AWD BMW on the way?

[Road Warrior]

And i'm not talking about a goddamn SUV either http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-argh.gif

An AWD 3 series sedan - not sure of whether it will be available in markets outside the US but it sounds rather interesting, with a twin turbo 3.0 inline 6 with 300hp :burnout:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/15/bmw-to-launch-335ixi-sedan-in-march/

[jamesd]

Ummmm.

Why is AWD really needed for something with 300hp? The normal 335i is RWD.. Seems kind of pointless, and everyone goes for the 318i anyway, because they get sucked in on the badge :P

Besides the point, it'll cost like 120k AUD if it comes over here. No thanks.

[Brass Munky]

This might mean that we may see an AWD M3 of sorts, i like the sounds of that, although RWD is just so much fun, cant beat driving out the side windows

[exploder]

We have never got AWD car BMWs before, I doubt they will have engineered it for RHD. RHD versions are not a BMW strong point.

[KingClifton]

The AWD 3-series has been available in the US for some time. Some say it is to compete with the quattro-equipped Audi A4 - popular in cities and states with bad winters.

They have the "xi" designation (eg. 325xi) and use the 1st-generation X-Drive as seen on the pre-2003 X5 - and now on the Ford Territory. It uses a mechanical centre diff. The newer X-Drive uses an electronically-controlled clutch in the centre diff.

[Dilan]

RHD versions are not a BMW strong point.

Thats a joke right?

[zorro]

We have never got AWD car BMWs before, I doubt they will have engineered it for RHD. RHD versions are not a BMW strong point.

I'd pick my '81 323i over pre '94 commodore anyday (aside from VK group A & walkinshaw), safer, quicker, handles better (until VE commodores used a very similar irs setup). BMW's have always been manufactured for both LH & RHD as the euro market needs both. Bad call chief.

Some people still bone over the AWD is a must because its safer, BMW cater for the market, simple.

[exploder]

Thats a joke right?


We have never got AWD car BMWs before, I doubt they will have engineered it for RHD. RHD versions are not a BMW strong point.

Nope, but you may have taken it the wrong way. Not having a dig at RHD BMW's, but there plenty of nice BMW's that have never been built in RHD because it was never engineered or they didn't think there was a sales case. Such as M1, E30 M3, Z1, Z8, AWD E30 and more..


BMW's have always been manufactured for both LH & RHD as the euro market needs both. Bad call chief.

Not all BMWs are built in both RHD and LHD and usually the very desirable ones that miss out. The only RHD market in Europe is England and you can register a LHD car there any way so the incentive to produce something in RHD such as the Z8 or previous AWD 3 series is not there.

[OPPYLOCK]

Might not be all bad. If they get the torque split right and its predominantly a rear diver, something like an R34, it could be a bit of a weapon. Not hard to get some impressive numbers from that TT mill.

[Nobby]

AWD M5 would be a WMD, but I think I'd still prefer wheel spin in a RWD one.

Like I can afford one anyway.

[2001 ITR]

Previous models of 5 series were available in overseas markets as 4WD’s (same as the Mercedes E class) but I thought that they had moved away from them arguing that advancements in traction control had minimised their advantages.

I think that if you were in a really tight spot 4WD (grip only available at the front) would be an advantage.