TIA for any help/input!!

I a new to this forum. I am hardcore german car guy, I own a fully tweaked out Carrera 4 (super charger, etc.), and my last daily driver was an S4 V8. I have tons of race track experience, etc.

My issue - I am going to get new 335 sedan and need to decide between i or xi. I am hardcore skier (we live in Denver but own condo in Vail). I go skiing when everyone else is staying off the roads. Of course I was planning on leasing the xi sedan but I am soooooo bummed that BMW will not allow me to order sports suspension setup on the xi! I like all BMW's so no offense to NE1 but the 335 w/o the factory sport supension is just waaaay too soft for me. I lease a new daily driver every couple years so I do not want to buy a coilover setup for the xi.

Finally my question: If I put serious gnarly snow tires on a 335i (like finland studded high speed tires - hakapuleeta, etc.) , will I be able to get to the slopes, go up hills, drive like an enthusiast in the snow? Or, do I really need the AWD if the xi? Keep in mind I would run a snow tire like the Dunlop M3 or similar if I get the xi.

If you have direct experience with this topic I appreciate your input. As example - my sister had a 1988 325is back in Aspen when we shared a place one season. She ran the studded hakapaleetas and got around "OK" but I need to be able to get through anything.

Thanks!! (BTW - 335 engine is friggin aweseom!)

get the xi.

If you have direct experience with this topic I appreciate your input. As example - my sister had a 1988 325is back in Aspen when we shared a place one season. She ran the studded hakapaleetas and got around "OK" but I need to be able to get through anything.

Thanks!! (BTW - 335 engine is friggin aweseom!)
You wouldn't want the lowered sports suspension then, as clearance is very important in your case. Believe me an inch can make a difference between barely getting through and getting stuck in the driving conditions that you plan to go through. I've experienced that 1st hand on unplowed city streets, so I'd imagine mountain roads would be even worse. I'd say suck it up and go with the xi or take the i and rent when driving in such conditions.

P.S. Are studded tires legal in CO? They are illegal in many states and provinces.

RWD is 'good enough' for most circumstances. The masses don't seem to have an issue with it when the weather gets bad. If you want to go uphill on unplowed roads, you'll want AWD, but still may be able to get by with RWD. That's why I went with the xi, I wanted to know that I had the best available when the roads are bad and the plows are slow/late. Of course, usually when it snows and I'm at work I can't get into my driveway(with FWD) or have to make a running start when I get home so it will be nice to have more traction.

First let me say that this is a VERY well crafted first post by the OP. He's articulate and details his wants vs. needs while adding in questions. If every newbie was like this I feel we'd have a much better forum.

I really think you need to suck it up and go with the Xi, your main objective is to be able to go anywhere anytime and you don't want to be like your sister and just be "ok."

If the suspension REALLY is too soft just buy a set of springs for a few hundred bucks and forget the shocks/coils.

Yeah, reading over your post again, it sounds like you're used to AWD in your cars, it might be a mistake to go without where it sounds like you are frequently in situations where you can actually benefit from it. If anything I imagine there would be a potentially dangerous learning curve to go without it for once. Also, the current gen S4 has a notoriously soft suspension, I'd be surprised if the non-sport on the 335 was too much worse.

Finally my question: If I put serious gnarly snow tires on a 335i (like finland studded high speed tires - hakapuleeta, etc.) , will I be able to get to the slopes, go up hills, drive like an enthusiast in the snow? Or, do I really need the AWD if the xi? Keep in mind I would run a snow tire like the Dunlop M3 or similar if I get the xi.

What does "drive like an enthusiast in the snow" mean? You want to carve corners in the snow? I don't think any setup will allow you to do that. I have a e36 M3 (with traction control) that I put snows on all Winter; it'll get through most anything that isn't too deep. Traction's not the issue; clearance can be. If the snow's too deep/thick it'll push up against the air dam and make driving tough. I take it up to Vermont all the time to ski though, and as long as the roads are plowed occasionally it's fine.

What does "drive like an enthusiast in the snow" mean? You want to carve corners in the snow? I don't think any setup will allow you to do that. I have a e36 M3 (with traction control) that I put snows on all Winter; it'll get through most anything that isn't too deep. Traction's not the issue; clearance can be. If the snow's too deep/thick it'll push up against the air dam and make driving tough. I take it up to Vermont all the time to ski though, and as long as the roads are plowed occasionally it's fine.

Thanks to everyone for thoughts. All good input.

Gator - if you would tell me please, what exact snow tires you mount on the M3? In reality I am just looking to be able to get to the slopes (w/o xi). no real need to drive "spiritedly" (fyi - quattro w/snows allows for amazing traction though - I have owned several).

One other thing I just remembered was also cannot get paddle shifters with the xi (one more reason I may go with 335i). Not sure y BMW made this decision.

I ski every weekend in the winter north of Toronto. Getting out of an s4 and going with a 335 coupe. Big change I know but I also know that snow tires do most of the work.

Thanks to everyone for thoughts. All good input.

Gator - if you would tell me please, what exact snow tires you mount on the M3? In reality I am just looking to be able to get to the slopes (w/o xi). no real need to drive "spiritedly" (fyi - quattro w/snows allows for amazing traction though - I have owned several).




Blizzak LM22s. Although the next set I get for the 335 will be Blizzak WS50s if they come in the right size. I have those on my Volvo wagon and they're a bit more grippy in the snow.

One other thing I just remembered was also cannot get paddle shifters with the xi (one more reason I may go with 335i). Not sure y BMW made this decision.You sure about that, or just looking at the bmwusa.com site? I guess I'll know in three weeks, but people said the same thing about the top speed limiter, that it wasn't available on the xi, yet it's listed plainly on my order form, option 840. Not that I'd use paddle shifters anyway, but it just seems that the xi information is incomplete on the website.

I don't have direct experience with the 335i with snow tires during the winter, but I do have experience with my '94 530i. I had the Dunlop Winter Sports on the 530 for this last ski season, and I never once had a problem getting up to the slopes. Even around town with the massive amounts of snow we got this last winter, I never ran into a problem where I wished I had an AWD car. I believe E90Toad on here had the M3's on his 335 sedan this last season, and he said he had no problems either.

As long as you get a set of dedicated winter tires, you won't have any problems.

I don't plan on putting snow tires on the 335 though, its strictly my summer weekend car for now.

I live in NH and work all over NH and VT. I would not want to be without AWD--I need to get to courts all over 2 states that they don't cancel for snow. W/o AWD you pretty much cannot use the left lane of interstates--they tend to plow only one side first. So your stuck behind granny at 35. I've only gone with AWD cars for about 10 years now and I get through where others do not. Ordering a 2008 xi when I see what the revised specs are.

PJK

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I will def. go with xi.

I have been checking around for sport springs or modest price coilovers availablity for the xi (bav auto, turner, etc) but no luck so far (I'm kind of hesitant to poor alot of $ into a short lease car just to get the handling perfect). I guess I will just hope for some parts being released later or just live with the chassis as is. Again, I'm not knocking the non-sport suspension car so no offense to anyone intended. I just happen to really like very responsive and sporty car & handling. I admit it is getting to be a problem for me as I have to balance my addiction for a new car every couple years with my need to have it really dialed in for sport driving as well. Hard to get both w/o wasting too much money (I invest and own property so cars are my only indulgence really - but I have the bug pretty bad!!) I am stoked to buy my first BMW after years of liking them but prefering Audi's becasue of AWD.
The new TT 3.0 is really nice engine, tons of power!

Thanks. This is a great forum!