The DJP

We don't have that winter thing over here, mild sea climate...
We get rain, rain and rain during our fall, winter, spring, and summer :P
I rarely see an x-drive over here, maybe 1/100 BMW's.
I must add that I start to love BMW's more and more, since I've driven a couple of their latest models (1-series cab, 3-series coupe)

AofC_RR

The car is not originally engineered for it so you get all the benefits of stock suspension and a driveshaft in your oilpan. Also AWD that disengages at 70mph because the drivetrain can't handle it.

schnellmb

in all around driving and interstate driving in some rough stuff. we get a lot of ice and wet snow and the system has worked fine.

i ordered snows this year, since i'm doing a lot of traveling in some low mountainous terrain.

the N54 twin turbo engine is a lot of fun. in the 3 series, it's a blast.

my BMW dealer is keeping mostly xdrive cars in inventory. the local Audi dealer only brings in quattro.

schnellmb

didn't see anything about that in the manual.

Waiz One

slightly used 2008 535xi and love it. The car has the Dinan Stage 2 performance engine software with factory warrantyh, which increased power to 384.
Power is amazing and I managed 25 mpg to the Bay area last weekend. Fit and finish good and the I drive is not as bad as people say. Overall I am very satisfied with the car and would recommend it. The car has the optional 18" wheels with 275/35 ZR rated rear tires. These will not work if I want to go over the pass in the winter.

April

is able to completely engage and disengage the front or rear axles as the computer decides is needed. While on one hand this gives a new range of control, on the other it's only as good as the programmers, it's only as good as the sensors and other hardware, and there is lag time (no matter how tiny) as the system interprets inputs from sensors and driver. Either programming or sensors or mechanical systems could fail for any number of reasons.

schnellmb

in both 5 series x's that i've had and they feel very, very planted--either the platform/suspension is that good, or the car is getting some help from xdrive and it's system.

i don't doubt that quattro is a better system, but i've failed to see how it is overwhelmingly so much better given my climate which is pretty snowy. we're not talking 3-4 inches, but 1-2 feet of heavy lake effect snow.

i weighed heavily getting an C6 A6 vs. E61 5, and the 5 had the options and special features that Audi didn't. maybe next time around.

The DJP

My FWD Audi's, with winter tires, never have/had any big problems in the snow, during my trips to the Alps. However, I've never driven a Quattro Audi in the snow..
We'll see how the Jag holds in the snow... I just bought a new winter setup, 17" OEM Jag wheels with Dunlop Wintersport M3.
RWD should be fun though

schnellmb

most people aren't smart enough to put snow tires on though.

i'm sure the M3s will help with nasty weather.

i ordered a set of Continental TS790's (bmw part) which the dealer gave me a break on price. this should be better than the OEM all seasons.

quattros are a blast to play in the snow with. but RWD is fun as well.

schnellmb

my dad's old 92 Jeep Cherokee with the good ole pull up the lever to engage 4wd had a bright orange sticker warning you to not to exceed 65mph in 4wd mode.

different tech, but i think zee Germans are smart enough to figure out it would be a mega liability if they didn't mention it.