BMW offers the new M3 Competition in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. Thanks to its AWD, the xDrive model should be quicker, but in order to see if that’s indeed the case, CarWow decided to line-up both versions and pit them against each other.
Obviously, both models are powered by the same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six that delivers 503 hp and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
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During its tests, CarWow discovered that the M3 Competition xDrive doesn’t just get off the line much quicker than the rear-wheel drive but it is also much easier to launch and provides more consistent performance. By comparison, it is much more difficult to manage the traction in the rear-wheel drive model – which, again, is no surprise.
At the end of the best of three drag races, the M3 Competition xDrive did the quarter-mile in 11.3 seconds compared to the 11.6 seconds of the rear-wheel drive model. A couple of rolling drag races are then held between the duo with both set in their comfort modes.
The rear-wheel drive M3 Competition weighs roughly 50 kg (110 lbs) less than the xDrive model and in addition to that, it has less drivetrain losses. Consequently, it actually passes the xDrive variant in both races.
Now, which of the two would you prefer to own? We’d have a hard time choosing, but would probably opt for the xDrive not only because it is more usable in a wide array of conditions but it can actually be driven in rear-wheel drive only mode if you want to have some extra fun.