Xi to RWD options. My experience

carguy138 · 07-30-2016, 11:00 AM

I've read numerous posts and threads about people wanting to convert their XIs to RWD without having to gut/swap drive trains. I've tried several options and have settled on the best option.

Option 1: pulling fuses to turn off to force the car into RWD. While this works, the car does NOT like it, multiple gauges do not work and it turns off the JB4. Bad option.

Option 2: pulling front drive shaft. Takes about 30 minutes to remove the 8 bolts and pull the drive shaft. No warning lights or funny issues UNLESS you spin the tires. With the traction control fully off, after a few seconds of tires spinning the TC will abruptly cut power and trigger an AWD malfunction screen on the idrive. JB4 still works fine and the auto clear will turn off the code.

Option 3: pulling the front drive shaft and code the car in this manner http://www.onelapx1.com/blog I did NOT code the Ediff out.

Car will do burnouts all day long, no codes, no funky behavior, etc. I drove the car for several months this way with no issues. The only downside is that since the car has an open rear differential, in corners it will spin the inside rear tire. I finally put the driveshaft back in because the car accelerates much harder. With a mechanical LSD in the rear, this would be an awesome setup.

There you go, option 3 for those who want an easy way to play around with RWD in their XI.

Immoralus · 07-30-2016, 11:39 PM

Awesome man. Seems as if this is simple for making your vehicle more however converting to rwd will not make this any quicker right?

floydarogers · 07-31-2016, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immoralus

Awesome man. Seems as if this is simple for making your vehicle more however converting to rwd will not make this any quicker right?

Converting to RWD makes it slower 0-60 mph (alluded to by the OP). This is because the rear wheels will spin: spinning wheels aren't contributing to acceleration.

VTECaddict · 08-01-2016, 12:11 AM

I don't really see the point in doing this, unless you are trying to build a track/drift car. In which case it would make more sense to start with a RWD car in the first place.

The major downsides of AWD are increased weight over the front, reduced handling (due to weight), and reduced fuel economy. Otherwise the increased traction during acceleration (especially from a stop) is the main benefit, either in adverse weather or with very high power output.

So by "converting" the xDrive to "RWD" by removing driveshafts or pulling the transfer case fuse, you basically remove all the advantage of AWD whilst still keeping all the disadvantages...

Misty · 08-02-2016, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

I don't really see the point in doing this, unless you are trying to build a track/drift car. In which case it would make more sense to start with a RWD car in the first place.

The major downsides of AWD are increased weight over the front, reduced handling (due to weight), and reduced fuel economy. Otherwise the increased traction during acceleration (especially from a stop) is the main benefit, either in adverse weather or with very high power output.

So by "converting" the xDrive to "RWD" by removing driveshafts or pulling the transfer case fuse, you basically remove all the advantage of AWD whilst still keeping all the disadvantages...

pretty much i learned this in my other thread

stephen335xi · 10-17-2016, 01:18 PM

Bump, anyone else try option 3

spicytuna · 10-22-2016, 05:57 AM

Why would you want to go from awd to rwd?

stephen335xi · 10-22-2016, 11:34 AM

Lose weight, power limitations, problems with front drivetrain.

philtr · 01-29-2017, 05:05 AM

First post here bringing this thread back. I just picked up an 07 335xi and have a question: is the dynamic performance control (FDB) present on the 07 and 08 xi's? The link in the first post for the coding article sounds like maybe this is only on the later xdrive badged models. I would be excited to lock in the 20/80 torque split with this option if possible.

Thanks!
Phil

gqbriel · 02-08-2017, 03:11 AM

A question - what is the situation with N52's xdrive..does it need coding at all,or just remove the front driveshaft?

calswan7145 · 02-09-2017, 11:33 AM

Pulling a driveshaft to make the car rwd seems kinda excessive but for a long term solution it makes sense. Yes the 0-60 will be slower as awd cars are faster off the line anyways. But converting to 2wd for long periods of time would probably increase your mpg a lot. Personally If I want to spin the tires the fuses are the quickest option but I like the car in awd anyways.

07-30-2016, 11:00 AM	#1
carguy138 Second Lieutenant 145 Rep 296 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Xi to RWD options. My experience I've read numerous posts and threads about people wanting to convert their XIs to RWD without having to gut/swap drive trains. I've tried several options and have settled on the best option. Option 1: pulling fuses to turn off to force the car into RWD. While this works, the car does NOT like it, multiple gauges do not work and it turns off the JB4. Bad option. Option 2: pulling front drive shaft. Takes about 30 minutes to remove the 8 bolts and pull the drive shaft. No warning lights or funny issues UNLESS you spin the tires. With the traction control fully off, after a few seconds of tires spinning the TC will abruptly cut power and trigger an AWD malfunction screen on the idrive. JB4 still works fine and the auto clear will turn off the code. Option 3: pulling the front drive shaft and code the car in this manner http://www.onelapx1.com/blog I did NOT code the Ediff out. Car will do burnouts all day long, no codes, no funky behavior, etc. I drove the car for several months this way with no issues. The only downside is that since the car has an open rear differential, in corners it will spin the inside rear tire. I finally put the driveshaft back in because the car accelerates much harder. With a mechanical LSD in the rear, this would be an awesome setup. There you go, option 3 for those who want an easy way to play around with RWD in their XI.
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07-30-2016, 11:39 PM	#2
Immoralus New Member 3 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Laurel, maryland iTrader: (0)	Awesome man. Seems as if this is simple for making your vehicle more however converting to rwd will not make this any quicker right?
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08-01-2016, 12:11 AM	#4
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 488 Rep 6,068 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	I don't really see the point in doing this, unless you are trying to build a track/drift car. In which case it would make more sense to start with a RWD car in the first place. The major downsides of AWD are increased weight over the front, reduced handling (due to weight), and reduced fuel economy. Otherwise the increased traction during acceleration (especially from a stop) is the main benefit, either in adverse weather or with very high power output. So by "converting" the xDrive to "RWD" by removing driveshafts or pulling the transfer case fuse, you basically remove all the advantage of AWD whilst still keeping all the disadvantages... __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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10-17-2016, 01:18 PM	#6
stephen335xi Private 18 Rep 73 Posts Drives: bmw e90 335xi pre lci Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South jersey iTrader: (0)	Bump, anyone else try option 3
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10-22-2016, 05:57 AM	#7
spicytuna Simple...Yellow...Differe nt 52 Rep 254 Posts Drives: 2012 328xi Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2012 BMW 328xi [10.00]	Why would you want to go from awd to rwd? __________________
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10-22-2016, 11:34 AM	#8
stephen335xi Private 18 Rep 73 Posts Drives: bmw e90 335xi pre lci Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South jersey iTrader: (0)	Lose weight, power limitations, problems with front drivetrain.
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01-29-2017, 05:05 AM	#9
philtr Private 10 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2007 335xi 6mt Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	First post here bringing this thread back. I just picked up an 07 335xi and have a question: is the dynamic performance control (FDB) present on the 07 and 08 xi's? The link in the first post for the coding article sounds like maybe this is only on the later xdrive badged models. I would be excited to lock in the 20/80 torque split with this option if possible. Thanks! Phil
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02-08-2017, 03:11 AM	#10
gqbriel Lieutenant 342 Rep 451 Posts Drives: X1 U11 30e Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bulgaria iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 X1 U11 [9.75] 2006 325xi previous ... [0.00]	A question - what is the situation with N52's xdrive..does it need coding at all,or just remove the front driveshaft?
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02-09-2017, 11:33 AM	#11
calswan7145 Private 19 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2011 535xi, 2009 328xi Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Toledo, Ohio iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 Bmw 535xi [0.00] 2009 Bmw 328I Xdrive [0.00]	xdrive to RWD Pulling a driveshaft to make the car rwd seems kinda excessive but for a long term solution it makes sense. Yes the 0-60 will be slower as awd cars are faster off the line anyways. But converting to 2wd for long periods of time would probably increase your mpg a lot. Personally If I want to spin the tires the fuses are the quickest option but I like the car in awd anyways.
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