What are "must have options" for my son's 325?

pharding · 03-18-2005, 10:54 PM

My son in LA is going to order a very basic 325 for European Delivery. Since he is just getting out of grad school he needs to keep it basic, as in not too expensive. What options do you guys recommend?

The e90 looks to be another great car for BMW.

I am a BMW enthusiast. I admire what BMW is doing. For my enthusiasm I got banned from that POS RF Board. My proudest achievement in BMW circles is that I was the first person in the US to have Bluetooth on an e60 in the US.

blackpanther · 03-18-2005, 11:21 PM

I always felt that sports seats are a definite requirement, especially if you're going to drive these cars like they're meant to be driven. I hate that shifting around in the seat feeling during hard cornering and want to feel snug and tucked in.

Since he's in LA, he should definitely get a sunroof! Nothing better than cruising around with the sun beaming down on you (when you're in the mood of course). I dunno what I'd do in the sunny OC without my sunroof.

I dunno how good/bad the Idrive system is (but you probably do from your e60), but maybe that's a worthy option?

Other than those, the rest are frills IMO and can be left off the list to keep the $$ down.

Good luck! and oh, i'm no fan of RF either

bimmerphreak · 03-18-2005, 11:37 PM

r u going with him on europe delivery?? that's one of my dreams

pharding · 03-19-2005, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmerphreak

r u going with him on europe delivery?? that's one of my dreams

Unfortunately I did not get invited. European delivery is a great deal. Plus it is a lot of fun. I did it in 2001 and 2004. I saved 9 % off of the US MSRP in March of 2004. He is getting his 325 for $500 over Euro Dealer Invoice.

In LA with the traffic can he get by with manual transmission or should he get the automatic transmission?

spikes111 · 03-19-2005, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharding

Unfortunately I did not get invited. European delivery is a great deal. Plus it is a lot of fun. I did it in 2001 and 2004. I saved 9 % off of the US MSRP in March of 2004. He is getting his 325 for $500 over Euro Dealer Invoice.

In LA with the traffic can he get by with manual transmission or should he get the automatic transmission?

Depends how much he likes rowing gears. Also, does he have to sit in highway congestion every day? Is SMG an option, or too expensive an option? I put up with manual in traffic because those times when there's no traffic it's worth it.

PongY · 03-19-2005, 07:34 AM

gonna agree with blackpanther on the sports seats - what's the point in getting the best handling car in its class if ure not handlng it to a point where you need sports seats. unless he's getting a cabrio, i'd go for the sunroof too or else hes just wasting that nice weather.

pharding: has your son decided on a color? you've done europe delivery twice?! tell us a little about the experience.

gianni · 03-19-2005, 09:10 AM

the good news is that the sunroof comes standard on the e90. Im planning on doing ED in July. I did ED in July 2002 and its a great experience. $500 over ED invoice is a GREAT price on an e90. How did he manage to get that?

Prices arent released yet !! I was expecting at least $1500 over ED invoice on a new model like the e90 given the initial high demand.

SoCalS2k · 03-19-2005, 11:04 AM

I remeber a few years ago when my brother bought a 328i E46, there was another program for people just graduating school where they gave him excellent rates and took money off the car. I'm not sure if the program still exists, but ask the dealer if they have it cause ull get some bucks off for that too.

sushi-x · 03-19-2005, 09:32 PM

I think BMW still has that. They also lower the credit requirements a little bit cuz they know students don't have much credit history.

mad-azn · 03-20-2005, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gianni

the good news is that the sunroof comes standard on the e90. Im planning on doing ED in July. I did ED in July 2002 and its a great experience. $500 over ED invoice is a GREAT price on an e90. How did he manage to get that?

Prices arent released yet !! I was expecting at least $1500 over ED invoice on a new model like the e90 given the initial high demand.

Standard sunroof?? woohoo! I hope the markup isn't too crazy.. I was hoping to trade in for one pretty soon after launch.

pharding · 03-21-2005, 06:45 AM

Our current thinking. He is leasing so the residual value is important. Current residual value for a 330 is 61% of US MSRP and 55% for the 325. He is leaning towards a 330 6-speed, sport package, leather seats, black on black. Just the basics. Maybe he will upgrade to sparkling graphite metallic paint.

Daveop · 03-21-2005, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharding

Our current thinking. He is leasing so the residual value is important. Current residual value for a 330 is 61% of US MSRP and 55% for the 325. He is leaning towards a 330 6-speed, sport package, leather seats, black on black. Just the basics. Maybe he will upgrade to sparkling graphite metallic paint.

Sounds great. Just like my M-Coupe black/black/leather

With European delivery will he get it any faster than people here take delivery the traditional way?

Trigun · 03-21-2005, 09:35 AM

He'll probably get it even later than people picking one from their dealer's lot??

jiggz · 03-21-2005, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharding

My son in LA is going to order a very basic 325 for European Delivery. Since he is just getting out of grad school he needs to keep it basic, as in not too expensive. What options do you guys recommend?

A nicely optioned car is generally preferred over a stripped down one, but the only 2 critical options, IMO, are a manual transmission and the Sport Package. The rest is just fluff (although nice). And, the manual will save you $ vs. an automatic or SMG equipped car.

Are xenons standard on the E90 (maybe just on the 330?)? I'd opt for those as well, just because they're

but I'd happily pass on them to have a manual and/or Sport Package if it came down to choosing options.

PongY · 03-21-2005, 10:44 PM

Xenons aren't standard on all e90. I agree with jiggz. 6 speed and sports package are a MUST. other things that would be nice is xenons and sunroof (tho that's standard now).

Daveop · 03-22-2005, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiggz

A nicely optioned car is generally preferred over a stripped down one, but the only 2 critical options, IMO, are a manual transmission and the Sport Package. The rest is just fluff (although nice). And, the manual will save you $ vs. an automatic or SMG equipped car.

Are xenons standard on the E90 (maybe just on the 330?)? I'd opt for those as well, just because they're

but I'd happily pass on them to have a manual and/or Sport Package if it came down to choosing options.

Buying my M-coupe was good in that way... there were very frew options, almost everything was standard. Didn't have to wrack my brain thinking of what options to get and which ones to give up.

03-18-2005, 10:54 PM	#1
pharding Major 308 Rep 1,128 Posts Drives: 23 Audi Q4 e-tron + 14 X3 28i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	What are "must have options" for my son's 325? My son in LA is going to order a very basic 325 for European Delivery. Since he is just getting out of grad school he needs to keep it basic, as in not too expensive. What options do you guys recommend? The e90 looks to be another great car for BMW. I am a BMW enthusiast. I admire what BMW is doing. For my enthusiasm I got banned from that POS RF Board. My proudest achievement in BMW circles is that I was the first person in the US to have Bluetooth on an e60 in the US.
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03-18-2005, 11:21 PM	#2
blackpanther Enlisted Member 6 Rep 33 Posts Drives: Dinan 3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I always felt that sports seats are a definite requirement, especially if you're going to drive these cars like they're meant to be driven. I hate that shifting around in the seat feeling during hard cornering and want to feel snug and tucked in. Since he's in LA, he should definitely get a sunroof! Nothing better than cruising around with the sun beaming down on you (when you're in the mood of course). I dunno what I'd do in the sunny OC without my sunroof. I dunno how good/bad the Idrive system is (but you probably do from your e60), but maybe that's a worthy option? Other than those, the rest are frills IMO and can be left off the list to keep the $$ down. Good luck! and oh, i'm no fan of RF either __________________
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03-18-2005, 11:37 PM	#3
bimmerphreak Enlisted Member 7 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 03 330ci Join Date: Mar 2005 iTrader: (0)	r u going with him on europe delivery?? that's one of my dreams
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03-19-2005, 07:34 AM	#6
PongY Enlisted Member 5 Rep 31 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	gonna agree with blackpanther on the sports seats - what's the point in getting the best handling car in its class if ure not handlng it to a point where you need sports seats. unless he's getting a cabrio, i'd go for the sunroof too or else hes just wasting that nice weather. pharding: has your son decided on a color? you've done europe delivery twice?! tell us a little about the experience.
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03-19-2005, 09:10 AM	#7
gianni Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2005 iTrader: (0)	sunroof standard the good news is that the sunroof comes standard on the e90. Im planning on doing ED in July. I did ED in July 2002 and its a great experience. $500 over ED invoice is a GREAT price on an e90. How did he manage to get that? Prices arent released yet !! I was expecting at least $1500 over ED invoice on a new model like the e90 given the initial high demand.
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03-19-2005, 11:04 AM	#8
SoCalS2k Major 450 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: S2K! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: LA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2001 Honda S2k [8.50]	I remeber a few years ago when my brother bought a 328i E46, there was another program for people just graduating school where they gave him excellent rates and took money off the car. I'm not sure if the program still exists, but ask the dealer if they have it cause ull get some bucks off for that too.
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03-19-2005, 09:32 PM	#9
sushi-x New Member 3 Rep 20 Posts Drives: E90 soon Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin Texas iTrader: (0)	I think BMW still has that. They also lower the credit requirements a little bit cuz they know students don't have much credit history.
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03-21-2005, 06:45 AM	#11
pharding Major 308 Rep 1,128 Posts Drives: 23 Audi Q4 e-tron + 14 X3 28i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Our current thinking. He is leasing so the residual value is important. Current residual value for a 330 is 61% of US MSRP and 55% for the 325. He is leaning towards a 330 6-speed, sport package, leather seats, black on black. Just the basics. Maybe he will upgrade to sparkling graphite metallic paint.
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03-21-2005, 09:35 AM	#13
Trigun New Member 2 Rep 19 Posts Drives: soon to be e90 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sin City iTrader: (0)	He'll probably get it even later than people picking one from their dealer's lot?? __________________
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03-21-2005, 10:44 PM	#15
PongY Enlisted Member 5 Rep 31 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Xenons aren't standard on all e90. I agree with jiggz. 6 speed and sports package are a MUST. other things that would be nice is xenons and sunroof (tho that's standard now).
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