , not sure about m3. Plus lifetime of ceramic on RS5 is roughly 3 times the life of the steel brakes, so you have to factor that into the price difference .

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by SteveChester

Would be interesting to see the same launches but in the wet

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...AWD+versus+RWD

not entirely what you asked, but the difference for the M5 AWD vs RWD mode in the wet is H U G E! For the G8x the gap will most probably be a tiny bit smaller (50kgs weight and a cog a bit more shifted to the rear wheels for RWD).

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by frank70

I think the conclusion must be that both cars are very close. In the real world - normal driving - the difference is likely near zero. For me, after 6 months in my G80 competition i think i can say that BMW wasted money developing 2 versions of the M3. I think they should have just stayed with RWD for this latest version of the M3. AWD is unnecessary.

I must admit that I was flabbergasted with how good the traction really is in the RWD, but even in the dry you don't have to insist to make it step out its rear! Under more slippery conditions I'am pretty sure the AWD boosts confidence and is (much) more effective.

[6speed_M2]

I think the 2nd gear launch for the RWD is a HUGE game changer. If this wasn't done it'd be a different story.

Also weather should make a difference. If you're launching it in cold conditions the AWD will obviously help. What about with more power? For those who plan on tuning their cars.

It leads me to wonder how a RWD car would perform with more power & sticker rubber? Could some quality R compound tires do the trick completely? Or would the AWD difference be more apparent then?

[Pentium]

Interesting

my heart still goes with the RWD version.

[Kminor2578]

Originally Posted by Vic55

As an owner of both... this is a good, pre meditated indication of what would happen.

The RWD car is great!

I just wanted red over blue 😀

I love your red, it makes me jealous

[Kminor2578]

Originally Posted by 6speed_M2

I think the 2nd gear launch for the RWD is a HUGE game changer. If this wasn't done it'd be a different story.

Also weather should make a difference. If you're launching it in cold conditions the AWD will obviously help. What about with more power? For those who plan on tuning their cars.

It leads me to wonder how a RWD car would perform with more power & sticker rubber? Could some quality R compound tires do the trick completely? Or would the AWD difference be more apparent then?

Lower friction coefficient 2 vs 4, would obviously make a bigger difference! Ever try push a sled in the snow vs pulling it?

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by 6speed_M2

I think the 2nd gear launch for the RWD is a HUGE game changer. If this wasn't done it'd be a different story.

Also weather should make a difference. If you're launching it in cold conditions the AWD will obviously help. What about with more power? For those who plan on tuning their cars.

It leads me to wonder how a RWD car would perform with more power & sticker rubber? Could some quality R compound tires do the trick completely? Or would the AWD difference be more apparent then?

FWIW ran 2nd gear launches in starting in 2011 for a few years with a modified 335is 7DCT & high traction 100 compound street radials. Software could soften the boost in first & second but was hard to dial in consistently. Easy solution was start in 2nd & manage boost with the throttle.

Think RWD with the power available today off the showroom floor is at a dead end. Its done. Supercars are already going AWD. Great for fun & nostalgia like the 6MT but not the best plan for quickness.

First gear starts would make it launch worse with putting more torque into the same tires that are not holding traction now. Ever see a Hellcat try a hard launch on street tires?

Tire change will not change the game since the AWD can also run better tires, end result will be the same.

[TigahRouge]

Simply, the AWD G8X is better than the RWD G8x. But I wouldn't trade my RWD G82 for an AWD…
But, I may have an issue resisting the 2023 C8 ZO6 Corvette:
1. 760HP(most HP from a naturally aspirated V8 production engine in history)
2. Estimates 2.5 0-60
3. Estimated $90,000 price point

This may be my next vehicle of choice…🤔

[kjx]

Originally Posted by Gfit

Agreed. That statement made no sense on so many levels

Of course it does. It’s called confirmation bias. Dude owns a RWD.

[ChargerHellcat]

Originally Posted by TigahRouge

Simply, the AWD G8X is better than the RWD G8x. But I wouldn't trade my RWD G82 for an AWD…
But, I may have an issue resisting the 2023 C8 ZO6 Corvette:
1. 760HP(most HP from a naturally aspirated V8 production engine in history)
2. Estimates 2.5 0-60
3. Estimated $90,000 price point

This may be my next vehicle of choice…🤔

If you find where we can buy this car for 90k please let me know. I will gladly pay for it and I won't even care what color it is lol.