[PKumarM3]

Originally Posted by EDubs

i test drove both today. the "I" was in stick, but the dealership (actually both i went to) didnt have the XI in manual so i had to settle for testing it in auto lets just say my firsts impression was the steering wheel in the I felt much tighter and responsive, and also (which was kinda funny)when i sat in the XI both me and the salesman looked at each other and instantly lowered our seats cause we felt like we were sitting much higher .. other then that they both took off like rocketships when i put the pedal to the floor.l

The feeling of the steering wheel can be due to various things. Mostly it has to do with the shitty tires that prob were on the xi. The All season run flats that BMW supplies leave much to desire.

Originally Posted by EDubs

has anyone testdrove a xi in manual and automatic and noticed a dramatic difference? i mean its obvious, but anything specific?

the automatic transmission mated with the n54 motor makes for a faster automobile. that is the general consensus on the message board and fellow owners that i have spoken to.

Originally Posted by EDubs

also the wheel gap bothered me (as everyone else) an i was planning on getting the M package with the 18'' (does this make a difference in the gap aka will it look smaller with the 18'' over 17'').

the bigger wheels will not do anything. Your car will ride just as high and the wheel gap could increase depending on the dimensions of the 18 inch tire.

Originally Posted by EDubs

Also very important .. does the m sports package come with the performance tires that are worthless in the winter? aka will i have to buy snow tires anyway and drop another grand?

the 18 inch tires will be summer tires, and you will most likely have to buy all season tires or snow tires. i ran 17 inch all season tires last year and did fine.

Originally Posted by EDubs

Also do the H&R or KWV1-3's void your warranty ? im guessing that most of you have leases but im planning to buy.

i purchased my 335i xDrive. just installed the kw coilovers. it depends on your dealership. but only ur suspension warranty would be affected by installing an aftermarket suspension, not your overall warranty.

Originally Posted by EDubs

now lastly my back story -- i made a deal on friday for an "I" and got a call from my salesman on Sat. that there was not one more slots available for a new build for an "I" in north america, but he found one XI that was still able to be modified to suit my needs (i later confirmed this by calling 3 other dealerships and getting the same answer on the "I" matter) .. because he broke my heart he offered me a solid deal (under inv) for the XI but i still havent pulled the trigger .. i mean the more i think about it seems like the more logical choice living in NY (westchester, rockland) and all --- (boy if i have to buy new tires for winter that would suck)? anyway anything positive you could tell me about your experiences would be very helpfull but im looking to maybe seal the deal tomorrow so the more imput i get on these topics the easier it will be for me to pull the trigger.

you are dreaming if you plan on driving in the snow with summer tires. you will need to get all season tires.

Originally Posted by EDubs

ps - anyone have an alpine white XI coupe with an M-Sports that could show me what the wheel gap might look like? is it monster truckish? pics are welcome

thanks all

Here are pics of my 335i xDrive KW V1 coilover install. There are pics of the car before and after i got the suspension.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283661

I drove my friends 07 335i RWD w/kw v1 and the car felt great. i love my xdrive with the kw but the main problem that i am encountering is the tires. they are absolutely horrendous. i am researching for the best all season tires that I can get. if not I plan on running dunlop star specs in the spring,summer, fall, and then putting on my oem 17s for the winter. we shall see!

either way, bottom line: you are going to need winter / all season tires for the winter months here in this area. the wheel gap on i models is fine, its not so bad. the wheel gap on i xdrive models is awful. blah.