To LED or not to LED

[Zee Dgerman]

hey guys,

they have a cabrio at the dealer here, very nice gray over orange interior. Its loaded except for executive pkg. This means no surround camera and no front LED lights. Big deal or no?

thanks

[firstknight69]

No Exec package would be a big deal for me... rear camera, park distance, comfort access and of course HUD. The LED package is separate and not a necessity in my opinion. The LED look cool, but the xenons are no slouch. They look good too.

[dmk08]

LED for sure IMO.

[lpphreakx06]

No comfort access might be a deal breaker for me. I would use that as a negotiation point to get as far under msrp as you can.

[SakhirM4]

I don't have the Exec package on my M4, have Xenon lights, and I am very satisfied with the car

[Zee Dgerman]

Originally Posted by firstknight69

No Exec package would be a big deal for me... rear camera, park distance, comfort access and of course HUD. The LED package is separate and not a necessity in my opinion. The LED look cool, but the xenons are no slouch. They look good too.

In canada I think, executive is only the LED and the surround camera. The car has all the rest included in the premium package which has the parking sensors, the rear camera, the hud etc... so this car would have everything except the surround camera and the LED.

[tom @ eas]

Don't settle. Wait and get the exact build you want or you'll only be disappointed later.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Don't settle. Wait and get the exact build you want or you'll only be disappointed later.

What he said, I really wanted the xenons.

[OneRib]

It's only a big deal if you really wanted those features. Neither one is so important that you would be missing out.

LED's are about 20% brighter and have a whiter light.
Surround camera is good if you need to parallel park and you don't want curb rash.

You can always act like its a big deal to get the best price.

[Vigilant]

You need the executive package. The LEDs are nice, but in my opinion are superfluous.

[Zee Dgerman]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Don't settle. Wait and get the exact build you want or you'll only be disappointed later.

yeah that's what I'm thinking. But I still have to drop my X3 for service tomorrow, I'll see if they are open for negotiations. The car has been sitting there for a while and it really isn't the best time of year for them to sell these cars, might be able to get a great deal...

[woosolow]

Originally Posted by captain freez

In canada I think, executive is only the LED and the surround camera. The car has all the rest included in the premium package which has the parking sensors, the rear camera, the hud etc... so this car would have everything except the surround camera and the LED.

Correct. For Canadian version, exec. package combines with LED, surround view, full leather with nice stitches dashboard, heated rear seats and curtains... but i think C$5,000; it's such a rip off from my opinion (no offense)...

i got my f80 with premium only, i just add a parking assist just for fun (make it more fancy)?


LED costs $2k without any performance gain, i m ok with my xenon (i rather throw $2k on winter setup or performance / cosmetic mods like CF splitters, lip or something else)

- full leather dash is such an eye-candy, but i think as time goes by (direct sunlight exposures) it will wear and tear faster than plastic dash?!

- surround view is nice concept, but i believe if u get a m4, u have some basic skills for parking? or if u want something fancy, try a $400 upgrade on the park assist *very precise for parallel parking*.


less than 20% of chances my parents / friends will sit at the back, so i dont think heated rear seat is a must for me... so it's all depends...

i tinted my windows, so once again, curtains is not necessary for me as well. =P



last but not least, if you have the money and budget is not your constraint, then go for execu. package

Please refer to the cropped images attached for quick reference.

[dmk08]

I would give up my exec package before my LEDs. In fact as I've said before exec pack is my biggest regret.

[Damasconian]

Most bang for the option buck:

1) Adaptive suspension - only $1000 and I use it every single day
2)
3)
4)
5)
6) LED's - They look cool but there are many other areas to spend $2000. Extended leather, cameras, and even drivers assist are used more than my LED's. Easily the one option I could skip and never know the difference.

[woosolow]

since OP is located in Canada, i attached the 2015 BMW M3 / M4 Canadian Order Guide for ease of reference.

or just refer to the cropped images i attached from bmw.ca





as there are quite of few members are from USA, therefore, the package contents are vary between US / Canada.

LED package can be added as a standalone option in USA,

but not in Canada.

[991brothers]

Get the LED Package

[Carl L]

Seeing them side by side, I prefer the look of the xenon bulbs esp given they come with LED halo running lights. The top/side view cameras and LEDs did not appeal to me, esp given that LEDs can be specced on the 1-Series in Europe for less than half the price.

It' all about what's you think and prefer as its your car. There's no right or wrong choice. I don't notice or care for LED tail lights so take that into account when balancing my comments on lighting.

Damasconian- agreed re adaptive being great bang for the buck. I'd also add the 19s and the HK sound to that (provided you keep these things stock). That said, some people love the LEDs so they likely see value in those too.

[DrtyJrze]

There's are a couple of LED threads to search for...

I have the xenons on the 328, LEDs on the M3. LEDs are better in light output and look. If you do any country/night driving get the LEDs. If you live in the city it may not be as important.

I thought I wouldn't use all of the exec features, but I do. Glad I checked that box.

[DrtyJrze]

Originally Posted by Carl L

Seeing them side by side, I prefer the look of the xenon bulbs esp given they come with LED halo running lights. The top/side view cameras and LEDs did not appeal to me, esp given that LEDs can be specced on the 1-Series in Europe for less than half the price.

It' all about what's you think and prefer as its your car. There's no right or wrong choice...

Agree, personal preference. I had the opposite response to you when I saw the LEDs and Xenons side by side coming off the factory line during ED. I was SO happy I got the LEDs.

Either way, the driving exp trumps what lights you choose.

[Vectors2final]

I just added LEDs at the last moment. I couldn't take it anymore, and just when I thought I was perfectly fine with the Xenons, I just wanted the tech. I think it would definitely help down the line when it comes time to sell. I was able to get the change in, and it should be going into production any time now.

I'm biased because I LED everything I can... My home has LEDs everywhere, and so will my new house.

[Bluex]

Originally Posted by Carl L

Seeing them side by side, I prefer the look of the xenon bulbs esp given they come with LED halo running lights. The top/side view cameras and LEDs did not appeal to me, esp given that LEDs can be specced on the 1-Series in Europe for less than half the price.

It' all about what's you think and prefer as its your car. There's no right or wrong choice. I don't notice or care for LED tail lights so take that into account when balancing my comments on lighting.

Damasconian- agreed re adaptive being great bang for the buck. I'd also add the 19s and the HK sound to that (provided you keep these things stock). That said, some people love the LEDs so they likely see value in those too.

Agreed on this. I struggled with whether or not to add the LED's to my config, and ultimately decided not to. I actually prefer the look of the Xenon and I just cannot see a benefit, for me that is, in splurging for the LED's (especially since I prefer the Xenon look). It's really a very personal decision.

For me, I thought the full leather interior was far more important and that i'd get much more enjoyment from. However, when I sat in a Carbonstructure (cloth) interior I was very much impressed. If they offered a full leather dash with the Carbonstructure, I would have done that.

The point is, if you really like the "latest/greatest" tech and it will eat at your soul if you dont get it, and you find yourself doing a good amount of evening driving in your M then maybe LED's are for you. If not, then you may not find that 2k money well spent.

But it's something YOU have to live with, and nobody on here can make it so you will or you wont

[OneRib]

One thing I will add about LEDs is its very dependent on where you live. I do a lot of driving on rural roads with little or no lighting and the LED's on my wife's X5 are a noticeable improvement over any Xenon lights I've had (including from BMW).
The light is whiter and crisper. I find its a safety feature, especially with deer running around.

If you are in a more well light urban area, it doesn't make much difference.