I think it's a combination of personal preference, driving style and climate. Before my eDrive40, the last RWD car I had was in 2008, a 2003 IS300 and I thought it would be nice to go back to the RWD experience. I chose to go with the eDrive40 because of 1) range, 2) RWD and 3) I have an SUV for when it snows (if at all in the DC area)

I did drive my car a few times during some snowfalls this past winter, and it performed admirably with very few slips. Compared to how my IS300 did back when I owned it, it was night and day.

 

Modern cars with traction and stability control are a far cry from the RWD vehicles many of the older members learned to drive in snow with. Appropriate snow tires are far more important than even moar torque and power.

The differences in stopping distance in an RWD car with and without good snow tires is often far in excess of the differences between RWD and AWD with the same tires.

If you can afford the cost difference and to keep the more expensive model in the right seasonal tires, obviously the xDrive with snow tires is best of all options, especially in the frigid arctic wastelands of Minnesota. That said, you'll only see those benefits in the 11 months of Minnesota winter. 😉

Punchlines...
...and the 4th of July
...and road construction
...and mosquito
...and walleye
I know there's more.

 

xDrive40 seems like the worst of both worlds if I’m being honest

eDrive40 is 300 lb lighter and has more range

M50 is much quicker than xDrive40with all the M driving components standard, and has similar range to xDrive40 if you don’t floor it everywhere.

The only benefit xDrive40 really has is the option of slightly more eco-friendly wheels.

 

xDrive40 has one more special feature, easily forgotten, because it is both external, and an omission:

Wannabe street racers, challenging you at every red traffic light.

 

I do love the fact that the i4 looks like a "regular" car at first glance as it's amusing for the wannabe street racers to challenge you off the light, not that I do it often

 

The XDrive 40 is the only i4 variant that I haven’t driven. If I were you I’d get the e40 and make sure I’m using the BMW star rated winter tires in the winter. The winter makes your range worse and the e40 has the leg up. Also, last time I looked there weren’t that many Electrify America charging stations in Minnesota so having a range king would be most important where you live. People who have driven the e40 in snow have posted here that it handled well.
I personally prefer the feel of RWD over AWD.

 

1. All electric BMW's build 2019 and after have a superior tracktion and braking system - makes RWD cars very good.
2. Extra cost of two motors in EV's - and usually double power, is very low - making AWD a no-brainer.
3. People like me, that have been driving RWD cars all their life - need some time to be confident in a AWD. It took me a six months "training" - before I am now condfident with power slides in my i4M50.
4. Looking at the range numbers above. 10 percent in optimal conditions, in cold or wet roads - the difference is much smaller - really nothing on the same tires. A i4 40 with 17 inch tires is however sensible for some people who need the 590 KM WLTP range - but if you really need range, much better to wait for the Neue Klasse with up to 50 percent more range than the i4 40 (900 km WLTP)
5. Tire wear - looking at this forum - it seems to be a big issue with RWD. I have the same experience with the RWD BMW i3 - my i4M50 seems to be much nicer to the tires.

In Norway with Winter at least half of the year - Total sales of i4M50 : 8000, i4 40 : 200 - other versions not available.

 

2. Extra cost of two motors in EV's - and usually double power, is very low - making AWD a no-brainer.


5. Tire wear - looking at this forum - it seems to be a big issue with RWD.

2. The cost to BMW may indeed be very low, but it's (US) $4400 to step up to xDrive40 and $12800 from RWD e40 to M50. Not all places outside Norway find such cost increases necessary.

5. Maybe some people with heavy feet. I have no issue with tire wear at the 33 month mark.

 

I don't think you can go wrong with either as far as driving in inclement weather. The i4 is VERY heavy which gives it a leg up during winter conditions. There can be situations where you'll benefit from a xDrive but those are rare (unplowed roads, especially hills, deep snow).

Which wheel option are you considering ? Do you value spirited driving ?

 

So I made the switch after 2 years of driving the edrive40 for the xdrive40. My decision was prompted due to being in a rear end collision (their fault) and the insurance company totaling the car.

But that being said, when I originally bought the first car, I wanted all wheel drive and electric, but didn’t have the time to order an M50. Same type of thing on the 2nd car, except the xdrive40 was now available.

I live outside Philadelphia, so winter driving and all wheel drive over RWD is just ingrained at this point. But I think both cars are good in the winter weather and I didn’t notice anything crazy this past winter. Although I also tend to work from home in inclement weather anyway.

 

I have an xdrive40, very pleased with the car and how it drives. Live in the DC area and last winter we had some snow and ice last, the car performed very well. I need to go into work regardless of the weather and for that reason wanted an all wheel drive car. I had a rear wheel Infiniti before the i4 and had issues in bad weather.

 

The m50 comes with lots of items as standard (well loaded). The x40 does not and the base price delta is large. But when we start ticking all the optional boxes in the x40 configurator to have all the same equipment as an m50 (other than the motor) the price delta is indeed minimal.

 

Keep the thread about the e40 and x40. I am not the mod, but would appreciate if the threads about other than the M50 wouldn't get hijacked all the time. Pretty tired of all the hijackers.

 

Keep the thread about the e40 and x40. I am not the mod

Moderator:

You're right, you aren't

I hardly think it is unreasonable when someone is considering the xDrive40 for people to mention the M50 in comparison, it is at least as close to the xDrive40 as the eDrive40 is, and when asking what choice to make, people may have valid reasons for the OP to consider an M50 that they are unaware of. That is for the OP to decide, not you.

I would also disagree with your comment about the discussion getting 'hijacked', which by my definition means the topic being discussed gets changed to something else, which isn't the case here, people are still talking about the pros and cons of models to help the OP make their choice.

More generally (and aimed at everybody), I do get a bit tired of people's defensiveness about the choice they made and the lengths they go to to insist that theirs is the best model, (especially when it is obviously clear that my choice is the choice that everybody should make).

 

I have had the e40 for almost two years now and no regrets for a second so far. Been driving it in the Swedish winter (with proper winter tires) without any issues. Made several longer trips in Sweden, and three really long trips (over 3 000 km in two weeks) in Europe. Very happy with the comfort, the range, the speed and the power of the car, and of course, all the boxes I ticked when I selected the car. I think that very few people have both of those cars, and while many have done short test drives, that information would be worthless. I mean, during a test drive, even if it is for a whole weekend, you don't really get to learn the car or get valuable experience. By now, you know the e40 and how it handles. Do you feel that you are missing the AWD? So my advice is get the xDrive40 if you want AWD and feel safer in AWD, or get the eDrive40 if you are not worried.

 

Moderator:

You're right, you aren't

Don't worry, I know my place... you don't need to post that as Moderator to tell me.

I hardly think it is unreasonable when someone is considering the xDrive40 for people to mention the M50 in comparison, it is at least as close to the xDrive40 as the eDrive40 is, and when asking what choice to make, people may have valid reasons for the OP to consider an M50 that they are unaware of. That is for the OP to decide, not you.

You really think that people who consider the e40 / x40 are so poorly informed that they don't know about the existence of the M50???? Especially since the OP have been driving an e40 for quite some time now and been a member here since 2023??? I did NOT decide that the OP shouldn't be interested in the M50, but the OP pretty clearly asked about the x40 / e40, not the M50. ...but perhaps I missed something?

I would also disagree with your comment about the discussion getting 'hijacked', which by my definition means the topic being discussed gets changed to something else, which isn't the case here, people are still talking about the pros and cons of models to help the OP make their choice.

Well, as a Member of this forum, my opinion is that some M50 drivers always only really talk about the M50 and how poor decision it is to buy anything else, financially or otherwise. One starts and others continue to chip in with their comments about the M50, not sticking to the subject. That is hijacking to me.

More generally (and aimed at everybody), I do get a bit tired of people's defensiveness about the choice they made and the lengths they go to to insist that theirs is the best model, (especially when it is obviously clear that my choice is the choice that everybody should make).

It's not my coat, so I definitely don't put that on. But facts are facts, not everybody wants, likes, needs or can afford an M50. They are not less informed or poorer decision makers for that. I am happy that BMW offers us several options, more for you than for us in Sweden, sice we can't even buy the e35 or the x40.

 

Moderator:

I post as a moderator to make it clear that I am speaking as a moderator not an individual. It makes it clear it a moderator decision/guidance, not my personal opinion.

Keep the thread about the e40 and x40.

It is not your place to tell people what to post. If you phrased that as "Can we please keep the thread about the e40 and x40?", that's a small but critical difference. Or you could have 'reported' the discussion and we can consider your point of view and issue appropriate guidance here if we feel it is needed. That way, this discussion doesn't get diverted into a discussion about your complaints about what people are posting, which is what has happened now.

that they don't know about the existence of the M50

Knowing the existence of a car is not the same as knowing about a car.

Well, as a Member of this forum, my opinion is that some M50 drivers always only really talk about the M50 and how poor decision it is to buy anything else, financially or otherwise. One starts and others continue to chip in with their comments about the M50, not sticking to the subject.

That is certainly true (and vice versa), so as a moderator, I have looked through all the posts again (I haven't ignored your criticism) and have come to the conclusion that that has not happened to a significant extent in this discussion. It is for example, perfectly acceptable to point out that the price difference between a fully loaded xDrive40 and an M50 may not be as much as the OP had thought and that may influence their decision. My guess is that it probably won't in this case but most people want to know all the facts before making an expensive purchasing decision such as this, and it is not my place to second guess the OP's full decision making process or financial position.

I am quite happy to continue this discussion by DM but I think it is time to return to discussing the OP's original question. If @Tbarclay can update us with some feedback from what has been discussed so far, it would probably help steer the conversation in an appropriate direction.

 

My lease on a 2023 eDrive is coming due in July. I love everything about the car. At lease end, I’m trying to decide between another i4 eDrive versus an xDrive.

I don't think anybody has said it yet, so, have you considered buying the lease out and just keeping the car for now?

 

I test drove the 2025 xDrive 40 and 2025 eDrive 40. I went with the eDrive because it was quieter. (I don't live where there usually isn't snow.)

 

Why would the eDrive 40 be quieter?

 

Thank you to everybody who has replied to my post so far. I appreciate all the feedback and suggestions. This forum has been helpful to me over the last couple of years as I learned about my i4.

I do use great winter tires on my current eDrive. In most conditions I find the RWD + winter tires to be adequate. However, in Minnesota our winters can be especially challenging in some seasons with a lot of snow. I used to drive a 328 xDrive and appreciated the ability to easily drive through 8-10 inches of unplowed snow during times when I had to get to work and the local roads (and my driveway) had not yet been plowed. For that reason I am considering the i4 xDrive with the thought that the AWD may give me back some of that extra power and traction (with winter tires) that I used to appreciate with the 328. I am also considering buying out the lease on my current eDrive RWD but really for sort of a dumb reason which is that I love the color so much (San Remo Green). SRG is no longer available on the 2025 models.

I am well aware of the M50 but am not considering it at this time as I find the 40 to be more than enough power for me and I don’t need all the bells and whistles of the higher end version.

Thanks in advance for any other thoughts or guidance on this topic.

 

The OP is not considering the M50 so no need to post more about the wrong vehicle.

I am well aware of the M50 but am not considering it at this time as I find the 40 to be more than enough power for me and I don’t need all the bells and whistles of the higher end version.

 

While not completely relevant and obvious...tires matter a lot. I have the edrive 40 with brand new Hankook Summer tires put on a few days before it snowed. We got 8 inches of snow, and the car was useless. Couldn't even get it out of the flat driveway. In fairness, a MB E350 RWD with all seasons struggled too. I also drive in Colorado often in the snow on all seasons without issue, but there they plow the roads and put down cinders. I was shocked on how much better all seasons are than summer. Probably obvious to everyone who lives in a cold climate.

 

Modern summer tires while great in rain are never, ever meant for freezing temperatures! For Minnesota winter tires are best once it gets cold and until it warms up.
Like winter tires, all season tires can also be used in freezing temperatures.

 

Right if it’s unplowed snow and over a certain height it doesn’t matter if you have RWD or AWD. You’d be pushing/plowing snow with your front bumper and scratching/scraping/cracking it on snow and ice.

 

I think it comes down to personal preference and your own individual needs. If you stay home when there's snow and only drive in winter when roads are relatively clear, RWD with snow tires is probably fine. For me however, I prefer having AWD with a good set of snow tires. Even though I don't need it all the time, I appreciate the added traction when I need to travel in bad weather.

 

Another i4M50 comment.
I think this discussion is really about AWD vs RWD - in that regard i4m50 and xDrive40 is equal.
I have been scraping battery on ice for six months every winter, and was surprised of how good the battery looked after that. Only some minor scrapes, but wonder if OP have any comments about experience with 12.5 cm i4 40 vs tradition 3-series with much increased height ?

I always think about clearance while driving my i4 - it was much more relaxing to drive the iX especially in Winter, or other cars like, VW id.4, BMW i3 etc.

Living in Norway where everyone drives on "Nordic type" winter tyres, it does not surprise me that other people get issues with other types of tires. I think a i4 40 on "Nordic type" winter is much more safe than a xDrive40 or i4M50 on "Continental type" or all season. Only issue with "Nordic type" is that it is very soft, so best to switch to Sport Steering and suspension when driving fast, and also remember max speed 190 kmh (in Germany). "Nordic type" on water is also not the best combination - but far more important for me is how it works on snow and ice.

 

Another i4M50 comment.
I think this discussion is really about AWD vs RWD - in that regard i4m50 and xDrive40 is equal.

Except that the OP has explicitly stated that it is not equal. They are comparing the e40 and the x40. Maybe it is because the price difference between x40 and M50 is $8400? So again, they are not equal in the eyes of the person asking for advice.

It would seem that they are measuring if the $4400 jump in cost is worth the improved winter performance, and have already decided that it is not worth $12800.

If you've forgotten what the question asked by the OP is, perhaps review the topic title or original post again.
/$0.02

 

Other considerations for the OP, if it is still a "close call" for which one to get:

• AWD vehicles are considered safer than RWD. If you value safety above other considerations (e.g., range), especially in winter driving, go for the xDrive.
• However, insurance rates on the RWD are often lower, because the AWD is more complex and thus more expensive to repair and replace. If you are looking at total cost of ownership, compare the insurance rates between the two.

 

I live in Wisconsin and prior to my i4 I drove a Mustang (RWD for those not familiar). I put winter performance tires on it as cold and dry was far more common than snow covered. Even with those tires I had no problems with the car in the snow. I chose to go with AWD because I feel like it's a luxury to not have to be so careful accelerating and especially accelerating while turning. Also it being faster was a bonus. I did drive the M50 at a BMW event so I got to drive it very aggressively around a cone course and got to ride along with a BMW driver around the same course. The M50's acceleration is brutal. I didn't need or want that so I went with the xDrive.

 

I felt the same way.

I know that the xdrive gets a lot of criticism as the "worst of both worlds" but honestly its more than fast enough for me and struck a good balance of features (AWD, rear suspension, extra power), price, and performance. I just don't drive the car hard enough, often enough for me to notice the extra weight. I may miss the range of the edrive but not enough to want to give up the other stuff.

As a former Tesla Model 3 owner, it is just all around a much better car.

 

It's not just snow and ice, AWD provides better wet traction and overall stability. I have the 2024 X40 and had 2 3-series cars both with Xdrive. I have driven the rear wheel versions and would not go back. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks -especially living in Minnessota

 

The X40 is my 3rd Xdrive BMW, I find the handling and especially the wet traction to be superior to RWD. In snow, I get good traction and no skids.