[byoung8]

I'm in the market for a sedan and I've fallen for a 335i. I drove my buddy's and it's so quick feeling and fast.

So what do you guys think...
2007 or 2008 - Is the extra year of manufacturer's warranty worth it? The difference of price with used cars in California is around $2000.

Paddle shifters? My buddy beat me and he didnt even use the paddles or the manual shift on the shifter. He said he put it in sport mode and let the computer do all the driving.

Sports package is a must, but what about Premium package? I also like the idea of the comfort access.

CPO or will any extended warranty be good coverage?

iDrive - I like the way it looks in the car and the features are nice. My buddy said that there was glitches with this system. Anyone have any input on if it's been fixed, or what to look for if it's still malfunctioning?

RFTs - if I dont want them, do you think the dealership will switch them out, or am I stuck with it and have to buy a new set of tires? I've seen a lot of you guys with aftermarket wheels but with the BMW center cap. Can the center cap be installed on aftermarket wheels or are those actual BMW aftermarket wheels?

This will be my first used car purchase and just want to make sure I choose the right one. IN town there aren't many selections...the good pickings are at least 3 hours away.

Thanks in advance. I probably forgot some other issues to address so please any input is good input.

[kurtural]

Go to BMW of San Fran and ask for Sergei. Do not buy a CPO BMW in Fresno, Visalia or Bako.

[byoung8]

Originally Posted by kurtural

Go to BMW of San Fran and ask for Sergei. Do not buy a CPO BMW in Fresno, Visalia or Bako.

Really? Do you have friendly connections in SF?

[username604]

with bmw, you can almost go for anything with the warranty. Its really useful and important to have. Whatever it comes down to, make sure its a clean carfax and its CPO.

[Ronin416]

Call Eric at Crevier in So Cal

[byoung8]

What do you guys think about the iDrive? Is it true that the map updates cost around $200? Is it easier to not use the iDrive for climate/radio/etc.?

[E90Alex]

i feel like the e90 interior is not good looking without idrive

[byoung8]

Originally Posted by E90Alex

i feel like the e90 interior is not good looking without idrive

I agree, it looks incomplete as if there should be something there. But how's the functionality of it?

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by byoung8

2007 or 2008 - Is the extra year of manufacturer's warranty worth it? The difference of price with used cars in California is around $2000.

Probably not...

Originally Posted by byoung8

Paddle shifters? My buddy beat me and he didnt even use the paddles or the manual shift on the shifter. He said he put it in sport mode and let the computer do all the driving.

I would not let this be the deciding factor about whether to buy a certain car or not. The car is no less cool and fantastic because your buddy beat you.

Originally Posted by byoung8

Sports package is a must, but what about Premium package? I also like the idea of the comfort access.

I would not let this be the deciding factor on whether to buy a certain car or not. Leather is the best thing in the Premiun package. The rest of the stuff in it is, as is leather seats, pure "gizmo" and will add little if any real value to the car.

Originally Posted by byoung8

CPO or will any extended warranty be good coverage?

I recommend doing CPO because you know such a car is at least up to a predefined set of standards. If you have a good mechanic who can give you an objective opinion about a non-CPO vehicle, you may do fine buy purchasing such a car.

Originally Posted by byoung8

RFTs - ... do you think the dealership will switch them out, or am I stuck with it and have to buy a new set of tires?

RFTs are standard equipment on the cars you seek to buy. It's unlikely the dealer will swap them out, but you can ask and lose nothing by having done so.

Originally Posted by byoung8

I've seen a lot of you guys with aftermarket wheels but with the BMW center cap. Can the center cap be installed on aftermarket wheels or are those actual BMW aftermarket wheels?

It would be impossible for us to fully answer this question without a picture of the wheels you are interested in. As goes installing center caps...where there's a will, there's a way. But it strikes me as odd that someone would spend the cash on wheels and then "advertise" them as BMW wheels....

[byoung8]

Most 2007s for sale do not have the oil cooler installed. Do you guys think it's a big deal that they do not have the oil cooler?