[alistair]

Hi,

I stupidly swapped my unreliable X5 4.4 for a new Acura MDX Sport in May. I hate the Acura now that I've got used to it.

I'm thinking seriously about cutting my losses and getting a 335. There's a lot of choices I could use some friendly advice on

I can get a sweet deal on a 335 now (almost immediate production, and a barely over invoice price). It's a standard RWD, and would be a 2007 model.

I can pre-order a 2008 335xi for delivery in December. I can't get anywhere near as good a discount or lease price, as it's a new model car.

Questions:

- My only real concern is the 335 RWD in bad weather. I do drive up Stevens Pass to one of Seattle's ski areas several times during winter. Obviously I can fit winter tires to both, but what's the RWD like in the snow? Seattle doesn't have snow downtown, and if it does it's about an inch.

- If it's working out to about a $5k difference, possibly slightly more, is the xi worth the premium?

- The Acura is leased, and I changed in my financed X5. I got a tax credit on the Acura. If I pay off the Acura, do I get a tax credit on a new lease for a BMW?

- Is a price that's not much ($1000) over invoice on a 335 Coupe good enough to buy a late 07, or is my dealer not offering me as good a deal as I think?


Thanks for your help!,
-Alistair

[drexplode]

check this thread out:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70117


i asked the very same question...after reading many reviews on tirerack and feedback from this forum i decided to order a 335i and snow tires.

Goodluck!

[DrGP]

It would all depend on how often you really need to drive in snow covered roads and how deep the snow is. Obviously, the AWD model will be much safer and more secure in snow, ONLY WITH THE PROPER TIRES. But the 335i will go in snow with dedicated snow tires as well. Just won't go as well and in all conditions.

[alistair]

Thanks for the rapid replies!

Both MI and PA get some pretty bad snow - does it worry either of you much?
Would you pay 5k more for the xi coupe now, if you had a choice?

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by DrGP

But the 335i will go in snow with dedicated snow tires as well. Just won't go as well and in all conditions.

Ditto - I had the same worries when i bought my E46, but the traction control does a GREAT job with snow tires with a few inches of snow. I wouldn't bother with an xi unless I was someplace that both got serious snow and didn't plow promptly.

[drexplode]

i'm not worried at all. There are a few days a year where the snowfall = 6-8" or more and on those days it will take me longer to get home. Oh well, its well worth it to drive a RWD fun car all season.

BTW the roads are relatively flat in the area that i live in. If i was surrounded my moutain terrain, then i would consider the Xi.

[bimmerFUD]

Originally Posted by drexplode

BTW the roads are relatively flat in the area that i live in. If i was surrounded my moutain terrain, then i would consider the Xi.

+1 Most of the folks in the threads on this topic (you might want to search) who respond "RWD + snows is fine" live in flat terrain. There are some happy with this setup that live in Denver, but I don't know how much skiing they do. If you only go skiing twice per year, it'd be a tough choice.

If you decide on the RWD, I'll be curious how well it works with snow in mountain terrain.

[RobM]

Originally Posted by agalbraith

Both MI and PA get some pretty bad snow - does it worry either of you much?
Would you pay 5k more for the xi coupe now, if you had a choice?

I went with a 328xi coupe over trying to make a 335i work for a few reasons. (I live in PA)

While I'd say that the snow we get isn't that bad, it doesn't all come at once. I have a few friends with RWD cars/trucks and they go through a lot of extra work that I don't want to deal with. Basically, November comes around and the weather is still 50s-60s out, so they leave on their AS tires. Next thing you know, there's a sudden unexpected snowfall and they're having problems getting around. So then they put their snows on, add extra weight to the trunk, etc and they get around much better. Then, in December or January, we get a warm spell for a while and they're wearing down their snow tires for no reason. And just when you think the snow ends, we get a snowstorm in April. Plus, I didn't want to buy a brand new car and immediately buy new tires for it.

Also, the area where I live is very hilly. And Pittsburghers are notorious for not being able to drive in the snow even though we have some every year. Inevitably, you'll get stuck behind someone who didn't plan to go UP the hill right and gets stuck.

I've had AS on my AWD Eclipse and have not had any major problems. It does a lot better than the FWD cars I've had before with AS. Plus, when the weather turns really bad (ice) I stay home. Also, I tend to drive fairly conservatively in the snow--I let the large 4x4 trucks fly past me (and the rest of the traffic flow)

Since I also have an Evo with performance summer tires, I didn't really see the need to blow my money to have TWO fast cars. I wanted a comfortable car that had some power and would be good to drive year-round to go with my "summer" car. To me, the ability to get around was more important than all-out quickness. Trust me, I sure was tempted to go with another turbo car. (Don't worry, when the time comes to replace my Evo, all-out quickness will be my main goal)

So if you get minor snow and don't want to deal with the hassle of snow tires, get the AWD. If you don't mind dealing with the snow tires and can spend some time learning how the car handles in the snow, skip it and get RWD. (Although, I highly recommend taking *ANY* car out to an empty snow-covered parking lot to learn how it handles in the snow)

Just my $0.02.

[aspiring335]

I've had two RWD BMWs in Calgary winters. Calgary is close to the Rockies and I've done many trips into the mountains in the dead of winter, and driven through high mountain passes to Vancouver and back.

AWD gives you an extra degree of security, but I had no problems and never felt unsafe with RWD. It really all comes down to having proper tires. Even with the xi I wouldn't feel safe with all-seasons. But don't make the mistake I did and get the BMW winter wheel packages. The Blizzak run-flats are not the greatest. You'd be better off with something like the Michelin Pilot Alpins.

The real myth about AWD is that it will help you stop faster. It won't; stopping power is all down to mass and what's in contact with the road, which is why it drives me crazy seeing SUVs which I'm sure don't have proper winter tires blasting down the highway in snowy / icy condition.

[alistair]

Really helpful advice all, thanks

I think I'm at the point where the 335 coupe is working out at least $5k cheaper ("less expensive") than the 335xi coupe. Even with some snow tires in there at about $1500 incl. rims, I could rent an SUV if I need to trek up the mountains and the 335i turns out to be bad in the snow.

Hell, if people with civics can get to the top with AS tires, I can do it in a BMW with better DSC and decent winter tires....

Question is, would I want to?

-Alistair

[Cookiemonster]

Snow tires are great. I had them on my s2000 in the hilly area or North New Jersey. Definetly get you around fine and that car wieghs at least 600 pounds less than a 335I. But a rwd car with snow tires is more stressful to drive in snow then awd.

[jgalaxy]

It's definately not easy to decide for snow bound folks. If you spend a lot of time in the snow in hilly and mountainous areas go for the Xi. The driving dynamics will be vastly improved. I live in Montreal which is pretty flat where the 'i' would be just fine. I spend at least 2/3 of the winter playing in the snow up North where it's always snow bound so the Xi makes a better choice.

[FirstClass]

One important thing to remember is that the xi comes with HDC. Getting up hill is all well and good but when you really get screwed is coming down them.

Example: Recently I was coming home from school and there was a rediculous ice/snow storm and the roads hadn't been plowed. This one big hill was rather interesting. I had no issue whatsoever getting up, but cars all around me that weren't AWD were spinning like crazy. Once I crested the hill it got worse. I punced the HDC for the trip down and I was safely and securely crusing down at low speed. Cars behind and in front of me were fishtailing almost perpendicular to the road in some cases trying to stop while I needed to do nothing but steer

[aspiring335]

Good point. It's really difficult to control the car once it starts sliding down a hill, without an aid like HDC. Near my old home in Calgary there were several steep hills that would be closed off completely in severe weather, for exactly this reason.

Originally Posted by FirstClass

One important thing to remember is that the xi comes with HDC. Getting up hill is all well and good but when you really get screwed is coming down them.

Example: Recently I was coming home from school and there was a rediculous ice/snow storm and the roads hadn't been plowed. This one big hill was rather interesting. I had no issue whatsoever getting up, but cars all around me that weren't AWD were spinning like crazy. Once I crested the hill it got worse. I punced the HDC for the trip down and I was safely and securely crusing down at low speed. Cars behind and in front of me were fishtailing almost perpendicular to the road in some cases trying to stop while I needed to do nothing but steer

[p166mmx73]

Remember last winter? This picture was actually on the way back to my house. After seeing that situation at least a couple of times each winter I've been out here, I opted for the XI.

My 4x4 Explorer with all-season's never ran into a problem so I am hoping for the same luck with my 328xi.

[pato610]

I was stuck deciding between E92 335i or E92 328xi. I live in Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border, where we get a fair bit of snow. After driving my Dad's 645ci with snow tires in the winter, I decided to go with the xi- the 6 was horrible going up hill with snow deeper then 2 inches on the ground. As much as I wanted a 335, it just wasn't worth the stress of slipping all over the road during snowy weather when I have to get to work.

Granted my experience with RWD / snows was in a 645ci not a 335i, but I would imagine they would be on par with one another.

[MrSilver]

I live in Buffalo.

335i + Snows = fine.

[aspiring335]

Originally Posted by pato610

I was stuck deciding between E92 335i or E92 328xi. I live in Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border, where we get a fair bit of snow. After driving my Dad's 645ci with snow tires in the winter, I decided to go with the xi- the 6 was horrible going up hill with snow deeper then 2 inches on the ground. As much as I wanted a 335, it just wasn't worth the stress of slipping all over the road during snowy weather when I have to get to work.

Granted my experience with RWD / snows was in a 645ci not a 335i, but I would imagine they would be on par with one another.

How big were the wheels? In the winter you really benefit from more sidewall and narrower wheels. I would guess the winter wheels on a 645i would be 18"?

[ny176]

Originally Posted by drexplode

check this thread out:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70117


i asked the very same question...after reading many reviews on tirerack and feedback from this forum i decided to order a 335i and snow tires.

Goodluck!

I decided on the E92 328i w/ some dedicated snows over the 328xi also. I don't go up mountains to ski put we could get some significant snow falls here in the tri-state. Did alot of research and was back and forth for awhile but came to the conclusion that the i w/ some dedicated snows were good enough for the tri-state. There are a ton of topics here and bimmerfest.. GL w/ your decision..

[AJ M2 comp]

I didnt feel like waiting for the 335Xi so I went with the 335i. Took it up to whistler last year and it didnt go for $hit in the snow...... Granted I didnt have snow tires on it but it didnt move at all with only about 1/4 inch of snow on the ground. I would advise getting the 335xi if you plan on taking it skiing, I wish I had the xi.

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by agalbraith

Hi,

I stupidly swapped my unreliable X5 4.4 for a new Acura MDX Sport in May. I hate the Acura now that I've got used to it.

I'm thinking seriously about cutting my losses and getting a 335. There's a lot of choices I could use some friendly advice on

I can get a sweet deal on a 335 now (almost immediate production, and a barely over invoice price). It's a standard RWD, and would be a 2007 model.

I can pre-order a 2008 335xi for delivery in December. I can't get anywhere near as good a discount or lease price, as it's a new model car.

Questions:

- My only real concern is the 335 RWD in bad weather. I do drive up Stevens Pass to one of Seattle's ski areas several times during winter. Obviously I can fit winter tires to both, but what's the RWD like in the snow? Seattle doesn't have snow downtown, and if it does it's about an inch.

- If it's working out to about a $5k difference, possibly slightly more, is the xi worth the premium?

- The Acura is leased, and I changed in my financed X5. I got a tax credit on the Acura. If I pay off the Acura, do I get a tax credit on a new lease for a BMW?

- Is a price that's not much ($1000) over invoice on a 335 Coupe good enough to buy a late 07, or is my dealer not offering me as good a deal as I think?


Thanks for your help!,
-Alistair

My BMW has never seen snow (Michigan) becuase I have a winter car, but my best friend drives his 330i all year. He ended up getting Blizzaks and never had a problem.

If you have wintery months more than more than 5 months out of the year, then the awd might be a better option.




-Garrett

[335xi]

Originally Posted by AJ 335TT

I didnt feel like waiting for the 335Xi so I went with the 335i. Took it up to whistler last year and it didnt go for $hit in the snow...... Granted I didnt have snow tires on it but it didnt move at all with only about 1/4 inch of snow on the ground. I would advise getting the 335xi if you plan on taking it skiing, I wish I had the xi.

What tires did you have on it on your dirve to Whistler? If it was the stock RE050 SUMMER TIRES that come with the sport package I'm not surpirsed you didn't move even in only 1/4" of snow.

I have the 335xi only because my wife insisted on an AWD car for her to drive. Our previous ride was a 540 wagon, and it went fine in the winter with a set of Bridgestone Wintersport M3 tires. There is no question that the AWD will give you more confidence in snow driving, but you should still be able to get around fine with the RWD with snows on it in most conditions.