XI or NOT?

mike20022 · 03-28-2006, 04:53 PM

I know, I know, I know this has came up many times, in many other threads.

I just need some updated and current opinions one more time. I am definitely getting the 330, and am just unsure on weather to get xi or not. The $1900 is definitely a factor in making my final decision.

I live in Maryland. Snow is really only a factor here about 3 to 6 times a year. We get rain of course, but when it rains the beltways are crawling at 5-10mph, so no real benefit there. When it does snow we have a Honda Pilot to get around in.

Talk me into it, or out of it, Please, I need help on making this final decision.

Isn't DSC enough? I would love to see a full comparison with a 330i and a 330xi!

2006 330 Current Configuration
* 330 SGM
* Premium Package (Terra)
* XI ? (Yes or No and Why?)

Thanks!
-Mike-

noflash · 03-28-2006, 04:56 PM

Not.

Extra weight, lower mpg, more $$, more to break, you'll need snow tires either way.

I think it's only worth it, if you have to tackle unplowed roads.

Put some Blizzacks on a RWD bimmer in snow and it's a tank.

Bimmerista · 03-28-2006, 04:56 PM

IN MD the answer is Not; heck I answered NOT and I live in the North Pole compared to you

BKsBimmer · 03-28-2006, 04:57 PM

PLEASE ... NOBODY BITE .. IT'S A SET UP!!!!

noflash · 03-28-2006, 04:58 PM

D'oh!

Ghunger · 03-28-2006, 04:59 PM

If you need more transportation than the Pilot if it gets snowy then it's probably a good idea to get the xi but if you can make due with one car for those periods and maybe only occationally need to take out the Bimmer in the snow the i would probably be fine. It also depends on the terrain you usually drive on. If it's very hilly the xi may be required if there's any snow at all and you want to drive the Bimmer. Btw, I have a Toyota Tacoma for the snow and I went for the i.

Mr. BMW · 03-28-2006, 05:04 PM

No for me. I just don't want the extra weight, wear and tear, ride height, gas consumption, etc...
You have a second "snow" car so why spend the extra $$ on AWD? Plus if you are not getting the sport package, you can drive it in the snow anyway.

AWD is only worth it if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow and you have to go up and down steep hills. You don't need AWD for driving in the rain either.

voltron1011 · 03-28-2006, 05:04 PM

If you need to ask, then the answer is probably no...

ward · 03-28-2006, 05:09 PM

3-6 times a year,

do you want better performance on those 3-6 days

or

do you want better performance on the other 359-353 days and $1900

ska///235i · 03-28-2006, 05:10 PM

WTF...u already have a SUV
Get the 330I with manual

Brunotheboxer · 03-28-2006, 05:21 PM

save the money and dont buy the xi. use the money to get zsp instead. you already have a honda pilot so you dont even need to spend money on snow tires. i live in the boston area and i bought the 330i. im going to buy 4 snow tires in the fall. the people who bought the xi will tell you that its much better in the snow etc., but the 330i with snows is more than competant.

Squawks · 03-28-2006, 05:26 PM

If you get zsp as mentioned by bruno above, you would still have to spend money on an extra set of wheels and winter tires (note that unless you want to trash your performance runflats, they cannot be taken off and restrapped at a later time).

This means the money you saved via forgoing without the XI will be spent on the zsp (and potentially costing you even more with having to buy an extra winter wheel/tire set if you plan to drive the BMW in winter).

I hear the performance runflats are so crappy that BMW drivers feel quite precarious even during rainy days. But hey, they're "performance/summer" tires for a reason.

JSpira · 03-28-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

3-6 times a year,

do you want better performance on those 3-6 days

or

do you want better performance on the other 359-353 days and $1900

If that were true, then yes. But the better performance curve goes both ways. The xi offers better performance and handling in all situations except absolutely dry clear pavement.

Before you make blanket statements which might be misconstrued, read up on x-drive; or better yet, drive an E90 330xi for a half day in a variety of conditions. Then you'll report how surprised you are.

BKsBimmer · 03-28-2006, 05:33 PM

Too late ... here we go again

RGRAY · 03-28-2006, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKsBimmer

PLEASE ... NOBODY BITE .. IT'S A SET UP!!!!

AGREED!!!

ward · 03-28-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

If that were true, then yes. But the better performance curve goes both ways. The xi offers better performance and handling in all situations except absolutely dry clear pavement.

Before you make blanket statements which might be misconstrued, read up on x-drive; or better yet, drive an E90 330xi for a half day in a variety of conditions. Then you'll report how surprised you are.

some would argue if the conditions are less than pefect then you shouldn't be driving at the limit of adhesion anyways. (some even wiser/unfun people would chime in to say the only place to test the limit should be a track)

I have read everything I could come across on X drive,
remember in Roundel about a year ago, the story on the X3's in the Alcan rally where the X-drive didn't allow the car to travel more than a couple miles an hour (on the timed racing sections of the rally) The severe handicap X-drive put on the X3 let the subarus almost catch up to them in the overall standings for the rally.

I am so fed up with the marketing hype and people who think "I need AWD it's rainy here"

X-drive does take steps to minimize the AWD effect and perform more like a RWD car but I'm still not a fan

ska///235i · 03-28-2006, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

some would argue if the conditions are less than pefect then you shouldn't be driving at the limit of adhesion anyways. (some even wiser/unfun people would chime in to say the only place to test the limit should be a track)

I have read everything I could come across on X drive,
remember in Roundel about a year ago, the story on the X3's in the Alcan rally where the X-drive didn't allow the car to travel more than a couple miles an hour (on the timed racing sections of the rally) The severe handicap X-drive put on the X3 let the subarus almost catch up to them in the overall standings for the rally.

I am so fed up with the marketing hype and people who think "I need AWD it's rainy here"

X-drive does take steps to minimize the AWD effect and perform more like a RWD car but I'm still not a fan

again....Cali peepz need to live here (Eastcoast blizzards) to feel what is like without awd/4wd

mike20022 · 03-28-2006, 06:58 PM

Thanks very much guys! Yes, I am getting manual no matter what! But passing on the ZSP this time. So far this info has really made it easy to say NO to XI! Thanks!

yeung330xi · 03-28-2006, 07:34 PM

i love my XI sedan, owned a 2003 330xi and loved it. bought a new 2006 330xi in january. but then again i live in the great white north.

Brunotheboxer · 03-28-2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike20022

Thanks very much guys! Yes, I am getting manual no matter what! But passing on the ZSP this time. So far this info has really made it easy to say NO to XI! Thanks!

have you test driven a zsp? for me this was the most important and the most bang for the buck feature. the seats alone are worth the money. if you have to drop the zpp.

RGRAY · 03-28-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike20022

...So far this info has really made it easy to say NO to XI! Thanks!

bimmer4me · 03-28-2006, 08:55 PM

Here is the Executive Summary:
* Don't get the xi. The AWD is no worth it for you.
* Get the sports pack
* Promise to never post the RWD vs AWD question again.

03-28-2006, 04:53 PM	#1
mike20022 Private 16 Rep 86 Posts Drives: Honda Accord Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	XI or NOT? I know, I know, I know this has came up many times, in many other threads. I just need some updated and current opinions one more time. I am definitely getting the 330, and am just unsure on weather to get xi or not. The $1900 is definitely a factor in making my final decision. I live in Maryland. Snow is really only a factor here about 3 to 6 times a year. We get rain of course, but when it rains the beltways are crawling at 5-10mph, so no real benefit there. When it does snow we have a Honda Pilot to get around in. Talk me into it, or out of it, Please, I need help on making this final decision. Isn't DSC enough? I would love to see a full comparison with a 330i and a 330xi! 2006 330 Current Configuration * 330 SGM * Premium Package (Terra) * XI ? (Yes or No and Why?) Thanks! -Mike-
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03-28-2006, 04:56 PM	#2
noflash Captain Caveman 148 Rep 1,715 Posts Drives: '06 325eyeyiyi Join Date: May 2005 Location: midwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Not. Extra weight, lower mpg, more $$, more to break, you'll need snow tires either way. I think it's only worth it, if you have to tackle unplowed roads. Put some Blizzacks on a RWD bimmer in snow and it's a tank. __________________ E90 325i Monaco Blue, Black Leatherette, Sport, Cold Weather, Xenon, Sat Prep, 18" BBS RGR Mods: Polorized Film for Business CD, added lumbar, rock chip on hood
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03-28-2006, 04:56 PM	#3
Bimmerista Major General 82 Rep 5,732 Posts Drives: superstock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	IN MD the answer is Not; heck I answered NOT and I live in the North Pole compared to you
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03-28-2006, 04:57 PM	#4
BKsBimmer Lieutenant Colonel 87 Rep 1,645 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Titanium Silver Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: USA / Silver Spring, Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330xi [10.00] 2006 330xi [0.00]	PLEASE ... NOBODY BITE .. IT'S A SET UP!!!!
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03-28-2006, 04:58 PM	#5
noflash Captain Caveman 148 Rep 1,715 Posts Drives: '06 325eyeyiyi Join Date: May 2005 Location: midwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	D'oh! __________________ E90 325i Monaco Blue, Black Leatherette, Sport, Cold Weather, Xenon, Sat Prep, 18" BBS RGR Mods: Polorized Film for Business CD, added lumbar, rock chip on hood
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03-28-2006, 04:59 PM	#6
Ghunger Major 52 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	If you need more transportation than the Pilot if it gets snowy then it's probably a good idea to get the xi but if you can make due with one car for those periods and maybe only occationally need to take out the Bimmer in the snow the i would probably be fine. It also depends on the terrain you usually drive on. If it's very hilly the xi may be required if there's any snow at all and you want to drive the Bimmer. Btw, I have a Toyota Tacoma for the snow and I went for the i. __________________ 330i Monaco Blue, Terra /w aluminum trim, SP, PP, CA, PDC, Nav, Folding Seats, Sat Prep European Delivery Blog Picture Gallery
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03-28-2006, 05:04 PM	#7
Mr. BMW Major 262 Rep 1,389 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 M3 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00] 2018 Jeep Grand Che ... [0.00]	No for me. I just don't want the extra weight, wear and tear, ride height, gas consumption, etc... You have a second "snow" car so why spend the extra $$ on AWD? Plus if you are not getting the sport package, you can drive it in the snow anyway. AWD is only worth it if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow and you have to go up and down steep hills. You don't need AWD for driving in the rain either.
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03-28-2006, 05:04 PM	#8
voltron1011 Colonel 119 Rep 2,909 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, FJR-1300 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wiesbaden iTrader: (2)	If you need to ask, then the answer is probably no...
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03-28-2006, 05:09 PM	#9
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	3-6 times a year, do you want better performance on those 3-6 days or do you want better performance on the other 359-353 days and $1900
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03-28-2006, 05:10 PM	#10
ska///235i ***** noob 1370 Rep 10,479 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	WTF...u already have a SUV Get the 330I with manual __________________ 2006 325xi (Sold) 2014 M235I (Current) 2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
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03-28-2006, 05:21 PM	#11
Brunotheboxer Colonel 371 Rep 2,984 Posts Drives: 2014 Shelby GT500. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston/Cape Cod iTrader: (0)	save the money and dont buy the xi. use the money to get zsp instead. you already have a honda pilot so you dont even need to spend money on snow tires. i live in the boston area and i bought the 330i. im going to buy 4 snow tires in the fall. the people who bought the xi will tell you that its much better in the snow etc., but the 330i with snows is more than competant.
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03-28-2006, 05:26 PM	#12
Squawks One of my two dachshunds: 53 Rep 663 Posts Drives: B6 A4 3.0 Quattro Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ithaca, NY iTrader: (0)	If you get zsp as mentioned by bruno above, you would still have to spend money on an extra set of wheels and winter tires (note that unless you want to trash your performance runflats, they cannot be taken off and restrapped at a later time). This means the money you saved via forgoing without the XI will be spent on the zsp (and potentially costing you even more with having to buy an extra winter wheel/tire set if you plan to drive the BMW in winter). I hear the performance runflats are so crappy that BMW drivers feel quite precarious even during rainy days. But hey, they're "performance/summer" tires for a reason. __________________ I'm sorry about my outlandish behavior - there's too much blood in my alcohol system.
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03-28-2006, 05:33 PM	#14
BKsBimmer Lieutenant Colonel 87 Rep 1,645 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Titanium Silver Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: USA / Silver Spring, Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330xi [10.00] 2006 330xi [0.00]	Too late ... here we go again
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03-28-2006, 06:58 PM	#18
mike20022 Private 16 Rep 86 Posts Drives: Honda Accord Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Thanks very much guys! Yes, I am getting manual no matter what! But passing on the ZSP this time. So far this info has really made it easy to say NO to XI! Thanks!
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03-28-2006, 07:34 PM	#19
yeung330xi Jordan aka The GOAT 95 Rep 477 Posts Drives: 2006 330XI Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 528i xdrive [0.00]	i love my XI sedan, owned a 2003 330xi and loved it. bought a new 2006 330xi in january. but then again i live in the great white north. __________________ December 2002\|\| 2003 330xi Steel Grey\Premium Package\CD Changer\Harman Kardon\Rain Sensor\Automatic March 2006 \|\| 2006 330xi Black Sapphire\Automatic\20% TINT\Blacklines\CF Splitters\M3 style spoiler\MFD LED Angel Eye Kit\19" CSL reps with Falken 452\
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03-28-2006, 08:55 PM	#22
bimmer4me Captain 52 Rep 996 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Here is the Executive Summary: * Don't get the xi. The AWD is no worth it for you. * Get the sports pack * Promise to never post the RWD vs AWD question again. __________________ 2006 330i Monaco Blue \| Grey \| Walnut ...Manual \| Sports \| Premium \| Cold \| Nav \| Comfort Access \| PDC \| Sirius \| Sunshade ...M-Tec Steering Wheel \| M-Tec Shifter \| TLC ...Performance Center Delivery \| Oct 14, 2005
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