[BMerDRMer]

Originally Posted by ben1364

Thanks Dan for returning this thread to the original topic. <BBG>

I think it comes down to value ........ and your wheel preferences. If you like the 162's as your primary wheel .... then no better buy than upgrading to them when you buy the car. This is what I did. I did not really care for the 17's that came with the 330 Xi with ZSP, so I opted for the Borbet 17 x 8.5 TS's. Nice looking on the car ......... and the Dunlop M3 winters are a very nice blend of winter performance, handling and quite. I thought I would detect a notable ride and handling difference when I swapped off the 162's with Bridgestone RE50's. Very little notable difference. I don't think the M&S tire option would change much, except serious snow perfromance which may be an issue for you, as is normally the case here in Cleveland. This winter, we could probably have run all winter on sumer tires ......... go figure!

[RGRAY]

Originally Posted by BMerDRMer

...I did not really care for the 17's that came with the 330 Xi with ZSP...

Why don't people like the #158 wheels that come with the 330xi sports package?

I like them.

[Explorer3253]

Originally Posted by AWDriver

Thanks for the heads up on the tint. I'll keep that in mind... Now, when you say "The e90 feels more "sure" when it corners...", are you referring to the 330xi?

If you're interested in tint and a good job w/ lifetime warranty. Take it out to Sams Window Tinting in Rockland...I've gotten 3 cars done by them so far.

[ver.e90]

Originally Posted by RGRAY

Why don't people like the #158 wheels that come with the 330xi sports package?

I like them.

RGRAY, I don't know what it is about the style 158 wheels! I remember talking about this in a previous thread. I actually saw these wheels on display at the dealer I go to. I must say, they're not so bad. My only criticism is the fact that they're a bit chunky and unrefined, compared to the smooth, sleek look of the 162's. Other than that, I guess a wheel's a wheel's a wheel... did the 162's come across your mind during your purchase process?

[RGRAY]

Originally Posted by AWDriver

...did the 162's come across your mind during your purchase process?

Not at all.

I wanted all season tires so I didn't have to switch to snow tires and I heard the 18s road hard.

I couldn't be happier with the 158s and if you see them you know it's a 330xi; it's the only American E90 that has them.

With 162s you can't tell which E90 it is.

They're easier to clean too.

[ver.e90]

Originally Posted by RGRAY

Not at all.

I wanted all season tires so I didn't have to switch to snow tires and I heard the 18s road hard.

I couldn't be happier with the 158s and if you see them you know it's a 330xi; it's the only American E90 that has them.

With 162s you can't tell which E90 it is.

They're easier to clean too.

I guess they do seem easier to clean. How does the ride feel as far as handling turns and quick maneuvers? Is there that much of a diff in handling b/t the 17" w/ All Season tires and the 18" w/Performance tires? I stopped by the dealer today b/c my CA told me there were some 158's on display and I should take a look at them b/c to him they looked better in person.

[RGRAY]

Originally Posted by AWDriver

How does the ride feel as far as handling turns and quick maneuvers? Is there that much of a diff in handling b/t the 17" w/ All Season tires and the 18" w/Performance tires?...

I don't know.

I only test drove a 330xi with pp.

I knew I wanted sport seats.

This was the first BMW that I have driven and at 100 mph it was sweet.

The 158s are special to me because it says you have a 330xi with sports psckage.

A lot of people get the 162s so that makes the 158s even more special, but that's only my opinion.

And like I said; I don't want to pay $600 for tires that I will only have to pay $1,000 for a set of extra wheels and tires.

IMO, 17s are the only way to go.

[lux.sh]

RGRAY, sorry. your 158 < my 162s.

Those are some handsome looking wheels. I would've gotten them if they come in 18s.
E90 is a big car, and thats why I didn't want anything smaller than 18".
19" look just right, but those are too big and useless in terms of performance aspect.

but whatever. I think 158s flow with E90 very well.

[RGRAY]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

RGRAY, sorry. your 158 < my 162s. ...but whatever. I think 158s flow with E90 very well.

lux.sh, I have read many of your posts are respect your opinion.

This was the ONLY BMW that I have ever driven (for 20 minutes) and I LOVED it.

If the 18s are better I will never know.

Then again, I won't have to change my tires for winter.

Like I said; IMO, all season 17s are the only way to go.

[RGRAY]

All season 17s in 12 inches of snow.

[ver.e90]

Originally Posted by RGRAY

All season 17s in 12 inches of snow.

Haha...

Thanks for your feedback, RGRAY. Wow, you're really headstrong on your 17" wheels. I think the 162's (for me, that is) are just awesome looking, but practically, it doesn't make sense to put those on an xi. Nor do I plan on getting a second set of winter wheels...

So, I guess I'm left with no choice but to get the 17" wheels that the ZSP comes with. Who knows? Maybe I'll absolutely love them. And if I don't, I can always change the wheels. At least I'll have the spart seats, which is why I want the ZSP...

[mike20022]

Does the xi really perform better in the rain? I am also contemplating between the xi and i. It is actually my final decision to make on my order. Snow is not too much of an issue for me, cause I can always drive the Honda Pilot on snowy days. But if the xi performs much better in the rain, and it provides me with that extra sense of security on the wet roads during my daily commute than the $2,000 is worth the extra price.

So yeah, one more undecided consumer, debating with myself between xi or not.

So far here is my 330 configuration:
* 330 SGM
* Premium Package
* Terra Leather w/Burl Trim
* Comfort Access
* NAV w/IDrive

You all have helped me make my decisions so far, so I turn to you one more time on the final xi or i.

Thanks!
-Mike-

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by mike20022

Does the xi really perform better in the rain?

Yes. It does. Unquestionably.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by RGRAY

Why don't people like the #158 wheels that come with the 330xi sports package?

It's a matter of personal taste. What I don't like about the Styling 158 wheels is that the spokes are wavy as opposed to flat.

This was particularly noticeable on the picture with your wheels turned.

The 162s are flat and in my opinion more refined.

[BMerDRMer]

I think the honest answer from many of us would be either it depends, or I don't know. I do know per BMW's design objectives, and testing ........ slippery conditions, intermittant or consistent is what it the Xi is all about.

I think you first need to decide whether you want (and even like) the feel of the sport package / RWD setup ........ it is very tight, with a very sporting feel. I believe that in spite of the feel, 80% + of the real handling difference though is tire dependent, not the suspension setup, in the case of the 330. Your tradeoff will be a degree of harshness, never to be felt on smooth roads, always to be felt on lined concrete.

If you want the real sport package, then your decision is easy, RWD 330.

If you decide the RWD ZSP is a little to harsh for your seat ...... which I ultimately did (much to my own surprise ) .......... now you have options.

My opinion is that the Xi handles nearly identical to the non ZSP i model ........ except that you have the option of adding the ZSP without the lowered suspension (with all of its pros and cons). This allows you to order 162's with summer stock perfromance tires ..... which again will let you gain back 80% of the handling differential between the ZSP and non ZSP setups.

I came down to the fact that if I was going to spend 45 K on a car .... I was not going to let 3 or 4 K push me to order anything less than I wanted. You have probably got 10 to 15 K of safety costs built into this car anyway ....... the 2K additional for AWD seemed justified ........ most certainly in Cleveland ....... good luck AWD ...... anxious to hear what you opt for ...... and some feedback on your future fun!

[BMerDRMer]

Originally Posted by BMerDRMer

I think the honest answer from many of us would be either it depends, or I don't know. I do know per BMW's design objectives, and testing ........ slippery conditions, intermittant or consistent is what it the Xi is all about.

I think you first need to decide whether you want (and even like) the feel of the sport package / RWD setup ........ it is very tight, with a very sporting feel. I believe that in spite of the feel, 80% + of the real handling difference though is tire dependent, not the suspension setup, in the case of the 330. Your tradeoff will be a degree of harshness, never to be felt on smooth roads, always to be felt on lined concrete.

If you want the real sport package, then your decision is easy, RWD 330.

If you decide the RWD ZSP is a little to harsh for your seat ...... which I ultimately did (much to my own surprise ) .......... now you have options.

My opinion is that the Xi handles nearly identical to the non ZSP i model ........ except that you have the option of adding the ZSP without the lowered suspension (with all of its pros and cons). This allows you to order 162's with summer stock perfromance tires ..... which again will let you gain back 80% of the handling differential between the ZSP and non ZSP setups.

I came down to the fact that if I was going to spend 45 K on a car .... I was not going to let 3 or 4 K push me to order anything less than I wanted. You have probably got 10 to 15 K of safety costs built into this car anyway ....... the 2K additional for AWD seemed justified ........ most certainly in Cleveland ....... good luck AWD ...... anxious to hear what you opt for ...... and some feedback on your future fun!

AWDriver ...... this was intended as my response to your last post

[mike20022]

And of course the other added cost is gas mileage. 200 more lbs, and from what I have read anywhere from 2-5 mpg less than the non xi models.

[BMerDRMer]

Originally Posted by mike20022

Does the xi really perform better in the rain? I am also contemplating between the xi and i. It is actually my final decision to make on my order. Snow is not too much of an issue for me, cause I can always drive the Honda Pilot on snowy days. But if the xi performs much better in the rain, and it provides me with that extra sense of security on the wet roads during my daily commute than the $2,000 is worth the extra price.

So yeah, one more undecided consumer, debating with myself between xi or not.

So far here is my 330 configuration:
* 330 SGM
* Premium Package
* Terra Leather w/Burl Trim
* Comfort Access
* NAV w/IDrive

You all have helped me make my decisions so far, so I turn to you one more time on the final xi or i.

Thanks!
-Mike-

I think the honest answer from many of us would be either it depends, or I don't know. I do know per BMW's design objectives, and testing ........ slippery conditions, intermittant or consistent is what it the Xi is all about.

I think you first need to decide whether you want (and even like) the feel of the sport package / RWD setup ........ it is very tight, with a very sporting feel. I believe that in spite of the feel, 80% + of the real handling difference though is tire dependent, not the suspension setup, in the case of the 330. Your tradeoff will be a degree of harshness, never to be felt on smooth roads, always to be felt on lined concrete.

If you want the real sport package, then your decision is easy, RWD 330.

If you decide the RWD ZSP is a little to harsh for your seat ...... which I ultimately did (much to my own surprise ) .......... now you have options.

My opinion is that the Xi handles nearly identical to the non ZSP i model ........ except that you have the option of adding the ZSP without the lowered suspension (with all of its pros and cons). This allows you to order 162's with summer stock perfromance tires ..... which again will let you gain back 80% of the handling differential between the ZSP and non ZSP setups.

I came down to the fact that if I was going to spend 45 K on a car .... I was not going to let 3 or 4 K push me to order anything less than I wanted. You have probably got 10 to 15 K of safety costs built into this car anyway ....... the 2K additional for AWD seemed justified ........ most certainly in Cleveland ....... good luck Mike20022 ...... anxious to hear what you opt for ...... and some feedback on your future fun!

[BMerDRMer]

Originally Posted by mike20022

And of course the other added cost is gas mileage. 200 more lbs, and from what I have read anywhere from 2-5 mpg less than the non xi models.

I think I trust BMW on this one .... 28 vs 30 on Highway ... with 1300 miles so far I am averaging 25 MPH in around town driving ... not bad in my book .........

[thunderbirdsarego]

Originally Posted by mike20022

Does the xi really perform better in the rain? I am also contemplating between the xi and i. It is actually my final decision to make on my order. Snow is not too much of an issue for me, cause I can always drive the Honda Pilot on snowy days. But if the xi performs much better in the rain, and it provides me with that extra sense of security on the wet roads during my daily commute than the $2,000 is worth the extra price.

My 330xi (17" factory wheels with Pirelli SottoZero's) is the most stable car I have ever driven in heavy rain (heavy pooling etc.) and by a wide margin. It is difficult to know what portion of that can be attributable to the XDrive, tires or other characteristics. I've also found the car to be rock solid under acceleration on steep inclines in greasy conditions (e.g. following new rain).

I found the 330i (sport therefore 162 summer tires) I test drove to be somewhat twitchy under similar conditions.

Again, I'd emphasise that this is not a controlled experiment.

I will switch to 162 wheels in summer, to ease the wear on the softer winter compound and preserve the tread for when I need it most. Hmm, and also because I love the look of the 162s! Not sure what tires I will put on the 162's yet (most likely Pirelli PZero Nero M+S Run-Flats if I can get the correct size).

[RGRAY]

Originally Posted by AWDriver

Haha...

Thanks for your feedback, RGRAY. Wow, you're really headstrong on your 17" wheels. I think the 162's (for me, that is) are just awesome looking, but practically, it doesn't make sense to put those on an xi. Nor do I plan on getting a second set of winter wheels...

I like the 162's also, but I'm not going to have 2 sets of tires.

If the 18 inch 162s would have come with all season tires I would have chosen them over 17 inch 158s.

The 158s are nice not great and they don't ride as hard as the 162s.

The 158 look sportier and more chariot looking (wavy) than the 162s which look more refine, IMO.

I think the 162s look better too because they are 18 inch wheels.

BMerDRMer, I like your choice of colors. SGM, Terra Leather w/Burl Trim

People should get what they like.

[Brunotheboxer]

i