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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > USA - NY / NJ / CT / PA > Is AWD necessary in PA, specifically Hershey, PA area?



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      06-14-2007, 02:04 PM   #1
btinl
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Is AWD necessary in PA, specifically Hershey, PA area?

I am moving to PA next month, and I'm currently shopping for an e90. I initially planned to get a 335xi, but if the weather isn't bad enough to necessitate the AWD, I would just get a 335i. Can you provide me with some input on the weather conditions, especially during the winter? TIA!
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      06-14-2007, 03:23 PM   #2
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you get precipitation in the form of snow. you can get the 335i and get a set of winter tires, but stay in when it snows heavy. or get a 335xi and stay in when it snows heavy. the key is the tires, but if it snows a lot lot you're staying in either way
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      06-14-2007, 03:27 PM   #3
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I've lived in Pa all my life and have had a honda civic in the past.. Snow can get bad sometimes, but not enough (in my opinion) to get a XI.. I have gotten stuck at times in heavy snow but thats bc my car was dropped and I had all season tires and not winter tires on.. I was thinking bout the same issue and have read in so many different places that tires is more important than drivetrain..

I plan on gettin a set of 17 inch wheels for the winter and slapping on some winter tires. I live in Montgomery County btw 45 mins away from philadelphia.
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      06-14-2007, 03:43 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by btinl View Post
I am moving to PA next month, and I'm currently shopping for an e90. I initially planned to get a 335xi, but if the weather isn't bad enough to necessitate the AWD, I would just get a 335i. Can you provide me with some input on the weather conditions, especially during the winter? TIA!
couple of options

Do not get the X.. poorer MPG, heavier..

get the 335 without the sports package the all seasons should be enough in most cases

2. get the sport package and get a good set of dedicated tire wheel set up from Tire rack for about $800.
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      06-15-2007, 02:00 AM   #5
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i say get the X but the moneyfactor (if ur leasing) is a lot higher than the 335i
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      06-15-2007, 08:19 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LI E90 View Post
couple of options

Do not get the X.. poorer MPG, heavier..

get the 335 without the sports package the all seasons should be enough in most cases

2. get the sport package and get a good set of dedicated tire wheel set up from Tire rack for about $800.
I really have to laugh when people point out the poorer fuel economy on the xdrive compared with the rwd. Let's be blunt, if you're worried about 0.1 difference on the fuel economy, you should really consider the 328 and not the 335. Better yet, go with a hybrid. Seriously, the difference between 335 and 335xi fuel economy is hugely insignificant. If you're pointing this out, you're missing the picture.

With regards to heavier. Drive 335i and 335xi back to back. I would think most people would hardly notice a weight difference. If you're going to track the vehicle (and there are better vehicles to track than a 335i, M3 perhaps?) then you might notice.

The xi is more practical when you need more traction to launch and take turns on slippery surfaces. Test drive the two in different weather conditions. Xi makes a difference in heavy rain as well. I know, I've done the comparisons. Don't buy into all the rhetoric and BS on this board about performance loss when you're considering real world driving. In any case, I would highly recommend winter tires. You'll get more traction and better stopping power, irrespective of your choice of i or xi.

And by the way, if you're getting the 335i without the sports package, you're missing out on the sports suspension. Why would you care about a marginally heavier vehicle if you're willing to forgo this performance option?

I'm not advocating that the xi is right for everybody. But it's a shame there are those that just slam it without having owned one and lived with its advantages. There are always tradeoffs to make. The xi's tradeoffs are marginal and the benefits are significant in areas of considerable cold weather precipitation. Give your decision a mature perspective.

By the way, I didn't mean to direct this comment at Li E90. Just dispelling some myths that I reread on this otherwise awesome forum.
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      06-15-2007, 09:15 AM   #7
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Btinl - I had the same delema. (only the 335XI was not out yet, so I was going to get the 328XI), in the end, I got the 335i. I have lived in this area all my life, and I can only count a handfull of times that I would not have been able to get around without 4 wheel drive. And of those times, 4 wheel drive would not have helped that much anyway, because it was either too much snow or it was all ice. And once they plow, it is fine anyway.

Plus, I just got an 335 XI loaner, and it drives *much* differently, and I love my 335i rear wheel drive much better then the XI all wheel.

IMO for the couple of days it would be nice to have the XI - the number of days I prefer the 355I are MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH greater. I do not regret my decision at all.

my .02 cents
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      06-15-2007, 10:13 AM   #8
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I concur. Just got out of an A4 with quattro and into a 335i. The amount of times I actually needed the AWD was maybe 1 time in 3 yrs. I even had snows on it for the wintertime. The only time I had fun with the quattro was when everyone was off the road and they hadnt plowed yet. Me and all my buddies with STi's, WRX's, and Eclipse AWD would go out to mall parking lots and drift our hearts out. Other than that, it was silly.
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      06-15-2007, 12:53 PM   #9
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I'm using snow tires in winter here in PA, and no problem at all without xi.

Last edited by JackMac; 06-15-2007 at 02:27 PM..
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      06-15-2007, 03:15 PM   #10
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Thanks for the input, guys.
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      06-15-2007, 03:44 PM   #11
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Depends on what kind of driver you are, any car can get stuck. I went from the AWD subaru which never seem to have any problems even in deep snow (had good M/S All season tires on it) to Sport 335i.

I can tell you this much the 335i with 18 inch summer performance tires got stuck in 2 inches of snow on a flat driveway, I had to turn DTC and DSC off to get the car moving.

This last winter there was a total of 5 days I could not drive the car because of weather and 3 of those was due to the nasty sleet storm we got which turned everything into a sheet of ice. Very few cars were making it around.

So I plan to get a set of Winter Tires and Wheels this fall.
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      06-20-2007, 01:27 PM   #12
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After much deliberation, I decided to go with the 335xi. I drove both and loved the X-drive. I will be picking up my car on July 2nd. Can't wait!
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      06-20-2007, 03:41 PM   #13
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Congrats. What about the drive motivated you toward the x-drive?
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      06-20-2007, 04:41 PM   #14
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Quote:
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Congrats. What about the drive motivated you toward the x-drive?

It handled amazingly well through fast turns and under wet conditions.
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      06-20-2007, 08:10 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by btinl View Post
It handled amazingly well through fast turns and under wet conditions.
I concur. With the 335, I think people should really give the xdrive a shot. The traction afforded by the xdrive system is well mated to the torque (especially low end) produced by the very powerful engine. No slippage at all and the turns are absolutely remarkable, even in wet conditions (especially in wet conditions). I can't believe I'm saying this, but can't wait to try out my baby in the winter snow.:rocks:
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      06-20-2007, 09:57 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by btinl View Post
After much deliberation, I decided to go with the 335xi. I drove both and loved the X-drive. I will be picking up my car on July 2nd. Can't wait!
Congrats!
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      06-21-2007, 12:43 AM   #17
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i dont have a 335xi, but i do have the 328xi, and the day i picked up it snowed. it was beautiful
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