[son_of_siggy]

Hey all,

In the coming month or two I'll be looking at possibly getting an N54-powered 335xi. For the most part I assume that a good majority of the popular mods (Procede, dual cone, etc) work on that platform as they share the same motor as their bipedal brothers, however are there some mods that simply do not work with the AWD versions?

Being unfamiliar with BMW's AWD, how is the power transferred?

The plan is to get an untouched 07/08, drive it for a week or two, then begin the mod process of a Procede, methanol, dual cone, exhaust, etc.

My father, also a member of this board, has an 07 with these modificaitons + some, so we'd be venturing into fairly well charter territory, however the Sedan+AWD would be something unique and possibly quite fun. That said, I want to make sure I'm not inhibiting the potential of the car by wanting an XI. I know on a highway stretch, the 335i will be quicker, but my hope is that from a dig, the XI will get the advantage.

Any direction/insight/comments are welcomed.

[Brey335i]

Your only issue will be exhaust wise. You need to make sure downpipes and exhaust are for xi fitment

[Fapout]

I have an e92 335xi. No problems with my catback but you have to find downpipes that fit the XI which are AR design and VK motorworks.

[son_of_siggy]

Originally Posted by Fapout

I have an e92 335xi. No problems with my catback but you have to find downpipes that fit the XI which are AR design and VK motorworks.

I notice from your sig that you drive/have driven both a 335i and ISF. Which one do you enjoy more? I considered an ISF, but the 335i aftermarket is much stronger, and I have been really looking forward to a return to the BMW world.

[Fapout]

Originally Posted by son_of_siggy

I notice from your sig that you drive/have driven both a 335i and ISF. Which one do you enjoy more? I considered an ISF, but the 335i aftermarket is much stronger, and I have been really looking forward to a return to the BMW world.

Tough to say. The ISF is like the M3, it's a track ready N/A car. There is aftermarket parts for it but nowhere near the market of the 335. My ISF is modded pretty heavily for an ISF. I live in St. Louis where we get some bad snow a few times a year so the XI is a life saver in that department where my ISF sat still in the drive way for 2 weeks straight at one point this winter. The cars have completely different power bands and I enjoy the variety that comes with driving a RWD V8 one day and a AWD TT I6 the next. For now I enjoy the ISF more but I'm doing some exterior modifications to the 335 that may level the playing field for car preference.

[son_of_siggy]

Thanks for the info. We don't get snow here THAT often, but it would be nice to have the AWD for those few days in a year when we do. We too have a RWD "fun" car, so maybe I'll rely on that for my RWD smiles.

Does your XI launch pretty solidly with your mods and the AWD, or does your ISF feel like it launches harder still?

[dyezak]

Originally Posted by son_of_siggy

Thanks for the info. We don't get snow here THAT often, but it would be nice to have the AWD for those few days in a year when we do. We too have a RWD "fun" car, so maybe I'll rely on that for my RWD smiles.

Does your XI launch pretty solidly with your mods and the AWD, or does your ISF feel like it launches harder still?

Launching is a moot point...with the Procede's new traction control feature I've been able to get consistent 1.8x 60' times buy being ham fisted and just jamming the fucking gas to the floor and letting the Procede control my launch. Only benefit you will get from the X is adverse weather abilities... But I don't drive my Bimmer in the snow, got a Jeep for that.

[srt8/bmw]

Originally Posted by dyezak

Launching is a moot point...with the Procede's new traction control feature I've been able to get consistent 1.8x 60' times buy being ham fisted and just jamming the fucking gas to the floor and letting the Procede control my launch. Only benefit you will get from the X is adverse weather abilities... But I don't drive my Bimmer in the snow, got a Jeep for that.

of course, I would beg to differ. The Xi with a tune, DPs, FIlter, FMIC, and exhaust will run low 12s high elevens, but more importantly- on street tires (I am talking all seasons here) get you consistent 1.7s on the 60 ft, and an occasional 1.6. And it will do that on the STREET! On wet pavement. Add meth- and you got a shot at the new Xi record. I did 12.4 in my Xi with just tune and DPs

[BMW1986]

On the xi, you have 100% of the AWD system sent the rear when needed and up to available 100% sent to rear when need. MB, Audi, and Lexus are around 60%-70% in each direction. I have an 09 335xi pretty well modded, see the sig for details, and I have no problems and LOVE driving it everyday!

[drfrink24]

Meh... Not impressed with my AWD in my 2008 e90 335xi. I came from a 2004 Sti. The BMW awd isn't rwd biased like the Sti, it's much less aggressive and not nearly as fun to drive. Now, maybe I'm able to use more of my power without breaking traction, or the non-zsp is ruining it. I'd do a 335i with a winter tire package and call it good.

[Presidio335xi]

Love my Xi. Many i guys say the Xi is only good for snow, but that is not true. We can accelerate through a corner better than an i, and it is a pretty fun being able to punch it and not worry about the car getting sideways (though that can happen and can be fun in certain situations).

As long as you upgrade the suspension and add meth you will be cooking. I really like my AST coilover setup.

[son_of_siggy]

Thanks all for the replies. Looks like an XI can be fun too. Looking forward to finding one with everything I want.

[Licit]

Originally Posted by son_of_siggy

Thanks all for the replies. Looks like an XI can be fun too. Looking forward to finding one with everything I want.

Believe me the 335xi is a fun car, I am comparing it to my ls3 vette(470hp tuned/cai/udpulley/exhaust), my 300C awd(366hp tuned and cai) and my stock 330xi. So with the 2 torque monsters to compare to it is still fun and mine is still stock. It will only get better with a tune and dp I am sure. I am lucky since my 2 main cars to drive are the 07 335xi and the 08 vette. Another badass awd car I looked at was the 03 Audi rs6, 450hp stock, with a tune you would be over the 500hp range! I couldn't take the dated look of it myself or I would have bought one.

[PKumarM3]

Xi is boring and numb. I could care less about drag racing.

The xi is heavy and the awd masks driver errors and is a terrible tool when learning how to drive fast. I wish I didn't get awd but those days of snow - I am glad I did get awd. But for the other 360 days of the year I wish I went with RWD

[powerbarsk8ter]

Xdrive gives you more room to play and tune, i wont drive a 400 hp car only through two wheels, you are one twist away from ditching yourself.

[jpsimon]

Love my XI! I've definitely put mine to the test and have had zero issues after 63000 miles. With my 10" wide wheels and 275 rubber in the rear this car is neck-breaking to launch at 4500rpm+

[son_of_siggy]

Sounds like a good time JP. Break anything yet with those launches? I'm guessing from the aftermarket clutch you may have been putting a strain on it?

I'll be going with an auto . . . any considerations there with the XI?

[asrautox]

Originally Posted by son_of_siggy

Sounds like a good time JP. Break anything yet with those launches? I'm guessing from the aftermarket clutch you may have been putting a strain on it?

I'll be going with an auto . . . any considerations there with the XI?

Yes, just be sure to get the sport package and 18" wheels so you have the factory oil cooler.

[son_of_siggy]

Will do. I'm being picky and looking for one with all the options. I've grown too soft not to have it all .

[jpsimon]

Originally Posted by son_of_siggy

Sounds like a good time JP. Break anything yet with those launches? I'm guessing from the aftermarket clutch you may have been putting a strain on it?

I'll be going with an auto . . . any considerations there with the XI?

Haven't broken anything!

[Kruz]

If I didnt just buy the 7/70 Id say make me an offer on my car. Sounds like what you are looking for.

[Fapout]

Originally Posted by asrautox

Yes, just be sure to get the sport package and 18" wheels so you have the factory oil cooler.

This definitely! Retrofitting the oil cooler is very very expensive. There's a thread and install about it. Crazy how much it would cost and how much time it would take.