[NoKaOi]

Anyone have experience with both Xi and i?
Is there a difference in handling?
Any problems I should know about?
Considering Xi to help stabilize cornering on wet roads in Northern California.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[ra2fanatic]

ur in socal u wont really need the awd, but if u love takin corners fast, i hear if u turn off the DTC on the turns, its more fun. lol

[visor]

Yes, xi>i for wet/snowy/icy roads. Otherwise, no.

Note the advantage is only for forward movement only, when it comes time to stop, the xi may be worse due to the extra 150-200 lbs hardware.

[NoKaOi]

Mechanically, is Xi more problematic?

[Saintor]

Considering Xi to help stabilize cornering on wet roads.

This is the worst rationalization of the Xi, because it doesn't work that way. If it would be the case, you can bet that all AMG/M-cars would have AWD standard.

AWD is more of a commodity item that will help acceleration at 9-10/10 opn wet. Useful when you don't want to stay stucked at very low-speed. This is essentially the only benefit of AWD. But it does NOTHING for safety.

I owned Subaru and Audi AWD.

[T Bone]

SoCal?? Don't get the XI, the car understeers and doesn't behave as well as a RWD car. The I gets slightly better fuel economy.

I wish I could have the regular 335i in Toronto. If you live in Seattle or go to Lake Tahoe then I would understand. Socal....no need for the XI

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

+1
You don't need the Xi here in SoCal. . . Why spend the money. . .
Plus i like the staggered setup sooo much better

[Riss Racing]

Get the I.

[ThePrinzeofcatz]

from a roll, xi will be at a disadvantage compared to i because of the extra weight

[monkeyboy]

Originally Posted by xPaulBaiLeyx

+1
You don't need the Xi here in SoCal. . . Why spend the money. . .
Plus i like the staggered setup sooo much better

Is the staggered setup ill-advised for an XI ?

[NoKaOi]

This thread discusses that staggered xi works:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...t=xi+staggered

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by Saintor

This is the worst rationalization of the Xi, because it doesn't work that way. If it would be the case, you can bet that all AMG/M-cars would have AWD standard.

AWD is more of a commodity item that will help acceleration at 9-10/10 opn wet. Useful when you don't want to stay stucked at very low-speed. This is essentially the only benefit of AWD. But it does NOTHING for safety.

I owned Subaru and Audi AWD.

I disagree and I am not going to go into it here. To each there own but AWD can be very helpful for safety, studies have been done and the proof is in the pudding as they say.

I will however link to a video on testing the XI system and people can judge for themselves.... DSC is off.

The reason //M cars do not have AWD is b/c the BMW system can not keep up with the Aud (I have both, and can attest to the differences), there was a reason Audi was not allowed to use Quattro in racing, it was an unfair advantage. BMW was originally against AWD b/c of balance and added weight, things are changing.

Do not be surprised to see BMW starting to include the new X-drive in the X6 in more performance based cars; it is that good!

http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/05/02...e-bmws-xdrive/

[Saintor]

studies have been done and the proof is in the pudding as they say.

What ones?

Do not be surprised to see BMW starting to include the new X-drive in the X6 in more performance based cars; it is that good!

Most serious carmakers out of VW group chose not to integrate AWD in their performance cars; no, they are not really coming.

[Lassaxi]

Originally Posted by Saintor

Most serious carmakers out of VW group chose not to integrate AWD in their performance cars; no, they are not really coming.

Is this a joke? You know that virtually every VW group company, including Porsche, Bugatti, Bently, Audi, and Lamborghini all offer high performance AWD models, right?? Even the friggin' Veyron has AWD.

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by xPaulBaiLeyx

+1
You don't need the Xi here in SoCal. . . Why spend the money. . .
Plus i like the staggered setup sooo much better

FYI - if you order 18's and sport package on an xi they are staggered from the factory. There is nothing wrong with running staggered at all. I have 275/30/19 in rear and 235/35/19 in the front.

Your best bet is to drive both and decide for yourself. As you will see, no one on here has been able to provide any (and I mean any) definitive proof over which one handles better or which one is safer. Everything is based on theory and assumptions as they have not been tested in detail against each other.

I would agree that the weight should take it's toll, but that proved wrong in a recent test between the G35 and the G35x, where, on a road course the x outperformed its RWD brother. So until the proof is there, you should rely on your own experience and drive both.

The arguments go on an on over the i vs. xi. Until a couple tests are done side by side, I would say they are pretty much equal in performance. Any difference in either direction is probably negligible until you are dealing with a slippery surface whether it is rain, snow or gravel.

[ra2fanatic]

Originally Posted by Nikolas

FYI - if you order 18's and sport package on an xi they are staggered from the factory. There is nothing wrong with running staggered at all. I have 275/30/19 in rear and 235/35/19 in the front.

Your best bet is to drive both and decide for yourself. As you will see, no one on here has been able to provide any (and I mean any) definitive proof over which one handles better or which one is safer. Everything is based on theory and assumptions as they have not been tested in detail against each other.

I would agree that the weight should take it's toll, but that proved wrong in a recent test between the G35 and the G35x, where, on a road course the x outperformed its RWD brother. So until the proof is there, you should rely on your own experience and drive both.

The arguments go on an on over the i vs. xi. Until a couple tests are done side by side, I would say they are pretty much equal in performance. Any difference in either direction is probably negligible until you are dealing with a slippery surface whether it is rain, snow or gravel.

the guy lives in socal tho...like me, he really doesn't need xi

doesn't even rain much here in socal soo...its wasted $$$ for awd, but hey, its his money.

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by ra2fanatic

the guy lives in socal tho...like me, he really doesn't need xi

doesn't even rain much here in socal soo...its wasted $$$ for awd, but hey, its his money.

Maybe he skis and ventures out of the smog for some sierra fun?

[ra2fanatic]

hahahah, its a possibility. but i wouldnt take my 3 series up in the mnts for snowboarding or skiing fun. i'd get friends w/ a suv to drive instead

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by ra2fanatic

hahahah, its a possibility. but i wouldnt take my 3 series up in the mnts for snowboarding or skiing fun. i'd get friends w/ a suv to drive instead

Unless you had an xi!

[ra2fanatic]

Originally Posted by Nikolas

Unless you had an xi!

if i did, u're rite, i prollie would hav considered it too if i couldn't find ne1 to go that day w/ a suv

[NoKaOi]

The xi would be for Northern California -- there is a lot more rain than SoCal and lots of hills with winding wet roads from the fog.

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by NoKaOi

The xi would be for Northern California -- there is a lot more rain than SoCal and lots of hills with winding wet roads from the fog.

Right now it's the smoke that is as thick as the fog. My lungs are killing me!