Another newbie - i vs xi dilemma

I'm in the market for a car, and recently test drove a 330i. I was going to test drive other cars, but I loved bimmer so much I don't think I'll waste my time. Before I found this forum I was convinced I needed an AWD car, so naturally I was looking at the 330xi. But after browsing through the posts for the past week, I am less conviced that I need the xi version.

So, on to my qestions.

1. I just moved to Detroit so I don't know what the winters are like here. I've driven through plenty of Ohio/Indiana/Chicago winters in the past with my Integra using all-season high performance tires (currently have Dunlop Sport A2 plus, which suck in the snow). I would love any input from 3 series owners in Detroit (or in the Midwest) who have experience with driving in the winters with RWD cars. If I do get the i version I am leaning towards the sports package and a dedicated set of winter tires/wheels.

2. When I had my test drive the CA told me that the when the xi version starts from a stop the X-drive is intially 40/60, but after the car gets going it reverts to 0/100 (assuming no tire slippage). I have not read anything like this on any of the forums. Any thoughts on what he was talking about?

I plan on test driving the 330i again, this time with the sports package and without (I think my first test drive was without). I love this forum. How did we ever buy cars without the internet?

Reply » Another newbie - i vs xi dilemma

1. Lived in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. Midwest winters are manageable with RWD cars and snow tires. If you search the forums you'll find lots of debate on "i" vs "xi" and some people swear on one or the other - I think it's mostly personal preference. If you want reassurance with AWD, then go get the xi. The main reason I went with the xi is that I'm relocating to Colorado and the one thing AWD is much better at is going up hills in the snow. The classic saying: it's 4-wheel go, not 4-wheel stop. If I weren't relocating to a mountainous area, I'd probably have stuck with the RWD equivalent.

2. Not sure what the initial distribution is. Although from my experience with sales people, they don't have a clue. The x-drive uses a variable clutch which detects wheel spin and compensates by sending more power to the front or rear depending on what gets the best grip. The system is supposed to send 100% of power to the rear at highway speeds with no slip to make it feel more sporty. It's a pretty cool idea for a system -- and those people on the board with X3s and newer X5s will tell you that the xDrive system is much better than the old style of dedicated 40/60 distribution on the xi models.

Test drive the "i" and "xi" models and see which you like better. The "xi" suspension is different from the "i" suspensions (both with and without sport package). So you'll just have to try them both out and see which you like more. When in doubt - do a search on the board and you'll find any number of similar threads... many of them conveniently titled - with both "i" and "xi" in the title.

Reply » Another newbie - i vs xi dilemma

Hello and Welcome to the Bimmerfest.

Click on the Search button and choose Advanced search. In the new page, on the left hand side, under "Search by keyword" you'll see a drop-down menu. Click on it and choose "Search Titles only". In the search box above, enter 'xi'

On the right hand side, in the box where the forum names are listed, go and highlight 'E90'.

This will give you all the threads with xi in the thread title that's been posted in the E90 forum.

Cheers

Reply » Another newbie - i vs xi dilemma

Quote:

Welcome to the motor city. I am on my second 325. I had the 2002 325 NON sport for three winters. Car was more difficult to drive in the weather than front wheel drive but not that bad. Only once in three years did I get stuck and only for a short time and I was able to slowly drive up the hill. The best tires I had on it were the third set (96k in three years!). They were BFG Traction T/As. They are not available for the e90 as a RFT though.

I now have a e90 325 WITH sport......I am absolutely buying a second set of wheels and winter RFTs. The car handles way better than the e46. In fact I bet it will still handle better that the e46 even with the winter tires....

The reason that the dealer mad a point ot you about the % of power to each axle is that he/she doesn't want you to secumb to the negative press that the Xi gets about less capable handling. Personally, I see no need for the Xi here in Michigan. I just take it easy when the weather is bad. I KNOW there will be others who say that you have to have it but I don't. BTW, I grew up and drove for years in the Boston area so I know snow driving well. Better than most. Maybe this is a factor in how I feel about it.

Go with Erhard. Bavarian has proven themselves very poor in the service dept. PM me and I will fill you in on why I feel that way. ALso, PM me if you have any "Detroit" questions. I have been here 12 years now and know the area quite well.

GOOD LUCK! I say go 325i with sport and 6 manual. Then get the winter wheels and rims.

ALSO, Get tire/wheel ins. from you car insurer. Search these forums for reasons why. The roads here are very rough and full of pot holes and it is worse in the winter.

Reply » Another newbie - i vs xi dilemma

I live in Chicago and think that the XI is the only way to go. I don't want to deal with a second set of tires even though I have plenty of space to store them.

I disagree with the previous poster about negative press related to the xdrive, I haven't seen any press related to the E90 xdrive as its just now being released. I'd like to hear from someone who has driven both an XI and i who has an opinion regarding driving dynamics.

Reply » Another newbie - i vs xi dilemma

[/quote]
I disagree with the previous poster about negative press related to the xdrive, I haven't seen any press related to the E90 xdrive as its just now being released. I'd like to hear from someone who has driven both an XI and i who has an opinion regarding driving dynamics.[/quote]

I answered his question with why I thought the dealer would make an issue out of it. There has been much written about how Xi versions supposedly do not handle as well as pure RWD cars on non snow covered roads which are 9 months of the years here.

But I have to say that logic would seem to dictate that any car that sits higher and has less surface rubber on the ground will not handle as well. Make sense?

At any rate, I agree with you that he should drive both and make his own determination as to whether he prefers the added traction versus the suppossed degraded performance and the very REAL loss of looks on a "higher" car. It is merely a matter of choice. I would say the argument parallels the Auto vs. Manual discussions.

Now, Is your Saab Fwd or AWD?

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