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The latest G80 BMW M3 Competition comes in rear-wheel-drive or xDrive all-wheel-drive. And the discussion about which is the better version will continue for quite some time. Many enthusiasts are wary of the introduction of all-wheel-drive in the M3, fearing it would taint the M3’s purity. Meanwhile, there are others who enjoy its superior grip and performance. So, making a decision on which is best makes it difficult. With that, Joe Achilles released a new video showing both vehicles in action. Let’s find out which is the real winner.
An interesting fact about this video: Achilles is the one behind the wheel of the BMW M3 Competition being tested. He ordered it before the M3 went on sale and got it right away. He’s also driven a lot of miles in a short period of time, so he’s well-versed in the area. Can xDrive all-wheel-drive persuade him to change his tune?
Under the hood, both cars are nearly similar. They employ the same 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine with 503 hp and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque. Moreover, the only gearbox offered for both automobiles is an eight-speed automatic. As mentioned, they are two different variants: an xDrive all-wheel drive and a rear-wheel drive. Their only difference? The xDrive M3 starts in first gear, whereas the rear-wheel-drive variant launches in second.
Following his long-term experience with the normal rear-drive M3 Competition, Achilles questioned the need for an xDrive variant. The basic model already has a ton of traction. But one advantage of the xDrive is that it gets traction where the rear-drive doesn’t. This allows the xDrive M3 to be faster in most situations. Even yet, it never feels worse, and it retains the same steering feel and balance as before. The only question is, which variant did Achilles choose? Find out in the video above.
