[tony20009]

So you are buying a BMW and you don't have a lot of money to load the car up, so you are buying a base model with one option (not a package having several, though you can, hypothetically, select one option from within a package). Assuming all options are available as stand-alone things, what would you pick? (Option is defined as anything you can't get for free on the car.)

• 3er - X-Drive because it makes my car good all year long, and it snows here. Otherwise I'd have picked sport suspension.
• 1er - Sport Suspension because X-Drive isn't offered at all on the 1er.
• All other models -- well, if it were one of the other models, the "you don't have a lot of money" criterion wouldn't apply, now would it? LOL

I'm just asking because I'm curious as to what it is folks value most in these cars.

[KingOfJericho]

Well the 135i all came with sport suspension but I would probably say the iDrive system. No other *single* option would offer as much. What's nice is that they've bundled all options into basically two packages instead of the old a la carte.

[Foxrus14]

I don't think there is anything better than the heated seats if you are in the north...

On another note...

If you cant afford exactly what you want you will overall be disappointed with the car. Why spend 40K and almost get what you want when you can spend $45k and get exactly what you want???? I think people need to think what is really important to them... Having a BMW to say you have a BMW is overrated and down right materialistic thus the problem with our country. But don't worry Obama will take my money and give it to someone that dug their own debt grave

[beta]

Buy a used car, 2-3 years old, with every option possible for less money. Not sure why you're buying new if a few thousand is a concern.

[Meeni]

Sport seats.

[KingOfJericho]

You live in DC - how many days does it snow each year? I put snow tires on my tuned 135 and never had an issue getting around. X drive in DC is like wearing a raincoat every day of the year, just in case it rains.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

You live in DC - how many days does it snow each year? I put snow tires on my tuned 135 and never had an issue getting around. X drive in DC is like wearing a raincoat every day of the year, just in case it rains.

It depends on the year as to how many days it snows. Some years not at all. But it does snow. And I never drive the car in a manner that would exceed the limits -- speed, cornering, or others -- of what an X-drive BMW can handle because my driving skills aren't that keen. So that's the one I would pick.

I understand the poster who said heated seats, but I tend to wear full length overcoats in the winter, so my butt's rarely in contact with a cold seat. My phone can handle the navigation duties as I've learned from traveling quite often.

As I noted above, though, I am just curious to see what sorts of things folks here value most and paring down to one option pretty well makes that point clear. Folks will either slant toward something that makes the experience of driving better or something that makes the experience of riding better, or something that is cosmetic.

[Got_///M]

Originally Posted by beta

Buy a used car, 2-3 years old, with every option possible for less money. Not sure why you're buying new if a few thousand is a concern.

+1. Even if it's just one year old with low mileage. That's a better deal IMO. That's exactly what I did with my car. Never understood the point of ordering a new car when there are so many cars in good good condition.

[Sniz]

^ thats what i always do, no need for a new car unless the new car financing is your only buying option.

[Colt]

Originally Posted by Got_///M

+1. Even if it's just one year old with low mileage. That's a better deal IMO. That's exactly what I did with my car. Never understood the point of ordering a new car when there are so many cars in good good condition.

Agreed

[Stohlen]

You know, this guy created a thread just to see what everyone felt was the most important option to have in a BMW. He may have worded it to give the reader the feeling that they were actually in this scenario... But I think its a little bit moronic that you all are bashing him about buying a new car vs. a used one when that wasn't the point at all...

[631twentyeighteye]

Sport seats. granted i have an almost bare bones 128, i think those would be my pick of any single option. Especially since i would eventually swap out the stock suspension anyway.

[L8*Apex]

Originally Posted by Foxrus14

I don't think there is anything better than the heated seats if you are in the north...

On another note...

If you cant afford exactly what you want you will overall be disappointed with the car. Why spend 40K and almost get what you want when you can spend $45k and get exactly what you want???? I think people need to think what is really important to them... Having a BMW to say you have a BMW is overrated and down right materialistic thus the problem with our country. But don't worry Obama will take my money and give it to someone that dug their own debt grave

Actually, the problem with our country is pointing out the faults of others and actually doing that thing you say you don't like. Owning a BMW IS materialistic. You could have purchased a 10 year old Civic and gotten from A to B.

Now to the OP: I vote x-drive. One thing I miss about my Subaru was the all wheel drive. Even in sunny AZ. Jack rabbit starts with a pro-tuned motor was so much easier.

[Efthreeoh]

I've lived and worked in the DC metro area my whole life. No need for x-drive. People in DC can't drive in the snow and will crash into you. It doesn't snow enough that that roads aren't cleared within 12 hours. The traffic jams that result when 3 flakes hit the ground are not worth sitting in. If it snows just stay in and work from home.

BMWs are great with just a set of dedicated winter tires. It's less expensive to just run a set of winter tire on separate rims for the winter months if you have that much concern over it.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by Stohlen

You know, this guy created a thread just to see what everyone felt was the most important option to have in a BMW. He may have worded it to give the reader the feeling that they were actually in this scenario... But I think its a little bit moronic that you all are bashing him about buying a new car vs. a used one when that wasn't the point at all...

Thank you.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I've lived and worked in the DC metro area my whole life. No need for x-drive. People in DC can't drive in the snow and will crash into you. It doesn't snow enough that that roads aren't cleared within 12 hours. The traffic jams that result when 3 flakes hit the ground are not worth sitting in. If it snows just stay in and work from home.

BMWs are great with just a set of dedicated winter tires. It's less expensive to just run a set of winter tire on separate rims for the winter months if you have that much concern over it.

It isn't about whether one's choice has any rational basis aside from the one that spurred the person to make that choice. I wasn't seeking to criticize anyone for their choice. I was just curious.

[tony20009]

FWIW, the reason I specified a new car is because one cannot order one's choice of option on a used car.

[RetroB]

3er i-drive

[thedigitel]

Definitely sport seats.