325xi vs 330xi

[Mick]

Newbie here, and have decided to take the plunge and buy a BMW. I've decided on a 3 series, and would like the AWD since I live in Michigan and drive in the snow/rain/ice etc. fairly regularly.

Question is, is it worth the extra 6-7k for the 330xi or are people happy with the 325xi?

Thanks for the help, I'm really excited about getting a new car at this point. I've never owned, but always wanted a Bimmer, now's my chance! Drove a friend's 2000 323i the other day and fell in love, I can't drive my own car now!

edit: And am I crazy for getting the xi? Will the stadard RWD version be fine with snow tires?

Thanks again!

 

[MrElussive]

The xi models are great cars. They give you the confidence and ability to drive through all weather conditions. But when you opt for an xi model, you sacrifice a few things. First, on the xi models, you cannot get Sport suspension....you can get a Sport Package, but there is no Sport suspension for these models. Also, on xi models you do not get low-profile performance tires...you get run-flat all-season tires. You also lose about 0.6 seconds to 60mph when comparing 330i/325i to 330xi/325xi.
Many people say that a regular BMW 325i/330i will do fine in the snow with snow tires, and this is true thanks to BMW traction control, 50/50 weight distribution, and the excellent grip of snow tires nowadays.
It just has to be worth it to you. If you go with the 330xi/325xi, you will lose some performance in handling and acceleration, but you can drive through all types of weather without having to worry. If you with the 330i/325i, you have to invest in snow tires and wheels, and you have to swap wheels every winter and summer. You just have to ask yourself if you want to make the performance sacrifice by going with an xi model, or the all-weather drivability sacrifice (without snow tires) by going with a regular i model.
Oh, and welcome to the forum.

 

[Wadula]

even with a xi i recommend to get snow tires. without those a awd solution is no better than a regular one. not because of acceleration, but handling and braking. that has nothing to do with the type of drive train, that is a question of grip.
for the rest i am with mrelussive. you will loose some little things. acceleration on dry pavement will go down where as in wet you will beat them.

for the low profile tyres, is that only that you can't get them from the mill or can't you get those at all? i mean, what has the drivetrain to do with the shape of the tires?

 

[Gary]

I recently bought a 5 speed 2002 325XI. It's great, but I would not recommend the automatic. It just doesn't seem to have the same balls as the 5 speed. I drive from Connecticut to Maine each week and need the all wheel drive. Unless you are taking it to the track, I think you'll find the handling great even without the sports suspension. I have the sport package with the 17" wheels and it handles very well. I drove a Porsche Boxter last week, and actually liked the feel of my car better. I do however, have a vibration that I feel in the drive train at 70-80 mph. BMW is going to replace my rear differential with a hand built (vs robot) one from Germany. It apparently doesn't happen to many XIs, but I'd carefully look for a low humming vibration at those speeds.
Good luck.

 

[ksbmwers]

I bought a 330xi in March 2002 and am thrilled with it. We live in KC, so snow is not an all winter thing, but we also get ice. The 330xi managed the snow and ice just fine with the stock tires last winter, and we live out in an area that is quite hilly, with infrequent snow plowing. I read the posts about how a 330xi doesn't perform or handle like a 330i/ci, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing, but I find it a blast to drive. It has great power and handling. Personally, I would not have been happy with the smaller motor. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Mick]

You guys are great! Thanks for the replies, and keep them coming! I literally can't sleep now, I just can't decide which model to get. Then again, I'm getting a BMW, so I don't think I'll go wrong any way I choose.

 

[Wadula]

if the money is not a critical point go with the bigger engine, no question.

one question, why do you think about sleeping? it is short past noon!!!

 

[xmas63]

And am I crazy for getting the xi? Will the stadard RWD version be fine with snow tires?

Yes, RWD will be fine with snow tires. (It will be excellent, actually.) Are you crazy for getting the xi? No, but personally, I would take the money you would have spent on the xi and get a set of winter rims/tires. You'll have great handling in the snow without sacrificing the best possible handling for the remaining 8 months of the year. Mr. Ellusive summed it up nicely in his earlier response...

 

[Mick]

one question, why do you think about sleeping? it is short past noon!!!

LOL, I was talking about last night, not now!

 

[chsu74]

I have owned a 325XI since June 01. It is my all weather car until I pick up a summer ride in a few years. Overall rating on the car is FUN!!!

I thought I made a mistake buying a smaller engine; saving on luxury tax... However, you feel the true pick up after the engine logs 10K. You do want a manual if you go with a 325. If you want a auto get the 330 for sure. It rides and drives like a BMW and you can be lazy before season changes. If you want performance, I don't think the 4 DR is the choice for you to begin with.

I like the XI because I don't worry about weather changes or space in my garage for a set of tires. The ride is also less bouncy because its heavier, it plows through snow better. I was driving around 8 to 10" of snow last winter with 30K stock treads and it was fine.

Whatever you decide will be great because the ride starts with BMW.

 

[MrElussive]

Mick, I understand how you are feeling. It definitely is a very tough decision. There are so many little things to consider because i models and xi models each have their own advantages. At the very least, you should come to this conclusion: Definitely spend the extra $$$ and go for a 330 model.
Are you going to lease the car or purchase it? If so, how long do you plan to own it? If you are going to lease it for 3 years, I would recommend to just get the 330xi and drive it all year round the way it is (meaning, don't invest in snow tires or what not)....3 year ownership of the car doesn't really justify spending $1,000+ on snow tires and rims. If you are going to purchase it and keep it for 5 or 6 years, you should with a 330i and a nice set of snow tires and rims for the winter seasons.
And if you really have a lot of money to burn, purchase a 330xi, invest in Ultra High-Performance All-Season tires and some nice OEM or OER BMW wheels, aftermarket springs (lower the car 1" for the tighter handling of the 330i), and an ECU chip (to makeup for the 0-60 difference the 330xi loses compared to the 330i).

 

[steve330xi]

Of course the decision is yours to make, but I'll share some of my thinking when I made that very same decision. I couldn't be happier with my choice.
1- I drove both the 325 and 330 and it came down to treating myself to a gift so I decided on the 224 horses. It was as simple as that. Did I need it - no. Did I want it - yes.
2- I do a fair amount of winter driving too. There will come a time when I want to have 4 wheels of traction under me. So I decided on the xi vs i.
3- Of course you give up some performance but in my world it's mostly on paper. In day to day driving I rarely test the limits of the machine. I'm not as race-savvy as many on this board so I can assure you that the feel of this car is everything I could have wanted and more. Most driving purists and serious enthusiasts would opt for the RWD which makes sense to me. Maybe I'm just in ignorant bliss, but this car performs far superior to anything I've ever owned before. It's incredible.
4- Of course RWD with snows will perform well. I look at it this way... In snow, I'd rather have an xi with all seasons than an i with all seasons. I'd also rather have an xi with snows than an i with snows. I may get the snow tires anyway and have the best of all worlds.

Good luck with your decision. Just think of the anguish you're going through as part of the birthing process for your new baby. You're gonna love it no matter how it comes out! And won't it be fun when you post pictures here and everyone tells you she's beautiful!!

 

[tsquared]

If your intrested in a used 2002 330xi I just put mine up for sale. Its got the Steptronic, premium & cold weather packages plus the xenom lights, Topaz blue, sand interior. 23K miles.

I'm only selling it because my 330i w/ 6speed & sport package should be here in early Oct.

That being said, new or used go with the 330xi, down the road you'll be much happier with the larger engine as others on the board have mentioned. You might also want to do a search for 330xi on this forum. There have been a number of really good threads on AWD vs RWD and all-season vs snow tires.

Regards,

 

[Shaneyfelt]

I made it through my first winter in Nebraska. Wind, Snow, freezing rain, and whatever else the Boy throws down. The 330xi is the only way to go. My friends that have "other thans", swear they have no problem. Here is the catch. If you live where salt is thrown down by people of this land, and "i" is fine. My friends do not subject themselves to snow tires. They use the cars for work only in the winter to be fair.

However, no way, no how do they run out in snow and/or ice - they wait till the salt goes down.

However, with the 330xi, w/o snowtires, is zero problem with the snow (sheet of ice another issue all together). I am not sure why one would need the extra snow tire bit. Tires are fine as is. It is like a dream in the snow and that is why I got it.

As far as the 325, I had my 330 in for a week (very sad deal) and they gave me the lesser model of course. The lack of power really bugged me. So much so, I was estatic at my decision. However, the test drive never told me as much. But my friends told me that they would never speak to me if I did not get the 330 and that is what took for me to dig in my pockets for the extra $6,000+.

However, I would have never really known the difference had I not drove the 325 for a weak. Big difference in power which for me = driving.