Hi F60 owners! I'm shopping hard for an F60 as my 2016 ALL4-S lease is coming to an end soon.
I have my eyes set on the car I want- I think. My only concern is that it is FWD vs ALL4. I have had two Countryman (2013 and a 2016) and they were both All4. I lived in CO primarily while owning both of them. I have now relocated to Florida so the perception of AWD is a bit different clearly.
I could use some opinions from the group. Will I feel a noticeable difference in handling or the overall grip level of the car with FWD vs. ALL4? I love to drive and drive fairly hard. I rip around pretty good, and avoid speeding tickets as much as possible. I love the feel of my current Countryman ALL4 so I'm leary of getting a new one with FWD if I am going to feel a negative effect in handling. Appreciate any feedback. THANKS!

 

Tough call. How long will you be in Florida? Any chance of moving back to somewhere it snows?

I lived in Florida for 4 years with my All4 R60 and there is definitely no need for AWD, though I still would be hesitant to buy a FWD Countryman. I had planned to get back into the smallest MINI in a few years when I decide to sell my Countryman, but I like AWD so much that I may get a Clubman instead. I like the lack of drama when driving it--no wheel spin, no torque steer, it just pulls hard through corners.

 

I wish I had All4 in my F56. Lots of rear wheel spinning and traction loss. Really depends on driving style, which you state is fairly hard. I'd surely go All4, also you never know when the Polar Vortex heads south.

 

Why are you considering a FWD? Price?
If you can get AWD just go that route just in case you move again?
FWIT I doubt there would be any noticeable performance improvements with an AWD vs FWD in dry conditions in normal daily driving situations. The AWD version is essentially a FWD car 95% of the time. I'm sure mine only becomes AWD in the snow.

 

We have an All4 and wonder how it works; is it a full-time system?

 

You only save $500 getting the FWD S over the All4 S, you don't even save any money when you step up to the Signature Package even though it adds the automatic transmission to the All4 that the FWD version has standard. Seems like it's $500 well spent, especially if you're trading in every 3 years anyway.

 

The R60 starts 50/50 front/rear, then gradually sends more power to the front wheels, but it sounds like the F60 may work differently.

Here's an article that talks about the F60:
https://www.bmwblog.com/2016/11/02/v...tem-explained/

This one is about the R60:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2011/12/...tem-clarified/

 

The UKL platform All4 and xDrive vehicles use a modified 5th gen Haldex system, check out the X1's powertrain training document: https://f48.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1177240

It's too bad no one sells Haldex controllers for it, I'd guess you call it an LMV instead though.

 

Yeah All4 is good, no strange noises, and the tires are wear perfectly.
If they did make a rear wheel drive only model, I would have to try it.

I had a big infiniti QX56, rear wheel drive model. It was awesome. No extra drive-train weight transfer cases, front drive shafts, front axle. It drove so much better than a 4wd version.
3:73 posi trac rear,, aluminum diff cover with drain plug from factory, with aluminum drive shaft for weigh reduction. 400 hp, 420 ft lbs of torque, V8 and 8 speeds, it would set you in your seat ! It allowed manual shift also.
Insurance was crazy ! It would run, good god it would run. But it was the first year of teh newer model 2011, and Nissan put small oiler nozzles for the timing chain. Dipsticks. I kept that thing changed frequently 3500-4000 miles each time with Mobile one.
Never had a issue but the message board was full of them. Sold it after 6 years, 35k miles. was always worried about the grenade in the motor from year 3 on.

I always like the rear wheel drive models. I have a IS-350 RWD, Its good to. So if Mini comes out with a rear wheel drive model,I'd like to try it.
best