getting a 335d Tourer - what options?
Discussion
If you only tick one option box, it has to be panoramic roof - totally transforms the interior. I really don't know why more cars don't seem to have it.
I also spec'd full leather, xenons, prof sat-nav, upgraded sound, front park-assist, hi-beam assist and front-seat ISOFIX. If I had my time again I'd probably go with the same options, but the sat-nav is rather pricey at £2k.
Gary.
I also spec'd full leather, xenons, prof sat-nav, upgraded sound, front park-assist, hi-beam assist and front-seat ISOFIX. If I had my time again I'd probably go with the same options, but the sat-nav is rather pricey at £2k.
Gary.
I agree on the roof - I was all set to buy brand new without the sunroof, but found an ex demo which happened to have it. Absolutely transforms the dark interior, although I'm still not sure it's worth £1000.
In terms of other options, xenons are a must. I've got adaptive lights and the high beam asssistant, but can't say the combination is any better than the plain xenons on my old 130. Buying a £40k car with conventional headlamps seems bonkers.
The standard stereo sounds terrible. Go for at least the Hifi upgrade; I've got the Logic 7 Hifi Pro option which is fabulous, and I reckon is as good as most people would need unless they are planning to upgrade everything themselves. Similarly the USB iPod integration. Very expensive / impossible to retrofit, but works beautifully with either an iPod or a USB stick full of MP3s. Far more use than a CD changer.
It's criminal that memory seats are an expensive option for a car in this price range, but they are very useful if you have two regular drivers. I'm very pleased with them compared with the manual seats in my old 130, although they don't adjust as low - this may be a 1 vs. 3 series thing, or could be due to the motors.
The last "must have" for me was sun protection glass. It's a dark tint for the back windows, and just seems to make the car look more finished. Mind you, I have sapphire black with black leather, so black windows just enhance the "fast hearse" look
If you're going for satnav, consider waiting for the September build facelift. The i-drive is getting a refresh by all accounts, gaining some shortcut buttons similar to Audi's MMI system, and who knows what else. Depends if you're a current i-drive fan or not.
Pete
In terms of other options, xenons are a must. I've got adaptive lights and the high beam asssistant, but can't say the combination is any better than the plain xenons on my old 130. Buying a £40k car with conventional headlamps seems bonkers.
The standard stereo sounds terrible. Go for at least the Hifi upgrade; I've got the Logic 7 Hifi Pro option which is fabulous, and I reckon is as good as most people would need unless they are planning to upgrade everything themselves. Similarly the USB iPod integration. Very expensive / impossible to retrofit, but works beautifully with either an iPod or a USB stick full of MP3s. Far more use than a CD changer.
It's criminal that memory seats are an expensive option for a car in this price range, but they are very useful if you have two regular drivers. I'm very pleased with them compared with the manual seats in my old 130, although they don't adjust as low - this may be a 1 vs. 3 series thing, or could be due to the motors.
The last "must have" for me was sun protection glass. It's a dark tint for the back windows, and just seems to make the car look more finished. Mind you, I have sapphire black with black leather, so black windows just enhance the "fast hearse" look
If you're going for satnav, consider waiting for the September build facelift. The i-drive is getting a refresh by all accounts, gaining some shortcut buttons similar to Audi's MMI system, and who knows what else. Depends if you're a current i-drive fan or not.
Pete
The top audio system (Individual Audio) is excellent, as are DAB and USB audio, and iPod integration works very well.
Adaptive cruise control is effective on the motorway as long as it's not really heavy traffic.
Adaptive lights are good but don't really make that much difference TBH.
M Sport seats are really comfortable. Lumbar support adjusts up and down as well as in and out.
PDC front and rear is quite useful. Folding mirrors less so since you can't get them to automatically fold when you lock the car which is a pain.
With Bluetooth phone prep you can just keep the phone in your pocket and it pairs automatically whenever you are in the car.
I really like Comfort access too, you can lock, unlock and drive the car with the key in your pocket.
Pro nav has a big screen and you get free access to online stuff such as weather and news, and full internet access will be coming this year. While portable nav systems are very good they are not as integrated and it probably affects resale. It's the interface for the audio system as well and iDrive isn't very ergonomic but it is very functional. It depends on your aversion to clutter stuck on the windscreen but I wouldn't even consider a used one without proper nav, and I don't expect I'm the only one.
It's very easy to jack up the price of the car by a large amount with options many of which won't affect resale value that much (e.g. £9K of options on my coupe), but if you are buying new then you might as well have exactly what you want. Otherwise you may as well find a nearly new one and save money.
Adaptive cruise control is effective on the motorway as long as it's not really heavy traffic.
Adaptive lights are good but don't really make that much difference TBH.
M Sport seats are really comfortable. Lumbar support adjusts up and down as well as in and out.
PDC front and rear is quite useful. Folding mirrors less so since you can't get them to automatically fold when you lock the car which is a pain.
With Bluetooth phone prep you can just keep the phone in your pocket and it pairs automatically whenever you are in the car.
I really like Comfort access too, you can lock, unlock and drive the car with the key in your pocket.
Pro nav has a big screen and you get free access to online stuff such as weather and news, and full internet access will be coming this year. While portable nav systems are very good they are not as integrated and it probably affects resale. It's the interface for the audio system as well and iDrive isn't very ergonomic but it is very functional. It depends on your aversion to clutter stuck on the windscreen but I wouldn't even consider a used one without proper nav, and I don't expect I'm the only one.
It's very easy to jack up the price of the car by a large amount with options many of which won't affect resale value that much (e.g. £9K of options on my coupe), but if you are buying new then you might as well have exactly what you want. Otherwise you may as well find a nearly new one and save money.
My pikey version has.
Stereo speaker upgrade, usb, adaptive lights, leather, bluetooth and sun protect glass.
Satnav was not worth it at £2k and I don't think it is really going to hit resale very hard.
I would like to see what the facelift has by way of satnav/computer as I could be swayed next time.
D
Stereo speaker upgrade, usb, adaptive lights, leather, bluetooth and sun protect glass.
Satnav was not worth it at £2k and I don't think it is really going to hit resale very hard.
I would like to see what the facelift has by way of satnav/computer as I could be swayed next time.
D
BOR said:
Just one negative point re. Panoramic Roof option - I was sat in the back of one the other day, and, admittedly I'm 6'2", but there was a lot less headroom because of the roof.
Seems like a popular option though, so could be good for resale.
never to the tune of £1000 come resale time thoughSeems like a popular option though, so could be good for resale.
i'd definately wait for the facelift model, from week 36 build (sept). i've seen it, there's not that much difference visually, new wheels for the se, two extra ridge lines on the bonnet, new rear lights, electric window switches moved 2cm further back in the car, much better idrive... however its the engines that are the good bit...
the new 330d single turbo has been chipped to the nearly the same level as the current twin turbo, with a reduction in emissions and improvement in economy, 0-60 will be 6 secs dead.
the 335 will be chipped to plus 300 hp...
wait till sept..
the new 330d single turbo has been chipped to the nearly the same level as the current twin turbo, with a reduction in emissions and improvement in economy, 0-60 will be 6 secs dead.
the 335 will be chipped to plus 300 hp...
wait till sept..
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