ANY MUST HAVE OPTIONS?

[Chop79]

Signing in from the from South Korea by way of the Oregon coast. I'm new to the boards and I'm really enjoying all the great information. So on to my question...

I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on my 135i, (Alpine White/Black Leatherette/Grey Popular wood trim), with NO additional options. Are there any options that I should absolutely not pass up on? It seams to me that the 135i is very well equipped as is, but I just want to make sure as this will be my first BMW. Also, will the Black/Grey trim make the cockpit appear to be a dark place? I would like something lighter for the trim, but I'm not a big fan of the glacier silver.

Thanks in advance for any insight you might have.

Cheers!

[eunosracr]

Sport package all the way imho.

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by eunosracr

Sport package all the way imho.

Yes, I'd have to agree.

[Chop79]

Are the sport seats much more comfortable than the standard?

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Chop79

Are the sport seats much more comfortable than the standard?

Have you seen the standard seats...

I think BMW should be ashamed at how flat they are.

[Chop79]

I haven't, I've only seen the sport seats and they are very comfortable. I just didn't imagine the standard seats being bad. I'm glad I asked!

[BForbes]

Definitely agree!! Whats a 135i without a sport package.

[ChrisK]

I would make the Sports Pkg a must have if you where getting 18' wheels and better suspension.

You are paying for seats. The US spec 135i at the Chicago auto show doesn't even have M sills.

[Dave]

sports package = nicer seats, and adjustable thigh support, nice thick steering wheel, m shift knob, m door sills (maybe?), and raised speed limiter to 155

def.worth it

i would also consider bluetooth

[SCA]

Originally Posted by chriskurn

I would make the Sports Pkg a must have if you where getting 18' wheels and better suspension.

You are paying for seats. The US spec 135i at the Chicago auto show doesn't even have M sills.

+1


iPod USB & BT a must have.

[blue-coupe]

iPod is mandatory. Even if your not going to use it, it will help the resale value. I wouldn't buy a modern car without it.

[john970]

sports pack.

ipod not really a must have as you get an aux in without it and you can plug an ipod into that and still be better off than most cars.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by blue-coupe

iPod is mandatory. Even if your not going to use it, it will help the resale value. I wouldn't buy a modern car without it.

+1 I already have a $70 WD portable hard drive, loaded with over 100GB of music, ready to plug into the USB port. It'll fit in the pouch on the bottom side of the arm rest, and not tie up my ipod.

[gatorfast]

Seems like most people on here are going with the leatherette...to me leather is a must.

[spudw]

iPod-USB is a must have. Anyone relying on the radio or CD player for music will be a chump in 5 years; no one will be carrying aroud CDs anymore... But this should be a standard feature, like it is on current Mazda3s and Honda Civics...

[Templedogg]

Sport Package for sure, the seats alone are well worth the grand and the awesome steering wheel is a bonus.

[white911]

Sport seats, USB adapter, -- heated seats -- I really like the heated seats in the Audi and the Boxster. I really notice their absence in the truck. Curiously, the sport seats in the 911 are actually more comfortable on long trips then the standard seats.

I also like leather, self dimming mirrors, and the addtional 3 years of BMW assist - so the sport package, premium package, and winter package. I don't care much for the bag with the winter package and I will probably take the truck or Audi if we go skiing next winter, so I could have saved a few dollars there.

[WAY]

Hi Chop, I have also ordered a Alpine White with black interior and grey poplar. However, here in Oz, we get M Sports (I think that is what you guys call sports pack) as standard, which includes M steering wheels, 18 inch wheels, sports suspension, sport seats etc. I think it is a must. We also get Boston leather, iPod, xenon, electric/memory seats, and various other bits and pieces as standard. So the only other option I have added is the adaptive headlights. This will be very useful on my midnight runs in the twisties.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by john970

sports pack.

ipod not really a must have as you get an aux in without it and you can plug an ipod into that and still be better off than most cars.

The USB offers improved sound quality, displays info on the head unit or iDrive, and gives you control/selection via the head unit or iDrive.

[emm3tt]

Originally Posted by spudwest

iPod-USB is a must have. Anyone relying on the radio or CD player for music will be a chump in 5 years; no one will be carrying aroud CDs anymore... But this should be a standard feature, like it is on current Mazda3s and Honda Civics...

I disagree. I think in 5 years anyone not streaming music wirelessly via Bluetooth will be a chump. Unfortunately BMW's Bluetooth doesn't have A2DP capability so you have to go aftermarket.

[Thud]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDriver

+1


iPod USB & BT a must have.

BT comes with the "BMW Assist" package. Definitely worth it if you have a BT phone.


You can skip the iPod & USB adapter though, there are better ones from third parties that are also cheaper (DICE for example).

[john970]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDriver

The USB offers improved sound quality, displays info on the head unit or iDrive, and gives you control/selection via the head unit or iDrive.

You don't get any improvement in sound quality using an ipod, you're using the same aux in. You lose the ability to control it from idrive and see the songs on the screen, but you can still use the ipod for both of those things so I don't think its a deal breaker for anyone.

you can't use a memory stick or hard drive but i dont think many people do that anyway.