[sygazelle]

Just took my car in for service today and got a brand new 2016 328i for a loaner.

Two impression:

1) Driving this stripped car makes me appreciate each and every option and package I have on my car. M-sport, premium, tech, HK, VSS, adaptive suspension, all $14k worth of stuff really are nice. I don't regret spending the money at all.

2) The stripped car is surprisingly nice. While I can afford all the extras and got them, I would be perfectly fine with this base car compared to what else is out there for $38k new. Its not fancy but its totally acceptable to me.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

I would be perfectly fine with this base car compared to what else is out there for $38k new.

All the options in the world won't make a bad car good, but they can make a good car better.

[mike@x-ph.com]

i made the mistake of getting my first BMW stripped, quickly regret it that decision and ever since then i get all my cars fully loaded.

[spuntyb]

Every stripped car I've had the displeasure of driving makes me realize the importance of optioning a new BMW properly before purchasing.

[chiefneil]

If was on a tight budget I think I'd be happier with a manual 320i with only the sports pack versus a loaded Honda Accord.

[timmahh]

Shrug. I picked up a 320i that is not optioned for my mom; she loves it. I know I would want something with more features than that, but for some people it's perfectly fine. If someone gave me a 320i, I'd take it. I sort of look at it as her entry into the BMW world; she loved my E90 and wanted it, but I couldn't give her a 100k car that would require expensive maintenance down the road. With her 320i she's under warranty and service. She cares more about how the car looks and drives and less about the tech gizmos that I enjoy.. Of course, coming from a 1996 Honda Accord with 250k miles and no a/c.. she would probably take half of the 320i at this point.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Just took my car in for service today and got a brand new 2016 328i for a loaner.

Two impression:

1) Driving this stripped car makes me appreciate each and every option and package I have on my car. M-sport, premium, tech, HK, VSS, adaptive suspension, all $14k worth of stuff really are nice. I don't regret spending the money at all.

2) The stripped car is surprisingly nice. While I can afford all the extras and got them, I would be perfectly fine with this base car compared to what else is out there for $38k new. Its not fancy but its totally acceptable to me.

[QuikSilver_]

My first and current BMW is a stripper 320i that only came with heated seats and the moonroof, and I love it! I retrofitted satellite radio, EBT, and the OEM adaptive xenon headlights, minus the auto-leveling. I got the 320i because it's what I could afford, but like Tim said, this being my first Bimmer, I see it as my entry into the brand.

Depending on my budget at the end of my lease, I plan on ordering a fully loaded 320i, or a semi-loaded 340i. Although, I'm still not familiar with the LCI/next-gen timelines, so not sure what the models will become by 2018...

[F30lolz]

The only options I have is metallic paint and a moonroof. I just wish I had at least sportline/M package but otherwise I'm happy with my car. IMHO, less stuff that would break

[5ilver-5amurai]

Nothing wrong with a stripped down car - as long as the owner enjoys it, so be it. Conversely, I've seen guys driving a fully stripped down car and scoffing at non-luxury brands lol. Check out my new IS250 - ignore the hubcaps please!

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

The only options I have is metallic paint and a moonroof. I just wish I had at least sportline/M package but otherwise I'm happy with my car. IMHO, less stuff that would break

Im in this category..less stuff to break. On a lease, who cares..load it up and give it back. On a purchase, you have to look at everything down the road. The Gran Coupe comes factory standard loaded with a lot so mine isn't a 'stripper' model and being a SportLine, has the 704 suspension and Sport Seats..but I didn't get Nav or the comfort package etc because I didn't want to have to fix it down the road. I don't need it nor want want. My keyfob pops the liftgate without the added expense or goofy waving the foot under the bumper. Leather dries/tears no matter what so sensatec it is..etc. I don't need heated seats in SoCal..heated steering wheel, etc. either. I've listened to the HK stereo..and not all that impressed unfortunately...so base HI-FI works. Can always toss in the BavSound upgrade . I think my financial planner gave me an 'A' on my sound choice lol.

[LMK5]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Just took my car in for service today and got a brand new 2016 328i for a loaner.

Two impression:

1) Driving this stripped car makes me appreciate each and every option and package I have on my car. M-sport, premium, tech, HK, VSS, adaptive suspension, all $14k worth of stuff really are nice. I don't regret spending the money at all.

2) The stripped car is surprisingly nice. While I can afford all the extras and got them, I would be perfectly fine with this base car compared to what else is out there for $38k new. Its not fancy but its totally acceptable to me.

What did you think of the base suspension vs. prior years?

[ehg]

All I have is Sportline, Sport Transmission, Satellite Radio, Seat Heaters, a Moonroof, and Park Assist, and MPE. Feels way nicer than the base 328i my mom had as a rental, especially in how it performs. That being said, a stripped 328i is still a nice car...

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

2) The stripped car is surprisingly nice. While I can afford all the extras and got them, I would be perfectly fine with this base car compared to what else is out there for $38k new. Its not fancy but its totally acceptable to me.

I struggle with 320i with sports package vs. no options 328.

Agree with you though, I have a '15 328 loaner right now with just premium package, navi and HK stereo as the options and it's a solid car, especially when stuck in traffic anyway and other differences aren't apparent

[401FlaGATOR]

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

Im in this category..less stuff to break. On a lease, who cares..load it up and give it back. On a purchase, you have to look at everything down the road. The Gran Coupe comes factory standard loaded with a lot so mine isn't a 'stripper' model and being a SportLine, has the 704 suspension and Sport Seats..but I didn't get Nav or the comfort package etc because I didn't want to have to fix it down the road. I don't need it nor want want. My keyfob pops the liftgate without the added expense or goofy waving the foot under the bumper. Leather dries/tears no matter what so sensatec it is..etc. I don't need heated seats in SoCal..heated steering wheel, etc. either. I've listened to the HK stereo..and not all that impressed unfortunately...so base HI-FI works. Can always toss in the BavSound upgrade . I think my financial planner gave me an 'A' on my sound choice lol.

You and I are on the same wavelength, also just purchased a 2016, I got 704 suspension, power seats, no moonroof (not much use in muggy so fla), drive assist (pdc sensors and cam), no heated seats, no nav, Hi-Fi, no leather (blk sensatec), oh and my favorite, led headlights, a big yes on that. Have only done 3m crystalline and xpel ultimate on the headlights. I just ordered it with the essentials necessary for driving enjoyment and basic creature comforts and dispensed with all the unessential tech. Love the car the little time I have had with it (<400 miles).

Still have my E90 and she is running strong at 140k+ and 9 years.

If you treat them right they age very well, much better than some Hondas\Acuras I've owned in the past, the E90 was the first car sophisticated enough to warn me of serious conditions like engine overheat, low coolant, water pump failure in time enough to allow me to pull off the road before any harm occurred, that is an intangible asset that I always think about, my last Honda gave me no warning and just decided to blow its' head gasket one day. Both that Honda and the Acura before that had the "steering wheel" shakes disease, would get the rotors constantly resurfaced and in 3 months the steering would start shaking again when breaking, so much so that you subconsciously start to break softer.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by 401FlaGATOR

If you treat them right they age very well, much better than some Hondas\Acuras I've owned in the past.

I don't know what it is, but the BMW's that we've kept for a long time aged really well compared to other models (domestic and Japanese). When my E46 was 12 years old it still felt and looked great. Passengers were always shocked to hear it was over 10 years old.

But when I ride in other people's cars that are 6+ years old, I'm always thinking "omg this thing is a pile of cr*p". I swapped my E46 for a weekend with a friend who was thinking about buying it. I got his 8 year old Camry and it was so absolutely horrible I just parked it in the garage and wondered why in the heck those things have such high resale. The seats were worn out, the shocks and springs were gone, the steering rack was in terrible shape, the sunroof was broken, and the whole thing just felt decrepit. Meanwhile my 12 year old E46 felt ready to hit the track then drive me on an expensive date.

[jtmann]

If I had optioned my GC instead of getting a dealer's loaner at a nice discount, I probably would have left off the Nav and chosen M sport or sport line instead. The nav system does have a lot of nice features though, I am happy with the car as is. I'm quite sure I would have paid a lot more for one I built and ordered.

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by 401FlaGATOR

You and I are on the same wavelength, also just purchased a 2016, I got 704 suspension, power seats, no moonroof (not much use in muggy so fla), drive assist (pdc sensors and cam), no heated seats, no nav, Hi-Fi, no leather (blk sensatec), oh and my favorite, led headlights, a big yes on that. Have only done 3m crystalline and xpel ultimate on the headlights. I just ordered it with the essentials necessary for driving enjoyment and basic creature comforts and dispensed with all the unessential tech. Love the car the little time I have had with it (<400 miles).

Still have my E90 and she is running strong at 140k+ and 9 years.

If you treat them right they age very well, much better than some Hondas\Acuras I've owned in the past, the E90 was the first car sophisticated enough to warn me of serious conditions like engine overheat, low coolant, water pump failure in time enough to allow me to pull off the road before any harm occurred, that is an intangible asset that I always think about, my last Honda gave me no warning and just decided to blow its' head gasket one day. Both that Honda and the Acura before that had the "steering wheel" shakes disease, would get the rotors constantly resurfaced and in 3 months the steering would start shaking again when breaking, so much so that you subconsciously start to break softer.

One of the reasons I went 4 series. Standard equipment. . I wanted great headlights...check..(xenons..standard)...etc. I have PDC..(wasn't on the list..but I like it. Would I uncheck the box if I were ordering it...maybe..but I DO like the sensors in the front. I use those to not scrape the car on bumpstops..so I guess I would check box it lol ).

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by LMK5

What did you think of the base suspension vs. prior years?

That's what surprised me. It seemed better than previous 328i loaners (2014 and 2015). Its been a while since I drove those cars, but this time in the 2016 it just seemed tighter and more compliant.

When I picked up my car from service and drove it home, however, I was quickly reminded how much better my car feels than the stripped model: 18's instead of 17's (or 16'? ), Adaptive Suspension, lower to the ground, VSS, sport seats, M-sport wheel.... I fell in love all over again!

[rking117]

you guys are saying this like we know you dont like strippers. haha

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by rking117

you guys are saying this like we know you dont like strippers. haha

I do like strippers. I even like loaners!

[wolves]

I like my stripped 328 when I bought her...until I used heated seats. I will never buy a BMW without them again and I live in california lol. From the M Sport package I would've only wanted the front bumper so I'm okay without all of the extras.