new member-G37 sedan rear wheel vs. x

[Pipedor]

Hey all,

Thinking about getting a 2009 G37 sedan, rear wheel auto sport in April or May. I'm just not sold on why I need all wheel drive. Some of my friends have rear wheel drive BMWs, and get aound just fine. I think the G37 sedan gets better performance with the rear wheel drive auto sport, but then again I'm far from an expert. Just seeing what everyone's opinion is. Oh, I live 2 hours South of Chicago. Thanks.

[Poyzinous]

Well, my sister lives in Chicago, and she has a FWD only Murano, she didn't get an AWD Because she says up there the city keeps the roads clean all the time so she didn't really need it. I live in Northern VA and here it sucks. The roads are never clear when it snows, and thats why I got my G AWD. But keep in mind that as far as traction goes, 50% is all in your tires. If you dont have the right tires, AWD doesn't mean much. 25% of traction depends on your differential. If you have a LSD, front or rear drive only will do fine. If you have open diffs, you'll have difficulty always. The last 25% depends on 2wd or 4wd. AWD doesn't do as much as you think it does. My last car was a G20t. It had a limited slip, and all season tires. Never had issues driving in the snow. My car before that was an Altima. Open diff. It was hell in the snow. My neighbor has a jeep thats 4wd and open diffs in the front and rear. He's gotten stuck in snow. So the biggest thing as far as your available traction, Tires are most important, then the torque delivery, then how many axles can provide the torque are about as equally important.

[Pipedor]

Thanks for your reply Poyzinous. As far as performance in clear weather, is there any difference between the two? About all I know is that the AWD weighs more, and that this may effect perfomance.

[Poyzinous]

The AWD G has 140lbs+/- more weight to it. In dry weather, AWD shows an advantage in cornering to prevent oversteer, but as far as acceleration, the awd will launch faster, but beyond 20mph the weight disadvantage will begin to show. A RWD only will accelerate faster and with less delay in any gear but 1st. Normal driving is nearly indistinguishable because the AWD runs in RWD at all times. It only goes into 4wd when traction is needed at other wheels due to slip. Nissan's Attesa ETS is the best and most advanced AWD system for total driving. Front wheels are for traction, and only use 50% of torque at max for power delivery when it is needed. If you worry about fuel, know that on average the AWD will use up 4-11% more fuel overall, depending how you drive.

[tollboothwilley]

I think it was MotorTrend that did a comparison. They found the X to be faster in all conditions during their test, even in the straight line 0-60. This wasn't on the g37, it was on the G35. I can't imagine them being too different.

[SVTCOBRA]

Personally, I regret not getting an X because my daughter is in college in the mountains where they do get snow. We get a dusting from time to time here. If I lived in an area that got more snow, I would have an X for better mobility. Have owned numerous 4x4's in the past and know the benefits. There is a difference between just getting there and getting there with ease.

[Poyzinous]

I found an average of 5.3sec 0-60 for the RWD and an average of 5.6sec 0-60 for the AWD14.0 @ 101 and 14.2 @ 99

Either way, drive the two back to back, you'll find the awd launches better but the rwd is faster overall. I've driven them both very frequently here at the dealer. The total difference is negligible.

[Pipedor]

wow. great answers. Thanks. Last question: Can you get an automatic 2009 G37 sedan with the sports package? I thought I saw somewhere that you could only get the sports package with the RWD. Thanks.

[Poyzinous]

The Sport package IS available for the AWD version. You get the 18" wheels and other goodies. That is actually my choice if I had the money for a new G. I would get a G35xS. Pure Awesome.

[pfarmer]

wow. great answers. Thanks. Last question: Can you get an automatic 2009 G37 sedan with the sports package? I thought I saw somewhere that you could only get the sports package with the RWD. Thanks.

I have an 08 XS with technology, which makes it a little more rare. However the local dealer shows exactly the same options I have but in an 09. I think there may be a difference in the sport package with the 09 in the area of brakes for the xs sedan.

One thing to check out is the seats. I personally like my sport seats but some do not. If you are after the paddle shifters for example, then those, at least for the 08 are available separately for about $150 as an add on item.

Perry

[Pipedor]

thanks...

[zozoka1212]

Get an X. You can't go wrong with it.

But I am biased. LOL

[pfarmer]

thanks...

Just in case there may be confusion about the brakes. My understanding is the sport brakes or at least an upgraded set of brakes come with the X sport package for the 09, whereas with the XS 08 that was not the case although in my opinion the brakes are still very good with the 08.

So for me the main difference between the two years is the brakes, self healing paint, the 3.7 engine, and the 7 speed auto.

Perry