530i and 530xi -- need help with decision
12-01-2005, 07:18 AM
#11
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My Ride: 530 2006
msport package, steptronic, pdc, mystik blue, grey dakota leather, sunroof, Bi-Xenon, heated rear seats, Hi-FI system, velour carpets
530i. Rear wheel drive makes it more fun to drive
12-01-2005, 07:27 AM
#12
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My Ride: 2009 535i Titanium Silver Metallic, xDrive, premium pkg, cold weather pkg, sat radio, rear split/heated seats, euro reflectors
We get over 90 inches of snow a year in my area and hate SUVs (including my wife's Suburban) so the xi was a must for me. I had a 330xi and it was fantastic in the snow with High Performance All-Seasons but given your situation I would be getting a 530i with the "true" sport package.
enjoy!
enjoy!
12-01-2005, 07:30 AM
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My Ride: 2014 X5 xDrive 5.0 M Package Carbon Black Metallic/2008 M Roadster Imola Red
Originally Posted by Freewilly' post='205548' date='Dec 1 2005, 12:29 AM
Does 530xi all-wheel-drive handle better on dry condition?? Other sports car makers make all-wheel-drive to increase handling on race track. But somehow everyone is talking about how 530xi handles on the snow condition only.
12-01-2005, 08:03 AM
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My Ride: 2006 530xi -- silver grey
I want to try turning of DSC & DTC on my 530xi, and see if I can do a powerslide like you could on a non-xi model. I'm not sure if it'll be possible given the theory of x-drive preventing excessive wheelspin and distributing power to different wheels.
I'm no driving expert by any means, but I think my xi drives and feels just like a rear-wheel drive car. Any other thoughts on this??
I'm no driving expert by any means, but I think my xi drives and feels just like a rear-wheel drive car. Any other thoughts on this??
12-01-2005, 09:21 AM
#15
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Thanks for all the replys so far. I'm going to go out and test drive both again. Right now, I have E36 M3, so handling is top on my list, but this really is going to be my wife's car for the most part, and while she loves a great handling car, she's nowhere near as picky as I am and would be more than happy with either car.
12-01-2005, 09:41 AM
#16
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I've had my 530xi since July. I'm waiting for the snow in Virginia, but I can tell you about rain and leaves. So far, I've not detected that more than one wheel lost traction and then it was only barely detectable before the xDrive adjusted. I have detected some torque steer once or twice - one time was doing 50-60 mph on a highway cloverleaf exit ramp.
Also, not sure if it's widely known, but the xi will completely disconnet the front wheels at high speed if the front wheels don't need traction. I drove to South Carolina and back last week - about 575 miles each way. Was on I-95 late at night and did 65 - 100 the whole way. Never detected any negative handling.
This car just performs great.
Also, not sure if it's widely known, but the xi will completely disconnet the front wheels at high speed if the front wheels don't need traction. I drove to South Carolina and back last week - about 575 miles each way. Was on I-95 late at night and did 65 - 100 the whole way. Never detected any negative handling.
This car just performs great.
12-02-2005, 09:07 AM
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My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
So Cal 
The x's gas milage is worse, the riding comfort is worse, the car rides higher...
Do not even think about the x!
Save the x-money and go for a 540i, or buy the 530i and get it loaded!
The 530i with its 3 litre sixinline engine is maybe the best choice, but I
know you guys overthere like your V8's.
The x's gas milage is worse, the riding comfort is worse, the car rides higher...
Do not even think about the x!
Save the x-money and go for a 540i, or buy the 530i and get it loaded!
The 530i with its 3 litre sixinline engine is maybe the best choice, but I
know you guys overthere like your V8's.
12-02-2005, 09:26 AM
#18
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Originally Posted by Ricracing' post='206187' date='Dec 2 2005, 12:07 PM
So Cal
The x's gas milage is worse, the riding comfort is worse, the car rides higher...
Do not even think about the x!
Save the x-money and go for a 540i, or buy the 530i and get it loaded!
The 530i with its 3 litre sixinline engine is maybe the best choice, but I
know you guys overthere like your V8's.
The x's gas milage is worse, the riding comfort is worse, the car rides higher...
Do not even think about the x!
Save the x-money and go for a 540i, or buy the 530i and get it loaded!
The 530i with its 3 litre sixinline engine is maybe the best choice, but I
know you guys overthere like your V8's.
First, the xi's gas mileage is 1mpg worse. Not a big deal, to me anyway.
The ride isn't any "worse" than a 530i with Sport Package.
The car is only 14mm higher, a small tradeoff, in my opinion, to get all wheel drive.
I've been driving on snow for the last week and am loving it.
12-02-2005, 11:43 AM
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My Ride: 2013 535i (White with Oyster Interior. Premium Package, Navigation, Technology Pacakge, Park Distance Control, and Rear View Camera)
I also live in S. California and go ski/snowboard about 5 times a year.
I recommended 530i sport over 530xi. The roads to the ski resort are usually clean without any chain required.
If it?s snowing really bad, you still need snow tires with all-wheel-drive or snow chain, I won?t buy a set of 4 snow tires just for few days or 0 use every year, so I will end up buying snow chain anyway.
I recommended 530i sport over 530xi. The roads to the ski resort are usually clean without any chain required.
If it?s snowing really bad, you still need snow tires with all-wheel-drive or snow chain, I won?t buy a set of 4 snow tires just for few days or 0 use every year, so I will end up buying snow chain anyway.
12-02-2005, 12:53 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by Freewilly' post='206262' date='Dec 2 2005, 12:43 PM
I also live in S. California and go ski/snowboard about 5 times a year.
I recommended 530i sport over 530xi. The roads to the ski resort are usually clean without any chain required.
If it?s snowing really bad, you still need snow tires with all-wheel-drive or snow chain, I won?t buy a set of 4 snow tires just for few days or 0 use every year, so I will end up buying snow chain anyway.
I recommended 530i sport over 530xi. The roads to the ski resort are usually clean without any chain required.
If it?s snowing really bad, you still need snow tires with all-wheel-drive or snow chain, I won?t buy a set of 4 snow tires just for few days or 0 use every year, so I will end up buying snow chain anyway.
I've been thinking about this too. In CA, the CHP stop you at checkpoints and make you put on chains anyway, before you head into really snowy conditions. Of course a 530i with chains on the rear will do just fine, plus I'll have Auto Roll Stabilization for around home. Still will test drive both again next week.