Hi everybody. I have a dilemma , trying to get a newer BMW and can't make a decision (looking for 2008). Currently I own a 2004 E60 530i sport, I love this car, never had any problems with it, love the handling especially on my 20'' rims , but I'm getting closer to 100000 so I'd like to get something fresher. One bid disadvantage is winter, this car doesn't move,and I hate it :thumbsdown: . Usually I have to wait until they clear the roads, but it happened that I got caught up in snow and couldn't get anywhere, barely pushed it to parking lot .
So my questions is which one is better? lets say handling AWD 535Xi or RWD 535i?
I'm talking about looks;535i has sport suspension, the XI doesn't have it (as far as I know, I might be wrong), another question is fuel consumption, does the AWD consume more or equal to RWD?
I'd appreciate anyone who's willing to share their opinions)))
Thanks

 

I haven't had my xi through a winter yet, but its purpose was for bad weather. I have driven both, very similar handling. Of course the xi won't do as well on mpg as the rwd. You are driving all four wheels all the time, no way to turn that off. Not sure about clearence for 20's. I do know it is a different offset for the xi. One other thing, you won't be spinning the tires on the xi. I have tried and tried, it just bites and goes. Of course mine is a 530xi, which means I6 vs the 535xi's V8. Also you can get sport suspension if it was ordered with that. IMHO, I'm sure others will have varying opinions. I'm happy with my xi.

 

Only the 550 has a V8. His engine is a I6 just like yours.

 

Consumption is ofcourse higher with "x" model. About 0.5 - 1L per 100km.

 

Thank you for the correction. :-)

 

Wow. Surprised you made it anywhere at all on those wheels. What tires do you have on them?

You sound like you want performance and winter driveability. Get the 535i and get a good set of dedicated snow tires. You'll get much better summer performance on dedicated summer tires too.

That's what I did, so it must be the best choice!

 

I've found my 530xi very tractable in snowy weather with all-season tires here in Southern NJ. In the past my BMWs were RWD and driven carefully never caused me a problem driving on snow covered roads - with proper tires.

However, were I in the snowbelt I'd go with a dedicated winter tire setup with either AWD or RWD.

In bad weather exceeding the capability of vehicle or driver will =

 

Just get proper tyres for wintern and no problemos

 

I'm diggin this clip.

 

I drive an 08 535i. Love it. Winter driving is a matter of tires and common sense. Use both in winter months and you'll have no problem. I have no desire to own an xi.