Options/Accessories You Could Live Without

[keeble]

We're about to replace our E91 with the 2008 version with the Sport Package.We've always been old school using maps/mapquest. If given the choice should we omit the NAV option? Any other options/accessories to omit if you had another chance to order your 3 Series? The majority of our 36K miles a year are highway, but always looking for an excuse to take the twisty route when available.

[PhilipWOT]

Sunroof
Power windows
power seats
auto tranny
RFT's
leather
nav
iGarbage

[rwg]

I would think twice about comfort access. HD radio doesn't work around here with the hills. If you spend a lot of time on the highway, the bluetooth option is fabulous.

[bsell]

Std. features to get rid of:
Auto Climate Control (give me some manual, read cable, not vacuum, controlled doors/heater controls any day!)
Glass sunroof (make mine steel, please!)
Less-responsive throttle only in reverse with manual tranny (what the hell is that about?)
Bingidy-bongidy-bongidy that don't allow each other to even finish (what were they thinking? And yes, the volume is set to zero, thanks for asking)
Dipstick delete

Option to add:
Ventilated sport seats in leatherette and/or leather

Std. features to add:
Adjustable lumbar support
Electronic folding mirrors (come on now, with the narrow parking in many parts of the world, how this is not standard is beyond me, especially since the mirrors are electric anyway!)

Thanks for letting me vent,

Brian

[Majikthese42]

You can see what I ordered. I would have ditched the leather for cloth or cloth inserts (as on the M3) but I couldn't, so I didn't.

The CA is kind of a "mandatory option" since if you don't order it, it makes starting the car a more complicated process by one step.

I use a Garmin since it's much cheaper than the BMW system and they'll be introducing vastly superior devices at a lower price every year.

The 6-speed is a "mandatory non-option" for me.:thumbup:

[mistercindy]

Don't get the NAV. Its a techno thing that'll be oudated in a few years, and the updated discs are $200 per year. Most of what it controls is redundant (ie., audio, heat & A/C, etc...) in that they can be controled from the traditional places ergonomically placed in your car. The big exception to the redundant features is GPS. If you want a GPS get a superb hand-held Garmin for a fraction of the cost (less than $500)) of the BMW NAV system. The updated discs are ~ $100 and you can download them online. That, and you can take your GPS can be either battery operated or plugged into your cigarette lighther, and taken with you in any car or motorcycle, hiking, bicycling, etc... That, and five years later you don't have an outdated piece of crap hardwired into your car (like the hard wired cell phones installed as options in the early to mid 90s).

By comparison to a good hand held device, the BMW Nav system (and Mercedes', Lexus, Infinity, etc..., and etc...) is a huge waste of money. Its a shame that its shoved down our throat if you want to get a 5, 6, or 7 series.

Good stuff:
- The bluetooth feature is magnificent. If you use your cell at all then look at is as a safety item. Particularly if you get manual transmission. All controls are on the steering wheel.
- If you use an iPod then the iPod adaptor is an amazing feature. Its just a USB port in the front armrest, therefore, you can download your iTunes from your computer on to a USB flash drive and plug that into the port of your car. Then your tunes scroll on the dash in front of you with all controls on the steering wheel. I made sure I got it on my daughter's car as a safety device so she wouldn't be looking down and to her right messing with her iPod anymore.

[solefald]

I have a pretty much base model, except for Auto Steptronic with Paddles, Sport package and iPod.

Looking back at it, if i had a chance, i would swap auto for manual and get bluetooth. Everything else is completely useless to me. Oh, and I'm gonna also add an alarm. I just want that clown nose to blink and keep stupid mofos away from my ride.

[mistercindy]

I have a pretty much base model, except for Auto Steptronic with Paddles, Sport package and iPod.

Looking back at it, if i had a chance, i would swap auto for manual and get bluetooth. Everything else is completely useless to me. Oh, and I'm gonna also add an alarm. I just want that clown nose to blink and keep stupid mofos away from my ride.
Yours sounds a bit like my E92 328i: manual in alpine white/black. Premium package (for the bluetooth and power seats... wife wanted leather). Only two options/accessories: iPod adaptor and electronic sunshade (for N. TX summers). That's it. KISS theory.

[mondo21]

Unlike some others, I really like comfort access. Bluetooth and iPod are essential, the rest I could do without.

If I could do it over I would have gotten an MT instead of AT with paddle shifters. I got AT just in case the wife needs to drive but really, when is she ever going to drive my car?

Sport option goes without saying but must get paddle shifters as well if AT.

[AzNMpower32]

If I could save on US options, these would be the first to go: (excluding transmission choice)

1. Premium package.
2. Leather
3. Cold Weather or heated anything
4. rear PDC
5. Comfort Access
6. Active Steering & Cruise

If I was in Europe, I'd skip: cupholders, automatic climate control, electric seats, and BMW Professional Radio.

DO NOT skip (US once again): sport packet, split-folding rear seats, xenons w/adaptive function.

[blue_dolphin]

...We've always been old school using maps/mapquest. ...

I do know where you're coming from, but seeing mapquest described as "old school" makes me feel even older!

As to the original question, you can see what I got in my sig. I'm still happy and no regrets. I ordered the Nav option more for iDrive and the ability to see my iPod menus on the Nav screen than for the navigation system itself. Yes, I paid a lot for that but I like having it all integrated - no wires, no extra installation. And I've ended up using the nav more than I thought I would. Maybe I just like hearing "you have arrived!"

[Aristanet]

if i had to do it all over again, i would of left Comfort Access off the list - the rest of the options i would keep (maybe add an active steering)

[anE934fun]

Good stuff:
- The bluetooth feature is magnificent. If you use your cell at all then look at is as a safety item. Particularly if you get manual transmission. All controls are on the steering wheel.
- If you use an iPod then the iPod adaptor is an amazing feature. Its just a USB port in the front armrest, therefore, you can download your iTunes from your computer on to a USB flash drive and plug that into the port of your car. Then your tunes scroll on the dash in front of you with all controls on the steering wheel. I made sure I got it on my daughter's car as a safety device so she wouldn't be looking down and to her right messing with her iPod anymore.
+1. The iPod/iPhone/BT integration IMO is the only compelling reason for iDrive. Everything is controllable from the iDrive screen as if you were using your device. Until I saw the extent to which BMW integrated the iPod/iPhone/BT into iDrive, I was not sold on iDrive.

[bonsai]

I wouldn't give up iDrive. Am I the only one that loves the look of the huge Nav LCD in the center of my dash? I love iDrive because of its integration. I hate it for its clunky UI. Get CA (comfort access). It's sooo convenient never having to take my key out of my pocket.

I would have done the iPod 6FL option. I thought my AUX in port would be sufficient to port audio from my iPhone, but the sound quality is sub par - it's good, but not good enough for me (I think the issue may be the crappy Aux cable I'm using or the AUX port itself).

I would absolutely cut out cold weather package - I'm in Los Angeles.

Run Flat tires have got to go. I like the crisp turn in and bite that the stiffer sidewalls give me, but the ride harshness is a bad compromise. Too bad its not an option.

Bluetooth through iDrive great. Hands down not worth not having (if that makes sense). Especially for California drivers facing a new law requiring handsfree headsets.

If you want to skimp on options, I would just forego Cold Weather, metallic paint (I love my jet black when its detailed, I wish I had metallic when it's slightly dirty). Everything else will just leave you regretting the decision to not get it. I don't care if iDrive Nav is crap and will be outdated. I like the Nav bump and huge screen in my dash and I love the RTTI that routes me around traffic in real time.

Unless you're paying cash for your car, the increased monthly financed payment for getting a totally spec'ed out E91 is worth not having any regrets. IMO, I would regret not having the Premium package, sport package, iDrive, and CA. I regret not getting iPod 6FL. I do not regret not getting metallic paint or Cold weather.

[Bill-SD]

What a can of worms you just opened :)

I have pretty much all options...and love them all. This include Nav and CA! There are plenty of debates about these two options, search if you dare. If I were ordering again today, I'd choose the exact same options. Maybe adding the 19" wheels that were not available when I bought my car.

[JG]

I have a pretty much base model, except for Auto Steptronic with Paddles, Sport package and iPod.

Looking back at it, if i had a chance, i would swap auto for manual and get bluetooth. Everything else is completely useless to me. Oh, and I'm gonna also add an alarm. I just want that clown nose to blink and keep stupid mofos away from my ride.

You don't need the alarm package to get the clown nose to blink.

It's just a programming item which your dealer can do. In Canada the standard setting for the clown nose is to blink. Again no need for the alarm package.

[raleedy]

Nav is probably the most obvious place to cut back. Even if you want a GPS, $200 gets you one that's good enough. AFAIK the only thing iDrive adds is a numerical pressure read-out on the tires. Everything else is accessible or controllable through the stalk on non-iDrive cars. Radio RDS is a little lame, since the non-iDrive radio display has limited characters. But I find the non-iDrive dash better looking than the double hump, mainly because it has less blank space.

[anE934fun]

AFAIK the only thing iDrive adds is a numerical pressure read-out on the tires.
How do you get a display of tire pressures? I am aware of the color-coding; is that what you are referring to? Individual tire pressure readings would be another nice feature, but I am not aware of the ability to display individual tire pressure readings.

[BMWFM1]

My preference below. Would still reorder the same thing. Perhaps add Xenon. Nav is good.

[solefald]

You don't need the alarm package to get the clown nose to blink.

It's just a programming item which your dealer can do. In Canada the standard setting for the clown nose is to blink. Again no need for the alarm package.

I don't think it is true. Maybe Canadian spec cars have alarm pre-installed, but not activated?
I spoke to a friend who is a BMW mechanic and my SA (from another dealership) and both said its not possible without an alarm

[ProRail]

We're about to replace our E91 with the 2008 version with the Sport Package.We've always been old school using maps/mapquest. If given the choice should we omit the NAV option? Any other options/accessories to omit if you had another chance to order your 3 Series? The majority of our 36K miles a year are highway, but always looking for an excuse to take the twisty route when available.

I could do without that one that lets the car lock me out. Also don't need heated seats and steering wheel or automatic wipers and lights. On the other hand, automatic climate control is the greatest thing since the automatic choke. And the built-in alarm with the tilt and motion sensors is a great comfort.

[cozia83]

If it were an option, I'd rather not have
-Leather or leatherette seats
-Sunroof

My car's pretty basic, though. I only got sports pack and power seats (convenient for 2 drivers). I love both, but I wish I could get cloth seats because I hate how I sweaty and sticky the seats make me. I might get a cloth seat cover...

[jetstream23]

I don't need the microwave in the glovebox.

[BsmithNP]

Hmmmm.... maybe I'm a bit of a wuss but the things I've learned I can't live without are the heated seats and the navi. Of course my garage gets cold in the mornings and I literally live in my car during the day (so Mapquest is out).

The one thing I've never cared for are the bolsters on the sides of the sport package seats. I'm not big at all but It was so much nicer in my convertible when I didn't have those darned bolsters.

[BerfsBimmer]

I suppose I could have gone without the HD radio since I usually have the iPod plugged in.

[rooster3.0]

The best option to get is the N54 engine. :)

[moviebumm]

I ordered a 2006 essentially fully loaded and I do not regret anything except not waiting for the twin turbocharged engine plus additional options. No options that I purchased I could live without. If I didn't need it, I wouldn't have ordered it. People on this thread think their BMW is a stripped out racing car with manual everything but these new cars are very complicated. The old days are over and they even the cars we see today will be the thing of the past in 15 years or so when we see significantly more efficient cars.

[mondo21]

The best option to get is the N54 engine. :)

:clap::clap::clap:

[bsell]

...People on this thread think their BMW is a stripped out racing car with manual everything but these new cars are very complicated. The old days are over and they even the cars we see today will be the thing of the past in 15 years or so when we see significantly more efficient cars.

My problem with the 'options' or 'features' I would delete is they do not work well. There is nothing more irritating than having added complexity to a very simple task and have that task done not well. If I have to 'fight' a 'feature' to get what I want, then what value does this 'feature' provide to me? None! :mad:

Your idea of a "stripped-out race car" would make a hell of an option package. But the marketing dept. at BMW would let hell freeze over before they would de-luxurize a BMW in the US market. I seriously doubt anyone in the US market thinks of a 3-series BMW as a 'stripped-out race car'...

I am afraid you are right that we will be stuck with ever more complexity in the name of 'luxury' in the future. The only hope I have for less complexity is in either an 'econo' or 'sport' package. But I am not holding my breath.

Brian

[dlpuette]

Call me crazy, but I would lose the sunroof. The only thing I ever do with it is prop it open to vent. If I could've save $1000 to $1500 that BMW would charge as an option, I would have.

The RFT's are nothing but an expensive-to-replace pain.

I would have loved a heads up display. I got a 535 loaner the other day and grew attached to it in a really short time.

Would love the iPod kit too.

[mondo21]

Call me crazy, but I would lose the sunroof. The only thing I ever do with it is prop it open to vent. If I could've save $1000 to $1500 that BMW would charge as an option, I would have.

The RFT's are nothing but an expensive-to-replace pain.

I would have loved a heads up display. I got a 535 loaner the other day and grew attached to it in a really short time.

Would love the iPod kit too.

+1 on heads up display. I had one in my '93 Altima and is was awesome.:)

[mundo74]

You could really live without all the options. This is one good thing that BMW has - a la carte options for everyone. Dont like the Nav, the CA, the HS, the PDC the Leather .... - dont get it! At the End of the day its still a BMW.

Personally the only option I could live without on my car is Heated Seats, the rest I considered a must for a $40K BMW.

[JG]

I don't think it is true. Maybe Canadian spec cars have alarm pre-installed, but not activated?
I spoke to a friend who is a BMW mechanic and my SA (from another dealership) and both said its not possible without an alarm

Myself, my brother and my father all have BMWs and have had for years. None of us ever ordered an alarm system.

All of our cars have the clown nose blink as a default setting. You may be correct that is pre-installed. I will check with my close friend who is the chief mechanic at our local BMW dealership and let you know.

[ukboi]

I would probably drop the steptronic option. My first ever car with an auto box in 20 years of driving, I'm going back to a manual tranny in my nest Bimmer. Prem pack, sport pack and USB connector are my only other options and I'm happy with those.

[iwanna330cic]

And I've ended up using the nav more than I thought I would. Maybe I just like hearing "you have arrived!"

Great line! :lmao::lmao::thumbs:

[galahad05]

Accessory I could live without: the BMW driver stereotype baggage. Man oh man I'd prefer the Audi driver stereotype.

Or maybe even Samsonite baggage. :)

<yes yes I know, don't quit my day job>

[BsmithNP]

Accessory I could live without: the BMW driver stereotype baggage. Man oh man I'd prefer the Audi driver stereotype.

Or maybe even Samsonite baggage. :)

<yes yes I know, don't quit my day job>


+1 For that! I'd delete that option anytime...

[jwac]

I wouldn't give up iDrive. Am I the only one that loves the look of the huge Nav LCD in the center of my dash? I love iDrive because of its integration. I hate it for its clunky UI.

+1 you're not alone. I don't like the base dash at all. And the iDrive screen is wonderfully large. The interface does need improvement, especially the POI search function, sheesh BMW...

Nav is probably the most obvious place to cut back. Even if you want a GPS, $200 gets you one that's good enough. AFAIK the only thing iDrive adds is a numerical pressure read-out on the tires. Everything else is accessible or controllable through the stalk on non-iDrive cars.

That's not correct, iDrive does have some other advantages (and it doesn't provide numeric tire pressure readout). From another iDrive-bashing thread... things iDrive adds/differentiates:
Superior visual phonebook display and other functions, including full voice dialing and activation of phonebook entries
FREE real-time traffic display and dynamic routing, including road hazards, construction, lane and road closures, accidents, and dozens of other hazard symbols
Superior audio interface, including Logic7 equalizer and iPod display
Ability to set 2 automatic ventilate-at-rest times
Numerous trip computer functions including elapsed timers, speed alarm, etc.
Ability to select different BMW Assist call and service functions
Much easier to use interface for the Condition-Based Service functions with more information
Expanded Check Control messages
More customizable vehicle settings
Customizable climate control intensity + fully variable air distribution ability
Visual PDC display
Enhanced visual TPMS display by tire
Voice control over virtually all functions available in iDrive, including navigation destination entry and radio station selection (manual or presets). For example, when needing to change the clock, say "Clock" and it takes you to the screen.
Programmable steering wheel buttons
6 programmable hot keys - can call up phone book entries, nav destinations, radio presets, etc. Plus the buttons are motion-sensitive, simply placing your finger over them pops up its function on the screen.

[jwac]

Myself, my brother and my father all have BMWs and have had for years. None of us ever ordered an alarm system.

All of our cars have the clown nose blink as a default setting. You may be correct that is pre-installed. I will check with my close friend who is the chief mechanic at our local BMW dealership and let you know.

The 3-Series does not have a factory alarm option - it is dealer-installed. The clown nose could be programmed to blink on E46's without adding the alarm, but it's no longer possible to do that on the E9x. 5-Series and up have the alarm standard, with the blink on by default.

[AzNMpower32]

Accessory I could live without: the BMW driver stereotype baggage. Man oh man I'd prefer the Audi driver stereotype.
+2. It should be option code 001 on the options list:

"BMW Driver stereotype delete: $0"

[cruise_bone]

Call me crazy, but I would lose the sunroof.

+10000000

:clap:

[mondo21]

That's not correct, iDrive does have some other advantages (and it doesn't provide numeric tire pressure readout). From another iDrive-bashing thread... things iDrive adds/differentiates:
Superior visual phonebook display and other functions, including full voice dialing and activation of phonebook entries
FREE real-time traffic display and dynamic routing, including road hazards, construction, lane and road closures, accidents, and dozens of other hazard symbols
Superior audio interface, including Logic7 equalizer and iPod display
Ability to set 2 automatic ventilate-at-rest times
Numerous trip computer functions including elapsed timers, speed alarm, etc.
Ability to select different BMW Assist call and service functions
Much easier to use interface for the Condition-Based Service functions with more information
Expanded Check Control messages
More customizable vehicle settings
Customizable climate control intensity + fully variable air distribution ability
Visual PDC display
Enhanced visual TPMS display by tire
Voice control over virtually all functions available in iDrive, including navigation destination entry and radio station selection (manual or presets). For example, when needing to change the clock, say "Clock" and it takes you to the screen.
Programmable steering wheel buttons
6 programmable hot keys - can call up phone book entries, nav destinations, radio presets, etc. Plus the buttons are motion-sensitive, simply placing your finger over them pops up its function on the screen.

+1. Good summary. Not sure I need all of that stuff but it's nice to know it's there if I do.

[captainaudio]

+1 you're not alone. I don't like the base dash at all. And the iDrive screen is wonderfully large. The interface does need improvement, especially the POI search function, sheesh BMW...



That's not correct, iDrive does have some other advantages (and it doesn't provide numeric tire pressure readout). From another iDrive-bashing thread... things iDrive adds/differentiates:

Superior visual phonebook display and other functions, including full voice dialing and activation of phonebook entries
FREE real-time traffic display and dynamic routing, including road hazards, construction, lane and road closures, accidents, and dozens of other hazard symbols
Superior audio interface, including Logic7 equalizer and iPod display
Ability to set 2 automatic ventilate-at-rest times
Numerous trip computer functions including elapsed timers, speed alarm, etc.
Ability to select different BMW Assist call and service functions
Much easier to use interface for the Condition-Based Service functions with more information
Expanded Check Control messages
More customizable vehicle settings
Customizable climate control intensity + fully variable air distribution ability
Visual PDC display
Enhanced visual TPMS display by tire
Voice control over virtually all functions available in iDrive, including navigation destination entry and radio station selection (manual or presets). For example, when needing to change the clock, say "Clock" and it takes you to the screen.
Programmable steering wheel buttons
6 programmable hot keys - can call up phone book entries, nav destinations, radio presets, etc. Plus the buttons are motion-sensitive, simply placing your finger over them pops up its function on the screen.

As much as I would like to see the iDrive interface improved I am glad I got it and would not get a BMW without it.

The "entry" level 3 series is hardly a stripped out race car. It is very nicely equiped to do what it intended to do - which AFAIK is to be a comfortable, good handling road car.

CA

[keeble]

Many thanks to all your replies. Your suggestions are as diverse as the bimmerfest community.

My short list of items to live without, but have no choice in the matter are the sunroof and runflats. We hope the car comes with Michelins instead of the Bridgestones. Anyway of knowing prior to delivery?

The wife and I settled on identical paint, interior, and packages (we'll see if family/friends notice the difference) with the addition of ZSP, CA, Xenon and Nav.

Our local dealer in Bakersfield (Ultimate Drive of M3 and B7 June 3rd!) said it's assigned to build week 33.

[normanplace]

- If you use an iPod then the iPod adaptor is an amazing feature. Its just a USB port in the front armrest, therefore, you can download your iTunes from your computer on to a USB flash drive and plug that into the port of your car. Then your tunes scroll on the dash in front of you with all controls on the steering wheel. I made sure I got it on my daughter's car as a safety device so she wouldn't be looking down and to her right messing with her iPod anymore.

Even though I love the iPOD integration I like this idea. Let me get this straight. If you caopy the iTUNES library to USB flash you can still scroll the artist, title, song etc?

Will the USB integration wotk with AAC or is it MP3 only?