QUESTION: E90 328xi VS. 328i

///mmmKevin · 01-09-2011, 09:49 PM

Hey guys,

Yep... Already did a search on this but I could only find bits and pieces to my questions.

I'm going to be picking up a new lease soon and it's going to be a 3-series. The question is... 328xi or 328i?

I live in Calgary and we get a LOT of snow here so the winters are real bad and long.

I know X-drive only kicks in when you're in trouble in poor conditions but what if I were to get a 328i and throw winter tires on? Would that be sufficient? Keep in mind I'm a pretty cautious driver in the winter.

I read that the 328i is about a half a second quicker from 0-60 and the X-drive on the 328xi won't let you slide the tail out (in a parking lot if I want to have a bit of fun).

I'm basically asking is X-drive better than a 328i with winter tires on?

Thanks guys!

smallseafishie · 01-09-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///mmmKevin

Hey guys,

Yep... Already did a search on this but I could only find bits and pieces to my questions.

I'm going to be picking up a new lease soon and it's going to be a 3-series. The question is... 328xi or 328i?

I live in Calgary and we get a LOT of snow here so the winters are real bad and long.

I know X-drive only kicks in when you're in trouble in poor conditions but what if I were to get a 328i and throw winter tires on? Would that be sufficient? Keep in mind I'm a pretty cautious driver in the winter.

I read that the 328i is about a half a second quicker from 0-60 and the X-drive on the 328xi won't let you slide the tail out (in a parking lot if I want to have a bit of fun).

I'm basically asking is X-drive better than a 328i with winter tires on?

Thanks guys!

Alot of guys get by fine with RWD and snow tires. 328xi with snows would the best of all worlds for snow.

I'd personally get the xi and snows for your situation.

madeinhongkong · 01-09-2011, 09:59 PM

Lots of snow mean u need xi. I generally would say get an i. You should also get snow tires for the winter.

///mmmKevin · 01-09-2011, 10:03 PM

I've got a 4x4 Ford Explorer for winter driving and that thing ploughs through anything so moving from a big SUV to a car will be a little weird for me.

I've also driven my mom's front wheel drive minivan in the snow and FWD is actually pretty decent.

I know winter tires make a HUGE difference compared to all seasons but is the X-drive necessary? Will I be able to kick the back out a bit (in the summer) if I get the 328xi?

Sorry for all the questions lol...

username604 · 01-09-2011, 10:12 PM

kick the back out in summer? 230hp and xdrive. I'll let someone else answer that

no matter what you decide to go with, make sure you get winter tires. xdrive is no excuse for all seasons considering how bad the winters sound by your description.

blegare · 01-09-2011, 10:48 PM

I had a 328i with winter tires in the snow and it's ok most of the time. But, in bad weather, you have to be more careful. After 3 years with my 328i, i bought a 328 xDrive and i don't regret it. It is a bit slower, but i'm more confident in bad weather. I drove 7 hours in a snowstorm 2 weeks ago, and i was glad i had xDrive.

If you get in DTC mode, you can have a lot of fun with a xDrive in the snow.

In Calgary, i would get a xDrive.

1997gtx · 01-09-2011, 10:48 PM

You're not going to kick the back out of an AWD car with 230hp. If your concern is winter driving v "being able to kick the back out" drive the Explorer in the winter and get a 328i for spring/summer/fall. My 328xi with good all-season's is far better than a 328i with winter's.

///mmmKevin · 01-09-2011, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidkneiber

kick the back out in summer? 230hp and xdrive. I'll let someone else answer that

no matter what you decide to go with, make sure you get winter tires. xdrive is no excuse for all seasons considering how bad the winters sound by your description.

I meant to kick the back out in the summer in a 328i. I know the X-drive would never let that happen.

Only reason I ask is because my test drive isn't until Wednesday so I don't know what to expect lol.

///mmmKevin · 01-09-2011, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1997gtx

You're not going to kick the back out of an AWD car with 230hp. If your concern is winter driving v "being able to kick the back out" drive the Explorer in the winter and get a 328i for spring/summer/fall. My 328xi with good all-season's is far better than a 328i with winter's.

Thanks for letting me know. It's pretty snowy here so when I test the 328xi on Wednesday I'll be able to see how well X-drive performs and if I really need it or not.

1997gtx · 01-10-2011, 11:23 AM

^ If you're going to drive the 328 in the snow for 2-3 months straight, I'd highly recommend the x-drive. I wouldn't want a 328i in a foot of snow.

///mmmKevin · 01-10-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1997gtx

^ If you're going to drive the 328 in the snow for 2-3 months straight, I'd highly recommend the x-drive. I wouldn't want a 328i in a foot of snow.

328xi it is then! I've got my test drive on Wednesday so I'll see then. Thanks guys

GreenThree · 01-10-2011, 11:50 AM

x-drive

1997gtx · 01-10-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///mmmKevin

328xi it is then! I've got my test drive on Wednesday so I'll see then. Thanks guys

That's really the only way you'll know. If you drive a 328i and don't slip that much, then a nice pair of winter tires would probably suffice. But, if you can't get up a hill, slip going around corners, then the x-drive makes more sense.

///mmmKevin · 01-10-2011, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1997gtx

That's really the only way you'll know. If you drive a 328i and don't slip that much, then a nice pair of winter tires would probably suffice. But, if you can't get up a hill, slip going around corners, then the x-drive makes more sense.

That's what I'm thinking. I learned to drive in the winter in a Ford Explorer with no assists what-so-ever (except ABS and 4x4 when I switched it on). It made me a pretty good winter driver not having to rely on assists to get out of a situation.

I think I'll need X-drive (at least around here) so I'll probably end up getting the 328xi.

LorenzoTij · 01-10-2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///mmmKevin

Hey guys,

Yep... Already did a search on this but I could only find bits and pieces to my questions.

I'm going to be picking up a new lease soon and it's going to be a 3-series. The question is... 328xi or 328i?

I live in Calgary and we get a LOT of snow here so the winters are real bad and long.

I know X-drive only kicks in when you're in trouble in poor conditions but what if I were to get a 328i and throw winter tires on? Would that be sufficient? Keep in mind I'm a pretty cautious driver in the winter.

I read that the 328i is about a half a second quicker from 0-60 and the X-drive on the 328xi won't let you slide the tail out (in a parking lot if I want to have a bit of fun).

I'm basically asking is X-drive better than a 328i with winter tires on?

Thanks guys!

It's a proven fact that an x-drive handles better overall, in snow or dry road conditions. I suggest you drive both, an x-drive and non x-drive; trust me you'll notice the difference. Considering the information you've provided in terms of where you live, I'd go with the x-drive.

CptJack · 01-10-2011, 01:12 PM

I have the 335xi and I would highly recommend AWD - especially for you in Calgary. And as far as kicking the rear end out goes, I don't know for sure about the 328, but my 335 allows me to hold the DTC button for 8-10 seconds and fully disable DTC and DSC which will allow a full drift. In either case, the xDrive biases to the rear wheels under normal circumstances and creates a very sporty drive for an AWD vehicle.

dsharma814 · 01-10-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LorenzoTij

It's a proven fact that an x-drive handles better overall, in snow or dry road conditions. I suggest you drive both, an x-drive and non x-drive; trust me you'll notice the difference. Considering the information you've provided in terms of where you live, I'd go with the x-drive.

Just curious, what are the criteria for better handling?

///mmmKevin · 01-10-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CptJack

I have the 335xi and I would highly recommend AWD - especially for you in Calgary. And as far as kicking the rear end out goes, I don't know for sure about the 328, but my 335 allows me to hold the DTC button for 8-10 seconds and fully disable DTC and DSC which will allow a full drift. In either case, the xDrive biases to the rear wheels under normal circumstances and creates a very sporty drive for an AWD vehicle.

Pretty sure there's a DCT button in the 328... I can't remember for sure though.

That's cool, I think I'll get the xDrive for winter driving. I don't mind not being able to "drift" around in a parking lot in the summer lol.

I wish I could get the 335i but this is a lease for my new company and I want to keep it bare-bones at least in the first year or so.

01-09-2011, 09:49 PM	#1
///mmmKevin Private 9 Rep 65 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canada! iTrader: (0)	QUESTION: E90 328xi VS. 328i Hey guys, Yep... Already did a search on this but I could only find bits and pieces to my questions. I'm going to be picking up a new lease soon and it's going to be a 3-series. The question is... 328xi or 328i? I live in Calgary and we get a LOT of snow here so the winters are real bad and long. I know X-drive only kicks in when you're in trouble in poor conditions but what if I were to get a 328i and throw winter tires on? Would that be sufficient? Keep in mind I'm a pretty cautious driver in the winter. I read that the 328i is about a half a second quicker from 0-60 and the X-drive on the 328xi won't let you slide the tail out (in a parking lot if I want to have a bit of fun). I'm basically asking is X-drive better than a 328i with winter tires on? Thanks guys!
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01-09-2011, 09:59 PM	#3
madeinhongkong Brigadier General 301 Rep 4,126 Posts Drives: e90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (26)	Lots of snow mean u need xi. I generally would say get an i. You should also get snow tires for the winter.
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01-09-2011, 10:03 PM	#4
///mmmKevin Private 9 Rep 65 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canada! iTrader: (0)	I've got a 4x4 Ford Explorer for winter driving and that thing ploughs through anything so moving from a big SUV to a car will be a little weird for me. I've also driven my mom's front wheel drive minivan in the snow and FWD is actually pretty decent. I know winter tires make a HUGE difference compared to all seasons but is the X-drive necessary? Will I be able to kick the back out a bit (in the summer) if I get the 328xi? Sorry for all the questions lol... Last edited by ///mmmKevin; 01-09-2011 at 10:03 PM.. Reason: added (in the summer)
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01-09-2011, 10:12 PM	#5
username604 Colonel 124 Rep 2,554 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: repair shop iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [10.00]	kick the back out in summer? 230hp and xdrive. I'll let someone else answer that no matter what you decide to go with, make sure you get winter tires. xdrive is no excuse for all seasons considering how bad the winters sound by your description.
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01-09-2011, 10:48 PM	#6
blegare Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 328 xDrive 2013 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Quebec iTrader: (0)	I had a 328i with winter tires in the snow and it's ok most of the time. But, in bad weather, you have to be more careful. After 3 years with my 328i, i bought a 328 xDrive and i don't regret it. It is a bit slower, but i'm more confident in bad weather. I drove 7 hours in a snowstorm 2 weeks ago, and i was glad i had xDrive. If you get in DTC mode, you can have a lot of fun with a xDrive in the snow. In Calgary, i would get a xDrive.
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01-09-2011, 10:48 PM	#7
1997gtx Lieutenant 10 Rep 530 Posts Drives: 08 328xi \| 08 S5 \| 02 S4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	You're not going to kick the back out of an AWD car with 230hp. If your concern is winter driving v "being able to kick the back out" drive the Explorer in the winter and get a 328i for spring/summer/fall. My 328xi with good all-season's is far better than a 328i with winter's. __________________ 08 328xi - SOLD \| 08 S5 \| 02 S4
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01-10-2011, 11:23 AM	#10
1997gtx Lieutenant 10 Rep 530 Posts Drives: 08 328xi \| 08 S5 \| 02 S4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	^ If you're going to drive the 328 in the snow for 2-3 months straight, I'd highly recommend the x-drive. I wouldn't want a 328i in a foot of snow. __________________ 08 328xi - SOLD \| 08 S5 \| 02 S4
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01-10-2011, 11:50 AM	#12
GreenThree Colonel 210 Rep 2,110 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	x-drive __________________ 2015 335xi \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Black Dakota Leather \| NAV \| SportLine \| ZPP \| ZDA \| ZCW \| Munich Build Retired: 2008, 2011, 2013 328xi
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01-10-2011, 01:12 PM	#16
CptJack New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2007 335xi Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (0)	I have the 335xi and I would highly recommend AWD - especially for you in Calgary. And as far as kicking the rear end out goes, I don't know for sure about the 328, but my 335 allows me to hold the DTC button for 8-10 seconds and fully disable DTC and DSC which will allow a full drift. In either case, the xDrive biases to the rear wheels under normal circumstances and creates a very sporty drive for an AWD vehicle.
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