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      08-26-2009, 01:35 PM   #1
YoungGuna86
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335xi or i?? NY Winters

I have been on the hunt for a CPO 335xi coupe with the sport package 18's

my worry is with the small selection of xi and the vast selection of 335i's is it even worth an XI if running the sport rims...If i must buy snow tires anyway my guess is to buy the cheaper (and easier to find) 335i and spend the difference on really good snow tires

OR...
Am i ok running sport package 18's on the 335xi???????

Really would help my decision on what to buy
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      08-26-2009, 01:52 PM   #2
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from experience in mass winters the sport package summer only 18" tires are a no go in the snow. Yes I drive an xi. You can usually get going but stopping and turning are a completely different story.
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      08-27-2009, 12:19 AM   #3
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18 sport tires are summer tires i got the sport package and bought allseason bridgestone pole positions. No more slipping and sliding.
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      08-27-2009, 10:11 AM   #4
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seems like everyone buys snow tires anyway even for the xi...

So y buy the xi? y not buy a 335i with snow tires or for that matter just grab a faster and cheaper 135i with snow tires
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      08-27-2009, 10:26 AM   #5
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I run 18" winter tires on my 335i, it's fine. I have noticed with the huge amount of torque available that traction isn't the greatest (I've had numerous 300+hp winter cars) but it's better than normal cars on allseason tires.

X...
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      08-27-2009, 10:50 AM   #6
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I swapped my RFT sports for 18" Yokohama Advan S4's HPAS tires. I can handle the snow well with the xi even with getting out from a plowed in spot.

xi FTW... Keep in mind i am highly biased.

If you are planning on swapping suspension at any point it is easier on the i models since they have a wider selection of suspensions.
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      08-27-2009, 10:59 AM   #7
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I run full snows on my 189's the thing is a champ, will go through anything. I agree for northeast driving xi FTW.
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      08-27-2009, 11:08 AM   #8
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I have to agree with most of the North Eastern folks here.. although it's really up to you. An xDrive equipped 335 or non will still perform pretty well with proper snow tires. With xDrive, you just get that extra bit of control taking off from a stop and going around corners.

If I lived anywhere that saw less than a month or two of our kind of winters (you're from NY, so you can attest to what I'm referring to), I'd have gotten my car in RWD. The AWD is just really, really nice getting around town in the snow. I don't really think you can make a wrong choice though! Good luck.

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      08-27-2009, 11:19 AM   #9
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      08-27-2009, 11:50 AM   #10
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don't have an xi now but i do put on blizzaks on my e86 and while i get by in the snow, it does present problems if the snow is deep enough, or if the angle is that steep. i've driven quattro in the past and while i know its a diff platform (audi vs bmw), quattro with snows performed considerably better than my setup now.

i'd save money, get the smallest wheels possible, run down the tires, throw snows on those... most of us get aftermarket wheels anyway so might as well get small stockers and save that way.
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      08-27-2009, 12:02 PM   #11
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It depends where you live and the topography of where you drive. If you drive on lots of hills, the XI is a totally different animal than the i, even if you are running A/S on the XI compared to snows on the I (for going up of course).

I live in area that gets between 350-450 inches a year depending on elevation and it is in the mountains, so an I is worthless in the winter even with snows. I would end up putting on chains all the time. The XI with snows is a must in snow country. New York varies so much in both topography and the amount of snow. If you are a flat lander, the I with snows would be fine.
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      08-27-2009, 01:09 PM   #12
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I think that xi with the 18's (summer tires) is kind of pointless. If you have to get the snow tires anyway, why not just get the i? The main reason most people get the xi (w/all seasons) is so you don't have to worry about the weather and changing tires. You can handle anything year round.
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      08-27-2009, 06:25 PM   #13
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I only had one month of snow in my xi with the stock continental all seasons up here in Ohio and I got by ok. I ended up buying a dedicated set of snow tires/wheels only because I have done that with every car I own.
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      08-27-2009, 06:28 PM   #14
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I went from a 335 to the 335 xdrive. I want to enjoy my car all season thus the choice. Get the XI & just swap the tires on the 189's to all season rubber..
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      08-27-2009, 06:34 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matts335 View Post
I think that xi with the 18's (summer tires) is kind of pointless. If you have to get the snow tires anyway, why not just get the i? The main reason most people get the xi (w/all seasons) is so you don't have to worry about the weather and changing tires. You can handle anything year round.
Most people that live in snow country have two sets of tires anyway. There is a huge difference in snow performance between the XI and I given the same tires. Where I live it is the difference of getting home or getting a hotel.
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      08-28-2009, 02:43 PM   #16
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The only thing connecting you to the road is the tires...

Quote:
Originally Posted by YoungGuna86 View Post
seems like everyone buys snow tires anyway even for the xi...

So y buy the xi? y not buy a 335i with snow tires or for that matter just grab a faster and cheaper 135i with snow tires

...so for snowy climates you need snow tires. The AWD gives you more traction as all wheels are doing the pulling rather than the rear pushing. AWD won't help you stop faster, but it'll help you power your way out of some unsticky situations.

Oh, for those of you that feel that summer or all-season (commonly referred to as "no season" tires) are just fine, you might want to look at these videos:

http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index...=23&tab=winter

http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index...=26&tab=winter

http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index...=22&tab=winter
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      08-28-2009, 04:32 PM   #17
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i love my Xi... handled beautiful in the snow we had last year.
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      08-28-2009, 05:41 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nikolas View Post
Most people that live in snow country have two sets of tires anyway. There is a huge difference in snow performance between the XI and I given the same tires. Where I live it is the difference of getting home or getting a hotel.
I guess it depends on how much snow you are talking about, and how many hills you have. I grew up in northern NY which has more than it's fair share of snow. My family and I (as well as just about everyone I knew) got by just fine with FWD cars fitted with all seasons. Didn't live in the mountains though.
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      08-28-2009, 06:59 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matts335 View Post
I guess it depends on how much snow you are talking about, and how many hills you have. I grew up in northern NY which has more than it's fair share of snow. My family and I (as well as just about everyone I knew) got by just fine with FWD cars fitted with all seasons. Didn't live in the mountains though.
You are absolutely correct. I lived in New England until I was 25. I never needed anything but AS tires and 2WD. Living where I do now, AWD/4WD and snow tires in the winter are an absolute must.
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      08-29-2009, 10:25 AM   #20
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I have had rear-wheel drive sports cars in the past with performance snow tires and they worked great in the snow in S CT. I was getting tired of changing to and from snows, so I went with a 335xi with 17 in all-seasons and they have worked fine through two winters as long as you take it easy. However, I miss the grippier rubber during the summer months, so for my next car since I plan to go with dedicated summer and winter tires, I'm going to get the 335i. I prefer the rear-wheel drive feel and the reduced weight of the rear-wheet drive car. However, as others have said, if you live in hilly or mountainous areas, all-wheel drive and snows is probably the way to go.
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      08-29-2009, 11:08 AM   #21
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I'm picking up a 335i xDrive in Munich next month. I recently turned in a 335i at lease end and would have gotten another 335i if a LSD was a realistic option. I've had many Audis in the past and the benefits of all-wheel drive really are year-round. The 335i has too much torque for an open diff no matter how much rubber you have (especially if you chip it). If the road is wet or there's loose dirt on the road you're not going anywhere fast. This was really annoying trying to start out from some intersections and merge with oncoming traffic. I'd much rather have the confidence of all-wheel drive grip and knowing that the car will jump when I want to accelerate. For me, the choice was getting the 335i and putting on an aftermarket LSD or get the xDrive and lower it (easier on the wallet and warranty). Test drive both in the rain then make your decision.
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      09-17-2009, 03:15 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YoungGuna86 View Post
seems like everyone buys snow tires anyway even for the xi...

So y buy the xi? y not buy a 335i with snow tires or for that matter just grab a faster and cheaper 135i with snow tires
because the i is rwd, and the xi is awd. If you've ever driven in the winter (regardless of tire) you'll know why people buy the xi and other awd cars up here in the NE.
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Last edited by Belo; 09-18-2009 at 08:08 AM..
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