[dwoodman]

Hi, this is my first post, be kind lol.


I am starting the process of buying a 335. I hate buying new cars so I usually drag the process out instead of watching my money depreciate so quickly.

Anyway, here is my dilemma. I am looking for a daily driver. I like the size of the 3 series - I had been contemplating getting a low mileage used 550i but have settled on the 3 (i think). Anyway, I cant really decide between a 335i with SPORT or a 335xi. I know you can get the "sport" on the Xi but its not the updgraded suspension. It snows/rains here so if I get the 335i with sport I will have to get another set of tires.

How much of a difference in driving/handling is their between the 335i with sport package suspension and the 335xi with the normal AWD suspension? That is the call of my question mainly. Thanks.

Also, is the premium radio worth it?

[Joeb427]

Which ever way you go definitely get the Sport pkg.
I learned the hard and costly way.
Even if you don't get the suspension upgrade on the IX,the seats,steering wheel etc is worth the cost.

[JDLM]

lux and sport

Would not have it any other way now

[I335]

Highly recommend sport - not only for handling but for the other things you get with the sport package like the seats. The sport seats are 1000 times better than the non-sport seats unless you are girth-challenged. And yes, the L7 sound system is great too. Good luck and welcome!

[SpmnE9zero]

+1 on sport, I do not have it and I wish I did!

[dwoodman]

I plan on getting the sport pkg either way, I guess my question was not clear. My dilemma is between the 335i and the 335xi. Its just the "i" is the only one with a true "sport" suspension. Stupid snow! lol, otherwise it would be simple - M3.

thanks for the responses.

[SpmnE9zero]

I have XI, and I love it!

[Trauma Junkie]

SPORT

The seats ALONE are worth it for the package.

[Joeb427]

Originally Posted by dwoodman

I plan on getting the sport pkg either way, I guess my question was not clear. My dilemma is between the 335i and the 335xi. Its just the "i" is the only one with a true "sport" suspension. Stupid snow! lol, otherwise it would be simple - M3.

thanks for the responses.

If you're going to use the car in the snow,get the IX.
I bought the 335i and don't use the car in bad weather or I would have bought a IX(X-Drive).
The i will handle better and look better because it's lower to the ground.,though.

[twinturboa51]

either way i would reccomend snows. but ya sport all the way

[Stinger]

I live in Michigan and drive a 335i with winter tires and it's about 95% of what I had traction wise when I owned an Audi A4 Quattro before. What I mean by 95% is that there is very little traction loss and never once did I think I wish I had bought another AWD car. The snow tires and traction control and all are night and day from decades ago when a RWD car was worthless in the snow.

Here is a link to my setup: http://e93fanatic.blogspot.com/2007/...-not-high.html

Go RWD! It's so worth the performance benefit plus you don't get that ugly gap in your wheel wells with the IX model.

The only negative is ground clearance not sure if the IX has more ground clearance, but as long as you don't mind cringing a few times every winter when you hear a scrape below your seat, you'll be fine.

[F32Fleet]

I have sport in my 06' E90, and have driven non-sport in 328 and once owned a E46 ZHP. IMO the sport pkg on the E90 borders on harsh when traveling over broken, or bumpy asphalt but I've read that BMW has improved the suspension since 06'. Having snow tires on your car is no big deal, and it's not prohibitively expensive since using them extends the wear on your summer tires.

I don't know if the XI w/sport gets Summer or All Season tires (I suspect M+S).

Sport seats feel great, but not so much for people who have some girth to them or women who have some curve.

[lucas.kent]

If you live in an area with a lot of snow, then I would seriously consider getting the XI. The fact that you're getting the sport seats either way is the big win.

Judging by what Stinger says above, the car may handle pretty well in snowy conditions given that you have good all season tires on the car.

The only thing with the sport suspension is that it does ride noticeably 'harder' than non. Some call it aggressive, some call it spirited - but either way you cut it - it is a rougher ride.

[akack79]

This is really not even a question, get sports (the seats are worth it alone).

Concerning the premium radio, mine came standard since I have MY08

[I335]

You don't need an xi because of snow, but you'll certainly need snow tires for winter. You'd need snow tires for winter with the xi as well. All wheel drive does absolutely nothing to help you stop.

[Michael Schott]

Stinger's post is spot on. Get the non-x model. It will handle better and since you'll need another set of tires just get good winter tires. Plus Lafayette doesn't get that much snow.

Thanks, Mike.

[Twilight1]

I have a non sport D and I'm happy with the whole package. Seats are fine, I like the vinyl because I travel a lot with my Standard Schnauzer. The ride is considerably better and with the roads we have in Mi, I know I'd be replacing rims with 18sor 19s. And no tramlining with the 225s. The only complaint is the wheel feels a little cheap. Good luck with your choice.

[dwoodman]

Originally Posted by I335

You don't need an xi because of snow, but you'll certainly need snow tires for winter. You'd need snow tires for winter with the xi as well. All wheel drive does absolutely nothing to help you stop.

I know it has nothing to do with stopping, its the getting going part that is sometimes more interesting.


How are the summer/performance tires in the rain? I have a 9 month old son and a daughter due in another 3 months and their safety is of utmost importance to me.

[SpmnE9zero]

Originally Posted by I335

You don't need an xi because of snow, but you'll certainly need snow tires for winter. You'd need snow tires for winter with the xi as well. All wheel drive does absolutely nothing to help you stop.

Completely disagree, I use all seasons and I am just fine, dont drive like a dick in the snow and ice and you'd be fine with all seasons!

[Fresh330]

How are the summer/performance tires in the rain? I have a 9 month old son and a daughter due in another 3 months and their safety is of utmost importance to me.

With that being said, get the xi with sport. It will give you a piece of mind in adverse weather as well as the fun of driving a BMW 3 series.

Remember, the overwhelming majority of people on this forum are enthusiasts. Why risk being caught in the beginning of a snow storm when you have precious cargo in the back seat?

GL with your decision.

[DerekS]

[QUOTE=dwoodman;5698560

How are the summer/performance tires in the rain? I have a 9 month old son and a daughter due in another 3 months and their safety is of utmost importance to me.[/QUOTE]

Having owned various 3 Series over the past 20+ years, I would highly recommend the Sport Package for the same reasons as others have stated above.
I did briefly own a 325 Xi wagon until it got creamed in a collision. I was disappointed with the steering feel and handling compared to RWD.

As for the summer performance tires ( Bridgestone Potenza RE050A or Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP), they both handle well in the rain (we get lots of rain in Vancouver !!!). However, as for overall handling and ride, the Michelins are much superior from my experience. There is no tramlining with the Michelins. If your car doesn't come with Michelins from the factory, I would suggest that you ask your dealer to swap tires from another car in their inventory.

Your most important decision for winter, no matter if you have RWD or AWD, is to install a set of snow tires. All seasons (also known as no-seasons in the tire trade) will not give your vehicle the traction that you need, either for handling or braking. If you want to explore further the question of winter tires v's all seasons, I would suggest that you go to www.tirerack.com and look at the test results for braking on ice and snow, which alone should convince you of the need for proper snow tires for winter conditions.

Good luck with your decision !

[Perfectus]

Sport! And XI if you are worried. If you are patient/careful when you drive snows will be fine with RWD.