What Features/Package do you regret not getting?

[SeeYaLater]

I'm getting ready to purchase my first M3 and cannot decide what features/packages I want to go with. I would love to get them all, but this will not be my daily driver, so I think it may be a waste of money to get all the bells and whistles and not get to use them much.

So far I have down to a E90 Sedan, Alpine White, MDCT and Navigation (just because I like the looks of the screen, makes the interior more modern.)

1. Competition Package: Thought about it, but could also just get aftermarket wheels and suspension down the road making this a waste.

2. Convenience Package: I guess to get the Nav, you might as well go with this package.

3. Premium Package: Power folding mirrors, Compass and Garage Door opener for $2500? Is there really anything you cant live without in this package?

4. DDC: Does it really make a difference?

5. EPS: I was really not that impressed with the $1900 "improved" audio system so I can imagine just how bad the base system is. Couldn't you just go with the base system and add a good set of separates up front and a small amp?

6. Iphone/BMW Apps: I think this might be worth it for a few hundred bucks.


I kinda surprised that for a $65K+ car, most features are optional and easily can add up to another $10K. I would hate however, to make a purchase this expensive and regret not getting something down the road. It should also make it easier to sell in 3-5 years with "some options".

Another option is going with a used 2009 for $50ish and saving about $20K. I just have to find a E90 Sedan in Alpine White with MDCT....

[wwjd15]

Competition pkg. Waste of money in my case.

[FVM3]

get the used one and save up your money

[m3keash]

Competition package wasn't available since I got a vert. The only options I didn't get are 19" wheels and satellite radio. I got 20" aftermarket wheels and I don't miss satellite radio a bit with iDrive and BMW Apps.

[immiketoo]

4.4 liter motor.

[mdosu]

OEM alarm.

I do regret getting: moonroof, enhanced audio, and at times EDC and I-Drive.

[AMPowerJ]

DCT for the track.

[M3tallicar]

Ordering Premium especially because I want power seats with memory, Competition since I love the wheels and want the changes to suspension & EDC ( and after running into plenty of issues with BMW service and mods on cars in the past going to avoid doing that), plus heated seats since we use them all the time on other cars. Oh and Conv for nav/ car interface

[matthewk]

I regret not getting factory alarm. I would gladly pay $1000 just to have it make a small beep when I walked away from it pressing the lock button. I really dislike having to look at it to verify that it has indeed locked.

[Seattle S65B40]

Originally Posted by immiketoo

4.4 liter S65 motor.

[fixed]

THIS.

[Jeff_DML]

fold down rear seats would be nice

[Un_limited]

Originally Posted by matthewk

I regret not getting factory alarm. I would gladly pay $1000 just to have it make a small beep when I walked away from it pressing the lock button. I really dislike having to look at it to verify that it has indeed locked.

+1 this!!! with my past 335 i would do the exact same thing, but sometimes i would walk ten feet away from the car and would have to come back because i didn't know if i locked it or not! if it had the sound lock it woulda been alot better. hopefully bmw didnt mess up my order so i can get my m3 the way i want it.

[M3tallicar]

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

fold down rear seats would be nice

Ah yes, been convinced to add these

[Grail05]

i regret not getting the back up sensor... it sucks without it... sorry not sure whats it called.

[goto35]

couple things i miss bad! Nav, pdc, backup camera.

Hate to say it but my e46 m3 had much better technology. I had the latest double din, backup camera, pdc

[FVM3]

Originally Posted by jateshk

couple things i miss bad! Nav, pdc, backup camera.

Hate to say it but my e46 m3 had much better technology. I had the latest double din, backup camera, pdc

factory backup camera on e46?

[HBspeed]

Originally Posted by immiketoo

4.4 liter motor.

The only option I would order.

[TTG]

Here are the must have's for me:

Comfort Access
Heated Seats
I-Drive (like you I like the looks of it and the stuff you can do with it)
Park Distance Control (especially if you are getting Nav)
Bluetooth
Alarm
Auto Folding Mirrors (but not worth getting the Prem Pack just for those guys)


I personally wish that I paid the extra $$$ to get an Individual Color

[matthewk]

Originally Posted by Un_limited

+1 this!!! with my past 335 i would do the exact same thing, but sometimes i would walk ten feet away from the car and would have to come back because i didn't know if i locked it or not! if it had the sound lock it woulda been alot better. hopefully bmw didnt mess up my order so i can get my m3 the way i want it.

It was a complete blunder on my part. My 335 had it and my 550 had it with no specific option. I just assumed that the M3 would have it, dumb dumb dumb.

[Lagunae92]

You can get an alarm emulator for $250 or so from EAS. It does the beep as well as a few options with folding up the mirrors when locked and closing the windows. I was having the factory alarm retrofitted by turned out my car was not prewired. May just get this.

[persian54]

My car has every option I want.

Except I wish that I did not have CWP cause I hate the headlamp washers...and just keep the headed seats.
I also hate having the Alarm. it's a POS and I can't open the trunk without accidentally turning on the Alarm half the time

[F82_SID]

I regret not getting the smartphone integration. It was only a few hundred dollers but I thought "na, I will never get an IPhone"; a few months later I did. Now it, plus bmw apps is at least a 600$ retro-fit.

I think the biggest regret you might have is not getting the convenience package. Remember, the convenience package is how you get comfort access now. I HATE having to take the key out of my pocket for my other cars. Yes that may sound kind of lazy and stupid to some people but for me, that is one of my favorite bells on my car.

Oh, and to add to that, the Nav is worth every penny in my opinion!