330XI or 330I?
- Thread starter m3onkey
- Start date
The Continental 205/50 R17 93V CV95 will do ok. You can expect them to handle as well as any other M & S tire.
I would still strongly recommend a good set of snow tires. At 35 mph the blizzak equipped 330i stopped 3 car lengths shorter then my M&S equipped 330xi. Kind of an eye opener if you imagine another car or some kid running out in front of you. The blizzaks also improved cornering and gave the 330i RWD nearly equal ability to get started from a stop as the 330xi on ice. With DSC turned on and Blizzaks a 330xi would be able to handle just about anything you can think of short of an 8+ inch snow fall. For everyday winter driving I’d rather have the 330xi w/ snow tires then my full size 4x4 pickup.
As far as general 330xi winter handling, a couple of thoughts. At the winter driving clinic, I was unable to get the 330xi to over steer no matter what I tried on either the ice slalom course or the ice skid pad with the DSC turned off. The car wants to under steer a lot on ice put the rear never rotated. The only time I was able to get the back to come out with the DSC off was in turns with uneven surface friction. With the DSC on, the car still showed a tendency to under steer, but there was never any sense of loss of control. The ice slalom course with DSC on was actually rather boring because the DSC slow and under control.
Hope this helps. Your 330xi will do fine with the M&S. With Blizzaks you will be very happy. That being said, any one intrested in a 2002 330xi?
Regards,
![[drinking]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_drinking.gif "Drinking Pals [drinking]")
I would still strongly recommend a good set of snow tires. At 35 mph the blizzak equipped 330i stopped 3 car lengths shorter then my M&S equipped 330xi. Kind of an eye opener if you imagine another car or some kid running out in front of you. The blizzaks also improved cornering and gave the 330i RWD nearly equal ability to get started from a stop as the 330xi on ice. With DSC turned on and Blizzaks a 330xi would be able to handle just about anything you can think of short of an 8+ inch snow fall. For everyday winter driving I’d rather have the 330xi w/ snow tires then my full size 4x4 pickup.
As far as general 330xi winter handling, a couple of thoughts. At the winter driving clinic, I was unable to get the 330xi to over steer no matter what I tried on either the ice slalom course or the ice skid pad with the DSC turned off. The car wants to under steer a lot on ice put the rear never rotated. The only time I was able to get the back to come out with the DSC off was in turns with uneven surface friction. With the DSC on, the car still showed a tendency to under steer, but there was never any sense of loss of control. The ice slalom course with DSC on was actually rather boring because the DSC slow and under control.
Hope this helps. Your 330xi will do fine with the M&S. With Blizzaks you will be very happy. That being said, any one intrested in a 2002 330xi?
Regards,
The only time I've ever turned the DSC off was under controlled conditions such as a driving clinic. It’s kind of hard to learn vehicle dynamics when the computer is more in control then you are. The DSC limits your learning by preventing you from making mistakes (too a degree). While that’s what the DSC is designed for and does well on the street, it interferes with a driving clinics learning objective.
On the street, the DSC is always on. I can still have fun with the ‘nanny’ turned on.
Regards,
On the street, the DSC is always on. I can still have fun with the ‘nanny’ turned on.
Regards,
The 0-60 numbers you have are not right. The 330i is faster than the 330xi. The only difference between the 2 cars is the 300xi is 4 wheel drive. The weight of a 4 wheel drive transmission is several hundred pound more. Then again in the rain the 4 wheel would be nice. It is just a personal preference.
I have a 330xi and my friend has the 330ci. Both 2003. We have raced. We saw no difference other than the fact he is a better driver even though I won. He was suprised that the 330xi performed so well. I had nothing to compare it to other than a 325 for a weak.
330ci - single, fun, sporty - no matter what people say, no snow.
330xi - family, snow.
330ci - single, fun, sporty - no matter what people say, no snow.
330xi - family, snow.
Shaneyfelt - you hit the nail right on the head. I have to deal with family and snow so the 330xi was the perfect choice.
I find these debates about xi vs. i performance to be interesting but basically irrelavent. Everyone is so black & white about it, but I know that two things can be true at the same time... 1) there is some performance cost for the AWD. 2) the 330xi is a serously awesome car to drive and makes sense for someone who has to deal with a family and snow.
Shaney, speaking of family and snow have you invested in the rubber floormats yet? I'm gonna cringe the first time 3 kids with snowy boots climb into my - so far still pristine - car. Anybody know where to get some good ones at a good price?
I find these debates about xi vs. i performance to be interesting but basically irrelavent. Everyone is so black & white about it, but I know that two things can be true at the same time... 1) there is some performance cost for the AWD. 2) the 330xi is a serously awesome car to drive and makes sense for someone who has to deal with a family and snow.
Shaney, speaking of family and snow have you invested in the rubber floormats yet? I'm gonna cringe the first time 3 kids with snowy boots climb into my - so far still pristine - car. Anybody know where to get some good ones at a good price?
The Rubber Mats are a must if you live where I live - everyone one tracks in the stuff and it gets everywhere. I got them with the car, in the spring I put the others in. The other item I got you might think is over kill, is the rubber floor cover in the trunk. It has a lip all the way around. It is perfect for the winter. Finally, the other overthetop item is the leather cover for the back seat - reason - I can throw anything in the back seat and nothing but the cover is getting wet or dirty. Yeah it is a hassle, but when spring comes around and you clean out the car and prepare it for summer, it is like you have a new car.
http://www.bavauto.com/ - When the car came, the rest of the stuff was aquired then, I was stupid. This site gives you all the same stuff for less.
As far as actaully driving a 330ci with snow tires - never have because my friend finds no use in them. However, that being said, had I purchased a 330ci instead, I would put snow tires on it, no quesition for our winters. I have zero problem with anyone wanting to put snow tires on a 330ci that live North, no question it would help.
However it is a Dream driving the 330xi in snow, it is like driving my 4wd SUV and it is even better because I have never ever had a car that works so well in the winter - with or without snow tire and/or chains.
The 330xi is a cool machine when it snows and it is a Dream to drive - snowblow the driveway and get out and drive. You can go up hills, down hills, stop, speed up, etc. It is cool. You are not getting stuck (well if I am stupid enough to run into a foot of snow - I am toast - agreed - pure and simple the main difference from a SUV and the 330xi.
Sorry, getting to excited, winter is coming.
![[wave]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_wave.gif "Wave [wave]")
http://www.bavauto.com/ - When the car came, the rest of the stuff was aquired then, I was stupid. This site gives you all the same stuff for less.
As far as actaully driving a 330ci with snow tires - never have because my friend finds no use in them. However, that being said, had I purchased a 330ci instead, I would put snow tires on it, no quesition for our winters. I have zero problem with anyone wanting to put snow tires on a 330ci that live North, no question it would help.
However it is a Dream driving the 330xi in snow, it is like driving my 4wd SUV and it is even better because I have never ever had a car that works so well in the winter - with or without snow tire and/or chains.
The 330xi is a cool machine when it snows and it is a Dream to drive - snowblow the driveway and get out and drive. You can go up hills, down hills, stop, speed up, etc. It is cool. You are not getting stuck (well if I am stupid enough to run into a foot of snow - I am toast - agreed - pure and simple the main difference from a SUV and the 330xi.
Sorry, getting to excited, winter is coming.
I guess that's what I'm getting at, Rick. I promise---I don't mean to perpetuate the i vs. xi debate---but whenever anyone says something to effect of "no snow no matter what" it's never based on actual, personal experience; or it's based on someone driving in the snow with performance or all-season tires.
My point in all this is if someone is using this information to make a purchase decision, they should be aware that a RWD BMW with four snow tires handles absolutely fantastic in the snow, and that if performance and handling were important, they should consider the sacrifices they are making for the remaining 8 or 9 months of the year. It would be one thing if RWD+snows offered only mediocre winter handling, but unless you're living in an area with extreme conditions, I see AWD as solving a problem that doesn't exist, and doing so at the expense of the best possible handling. Just my $02.
My point in all this is if someone is using this information to make a purchase decision, they should be aware that a RWD BMW with four snow tires handles absolutely fantastic in the snow, and that if performance and handling were important, they should consider the sacrifices they are making for the remaining 8 or 9 months of the year. It would be one thing if RWD+snows offered only mediocre winter handling, but unless you're living in an area with extreme conditions, I see AWD as solving a problem that doesn't exist, and doing so at the expense of the best possible handling. Just my $02.
I concur with the assessment of RWD with snows. I have no problems with my E36 in the winter.
Yes, an AWD car with snows would be better, but I don't want to drive an AWD BMW the rest of the year, and don't want to drive anything else at this point. I am seriously considering going to an E36 M3 or E34 M5 as my daily driver, but would probably limit the snow use of that car out of respect, not fear. (Which means I need a third car).
Yes, an AWD car with snows would be better, but I don't want to drive an AWD BMW the rest of the year, and don't want to drive anything else at this point. I am seriously considering going to an E36 M3 or E34 M5 as my daily driver, but would probably limit the snow use of that car out of respect, not fear. (Which means I need a third car).
The other issue I forgot related to snow tires, in Omaha they cannot salt the roads fast enough. Maybe if it is a big storm the snow might stick around on the roads for a few days, but salt away everywhere. My thoughts are influenced by that, especially when you are talking further North where salt is a no go and plowing is the only way.
Mind you snow tires on anything would bring everyday improvement, but and here is the but. Here, salt, slush, dry pavement 90%+ of the time. Packed snow is a no go here. Thus, 90% of the time your snow tires (softer) are hitting that pavement direct and only 10% or less are they actually doing something for you. That is why I shy away from snow tires here and that would be my influence. If I lived in Portland Maine where plowing is the only way, then snow tires are very high on the list.
Exactly the reason my friend with the 330ci finds no use for snow tires - salt and slush is all he every drives on.
Mind you snow tires on anything would bring everyday improvement, but and here is the but. Here, salt, slush, dry pavement 90%+ of the time. Packed snow is a no go here. Thus, 90% of the time your snow tires (softer) are hitting that pavement direct and only 10% or less are they actually doing something for you. That is why I shy away from snow tires here and that would be my influence. If I lived in Portland Maine where plowing is the only way, then snow tires are very high on the list.
Exactly the reason my friend with the 330ci finds no use for snow tires - salt and slush is all he every drives on.
You know what I would do to sort of satisfy the pros and cons of the 330i/330xi?? I would get a 330xi with the Sport Package. Then, I would purchase a set of low-profile Ultra High Performance All-Seasons and a set of BMW 330i/330Ci Sport Package wheels (probably replicas from aaarims.com). Then, I would head on over to The Tire Rack (tirerack.com) and purchase a H&R Sport Spring Set (lowers the car 1.2" F 1.2" R). You are still making some compromises (still the acceleration difference and tires aren't as good as summer tires and suspension may not be as good as 330i/Ci Sport), but personally, I would be willing to sacrifice a bit of handling characteristics for the ability to drive when it snows.
![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
I would recommend the Pilot Alpins to xi drivers, and anyone else. I like the Pilot Alpins because I like a tire that is also good on the dry. You wouldn't want to run them all year, but if your winter involves a fair amount of driving on clear roads, you should give them a look.
Others like Hakkas and Blizzaks. My sense is that those tires are more of a traditional snow tire, and thus may offer better grip in snow at the expense of dry handling when compared to the Pilot Alpin, but they may offer models similar to the Pilots.
I have heard good things about Pirelli Winter 210s, along the same lines as the Pilots.
Others like Hakkas and Blizzaks. My sense is that those tires are more of a traditional snow tire, and thus may offer better grip in snow at the expense of dry handling when compared to the Pilot Alpin, but they may offer models similar to the Pilots.
I have heard good things about Pirelli Winter 210s, along the same lines as the Pilots.
![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")