[Catalina Wine Mixer]

Hello all I am considering trading up to a 335. I have found two in mind one is an 09 335 xdrive. the other is a 08 335i. They are both coupes and for the most part have the same options. I am curious which one is faster. Is there one thats easier to mod?? From the pictures the 335i looks lower than the xdrive. A comparison list would be great thanks!

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1




http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...3D20005%26stkT

[Saintor]

Xdrive is a dead weight that penalizes the car. It can be also a commodity that helps if you are in remote regions. It is nowhere a substitute for winter tires or neither does it improve handling or braking. It just helps going and *that's it*. TC on the i already does 80% of the job in this regard.

[MCoupeInsanity]

x-drive has a taller stance and unique suspension parts, so yeah there will be more of a gap between wheel/tire and fender arches.

Also, because of the unique suspension parts, there are also fewer (or, practically no) aftermarket suspension kits made to work on the xi. People seem to "make do" with one solution or another, but I don't know if there's a definitive solution out there.

Which is faster? They're going to be similar. x-drive is heaver, but all wheel traction is better for launches.

Non-suspension mods, to my knowledge, are exactly the same either way.

[Catalina Wine Mixer]

Originally Posted by MCoupeInsanity

x-drive has a taller stance and unique suspension parts, so yeah there will be more of a gap between wheel/tire and fender arches.

Also, because of the unique suspension parts, there are also fewer (or, practically no) aftermarket suspension kits made to work on the xi. People seem to "make do" with one solution or another, but I don't know if there's a definitive solution out there.

Which is faster? They're going to be similar. x-drive is heaver, but all wheel traction is better for launches.

Non-suspension mods, to my knowledge, are exactly the same either way.

How much heavier does it make it significantly slower?

[Kolyan2k]

this has been beaten to death. save yourself some time and buy 335i I agree with above

[E90Company]

Only reason to get an Xdrive is for snowy road conditions. Save money, weight, and coilovers (Xi sits high) unless you REALLY need it.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Bimmer206

How much heavier does it make it significantly slower?

extra 245lbs, x is a bit faster of the line, and slower in every other scenario

[Catalina Wine Mixer]

Originally Posted by E90Company

Only reason to get an Xdrive is for snowy road conditions. Save money, weight, and coilovers (Xi sits high) unless you REALLY need it.

Can u put lowering spring in Xdrive?

[ndog14]

I brought the sticks, who brought the horse?

[E90Company]

Originally Posted by Bimmer206

Can u put lowering spring in Xdrive?

Yes, but I heard that coilovers were the better setup on the Xi's.

Anyone know a little more on this?

[bmwauug]

Originally Posted by MCoupeInsanity

x-drive has a taller stance and unique suspension parts, so yeah there will be more of a gap between wheel/tire and fender arches.

Also, because of the unique suspension parts, there are also fewer (or, practically no) aftermarket suspension kits made to work on the xi. People seem to "make do" with one solution or another, but I don't know if there's a definitive solution out there.

Which is faster? They're going to be similar. x-drive is heaver, but all wheel traction is better for launches.

Non-suspension mods, to my knowledge, are exactly the same either way.

I added the Dinan XI suspension and love it...

[Lankster]

I currently own a 2007 335xi and dragged a stock 2004 cadillac CTS-V and my bmw beat it by .0023 seconds. The 0-60 times were fractions away from 4.8 secs. My car driving on the road does sit a little high, and corners a little slower than the i, but im extremely happy with the follow through on corners. It claws its way out of a turn like a cracked up greyhound.

[Q4P]

Originally Posted by Saintor

Xdrive is a dead weight that penalizes the car. It can be also a commodity that helps if you are in remote regions. It is nowhere a substitute for winter tires or neither does it improve handling or braking. It just helps going and *that's it*. TC on the i already does 80% of the job in this regard.

yep

[blueridger]

Over the past two months I have had two 328i loaner cars - one was a rear wheel drive and the other a xdrive. Both were 2011 models with Premium Package. The xdrive felt very different - considerably less nimble than the RWD version. Heavier and less responsive. But some people really need the AWD.

[jafza412]

Originally Posted by MCoupeInsanity

x-drive has a taller stance and unique suspension parts, so yeah there will be more of a gap between wheel/tire and fender arches.

Also, because of the unique suspension parts, there are also fewer (or, practically no) aftermarket suspension kits made to work on the xi. People seem to "make do" with one solution or another, but I don't know if there's a definitive solution out there.

Which is faster? They're going to be similar. x-drive is heaver, but all wheel traction is better for launches.

Non-suspension mods, to my knowledge, are exactly the same either way.

Um...No. KW, Bilstien, Koni, and H&R make coilover suspension systems, so there may be fewer, but definitely not "no options".

As for other mods, to my knowledge the DPs are constricted to 2.5" and exhausts are limited to BMW PE, AE, Remus, and maybe a few others. But still, options that are quite solid. I think everything else is fair game.

[MCoupeInsanity]

Originally Posted by jafza05

Um...No. KW, Bilstien, Koni, and H&R make coilover suspension systems, so there may be fewer, but definitely not "no options".

As for other mods, to my knowledge the DPs are constricted to 2.5" and exhausts are limited to BMW PE, AE, Remus, and maybe a few others. But still, options that are quite solid. I think everything else is fair game.

They make them specific to the x-drive cars? When I was shopping around, and considering an xi, I got the impression there weren't a lot of options tailor-made for the x-drive cars.

[Kernel Kurtz]

There is a section here for x-drive specific questions.

Also a sticky with suspension compatibility.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=197

[wdlfbio]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

extra 245lbs, x is a bit faster of the line, and slower in every other scenario

You think that your i can out corner my xi, everything else being the same? AWDs generally eat up RWDs in autocross for a reason.

But, for DD, I would go i unless you live in snowy or rainy areas. I'll take the security of my xi in my Pacific NW rain and puddles all over.

[Kernel Kurtz]

Originally Posted by wdlfbio

You think that your i can out corner my xi, everything else being the same? AWDs generally eat up RWDs in autocross for a reason.

At the risk of starting a flame war, I'd like to see someone do a head to head track comparison of the two.

I remember reading of Car and Driver comparing an Infinity G35 to a G35x, and the AWD was faster around the track despite the weight penalty.

[djjasper]

The biggest problem with a tuned RWD is that the power overwhelms the car's ability to keep traction. Anyone with a JB4 or similar will tell you that gunning it it the lower gears (not the launch) results in some loss of traction. So the real detriment of the xdrive system when stock (slower and heavier) may actually be an advantage once tuned.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Had an Xdrive, never again- it was a pig. For the few times it snowed really bad, it was a tank and I loved it. Hated it though the 7 other months out of the year. Plus you can't light up an Xdrive

[ndog14]

If you don't need xDrive don't get it. It's just more stuff to break.