335xi vs. 335i for DEs/AutoX

CinciBlueBimmer · 08-21-2007, 10:37 PM

I'm currently in a '06 330i, and I'll be doing my 5th BMW School event next weekend at Mid-Ohio. I'm looking ahead (actually about 1 year out) to when my lease expires and I'm seriously considering purchasing (not leasing) a 335 sedan. Seeing that this car will be with me for upwards of 5 years, I'm thinking about practicality - particularly winter driving.

So my question is, what differences would I see in performance between an 335xi and a 335i on the track? Would it slow me down very much? Would all-wheel drive require me to re-learn how to drive the course? I've never owned an all-wheel drive vehicle.

I'd almost certainly put the Vishnu equipment on-board, and probably add coil-overs and front and rear sways. What I'm after is a nice tight track car that also will look great and haul my family around (for the rare times I let them in my car

)

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

S4to335 · 08-21-2007, 11:04 PM

Since I am coming from quattro land...I can comment. NO, you dont have to relearn the line..with AWD you can just get on the throttle a little earlier...you dont have to wait until after the apex. I have tons of experience with AWD on track..it is fun..when you get in trouble..lots of time putting your foot in the throttle pulls you out of the trouble. Its real fun.

kevbh · 08-22-2007, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinci330i

...and haul my family around (for the rare times I let them in my car

)

I don't have anything to add to the discussion, but I got a kick out of your last comment - that is so true for me also!

Getagrip · 08-24-2007, 01:59 PM

I've autocrossed mostly AWD cars and a few RWD and FWD cars. AWD cars are MUCH fun, but (on autocross courses at least) getting on the thottle too soon will create push. Other than that, if you get it a little trouble the skinny pedal on the right is there to save the day!

PS: come from Subaru land.

CinciBlueBimmer · 08-28-2007, 06:39 AM

Any thoughts on upgrades? I know everyone wants to put a LSD into a 2WD 335, but is that obviated by the AWD system? I just don't know enough about how they work. Also, will AWD limit me with regard to suspension and brake mods? I was going through the TMS website and saw that one of the Stoptech kits was specifically labeled NOT for 335xi.

2e9x's · 08-28-2007, 01:59 PM

The front suspension of the xi is different to fit the axles, so your tuning options might be limited. However, I have done both track days and auto-x in a BMW xdrive equipped car and I loved it! Remarkable! So good is xdrive that in an X3 I took some trophies at local bmwcca events.

alby on boost · 10-14-2007, 04:01 PM

how is autocross in the 335i ?

coming from autocrossing in my evo, i'm wondering if it will still be as fun in the 335i

Richardo · 10-19-2007, 12:09 AM

Trust me, it's a blast driving the 335 in autocross!

F30Toad · 10-19-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alby on boost

how is autocross in the 335i ?

Weeeeeeee!

Does that answer your question?

Don Nguyen · 10-26-2007, 05:42 PM

I personally like the non XI for tracking/autox. I like the control that the rwd system has, over the awd system. Personal preference though, as some people prefer the awd system over the rwd system.

It comes down what suspension mods you also have, as you can tune out the understeer that the XI system sometimes has, etc, etc.

-Don

08-21-2007, 10:37 PM	#1
CinciBlueBimmer Love my car! 9 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i / Dinan S1 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	335xi vs. 335i for DEs/AutoX I'm currently in a '06 330i, and I'll be doing my 5th BMW School event next weekend at Mid-Ohio. I'm looking ahead (actually about 1 year out) to when my lease expires and I'm seriously considering purchasing (not leasing) a 335 sedan. Seeing that this car will be with me for upwards of 5 years, I'm thinking about practicality - particularly winter driving. So my question is, what differences would I see in performance between an 335xi and a 335i on the track? Would it slow me down very much? Would all-wheel drive require me to re-learn how to drive the course? I've never owned an all-wheel drive vehicle. I'd almost certainly put the Vishnu equipment on-board, and probably add coil-overs and front and rear sways. What I'm after is a nice tight track car that also will look great and haul my family around (for the rare times I let them in my car ) I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks! __________________ 2018 M240i xi (LCI) \| Estoril Blue \| Dinan Stage 1
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08-21-2007, 11:04 PM	#2
S4to335 Brigadier General 431 Rep 4,380 Posts Drives: 2014 Audi A4 / 91 Track Miata Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i sedan [8.00]	Since I am coming from quattro land...I can comment. NO, you dont have to relearn the line..with AWD you can just get on the throttle a little earlier...you dont have to wait until after the apex. I have tons of experience with AWD on track..it is fun..when you get in trouble..lots of time putting your foot in the throttle pulls you out of the trouble. Its real fun. __________________ Car is now gone .... :-(
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08-24-2007, 01:59 PM	#4
Getagrip Get a grip. Get Xdrive. 14 Rep 529 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage, Alaska iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00] 2003 330xi [0.00]	I've autocrossed mostly AWD cars and a few RWD and FWD cars. AWD cars are MUCH fun, but (on autocross courses at least) getting on the thottle too soon will create push. Other than that, if you get it a little trouble the skinny pedal on the right is there to save the day! PS: come from Subaru land. __________________ 2006 330xi current
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08-28-2007, 06:39 AM	#5
CinciBlueBimmer Love my car! 9 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i / Dinan S1 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	Any thoughts on upgrades? I know everyone wants to put a LSD into a 2WD 335, but is that obviated by the AWD system? I just don't know enough about how they work. Also, will AWD limit me with regard to suspension and brake mods? I was going through the TMS website and saw that one of the Stoptech kits was specifically labeled NOT for 335xi. __________________ 2018 M240i xi (LCI) \| Estoril Blue \| Dinan Stage 1
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08-28-2007, 01:59 PM	#6
2e9x's Major 50 Rep 1,137 Posts Drives: 335i ED 7/07 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: A Sunny Place iTrader: (2)	The front suspension of the xi is different to fit the axles, so your tuning options might be limited. However, I have done both track days and auto-x in a BMW xdrive equipped car and I loved it! Remarkable! So good is xdrive that in an X3 I took some trophies at local bmwcca events. __________________ 2010 Evo X - silver with a big, stupid wing on the back 2009 VW CC - Black/Black - with a 2011 328i on order to replace it - ED 8/1/11
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10-14-2007, 04:01 PM	#7
alby on boost Private First Class 31 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2008 328 xi Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: nj iTrader: (0)	how is autocross in the 335i ? coming from autocrossing in my evo, i'm wondering if it will still be as fun in the 335i
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10-19-2007, 12:09 AM	#8
Richardo Private First Class 14 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 335i AT sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Trust me, it's a blast driving the 335 in autocross!
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10-26-2007, 05:42 PM	#10
Don Nguyen Banned 67 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: '99 M3 Vert, '95 M3 Coupe, 964 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (4)	I personally like the non XI for tracking/autox. I like the control that the rwd system has, over the awd system. Personal preference though, as some people prefer the awd system over the rwd system. It comes down what suspension mods you also have, as you can tune out the understeer that the XI system sometimes has, etc, etc. -Don
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