Hi,
This is going to be my first BMW. I live in Minnesota so winter traction is important to me. I would like to get the 330I, but the rear wheel drive worries me. The 330XI is more money then I would like to spend. I've read that the XI versions weigh about 200lbs more and that the dry condition handling and performmance is not as good. Which of these do you think I should get? My wife thinks the 330I isn't worth the extra $3,000 (I disagree).
330I
Premium Package
Cold Weather Package
Steptronic Trans
325XI
Premium Package
Cold Weather Package
Xeon Headlights
Steptronic Trans
325I
Premium Package
Cold Weather Package
Xeon Headlights
Steptronic Trans
Premium Sound
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| Reply » Should I get a 325I or 325XI or 330I? |
The hard core BMW enthusiasts will tell you to go with RWD and simply change to good snow tires in the winter.
In my opinion:
Snow tires will improve winter performance.
AWD will improve winter performance.
Each is a factor.
(Of course, the biggest factor is to drive sensibly in adverse weather conditions, which, unfortunatley, many people do not, thus the reason why you see so many SUV's in the ditch)
If I was concerned about wet/winter performance, I would go with the xi. This gives you awd along with the option of sticking with all-season tires if you want to (and thus not have to change tires twice a year), or the option to add snow tires, thus giving you extreme winter performance. It's all a trade-off. The xi will offer better wet/winter performance, but will offer slightly less dry performance than an i due to its additional 200 lbs of weight. (Although I think the difference in performance between the xi and i will be significantly less in the E90 line compared to the E46 line).
Of course, I think all of this concern about performance is a moot point for the average 3-series owner (which likely represents 95% + of the 3-series owners) as they never push the car that hard (i.e., compare a typical commute to work verses a run on a closed-course track).
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| Reply » Should I get a 325I or 325XI or 330I? |
Quote: | Of course, I think all of this concern about performance is a moot point for the average 3-series owner (which likely represents 95% + of the 3-series owners) as they never push the car that hard (i.e., compare a typical commute to work verses a run on a closed-course track). | 
Faced with the same question, I chose option #2. Should be even easier to go for that cause of the X-drive in the E90
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| Reply » Should I get a 325I or 325XI or 330I? |
Despite what people think RWD actually gives you better handling in the winter time than AWD. AWD is better if you are starting from a stop, but once you get moving RWD will give you vastly superior handling abilities. Of course you will need snow tires.
I live in Chicago and I've had 3 other RWD cars that I've driven all winter long (my last being the RX-8 and it handled great with just a pair of Pirelli's or Blizzak's.
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| Reply » Should I get a 325I or 325XI or 330I? |
I've never driven RWD in the winter, but I had a hard enough time driving FWD cars with snow tires in the snow. I know everyone says that the BMW is good in the snow because of it's TCS and 50/50 weight, but I would just feel safer with an XI.
Living where you are, I'd definitly get a 325xi or 330xi if you can convince your wife, I don't think the extra weight would kill the performance that much.
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| Reply » Should I get a 325I or 325XI or 330I? |
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Should I get a 325I or 325XI or 330I?