Is (ZPP) Premium Package worth it now?
 

Now that the panoramic moonroof is standard on all 2008 X5's, it appears that even with the price decrease in the package, that the value of the package has gone down significantly. For those of you with the Premium Package in your E70's currently, what do you think you would do if you had to order it over again. Would you do it? Is there enough value in the package now to be worth it?

$2,750 for the 3.0is
$1,750 for the 4.8i

In the following list, are there any "must haves" left?

ZPP Premium Package
319 Universal Garage Door Opener
430 Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors
488 Lumbar support
493 Storage package
4NA Digital compass mirror
563 Ambient light package
639 BMW Assist
LU Nevada Leather (3.0is only)

In addition, bluetooth didn't show up on the (639) line on current orders. Anyone know if it is still included?

Quick question:

1. What exactly does the "storage package" include...

1. Those are the "rails" with adjustable/sliding hooks in the rear cargo area I believe.

Hmmm, didn't you get premium package for your E53 X5 3.0i? I would get if it were me and I did get it for my E53. I would get it if it was my E70. However, only you can answer this question. You can piecemeal some of the things, but in the end it may be a little cheaper, but not much. I am not sure what the storage package is, but BMW Assist will be free for 4 years (but then I travel alot and you really don't). Again, only you can answer this question.

Depends on what is important to you. Following are important to me and I am sure at least the first 2 can be retrofitted and the bluetooth.

319 Universal Garage Door Opener
430 Auto-dimming interior and Power folding exterior mirrors
639 BMW Assist with bluetooth - stand alone its $750.

Yes, but that's an apples to oranges comparison now.

That's pretty much my thinking on it as well. I would definitely and immediately do a retrofit on the UGDO ;).

Unless I'm missing something, don't forget that leather seats are part of the premium package for the 3.0.

I would still get it, but unfortunatley these are the only features I would really want:

430 Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors
493 Storage package
563 Ambient light package
639 BMW Assist

Although I have never used BMW Assist, this is a safety feature that when needed is priceless.

Correct, I just edited the original post. Thanks :).

out of the premuim package i would only want
 

488 lumbar support
563 ambient light package
639 bmw assist

do i really need these 3 option. 1)i will be ordering the nav option so does this come w/ bmw assist? 2) lumbar support is good but are the std seats just as good? i have lumbar support in my current x5 but u know that deal, once u set the position u never touch it. 3) ambient light package seems cool and all but is it really needed?how does it work? i dont have it now.. do i pass up on the premuim package and buy the 20" wheels and tires instead? will my ride be much harsher? should i do it? or save my money

Does your auto dimming rear view still have the clown nose? Great point on the assist :thumbup: .

You and I are in the same place ;). I'm going with the 20's without hesitation. I think I would take the ZPP $$ and get A) auto tailgate B) comfort access. Those two options make much more sense to me :). Oh, and I'll retrofit the UGDO.

I have comfort access in one of my cars and its nice but not $1000 nice, trust me. At $1000 its a big rip-off.

yes it does, but since I work at a circus...

Thanks for that, I will reconsider that one.

Thats a matter of personal preference...I have it on my E70 and the feature is worth every penny I paid.
A few weeks ago I drove a loaner 3 series and really missed comfort access. I keep the fob in my pocket and you never search for keys, it is a great feature that I wont do w/o again on any future vehicles.

Decisions, decisions :rofl: . I was considering getting the Assist/Bluetooth in lieu of. That way if I end up getting an iPhone, I can use the bluetooth and charge the phone via the ipod/usb adapter option, and tap into my iPhones song library in lieu of a cd changer.. Since the iPhone fully integrates with the E70, I could actually get full functionality for a change :).

2. What is the ambient lighting package include?

I know what ambient lighting is, but what parts, what colors, etc?...

premium package NEEDS comfort access in my opinion... it just makes sense, given what it really stands for... premium... the nicer features... If it's not in it, and with what's currently in there, I'm really trying to justify it for the leather & ambient lights (the only 2 I care for in there). Prob go 20s like the other people instead... hmm... how much is the upgrade to the 214 Y-spokes anyway ?

I would take these:

639 BMW Assist - Must have for safety reasons.
488 lumbar support - helps my bad back

Doesn't the premium package come with that storage package (it has those rails on the cargo floor)...kewl for hooking up bikes, etc.

Also, BMW Assist on the premium package comes with Tele-service....may or may not be useful.

If you ever were to get into an accident, then BMW Assist will call for emergency services (you could be unconscious).

My dad got into a bad accident in his X and that is what his BMW Assist did. Something to consider....

BTW, doesn't Premium package come with BT? Why buy the stuff later only for the warranty to last only 2 years vs. 4-years.

If you retrofit stuff later, you only get 2-year warranty vs. the 4-year warranty that comes with the car when you get it factory installed. Something to consider SG!!:popcorn:

For Me
Auto-Dimming Mirrors (at least the rear-view) is a MUST
I can live without Power-Folding but it is nice with such large mirrors
The Light Package is cool, but not really worth the 1800

I would say, realistically no, but I always lease so it adds little to the payment so I always say go for it

I didn't have a dimming mirror on my 3.0i and couldn't stand it and quickly had one installed with the compass, the 'Reg has The Dim and Compass again and I love it

The Lumber support was useless to me (The Reg as the 4-way too and I have yet to use it)

Back in '05 the PP added alot more important content for me (Wood Interior, Leather etc)

I would say, leave it off, the 4.8i is a fine vehicle without it but I would add the auto-dim mirror in from the stealership (Mine was 300 something installed)

I know what I have but not what may be standard. You get white lights under the outside door latches and door for puddle lights. Yellow-gold (matches cluster lights) under the inside door handles and white lights in the front and back footwells. Probably some other lights I am missing.

Personally I have not gotten around to prgramming the garage door opener as I have random codes and it take a bit more time I think. The rails in the back are OK but I put in a mat so all the latches are dumped in a tray. The rearview mirror compus is a duplicate if you have nav. I tinted the windows so have not noticed much for the auto dimming feature.

I also have comfort access and it is a personal thing.

Well you may also want to think about resale value. If you care about those things. From what I have seen in the wholesale market, non premium package cars will go for quite a bit less than ones with premium and depreciate faster.. Well equiped BMW's always command better resale value and from what I have been seeing at auctions it is worth getting the premium package in the long run. This is my experience.

I am in the same boat as SG...I just placed an order for an 08 4.8 Black Sapphire with Sport, 20s, Tech, PP, auto tailgate, etc. I have been thinking about forgoing the PP and adding Premium Sound.

Anybody able to tell a difference between the Premium Sound and standard sound?

I believe no leather seats without premium package.