[Paco II]

Ok, forgive the click baitey subject. Here’s what I am trying to ask: ignoring the badge, are there any observable physical differences between an sdrive and an xdrive? Like, say my X1 didn’t have the xdrive badge. Is there any way to know it is an xdrive just by looking at some aspect of it?

[Feddersen]

There is only one way. Get on your knees and look for a drive train to the rear end.

[dianebrat]

The VIN plugged into any of the many web sites including the BMW owners site will show the build and options if you don't want to get dirty

[Paco II]

Thank you both. I believe that answers my question!

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by Paco II

Ok, forgive the click baitey subject. Here’s what I am trying to ask: ignoring the badge, are there any observable physical differences between an sdrive and an xdrive? Like, say my X1 didn’t have the xdrive badge. Is there any way to know it is an xdrive just by looking at some aspect of it?

If you look under rear of XDrive you should see rear transfer box/differential and a drive shaft going to each rear wheel. SDrive is front wheel drive only.

[Paco II]

Originally Posted by MJE60

If you look under rear of XDrive you should see rear transfer box/differential and a drive shaft going to each rear wheel. SDrive is front wheel drive only.

Thank you for this!!

[jfan]

the mpg !

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by jfan

the mpg !

Funny

The xDrive on F48 is part time so 99% of driving will be front wheel drive. I was averaging nearly 42mpg/6.726L per 100km (US 35mpg) out of my 2.0d xDrive so not as good as an sDrive but still not bad given I didn’t hold back when driving and had mainly short trips.

[Jorix]

Yep, in dry/good driving conditions the xdrive is almost always off. You can really feel it on wet/icy roads tho and it pushes the MPG up.

Also, the car is heavier with xDrive, so even if it is off, the MPG is still a bit higher.

[Ridin'Dirty]

Originally Posted by jfan

the mpg !

You forgot "torque steer". Mine does it on hard acceleration but it also "chirps" the tires.

[dianebrat]

Originally Posted by Paco II

Thank you both. I believe that answers my question!

Don't keep us in the dark, what was the answer?
and how do you not know what you bought?

[Paco II]

Originally Posted by dianebrat

Don't keep us in the dark, what was the answer?
and how do you not know what you bought?

Hah! I always knew what I purchased. And thankfully there are many ways to verify via VIN. But this thread answered my question that there are no easily viewable visible physical differences between the models.

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by Paco II

Hah! I always knew what I purchased. And thankfully there are many ways to verify via VIN. But this thread answered my question that there are no easily viewable visible physical differences between the models.

Well, here is an extract from your Recent post on 4th Feb.....

Brand new to an X1. Fully stocked xline xdrive. No special trim. No fog buttons at all. In some other thread someone mentioned fogs are entirely gone in 2021, at least in US models. Never used fogs much so no biggie for me that it's gone.

Only been a few weeks, but love it. Coming from a 2005 E46. Funny how they are very similar in size (as compared to a modern 3 series, which is waaay bigger than the 2005 was).

[Paco II]

Are you asking me a question? I always knew what I purchased. I was trying to find out if there are any visual differences between xdrive and sdrive.

Originally Posted by MJE60

Well, here is an extract from your Recent post on 4th Feb.....

Brand new to an X1. Fully stocked xline xdrive. No special trim. No fog buttons at all. In some other thread someone mentioned fogs are entirely gone in 2021, at least in US models. Never used fogs much so no biggie for me that it's gone.

Only been a few weeks, but love it. Coming from a 2005 E46. Funny how they are very similar in size (as compared to a modern 3 series, which is waaay bigger than the 2005 was).

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by Paco II

Are you asking me a question? I always knew what I purchased. I was trying to find out if there are any visual differences between xdrive and sdrive.

No, I was not asking a question but dianebrat did and you failed to answer whether you had an xDrive of sDrive. I just cut and pasted your post from another thread which gave the answer.

[Paco II]

Hah! 😊 I do indeed have an xdrive!

Originally Posted by MJE60

No, I was not asking a question but dianebrat did and you failed to answer whether you had an xDrive of sDrive. I just cut and pasted your post from another thread which gave the answer.

[Proper]

I use https://www.mdecoder.com/ to find out everything about the car. It will tell you all options.

[Paco II]

Originally Posted by Proper

I use https://www.mdecoder.com/ to find out everything about the car. It will tell you all options.

Neat! I will check that out.

But again, I know one can find out everything from the VIN. My question more about visual differences between xdrive and sdrive.

[Ridin'Dirty]

Originally Posted by Paco II

My question more about visual differences between xdrive and sdrive.

Will somebody please think about the hatch badges!?!

[Paco II]

Perhaps you missed where I said “ignoring the badge…”

Originally Posted by Ridin'Dirty

Will somebody please think about the hatch badges!?!

[BobbyGrant]

Originally Posted by Proper

I use https://www.mdecoder.com/ to find out everything about the car. It will tell you all options.

Just used this to check my car - got the equipment correct but said it was LHD - I can categorically state the steering wheel is definitely on the right!

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by BobbyGrant

Just used this to check my car - got the equipment correct but said it was LHD - I can categorically state the steering wheel is definitely on the right!

Lately Ive noticed that the mdecoder site has been giving odd and incorrect data.

I would suggest to double check and keep another VIN decoder site handy in case there are some inconsistencies: https://bimmer.work/

{do take note that the site often gets spammed with advertisers trying to sell VIN decoding info….AVOID their fields and only enter the VIN in the bimmer.work site’s VIN field and then answer the CAPTCHA question/puzzle correctly}. See example below of the advertising spam to avoid: