new order: BMW X5 xdrive or sdrive?

[chiplee]

The front wheels almost never receive drive from the engine on an X5. It's an as needed type if system and it's almost never needed, hence the identical fuel economy between S and X. So we went with sDrive to free up cash for more options. All of the considerations people are posting about really only happen at the edge of the performance envelope and most of us don't spend much if any time there in a grocery getter.

[Trillian6]

I'm getting ready to purchase a pre-owned certified X5, looking at 2019 or newer with low miles. In considering the X versus S drives, are there any considerable differences with TCO? Does either get better gas mileage? Less maintenance costs? Insurance?

As I'm seeing, the Xdrive X5s run at least 2K higher in the used market, so definitely appear to be adding to resale value.

Thanks in advance for any info!

[Trillian6]

Thanks for the speedy response!

I do drive up to the mountains for skiing, and to the beaches for diving. Most are paved roads these days, but snow could be a concern. Also as you probably know, when it occasionally drizzles here in California you can be hydroplaning easily since the roads are so slick due to the lack of Real rain out here. Other than that and the road trips a few times a year, I really am more of a local driver. I want the SUV more for room for my dogs, and capacity for moving larger items when needed.

[suitedcboy]

BMW did sDrive because There are lots of Tahoes, Expeditions, Yukons, Explorers, RX350s, and other SUVs sold in the sunbelt with single axle drive and the $2000-$3000 lower price. Lots of AWD and 4WD vehicles never get the AWD system engaged or activated. I'm in TX and it is similar across all the lower states that when it snows or ices the vehicles stay in garage. Don't feel any guilt if you like and want an X5 but see no need for all those parts you won't utilize.

[Cranswick852]

"BMW did sDrive because There are lots of Tahoes, Expeditions, Yukons, Explorers, RX350s, and other SUVs". Really? I don't recall seeing any of those (other than Lexus's RX350) in UK where S-Drive is available (albeit rare). Jaguar and RR models are AWD, cheaper models from Kia, Hyundai etc are single axles drive but I don't believe BMW view them as direct competition. I suspect BMW are simply providing customers a choice but I don't know; I don't work for BMW.

Absolutely agree with you 100% that it is the OP's choice, informed by 3 factors: need for the additional traction; cost; and reliability. Need for traction is dictated by driving conditions, either snow, ice or gravel, or the fact he drives like a loon. All would benefit from additional traction provided by X-Drive. OP is aware of cost differences at purchase, but I'd add the cost of tyres; X-Drive transfer cases are intolerant of different wheel circumferences between front and rear axles, so many owners change all 4 tyres at the same time. That leaves reliability - it's something else that could go wrong but I haven't seen anything to say that it's a common fault in the F15 so I didn't worry to much about this when picking my pre-owned F15. Having said that, there isn't much choice in the UK, the overwhelming majority of F15s here are M-Sport and X-Drive. They're also predominantly 30d (badged 35d in US). Fortunately the car I found with the options I wanted also happened to be a 40d. Bonus.

Enjoy whatever you settle on.

[suitedcboy]

Here are snips of a Cargurus.com car search site. I am in the Dallas Texas area. The King Ranch And Limited are the top level models for those year model Expecdition. There were a few more RX AWD scattered on that list but they didn't come close to totalling to the 67 FWD for sale. The southern US is not as crazy about AWD since it snows or ices very little and if it does everyone stays home.

[F15_SGM]

Originally Posted by chiplee

The front wheels almost never receive drive from the engine on an X5. It's an as needed type if system and it's almost never needed, hence the identical fuel economy between S and X. So we went with sDrive to free up cash for more options. All of the considerations people are posting about really only happen at the edge of the performance envelope and most of us don't spend much if any time there in a grocery getter.

Based off my previous purchase the first thing I noticed is most first time bmw owners get rwd for cash saving purposes but when the weather starts raining or even a little snow handling is horrible aswell as the resale value of the car will always be lower as compared to xdrive. I went with xdrive the second time owning bmw and it's a much better experience and resale is always at least better.

[RED_Y_]

Originally Posted by osmansiddiqui95

Based off my previous purchase the first thing I noticed is most first time bmw owners get rwd for cash saving purposes but when the weather starts raining or even a little snow handling is horrible aswell as the resale value of the car will always be lower as compared to xdrive. I went with xdrive the second time owning bmw and it's a much better experience and resale is always at least better.

Second this, lived in the snow for quite some time so X drive is a must and in any kind of bad weather it certainly adds confidence. For me not worth saving on this, I still go back to ski 6-10 times a year. If you never drive in snow and overall drive on the paved roads only with minimal rain S drive might be good for you. A good friend of mine loves his S drive X5 but he is in LA.