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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > Canada > Advice!? 335 or 335 xi?



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      02-15-2007, 01:19 PM   #1
dirtyk
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Advice!? 335 or 335 xi?

Already searched pretty much every thread in regards to this and I realize this question has been played out quite a bit, but my circumstances are a BIT different than most of you......

I own a business at a local ski resort, and as such am required to drive up there pretty much every day from December to part ot April. The drive is about 35-40 minutes. The roads are clear most of the time, either bare or compact snow. Sometimes the road gets a bit slushy. There are a few hills but nothing too insane. There are only a handful of days where the drive is bad where visibility is limited, ice, etc. The parking lots are usually plowed so getting stuck there really isn't an issue.

I'm currently driving an Acura RDX with Dunlop snow tires which is amazing in the snow, but I'm just not crazy about the vehicle. I want a car again. Preferably something with 2 turbos =)

I think that with proper snows a 335 coupe should be OK. I know that the upcoming 335xi sedan with snows would be terrific. I like the styling of the coupe a bit better, but I like the fact that the sedan is a bit more low key for highway cruising.

My first year in business I was driving a 1992 Acura Legend with basically BALD Wal-Mart type snow tires on it, and it was fine. I sold that and drove a 2001 Acura CL Type S with Arctic Alpins on it, and it was very good. Because of my experience with those two cars, I think a 335 with Alpins on it should be good.

What do you think? Any help greatly appreciated.
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      02-15-2007, 01:58 PM   #2
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Correct me if I'm wrong but both your Acura cars were front wheel drive. I just sold my VW GTI, had nokian snow tires it drove awsome in the snow but it was also front wheel drive. Front and rear wheel drive in the snow is quite a difference.
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      02-15-2007, 02:03 PM   #3
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Go with the 335xi — sounds like you'd be better off with all-wheel drive!
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      02-15-2007, 02:23 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prodigy View Post
Correct me if I'm wrong but both your Acura cars were front wheel drive. I just sold my VW GTI, had nokian snow tires it drove awsome in the snow but it was also front wheel drive. Front and rear wheel drive in the snow is quite a difference.
Do you find it better or worse now?

My last two cars prior to this were FWD (Volvo S70 and Nissan Altima). I find the E90 vastly superior to drive in the snow.

Mind you that isn't just the RWD but also the traction/stability control systems and the front/rear weight balance (which makes an IMMENSE difference to how the car handles on snow and ice).
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      02-15-2007, 02:27 PM   #5
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BTW.... I live downtown and am rarely far from civilisation so I'm fine without the xi.... but if I was in your shoes I'd probably lean towards the xi for the extra piece of mind. I doubt you'll regret it.
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      02-15-2007, 02:50 PM   #6
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Hmmmm...
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      02-15-2007, 03:00 PM   #7
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go for xi , I have 335 coupe and I hate this car in the snow .
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      02-15-2007, 03:09 PM   #8
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Do you have snow tires?

Even my RDX is bad in the snow with the crappy Michelin all seasons it came with. I'd rather drive my old CL with snow tires than the RDX with all seasons.
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      02-15-2007, 03:56 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shipill View Post
go for xi , I have 335 coupe and I hate this car in the snow .
You've only had your car for two days (at the same time as the biggest storm of the season) and just got snow tires today!! Patience. By the weekend you'll be loving it.

But, I do agree that the OP should go for the 335xi. While the coupe is mighty nice, if you want the turbos get the extra two drive wheels (and two free doors).
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      02-15-2007, 07:23 PM   #10
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It's all about comfort and usage. If you find yourself up there frequently which it sounds like you do since it's your business, I would personally go with the xi. Slap a good set of snow tires on that, and you won't get stuck.

I just purchased a 335i, but until then I was driving the 330i with a good set of snow's. It takes a little patience getting used to it but I'm mostly a city driver as I rarely travel up north where there tends to be a lot of snow. For my application the i suits my purpose.
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      02-15-2007, 09:09 PM   #11
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I wonder what will be the different between a regula 335i w/ PROcede and 335xi with PROcede??
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      02-17-2007, 09:53 AM   #12
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I have driven up there and around town with my snows in my 335i. Since you're not driving in high alpine country like going up into the mountains, such as someone in Northern California would do going up to Tahoe, you won't see real deep snow and solid ice on steep long inclines. I found excellent traction with the snows on but the clearance wasn't good for our big (big for us) snow storms. The only issue is when you use the power you can easily drift sideways since it's a one wheel wonder. I'm getting the Quaife Limited Slip Differential rear end next week so that should eliminate that problem and give me far better traction.
So I guess the question you have to ask yourself is: will snow exceed the height of the 335i enough times to make it unusable? If yes, then you need the few extra inches of clearance the 335ix offers. If no, then get the 335i coupe, performance snow tires like the Dunlop M3's or other recommended performance rated snow tires on 17" forged rims and a Quaife!
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      02-21-2007, 12:35 AM   #13
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[QUOTE=bmwmike;708744]
So I guess the question you have to ask yourself is: will snow exceed the height of the 335i enough times to make it unusable? QUOTE]

Never had a problem with clearance with my old Acura CL or Legend. I don't think the CL's front clip was much higher than the 335...
Supposedly the steptronic shift paddles aren't available with the XI. I know this sounds stupid, but I want the paddles!

How much worse on fuel is an XI over non XI would you guess? Actually I could just check the specs!
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      02-21-2007, 12:50 AM   #14
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328xi uses .4 L/100K more in the city; not bad at all. Hopefully 335xi won't be much worse than it's RWD counterpart.

Looking back at pictures of Acura Legends, the front clip is low to the ground! And I never had a problem with that car. The resort does a good job of keeping the roads clear 90% of the time. The other 10% I would take it easy and be thankful I invested in good snow tires. I don't think clearance would be an issue....

I am still a bit apprehensive about the RWD over AWD, but then again I've seen lots of E90 sedans, an old guy in an E46 M3 and a girl in a 996 911 up there covered in snow before!
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      02-21-2007, 11:24 PM   #15
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I'd get the 335xi for sure, cause I just did .

You will never want anything else once you get it. You'll find yourself actualy wishing for snow and ice and find yourself racing and crushing SUVs. I've had a 330xi since 2001. Seriously, it opens a whole new dimension of fun as well as safety - especially in extreme winter weather.
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