[wekebu]

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.)

 

[Tbarclay]

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.

 

[bbgator]

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.

 

[Electric Landshark]

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.

 

[Electric Landshark]

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.

 

[J_P]

I used to drive a 328 xDrive and appreciated the ability to easily drive through 8-10 inches of unplowed snow

I do not drive in that sort of snow, but from reading other posts, one of the issues is the reduced ground clearance on an i4, whatever the model.

There are plenty of people on the forum with more experience who will probably chip in with what you can get away with.

 

[Electric Landshark]

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.

 

[hardymatt]

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.

 

[bbgator]

one of the issues is the reduced ground clearance on an i4

100%. I love the way low sporty cars drive, but it is increasingly becoming a problem as roads are built more for SUVs and Trucks these days. Some cities plow often so the low height isn't always a problem with snow. High water, flooding, and steep entrances have been an issue for me.

 

[i4m50Norway]

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.

 

[Ravon]

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.

 

[rollermonkey]

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

 

[First EV]

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.

 

[i4m50Norway]

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

I am sorry that my English is so bad - I was trying to say that my experience with the AWD i4m50 should be the same as the x40 - when we are talking about how an i4 with AWD drives in Winter.

Also I don't have an eDrive 40, but I have driven a RWD BMW i3 150000 km, and it is excellent - probably the best RWD car I have ever driven on snow/ice, much, much better than my old RWD ICE BMW's. The eDrive40 should at least be as good as the i3 - I believe a eDrive40 on good winter tyres is much better/safer than a i4M50 on non optimal winter tyres.

Another good thing about the eDrive40 is that it is available with 17 inch 225/225 in Europe and 18 inch 225/225 in America. Narrow tires is always good on snow and ice. But can you get the Dynamic suspension without M-Brakes ?

 

[wahoo_i4]

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.

 

[mitchellmanasse]

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

 

[mitchellmanasse]

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.

 

[thegrinchboy]

Living in New Hampshire, we have xDrive vehicles for peace of mind to get to and from the mountains. Having said that, it’s all about the snow tires for the winter time.

 

[GrayA73]

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?

 

[rollermonkey]

Why would the eDrive 40 be quieter?

The wife's conniption over the price is the quieter bit, not the actual car itself.
😉