BMW Newbie...Need expertise.

Hey guys, Im looking to purchase a used BMW 328i in the next couple weeks. I've narrowed my choices down to a 09 White 328i or a 08 Black 328i. I really like the alpine white color but the black 328i has fewer miles and has the sport, premium, and winter packages. Also the 09 White 328i says it's an Automatic and does not have paddle shifters. IF I decided on the 09 White 328i, couldn't I just buy a pair of retrofit paddle shifters and plug and play?? Please let me know, what you guys think of my choices and about the paddle shifters. Thanks a bunch.

2009 White BMW

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=04096&endYear=2012&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&maxPrice=30000&mmt=[BMW[3_SERIES[]][3_SERIES[]]]&modelCode1=3_SERIES&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&makeCode1=BMW&startYear=2006&firstRecord=76&numRecords=75&searchRadius=200&bodyStyleCodes=SEDAN&listingId=330299377&Log=0

2008 Black BMW

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2012&zip=04096&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&maxPrice=25000&mmt=[BMW[3_SERIES[]][3_SERIES[]]]&modelCode1=3_SERIES&makeCode1=BMW&startYear=2007&numRecords=50&searchRadius=100&bodyStyleCodes=COUPE%2CSEDAN&listingId=332982408&Log=0

Originally Posted by genok31

, couldn't I just buy a pair of retrofit paddle shifters and plug and play??

You need a whole steering wheel. You need to have someone with experience do it, as you need to remove and re-install the airbag. And you probably have to have the car re-coded.

It's not like plugging in something to a USB port.

+1 on parts and experience to change, but I don't believe there's a need to recode, as it parallels the manual shifter contacts on the stick. In addition to the wheel, you'll need a replacement harness for the steering column and the paddles themselves (ECS sells all but the wheel as a kit). "Around a $1000 + labor" sticks in my head, but I don't know from where.

I don't use the paddles much at all. I sure would miss the sport seats if I didn't have them. Is the '09 still under warranty? The miles say it may be (for another 7k), but the service date may have shut it off by now.

EDIT: The black one is a CPO. That's a big plus if the white one is not, which is a fair bet as it's not from a BMW dealer.

You're in Maine. Buy the one with Heated Seats.

Seriously though, I'm confused in that you say the Black has cold weather package but doesn't seem to have the heated seats controls that the White one has? I'd find out definitively which has what package. Dealer can pull a sheet for you, or there are places on the web to look up original options based on the VIN.

Also make absolutely sure you know the effect of the white one being SULEV.

Speaking personally, I've owned a black car before. It was awful to keep clean through the winter (upstate NY) compared to an earlier white car I had. It'd take a LOT to get me to own a black car again. Some people find the looks when clean worth the trouble and effort, but I don't any more. Again, just my opinion.

I do not like black cars, too hard to keep clean. Love white cars. But.....I'd choose that black 328 over the white one in a heart beat. The white one is a total stripper. No packages at all. Beige vinyl seats.

Someone put some effort into ordering the black one. Lemon is an unadvertised Priority 1 option. The buyer had to specifically ask for it. Someone cared about that car. It does NOT have the cold weather package and does not have heated seats. Not surprising. It started out as a Florida car. No biggie. Leather warms up quickly. CPO warranty until the beginning of October 2014, almost two more years.

Honestly, you'd have to be at least a little bit nuts to choose the white one. Maybe more than a little bit.