335xi Underdog? / first post!!!

jbuds335xi · 08-01-2007, 09:17 AM

Greetings fellas!

I just picked up my jet black 335xi, but I have been reading these forums for a while now. I can't help but notice the 335i is favoured considerably to the xi, at least on the forum. Is it the price difference, or am I the only one still devoted wholeheartedly to the road grabbing abilities of AWD?

Lets get a 335i vs 335xi thread goin.

I figure, and honestly this is my first performance car which I plan to mod, so please don't hesitate to learn me right, once I've got this thing putting uncontrollable power out, it's gonna pay having the awd to get it to the road, not to mention the better handling.

EDK99 · 08-01-2007, 09:27 AM

Welcome!!

We already 100 threads with the title "335i vs 335xi" Do a search and you will find plenty of them.

ward · 08-01-2007, 09:31 AM

more weight doesn't make it handle better

dmboone25 · 08-01-2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

more weight doesn't make it handle better

So tank Oprah doesn't handle better than skinny Oprah?

To the OP--welcome! Good luck with the new ride, and where are the pics?

Gort · 08-01-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmboone25

So tank Oprah doesn't handle better than skinny Oprah?

Something about the words Oprah and "handling" in the same sentence gives me the creeps.

bartman32 · 08-01-2007, 11:14 AM

Welcome to the forum! As for your question. For me I might have gone XI if it were available when I ordered it. But then again seeing as I live in So Cal and the car will never see snow the only advantage is the better traction when I'm on the track. That being said this is my daily driver and not a dedicated track car so I'm not sure the $'s = benefit I would get from an xi.

HyperM3 · 08-01-2007, 11:20 AM

I too would have gotten an xi if it were available. I really liked the safety of the quattro on my A4. I dont care how much heavier it was, I liked the fact I could turn in the wet using one finger and not worry about losing control.

jbuds335xi · 08-01-2007, 11:21 AM

+205 lbs is hardly Oprah size. I feel like having a fat kid in the car cannot detract from acceleration and handling nearly as much as AWD adds to it. (acceleration moreso assuming enough power that would spin you RWD fools)

TheAcAvenger · 08-01-2007, 11:22 AM

For me its simple. I am more comfortable flinging an awd car around the track. They're predictable, grip well, and with a few exceptions of understeer, they do a great job in nearly all situations.

However, I'm still one of the people that feel that there's no substitution for a properly driven rwd car. Yes, it is easier for jo-shmo-awd to beat bob-smith-rwd around a course than vice versa. But with proper training, a rwd car can just do things that an awd car can't.

And regardless, no one can argue that rwd is the more fun of the two. All the people I know that swear by awd are people that think they can drive but can't are too afraid to. I'm DEFINITELY not calling you that. Since this is your first "performance" car, i'm GLAD you chose to easy into things with a car you can be comfortable driving. That was responsible and understandable of you. In fact, all of the xi drivers on this board that I've heard of all have excellent reasons for the xi. Me? It doesnt know where I am, and when it does, the world shuts down. I'm not trying to break any track records, just putting a few grins on my face. So for me, I dropped the x. I will admit though, I love how fast I can be in an awd car without trying or concentrating. They're extremely forgiving.

And damn if I don't miss awd/fwd when i'm on the highway and it starts downpouring.

ward · 08-01-2007, 11:23 AM

depends on which version of oprah we're talking about

I'm sure at some point in time that was the correct weight for her

HyperM3 · 08-01-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbuds335xi

+205 lbs is hardly Oprah size.

Chubby Chaser!

dmboone25 · 08-01-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gort

Something about the words Oprah and "handling" in the same sentence gives me the creeps.

lol...

that mental picture really IS from the gutter....

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

depends on which version of oprah we're talking about

I'm sure at some point in time that was the correct weight for her

The current version doesn't look as bad as some in the past have looked....

T-MC-G · 08-01-2007, 11:35 AM

how much slower does the XI feel than the RWD? ANyone driven both?

banks2152 · 08-01-2007, 11:43 AM

actually if im not mistaken there have been reports of the 335xi beating the i in the 1/4 and 0-60.. correct me if im wrong but im pretty sure i came across a thread with this info

BMWalpine · 08-01-2007, 12:24 PM

Bank you are right. even if you go to the BMW website they quote the XI being faster 0-60 than the I

Sea2Ski · 08-01-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-MC-G

how much slower does the XI feel than the RWD? ANyone driven both?

I own a 6MT 335i, and had an auto xi for a loaner one day.

Point to remember:
I think that the way the AT car "learns" how you like to drive was quite annoying. I am usually a passive driver, and when I wanted to get aggressive, there was a delay. Then when I toned it back down, the car was super responsive..... kind of like it was always slightly behind the curve of how I wanted it to behave.

So taking that into consideration.....

The xi to me felt slower to me. but was it really slower? or was the car behaving how the car thought I wanted it to drive?

Not exactly an "apples to apples" comparison, but I thought I would offer my personal experience.

MIC328i · 08-01-2007, 12:59 PM

mesier1111 · 08-01-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperM3

I too would have gotten an xi if it were available. I really liked the safety of the quattro on my A4. I dont care how much heavier it was, I liked the fact I could turn in the wet using one finger and not worry about losing control.

Good point. I have always preferred RWD do to the overall lighter feel to the car, the lower stance they seem to provide (though the S4/RS4 combine the two very well). RWD to me is more of a performance machine, with AWD being the better all around fit. That being said, I have driven my E92 335i and have never had problems in rain or snow (in the winter I go to winter wheels/tires).

To the OP, to each is their own, don't think one is better than the other, just different

Oh, and last but not least, WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!!! Glad to have you

catdog · 08-01-2007, 01:37 PM

Hi, for what it's worth i went through the whole process and went with a MT 335xi sedan and am very happy.

You first have to ask yourself what you are expecting the car to do for you with this purchase; if it is to really let the tail hang out and enjoy it as a burnout/track car then maybe the xi is not for you. If you are expecting it for mixed weather and efficient high-speed transport then the xi is awesome.

Now with 500 miles on the car i can't tell you much about limit of adhesion etc. but what is really fun with it is how hard it pulls out of corners and how much you can lay the power down out of corners, so go in moderate/slow speed and get on the gas earlier than with a rear wheel drive then expect progressive but predictable understeer while the car is laying down power as opposed to transioning into power-oversteer with the rwd. With dtc/dsc defeat you can also get rid of some of the invasiveness of the traction control. I kind of find this fitting for the low-end torque of the car and coupled with the issues with rwd / no-lsd in the 335i i felt it would make for a nice combination both in warm and in cold weather and so far i am very happy. Took a nice on-ramp in 100F heat today and still car excellent traction and great acceleration. Tried it also last week when it rained and was also very happy.

Now if you are in Southern CA or Miami etc. the xi does not seem to make sense but here in NE i think it's just right and with Procede will probably be the unbeatable compromise (sedan/speed/torque/fun)

08-01-2007, 09:17 AM	#1
jbuds335xi Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 248 Posts Drives: 335xi Manual, Jet Black, Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: All over iTrader: (0)	335xi Underdog? / first post!!! Greetings fellas! I just picked up my jet black 335xi, but I have been reading these forums for a while now. I can't help but notice the 335i is favoured considerably to the xi, at least on the forum. Is it the price difference, or am I the only one still devoted wholeheartedly to the road grabbing abilities of AWD? Lets get a 335i vs 335xi thread goin. I figure, and honestly this is my first performance car which I plan to mod, so please don't hesitate to learn me right, once I've got this thing putting uncontrollable power out, it's gonna pay having the awd to get it to the road, not to mention the better handling.
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08-01-2007, 09:27 AM	#2
EDK99 Captain 33 Rep 934 Posts Drives: 07 E85 M Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Welcome!! We already 100 threads with the title "335i vs 335xi" Do a search and you will find plenty of them. __________________ 2007 e85 Imola Red \| Black Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim \| Premium \| Navigation \| Heated Seats
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08-01-2007, 09:31 AM	#3
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	more weight doesn't make it handle better
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08-01-2007, 11:14 AM	#6
bartman32 Colonel 103 Rep 2,317 Posts Drives: F87 M2 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The OC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 M2 [0.00]	Welcome to the forum! As for your question. For me I might have gone XI if it were available when I ordered it. But then again seeing as I live in So Cal and the car will never see snow the only advantage is the better traction when I'm on the track. That being said this is my daily driver and not a dedicated track car so I'm not sure the $'s = benefit I would get from an xi.
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08-01-2007, 11:20 AM	#7
HyperM3 Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort 342 Rep 6,188 Posts Drives: See Sig Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (8)	I too would have gotten an xi if it were available. I really liked the safety of the quattro on my A4. I dont care how much heavier it was, I liked the fact I could turn in the wet using one finger and not worry about losing control. __________________ 13 HD FatBob 17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip 16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone) 07 335i(gone)
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08-01-2007, 11:21 AM	#8
jbuds335xi Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 248 Posts Drives: 335xi Manual, Jet Black, Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: All over iTrader: (0)	+205 lbs is hardly Oprah size. I feel like having a fat kid in the car cannot detract from acceleration and handling nearly as much as AWD adds to it. (acceleration moreso assuming enough power that would spin you RWD fools)
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08-01-2007, 11:22 AM	#9
TheAcAvenger Brigadier General 134 Rep 3,132 Posts Drives: 2018 R35 GTR / 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: 757 > Nova > Denver iTrader: (1)	For me its simple. I am more comfortable flinging an awd car around the track. They're predictable, grip well, and with a few exceptions of understeer, they do a great job in nearly all situations. However, I'm still one of the people that feel that there's no substitution for a properly driven rwd car. Yes, it is easier for jo-shmo-awd to beat bob-smith-rwd around a course than vice versa. But with proper training, a rwd car can just do things that an awd car can't. And regardless, no one can argue that rwd is the more fun of the two. All the people I know that swear by awd are people that think they can drive but can't are too afraid to. I'm DEFINITELY not calling you that. Since this is your first "performance" car, i'm GLAD you chose to easy into things with a car you can be comfortable driving. That was responsible and understandable of you. In fact, all of the xi drivers on this board that I've heard of all have excellent reasons for the xi. Me? It doesnt know where I am, and when it does, the world shuts down. I'm not trying to break any track records, just putting a few grins on my face. So for me, I dropped the x. I will admit though, I love how fast I can be in an awd car without trying or concentrating. They're extremely forgiving. And damn if I don't miss awd/fwd when i'm on the highway and it starts downpouring. __________________ 2018 R35 GT-R Cicio800 \| 2007 E92 335i - RB Turbos, TC Kline DA Coils, HPA M3 Suspension, Quaife LSD, Stoptech BBK, JB4, FuelIT, AR Downpipes, RDSport Quads, Stett OC, Helix IC, Volk TE-37, Vorsteiner V-35, OSS Headlights \| Retired - 2015 F82 M4
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08-01-2007, 11:23 AM	#10
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	depends on which version of oprah we're talking about I'm sure at some point in time that was the correct weight for her
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08-01-2007, 11:35 AM	#13
T-MC-G Captain 72 Rep 671 Posts Drives: e90 325i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Trier, Germany iTrader: (5)	how much slower does the XI feel than the RWD? ANyone driven both? __________________ "tell me what you don't like about yourself..."
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08-01-2007, 11:43 AM	#14
banks2152 Private 0 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 328xi Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: north jersey iTrader: (0)	actually if im not mistaken there have been reports of the 335xi beating the i in the 1/4 and 0-60.. correct me if im wrong but im pretty sure i came across a thread with this info
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08-01-2007, 12:24 PM	#15
BMWalpine Private First Class 6 Rep 110 Posts Drives: BMW 335xi Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Bank you are right. even if you go to the BMW website they quote the XI being faster 0-60 than the I
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08-01-2007, 12:59 PM	#17
MIC328i Captain 41 Rep 782 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Markham iTrader: (18)
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08-01-2007, 01:37 PM	#19
catdog Banned 13 Rep 260 Posts Drives: Porsche 997S Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Hi, for what it's worth i went through the whole process and went with a MT 335xi sedan and am very happy. You first have to ask yourself what you are expecting the car to do for you with this purchase; if it is to really let the tail hang out and enjoy it as a burnout/track car then maybe the xi is not for you. If you are expecting it for mixed weather and efficient high-speed transport then the xi is awesome. Now with 500 miles on the car i can't tell you much about limit of adhesion etc. but what is really fun with it is how hard it pulls out of corners and how much you can lay the power down out of corners, so go in moderate/slow speed and get on the gas earlier than with a rear wheel drive then expect progressive but predictable understeer while the car is laying down power as opposed to transioning into power-oversteer with the rwd. With dtc/dsc defeat you can also get rid of some of the invasiveness of the traction control. I kind of find this fitting for the low-end torque of the car and coupled with the issues with rwd / no-lsd in the 335i i felt it would make for a nice combination both in warm and in cold weather and so far i am very happy. Took a nice on-ramp in 100F heat today and still car excellent traction and great acceleration. Tried it also last week when it rained and was also very happy. Now if you are in Southern CA or Miami etc. the xi does not seem to make sense but here in NE i think it's just right and with Procede will probably be the unbeatable compromise (sedan/speed/torque/fun)
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