Congrats Prolixer on the 330xi! I too am a very satisfied *new* owner of a 330xi. I was only interested in the AWD feature and so I never test drove a Ci. In regards to your opinion on better acceleration in the XI - Motortrend mag has the 330xi rated as 0-60 in 5.8 secs - the fastest of all BMW 3 series models. Because I am an "xi" owner I would LIKE to believe this rating, although all other tests produce different results.
330ci test drive leads to 330xi purchase
- Thread starter Prolixer
- Start date
I ordered silver grey with black interior. That hilarious that you began your purchasing on maintenance items already! I was thinking of getting the UUC short shifter and swaybars to get going, but decided to wait since I am home shopping and decided that it would be best to store less right now..
That Black Sapphire is going to look sweet all polished up!
That Black Sapphire is going to look sweet all polished up!
Xyrium said -
Strangely enough, my dealer told me that it would be dangerous to lower an xi because of the AWD differential (can't remember the exact name of the part)hanging low in the center of the vehicle
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I just looked under my car and there is nothing hanging low in the center of the vehicle - there are several things that are lower than the AWD differential (like the muffler). AWD vehicles have a higher ground clearance than sedans by about an inch, so there should be no problem lowering the car.
AWD330XI said -
If I lived in a climate where it did not snow, I would have bought a ci instead. If you could drive both the ci and xi each day over the next month, you would surely have chosen the ci. You will regret your decision in the long run IMO.
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Well, it does sometimes snow here in Eugene, but not enough to warrent my having purchased an AWD vehicle - I bought it because they did not have any other coupes or sedans on the lot with the color/options I wanted - and I didn't want to wait! Fortunetly, I will not get the chance to do an extended side by side comparison with a coupe, so in my case ignorance will hopefully mean bliss. I've driven coupes for the last 30 years (different makes and models), so although I went to the BMW dealership expecting to buy yet another coupe, now that I have a 4 door, I kind of like the change!
oregonbmw said -
I live in Eugene and have test driven the same 330Ci a number of times.
I agree that the 330ci they have on the lot feels a little sluggish. I test drove a used 01 330ci that they have at the MB dealership and it felt like it had a lot more kick to it.
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A ha! Well there you have it, the 330ci that they have on the lot IS less responsive for some reason. I didn't think it was all in my mind............
AWD330XI said -
The only reason a new 330ci felt sluggish is because it is not broken in yet. My engine has 6000 miles on it and it feels faster every week. BMW engines need at least 5000 before it really approaches its peak HP.
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No, because I was comparing a 330ci with 128 miles on it to a 330xi with 12 miles on it, and the 330xi was more responsive.
If anyone has a 330xi that they have lowered, could you share your experience with me?
Thanks,
Prolixer
__________________
Strangely enough, my dealer told me that it would be dangerous to lower an xi because of the AWD differential (can't remember the exact name of the part)hanging low in the center of the vehicle
**********************************************************
I just looked under my car and there is nothing hanging low in the center of the vehicle - there are several things that are lower than the AWD differential (like the muffler). AWD vehicles have a higher ground clearance than sedans by about an inch, so there should be no problem lowering the car.
AWD330XI said -
If I lived in a climate where it did not snow, I would have bought a ci instead. If you could drive both the ci and xi each day over the next month, you would surely have chosen the ci. You will regret your decision in the long run IMO.
***********************************************************
Well, it does sometimes snow here in Eugene, but not enough to warrent my having purchased an AWD vehicle - I bought it because they did not have any other coupes or sedans on the lot with the color/options I wanted - and I didn't want to wait! Fortunetly, I will not get the chance to do an extended side by side comparison with a coupe, so in my case ignorance will hopefully mean bliss. I've driven coupes for the last 30 years (different makes and models), so although I went to the BMW dealership expecting to buy yet another coupe, now that I have a 4 door, I kind of like the change!
oregonbmw said -
I live in Eugene and have test driven the same 330Ci a number of times.
I agree that the 330ci they have on the lot feels a little sluggish. I test drove a used 01 330ci that they have at the MB dealership and it felt like it had a lot more kick to it.
*******************************************************
A ha! Well there you have it, the 330ci that they have on the lot IS less responsive for some reason. I didn't think it was all in my mind............
AWD330XI said -
The only reason a new 330ci felt sluggish is because it is not broken in yet. My engine has 6000 miles on it and it feels faster every week. BMW engines need at least 5000 before it really approaches its peak HP.
***************************************************
No, because I was comparing a 330ci with 128 miles on it to a 330xi with 12 miles on it, and the 330xi was more responsive.
If anyone has a 330xi that they have lowered, could you share your experience with me?
Thanks,
Prolixer
__________________
The reason the xi felt faster than the ci is simply because the suspension is softer because it rides higher. Also, off the line you will feel the sensation of more "pull" because of the better traction of AWD. This is the phenomenon you experienced. I owned both a Mustang GT with 225hp and a 350z with 287hp. The Mustang always felt faster, but, in the end, the 350z was definitely the faster car. This is because the Mustang had a very soft suspension compared to the 350z. Also, the Mustang felt faster with the extra torque the V8 provides. Similar to the sensation of extra "torque" supplied by AWD. Rest assured, if you drove both the xi and the ci on the highway at 60mph+, you will no doubt say the ci is faster.
