[Former_Boosted_IS]

Guys, I am new to the forums and just wanted to say hi. I have lurked for a while as I did before I bought my IS300. Ultimately I turned that car into a pretty fast single turbo vehicle. Now, I am interested in something new and the 335i/335xi. I like the potential of the car a lot. Here is my question, with the high cost of getting an LSD ($3k) on the current year 335i, why wouldn't the 335xi be much more ideal? Does anyone know if the 2008 335i will have an LSD as an option? LSD's on the 335xi car for only $2k more seems like a steal to me! All wheel drive also seems awesome for great launch on the car, especially if you decide to go with some increase in power via the piggyback ecu's available.

Any idea on what the xi tranny will hold in terms of power?

I guess I am curious why anyone would pick the rear wheel drive 335io without LSD vs. the 335xi with LSD/all wheel drive for $2k more? I know the 200 lb difference, but that is minimal considering the benefits to me.

[elucas730]

Heavier
More drivetrain losses
Different weight distribution
More understeer
All leading to a car that is slower and doesn't handle as well, even with an LSD.

[Former_Boosted_IS]

Originally Posted by elucas730

Heavier
More drivetrain losses
Different weight distribution
More understeer
All leading to a car that is slower and doesn't handle as well, even with an LSD.

I now see that weight distribution difference. Is 2% really that big of a concern? That is 75 lbs.

Doesn't the car spread the power only when slip is detected or is it all wheel all the time?

Suspension would be removed the day I bought the car for coilovers anyway, so that is not a huge concern of mine. Would lowering it cause issues with the AWD?

By the way, I appreciate the help.

[bnj]

Originally Posted by elucas730

Heavier
More drivetrain losses
Different weight distribution
More understeer
All leading to a car that is slower and doesn't handle as well, even with an LSD.

What is the weight distribution? At least 330xi is closer to 50/50 than 330i.

You cannot say xi would be slower. Especially, if he would have a tuned car, the power to the wheels would be quite enough through any transmission and the question is how much power can be put to the ground efficiently. It is obvious that 4 wheels puts the power down much better than 2 wheels.

[Former_Boosted_IS]

It looks like a difference of about 2% in the sedans. I have yet to see any specific info on the 335xi.

[bnj]

335i RWDs are: Sedan AT: 52/48, MT 51/49 coupes (MT & AT): 51/49
xi cannot have it much different from those

[Panoz]

Leave the car like it is...Just through a Procede V2 inside , 235F/275R 19" tyres and forget about LSD/xi bs

Just my 0.02cents

[533ogetnom]

xi doesnt have an axle LSD it has a sort of LSD between the axles, both axles have open differentials though

[catdog]

Yet once again the xi gets shot down by the "experts"...
As a proud driver of a 335xi, the car handles great! It put the whole power down like it's nobody's business with nary any wheelspin and literally pulls you out of corners under power. It's an exhilirating feeling and that is on the dry, so i can't wait to have fun on wet/ice/snow.

I am going to be getting a procede and i know traction simply will not be an issue. The car is well balanced, is FASTER to 60 mph than the rwd version despite the extra weight and it's still speculation that it's so much slower than the rwd to 1/4 mile or even at higher speeds.

Unless you live in Miami/Southern Cal/Texas with perfect weather and you intend on lowering the car then i would seriously consider the xi; i also wish people who have not driven both and made direct comparison would refrain from making negative comments based on conjecture rather than experience. And if you are going to compare them then compare the base suspension rwd to the xi since latter rides a little higher and also has some steel rather than aluminum components.

I think with >400HP at the crank the xi will be a monster with no traction issues whatsoever and no need to get lsd wet or dry. Stop knocking it unless you have hard data. $0.02

[TheLegacy]

I would agree with Catdog. Also because I'm in the Boston area, and it snows (well use to) hehe.

I've always had AWD cars and my 335XI is just nnnasssty ;+)

[uhaulball]

335xi... when my 330xi quits out. cant wait!

[BMWalpine]

335xi all the way. cant beat the AWD TT

[SW335]

Do some reading on the acceleration. The ability of the Xi to put down the power has in some testing resulted in a faster 0-60 time despite the weight penalty. If you put on coilovers, then you have a great setup.

RWD is better on the track, but how often is anyone on the track, and how many of us are good enough to drive RWD faster than AWD? As an owner of a quattro Audi, not me.

[catdog]

Alright, the xi's strike back...finally

[Evo8MRto335I]

I had the same dilema 3 months ago, I almost cancelled my order of my Coupe 335i for the 335xi.

After having 9 AWD cars and drag racing all of them I declined to buy the 335XI for a few reasons:

1) I have a fully built GSX AWD just for drag racing
2) The Xi was going to be just to freaking heavy (similar to the vr4's)
3) The RWD accelerates excellent despite not even having AWD or rear LSD, in fact the rwd is just maybe .1 or .2sec slower(yet to be proved)
4) You will loose significant top end and trap speeds with the AWD
5) Gas mileage will also be worst


My point is, if you are going to use the BMW 335i for drag racing then yes, get the AWD by all means, it will be far more efficient than spending $2500-$3000 on upgrading a RWD with a LSD but If you are going to take the 335i ocasionally to the drag strip, then a set of wider DR will do the trick.

A regular 335i with a decent set of tires in the back(sticky 265's or 275's) will give a XI their run for their money.

Please, do not fall under the miscategory that many fall into, the AWD are great as long as you know how to launch them otherwise they can be significantly slower than a RWD with a good driver.

I explained that before , many people assume the AWD is a killer on take off, no doubt they can be quick from the line as long as the driver knows what he is doing, the last thing you want to have is a AWD boging down on the take off, then you have 3800lbs of car trying to catch up with a RWD 335i that has lesser drivetrain loss and weigths much less.. c ya.


Another thing to consider is the location in which you live, I would prefer to have a AWD if I live in areas where it snows in the winter.

my .2c

[Evo8MRto335I]

Just for the record, My best times on my AWD cars were achieved on the Evos, even though I never cut a 1.6 I in fact cut many 1.7sec and at least 1.8sec to say the least.

Even comparing the RWD 335i, I have seen some awesome 60' from many people, I have seen some 1.9's on stock tires. A set of wider DR would certainly give you the oportunity to run 1.7s, is a matter of a fact I think maxboost cut a 1.6s on a non rear LSD 335i with a set of 265 DR.

Again, if you ocasionally go to the track then the regular 335i would do fine. Yes, the AWD is a heck of a deal price wise when compared to the RWD but always remember the pro and cons. Do you really want to built a 335XI for the drag race?

[Rips335iCoupe]

If you want a AWD car, then buy an Audi .... rear drive is what makes a BMW!

[Evo8MRto335I]

Originally Posted by Rips335iCoupe

If you want a AWD car, then buy an Audi .... rear drive is what makes a BMW!

what is wrong with a BMW AWD?

[bnj]

What might be RWD 60' times with those wider DRs in the rain?

[533ogetnom]

Originally Posted by Evo8MRto335I

what is wrong with a BMW AWD?

actually nothing, BMWs Xdrive is a rear wheel biased system, most of them time its giving most power to the rear wheels, even when the rear wheels start slipping and it activates it still sends more power to the rear than the front

[bnj]

If you don't have traction issues after 60' with street tires, you have seriously failed in engine tuning.

[e36jakeo]

The AWD vs RWD argument is one for the ages. There are proponents for both.

Unless you really need the extra traction of AWD due to needing to climb hills in the snow I say go with RWD. Carrying around the extra weight and friction of AWD in a car originally designed to be RWD is counterproductive. In terms of safety, the stability control is now so good that having RWD is not a real safety concern. Get yourself some good snow tires for the winter and you will be amazed what a RWD BMW can do.

RWD completely separates the throttle from the steering, which offers much better steering feel and the ability to turn the car with the throttle. Learn how to take advantage of this separation at a car control clinic or track day or two. Then get the LSD and you will understand why BMW builds the best handling sedans on the planet.

If you are purchasing the car more for its straight-line speed then maybe the AWD would be a good purchase just for pure traction reasons.