[JK479]

Hi,

I've been entertaining 2 cars to purchase. I was originally going with an M3 sedan, and the 335Xdrive caught my attention.

Well, my question to those xi drivers out there. Is the wheel gap on a 335xdrive sedan much greater than a 335i? Reason I asked, the dealer had a bunch of 328xdrive models on standard non sport wheels and it looked funny to me. Does the optional sport wheel on the 09 sedan also decrease the gap a bit. If I go the 335 route, I might as well do xdrive since I live on the east coast and it snows a lot here.

What do you guys think? I need to order a car today and this is part of my decison. Thank you for any input. I spoke to a few members who just recieved xdrive models and they feel it's no big deal... Also, do you find it handles differently than a 335i?

[EDK99]

Yes a 335xi and a 335i will drive differently especially in snow. You are talking about an all wheel drive car vs. a rear wheel drive car so yes each will have different driving characteristics. Will they be night and day differences in normal day to day driving, no. Once you start to push the car around corners or on wet pavement you will notice the difference.

Yes the gap is more on the x-drive car. Probably a 1/2 inch because it uses a different suspension setup from the non-sport and sport suspensions. Get the car that fits your needs and don't base your decision on wheel gap. If you really don't like the gap you can always lower it.

[JK479]

could anyone post a silver xi model. I notice it's more pronounced than the darker colors.

I was told by the SA that lowering the xdrive was not allowed as the suspension is designed specifically, and would void out the warrenty.

[bulldog52]

If you notice things like wheel gaps then the gap on the 335 xi coupe will seem huge to you versus a 335i. Also if you are a skier then the following analogy will make sense. The 335 xi coupe is a very fast ski that is comfortable making long sweeping turns - just don't ask it to make high speed slalom turns as it becomes very unstable. Living in new england if I were given a do over I would probably still buy the 335 xi but the look and inability to handle twisty roads when you want to have fun would continue to bother me.

[JK479]

Bulldog,

great analogy. When I test drove an xi model, I remember it handlign decent. Obviously an m3 will out handle most cars, so the decision should not be based soleyonhandling.

But the merits of AWD and not gettign stuck in 2 inches of snow is appealing to me, since my current ride is with out AWD. It only takes one morning of being stuck in the snow to realize you need AWD in New England if you have a rear wheel drive car without snow tires.

[sparkyg]

It is way more than 1/2 an inch. Compared to a sport 335i it is over an inch.

The handling is not even decent, don't kid yourself. It is terrible compared to a 335i.

If you want to drive your car hard, I seriously would reconsider. The AWD is a total DD car with no emphasis on sports handling.

I am ditching my 335xi for an M3. I plan on winter driving it with winter specific tires.

The ride is also brutal with RFT. Again partially caused by the RFT but also the suspension of the xi. Go to the xi forum to hear all the feedback.

Your call but take that 335xi into a sweeping corner and hit a compression and you are heading for the guardrails.

Get the 335i and get winter tires if you are a hard driver.

If you want a DD and never intend to push the car the xi is a fine car.

Get the M3. it truly is a no-compromise car and add EDC to smooth it out.

GL

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by jk3355

But the merits of AWD and not gettign stuck in 2 inches of snow is appealing to me

It's gonna take at least 10 inches of snow to get stuck even with RWD and proper winter tires. I've driven my sport suspension 318ti for many, many years in Minnesota and got stuck only once in a fresh 14" of thick, wet, heavy snow. Blizzak WS-50/60.

[ruxp]

xi + coilovers ftw!

[grkmec]

I used to have a '06 330i sport package and loved suspension and handling. I then upgraded to a 335xi and had to deal with the horrendous looking wheel gap and shitty handling. Spent $2k on KW V3's coilovers and solved both problems.

Here is my car on the track. Not much wheel gap anymore

http://www.tracktimephotos.com/large...7_WGI_INS_3905

[JK479]

Does anyone else think I would crazy to order a 335i in the Northeast with out AWD. I guess I'll just to have a better look at what I would be losing by gettign a 335i. Also, if I up to the M3, i'd want a Jeep or some sort of SUV for the crazy winter nights.

[sparkyg]

Why are the winter nights crazy?

It is friggin' night here all winter in the Great White North.

Get a set of Blizzaks like the WS-50. Those are hardcore winter tires.

You'd be crazy if you intend to push the car in terms of handling.

Like I said, 335xi is a great DD car, it just is NOT a 335i or even close to an M3.

More like a AWD Lexus with really bad suspension.

[grkmec]

Originally Posted by jk3355

Does anyone else think I would crazy to order a 335i in the Northeast with out AWD. I guess I'll just to have a better look at what I would be losing by gettign a 335i. Also, if I up to the M3, i'd want a Jeep or some sort of SUV for the crazy winter nights.

Nope. I lived in CT and had a 330i for 2 winters but I did have dedicated winter tires - thats very important. If you live out in really rural areas, you may want to reconsider, depending on your situation

[vtec96]

It was a really hard decision for me, too!
When I was ordering my 335 there was only one XI model which met all my requirements in the lot. So I just took it~
Even the wheel gap is ugly but it's still a really nice looking car and trust me....80% people on the road won't even notice the gap...

[M4TW]

Go with the 335xi and add a tune plus kw coilovers and you'll end up pretty much with an AWD M3. Don't listen to that Sparky guy, he blew what was left of his tuning wad on some flashy rims instead of his suspension.

[phil_]

Originally Posted by Sparkplug

Go with the 335xi and add a tune plus kw coilovers and you'll end up pretty much with an AWD M3. Don't listen to that Sparky guy, he blew what was left of his tuning wad on some flashy rims instead of his suspension.

Just curious how much did the KW coilovers / install cost you?

[JK479]

I had a chance to view a 2009 335i X Drive last night, which had the 17 inche wheels, and the gap was not that noticeable. I realize it needs more clearance for snow.

But.. what irks me, is someone showed a 335 x drive on here , and it had the spacer blocks from germany. In reality, after the car is prepped, the space is less than how it comes from the factory.

I had a chance to drive an xi this summer, and the handling was okay. I am second guessing a little bit now. As all people tend to do when selecting a car to buy.

[BDMBimmer]

I have the 335xi and I was miss lead when buying it, they didn't have one with the sport package on the lot and they told me the handling and ride height would be like the 335i.
I'm a little upset but hopefully shocks will come out soon, so I can go that route instead of coilovers.
Anyways comparing the xi with all the other AWD drive cars in it's class, it handles way better. At least that is what I found.

[Kevin G]

Compared to an Audi Quattro, the rear-wheel bias of X Drive definitely feels more sporty.

[sparkyg]

Originally Posted by Sparkplug

Go with the 335xi and add a tune plus kw coilovers and you'll end up pretty much with an AWD M3. Don't listen to that Sparky guy, he blew what was left of his tuning wad on some flashy rims instead of his suspension.

actually rims and tires are sold. Never used them ever.

Blew my wad on an M3 E90, car came in yesterday at Calg, p/u next week.

I'll post pics next week Terry.

He is right that the KWV3 settles down nicely, many good reports there.

It is a good solution to a BMW miss-step on the suspension of the xi. I am going down the M3 route for many reasons, suspension being one of them.

[M4TW]

Wow, that's awesome Glen, I can't wait for the photos! Did you trade your 335xi in and did u get a decent price for your BMW Individual options and Dinan parts? And what are the specs on your M3?

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

It's gonna take at least 10 inches of snow to get stuck even with RWD and proper winter tires. I've driven my sport suspension 318ti for many, many years in Minnesota and got stuck only once in a fresh 14" of thick, wet, heavy snow. Blizzak WS-50/60.

10" of dry snow!. Here in the Sierra, 10" of wet snow means you don't move without AWD and snows. As you mention, wet snow is entirely different. If you add any sort of an incline into the equation you will be stuck. The XI or any car that delivers power front and rear will always have an advantage in snow without a doubt. The Xi however is definately not as performance oriented as other AWD cars such as the Subaru WRX, STI and Mitsu. EVO.

This morning I woke up to 5 inches of ultra heavy wet snow and the XI was having some difficulty on going up the hill - granted I still have my summer tires on. The Blizzacks go on this weekend. For what it's worth, General UHP's while rated as all season tires are definately NOT good in the snow.

Since you are talking NE, for the most part you are dealing with colder temps, not as heavy snow and certainly not the elevation changes that the west has, so the i with decent snows would be fine. I grew up in NE and lived there until I was 25. Most of my driving experience was with RWD and FWD cars and they did fine.

[scooby9]

I've been an AWD guy for years. It's a bit of a compromise but in a snowy climate, I really like the security of AWD and snow tires. I have never been stuck in my xi or WRX. I wouldn't worry too much about wheel gap as opposed to the softer handling. There is some noticeable understeer and a feeling of front-heaviness to the car. A rear wheel drive car will give you much better feel in the corners and the twisties but when the snow falls, it may become difficult to get around. My friend has an E46 M3 and he does house calls regularly. Often he has to ask his patients for a push in some of the unplowed neighbourhoods. This is with winter tires and sandbags in the back...