[turbo2nr]

since i cant find a good used e90 335i ive been exploring the 335xi.

ive seen a few that are good priced low milaged cpo .

questions: which car would give me less headachs in the long run? i know the xi has more parts and is a little more compliacted, so it has more chances of something breaking or malfunctioning..

the 335i is a little more simple and probable easier to fix if something breaks.

i also plan on modding the car i get.
plan to do:
downpipe
intake
tune
intercooler
exhaust

coilovers
swaybars
control arms
agressive rims (19x9.5/10.5 ~20 offset)

so out of the two cars would it be better off getting the i because it will be easier to work with , or is the xi just as easy to mod.


im just uncertian of running into complications i read that only certian parts will fit the xi models (i.e. coilovers downpipes ect..)



thanks for the help

[e92bmw]

Bro have you searched the forum? Theres minimum 30 threads on this topic.
Anyways Ill give you the pros and cons of both:
Xi: can outlaunch the 335i, better in snow. THATS IT!
I: faster 1/4 mile(trap speeds), 242 lbs lighter so ut handles much better and is faster. The i responds better to mods and has less of a drivetrain loss.
At the end of the day the xi is quicker(60' times) buy the i is faster!

[turbo2nr]

thanks i did search but alot of clutter came up.. guess i wasnt searching right..

tnx for the quick response

[e92bmw]

Also dont forget the xi has massive wheel gap which is ugly, it also has more parts so more things to break and very expensive. By it having more weight and having to move 4 wheels it get worse mpg.

[turbo2nr]

sucks i found a nice 08 xi with 43k for only 23k.. CPO'd..

guess i have to hold of for a i..

[boom]

I've had a 335i and now have am xi. The xi is more complicated and there are fewer exhaust and downpipe options but those parts do exist for the xi. I think it is no less reliable. It does have the advantage that you don't have to buy an LSD to actually use the power.

The gap is worse stock but springs/coils solves this.

I live in NoVA and the xi's winter weather performance advantage cannot be overstated.

It is heavier but it is quicker in the 1/4 until the i gets an LSD and drag radials.

[blbrchnk]

The Xi with a tune from a dead stop is just ridiculous.

[e92bmw]

Originally Posted by blbrchnk

The Xi with a tune from a dead stop is just ridiculous.

Yes the 60 foot time, however an xi will never be faster than an i in 1/4 mile ( same modifications)
Its heavier and losses more power...

[e92bmw]

Op If you have money to lower the car and care about off the line traction then go fkr the xi! If yoi dont mind a little wheelspin off the line then get the i. I have a 335i sport package( its low) and I do just fine in canadian winters...

[turbo2nr]

i deffinatly care more about handling then straight line performance.

i dont mind wheel spin lol i drove a 400whp 240sx before this so wheelspin was a way of life..

after hearing that the xi isnt as good around the twisties and is heavier i think ill wait for a i

[boom]

One thing I forgot: an oil cooler comes with an xi ONLY if the sport package WITH the optional 18" wheel package is selected. The i gets an oc with just the sport package. I bought mine with sports pkg and 17" wheels and was disappointed ringing this out. Now I'm stuck trying to retrofit.

[blbrchnk]

Originally Posted by beemw

Yes the 60 foot time, however an xi will never be faster than an i in 1/4 mile ( same modifications)
Its heavier and losses more power...

lol, you act like the difference is seconds...

[AltecBX]

I would get an xi if you got the money. You're from nyc, so it comes really handy in the winter time and raining days. The performance is negligible compared to the rwd unless you're tracking your car.

[bulldog_yyc]

XI from a dig is no joke - true that its slightly heavier but given a good driver, can easily make it up with good launches vs. a 335i who is likely to spin in the box a little while

[bolty]

stock xi is pretty horrendous around corners compared to an i. Both the sport and non sport package xi's come with the same bigboat 4x4 suspension.

[blbrchnk]

Originally Posted by bolty

stock xi is pretty horrendous around corners compared to an i. Both the sport and non sport package xi's come with the same bigboat 4x4 suspension.

I will give you that. The rear end on the stock xi is rather floaty, but nothing that can't be easily fixed.

For me it came down to the following:

1) AWD where I live is a big plus due to the weather.
2) 0-60 from a dig with a tune (I do way more of these than 1/4 races). With an automatic it is as simple as can be to launch.
3) They had a used XI in stock at a great price.

You can't go wrong either way.

[Stucks]

You really can't go wrong with either choice. They both have their positives and negatives. If you can get an xi for a good price, do it. Most people who buy xi's are satisfied with their purchase and the same goes for people who bought the i. They like the positives that they get that the other model doesn't have.

I'm on my second i, but strongly considered an xi as my second N54 car. I went with the i because i found a great deal on it and I have a winter truck to drive in snow.

"360 days a year, 335i owners are happy with their cars. The other 5 days a year, they wish they had bought a 335xi"

[boom]

Originally Posted by bolty

stock xi is pretty horrendous around corners compared to an i. Both the sport and non sport package xi's come with the same bigboat 4x4 suspension.

Whatever. I've had both and I think they're very close.

[UltraRacer13]

I think with mods (coils / sways) the xi is BETTER in the twisties. All four pulling you through. All you have to do it work out the understeer, then she's a beast!

[blbrchnk]

Originally Posted by boom

Whatever. I've had both and I think they're very close.

I think what he was meaning was that you can't even truly get the sports suspension on the XI from the factory. You can buy the package, but it does little to no good suspension wise. Like has been said above though, a simple coilover setup fixes that lofty rear end on both cars.

[Alchem]

Throw some KW V1 coilovers on an XI and you have massive win. I had an i before the xi and I love the planted feel with awd. Keep in mind that the XI is RWD biased and it can send 100% of power to the rear wheels. Launches are so much more fun on XI. Real world performance difference is negligible unless you are really anal like some of the arm chair racers on this forum.

[vase330]

Originally Posted by turbo2nr

sucks i found a nice 08 xi with 43k for only 23k.. CPO'd..

guess i have to hold of for a i..

Make sure its a buy back lemon I am a bit surprised by that price by a dealer unless the car is stripped with no options.