[xtophr]

Help me out guys, yes im in california and I do go snowboarding up in the mountains and yes of course theres snow sometimes, but other than that should I get the xi or i? What do you guys prefer?

[BMWE90]

OMFG I've had it with all these I vs XI threads!!

[xtophr]

ahhahah sorry but I really want to know peoples opinions.

[hl0m4n]

Originally Posted by xtophr

ahhahah sorry but I really want to know peoples opinions.

it all comes down to YOU man. i= rear wheel drive (rwd) and xi= all wheel drive (awd). Get what you need. There is no reason to ask other people which one should i get, which one is better, etc. Get what YOU want. And to make your decision more clear, go to your dealer and get a test drive. i or xi both great cars, same model, engine, etc. Only difference is weight (a bit more on the awd) and drive configuration rwd or awd. but seriously man its YOUR car and YOUR ultimate decision. peers on this forum giving you opinions might help but nothing will be more of help then your own opinion, thought, judgement and ultimate decision. GL with your buy.

[Phila]

How come you keep asking about the 330s? They're not produced anymore.

But if I were to answer your original question about the snow, I got an xi cause I don't like getting out and putting on chains.

[BMWE90]

Originally Posted by Phila

How come you keep asking about the 330s? They're not produced anymore.

But if I were to answer your original question about the snow, I got an xi cause I don't like getting out and putting on chains.

Would you like to trade cars sometimes when I go snowboarding??

[xtophr]

sure but your in the bay im down in socal lol.. Ima hit up mammoth and stuff =]

[markis64]

I have an xi 330, and to be honest I never use it unless im at school (ithaca ny) there are GREAT snow tires that give you great traction in snow, so no i wouldnt ever do it again... besides rwd is a ton more fun!! but you should get a 335 i wish i would have waited

[canucklion]

steptronic or manual?

[OhhaiAlex]

driving where there is snow alot, you need all wheel drive = XI

[Seltho]

I live in Scandinavia and we drive a lot in snow and ice. I have never missed an X drive. Bmw has 50% 50% weight distribution and that makes it a good car on sleepy canditions even witht Rear wheel drive.
(sorry if my english is crap...)

[calle_enell]

Originally Posted by Seltho

I live in Scandinavia and we drive a lot in snow and ice. I have never missed an X drive. Bmw has 50% 50% weight distribution and that makes it a good car on sleepy canditions even witht Rear wheel drive.
(sorry if my english is crap...)

+1 I am Scandinavian to, Its is really a matter of tires, nothing else!
I use to drive 5 month a year on real snow and ice roads, the E46 and E90 RWD is just fine granted you have TRUE winter tires. (That is a narrower size, i.e. 205/65/16 and real winter design)

Ofcourse, AWD is awsome, but definitly not needed. In the U.S. were people tend to not change tires, there is a FALSE perception of better grip and traction b/c of AWD, which is true if for start and go, but not when it really matters, while cornering and breaking.

Whichever you get, make sure to get real tires for the winter season.

[s4iscool]

agreed, awd in the snow is overrated. Ive had 4 audis in the past decade, and 3 rwd cars (mb and bmw) and while the awd is nice to have in the snow, a rwd with dedicated snow tires has given me no problems. I prefer to have the performance and fun of rwd in 90% of the driving I do on dry and wet roads.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by Phila

How come you keep asking about the 330s? They're not produced anymore.

Can't the OP buy a used one?

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by WhiteAngel

driving where there is snow alot, you need all wheel drive = XI

Snow tires are fine, an xi is not required.

[BK]

Originally Posted by calle_enell

I use to drive 5 month a year on real snow and ice roads, the E46 and E90 RWD is just fine granted you have TRUE winter tires. (That is a narrower size, i.e. 205/65/16 and real winter design)

For those who don't know, keep in mind the 330 and 335 can't fit smaller than 17" tires because of the size of the brakes. 225/45/17 are what many of us with the 330 used last winter. 205/50/17 would work, too.

For the 325 and 328, you can fit 16" tires, so 205/55/16 would be an excellent choice for a winter tire.

[Phila]

Yea but to all those who say, 'you don't need xi, just get snow tires'
That doesn't work in California. In Cali, you need AWD & Snow Tires.... not one or the other... BOTH, YES BOTH! (rwd need chains...)

watching all those poor guys lining up on the side of the road, getting out and mucking around in the grey slush to put on chains...
Just going twice in 'chains required' conditions makes the xi worth it.

I guess you can also just rent an awd car with snow tires... somewhere, some how..., so call me a snob, but I like driving my bmw.

[ultmachine]

For 99% of the time you're driving you lose nothing in terms of "fun" by having an xi. The only time most people will notice any difference is when the car is being driven at its limit as on a track.

As for all those who claim RWD is fine for snow, you have to remember that there are many different types of snow driving. Driving in 1/2 inch of snow on a flat road, sure, RWD with good snow tires will do you just fine. Driving in 1.5 inches of snow up a hill and RWD is gonna struggle much more than an AWD even with all season tires. I went to school in Ithaca as i think someone else who posted here did, and at my school we had some serious hills and I was able to drive up them very well in a true snow storm (many inches of pure snow on the road) just fine...in fact I've seen other 3 series (e46) with RWD stuck on the very same hill.

So to summarize, driving around on flat roads in mild-moderate snow I think RWD with good snow tires is sufficient, but you're kidding yourself if you think AWD has no handling/control benefits over RWD...especially when the snow gets bad or there are hills.

[khafner]

another opinion. If I lived out west and I have (I carried chains) - I may think about getting an AWD as the mountains require chains or AWD in certain conditions. Those conditions are rare ( I am a skier). I currently live in upstate NY. My Grand CHerokee is parked and I drive a 330i year 'round. I run a good set of snow tires and have no problems. My area gets over 200 inches a year - usually in excess of 250 inches so I know snow and hills. I like the gas mileage and handling better on a RWD. Have fun choosing.

[azeemtn]

We need to have 4wd or awd w/ Snow Tires or we are not let through.
Yes, they check you out at the checkpoints.

While we don't need awd everyday. For those of is here who want to spend time in the snow, especially if we don't already live in the Tahoe area, it means going up a 8,000 ft climb in severe weather.

Here's a pic of what we get.

[gos]

the snow around tahoe is heavy enough, I'd have snows on the car (with xi) and also carry chains. But on a big dump you're gonna be stuck, the 3-series just doesn't have enough clearance for a huge heavy wet dump.

[ALPINE6SPD]

I like my i with sport pack. It snows 4 days a year so for the rest of the days the RWD IMO is the better choice.