330XI or 330I?

[m3onkey]

hey guys and gals. according to motortrend's road test results:

330XI (manual): 0-60, 5.8 secs. ; 1/4 mile, 14.4 secs.

330I (manual): 0-60, 6.7 secs. ; 1/4 mile, 15.0 secs.

does anyone have any information on the 330CI? the 330XI compared to the 330CI?

i'm not sure how accurate these numbers are. if you guys have any information, please post your info. and thoughts. i assumed since the awd 330XI is heavier than the rwd 330I or 330CI, it wouldn't get such results. any logically explanations?

which one do you prefer if these results are true?

 

[Akakubi]

I/Ci is a faster, better handling package.

Check this thread:

http://forum.bmwboard.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=992

BMW AWD is not the best system out there, it was more designed for marketing purposes. BMW is a RWD chassis that was tuned to be such.

Try to test drive Xi vs I/Ci and you'll see the difference right away.

 

[MrElussive]

Yeah, the answer is that magazines are just very inconsistent. If you go to the BMWUSA.com web site, you will see that the 330i 6-speed does 0-60 in 6.4 seconds and the 330xi 6-speed does 0-60 in 6.9 seconds. That is a much more accurate comparison. The 330xi has the AWD for great all-weather drivability, but you have to make a few compromises from the 330i. For example, even the 330xi with Sport Package does not get you the Sport suspension. The 330xi sits 0.8" higher than the 330i and has no sport suspension at all...just the standard 3-series suspension. Also, the 330xi has all-season run-flat tires that have a thicker sidewall than the 330i (affects handling performance compared to the 330i Sport's 17" low-profile performance tires).

 

[m3onkey]

yeah, i did test drive the 330xi and then drove my 330ci. i didn't think it was faster than my 330ci. i guess we can't rely on any of those numbers.

 

[steve330xi]

I take it on faith that the 330xi sacrifices some performance over the 330ci. That said, it's an absolutely awesome car to drive. My decision was based on that I do a fair amount of winter driving around New England and needed the AWD. The choice for me wasn't between the xi and ci, it was between the bimmer, Audi, Volvo and VW Passat 4 wheel drive cars. Looking at it that way I chose the one offering the best overall experience. I'm 100% confident it was the right choice.

 

[m3onkey]

seems like you are totally satisfied with your bimmer choice. if those were my choices, i'd do the same thing. new england weather sucks. the 330ci isn't as good during the winter and during wet conditions. thinking of getting the yoko avs db to replace the summer tires on my car. anything better ideas?

 

[brahtw8]

thinking of getting the yoko avs db to replace the summer tires on my car. anything better ideas?

I think the AVS ES 100 is a better value, and I don't see much of an advantage from the quieter design of the db, but I have a tri-flow exhaust on my car and an upgraded audio system, so I'm not really into quiet.

 

[m3onkey]

i have the avs db on my '00 gti with 18s and thought they were really good when wet. not just that but really good grip on the road in addition to the all season ultra high performance. the 'quiet' wasn't the reason i got it.

 

[Akakubi]

If you see snow in the winter, you will have to get a set of true Winter Tires on a i/Ci. No M + S rubber will do you any good, except have very long tread life. Get Blizzaks for the snow.

Get a set of S-03's for all other conditions. They will outhandle any M + S tire in the rain and are unbeatable in the dry. Another good new tire is Goodyear F1 G3-DS, but they are on a very long back order list...

ES100 is an OK tire, but my friends locally do not like them much - not enough dry grip, noise and a bit squirmy in the rain (on a 323i). Kumho MX is great and cheap, but only if you live in CA. It doesn't like rain.

 

[m3onkey]

just trying to avoid changing wheels and tires multiple times a year and stick to one

 

[brahtw8]

just trying to avoid changing wheels and tires multiple times a year and stick to one

I understand where you're coming from, but its not a good idea when you drive a RWD car in the snow. I love my Pilot Alpins in the snow.

I don't think the wet handling of the ES 100 is that bad, but my recommendation was more for the value they offer.

The SO3 is a great tire, but very expensive.

 

[m3onkey]

i'll look into those tires man...thanks. just curious. i've never seen a bmw with OZs. do you mind posting up some pics for us to see? i wonder how those look on a bimmer.

 

[brahtw8]

i'll look into those tires man...thanks. just curious. i've never seen a bmw with OZs. do you mind posting up some pics for us to see? i wonder how those look on a bimmer.

Unfortunately I don't have any electronic ones at the moment, but I'll make a point of taking a picture (since I now get the photo cd while I still don't have a digi camera and I really should have some pics of the 325 up on one of these sites).

Mine are six-spokes that look very similar to the MSW six-spokes and less similar to the Borbet Type C (I think).

I found a link to a picture of them online. The model is called the Saturn Plus. They don't make them anymore.

http://www.arcorepneumatici.it/images/Ruote in lega/Immagini ruote oz/SATURN.PLUS.htm

 

[Akakubi]

I found one.

 

[m3onkey]

are those 17s? they look pretty good. i think if that person went with 18s, it would look really good.

 

[Akakubi]

are those 17s? they look pretty good. i think if that person went with 18s, it would look really good.

I think these are 17". There is another guy with a Wagon that has 18", same style. They look really great. But I can't seem to find a picture...

 

[tsquared]

I've got a 2002 330xi it’s a nice car and gets around very well in the winter, but it’s not all that sporty for all the reasons already listed. Don't get me wrong the 330xi is a great car, its just not as sporty as I want.

One of the reasons I'm trading the 330xi in for a 2004 330i (Sept production) w/ sport package and a 6 speed, is that with good snow tires a RWD car will get me thru a MN winter. Ok granted a RWD isn't going to do very well if I get hit with a blizzard, but neither will a 330xi.

Do a search on 330xi and AWD. There have been a number of threads discussing the pros/cons of AWD vs RWD and the use of winter tires.

If you’re a performance minded driver and are willing to live with switch tire summer and winter rubber then go with a RWD car over the AWD.

Regards,

 

[m3onkey]

hey man, i'd never consider getting the 330xi awd bimmer. i have respect for people who drives it. but it's just not me. the rwd feels a lot better while driving from my past experiences. maybe it's just worth it getting having an extra set of winter tires.

 

[tsquared]

If you live in snow belt, it’s worth the money to get the snow tire regardless if you have a FWD, RWD or AWD. M & S tires just can't compete to a good set of winter and summer tires.

I had an opportunity to take a RWD 330i out on an ice slalom course with the dynamic stability turned off on both cars. The difference was absolutely amazing. The difference in stopping distance was a real eye opener.

If I was keeping the 330xi I’d still be getting snow tire for it.

Regards,

 

[m3onkey]

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