Now that they're out, 330xi vs. 330i difference?

vladinecko · 09-20-2005, 12:34 AM

Since "xi" is now available, not sure if anyone here had a chance to take a delivery of or test-drive both 330i and 330xi (or 325 to that matter) in some kind of succession but if you did, is there any performance/handling differences and/or advantages from one to another (of course "xi" is better in snow and rain) or some other significant differences in driving experience that you could feel right away?
I know the technical differences between the two models, but I'm more interested in how both of them feel and whether or not you're loosing some of the "fun" factor when you get an "xi" model.

CALIF65GM · 09-20-2005, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vladinecko

Since "xi" is now available, not sure if anyone here had a chance to take a delivery of or test-drive both 330i and 330xi (or 325 to that matter)

The earliest that people will be taking delivery would be the 1st or 2nd week of Oct. Try again in a couple of weeks. Some members' Xi's are now on the ocean.

stressdoc · 09-20-2005, 09:13 AM

Test drive a 325i: throw a couple hundred pounds in the back seat, duct tape some lead weights to the wheels, jack it up an inch, and away you go! (It is still more fun than an Audi...)

My apologies to the xi crowd for the bad humor.
If you need 4wd the xi totally rocks.

vladinecko · 09-20-2005, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CALIF65GM

The earliest that people will be taking delivery would be the 1st or 2nd week of Oct. Try again in a couple of weeks. Some members' Xi's are now on the ocean.

Sounds fair to me, thanks!

mds82 · 09-20-2005, 11:14 AM

there are a lot of Xi's coming into NYC on the 29th of this month, so people will ahve the cars soon after. I'll be sure to write something up on mine

vladinecko · 09-20-2005, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mds82

there are a lot of Xi's coming into NYC on the 29th of this month, so people will ahve the cars soon after. I'll be sure to write something up on mine

that would be great because i'm really contemplating between the two.

fdc · 09-21-2005, 08:02 PM

Just looking at the specs besides the obvious differences what surprised me is that the height between the xi and the non-xi
is the same. Can anyone confirm that this is true ?

StevenT · 09-21-2005, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdc

Just looking at the specs besides the obvious differences what surprised me is that the height between the xi and the non-xi
is the same. Can anyone confirm that this is true ?

Actually it's not technically true. I read that the xi is 0.2 inches higher than the i. Ok, so it's almost true. I think the only way someone would notice two-tenths of an inch height difference is if they actually measure it.

fdc · 09-23-2005, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenT

Actually it's not technically true. I read that the xi is 0.2 inches higher than the i. Ok, so it's almost true. I think the only way someone would notice two-tenths of an inch height difference is if they actually measure it.

where did you read this ? On BMW web site the specs for hight
are the same,

fdc

E90Fleet · 09-23-2005, 05:23 PM

It does seem to sit a bit higher

fdc · 09-23-2005, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

It does seem to sit a bit higher

nice picture !
US specs gives 55.9" = 1420 mm height for both i and xi

LEDZEP · 09-23-2005, 07:52 PM

Our xi wagon is on the ocean now, and we will probably have it around the 2nd week of October. We already have the E90, so I should be able to give some meaninful feedback... that is, if my wife lets me drive the wagon!

CALIF65GM · 09-23-2005, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdc

nice picture !
US specs gives 55.9" = 1420 mm height for both i and xi

Per the e90 Prod. Info booklet, RWD = 55.9 inches and Xi=56.1 inches.

fdc · 09-23-2005, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CALIF65GM

Per the e90 Prod. Info booklet, RWD = 55.9 inches and Xi=56.1 inches.

thank you CALIF65GM ! This is what I was looking for.
That's great. It means that with the xDrive they were able to
keep the hight ~ the same. Previous all-wheel drive 3 was much
higher.

fdc

vladinecko · 09-23-2005, 11:49 PM

I just attended one of the BMW events in Flushing, NY and I asked about the "xi" thingy...I had no idea that there is no switch or some kind of lever to switch back and forth between 2WD and AWD and you are only able to do AWD all the time. Why is that? Kind of doesn't make sense. Or does it?

CALIF65GM · 09-23-2005, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdc

thank you CALIF65GM ! This is what I was looking for.
That's great. It means that with the xDrive they were able to
keep the hight ~ the same. Previous all-wheel drive 3 was much
higher.

fdc

FDC: You're welcome. Yep I saw an e46Xi and RWD back to back today and definitely notice the height difference. The e90 with that minimal difference, it shouldn't be noticeable at all.

CALIF65GM · 09-23-2005, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vladinecko

I just attended one of the BMW events in Flushing, NY and I asked about the "xi" thingy...I had no idea that there is no switch or some kind of lever to switch back and forth between 2WD and AWD and you are only able to do AWD all the time. Why is that? Kind of doesn't make sense. Or does it?

Vlad: I am guessing you're actually thinking of a 4wd vehicle where you can switch between 2wd and 4wd if you need it. The e90Xi is AWD meaning it's all the time. However with the X-drive technology, it's suppose to handle like a RWD all the time and only sends power to all 4-wheels when it's slipping.

09-20-2005, 12:34 AM	#1
vladinecko Brigadier General 277 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [9.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	Now that they're out, 330xi vs. 330i difference? Since "xi" is now available, not sure if anyone here had a chance to take a delivery of or test-drive both 330i and 330xi (or 325 to that matter) in some kind of succession but if you did, is there any performance/handling differences and/or advantages from one to another (of course "xi" is better in snow and rain) or some other significant differences in driving experience that you could feel right away? I know the technical differences between the two models, but I'm more interested in how both of them feel and whether or not you're loosing some of the "fun" factor when you get an "xi" model.
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09-20-2005, 09:13 AM	#3
stressdoc Moderator 617 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	Test drive a 325i: throw a couple hundred pounds in the back seat, duct tape some lead weights to the wheels, jack it up an inch, and away you go! (It is still more fun than an Audi...) My apologies to the xi crowd for the bad humor. If you need 4wd the xi totally rocks.
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09-20-2005, 11:14 AM	#5
mds82 Major General 364 Rep 5,842 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Central Connecticut iTrader: (40) Garage List 2006 325xi Snow Pics [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00]	there are a lot of Xi's coming into NYC on the 29th of this month, so people will ahve the cars soon after. I'll be sure to write something up on mine
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09-21-2005, 08:02 PM	#7
fdc Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 217 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Just looking at the specs besides the obvious differences what surprised me is that the height between the xi and the non-xi is the same. Can anyone confirm that this is true ? __________________ 325xi, leather. Departure: Bremerhaven Sept 28, 2005 Vessel: Franconia K-line (http://www.kline.com/PCC-RoRo/schedu...ticshuttle.asp) Arrived at the Port of Charleston at 04:40 on Oct. 10, 2005 Arrived At VPC: 10/11/05 Left the VPC: 10/14/05 3:40pm Arrived at the Dealer: 10/15/05 3:00pm Delivery: 10/18/05 10:00 am
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09-23-2005, 05:23 PM	#10
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1311 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	It does seem to sit a bit higher
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09-23-2005, 07:52 PM	#12
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Our xi wagon is on the ocean now, and we will probably have it around the 2nd week of October. We already have the E90, so I should be able to give some meaninful feedback... that is, if my wife lets me drive the wagon! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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09-23-2005, 11:49 PM	#15
vladinecko Brigadier General 277 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [9.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	I just attended one of the BMW events in Flushing, NY and I asked about the "xi" thingy...I had no idea that there is no switch or some kind of lever to switch back and forth between 2WD and AWD and you are only able to do AWD all the time. Why is that? Kind of doesn't make sense. Or does it?
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