Convenience Package for 35i Premium and Sport Activity a ripoff?
 

Is it just me or is the Convenience Package for the 35i Premium and Sport Activity trim lines a complete ripoff? It's $2,750 list and I feel like I could live without most of it. Even worse, BMW forces you to buy it if you want the Technology Package!

Convenience Package
316 Power tailgate
319 Universal garage-door opener
417 Rear manual side window shades
430 Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors
488 Lumbar support
4NA Digital compass mirror
4NB 4-zone automatic climate control
563 Ambiance lighting
639 BMW Assist with Bluetooth

I think most of the cost is in 639, as it is a service.

I think the bluetooth hardware is pretty cheap. I'm curious how much other people use BMW Assist. When I had it before I don't believe I ever used it.

Auto dimming mirrors, while not a MUST have, sure are a nice feature when some butthole has his brights on behind you...

Add up all the individual option prices, what is the total?

Now see what a monthly payment (purchase or lease) would be with and without this $2750. Is it worth it?

Then if you decide it isn't, just tell the dealer you'll take the car with the package, but will not pay for it (knock it off the price, and you have a deal)

You know, if you have a negotiated price with the salesman that has so much profit built in that he has the flexibility to do this, then you really don't have much of a good deal going in.

Or you could say "I think the package is worth $1500"

I find it easy to walk away when someone says no to me.

We have something called the "Premium Package" here in Canada which includes more stuff like the panoramic sunroof and nevada leather) but costs a lot more too. It all depends on if you will use the options.

316 Power tailgate - I would use it for sure. If you have to buy groceries, it's great because the bottom half of the rear hatch stays closed and you can open the tailgate as you get to the car. My previous LR Discovery had a really heavy back door that swung out to the right and it was a PITA.

319 Universal garage-door opener - Had it in the Discovery and it's useful. Rather than clip an garage door opener to your visor and worry about batteries dying, you can program a button (or two) in the car. No need to worry about batteries.

417 Rear manual side window shades - could be good if you have young children in the back seat. Otherwise will not be useful.

430 Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors - Always good if you drive a fair bit at night. If not, it may not be too useful.

488 Lumbar support - One of those options you will use and adjust once (unless it has memory for your spouse) but yo would probably miss if it wasn't there. It depends on if you are used to lumbar support or if you are a hunchback.

4NA Digital compass mirror - May be useful if you don't have navigation. Otherwise, you will hear one "wow" com e out of yourself if you never had a compass before and then you'll never look at it again.

4NB 4-zone automatic climate control - Good for backseat passengers. Depends on if you have kids or frequently drive others that make use of the back seat.

563 Ambiance lighting - very subtle option but reviews here say that it's a great feature. Don't have my X5 yet so we'll see how useful it is. I'm sure it's useful at night driving on unlit sections of road/highway.

639 BMW Assist with Bluetooth - BMW Assist is included for one year in Canada so I'm not sure if it is the same in the US. I'm also not sure if this is Bluetooth integration for US cars (it comes stock in Canada) but if it is, it's worth every dime. We have local laws that prevent us from driving while on the phone. I can't imagine what it would be like without this integration up here. The addition of Voice Control make it all the more sweet.

If you do use many/most options, it's probably good to get. If you don't (maybe don't have kids or others that occupy the back seat much) than the package may be something you can pass on and you could get the specific individual options you'd like. Here in Canada, individual options are not available so if you don't get the package, you don't get the options.

There's going to be a major disconnect if you tell the dealer the package is only worth $1500 when the invoice price for the convenience package is $2505. I'm sorry but the dealer is not about to write off $1005 because the buyer doesn't think it's "worth" it unless he has plenty of profit elsewhere in the deal.

I hate the BMW Assist.... AKA 'On Star'... the whole 'nanny' aspect of it offends my sense of autonomy, independence and ability. I know where I am going, I don't need someone to unlock my car, I can order my on F&$%$#ng concert tickets, and thank you I have reservations for dinner already.

Before someone says "Oh, what if you're in an accident and you cannot call for help?", I will say that is my own fault- and I'd rather trade that vanishingly small possibility against the feebleness that OnStar/BWM Assist makes me feel.

As Americans (and apparently Canadians ;) ) we are too soft, too fearful and overly pre-occupied with being 'safe'.

Go out and live life.

Back to the question: Yes it is a rip off.... so?

A

I don't necessarily hate it, but I don't see the value in it. It came free (for one year) with my 535, but I never called them to activate it, it wasn't worth the phone call to me. They sent me reminders a few times, which I promptly chucked away.

I got a wallet card with their phone number on it, that was fine for if I ever needed a tow.