[Sam335ix]

Originally Posted by ndog14

BMW motto, over engineered and under designed. xDrive was not at the forefront of BMW's minds when they put it on their cars. They kind of throw it on. OP does not need AWD so why get it? RWD is better for these cars. Also, as OP said the awd adds about 200lbs, but where? These cars have good weight balance but how does the awd affect it?

I don't agree at all... I live my x drive and it's comparable to my s4 in awd department. The only thing that sucks is the suspension and I am upgrading mine in a few months!

[Beemw335]

Op, I live in ontario Canada, theres horrible snow storms and I get around just fine in my 335i, all you need is proper winter tires.
My friend has an xi, is better in the snow? Obviously, but he regrets grtting xi
His suspension sucks even with sports pack, my cat blows his away in a race and the xi when modded isnt very strong, transfer cases break if you go fbo.

[DXL007]

It's a lot to think about. One of the main reasons I wanted a 335xi was due to the fact that I loved my turbo AWD Evo so much. But I decided to get a BMW instead of another Evo because I wanted a nicer car.

The confidence I got from the AWD was amazing. I understand the added weight and possible extra maintenance that I may have to deal with, but in the end it could be worth it.

I also understand in FL I will not need AWD per say but it's a want.... LOL

[jermuk]

Used 2007 BMW 335i Coupe

title Used 2006 BMW 325i Sedan
color White
Price $17,995
Body Style Sedan
Exterior Color White
Interior Color Tan
Engine 6 Cylinder Gasoline
Transmission Automatic
Drive Type 2 wheel drive – rear
Fuel Type Gasoline
Doors Four Door
zip 07001

More details: http://vehiclesbmw.com/

[M3Duo]

As most have said, only get xi in cold climes..you should be fine with RWD

[Apogee]

Originally Posted by DXL007

Well the 335XI that I am looking at has the sport packang...

I see you have the 335XI and an Evo... How does the AWD system compair? Would you have gotten the 335xi or the 335i if you had it to do all over again?

The AWD on the Evo is much better, it's tighter on the turns and does not bounce around, also the power is distributed much better on an evo. the aerodynamics on the Evo make the car handle better at high speeds. If I had to do it all over again though I will still go with the 335xi.....I drove my 335 from taxes to Oklahoma and on the way it started down pouring, I was really surprised on how well the 335 handle in rainy conditions. The car has incredible potential with a few minor upgrades.

[jafza412]

Originally Posted by psmitty95

I agree with you 100%. BMW has a great AWD system that is not only good in their suv's:

: Anyone ever consider a snow plow mod???

[leo_du_garde]

I recommend you test drive both. The feels is very different. And it depends on your driving style. I personally like the feel of the "rear wheel drive only" much better. It's sportier and you feel the power more. In the winter I put on winter tires and hit the mountains for skiing on a regular basis. I'd put up my 335 with winter tires against my X5 w/ 4WD and all season tires in the snow anyday.

[anerbe]

Originally Posted by leo_du_garde

I recommend you test drive both. The feels is very different. And it depends on your driving style. I personally like the feel of the "rear wheel drive only" much better. It's sportier and you feel the power more. In the winter I put on winter tires and hit the mountains for skiing on a regular basis. I'd put up my 335 with winter tires against my X5 w/ 4WD and all season tires in the snow anyday.

I agree with you 90%. In all conditions except starting from standstill with any incline. You can't beat AWD in this scenario.

[ceb]

Originally Posted by arctic330i

More weight = "slower"

Engine has to move more weight, granted it's not 500lbs but...

More traction = "faster"

This is a ridiculous discussion. If you need awd then get the xi. Otherwise get the i.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by ceb

More traction = "faster"

This is a ridiculous discussion. If you need awd then get the xi. Otherwise get the i.

+1. Technically, the XI has better 0-60 times due to different gearing.

I love the xi, allows you to go through the corners faster, but the car does feel heavier on the track vs the i.

[hubble bubble]

I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and I drive a 2008 335i. I drive about 50 miles to ski in the Rocky Mountains every weekend.

Before I bought my 335i, I drove a 335i and a 335xi back-to-back on the same 15-20 minute loop. As other posters have said, the 335xi with sport package does NOT have the sport suspension that the 335i gest with the sport package. As a result, the 335i does not handle as well as the 335i. There us much more understeer, pushing through corners.

I didn't drive a "non-sport" 335i, but I expect it would be comparable to the 335xi, with or without sport package.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by DXL007

I come from AWD cars like Evo's and such and driving them in SCCA and really enjoyed having AWD.

I am used to driving AWD cars.

So I just don't want to buy a 2 WD car and wished I'd gotten the AWD.

Evo has performance AWD system, Xdrive is not for performance. on top of it its heavier and doesn't come with sport suspension. The good thing is that its RWD biased with 40/60 split

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Evo has performance AWD system, Xdrive is not for performance. on top of it its heavier and doesn't come with sport suspension

+1


Why do you think BMW never made a 335is xDrive?

[spool twice]

if you've ever experienced Florida's almost daily extreme freak of nature rainstorms during spring-summer-and fall AWD DOES come in handy. AWD is not just for snow... After experiencing south dakota winters in my S4 and having it when I moved down here to Sarasota, I can respect the added luxury of AWD.

for me, the lower weight and higher mpg is what sold me on the "i"

[DXL007]

Originally Posted by spool twice

if you've ever experienced Florida's almost daily extreme freak of nature rainstorms during spring-summer-and fall AWD DOES come in handy. AWD is not just for snow... After experiencing south dakota winters in my S4 and having it when I moved down here to Sarasota, I can respect the added luxury of AWD.

for me, the lower weight and higher mpg is what sold me on the "i"

Well said but with a few performace mods it will be fast enough.

I sent some time looking at 1/4 track times and mods of both the i and xi and seem like it takes less to make an xi faster.

I would rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. You never know what the future holds.

I've made up my mind..... the XI it is....Thanks for the imput every one!

[Lezam]

I was told dealers in Florida don't even sell all wheel drives in the 3 series?

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by Lezam

I was told dealers in Florida don't even sell all wheel drives in the 3 series?

Why the hell would they?

[Lezam]

Originally Posted by ndog14

Why the hell would they?

Exactly...

[Professor///M]

New Rule: Let others buy whatever they want.

If I lived in florida, I would never buy an AWD car. There's no reason. Since I don't, I have an AWD car.

All these bullshit discussions about i versus xi. The bottom line is that between the 2 models when put head to head the driver will make all the difference in the world. Nobody's a superstar driving a 335 here. You want a performance car? Buy a porsche or an M3.

[amclint]

Originally Posted by Wires

+1. Technically, the XI has better 0-60 times due to different gearing.

I love the xi, allows you to go through the corners faster, but the car does feel heavier on the track vs the i.

Not quite, XI vs I have the same gearing the difference is Automatic trans vs Manual trans. XI is faster initially because it has traction, then it's slower after the shift to 3rd because it's taller, has more weight and has more drivetrain loss

http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/GearRatios.htm

Auto = 3.46 final drive
Manual = 3.08 final drive but shorter trans ratios

There are 335i's that are nearly as fast to 60 and 80mph, at least when they start in 2nd gear with drag radials. However that's kind of a iffy comparison as those cars all clearly have a great deal more power (hotrod182 and LostMarine come to mind). Beef up the drivetrain on an XI and give it 500whp, drag radials won't help any 335i come close until well after 100mph

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by ndog14

Why do you think BMW never made a 335is xDrive?

The new M5, which I would argue to be a performance car, will be available in xDrive. Just sayin'