Get the 330i. The extra power is well worth the disadvantage in winter. For the snow just get another set of wheels on some good high perfermance winter tires and you're set.

As for your concerns about the ride quality, go and test drive it for yourself. The E46 SP rides way too softly for some of us here, but some buyers complain that they can't drink their coffees while they're driving without spilling it. It's all subjective.

What Mystikal said. If you have not recently driven a car on true snow tires, you will be absolutely amazed at how well they grip. Throw the car control software into the mix, and there is no reason you should shy away from the 330 if you think it will be more fun to own.

My brother-in-law has a '99 323 SP which means he does not have DSC, only ASC. With a good set of snow tires he tells me that he does not have a problem with Rochester, NY winters.

If you really want AWD - go with Audi.

Uh-oh, where did I put my flame suit?

This topic has been debated countless times but I think I have a conclusion:

If you live in a hilly area go for the xi. I need AWD just to get to my house. But outside of getting to my house, I really don't need AWD- just a good set of snow tires.

So if you don't live on a mtn then RWD and snows will be fine.

Hopefully people will stop debating the AWD vs. RWD issue - I know I boiled it down to the basics but I think it will hold up.

Same deal here, ASC only. I have Pirelli 210 Snowsports, 195 width. Haven't scared myself in the snow yet...unless of course it was intentional.

Zaphod said:

My brother-in-law has a '99 323 SP which means he does not have DSC, only ASC. With a good set of snow tires he tells me that he does not have a problem with Rochester, NY winters.

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