any idea on how much an xi will cost?

i talked to my family bout me getting my bmw i was going to get. after talking to them, i figured im better off with an xi than an i model. i live in va, although we usually dont get too many big snow showers, id preferr it due to the # of stupid people around here who freak out when snow hits.

its damn near tied with californian people driving in rain...they just cant do it and end up causing havok around town.

yes i know it'll run me more money wise, but i rather get something reliable year round than buy one that possibly cant ( i live in a somewhat hilly area).

i hear it'll begin at 32,000. also heard leather "might not" be part of the prem package (id die happy if its true). im willing to get a more loaded xi with a bigger DP than a reg i.

also, will it still be lower on the ground compared to the 325i like the previous gen?

Reply » any idea on how much an xi will cost?

No info on pricing, but a comment on an xi vs rwd:

AWD isn't going to help much with other drivers. There is some additional control, but you are paying in upfront cost, fuel consumption, and reduced dry road performance. We are happy with our E46 xi, but we likely have more snow than you do. Our E46 does better in the snow than our X5 (on the same tires), but every time I get a loaner 3 series when we are in for service, I notice that the rwd model has more steering feel.

In very bad conditions, for the few times each year that we need to drive in them, I am very happy to have the xi and X5. You just need to ensure that there are enough of those days to make up for the minor downsides.

Best investment may be four proper snow tires on separate wheels. An xi can let you get away with all season tires more so than the RWD, but nothing beats proper rubber.

Just my $0.02

Reply » any idea on how much an xi will cost?

true, but ill be honest. this is my first rwd if i get it and its different than a fwd and i just dont trust myself in a rwd car in snow here. although commute to school and work is small, i have to drive through roads that are usually covered in snow for atleast2 days or 3.a lot of them are hilly roads that arent plowed.

thats why i simply dont trust myself in a rwd.

Reply » any idea on how much an xi will cost?

With 4 snow tires you should be fine in a 330i or 325i. I traded my 2002 330xi for a 2006 330i partly because of the extra weight of the AWD, decreased gas mileage, increased height, and less sporty drive of the XI.

Keep in mind that the DSC and traction control that come with the 330i and 325i will help keep your car straight and moving in the snow. Add in 4 snow tires and you will be in better shape than 95% of the other cars out there in the snow and ice. Take your car out to an empty parking lot in the snow for a few hours (with snow tires) and see for yourself just how good the car is in the snow

Reply » any idea on how much an xi will cost?

I just traded in my 2002 330xi for a 2006 bmw 325 rwd.I am from minnesota,so we get plenty of bad weather(snow,rain,ice,etc..)my 330xi performed very well.However,i would reccomend getting the rwd,with an extra set of wheels and snows.This is still less expensive than the xi,you will have at least as much traction,if not more with the snows,you then could go down to a 325,which will be faster than the 330xi,way less money and better risidual value(bmw's xi don't hold the resale like there rwd models do.(other car manufactures like audi,etc..hold there awd models better than there stock models,but not on bmw's.Also,then you could get,the most important option,and that is the sport package.You need to test drive the sport and non sport,i think there is a big difference,I know i am much happier with the sport model,and i will be just fine with winter tires.Just my opinion.

good luck!!

Reply » any idea on how much an xi will cost?

Quote:

No info on pricing, but a comment on an xi vs rwd:

No pricing info? Not sure what you mean.

No info other than the pricing sheets from April 2005 which are a sticky?

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