330i in the snow?

[sbarghaan]

I'm in the process of purchasing a 2002 330 ... and am choosing between the i and the xi ... and am curious about the i's handling in the snow ... can anyone shed some light here from personal experience? I have read and read ... but would love to hear from someone who has "lived it" ...

Thanks!!!!!! Scott

 

[dzervit]

Got a 325i. Live in Michigan. Only owned rear wheel drive cars. Never slid off the road, spun the car out of control, blah blah blah. The 3ers are very well balanced, sure footed and easy to control. The DSC is increadible for one thing. You have to be driving like a total idiot to lose control. With the DSC completely disabled, the car is very predictable in slides and has a great feeling.

 

[black330i]

I have a 2003 330i, which I've driven in pretty bad weather. As long as you're not driving like a maniac and the roads are kept in good shape, you'll be fine. A funny story about this sort of thing - my roommate and I drove to Vermont one weekend last winter to go skiing. He has an S4. Coming around a turn, he lost control and hit the guard rail. I came back without a scratch.

Bad weather handling aside, the xi's ride slightly higher and get slightly worse gas mileage. I'd go with the 330i.

Rich

 

[xmas63]

You'll see that the "i vs. xi" is a hotly-debated issue, but personally, I would get the i. (And I'm in New England!) From experience, the 300i with snow tires handles awesome in the snow. For me, I see the xi as solving a problem that doesn't exist. Also from experience, I would not sacrifice the lower stance and tighter suspension that the i has over the xi, which provides significantly improved handling and responsiveness during the other nine months of the year!

 

[Average Jae]

even w/ xi, if you have crappy A/S tires, it won't do as well as the i w/ snow tires. my talon awd was like that.. got a better winter handling A/S set last winter, and was much better.. (but my point on this is only in theory, as i shelved my car last winter in favor of driving my beater around.. so no real snow exp yet in my bimmer..

but this winter, i'm def gonna slap some snows on and enjoy the winter.. (if it's ever possible on michigan roads..)

 

[dzervit]

Oh yeah, I guess I shoulda mentioned I outfitted the 3 with Michelin Artic Alpins for the winter just to be on the safe side.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

As a 325i I drove the winter with all season OEM (mxv4) michelins... Pretty much as long as you take turns carefully and avoid flooring it or having a heavy foot, the car does fairly well in the snow. I have never had any major slides or spins, if you know how to drive in the snow and are carefull I'd get the i. As for rain, I've done 100 in the rain without a problem...

 

[MrElussive]

This is a highly-debated issue and there is no "right" answer. The best thing you can do is listen to what decision people have made, why they made that decision, and their results so far with that decision.

Personally, I would go with the 330xi just because I know that when the going gets really tough (snowing real bad), an AWD 330xi with snow tires vs a RWD 330i with snow tires, the 330xi will tackle those hills better and I like the idea of having the compression of all four wheels slowing you down.

 

[sidney]

I really think that you are going to get different replies depending on if a 330i or 330xi guy is responding. Those who have the 330 i will tell you that the xi is not necessary. They have adjusted their driving to their car. The xi guys will tell you that the AWD edge that they have is the best. It really depends on who is driving, where you are driving and in what conditions you are driving in. In my opinion, if you are really concerned about poor conditions, the xi with snows will be better than the i. I don't think that the 330i guys will argue that. I currently drive an A4 Quattro and use snows in the winter. It is amazing in the snow, slush, etc. I am now looking at the 3 series and probably will get the xi because of what I have been used to since driving the Audi.

 

[bahnstormer]

sbarghaan ,

please use the search feature before you post
-martin