[Zephyr15]

In my search for a new car I've essentially come down to the 335 or a G35. Unless someone feels compelled to comment on the latter, I'm happy to ignore it. My question for this community is how people in areas that see snow really feel about the i vs. xi.

I live in NJ now, grew up in PA and other than borrowing friends' cars for a quick errand have only driven RWD cars and am very comfortable driving in snow. If I went with the 335i, I would get the sport package but immediately pick up a set of 17s with snow tires and to top it off I'll almost always have access to my girlfriends FWD car (train commuter). I have no real experience with bimmers specifically, or AWD systems generally, and I'm a little hesitant to get an AWD because I don't want to lose the feel and dry performance of RWD and I'd rather not take a significant gas mileage hit. On the other hand, there's something to be said for the security of knowing I can get to the job that's allowing me to consider a car like the 335.

I'm hoping to test drive both as early as next weekend, but wondered if anyone could give me their thoughts on the performance and feel of the AWD system in all conditions and why they picked the i over the xi or vice versa.

[F30Toad]

I like you grew up driving rwd and have only had two cars that were not rwd, and one is my beater pickup. I chose a 335i because I knew it would get me around in most conditions with snow tires on it. It gets better mileage, weighs less for the occasional track/autox sessions and is likely to be more reliable.

This first winter with it was crazy here in Colorado, there was 2-3 feet of snow on the ground when my car came in. Even so, thanks to snow plows and a set of Dunlop M3 DSST snow tires, I drove my car almost everyday this winter. The traction system is awesome, and while I won't win any drag races in the snow, I wasn't planning on entering one anyway.

If you have driven rwd as much as you say, there is no need to start getting awd now.

[karliejai]

get the xi espeecially that u live in nj/pa but i got the 335i and im from nj lol =P

[murellus]

it's not a big deal if you dont get the xi, especially if you get a set of winters...but if you like to drive during snowstorms like me...well............

[alpfix]

the 335xi drives like a RWD - BUT as soon as you have wet roads, you won't ever consider to take the 335i. The 335xi is just perfect for dry, wet, snow.

Go and test drive both, rather if the weather is not dry, you will feel a huge difference - traction ist perfect with X-Drive as well as the fun-factor.

[elucas730]

The 335 is meant to be RWD.
In the snow, tires are much more important than drivetrain layout. You'll be perfectly fine with RWD and snow tires. In fact, there should be no reason why you couldn't get away with all-seasons in NJ.

[murellus]

all seasons not work so good

[elucas730]

But in NJ? What does he get, 20 inches of snow a year?

[murellus]

i dont think it's the amount that really matters, ive been in several bimmers that struggled with just a 1/4" on the ground.

[HyperM3]

Crap, I just wrote this whole friggin multiparagraph thing and then it didnt post. That puts my panties in a ruffle very early on a Monday.

Regardless, Ill sum it up. I live in NJ, always drove RWD cars and never had a problem. Last car was a quattro a4 and the only time I got to use the quattro was when I snuck out at night before they plowed. This way there was nobody on the road where I could do parking lot drifts. Otherwise, it was pointless.

If you are putting snow tires on the car youll be completely fine. I went with the 335 non xi because we dont get Buffalo type winters and everything is cleared in a day. You dont have to worry about your driving, its everyone elses driving that sucks.

[bmw0perat0r]

Originally Posted by alpfix

the 335xi drives like a RWD - BUT as soon as you have wet roads, you won't ever consider to take the 335i. The 335xi is just perfect for dry, wet, snow.

Go and test drive both, rather if the weather is not dry, you will feel a huge difference - traction ist perfect with X-Drive as well as the fun-factor.

+1

Snow tires and RWD won't compare to the new xDrive system on these 335xi's - i'm sure plenty will argue that point, but it still seems to be the case. Rain and other conditions play a factor too.

You can still get the sports package - you just won't have the lower/tighter suspension. However, it is tighter than the regular suspension.

[T Bone]

My older E46 M3 Cab was no good for the snow and the M6 is a joke for traction even in the dry.

I have an A6 4.2 right now for the winter. I was going to get another Audi when I realized how much I hated them. So it was some form of AWD for me. I searched high and low.....I was an inch away from pulling the trigger on a Cherokee SRT8.

I picked an E90 335xi Sedan as my daily driver....but then I fell in love with the LED light bars of the E92 Coupe and changed my order to a 335xi Coupe.

In the end, the XIs behave almost like a RWD car in most cases and in the 3-4 big storms we get in Toronto, I don't have to worry too much so long as I have a set of snows.

Just my little decision process.

[uberschnell]

If I had any patience I would have waited for the 335xi, and it never snows here.
Having had an x-drive before all I can say is wow!

[TheLegacy]

Zephyr I sent you a PM.

You'll love the 335XI, you can trust a fellow NASIOC member hehe

[Zephyr15]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm still leaning toward the i, but I'll reserve my decision until I get to drive an xi.

[bimmerFUD]

If you're going to track the car frequently, get the i.

If you use your car to seek out deep powder in very hilly places, such as backcountry ski areas, get the xi.

If you're somewhere inbetween, I pity your existence and your decision is much more difficult.

Also, try . This topic has been beaten to death and you'll find advice equally useful as the above But it sounds to me like you've already decided on the i.