330 ci vs i vs xi
- Thread starter ulfee
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330ci is a 2 door coupe..... 330i is a 4 door sedan.... 330xi is a 4 door sedan with all wheel drive..... From what I've heard the 330i is slightly quicker than the 330ci, and all wheel drive is heavier and slower, but useful in certain situations. Aside from that the 3.0 ltr inline 6 is the same with 225hp and 214 torque with all the models.
The 330i and 330Ci are both RWD but the Ci is a 2-door (the "C" representing 'Coupe'). The 330xi is a 4-door with AWD (the "x" representing 'AWD'). You lose half a second of acceleration going from 60mph with the 330xi and it sits 0.8" higher than the regular models. This makes for better ground clearance (for snow and other crap) but hurts handling and there is no sport suspension available. Basically, you should decide if you want a 2-door or 4-door and if you want/need the AWD. Keep in mind that even if it snows where you live, you could still get a RWD BMW and just purchase a set of snow tires for the winter months (rather than just getting a 330xi in which you gain AWD but lose a bit of acceleration and handling).
You are probably a better driver to win by so much.
And from what I understand the sedan does perform better in the handling category; this is what BMW is famous for, legendary-performance-sports-sedans. I think it had something to do with the rigidity of the sedan structure. But all 3’s seem to be spectacular in this handling category.
The M3 is a whole different story.![[burnout]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_burnout.gif "Burnout [burnout]")
And from what I understand the sedan does perform better in the handling category; this is what BMW is famous for, legendary-performance-sports-sedans. I think it had something to do with the rigidity of the sedan structure. But all 3’s seem to be spectacular in this handling category.
The M3 is a whole different story.
If there is a performance difference between the i and Ci, I would imagine it's only marginal. And I would expect the Coupe to be the better performer as it is the one with the sportier appearance (2-doors).
The Convertible does not handle as well as the convertible, but it is close. Convertibles usually don't handle as well as their Coupe versions because of the loss of the roof. It compromises structural rigidity, but they weigh more, because the company beefs up the platform to make up for the lack of a real roof.
The Convertible does not handle as well as the convertible, but it is close. Convertibles usually don't handle as well as their Coupe versions because of the loss of the roof. It compromises structural rigidity, but they weigh more, because the company beefs up the platform to make up for the lack of a real roof.
I agree, there is a thought that a coupe is faster just because it is a coupe.
I would guess that if you put an M5 side-by-side with a Camaro or Mustang, and not even a high-performance version, most Americans would pick the Camaro or Mustang as the fastest car. I may even say that a strong majority would pick the Camaro or Mustang over the M5.
It goes back to a similar way of thinking as stickers on cars. I am sure they make some people think there is more performance there.
I have experienced this myself with a guy in a 325ci, I guess he thought that his coupe made up for a 50 HP difference. After all, mine only had 27% more HP.![[rofl]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_rofl.gif "ROFL [rofl]")
I would guess that if you put an M5 side-by-side with a Camaro or Mustang, and not even a high-performance version, most Americans would pick the Camaro or Mustang as the fastest car. I may even say that a strong majority would pick the Camaro or Mustang over the M5.
It goes back to a similar way of thinking as stickers on cars. I am sure they make some people think there is more performance there.
I have experienced this myself with a guy in a 325ci, I guess he thought that his coupe made up for a 50 HP difference. After all, mine only had 27% more HP.
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Bad news: the convertible is about 400 lbs. heavier = slightly slower
Good news: I compared the 330cic, 330ci, Saab 9-3 convertible, and Volvo C70 covertible. The C70 and 9-3 handle like crap compared to the 330cic, BMW is NOTICEABLY more solid. The Volvo's cowl shake (convertible body flex) is known as the "Flexible Flyer"![[hihi]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_hihi.gif "Hi Hi [hihi]")
. I could not tell any difference in the 330ci vs. 330cic as far as handling goes.
Good news: I compared the 330cic, 330ci, Saab 9-3 convertible, and Volvo C70 covertible. The C70 and 9-3 handle like crap compared to the 330cic, BMW is NOTICEABLY more solid. The Volvo's cowl shake (convertible body flex) is known as the "Flexible Flyer"
. I could not tell any difference in the 330ci vs. 330cic as far as handling goes.
No, MrElussive pretty much said everything I was gonna say. Missing that roof really hurts that car (although not as much as some other companies' converts). Plus, weight is weight. No matter how structurallly sound a convertible is (and it's not as strong as a coupe/sedan), that extra weight is not gonna make it perform better. Handling, braking, and acceleration is all gonna suffer. That's why Porsche, instead of adding hp to some of their cars, just took out weight to create the RS model, like what Mitsu is doing now to its Evo. And that's why I'm in no big rush to add an air filter or exhaust to my car. I weigh so little, compared to the average male, my weight advantage prolly gives me a good 5 hp advantage.
Rofl, I like that thinking. At 148lbs (with clothes and shoes), I'd have to say I like to consider myself as a little "weight advantage" as well. ![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
Seriously though, if you're trying to decide between a 330Ci and a 330Ci Convertible, I would not let handling and overall performance affect your decision. Yes, there is an acceleration difference due to the extra weight and lesser aerodynamics. And yes, the 330Ci probably does handle better because it has the added rigidity of a full roof. But BMW tries so hard to make their convertibles as high-performing as their coupes that even driving them back-to-back would probably not reveal any significant performance differences (as Kirby even confirmed in this thread).
Seriously though, if you're trying to decide between a 330Ci and a 330Ci Convertible, I would not let handling and overall performance affect your decision. Yes, there is an acceleration difference due to the extra weight and lesser aerodynamics. And yes, the 330Ci probably does handle better because it has the added rigidity of a full roof. But BMW tries so hard to make their convertibles as high-performing as their coupes that even driving them back-to-back would probably not reveal any significant performance differences (as Kirby even confirmed in this thread).