Premium Sound worth it for non-audiophile? - Get it for resale value?

[93HardTopTurbo]

So I've done w/o a stereosystem of any kind my car for over 3 years and am not an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination. That said, any radio would be a step up from no radio.

I'm wondering if the Premium Sound system is worth the extra $1,900? Is this an option that most used M3 buyers will be looking for? Should I get it just for better resale value 5 - 6 years down the road? Well, I guess not "better resale value" but would it make my car more attractive to potential buyers in the future?

My dealer does not have an M3 w/ a stock system so I can't compare them back to back. Just wondering if the sound quality is really that much better compared to the stock system.

Thanks.

[Epacy]

This topic has been discussed extensively. Search around.

[M3aHOLIC84]

i saw if you have done without a stereo for 3 years, do yourself a favor and save $1,900. thats my opinion

[Alumac]

Originally Posted by 93HardTopTurbo

So I've done w/o a stereosystem of any kind my car for over 3 years and am not an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination. That said, any radio would be a step up from no radio.

I'm wondering if the Premium Sound system is worth the extra $1,900? Is this an option that most used M3 buyers will be looking for? Should I get it just for better resale value 5 - 6 years down the road? Well, I guess not "better resale value" but would it make my car more attractive to potential buyers in the future?

My dealer does not have an M3 w/ a stock system so I can't compare them back to back. Just wondering if the sound quality is really that much better compared to the stock system.

Thanks.

If you want to hear the stock system go sit in a 328 without the Logic 7 system.

[Krueger///M3]

If you're not an audiophile, why get it?

[93HardTopTurbo]

Originally Posted by Krueger///M3

If you're not an audiophile, why get it?

Because:

1. If it sounds that much better than the stock system to the untrained ear (mine) then I wouldn't mind getting it and (maybe more importantly),
2. If it makes my car a more attractive purchase to a future buyer 5 - 6 years from now, then I should get it

Seems like a lot of people think it's worth it so that makes me think that down the line, a buyer will probably want it so I'll just add it to my list. Thanks.

[Krueger///M3]

Originally Posted by 93HardTopTurbo

Because:

1. If it sounds that much better than the stock system to the untrained ear (mine) then I wouldn't mind getting it and (maybe more importantly),
2. If it makes my car a more attractive purchase to a future buyer 5 - 6 years from now, then I should get it

Seems like a lot of people think it's worth it so that makes me think that down the line, a buyer will probably want it so I'll just add it to my list. Thanks.

Sure, you are probably right, many may want the upgraded sound.

[drvai]

Originally Posted by 93HardTopTurbo

Because:

1. If it sounds that much better than the stock system to the untrained ear (mine) then I wouldn't mind getting it and (maybe more importantly),
2. If it makes my car a more attractive purchase to a future buyer 5 - 6 years from now, then I should get it

Seems like a lot of people think it's worth it so that makes me think that down the line, a buyer will probably want it so I'll just add it to my list. Thanks.

This has been discussed a lot on this forum, but you gave your own answer.

I still haven't had the opportunity to check the premium sound system, but I do think is something most people should get.
So how can I make this statement without even knowing the system in question?

Because the stock stereo systems in every brand suck (including the BMW stock system). They are horrible, and this is specially seen in cars with "generic" radios. Most auto makers just ask big companies (being blaupunkt a popular one in europe) to produce a cheap system for their base models.
They just as for a system that "does the job" as cheap as possible. When they tell you they have 10 speakers or so and 1000W, that doesn't mean anything. Even if you compare RMS watts vs RMS watts.
THE QUALITY of the components is what counts in this thing.


As I already said, if you are just going to hear news on the radio or spoken programs, then the stock system is more than enough, but for music, go for the premium. If at any time in the future you would like to have a better system, upgrading will be a pain in the ass and you will regret it.

By offering a premium sound, BMW is giving you the opportunity to have a great factory-installed system (and design for the car), that's integrated with the iDrive.

Aftermarket installation is such a hassle. And because you must install external amps in order to get a good sound, it makes it a special pain in the ass and you will probably finish up loosing space in the trunk (I have had this problem for years). (no external amps means no possibility of having a good sound system).