Factory options you reckon are a waste of money

Paul330d · 04-18-2006, 07:22 AM

After one week of ownership, I am ready to concede that I could have done without the following options (this nit-picking aside, the car is superb

):

1. extended lighting, at least when combined with comfort access. I suppose the little LEDs in the door handles might be useful if you unlock & approach the car from a distance with the fob, but as I took CA, I have to actually touch the handles before the lights come on... defeating the object somewhat.

2. Hifi speaker upgrade. This comes standard on all e90s in the US, but in Europe we get (even) crappier speakers as standard, so I thought I would shell out the $600 (!) extra for the uprated speakers. What a waste of money that was - the standard setup on my VW Golf was far superior

poldim · 04-18-2006, 10:33 AM

We all want it to be turned on with CA...

I have Logic 7, I think its wonderful.

NPinUK · 04-18-2006, 11:01 AM

Hi Paul,

1. I thought CA was a waste of money. £410 so you don't have to press the button on your key fob thats crazy. I understand your point about the lights and BMW should work on this.

2. Didn't you check out the Hifi speaker system at the dealers before you ordered your car?? I would have splashed out the extra cash and bought the Logic 7, which I actually did and its decent. Maybe you can upgrade??

poldim · 04-18-2006, 11:38 AM

CA is well worth it. Its something you dont understand until you drive a car with it and use it on a daily basis. I had a chance to use it in a family members 7's.

Chances are, if you didnt get the upgrade in the order, its probably too expensive to upgrade after the fact.

noflash · 04-18-2006, 11:43 AM

Premium Package,
Logic7,
AWD,
PDC (flame suit on

).

USAF BMW · 04-18-2006, 12:01 PM

people on the forums never discuss ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE STEERING OPTION (the name is slipping my mind right now)

poldim · 04-18-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAF BMW

people on the forums never discuss ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE STEERING OPTION (the name is slipping my mind right now)

Active Cruise Control
Active Steering

wheeler · 04-18-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul330d

After one week of ownership, I am ready to concede that I could have done without the following options (this nit-picking aside, the car is superb

):

1. extended lighting, at least when combined with comfort access. I suppose the little LEDs in the door handles might be useful if you unlock & approach the car from a distance with the fob, but as I took CA, I have to actually touch the handles before the lights come on... defeating the object somewhat.

2. Hifi speaker upgrade. This comes standard on all e90s in the US, but in Europe we get (even) crappier speakers as standard, so I thought I would shell out the $600 (!) extra for the uprated speakers. What a waste of money that was - the standard setup on my VW Golf was far superior

The stupid door handle lights were standard on my 330i-or maybe part of the premium package.

Logic 7 also came standard, but I am not impressed with it. The standard system in my wife's Merc C230 is much better. It might be OK for classical, or other lower volume music, but for rock it sucks.

I wish the ash tray was an option--I would rather have storage space there.

The split climate control seems worthless. My wife's hot air won't stay on her side of the car.

ALPINE6SPD · 04-18-2006, 12:25 PM

pdc car is so small you dont need it
active steering why ruin the feel of bmw steering
active cruise everyone cuts you off in NJ so its not worth it
metallic paint AW is the best color

Thats the exact way I got my car. Everything but those options.
Flame on

Gitta · 04-18-2006, 12:43 PM

I love my car just the way she is. Of course, I have modified her a bit.

PS - I try not to reckon anything!

moO moO nEL · 04-18-2006, 12:50 PM

Active Cruise Control
Active Steering
Climate comfort windscreen
In dash MD player
Interior mirror with digital compass

mmeads · 04-18-2006, 12:56 PM

Active Steering, Active Cruise, Comfort Access, Steptronic

One of the most overlooked but useful options: Fold-down rear seats, these should be standard.

ward · 04-18-2006, 01:04 PM

power seats
premium pack
steptronic
navigation
heated seats
PDC

to wheeler, the door handle lights are std on all US cars, and I agree that any 2 zone climate control is pretty stupid, it's not possible for a car to be 68 on one side and 83 on the other.

bluetooth and sat radio are the options I'm most happy with, it'd just be another car without those

spanna2000 · 04-18-2006, 01:51 PM

I love the door handles - makes the car unique - not aware of any others that do this - will be on all cars in the next few years (and its standard on all but the basic car).

The hi-fi speakers (not logic 7) aren't up to much - I dread to think what the standard system is like.

sun protect glass is ok but probably a fashion item that will age. like vynl roofs.

front foglights - standard on the se spec cars - when do you ever get to turn these on - they are fixed penalty offence in the UK unless its foggy - in which case they don't really help either. Still wouldn't delete them - think they look good even when off.

the thigh support on sport seats - maybe useful in some cases but for me it just makes the seat cushion feel to short. I try in in different settings to see if I can get the point of it.

the back width (what's that called?) on sports seats - can't seem to do anything with that either too tight or off. Still cool to mess with from time to time

the steering wheel height adjust, anything but the top setting obscures the speedometer and rev counter.

the start button - hanging keys close to the dash makes for a great way to scratch it with your house keys - and this requires you to carry 2 sets of keys. - Still looks cool though.

Phew - what a set of moans. Still I don't think I'd delete any of these things - thats the good thing about BMW they might not get every new innovation right but they are always looking for ways to add more to the car. Look at the little ambient lights that light the centre console even when the interior light is off. Fantastic.

Quite a few of the things already mentioned by other posters are must haves for me - PDC, split climate control

perhaps active cruise would be better in the fog - could they set it to be a kind of extra long range PDC in reduced visibility?

ALPINE6SPD · 04-18-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

power seats
premium pack
steptronic
navigation
heated seats
PDC

to wheeler, the door handle lights are std on all US cars, and I agree that any 2 zone climate control is pretty stupid, it's not possible for a car to be 68 on one side and 83 on the other.

bluetooth and sat radio are the options I'm most happy with, it'd just be another car without those

I forgot about steptronic. This is the biggest waste of money IMO. You spend moey to make the car perform less. But thats just me. I can see why others like it but I dont. No offense to the auto drivers but I just prefer manual.

Broken1 · 04-18-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

After one week of ownership, I am ready to concede that I could have done without the following options (this nit-picking aside, the car is superb ):

1. extended lighting, at least when combined with comfort access. I suppose the little LEDs in the door handles might be useful if you unlock & approach the car from a distance with the fob, but as I took CA, I have to actually touch the handles before the lights come on... defeating the object somewhat.

2. Hifi speaker upgrade. This comes standard on all e90s in the US, but in Europe we get (even) crappier speakers as standard, so I thought I would shell out the $600 (!) extra for the uprated speakers. What a waste of money that was - the standard setup on my VW Golf was far superior

As far as extended lighting is concerned, I thought of the exact fact you brought up - that with CA, it only turns on when you touch the door handle, and so I left it off! After 9 months of ownership, I actually wish I had it. Sometimes I approach my car and it's really dark - I sometimes even have to unlock/lock it so that I can use the indicator flash to guide my way.

A great, easy solution is if the ANGEL Eyes would turn ON when the car is unlocked (and it's dark)...much like they stay on when I stop the car (until I open the drivers door)

I personally think the hi-fi sound isn't bad! It's certainly better than the standard sound in my mothers Audi A4 (2003) and well worth the R4000 I paid for it! It definately could have done with more bass (but then again, I came from a car with a sub, amp etc)

I don't think I chose any options that I could have left out. I chose them very carefully and they all live upto my expectations :-)

After months of ownership, my only wish is that I had added folding mirrors, the exterior lights package (for those dark nights) and electric seats (as I haven't had a car with them yet...and I think they COOL (and for that dipping passenger mirror - great for paralell parking!!)

E90Fleet · 04-18-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken1

As far as extended lighting is concerned, I thought of the exact fact you brought up - that with CA, it only turns on when you touch the door handle, and so I left it off! After 9 months of ownership, I actually wish I had it. Sometimes I approach my car and it's really dark - I sometimes even have to unlock/lock it so that I can use the indicator flash to guide my way.

A great, easy solution is if the ANGEL Eyes would turn ON when the car is unlocked (and it's dark)...much like they stay on when I stop the car (until I open the drivers door)

I personally think the hi-fi sound isn't bad! It's certainly better than the standard sound in my mothers Audi A4 (2003) and well worth the R4000 I paid for it! It definately could have done with more bass (but then again, I came from a car with a sub, amp etc)

I don't think I chose any options that I could have left out. I chose them very carefully and they all live upto my expectations :-)

After months of ownership, my only wish is that I had added folding mirrors, the exterior lights package (for those dark nights) and electric seats (as I haven't had a car with them yet...and I think they COOL (and for that dipping passenger mirror - great for paralell parking!!)

LED lights are great when its real dark around the car as you approach.

Agree Hi-Fi sound is fine, its not for showing off outside the car, but fine for normal listening inside the car.

Folding mirrors are great, and if you get the external mirror package that includes auto diming exterior mirrors, then you also get the reverse folddown function, even without electric seats.

spanna2000 · 04-18-2006, 02:37 PM

the e46 had a button that let you put the headlights on from outside of the car - I wish they hadn't deleted that. Approaching the car in the dark late a night it can really help to have some light. My Jag has the same feature. You can turn the lights on or off from outside of the car.

bimmer4me · 04-18-2006, 02:37 PM

Power Sunshade = waste of money, IMO

E90Fleet · 04-18-2006, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer4me

Power Sunshade = waste of money, IMO

I wont buy one without it

Its great to make it harder to see into the car from the rear and keeps the sun off passangers on long drives with the seting sun behind you.

Then when reversing into dark spaces or at night or when the sun is just shining on it so you cant see out easily, it dissapears at the touch of a button, and is back just as fast with another touch.

Josh49 · 04-18-2006, 03:18 PM

Comfort Access!!!!

(This thread is going to be 20 pages long a minute from now!!)

carl_d · 04-18-2006, 04:34 PM

Logic 7 as its just plain poor sound quality.
The Logic7 on the E90 is NOT Hi-Fi its Mid-Fi !!!!!
It sounds congested, dull and the bass lack any extension.
Its like listening to music from the room next door, with the door shut.
Its an absolute crime that BMW charges so much for this very poor system.

Can you believe this ... http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm...-thx-certified

The Z4 get THX certification ... I think Logic 7 on the E90 must have been an Alpha test.

Rest of car is excellent.

04-18-2006, 07:22 AM	#1
Paul330d Torque junky 115 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	Factory options you reckon are a waste of money After one week of ownership, I am ready to concede that I could have done without the following options (this nit-picking aside, the car is superb ): 1. extended lighting, at least when combined with comfort access. I suppose the little LEDs in the door handles might be useful if you unlock & approach the car from a distance with the fob, but as I took CA, I have to actually touch the handles before the lights come on... defeating the object somewhat. 2. Hifi speaker upgrade. This comes standard on all e90s in the US, but in Europe we get (even) crappier speakers as standard, so I thought I would shell out the $600 (!) extra for the uprated speakers. What a waste of money that was - the standard setup on my VW Golf was far superior __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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04-18-2006, 10:33 AM	#2
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	We all want it to be turned on with CA... I have Logic 7, I think its wonderful. __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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04-18-2006, 11:01 AM	#3
NPinUK Private First Class 7 Rep 199 Posts Drives: E90 325i M Sport Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Midlands iTrader: (0)	Hi Paul, 1. I thought CA was a waste of money. £410 so you don't have to press the button on your key fob thats crazy. I understand your point about the lights and BMW should work on this. 2. Didn't you check out the Hifi speaker system at the dealers before you ordered your car?? I would have splashed out the extra cash and bought the Logic 7, which I actually did and its decent. Maybe you can upgrade??
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04-18-2006, 11:38 AM	#4
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	CA is well worth it. Its something you dont understand until you drive a car with it and use it on a daily basis. I had a chance to use it in a family members 7's. Chances are, if you didnt get the upgrade in the order, its probably too expensive to upgrade after the fact. __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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04-18-2006, 11:43 AM	#5
noflash Captain Caveman 148 Rep 1,715 Posts Drives: '06 325eyeyiyi Join Date: May 2005 Location: midwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Premium Package, Logic7, AWD, PDC (flame suit on ). __________________ E90 325i Monaco Blue, Black Leatherette, Sport, Cold Weather, Xenon, Sat Prep, 18" BBS RGR Mods: Polorized Film for Business CD, added lumbar, rock chip on hood
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04-18-2006, 12:01 PM	#6
USAF BMW Private First Class 11 Rep 186 Posts Drives: hopefully... Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0)	people on the forums never discuss ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE STEERING OPTION (the name is slipping my mind right now)
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04-18-2006, 12:25 PM	#9
ALPINE6SPD Lieutenant General 156 Rep 10,411 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 328i Sport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Highland Lakes NJ iTrader: (2)	pdc car is so small you dont need it active steering why ruin the feel of bmw steering active cruise everyone cuts you off in NJ so its not worth it metallic paint AW is the best color Thats the exact way I got my car. Everything but those options. Flame on __________________ 2010 AW e90 328i: 6 speed, Black Leather, Dark Wood trim, ZPP, ZCW, ZVP,ZSP, Nav, Xenon BMW Performance CF Rear spolier and Gloss black grills 2008 Candy White MKV GTI 2.0T 6 Speed Manul Gone 2008 AW X3 3.0si: 6 speed Returned 2006 AW e90 330i: 6 speed Dinan Stage 1 Returned
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04-18-2006, 12:43 PM	#10
Gitta Kelly's 330i 11 Rep 413 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: E PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i (current ... [0.00] 2006 330i (new) [0.00] 2006 330i (interior) [0.00]	I love my car just the way she is. Of course, I have modified her a bit. PS - I try not to reckon anything! __________________ '06 330ix \| 6MT \| TS-BDL-BW \| ZSP \| ZPP \| heated seats \|... mods \| cf splitters painted TiAg \| spoiler \| blacklines \| short shift knob \| cf trim \| *** winter setup: 17" ASA JH3 & Dunlop WinterSport M3 DSST * . '01 325xi \| auto \| TS-GDL-BW \| ZPP \| heated seats \|........... mods** \| spoiler \| mudguards \| blackout grills \| clear lights \| halo projector headlights \|
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04-18-2006, 12:50 PM	#11
moO moO nEL First Lieutenant 20 Rep 395 Posts Drives: 323i Msport; DC2R (track car) Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E90 M Sport [0.00]	Active Cruise Control Active Steering Climate comfort windscreen In dash MD player Interior mirror with digital compass __________________ cheers, Nelson 2010 NSW CAMS Supersprints champion (3B class)
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04-18-2006, 12:56 PM	#12
mmeads Private First Class 5 Rep 172 Posts Drives: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: H-Town iTrader: (0)	Active Steering, Active Cruise, Comfort Access, Steptronic One of the most overlooked but useful options: Fold-down rear seats, these should be standard. __________________ m\|m e90: 325i/SG/Terra/Alum/6sp/ZSP/Xenon/Sirius//
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04-18-2006, 01:04 PM	#13
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	power seats premium pack steptronic navigation heated seats PDC to wheeler, the door handle lights are std on all US cars, and I agree that any 2 zone climate control is pretty stupid, it's not possible for a car to be 68 on one side and 83 on the other. bluetooth and sat radio are the options I'm most happy with, it'd just be another car without those
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04-18-2006, 01:51 PM	#14
spanna2000 Private 2 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 330D M Auto Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: BHX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport I ... [0.00]	I love the door handles - makes the car unique - not aware of any others that do this - will be on all cars in the next few years (and its standard on all but the basic car). The hi-fi speakers (not logic 7) aren't up to much - I dread to think what the standard system is like. sun protect glass is ok but probably a fashion item that will age. like vynl roofs. front foglights - standard on the se spec cars - when do you ever get to turn these on - they are fixed penalty offence in the UK unless its foggy - in which case they don't really help either. Still wouldn't delete them - think they look good even when off. the thigh support on sport seats - maybe useful in some cases but for me it just makes the seat cushion feel to short. I try in in different settings to see if I can get the point of it. the back width (what's that called?) on sports seats - can't seem to do anything with that either too tight or off. Still cool to mess with from time to time the steering wheel height adjust, anything but the top setting obscures the speedometer and rev counter. the start button - hanging keys close to the dash makes for a great way to scratch it with your house keys - and this requires you to carry 2 sets of keys. - Still looks cool though. Phew - what a set of moans. Still I don't think I'd delete any of these things - thats the good thing about BMW they might not get every new innovation right but they are always looking for ways to add more to the car. Look at the little ambient lights that light the centre console even when the interior light is off. Fantastic. Quite a few of the things already mentioned by other posters are must haves for me - PDC, split climate control perhaps active cruise would be better in the fog - could they set it to be a kind of extra long range PDC in reduced visibility? __________________ Individual - Onyx Blue with M Sport and Xenons
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04-18-2006, 02:37 PM	#18
spanna2000 Private 2 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 330D M Auto Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: BHX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport I ... [0.00]	the e46 had a button that let you put the headlights on from outside of the car - I wish they hadn't deleted that. Approaching the car in the dark late a night it can really help to have some light. My Jag has the same feature. You can turn the lights on or off from outside of the car. __________________ Individual - Onyx Blue with M Sport and Xenons
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04-18-2006, 02:37 PM	#19
bimmer4me Captain 52 Rep 996 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Power Sunshade = waste of money, IMO __________________ 2006 330i Monaco Blue \| Grey \| Walnut ...Manual \| Sports \| Premium \| Cold \| Nav \| Comfort Access \| PDC \| Sirius \| Sunshade ...M-Tec Steering Wheel \| M-Tec Shifter \| TLC ...Performance Center Delivery \| Oct 14, 2005
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04-18-2006, 03:18 PM	#21
Josh49 Major General 252 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	Comfort Access!!!! (This thread is going to be 20 pages long a minute from now!!) __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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04-18-2006, 04:34 PM	#22
carl_d General 38 Rep 683 Posts Drives: E90 335i M-Sport N55 6SP Nov10 Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Logic 7 as its just plain poor sound quality. The Logic7 on the E90 is NOT Hi-Fi its Mid-Fi !!!!! It sounds congested, dull and the bass lack any extension. Its like listening to music from the room next door, with the door shut. Its an absolute crime that BMW charges so much for this very poor system. Can you believe this ... http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm...-thx-certified The Z4 get THX certification ... I think Logic 7 on the E90 must have been an Alpha test. Rest of car is excellent.
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