2014 BMW 328I X FIGHTS THE WINTER WELL

-->

AS PHOTOS ATTACHED SHOW WE HAVE HAD THE NEWEST BMW 328iX SERIES ALL WHEEL  DRIVE SEDAN.  WE ALSO BOUGHT THE PREVIOUS GENERATION 3 SERIES WITH X DRIVE OR ALL WHEEL DRIVE. THE PREVIOUS MODEL IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WITH THE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SYSTEM AND HAS RUN FLAT TIRES. RECENTLY WITH SO MUCH SNOW, RAIN, ICE QUESTIONS ARE BEING ASKED ABOUT TIRES ON ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES.THE POT HOLES MADE A LOT OF MONEY FOR TIRE SUPPLIERS IN 2014. NOT ONLY TIRES BUT RIMS DESTROY THE ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE TO RUN PROPERLY.

Some “experts” state if tire has less than 50% of tread all four tires need to be replaced for all-wheel-drive to work properly.

So many Pot Holes in Detroit and surrounding areas owners of all-wheel-drive cars are getting bad advice on replacement of tires. Many tire dealers are recommending replacing all the tires. Acura, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Land Rover, Subaru recommend have dealer help determine if all tires need to be replaced.

True all wheel drive vehicles like those from Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Land Rover/Range Rover, Porsche and of course Subaru have very sophisticated systems.  Part time all wheel drive like on 2014 MDX are not true off-road or all wheel drive vehicles. The MDX all wheel drive like many of its competitors run in 2 wheel drive but can transfer power back and forth when slippage is sensed by the traction control system.

Audi recommends that the tires remain within 4/32nds of one another in tread depth, while Subaru recommends 2/32nds. But if your tires are outside that range there’s still another option. Tire truing or shaving. While it’s primarily used in racing, the same technique can be applied to a new tire to get it within specification of the worn tires for about $25 – $35 per tire.

I talked to some of the experts at BMW and they answered my questions as follows:

1. BMW all-wheel-drive X Drive models have a 40 / 60 split?

BMW answered stating that the xDrive sends 38% of the torque to the front axle and 62% to the rear axle under normal driving conditions. The system can redirect up to 100% of the torque to any axle when low traction, understeering or oversteering conditions are detected. The system is fast enough to react and intervene in the middle of a corner when the vehicle starts to understeer or oversteer.

2.      100% POWER/TORQUE CAN AUTOMATICALLY GO TO WHEEL THAT NEEDS IT?

·         100% of the torque can go to the front axle when there is no traction available in the rear axle (i.e. both rear tires are over ice or mud) and 100% of the torque can go to the rear axle under extreme understeering, or during parking maneuvers at very low speeds. BMW’s DSC traction and stability control system can then intervene and brake a slipping wheel on one axle to redirect torque to the tire which has traction. The vehicle will have traction even if only one wheel is over a surface which provides at least some degree of friction.

3. DO ALL X MODELS HAVE SAME DRIVE SYSTEM

·         No, we have used different suppliers for drivetrain components during xDrive’s history as a BMW technology. BMW’s first all wheel drive vehicles had an x added to their model names (for example the 325ix), xDrive became available when the first generation BMW X3 was launched and was the first BMW intelligent all-wheel drive system, capable of varying the torque split between the axles. Our previous all-wheel drive vehicles had a fixed torque split between the axles.

4.RUN FLATS ON ALL X DRIVE MODELS?

·   No, the previous generation of the X3, and the first generation of the X5 (which started to offer xDrive from MY2004 onwards) used conventional tires.

5. IF ONE TIRE IS DESTROYED DOES THIS REQUIRE ON X MODELS TO REPLACE ALL TIRES.

·         As on all ABS and traction/stability control equipped vehicles, correct tire circumference is critical to the operation of all functions based on the measurement of the  wheels speed. The system allows minor deviations in tire circumference but significant tire thread depth differences will cause error codes. Correct tire inflation according to the vehicle’s load is also important. This is equally valid for conventional and run flat tires.

 Bruce Hubbard

Auto Advisor Group

 The All-Wheel -Drive system worked well with standard tires. I would have loved to test the BMW with Snow Tires. Major difference on any vehicle in deep snow, ice.

 As expected the interior of the BMW 328IX is nothing but superb. From excellent leather seats to heated seats and heated steering wheel we loved the model.

Interior space is amazing compared to the other generations of the 3 Series. Plenty of space inside the front or rear seat.

The engine compartment of the 328 I X all- Wheel-Drive model shows the gas powered engine here. The addition of the d or Diesel Model has made a lot of press and I would prefer it over the gasoline models.