01-10-2012, 07:44 PM | #1 |
Captain
85
Rep 632
Posts |
Critique this austere build
Here's what I discussed with 2 dealers today. Would be interested in your thoughts:
Looking for a back to basics car. Hate BMW leather. Will not buy car without butt warmer after driving wife’s Lexus. Own iPhone (don’t need nav-system). Know how to change lanes, read road signs, and parallel park by myself. Haven't hit baby on little tricycle behind car ever. Get the rough-brushed aluminum vs. high-gloss black trim? Money's not the issue. I'm not into lots of electronics. What am I missing? Thanks guys! |
01-10-2012, 07:54 PM | #3 |
Banned
127
Rep 245
Posts |
If you do not want heated seats, then why the cold weather package?
I hate all the electronics, too. I even hate the Nav screen and the iDrive. The only things I would add are the shift paddles and fold down rear seat. Good luck, Chris |
Appreciate
0
|
01-10-2012, 08:02 PM | #4 | |
Captain
85
Rep 632
Posts |
Quote:
Manual, not paddles. Fold down for sure, thx. Last edited by Ron Scott; 01-10-2012 at 08:09 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-11-2012, 12:23 AM | #5 |
Captain
29
Rep 784
Posts |
Actually sounds OK. I am thinking along similar lines, sort of...
My E46 LCI 330i will be 10 years old in the fall. I could not warm up to the E90, even after LCI. IMO the F30 is a big improvement over E90 in both interior and exterior. So, I was planning a big splash with another ED - 335i, M-Sport, Premium, Tech Package, Adaptive M-suspension. However, a multitude of things have dulled my enthusiasm.
So, I am now considering getting this stripper 328i on a 3y lease to hold me over until the tech stuff has matured, the LCI is out, and hopefully the color options have expended more to my liking and there is a bump to the N55 power. Sure, no xenons, sunroof, power seats leather, nav, hud, etc. but there is still a decent list of standard features. But I will get the N20 with +15Hp and +40 lb/ft over my M54B30 and adding ZSL gets me the BMW handling goodness all those Luxury and Modern buyers will never have. About the only thing I would add, if available standalone would be the xenons w/angel eyes. The one thing I cannot decide on is whether to go all in on BMW high tech powertrain and try the ZF 8AT. I know it's faster and supposed to be more efficiant that the 6MT now but I have only driven manuals all my life and I am having trouble with this. Last edited by pcbrew; 01-11-2012 at 11:19 PM.. Reason: clarify |
Appreciate
0
|
01-11-2012, 08:02 AM | #7 | |
Computer Janitor
6
Rep 272
Posts |
Quote:
Ron - I like your build. For me it's either going to be a 328i ZSL with ZPP & Xenons, or a 335i with just ZSL. Both manual and both with fold down seats & ZPS. Configured in that way there's only a 2-3k difference between the cars. I am going to be leasing, however, and the residuals on the 335i are usually 1% lower than the 328i, and sometimes the MF higher as well, so that makes the decision a bit tougher. It'll come down to what the leasing numbers look like between the cars and what kind of deal I can swing (hoping to find a dealer that will agree to ED invoice + 1k). In the long run I think I would be happier with the 335i if the only major thing I am losing is leather seats. But then again, the N20 isn't too much slower than the N55, insurance rates would be lower, gas expenses would be lower... |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-11-2012, 08:06 PM | #8 | |
Major
494
Rep 1,044
Posts |
Quote:
For me, the more infotainment/technology that's in a car today, the more I enjoy it. In fact, my first BMW -- a 2006 E90 330i -- is the car that convinced me that all my future cars would be loaded to the gills with whatever tech the manufacturer offers. I just bought my wife a Volvo XC60 on their overseas delivery program -- and we loaded it up with everything they offered as well. I loved driving it. Your old-school order makes sense, but I think the fact that manufacturers are competing on their tech (even Ford crams their cars with these options and Caddy's new ATS premiers their new infotainment system) means that buyers are more like me than like you. The real question is will there be any difference in resale value after four or five years between a car like mine and a car like yours? IOW, is the cost of all those toys something the buyer eats the total cost of? I won't know until I sell my E90 when my F30 is redelivered at the end of the summer. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-11-2012, 11:31 PM | #9 | |
Captain
29
Rep 784
Posts |
Quote:
Things like Nav can get stale quickly as new tech comes out
Maybe Nav tech is going to plateau soon, but I do not think BMW is there yet. They need voice input and better net connectivity to search for latest POI updates, traffic, weather, etc. I know camera tech is still evolving, so what you have in the F30 may seem essentially worthless in 6 years. Of course if you lease, you have shorter horizons and guaranteed costs locked in, regardless. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-12-2012, 11:31 PM | #10 | |
Private First Class
26
Rep 173
Posts |
Quote:
- Parking package - A man must know how to park his car. - Changing lanes - A man must know how to use the side mirrors - Speed limit info - A man must not follow the speed limit - BMW Assist - A man must be prepared for emergencies and be able to sustain himself if deserted by his beloved (the car). No woman/car no cry. - Lane departure? - Jesus...might as well stop driving at that point Check this http://www.f30post.com/goodiesforyou.../P90081927.jpg for a good idea on how the aluminum trim + black stripe looks like. IMHO, it looks beautiful and harmonic with the rest of the interior. The red or blue stripe, IMHO, is distracting. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-13-2012, 10:33 AM | #11 | |
Major General
651
Rep 5,803
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
F30 330i Alpine white/Coral red Msport 6MT
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|