Right now I'm looking at the BMW 5 series, and am having trouble deciding on the 530i or 530xi. I live in NJ where we get a decent amount of snow in the winter, so the xi would make sense since I can expect to deal with wintery conditions 3-4 months out of the year. However, I would prefer the I for the following reasons: The 530i is slightly quicker than the xi, has a cheaper tag, and has the option to get it in 6-speed SMG (whereas the I only has steptronic auto) in addition to a sports package with true sports suspension (xi does not offer).

So in short I would be saving myself a little bit with the I and would be getting a more fun sportier ride that I can enjoy more 8-9 months out of the year, however with the XI I would have better handling & increased safety in adverse weather conditions.

What I want to know is how does the 530I handle in the snow? With all the new electronic stability control systems, would the new 530i be manageable? What have your experiences been? Obviously the XI would handle much better, but is the I sufficient?

Also, looking at the options, I'm wondering if the premium package is really worth it. $2000 for a garage door opener and auto-dimming/folding mirrors, and little interior trim differences seems like a rip-off to me. I looked at a 5-series with and one without the premium package and I could barely notice a difference in the interior. What do you guys think? Should I opt for it simply for resale value or will that not make a difference down the line when I sell?