[onefish2]

Do you guys not see any advantage to having the all wheel drive xDrive system over rear wheel drive?

Is it only the people in cold/snowy climates that are getting all wheel drive?

I would think that all wheel drive would make the car handle better than rear whell drive alone.

Or maybe its not really a 3 series without the true sports package of a non xi 325/330.

[espo]

Do a search on RWD vs. AWD and you will find alot of information.... Don't want to start up this debate again

I got an AWD car, but I live in buffalo (read we get SNOW!). If I lived anywhere else, I would have gotten a RWD with the SP and 18" tires and put snows on in the winter (if there was the possibility of ANY snow or cold temps).

[E90Fleet]

Its for snow

[LEDZEP]

A quadraped mammal is more stable and sure footed than a biped mammal.

[gratemech69er]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Its for snow

Its for snow AND rain.

[parafrog]

Originally Posted by onefish2

Do you guys not see any advantage to having the all wheel drive xDrive system over rear wheel drive?

Is it only the people in cold/snowy climates that are getting all wheel drive?

I would think that all wheel drive would make the car handle better than rear whell drive alone.

Or maybe its not really a 3 series without the true sports package of a non xi 325/330.

just my 2 cents...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10581

[tctic]

You must also consider that there are certain drawbacks on the xi. For example, more mass --> Higher fuel consumption and Longer stopping distances. The Xi rides higher than the 'i', the price is higher, and some people just believes that a RWD handles more ideally in good conditions.

[BKsBimmer]

Originally Posted by tctic

You must also consider that there are certain drawbacks on the xi. For example, more mass --> Higher fuel consumption and Longer stopping distances. The Xi rides higher than the 'i', the price is higher, and some people just believes that a RWD handles more ideally in good conditions.

That's all pretty much crap. The difference in fuel consumption between the 2 models is about 1mpg average. The difference in ride height is less than an inch. Stopping distance difference is not more than a couple of feet. Yes, you pay for the technology but x drive also enhances the the value of the car. BMW states that "On smooth, dry roads, the 325xi and 330xi have the feel of their rear-wheal drive stablemates." Let's try to be more responsible about posting information. Better to stick with facts than just giving opinions.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by BKsBimmer

That's all pretty much crap. The difference in fuel consumption between the 2 models is about 1mpg average. The difference in ride height is less than an inch. Stopping distance difference is not more than a couple of feet. Yes, you pay for the technology but x drive also enhances the the value of the car. BMW states that "On smooth, dry roads, the 325xi and 330xi have the feel of their rear-wheal drive stablemates." Let's try to be more responsible about posting information. Better to stick with facts than just giving opinions.

And what BMW says is actually quite true.

I (extensively) test drove the 330i, the 330i with SP and the 330xi (with SP and Styling 162 wheels and staggered tires).

I would put the 330xi somewhere between the 330i with SP and the 330i in terms of handling.

[tctic]

Originally Posted by BKsBimmer

That's all pretty much crap. The difference in fuel consumption between the 2 models is about 1mpg average. The difference in ride height is less than an inch. Stopping distance difference is not more than a couple of feet. Yes, you pay for the technology but x drive also enhances the the value of the car. BMW states that "On smooth, dry roads, the 325xi and 330xi have the feel of their rear-wheal drive stablemates." Let's try to be more responsible about posting information. Better to stick with facts than just giving opinions.

Notice I said "Some people believes RWD still handles better than AWD"? This is not my opinion and I don't think I am qualified to say anything on that as I had never tried the E90 with x-Drive. I also realized that fuel consumption and stopping distances are minimal but they are nevertheless a 'drawback' of x-Drive. Regarding the ride height, I was pointing that out as I notice a few threads on people talking about lowering the 'xi' models. Who knows if the original poster would be concerned about the slight increase in ride height?

[Helmar]

Living in Maine, I'm switching from a' '03 RWD LS430 to a 330XI.

There are times that my LS430 simply won't get up the driveway or a hill, and AWD solves that.

I once got stuck half way out of my GARAGE! The ground was solid ice and as soon as the rear tires of the LS430 left the garage, they started spinning (well, since the car has traction control, spinning isn't the right word).

It did start veering to the right though, and would have struck the side of the garage if I had kept trying.

I chose the 330XI because of performance, AWD, performance, manual transmission, performace, FUN TO DRIVE, and performance.

Non-performance things that were important to me were navigation system and active cruise control (don't knock it until you've tried it. It's MUCH better than you think).

I chose the 3 over the 5 because I tried both, and liked the 3 better. My only regrets of choosing the 3 over the 5 are lack of HUD, and lack of storage space.

Just my 2 cents.

[ward]

somebody looking for performance in a mild climate would be misguided to spend their $$$$ on XI instead of sport pack RWD

[18LLC]

i have another question, if AWD e90 it's for snow and rain, why so many ppl buying subaru and audi in bay area? just wondering.

[ward]

Originally Posted by BKsBimmer

That's all pretty much crap. The difference in fuel consumption between the 2 models is about 1mpg average. The difference in ride height is less than an inch. Stopping distance difference is not more than a couple of feet. Yes, you pay for the technology but x drive also enhances the the value of the car. BMW states that "On smooth, dry roads, the 325xi and 330xi have the feel of their rear-wheal drive stablemates." Let's try to be more responsible about posting information. Better to stick with facts than just giving opinions.

you may want to consider the diff between marketing info and facts. BMW is going to tell you that as they want your extra $$$$$. the BMW website is not a newspaper or an unbiased source of info

you may also want to consider the added traction in rain is pretty much crap, if you can't handle rain in a RWD 3 series you don't deserve to be on the road

[ward]

Originally Posted by 18LLC

i have another question, if AWD e90 it's for snow and rain, why so many ppl buying subaru and audi in bay area? just wondering.

the same reason you spent the extra for the XI

the marketing people have suckered you and many many many others into thinking you'll drive straight into the first ditch you see in a RWD car in the rain, much less snow.

[LEDZEP]

Here's an idea. If you want a AWD car, buy one. If you don't want one, don't buy one. WTF is the argument? People with navigation systems are morons too. What... can't read a map? Too shy to ask directions?

Why do I care what someone with an Oprah avatar in California thinks about AWD? Have you ever seen a snowflake?

[Lost Rider]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Here's an idea. If you want a AWD car, buy one. If you don't want one, don't buy one. WTF is the argument? People with navigation systems are morons too. What... can't read a map? Too shy to ask directions?

Why do I care some someone with an Oprah avatar in California thinks about AWD? Have you ever seen a snowflake?

I couldn't agree with you more LEDZEP ( I bought the Nav. for the voice command, and to fill the dash out, I don't need a map. not me )I think that people in socal should not be commenting about the need for AWD.
IMO the AWD is incredible, I love the handling of my AWD car, and will never go back , until I can afford/justify 2 cars.
The first time it snows and you see all those 2wd car owners looking for some to help to push their car out of a spot that got plowed in, you'll feel the same way.

So much for no " i vs. xi "

[BKsBimmer]

Originally Posted by ward

you may want to consider the diff between marketing info and facts. BMW is going to tell you that as they want your extra $$$$$. the BMW website is not a newspaper or an unbiased source of info

you may also want to consider the added traction in rain is pretty much crap, if you can't handle rain in a RWD 3 series you don't deserve to be on the road

What you may want to considered is this. I have actually driven both the 330i and the 330xi back to back. I know from experience there is practically no difference in the handling aspects of the 2 cars.

You may also want to consider that you are obviously as susceptible to the BMW "marketing info" as any of us. So far you have bought 3 of them!!! Whatever BMW told you made you spend your $$$$$ 3 times with them. Must have all been facts, I'm sure.

[ward]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Here's an idea. If you want a AWD car, buy one. If you don't want one, don't buy one. WTF is the argument? People with navigation systems are morons too. What... can't read a map? Too shy to ask directions?

Why do I care what someone with an Oprah avatar in California thinks about AWD? Have you ever seen a snowflake?

then why does this whole thread exist, the guy was looking for input


I'm not going to let the thread get all one sided and smiley happy about XI being a performance enhancing option

you're absolutley right though, people are spending their own money, so it's none of anybody's business. Some people want to know if it's worth their $$$$, and that's where our discussions come in.

[ward]

Originally Posted by BKsBimmer

What you may want to considered is this. I have actually driven both the 330i and the 330xi back to back. I know from experience there is practically no difference in the handling aspects of the 2 cars.

You may also want to consider that you are obviously as susceptible to the BMW "marketing info" as any of us. So far you have bought 3 of them!!! Whatever BMW told you made you spend your $$$$$ 3 times with them. Must have all been facts, I'm sure.

If you ever plan to track or autocross your car then I would hope you would notice the difference. In responsible street driving they would both be the same, in responsible street driving there's no difference between a 3 and a VW.


Think what you want about me and marketing, I don't live in a snowy climate and I did not give BMW my extra money (for something I don't neet) just because they ran an ad on TV with kids throwing snowballs at the car. I buy them because I test drive EVERYTHING, and then the choice is obvious.

AWD is great for people who actually need it. There's a ton of people who think it's necessary for safety (which it's not, in warm climates). And they should be told that AWD in a sunny climate is about as usefull and valuable as tire insurance

[BKsBimmer]

Originally Posted by ward

If you ever plan to track or autocross your car then I would hope you would notice the difference. In responsible street driving they would both be the same, in responsible street driving there's no difference between a 3 and a VW.


Think what you want about me and marketing, I don't live in a snowy climate and I did not give BMW my extra money (for something I don't neet) just because they ran an ad on TV with kids throwing snowballs at the car. I buy them because I test drive EVERYTHING, and then the choice is obvious.

AWD is great for people who actually need it. There's a ton of people who think it's necessary for safety (which it's not, in warm climates). And they should be told that AWD in a sunny climate is about as usefull and valuable as tire insurance

OK ... so let me get this straight. You're telling us that during normal street driving there's no difference between our E90's and any ordinary VW????!!!!! And only those of us who track or auto cross our E90's are truly justified in buying one because those are the ONLY times when anyone can really appreciate the car???? I guess the rest of us lowly shleppies who don't track or autocross our cars are just waisting our money buying Bimmers.

Ward, sorry but you strike me as someone who's pretty arrogant. How about giving grown people credit for being savy and knowledgeable enough to make a good choice for themselves about what to drive. Or maybe you would prefer that we all consult you before buying a Bimmer so you can give us your blessing on whether you think we really need one or not.