Option and Package Feedback
 

All,

There is a chance I may make a move and order a 2011 d this weekend. That being said the wife and I are stuck between some options and colors. Looking for some feedback from the group (you guys have been beyond helpful, so I figured why not get some feedback on this too.)

Exterior colors in consideration:
1. Space gray – Different color then I’ve had before. Might hide the winter grime in MN nicely.
2. Black sapphire metallic – My truck is black and I am trying to avoid another black vehicle. But Oyster looks best with this combo. Black is a pain to keep clean, especially through a MN winter.
3. Sparkling bronze – I like the metallic flake and the “different” look. But this color could also get old quick and be a pain to resell because it narrows the market of potential buyers.

Interior colors in consideration:
1. Oyster – My favorite interior color hands down. Downside is I cannot get Nappa leather or Active Ventilated Seats. It also wouldn’t look that great if I went with Space gray.
2. Black (Napa or Nevada) – Downside is an entire black interior doesn’t have the wow factor of a two tone interior. Tan is out of the question. Not a fan of the BMW tan.

Packages/Options We’d Definitely Order:
· Premium Sound Package
· Premium Package
· Technology Package
· Cold Weather Package
· Comfort Access – No way I’m buying a BMW and having to stick a key in the dash.
· Heated Rear Seats – Keep the guests warm in the winter.
· 3rd Row Seat – I need a self leveling rear suspension for the boat in the summer.
·

Packages/Options on the Bubble or Dependent on Color Choice (i.e. Not offered with Oyster):
· Rear Climate Package – Wife really likes the pull up shades for the future baby. That being said I can buy a lot of the ones that stick to the window for $900.
· Sport Activity Package – I’m not a fan of the stock 18” rims. I really like the 20” rims but that means I have to spend $2,000 in order to spend another $900. But at $2,900 it’s probably cheaper (and includes more upgrades) then trying to buy them separately. This means I’ll have to buy winter rims and tires though next fall.
· Active Ventilated Seat Package – Gives me access to contour seats and the cooling feature would be really nice in the summer since the interior is all black.
· Multi Contour Seats – I can get these through the SAP or AVS. It’s neat but feels a bit over the top. I feel a bit pretentious asking my BMW to massage my butt while I’m driving. But then again with a MSRP pushing $70k loaded, this thing better be doing that and more.
· Napa Leather Package – I can get this through the Premium Package for the best price. Then I also have the Napa dash and center console. I sat in the Napa leather in a 7 series and LOVED the feel of this leather. Its butter smooth and makes the Nevada leather feel like borderline vinyl-leather. The big downside is I cannot get it in Oyster, Active Ventilated or means Multi-Contour is another $900, though I’m not completely sold on the multi-contour. Ideal scenario would be to have Napa with Active Ventilated Seats in Oyster.
· Napa Leather Dash – I could add this if I went with the Active Ventilated seats or Oyster. I think the leather and stitching provides a more expensive feel to the car (duh - because it is more money) but I like the look of the stitching.
· Auto High Beams – At only $250, I think it’d be nice to have and have a bigger convenience impact for the dollar spent.
· Carpeted Floor Mats – $165….blows my mind that $70k doesn’t include floor mats…am I missing something?
· All weather floor mats - $74…see above.

Packages/Options I like but probably won’t get due to the cost or cannot get:
· Heads-up display - At $1,300 its expensive and I see it being turned off more than it being on.
· Active Cruise Control – Not available on the diesel! Cannot believe it, I really like that feature.
· Space saving spare – I’m hosed in the winter or if I switch the 20” rims from RFT. Cannot get this because of the 3rd row seat
· Smart Phone Integration – We have android based phones that I don’t believe BMW supports. Not only that, can’t I have the Bluetooth port over the music from my phone? Then I already own a plug in charger for the phone. Just doesn’t seem necessary anymore.
· Side View Cameras – Were not that expensive for the impact when I say them on the inline 6. BUT not offered on the diesel. Not sure why.

Wow you haven't really limited iwhat you are on the fence about too much have you ;).

Colors: like you said re-sale is important so you don't want something off the wall. That being said, I would go with Space Gray since you stated you don't want another black vehicle. Also, black interior will also be your best re-sale option and that Oyster will be nightmare to keep clean long term and will show signs of wear more than black in just a couple of years.

Opinion on some of your Options, etc: Definitely get Climate as the tint makes a big difference in the appearance of it as well. Sport pack with 20's--a must have. Multi-contour I have and they are great. As far as the venilated seats I would think that will be hard apply seat cleaners as that might be a mess (again, thinking long term). You didn't mention Prem Sound---it's definitely worth it (if you like music). The carpeted floor mats--just talk to your SA and have them throw them in for free that is kind of a "BMW tradition" when you buy one.

All commets above and good luck in your decision

I have spent two weeks with my x5d, black sapphire metallic / cinnamon brown, and i just took my first road trip - to Lake Tahoe. What an amazing vehicle!

I optioned the car out very similarly to what you are planning to do... and I have some feedback for you:

1 - I got the Sports package with the 19" wheels and Adaptive Drive. It's amazing - like a magic carpet ride. I can't wipe the grin off my face when I am driving through the twisties in the mountain. I don't think you listed AD in your list, but consider it... maybe try to look for a demo with and without the feature. I'd opt for this combo for the driving pleasure, no question.

2 - definitely get the Auto high beams - they are fantastic and very useful. Don't think twice about it.

3 - I'd get rubber floor mats, not carpetted. Certainly not for the winter. They look great, especially in a black carpetted footwell (by the way... I thought about this too late for me, but it's probably cheaper if you go to the parts department and get the mats with a 10-20% bmwcca member discount, rather than having the salesperson just tag them on to your order. I know it's not a big deal... but as a matter of principle this shaves off a bit of the excessive cost of something that should be included in the car anyway)

4 - if you're planning on loading anything grimy or muddy in the trunk, get a rubber trunk liner. The bmw reversible one is very nice, but also very pricey.

5 - i have the side-view cameras... they are not worth the money imho. It's a toy that I don't foresee using much at all.

6 - I have the multi-countour seats and love the adjustability (even though I don't care for lumbar support). My E90 had sports seats - and these are a notch above.

7 - My opinion on the color - go for the space grey. I find it super elegant (in my case, my wife veto'd grey, go figure). Black looks great, but it's truly a pain to keep up.

8 - I got the smartphone integration (iPhone user myself), but frankly, I fail to see the usefulness of the package. Skip it.

9 - Last - rear climate. The main question reason i didn't get it were the tinted windows in the rear. I like the look with all windows clear. I think the rear climate adjustments are cool - especially if you have older kids (doesn't sound like you do). Had the window shades on the E90 - they are really useful actually, but in that application the main use was the rear shade. 50/50 on this one.

I have an opinion on every item you list... as does every member here, I am sure. One last item - comfort access: very, very cool. Good choice!

I think Oyster is the absolute coolest looking interior you can get. Great choice there as well.

Good luck!

I have the 2010 bronze with the saddle interior. I like it. I had ordered a 2009 with the beige (not oyster) interior and turned it down- too light. The oyster just seems unnatural to me. I like leather in leather colors- tans, browns, blacks.

Me personally I wanted the Space Grey/Saddle. But it wasnt my car.

On options you leave off Adaptive drive. Hmmm. You haven't driven the two back to back, hard, have you?

Comfort access, heads up- gadgety stuff that does nothing when you DRIVE. Just my opinion.

We got the "sport" only for the black trim. Yes. Again, not my car. We have 19" all seasons, cannot see why people feel compelled to get larger wheels that only make the brakes seem smaller. There is zero performance gain, and frankly perhaps loss of performance. Looks wise I am not in the 'bigger wheels look better' crowd. I run 18" on both my other 'performance' cars, shod with PS2s.

Yes on all your definites (except dont rear seat heaters come with the cold weather?) (and no on the key fob thing)

Yes on multicontour. I don't like holes inthe leather. (so no on ventilated) Rear seat climate depends on who will be in the rear seats!

My 3 cents

A

I wouldn't buy another BMW without HUD, you almost never have to look down at the dash. The comfort seats are really useful on those long trips. The rear climate package works well too with the sunshades for the kids, and the heated seats in the winter.

I vote yes on the multi contour comfort seats - you'll never go back. I have them in full Napa with the dash. Love it!

Good luck.

I have space grey/black leather. It's OK, but doesn't stand out. If I would have ordered my car, I would have gone Sparkling Bronze/oyster.

I just responded to certain points -- my two cents

Actually thats two separate options. Rear climate give you controls for HVAC to the rear seat passengers, plus window shades (and I think adds darker window tinting to everything but front windows).

Rear headed seats are a separate option.

Even in CA, we love having both (this weekend it will snow at elevations of 1,000 feet!)