E70 Options, Packages, Issues

[TiminIndy]

I currently have an `06 E53 3.0i w/ Sport and Cold Weather Package and am thinking about upgrading to an E70. I know there are a ton of 'switching from E53 to E70' threads and I have read many of them, but I have some questions to help me look for the options I want. I have some options that are must have and others that I prefer to have. Many of the listings have the options listed in paragraph form, which takes a while to decipher, or I go to the pics to look for options I want.

Can anyone direct me to where it lists exactly what is included with the Sport Package, Technology Package, & Cold Weather Package? I saw a site where I can lookup VIN to see all options, but can't find that either.

I went to test drive an `09 3.0 the other day and was surprised to find it didn't have Nav - I figured they all did. Between that and the dark brown interior, I won't be getting that one, but it had 80K mi, very clean, listed at $14,900 from a small dealer, and it looks like I can find similar with options I want around that price. I read that I should look for built after 11/08 to avoid ticking valve lifter issue, so that's where I am starting, and I think I want to stick with the 6 cyl for reliability. While the E70 is a little bigger than the E53, to me it seemed a little more cramped from the driver's seat and felt like a smaller car to drive.

I wanted to stay around $15K, but now I'm looking at some `11 xDrive35i's at 75-80K mi for just under $20K, so I am leaning toward that, but definitely don't want to go over $20K. I think I read about some electronic issue that was de-bugged for 2011, but I can't remember what it was (charging system?). Looks like with similar mileage, an `11 is about $5K more than an '09, but that gets me N55 instead of N52 and 8 speed ZF instead of 6 speed ZF, and I'm assuming both would be more reliable.

I think I am going to check out an `11 with 75K mi today that has most, but not all of my boxes checked - small dealer has it at $19,900.

Must haves: Nav, heated front seats, light tan interior, 6 cylinder

Like to have: heated steering wheel, luxury seats with more adjustment points (whatchacallit?), heated rear seats, no 3rd row, darker window tint than the one below, backup camera (if they have Nav, will they always have backup cam?)

Today's test ride:

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