As soon as upon a time, BMW solely made rear-wheel drive autos. Whereas these days are far behind us, you may nonetheless discover many – most, even – BMW fashions accessible in a rear-wheel drive configuration. In a world more and more reliant on all-wheel drive to compensate for ballooning automobile weights and horsepower figures, many drivers nonetheless favor rear-wheel drive for its diminished complexity and extra dynamic really feel. Right here’s each rear-wheel drive BMW nonetheless in manufacturing in 2024.
BMW 2 Sequence Coupe and M2
To keep away from worldwide rioting, BMW nonetheless has to supply its entry-level efficiency mannequin – the M2 – and smallest, most sporty coupe mannequin with rear-wheel drive. Each the four-cylinder 230i and six-cylinder M240i are available RWD configurations within the US. Each are enjoyable to drive, and the 230i is surprisingly sprightly due to its (comparatively) low curb weight and perky 255-horsepower engine. The M2, in fact, can be accessible with a handbook, which makes it a transparent fanatic selection. For our European buddies, BMW affords a rear-wheel drive variant for the 218i, 220i and 220d.
BMW 3 Sequence Sedan and M3
You don’t mess with custom, and BMW nonetheless affords its bread-and-butter 3 Sequence sedan in rear-wheel drive because it did when the mannequin debuted 50 years in the past. All US-market variants of the three Sequence sedan are nonetheless accessible in rear-wheel drive structure, together with the PHEV 330e and performance-oriented M340i. Should you stay in Europe, you may get the 318i and 320i with a rear-wheel drive structure as properly. The M3 can be nonetheless accessible with rear-wheel drive and even a handbook transmission.
BMW 4 Sequence Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe / M4 Coupe
Because the 4 Sequence is basically a 3 Sequence with two doorways chopped off and a vertically-flipped grille, it, too, nonetheless comes with rear-wheel drive if you need it. All three variants, together with the four-door Gran Coupe, might be ordered in rear-wheel drive configuration. The identical goes for the M4, though convertible fashions are all xDrive. Once more, if you happen to stay in Europe, you have got a bit extra choices, just like the 420i and 420d coupe, cabrio and gran coupe.
BMW 5 Sequence Sedan
The US market solely sees the lowest-level 5 Sequence in RWD guise, the 530i. It’s powered by a well-recognized 2.0-liter four-cylinder that develops 255 horsepower, and in truth, it gained’t be probably the most thrilling drive because of the G60 5 Sequence’ excessive curb weight—virtually 400 kilos heavier than the 330i. The BMW 550e is obtainable in Europe in a RWD variant as properly.
BMW 7 Sequence Sedan
The one 7 Sequence with rear-wheel drive within the US is the entry-level 740i. But it surely’s removed from a penalty field. It nonetheless affords a 375-horsepower inline-six and might speed up from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. It’s additionally $3,000 cheaper than the xDrive sedan, which can supply barely faster acceleration.
BMW 8 Sequence Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe
Like its fellow flagship, the 7 Sequence, the 8 Sequence is out there with rear-wheel drive solely when choosing the usual automotive. What a disgrace, since a V8 powering simply the 2 rear wheels might’ve been fairly a little bit of enjoyable. Though, that’s technically doable with M xDrive within the M8. Both method, the six-powered 840i ideas the scales at just below 4,000 kilos, so it’s extra of an RWD GT than a drift missile.
BMW X5
The one BMW SUV nonetheless accessible with rear-wheel drive within the US is the X5 sDrive40i. It will get a turbocharged B58 inline-six underneath the hood with 375 horsepower. The $2,300 distinction in base MSRP between the rear- and all-wheel drive variations is a pleasant method to avoid wasting cash if you happen to genuinely don’t want xDrive.
BMW Z4
The Z4 solely is available in rear-wheel drive, which is sensible for a roadster presumably designed with enjoyable as its prime directive. Each four- and six-cylinder variants supply a driving expertise on par with their spicy seems to be, however the manual-equipped “Handschalter” Z4 M40i is much and away probably the most exhilarating. Germany additionally will get a an entry-level BMW Z4 sDrive20i.
BMW i4
Electrical and rear-wheel drive are in all probability nearer to pizza and ice cream than cookies and milk, however the i4 comes with rear-driven wheels in eDrive35 and eDrive40 fashions. The most affordable i4 you should buy – the eDrive35 – represents a $10K price financial savings in comparison with the least-expensive xDrive mannequin. The financial savings make an general good automotive an excellent better worth, and though the torquey motor is down on energy in comparison with xDrive vehicles, immediate torque and practically 300 horsepower (or 335 within the i4 eDrive40) remains to be greater than sufficient to have enjoyable with.
BMW i5
US market i5s include one rear-wheel drive mannequin: the i5 eDrive40. Just like the i4 eDrive40, it has a single motor that makes 335 horsepower. Though the marginally increased curb weight hinders its agility, there’s nonetheless loads of enjoyable available. Let’s add to the record the European BMW i5 eDrive40 Touring.
BMW i7
Even the electrical 7 Sequence nonetheless has an RWD configuration. Entry-level autos (if you happen to can name a $105,000 automobile entry-level) include 449 horsepower, which is loads to get the girthy luxurious sedan shifting rapidly. Whereas we’ll by no means name the limousine tossable, RWD goes a protracted technique to making the considerably sterile driving expertise slightly extra satisfying.
BMW iX3 (G08)
The primary-ever electrical BMW X3 (G08) was by no means bought in America and the rear-wheel drive configuration may need had one thing to do with it. However regardless of just a few shortcomings, the BMW iX3 was a good electrical crossover which discovered a house in lots of European garages.
