[M Smurf]

First post!! Shortly pulling the trigger on a 2013 328. Here's my dilemma deciding between 2 cars. Virtually the same price and miles, $25k, 25k miles, as well as the color combo I want.


1. 328i, premium, cold weather packages, certified
2. 328ix, premium, cold, lighting


I live in Mpls, MN.
I have spent countless hours reading on this forum to deduce that I'd be better off and enjoy driving more the RWD with both a summer and winter wheelset.

With the x drive, I would simply change out the OEM tires for a max performance AS tires.

Others have also stated that the Xenons are a "must have." I have a hard time believing that they are that much better.

There's quite litterally 1 car like the 328i in the colors that I want with cold weather package in the country! Very few RWD with cold weather package and others have stated here that retrofitting heated seats is cost prohibitive.

I look forward to hearing others thoughts!

[Sayzar]

Originally Posted by saliva

First post!! Shortly pulling the trigger on a 2013 328. Here's my dilemma deciding between 2 cars. Virtually the same price and miles, $25k, 25k miles, as well as the color combo I want.


1. 328i, premium, cold weather packages, certified
2. 328ix, premium, cold, lighting


I live in Mpls, MN.
I have spent countless hours reading on this forum to deduce that I'd be better off and enjoy driving more the RWD with both a summer and winter wheelset.

With the x drive, I would simply change out the OEM tires for a max performance AS tires.

Others have also stated that the Xenons are a "must have." I have a hard time believing that they are that much better.

There's quite litterally 1 car like the 328i in the colors that I want with cold weather package in the country! Very few RWD with cold weather package and others have stated here that retrofitting heated seats is cost prohibitive.

I look forward to hearing others thoughts!

lighting package is a must on the 328

[jpics80]

Get X driver and extended warranty

[Kenny's X5]

Agree w/ the others above. Get the Xdrive with the lighting package

[mmmmm235i]

I'd go with the xi with lighting package. With some life still left in the original warranty you could always opt for the extended warranty down the line if you think it is worth it. While I agree that RWD is more fun and you could probably get away with running snow tires, Minnesota winters are pretty serious and I wouldn't want to risk getting stuck. Lighting package doesn't seem like a big deal until you don't have it. Good luck.

[cfm56d7b]

I also suggest xDrive model. Also consider buying a dedicated wheels / winter tires set which will consistently outperform AS tires.

[bri1042]

I would also suggest the x-drive with the lighting package. I had a 328 with the halogens, and you'd be OK in the city with them but they really are pretty awful. They are much worse the halogens I had on Acuras before I moved to BMW. They may not be something you should consider a deal breaker, but they are a negative.

I also lived in Minneapolis for 7 years, so I know your roads quite well. X-Drive with winter tires will make you a very happy camper. I am very, very good at snow driving (grew up in SW Michigan and then spent most of my 20's in Minneapolis) but I did once spin off of 35E and into a snow bank...and I'm quite sure I would have been able to control the car if I'd had winter rubber on the car. I very much think it's worth the money to grab a second set of wheels so you can swap easily to your winter setup. If the car you buy has 17" stock wheels when you get it, use those for the Winter tires and buy some 18's for summer.

Also, a lot of 328's had Heated Seats without the Cold Weather package. The front seats can be optioned alone and you just lose the Heated Steering wheel and the rear seat heaters (and possibly headlight washers on some lighting configs).

[128GP]

lighting package is a must

[Lancelot]

I find the Xenon to be useless as we almost never drive out of the city at night.

However as you can see from this thread it is quite useful to help reselling your car even if you have no use yourself.

[M Smurf]

Originally Posted by bri1042

I would also suggest the x-drive with the lighting package. I had a 328 with the halogens, and you'd be OK in the city with them but they really are pretty awful. They are much worse the halogens I had on Acuras before I moved to BMW. They may not be something you should consider a deal breaker, but they are a negative.

I also lived in Minneapolis for 7 years, so I know your roads quite well. X-Drive with winter tires will make you a very happy camper. I am very, very good at snow driving (grew up in SW Michigan and then spent most of my 20's in Minneapolis) but I did once spin off of 35E and into a snow bank...and I'm quite sure I would have been able to control the car if I'd had winter rubber on the car. I very much think it's worth the money to grab a second set of wheels so you can swap easily to your winter setup. If the car you buy has 17" stock wheels when you get it, use those for the Winter tires and buy some 18's for summer.

Also, a lot of 328's had Heated Seats without the Cold Weather package. The front seats can be optioned alone and you just lose the Heated Steering wheel and the rear seat heaters (and possibly headlight washers on some lighting configs).

While I dont disagree that winter tires on x-drive would be superior, I feel it would be overkill. Our 50in avg snowfall is decreasing not to mention that living in the city, the roads are well plowed. I am turning in a VW sportwagen with good Michelin 16 AS tires and I never felt I needed better traction or handling in the snow. I would expect the X-drive to perform at least that well.

[otay]

* x-drive for MN
* Lighting package for safety at night

You probably saw this thread...
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ght=headlights

[M Smurf]

Thanks for all the replies! Other comments have prompted other questions that I have been heavily researching.

1. Extended warranty? I hold on to cars for many years putting north of 100k miles until there's come a time where I need to move on. Consumer Reports collectively reccomends against these warranties.

I actually made several calls to BMW repair shops around the area asking whether or not it's a good idea. Granted, most said that they werent seeing many of these cars since 2013 generally falls under the mfg warranty. Other said, at best, it's generally a wash to buy the extended warranty.

2. SULEV? Because of said miles above that I plan to use, and living in MN where the special warranty doesn't apply, many on this forum and online have reccomended against SULEV since it can be so costly should something go wrong.

Again, so appreciative of the knowledge and the input on this forum!

[otay]

I had to have a transmission part replaced under warranty...called the mechatronics, it was a $2000 part.

If I buy this one at end of lease, I'll be inquiring about extended warranty.

[akack79]

Like the majority of ppl have advised get the xenons, huge difference between halogens and xenons. The difference is like getting a top sirloin (halogen) or filet mignon (xenons).

If all you're looking for are heated seats then you don't need the CW package, the heated seats can be a standalone option fyi.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by akack79

Like the majority of ppl have advised get the xenons, huge difference between halogens and xenons. The difference is like getting a top sirloin (halogen) or filet mignon (xenons).

If all you're looking for are heated seats then you don't need the CW package, the heated seats can be a standalone option fyi.

The heated seats can also be retrofitted by your dealer for like $500

[roll_the_dice]

I was just in the same boat as you although I live in a warm climate, but we have family in upstate NY and drive there often in the winter it seems. My last BMW was a 2010 E90 x drive...never had problems in the Syracuse weather. We had cold weather pkg and the heated steering wheel is nice on those cold winter mornings/nights to warm your hands.

This time I purchased a RWD F30 with all the options I cared about. One of those options that was a deal breaker was the Xenon and adaptive lights. Not only do the halos look much better as DRL than the halogens, the xenons are so much better at night it isn't in the same class. I am surprised halogens are still offered on the BMW.

My last BMW was SULEV and I had a lot of work to be done a few months ago and it wasn't cheap to repair. It has 90k miles and I spent $2400 on repairs that would have been cheaper in a non SULEV car ...so this time I opted for the N20 (non SULEV) for that reason.

So I would opt for the non SULEV engine if at all possible.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Not only do the halos look much better as DRL than the halogens, the xenons are so much better at night it isn't in the same class. I am surprised halogens are still offered on the BMW.

This ^^^

Also, xDrive is no doubt better, safer and smarter choice for where you (and I) live. RWD is however more fun to drive and perfectly fine in the winter with good winter tires.

Most will argue it's unnecessary risk for little reward, and I can understand the argument. I still have chosen RWD and haven't regretted it, and we get crazy snow where I live 4+ months a year.

Originally Posted by saliva

While I dont disagree that winter tires on x-drive would be superior, I feel it would be overkill. Our 50in avg snowfall is decreasing not to mention that living in the city, the roads are well plowed. I am turning in a VW sportwagen with good Michelin 16 AS tires and I never felt I needed better traction or handling in the snow. I would expect the X-drive to perform at least that well.

I don't want to sound like I'm lecturing you, but will do so anyway
Why would you ever own BMW, luxury brand, slightly more expensive than others, and not spend money on good winter tires?

xDrive will do nothing to help you stop faster, or keep the grip in corners, winter tires will (and xDrive will help.)
You're also extending the life of your summer tire (and will be able to buy better performance summer tires instead of all season tire) and at the same time are being responsible/safer driver for your family and others sharing the road with you. Buy good winter tires, whatever car you get.

Just my $0.02.

[donkey]

+1 for RWD and a set of winter tires if needed.

When buying my car I looked at the avg number of days it snows in my area, and the number of snowy days I absolutely HAVE to drive in the winter and decided AWD just wasn't for me.

I'd rather buy a set of snow tires or a beater and have better handling for the other 90% of the time when it's not needed.

Another advantage is RWD is lighter, cheaper, and easier to work on for a lot of mods.

I do agree Xenons are a must.

[jmull3r]

you might as well get the xdrive and xenons for the same price, the xdrive can be useful when ever you need it in the winter time.

[eluded]

Get the 335

[F30ed]

All those options are strictly psychological and that how we see so wide range of advice. It is all about personality.

X-drive is the must only if you are in a mountain belt, without it your car will simply not move uphill for the lack of transaction force. If not, than it is a fashion discussion like brown shoes vs black blazers. Same with headlights - if halogens would not pass government safety requirements they would not be selling.

[M Smurf]

Originally Posted by F30ed

All those options are strictly psychological and that how we see so wide range of advice. It is all about personality.

X-drive is the must only if you are in a mountain belt, without it your car will simply not move uphill for the lack of transaction force. If not, than it is a fashion discussion like brown shoes vs black blazers. Same with headlights - if halogens would not pass government safety requirements they would not be selling.

These were my thoughts as well! I was very much leaning toward the certified RWD 328 before posting hoping to engage others opinions to the contrary. Much success! Since I want only the liquid blue with Venitian beige, options are limited.

Thanks again for everyone's input!