[CWysong]

Please help me clear a few things up, if you dont mind. Purchasing a car as soon as I can find the right color! So shoot me an email or PM if you happen to have one for sale or know of one anywhere near Ohio.

I am trying to find a montego or lemans blue 335i xdrive sedan and it is almost impossible to find with sport package.

My questions are...

1) what do I really get, performance wise, with the sport package on the XI? I did some research and it seems there is only 1 suspension level for xi, and the only other performance difference is the top speed limiter. Also, paddle shifters on an auto.

2) if i get a non sport manual, would I be missing any imporntant performance upgrades?

3) If anyone out there has the non sport model and drives this hard, does having the non shiftable auto slow things down terribly? or said another way, do you really need paddle shifters for performance reasons?

4) I already have a JB4, my friend was overexcited one day and purchased it new for me. would the JB4 override any ECU limitations from getting a non sport? (Aka the top speed limiter)


Should I be considering anything else, strictly speaking performance. I konw the weels are different, shadowline trim, sports seats and steering wheel ect ect. None of that matters truely as long as i get the perfect driving machine.

Thanks for any thoughts!

[PR3CI5N]

The JB4 won't change the governor (135mph for non-sport/155mph for sports). I used to own a non-sport 335i with JB4 and i HATED the 135mph governor. You'd have to purchase the SLD from BMS if you want to get rid of the governor but if you're going to have a warranty don't do it because the JB4 can't clear that code once triggered and if/when you have a major repair they'd most likely void your warranty.

Not having paddle shifters isn't the end of the world since you can change gears with the shifter in DS mode but they r def nice to have.

And yes the xi only comes with the non-sport suspension which is weird. The sport models come with different seats, different stearing wheel, 18"/19" rims, sport suspension (but not on xi), 155mph governor and I think that's about all but I'm sure I'm missing something.

[Motastic]

and let me tell your those sports seats make a hell of a difference and the wheel is different two. Those two things alone are well worth it

[GetSomeE92]

Originally Posted by Motastic

and let me tell your those sports seats make a hell of a difference and the wheel is different two. Those two things alone are well worth it

The sport seats are a definite must, in my opinion. I've had non-sport loaners, and the steering wheel is weird, but can be changed for relatively cheap. However, the lack of the side bolstering on the seats is annoying and it would cost much more to swap out seats.

[Sidney]

Sports seats and steering wheel are must haves.

[Dozhdbog]

Originally Posted by Sidney

Sports seats and steering wheel are must haves.

I've learned that the hard way.

[djjasper]

Yup. What everyone else said. A MUST HAVE for the seats alone.

[madmax95gtr]

I would agree here, wait and get the sport model! Seats for the win!

[mundo74]

If buying used get a car with all the options. The incremental cost for a car with all the options are much lower than when new.

[sonorous]

Another option... Skip the X? Maybe you will find more choices and the governor will be where it should be

[ndog14]

Get a sport package and get Cobb instead of JB4 if you are worried about taking the car to the dealer. And look into rwd 335s, you live in Cincy. The city shuts down when someone mentions snow.

[FreakinA]

DONT buy WITHOUT the sports package. The seats alone are worth waiting for the right car. I see you are Cincy, I'm not too familiar with the climate, but do you really need the X? It is very limiting to your choices.

[jafza412]

Um...you mention the top speed limiter a few times, do you plan to go over 135mph often?

And +10000 on sports package for the seats alone!

[CWysong]

Originally Posted by ndog14

Get a sport package and get Cobb instead of JB4 if you are worried about taking the car to the dealer. And look into rwd 335s, you live in Cincy. The city shuts down when someone mentions snow.

Ha, yes 1 inch of snow is death to driving. But i still need to drive, and figured for my next car why not go with the xi.

Anyone had experience driving a 335i in the snow? I have a friend that says you just can barely drive it. And the city shuts down, including salting and snow plows if it gets too bad.

[CWysong]

Originally Posted by jafza05

Um...you mention the top speed limiter a few times, do you plan to go over 135mph often?

And +10000 on sports package for the seats alone!

I doubt the trap speed on this thing is over 135, that would be about the only time I would even push it up that far is when im running the track

[tomahawk997]

If driving in snow you will most likely need a set of dedicated snow tires.

On a side note, what is your opinion on the genesis coupe? I am hearing mixed reviews about it.

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by CWysong

Ha, yes 1 inch of snow is death to driving. But i still need to drive, and figured for my next car why not go with the xi.

Anyone had experience driving a 335i in the snow? I have a friend that says you just can barely drive it. And the city shuts down, including salting and snow plows if it gets too bad.

My father works in the city and walks to work in the weather, downtown apartment (penthouse), and no one is out. Like 3 people show up to the office.

BMWs in general are good in the snow with dedicated snow tires. The weight distribution helps greatly so to car control in the snow. If you can control your throttle input you should have no problem. Just go on TireRack and look at the reviews of the Blizzaks BMW recommends, all BMW and Mini reviews swearing by how good their vehicles go in the snow.

[justinco]

Originally Posted by Sidney

Sports seats and steering wheel are must haves.

+100

[wdlfbio]

Gotta get the sport seats. Either way, you will want two sets of wheels and tires. With tires being the same, the XI will still outperform the I. But, is it really that big of a deal. My wife has no problem driving her M3 around here with snow and ice on the ground until she gets around our hills. And that is with dedicated winter wheels. When it's bad, she will grab the 335XI which only has all seasons and does better than the M with dedicated winters. But, next season, the damn all-season runflats will come off and true winter tires will make it unstoppable...at least until the snow exceeds 5-6" deep.

But, you live in the flat land. Other than a parking garage, do you see anything over a 5% grade? My point is, if you're not driving hours a day in really crappy conditions with hills and crazy turns, AND IF you have the proper tires contacting the ground, you'll probably be fine in the I. And, when it's that bad that, WITH proper tires, it's still unsafe, then the whole town is probably shut down anyway and you shouldn't be on the road anyway.

[CWysong]

Thanks everyone! I ended up going with a 09 335 xi and made sure to get the sports package. A little sad I couldnt find a blue as quicly as liked, but I am very excited to rock my bimmer! Heads will turn for sure.

Now on to the mods...

[Beemw335]

Get the sports package, no questions asked!!
You get the much needed oil cooler and youll be happy you got it.
Get jb4, no it doesnt override, it works with it.

[Beemw335]

Originally Posted by CWysong

Thanks everyone! I ended up going with a 09 335 xi and made sure to get the sports package. A little sad I couldnt find a blue as quicly as liked, but I am very excited to rock my bimmer! Heads will turn for sure.

Now on to the mods...

Good!
Now tune that bad boy, if you have question post in the n54 section or pm me for a small question.
Happy modding!