I or XI?

ultimate · 09-21-2008, 06:58 PM

first post ever:

greetings all bimmer owners in the chicagoland area.
im currently a mb c320 owner.

long story short, hate my car, fell in love with e92 (whole family drives bmw).

out of all the people, you guys know how chicago winter is. my question is if the xi was really necessary or if i would be fine with a regular rear with winter tires.

i would love the 335xi but not really in my budget.
i would get the 335i if its not necessary
328xi if necessary

thanks guys
-mike

EZ_TUR90 · 09-21-2008, 07:01 PM

Isnt your c320 rear wheel drive? Well if you havent had any problems with that then go for the I.

ultimate · 09-21-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZ_TUR90

Isnt your c320 rear wheel drive? Well if you havent had any problems with that then go for the I.

yeah, its pretty bad, but i dont really know how well bmw's xi is. lets just say i can live without but if it helps a lot im considering the xi.

kenneth · 09-21-2008, 07:06 PM

If you live/drive a lot in rural/suburban areas, where they are not so quick to clear the snow, I say get the XI. If you are mostly in the metropolitan area, I say get the I. With a good set of snow tires, you'll be fine.

I have the I and god knows it snows here, but city crew clears the snow pretty fast.

The added benefit of the I, is that it is a better car on the track, where the X-drive does funny stuffs.

ultimate · 09-21-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenneth

If you live/drive a lot in rural/suburban areas, where they are not so quick to clear the snow, I say get the XI. If you are mostly in the metropolitan area, I say get the I. With a good set of snow tires, you'll be fine.

I have the I and god knows it snows here, but city crew clears the snow pretty fast.

The added benefit of the I, is that it is a better car on the track, where the X-drive does funny stuffs.

yeah, i live in the suburban area. and yes they are very slow here. sometime they close down the school for a good 2 days, if its really bad. ive never tried snow tires though, do they help much through the winter?

kenneth · 09-21-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimate

yeah, i live in the suburban area. and yes they are very slow here. sometime they close down the school for a good 2 days, if its really bad. ive never tried snow tires though, do they help much through the winter?

It looks that you need an XI then. Winter tires (some call them snow tires) are a must if temperature is below 8C (below 46F) because summer AND all-season tires lose their effectiveness below that temperature, by hardening up. In freezing temperature it's like driving on hockey pucks, if you get the picture.

Winter tires, by their rubber design, remain soft and sticky for snow and stand a better chance on ice.

I have always used dedicated winter tires, and in Quebec, this coming December, it will become illegal to drive without winter tires......Accident statistics are pretty clear on this.

ultimate · 09-21-2008, 08:08 PM

yeah, i see the points. hm
so theres a big difference in xi and i right?
its just that i dont want to get the xi and be left out with the performance i gives
but i dont want to get the i and be a pig over the streets.

kenneth · 09-21-2008, 09:00 PM

If you don't intend to track your car, go with the xi. But if you do, go for the i. Also I wanted to mention that the difference in i or xi in winter is traction to move the car, so it will be more performant in moving on snow. The XI is not any better to slow down the car or is not any safer.

ultimate · 09-21-2008, 11:51 PM

ive never seen a modded e92 328xi
its always the 335i.

i think its mainly because the modders are mostly in cali and they dont see snow here. so its pointless to get an xi huh.

Chitown-Irish · 09-24-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenneth

If you live/drive a lot in rural/suburban areas, where they are not so quick to clear the snow, I say get the XI. If you are mostly in the metropolitan area, I say get the I. With a good set of snow tires, you'll be fine.

I have the I and god knows it snows here, but city crew clears the snow pretty fast.

The added benefit of the I, is that it is a better car on the track, where the X-drive does funny stuffs.

Now I would say just the opposite. Sure the City of Chicago clears the main streets but those side streets (depending on which ward you live in) can take days or weeks to have plowed.

In my area most of the streets are cleared within 24 hours of a measurable snow.

I drive a 335i and I am thinking about winter tires this year but even though we had a ton of snow last year it was only twice that I really wished I had them.

I run with all-season Conti's but if I buy winter tires then I will also think about buying 3-season tires when the all-season tires wear out.

The other thing is that IMHO the wheel to tire relationship (the gap) doesn't look right on the E92 Xi.

UdubBadger · 09-24-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimate

ive never seen a modded e92 328xi
its always the 335i.

i think its mainly because the modders are mostly in cali and they dont see snow here. so its pointless to get an xi huh.

<-- modded 328xi e90 (not 92 but oh well)

hey, you gotta look good when you cruise by people stuck in a snow bank mid february man.

go xi... this thread will be helpful to you.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153138

its long but look into some of the wonderful benefits of having AWD... mainly my posts

edit: however if you have to have an e92... and can't afford a 335xi then thats a whole new set of factors cuz now its either rwd w/ turbo engine or awd w/ NA inline 6 which will open a WHOLE other can of worms of engine envy and also possibly cutting down on options to make one more affordable or adding some to make another more desirable.

ARA5HE90 · 09-24-2008, 10:46 PM

xi all the way.. you will never regret it =)

mithiral67 · 09-24-2008, 10:46 PM

In Joliet for 2 years and now in lombard for 3, my commute doesnt often take me into the city, mostly highway and suburb side streets. The streets around here are cleared very quickly. I was running snow tires on my 330i and was 100% confident. I don't see any need for the ix for snow purposes only.

TheSpungos · 09-25-2008, 09:49 AM

I went through a WI & MN winter last year (moved half way through) with my 'I' and good snow tires. Never had a problem. Is the XI easier to drive in the snow than the I - probably. Is it a "must" if you drive in the snow - no. Get good snow tires and you should be fine on all but the worst days - and those days the XI probably won't help you either!

ultimate · 09-25-2008, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

go xi... this thread will be helpful to you.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153138

thanks man. that helped.
is the xi really that much harder to mod? as in the suspensions and wheels?

UdubBadger · 09-25-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimate

thanks man. that helped.
is the xi really that much harder to mod? as in the suspensions and wheels?

wheels... not at all. pick any set you want and as long as the offset is correct for your model (e90/92) they'll be fine.

suspension... not really. it is a little different than the i but not by much. I have sport springs with a 1" drop and am getting some bmw sport shocks or koni yellows after this winter so it is possible to mod.

SLV335I · 09-25-2008, 10:56 AM

Snow tires and you will be fine.

timtech · 09-30-2008, 08:54 PM

I moved from a C class 4matic (two of them) to a 335xi. I changed over to all seasons and drive in the winter with no problems. I enjoy being able to launch my car without heavy wheel spin... sometimes it takes away the fun...

Putting on dedicated winter wheels and tires is also a great choice if you do prefer rear wheel drive.

so it's really a balance of what you like. Either way, you will be able to get around in the slow cleaned burbs.

UdubBadger · 09-30-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSpungos

Get good snow tires and you should be fine on all but the worst days - and those days the XI probably won't help you either!

not true... I made it through last winter (mind you we had record snowfall up here... over 100" worth) on my stock RFT's. Never even thought about losing control. I was out driving around on the days where most people didn't even show up for work or school.

cipher5 · 10-02-2008, 12:43 PM

I have a 335i (E92), and put winter tires on. I'm driving normal speeds while All-season tires drivers are going slower. No problems, no sliding. Winter Tires FTW.

kenneth · 10-09-2008, 11:28 PM

So OP what's the decision?

ultimate · 10-10-2008, 04:20 AM

decided to go with the xi.

mainly because its not just here that i need it, but i go up north to hit the slopes pretty frequently. I also don't mind the little lost of performance. either way. the chassis is still the same, and its still the ultimate driving machine ;P

i found the car already, i'm just working on negotiation right now. will post pics.

thanks guys,

mike

09-21-2008, 06:58 PM	#1
ultimate Lieutenant Colonel 61 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	I or XI? first post ever: greetings all bimmer owners in the chicagoland area. im currently a mb c320 owner. long story short, hate my car, fell in love with e92 (whole family drives bmw). out of all the people, you guys know how chicago winter is. my question is if the xi was really necessary or if i would be fine with a regular rear with winter tires. i would love the 335xi but not really in my budget. i would get the 335i if its not necessary 328xi if necessary thanks guys -mike
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-21-2008, 07:01 PM	#2
EZ_TUR90 Ez tur90 189 Rep 3,191 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (11)	Isnt your c320 rear wheel drive? Well if you havent had any problems with that then go for the I. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2008, 07:06 PM	#4
kenneth Major General 125 Rep 8,745 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (16)	If you live/drive a lot in rural/suburban areas, where they are not so quick to clear the snow, I say get the XI. If you are mostly in the metropolitan area, I say get the I. With a good set of snow tires, you'll be fine. I have the I and god knows it snows here, but city crew clears the snow pretty fast. The added benefit of the I, is that it is a better car on the track, where the X-drive does funny stuffs. __________________ SB, Terra, 6MT. Only a few mods here and there.....nothing extreme!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2008, 08:08 PM	#7
ultimate Lieutenant Colonel 61 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	yeah, i see the points. hm so theres a big difference in xi and i right? its just that i dont want to get the xi and be left out with the performance i gives but i dont want to get the i and be a pig over the streets.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2008, 09:00 PM	#8
kenneth Major General 125 Rep 8,745 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (16)	If you don't intend to track your car, go with the xi. But if you do, go for the i. Also I wanted to mention that the difference in i or xi in winter is traction to move the car, so it will be more performant in moving on snow. The XI is not any better to slow down the car or is not any safer. __________________ SB, Terra, 6MT. Only a few mods here and there.....nothing extreme!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2008, 11:51 PM	#9
ultimate Lieutenant Colonel 61 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	ive never seen a modded e92 328xi its always the 335i. i think its mainly because the modders are mostly in cali and they dont see snow here. so its pointless to get an xi huh.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-24-2008, 10:46 PM	#12
ARA5HE90 ARA5HE90 125 Rep 2,055 Posts Drives: a beast! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (11) Garage List 2007 328XI [0.00]	xi all the way.. you will never regret it =) __________________ 2oo7 e90 JB 328xi/// with too many mods!?!?! check out my ride = http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246531 2oo8 e90 SSII ///M3 the silver ghost = http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409084
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-24-2008, 10:46 PM	#13
mithiral67 That guy 117 Rep 5,740 Posts Drives: 2015 Cayman GTS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (4) Garage List 2015 Porsche Cayman ... [0.00]	In Joliet for 2 years and now in lombard for 3, my commute doesnt often take me into the city, mostly highway and suburb side streets. The streets around here are cleared very quickly. I was running snow tires on my 330i and was 100% confident. I don't see any need for the ix for snow purposes only.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-25-2008, 09:49 AM	#14
TheSpungos Second Lieutenant 35 Rep 207 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Tanzanite/Black Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (0)	I went through a WI & MN winter last year (moved half way through) with my 'I' and good snow tires. Never had a problem. Is the XI easier to drive in the snow than the I - probably. Is it a "must" if you drive in the snow - no. Get good snow tires and you should be fine on all but the worst days - and those days the XI probably won't help you either! __________________ 2018 M3 - Tanzanite/Black, DCT, Comp, Exec
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-25-2008, 10:56 AM	#17
SLV335I First Lieutenant 5 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335I 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Park Ridge IL iTrader: (0)	Snow tires and you will be fine. __________________ 2008 335i E92 6MT (BB Flash) 2007 335I JB+,UR Intake, 6MT (Sold) 2003 350Z Turbo (Dead) 1994 Supra TT (Sold) 1994 RX7 TT (Sold)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-30-2008, 08:54 PM	#18
timtech Lieutenant 25 Rep 518 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Over there iTrader: (7)	I moved from a C class 4matic (two of them) to a 335xi. I changed over to all seasons and drive in the winter with no problems. I enjoy being able to launch my car without heavy wheel spin... sometimes it takes away the fun... Putting on dedicated winter wheels and tires is also a great choice if you do prefer rear wheel drive. so it's really a balance of what you like. Either way, you will be able to get around in the slow cleaned burbs.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2008, 12:43 PM	#20
cipher5 506 Rep 3,469 Posts Drives: 2020 Donington Grey X3M Comp Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (12)	I have a 335i (E92), and put winter tires on. I'm driving normal speeds while All-season tires drivers are going slower. No problems, no sliding. Winter Tires FTW.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2008, 11:28 PM	#21
kenneth Major General 125 Rep 8,745 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (16)	So OP what's the decision? __________________ SB, Terra, 6MT. Only a few mods here and there.....nothing extreme!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2008, 04:20 AM	#22
ultimate Lieutenant Colonel 61 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	decided to go with the xi. mainly because its not just here that i need it, but i go up north to hit the slopes pretty frequently. I also don't mind the little lost of performance. either way. the chassis is still the same, and its still the ultimate driving machine ;P i found the car already, i'm just working on negotiation right now. will post pics. thanks guys, mike
	Appreciate 0 Quote