[ver.e90]

I appreciate all of your responses to my previous posts. I'm usually not one to post any questions, but you all seem very knowledgeable, so I truly value your opinions.

Here's my dilemma, and I hope some of you can give me better insight: I leased an '03 325xi and its coming to an end next month. I didn't know much about the 3 series back when I leased my car, except for the fact that it was fun to drive. Thanks to all of you, I feel like I know more about this car than anything else!

I really want to get a 330i but I got really comfortable with the xi technology. Being that I live in the NY metro area, I'm not sure if its a good idea to get a non-AWD. Does anyone who lives in a region where snow/sleet is an inevitable occurence own a 325/330i and regret not getting the xi?

I love the 162 wheels but if I were to get the xi, it just wouldn't make sense to purchase those wheels. So, the only way I would get the 162 wheels is if I opted for the i. I figure when there is a threat for inclement weather, I'll just drive my wife's Lexus, which is a FWD, and leave the i in the garage.

So, I just wanted to get an idea of how you guys/gals would resolve this issue if you were in this situation. Sorry for the long post, and I await your inputs!!!

[JSpira]

Why wouldn't it make sense to get the Styling 162 wheels and the performance tires?

That's exactly what I got and the car drives like it is on rails; the handling is incredible.

The new x-drive technology is even better than what you have in your car.

[siriusinvestor]

I have a pre-sept build and have the 330i, ill admit if I had the option of getting the XI, I would have in a heart beat. The handing of the 330i w/ SP 162s in the snow is horrible. That is putting it lightly, I almost lost control of my car about 5 times, when we had our 2 snow storms in Long Island. Everyone that has the same type of model as me keep telling me to purchase snow tires, but some how I doubt that it will make a dramatic difference. This is basically the chance that you take in buying a RWD vehicle and now I understand this.

[Steve P.]

I live in Alberta Canada. And yes I regret not getting Xi. I have a 2006 325i and I got it before they offered it with Xi. But my last car was an Audi TT AWD, and I miss the AWD traction big time. But there are benifits to having a rear wheel drive veichle. Better handling, better fuel mileage, and the biggest thing.... less to go wrong. But even still I think I might consider trading mine in for an Xi. Its not that it doesnt handle good in the snow, its just the traction off the line is horrible. Hope this helps

[siriusinvestor]

Originally Posted by Steve P.

I live in Alberta Canada. And yes I regret not getting Xi. I have a 2006 325i and I got it before they offered it with Xi. But my last car was an Audi TT AWD, and I miss the AWD traction big time. But there are benifits to having a rear wheel drive veichle. Better handling, better fuel mileage, and the biggest thing.... less to go wrong. But even still I think I might consider trading mine in for an Xi. Hope that helps

LOL you seem to be in the same boat as me. I mean granted those 162s look amazing, but is it worth risking your life and control of your vehicle?

[Steve P.]

To SIRIUS.... You have winter tires right?? Cause My car handles good in the snow, just very bad traction off the line

[Kamando]

Originally Posted by siriusinvestor

I have a pre-sept build and have the 330i, ill admit if I had the option of getting the XI, I would have in a heart beat. The handing of the 330i w/ SP 162s in the snow is horrible. That is putting it lightly, I almost lost control of my car about 5 times, when we had our 2 snow storms in Long Island. Everyone that has the same type of model as me keep telling me to purchase snow tires, but some how I doubt that it will make a dramatic difference. This is basically the chance that you take in buying a RWD vehicle and now I understand this.

Snow tires make all the difference in the world! I have no problems with my 330i with snow tires. The difference in the way the car handles in snow with 162's and snow tires is huge.

[siriusinvestor]

Originally Posted by Steve P.

To SIRIUS.... You have winter tires right?? Cause My car handles good in the snow, just very bad traction off the line

Nope absolutely no snow tires, all tire shops are out of them. The clerk told me to come back during summer season to purchase my snow tires

[siriusinvestor]

Originally Posted by Kamando

Snow tires make all the difference in the world! I have no problems with my 330i with snow tires. The difference in the way the car handles in snow with 162's and snow tires is huge.

If you don't mind me asking, what are the snow tires and wheels you have on your vehicle? Thanks in advance.

[Steve P.]

Hey Yo Komando..... I have snow tires as well Bridgestone Blissakes LM-22
But I still find it hard to have traction off the line, you find that to??

[Kamando]

wheels: 17x7 Sport Edition E1 Bright Silver
tires: 225/45HR-17 Dunlop Winter Sport M3 DSST (Dunlop makes the same tires in non-runflat for those who would rather go that route)

Purchased both on tirerack.com (And yes they fit fine with the sport package)

Traction is fine off the line for me in snow when I do regular smooth steady accelerating instead of trying to accelerate really fast.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by siriusinvestor

I have a pre-sept build and have the 330i, ill admit if I had the option of getting the XI, I would have in a heart beat.

Good to hear.

Originally Posted by siriusinvestor

The handing of the 330i w/ SP 162s in the snow is horrible. That is putting it lightly, I almost lost control of my car about 5 times, when we had our 2 snow storms in Long Island.

You're driving in snow (the blizzard of 2006?) with summer performance tires? Did you read the part of the 3er brochure where it says that the tires are not meant for snow and ice. It's odd to say the least to complain that the handling is horrible after the manufacturer advises against doing just that.

Originally Posted by siriusinvestor

Everyone that has the same type of model as me keep telling me to purchase snow tires, but some how I doubt that it will make a dramatic difference.

And they're just all wrong? Everyone?

My own experience with my RWD BMW, substituting PROPER WINTER TIRES for summer tires, is that it handled incredibly well in snow. That's what snow tires do.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by siriusinvestor

Nope absolutely no snow tires, all tire shops are out of them. The clerk told me to come back during summer season to purchase my snow tires

When exactly did you go to buy them? Most people put winter tires on in early to mid December.

[Steve P.]

But not off the line... RIGHT...... thats all AWD helps with is off the line acceleration

[JSpira]

But we now return you to our regularly scheduled program.

Back to AWDriver - where in NY are you.

If you want to see my car (330xi with Styling 162 wheels), I'd be happy to show you how it handles.

You'll never want anything else.

[Jean330xi]

Originally Posted by siriusinvestor

I have a pre-sept build and have the 330i, ill admit if I had the option of getting the XI, I would have in a heart beat. The handing of the 330i w/ SP 162s in the snow is horrible. That is putting it lightly, I almost lost control of my car about 5 times, when we had our 2 snow storms in Long Island. Everyone that has the same type of model as me keep telling me to purchase snow tires, but some how I doubt that it will make a dramatic difference. This is basically the chance that you take in buying a RWD vehicle and now I understand this.

Egads man. Driving summer tires in the snow. That's scary (esp for other drivers near you on the road). I have had a 330xi for 2 months now and immediately put winter tires on it when it arrived, storing the nice 162s with their summer tires for warmer days.

[Redguy]

We don't have the option of the xi in the UK, and nobody bothers with Winter tyres.

Makes for some hairy days when it snows!

[lux.sh]

Amazing. So I don't know who is more stupid.

A guy complaining how e90 with 162s on low-profile SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES sliding on snow or the guy scared of buying RWD because of occasional snow.

AWDriver, tell us what kind of driver you are, and what you want in a car. And maybe even include weather/road condition of the places you live/go to. And I assume you have enough income to afford a set of dedicated winter rims/tires setup?


EDIT: Didn't see JSpira's post regarding summer tires.

[ben1364]

AWDriver wrote in part, "...<snip>...I really want to get a 330i but I got really comfortable with the xi technology. Being that I live in the NY metro area, I'm not sure if its a good idea to get a non-AWD."

In the N Y metro area you don't have many days during the course of an average year when AWD would be an advantage. If however, you make frequent ski trips, etc., it might be worthwhile. The record snowfall last week in N Y probably made many New Yorkers wish for AWD; but they would probably be smarter to take a day or so off than drive in it. <g> I lived in the Washington, D C metro area for a number of years. I remember neighbors verbally justifying their AWD vehicles but noted that they either stayed home or got their vehicles bent if they ventured out on one of the 5 snow days per average year.

Having said the above, some of the current AWD cars are really quite fun to drive, aside from the capability to handle light snow conditions. The BMW xi, several of th Audis and the Subaru line come to mind. When it comes down to the nut, it is a choice that you will have to make on terms that are more emotional than rational. How's that for waffling?

[timoth31]

Originally Posted by AWDriver

I appreciate all of your responses to my previous posts. I'm usually not one to post any questions, but you all seem very knowledgeable, so I truly value your opinions.

Here's my dilemma, and I hope some of you can give me better insight: I leased an '03 325xi and its coming to an end next month. I didn't know much about the 3 series back when I leased my car, except for the fact that it was fun to drive. Thanks to all of you, I feel like I know more about this car than anything else!

I really want to get a 330i but I got really comfortable with the xi technology. Being that I live in the NY metro area, I'm not sure if its a good idea to get a non-AWD. Does anyone who lives in a region where snow/sleet is an inevitable occurence own a 325/330i and regret not getting the xi?

I love the 162 wheels but if I were to get the xi, it just wouldn't make sense to purchase those wheels. So, the only way I would get the 162 wheels is if I opted for the i. I figure when there is a threat for inclement weather, I'll just drive my wife's Lexus, which is a FWD, and leave the i in the garage.

So, I just wanted to get an idea of how you guys/gals would resolve this issue if you were in this situation. Sorry for the long post, and I await your inputs!!!

To second several of the previous posters, I'm happy with my own setup. I live in MD (not radically different from NYC weather-wise, with only a little bit less snow each year) but got a 330i ZSP. Then last fall I got a set of Dunlop M3 winter tires on 17s. The wife (who drives to work each day) thinks the setup is great in bad winter weather - and let me tell you, she'd be the first to complain if it weren't.

Given that you are in the NYC area, the solution to snowy days is simple. Keep a MetroCard/PATH pass/Metro-North pass handy for those days (because NYC is well governed, the subways will keep running in bad weather, as opposed to DC, where the local governments are too STUPID to do things as basic as bury the power lines). Enjoy the lower weight (= better handling and power) and better mileage of the 330i. If you have to drive your wife and kid(s) to and fro in a family car, why not at least get all the enjoyment out of it that you possibly can?

[ic]

I've 325i w/ SP. I put LM-25 in the winter and no problem in the snow. For those who said slow off the line with snow, just wonder are you equiped with snow tires? Have you try turning on DTC?

WARNING: Never drive ANY wheel drive car in the snow with summer/performance tires.

[ben1364]

Originally Posted by ic

I've 325i w/ SP. I put LM-25 in the winter and no problem in the snow. For those who said slow off the line with snow, just wonder are you equiped with snow tires? Have you try turning on DTC?
WARNING: Never drive ANY wheel drive car in the snow with summer/performance tires.

At least for the U S market "on" is the default setting for DTC. One must consciously turn it off.