[Bluesun]

I have an '07 335i with <80k miles. I don't have much done to it yet (JB4 DCI), but this summer I'm planning on doing FBO e85. I came across a 2008 xi manual with 40k miles. All the packages are the same. The only difference is this one is black and mine is SGM, which I prefer over the black.

The guy wants ~$22k, but I'm willing to bet I could talk him down at least a little. My plans are for Vargas stage 2 either this summer or next. I know we haven't heard of XI's transfer cases blowing up, but is having an XI worth the money? My car is paid off this year, but a manual xi is what I originally wanted.

I'm at least going to look into it, find out if the fuel/water pumps have been changed and whatnot. What do you guys think? I'm curious to hear some input.

Thoughts? Comments?

[Miller335]

I would only buy an XI if my 335 was my only car and I lived where it snowed all the time.

Otherwise what's the point of taking the drivetrain loss hit and all the complications XI brings working on them vs. RWD.

[mastermayhm]

yes. yes to xdrive. i wasnt down for it after i sold my first e90 and was in the market.....but once i found a car optioned the way i wanted it plus xdrive i couldnt refuse.

then, i got tuned and i was putting the power down so well, the weight gain isnt that big of a deal

THEN snow hit. i literally feel invincible with winter tires on. im so glad i went xdrive.

tcase isnt an issue. go for it... but im partial to 6MT haha

[Bluesun]

Originally Posted by mastermayhm

yes. yes to xdrive. i wasnt down for it after i sold my first e90 and was in the market.....but once i found a car optioned the way i wanted it plus xdrive i couldnt refuse.

then, i got tuned and i was putting the power down so well, the weight gain isnt that big of a deal

THEN snow hit. i literally feel invincible with winter tires on. im so glad i went xdrive.

tcase isnt an issue. go for it... but im partial to 6MT haha

I had an AWD car before, and it was pretty awesome in the snow. I remember when I bought my car (bought it CPO 2 years old), I couldn't find a manual xi anywhere so I just went with the rwd. I still look from time to time, but never find them around here.

I'm not terribly excited about the black over the SGM, but it has 1/2 the mileage and I'm about to spend a bunch of money on mods... it is definitely very tempting.

With e85 I was also having traction problems in 2nd (first gear was useless), and I'm wondering how well the xi would grip instead.

[pinky_and_me]

I love mine. I run various ethanol mixes, although haven't done e85 yet, and traction is fantastic with good tires.
Even did few 3500 RPM launches and besides a little squeak it just goes, can't shift out of 1st gear fast enough.
I did have to change the transfer case motor once but CPO covered it.
And with the this year's snow in Cleveland I'm very glad it's not RWD.

[smokinHawk]

you are in cleveland, you need XI, haha.
I am in columbus and I am loving my xi manual right now.
I have a set of snow tires on it and it is doing awesome.
If it wasnt for my AWD I would have to spend two hours that i don't have, shoveling my driveway.
A friend who has a 2007 330I said he spent 45minutes getting out of his parking spot on the road last week.

plus I love how I can launch the AWD in wet or dry conditions, you cant do that with rwd..

To me it was definitely worth getting the xi.

[idspeedskater]

Love the xi and it behaves great whether in the Bay Area sun/rain, Tahoe snow, 1000 mile road trips to ID, or anything else. Puts power down great with the ST conversion so you should be good with Vargas Stage 2s as well.

[Jklad]

When my 335i coupe 6mt was being serviced a couple years ago, they gave me an awd 335i auto sedan loaner. The car felt like a truck, heavy and bulky, and it definitely felt slower (stock vs stock). I'll bet the fact that it was an automatic sedan had a lot to do with this though. I originally was open to an awd, but happened to find my rwd, and after driving it, I was so happy I didn't go for awd. Not to mention the added complexity, more parts to break, harder to work on, etc.

However, I'll bet that an awd 6mt coupe w sport suspension tuned is still awesome, especially off the line. and with the piles of snow we've had in Chicago, it would be kinda nice right about now...

[jpsimon]

did someone say XI and vargas stage 2s?

I recommend it

[marc@x-ph.com]

Depending on where you live, it might be really worth it

[idspeedskater]

Was going to mention you, but assumed you'd emerge from the woodwork on your own. Nice to see you treating the Xi as it should be treated

Originally Posted by jpsimon

did someone say XI and vargas stage 2s?

I recommend it

[bmwm3redblack]

Defenitely go for it!!!! If you in Cleveland
I've got my 2008 335xi 6sp manual and I'm very happy with it,currently driving cobb e30 map, and it puts down power so easily!!!
Now it's not really a problem with tuning solutions for xi, cause when I bought mine it was not enough.

[Bluesun]

Originally Posted by jpsimon

did someone say XI and vargas stage 2s?

I recommend it

Your car is actually the one I thought of! I have been following your modding progress here and there. Have you had any problems whatsoever with the awd? Is it that much harder to work on? How are the vargas stage 2 so far btw?

Thanks for weighing in. I'm a big fan of your setup.

[jpsimon]

I bought the car new and now I have 105,000 miles on her. I haven't had any AWD related issues at all, fingers crossed still going strong. I don't go around drag racing though, that's what will really put the strain on it.

I upgraded to the vargas stage 2 (batch 2) with the billet compressor wheel. They are awesome!

[bmwm3redblack]

Originally Posted by jpsimon

I bought the car new and now I have 105,000 miles on her. I haven't had any AWD related issues at all, fingers crossed still going strong. I don't go around drag racing though, that's what will really put the strain on it.

I upgraded to the vargas stage 2 (batch 2) with the billet compressor wheel. They are awesome!

BTW how much power you are putting down now?

[ken1137]

I've been in a ton of snow this year with winter tires without any issues. That said, I have always preferred RWD over AWD. I used to own a 328xi. Here is my snow storm short clip

It comes down to personal preference. Either one works well. I always mount winter tires on my wife's MDX (AWD) and it is definitely a beast in the snow.

[jpsimon]

Originally Posted by bmwm3redblack

BTW how much power you are putting down now?

Haven't been to the dyno, haven't had time since the install. I'll for sure go in the spring, on the weekends in the winter I go up to VT too often to waste time on a dyno unfortunately

[Bluesun]

jpsimon which Spec clutch did you go with? I was originally planning on the 2+ with dual mass flywheel, but I wasn't entirely sure if the 2+ would be up to the task of stage 2 vargas turbos.

Do you have a single or dual mass flywheel? I'm wondering if the AWD would affect the clutch chatter at all.

[jpsimon]

I have stage 3 with aluminum flywheel. it's really loud, if I did it again I'm not sure what route I'd go but I wouldn't get the aluminum flywheel

[Dmacc]

Originally Posted by idspeedskater

Was going to mention you, but assumed you'd emerge from the woodwork on your own. Nice to see you treating the Xi as it should be treated

How is your car holding up? Any recent visits to the 1320? How much power is your single putting down at the moment?

[Tiago@VRSF]

I'd definitely go with the XI if you're in a cold weather climate. These awd systems are fairly reliable, the only downside is a little extra weight but the benefit of traction is definitely worth it.

People generally stick with the dual mass flywheel option if you want a quieter clutch although it's very difficult to find an aftermarket clutch without some chatter in certain conditions.

[Bluesun]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

I'd definitely go with the XI if you're in a cold weather climate. These awd systems are fairly reliable, the only downside is a little extra weight but the benefit of traction is definitely worth it.

People generally stick with the dual mass flywheel option if you want a quieter clutch although it's very difficult to find an aftermarket clutch without some chatter in certain conditions.

Thanks for weighing in Tiago! You've been a great help with the clutch shopping. I'll still need a clutch if I get the xi, I'm sure, so it wasn't all for naught .


Does anyone know if the fuel pump / water pump issue was still present in the 2008's? The carfax that I found for the car doesn't show either being replaced, but it stops showing any service ~2012.

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...WC73548E062546

It does list the injectors being replaced...not sure what that is about.