[beldredge]

So, I'm pretty much set on getting an E90 or E91 in the next few months. I started out thinking I'd get a pretty basic 325xiT - premium and heated seats. That's it. Figured with the premium, I wasn't getting a "stripper" but still keeping it pretty inexpensive (for a BMW).

I just paid off my current car, so my wife thought that we should wait at least a few months to enjoy not having a car payment.

In the meantime....

Sat in the sport seats - no brainer, gotta have that. Ka-ching $1,200

HIDs - have them now and like them, can't go back. Ka-ching $800

Came out from Target the other day with my 2 year-old in one hand and groceries in the other and had an idea - Ka-ching $500 for CA.

I am now also considering a 330xi sedan, and therefore have been intrigued with having the Logic7 system - Ka-ching $1,200 (if I still go with the 325).

So, I'm thinking I need to tell my wife that while we're putting off the monthly car payment, I just spent $3,700 in options. Better order it now before the Nav and iDrive catch my attention.

[vladinecko]

oh dude, you gotta have the iDrive, if you're already getting the other stuff! Ka-ching $2,000

[E90Fleet]

Know how you feel

When I was looking at a spec for mine the cost went through the roof
Had to cut back drastically to keep the price down

[LEDZEP]

Might as well get the active cruise control too.... ka-ching $2,000

I know how you feel too. I would love to have every option, but one must be practical if budget is a concern. I think Premium is the only no-brainer. Everything else is an option. I think the sports package on an E91 is counter productive. Too bad we can't get the seats and steering wheel without the wheels and suspension!

Good luck with your choices. Let us know what you end up with.

[beldredge]

Yeah - regarding the sport package, it's the seats and steering wheel that I really want. I do want 17" wheels for the summer/spring, but given the choice, I would add those later. As it stands, I figure I'll buy a set of used 156's for the winter.

Oh yeah, I'm also considering the window shades and possibly the "upgrade" wheels (161's, I think). Ka-ching $250 and $300.

I suppose this is the situation where most people are saying just get the 330xi.

Just can't decide which I want more - the extra horses or the cargo space of the wagon (and panoramic sunroof ). It's probably good the BMW doesn't offer a 330xiT, 'cause I'd probably stretch the budget for that.

[Hankdoll]

It's hard to refrain from all the goodies. I ordered a 330 for my wife a couple weeks ago. Ended up with every option but the dynamic cruise and active steering. Ka-ching.

[Yaajer]

You don't need all that stuff. For sure, my two gotta-have it package are: Premium and Sport. If only one package, I would take Sport.

Volk LE37t: Ka Ching!

[Milehigh E90]

Welcome to the board! I know how you feel. I went through the same thing, and said what the hell just do it. I ordered a pretty much loaded 330xi for those mountain ski trips to Copper/Vail. One word of caution, stay away from the active cruise control. It sucks in the mountains. It reads the cement barriers between the two sides of traffic and slows down the car because it thinks its another auto. I wouldn't have know this if I hadn't been with a friend of mine in her NEW land Rover with the active cruise control.
Also What dealer are you working with here in Denver?

[beldredge]

Thanks for the advice on the active cruise - I don't find myself using my "normal" cruise control much at all as it is, so certainly was not considering spending $2k for that option.

I've been working primarily with Schomp and Murray, though I took a trip up to Loveland also to check out their inventory.

Schomp has their one price deal - so it's a good way to get a feel for pricing, but I get the feeling from Murray that they are up for beating those prices, at least by a little. I've heard good things about the service dept at Murray, so all other things being equal, I'll probably buy from there.

Any suggestions based on your experience?

[Milehigh E90]

Originally Posted by beldredge

I've been working primarily with Schomp and Murray, though I took a trip up to Loveland also to check out their inventory.

Schomp has their one price deal - so it's a good way to get a feel for pricing, but I get the feeling from Murray that they are up for beating those prices, at least by a little. I've heard good things about the service dept at Murray, so all other things being equal, I'll probably buy from there.

Any suggestions based on your experience?

Well your doing the same thing that I did. I hit them all and the best deal and people were up at Gebhardt in Boulder. They beat the other deals (only by a couple of dollars) and they were the nicest. The guys at Schomp were conceded and didn't really want to work on the price, as well they dropped the ball several times and didn't get back to me with info that I had requested.
George and David at Gebhardt have been in touch with me the entire time and have also given me pretty good deals on the accessories that I wanted. As well from what I been hearing thier service department rocks. I should have my 330xi late this week or next week.
Let me know if you want any more input.
ENJOY the hunt

[beldredge]

Milehigh - do you mind sharing with me how much off of MSRP you paid at Gebhardt? Schomp's current standard discount on a 330xi is $1,025; the salesperson at Murray hinted strongly that they would probably do $1,500 off.

325xiT discounts are a few hundred higher at Schomp.

[Milehigh E90]

Originally Posted by beldredge

Milehigh - do you mind sharing with me how much off of MSRP you paid at Gebhardt? Schomp's current standard discount on a 330xi is $1,025; the salesperson at Murray hinted strongly that they would probably do $1,500 off.

325xiT discounts are a few hundred higher at Schomp.

Ya' not a problem. I got my 330xi for $45,000 with all the doc fees. Tax and Tags are on top of that, and as you can see by my signature line its pretty well loaded.

[db17k]

I'm getting all the options except sunshade, active cruise and adaptive steering, that way i won't regret not getting xxx option, haha!

[croaker]

When I ordered mine I just kept reminding myself that I planned on driving this car until the tires finally fall off, so I may as well get what I wanted. The only thing I kinda wish I had added is the sat radio, but I had to choose between that and snow tires, and the tires won.

-Croaker

[SteveMD]

Originally Posted by Milehigh E90

Ya' not a problem. I got my 330xi for $45,000 with all the doc fees. Tax and Tags are on top of that, and as you can see by my signature line its pretty well loaded.

Looks like you paid close to MSRP to me??? BMW's site says $45315

[beldredge]

I'll let Milehigh respond, but did you include the iDrive/Nav option? 'Cause I came up with $47,315 based on his description, which would be $2,300 off MSRP.

I'll have to check out Gebhardt, 'cause that's quite a bit better than the quotes I've recieved so far.

[CnoteMD]

I guess this is the trap that German carmakers have purposely set up. They always advertise the "starting price", but the actual price will usually end up at least $5000 higher once you have the car optioned to an acceptable level. But if you have to limit yourself, I would focus on options that would be impossible or very difficult to add later.

Sure you could always get a base model car (which actually comes with a nice list of standard features). But its the options that make the car special compared to other cars on the road. I have wanted a BMW for a long time, but I refused to buy one until I could get it exactly the way I wanted, options and all.

[youngtechman]

I have the same problem....the long I wait...the more option I wanted.
Lucky , I bring my wife with me when I order my car......and she keep me under control.

[beldredge]

Originally Posted by youngtechman

I have the same problem....the long I wait...the more option I wanted.
Lucky , I bring my wife with me when I order my car......and she keep me under control.

Well there's your problem. Leave her at home.

My wife hates the whole process. She didn't even drive my TSX when I bought it - just left it to me. She asked me the other day how much this was gonna cost - I threw out $42k and she didn't freak, so I think I'm golden. Her MDX is the most expensive car we've purchased to date, and this BMW will probably top it by a couple grand, so I wasn't sure what her response would be.

[Milehigh E90]

Originally Posted by beldredge

I'll let Milehigh respond, but did you include the iDrive/Nav option? 'Cause I came up with $47,315 based on his description, which would be $2,300 off MSRP.

I'll have to check out Gebhardt, 'cause that's quite a bit better than the quotes I've recieved so far.

It was in the $47,500 range when I ordered, I don't remember the total as of the middle of November when I ordered mine, but I just went to BMW's site and built it again and it was $47,315.
Call David or George and let them know where you got thier name. Word of mouth is always the best advertising and will usually get you the best deals.

[David328M-Sport]

Dont forget sunroof, sports suspension, 18" wheels/tyres, etc.

What is the weather like in winter - front seat warmers

As the guys already posted, the options list goes on and on.

Buy what you can afford. Even a basic setup is great.

All the best in your final purchase decision.

[CALIF65GM]

Get CA, the best $455 that you can spend.