Anything you regret NOT getting on your car?

[Kuya]

Hello All,

First time poster, future long-term member. I'm about to buy my 135i coupe and was wondering if there were any features or aftermarket products that people either wished they got or highly recommend. Here is what I plan on getting:

2008 - 2010 BMW 135i Coupe (N54)

• Space Gray / Black Interior
• M Sport Package
• Convenience Package
• Navigation System

Aftermarket Plans:

• Sound System from Musicar Northwest
• Built-in Radar Dectector
• 35% Window Tint (All Around)
• Clear Bra (Front Bumper, Side Mirrors)
• COBB Access Port
• Angel Eye Headlights (White LED)

So what do you regret not getting or not getting sooner? Any recommendations?

-Kuya


Suggested Features (below):

• Performance Suspension or M3 Coilovers
• Harmon Kardon Sound Sytem
• Heated Seats
• M3 Swaybar
• Premium Package
• Bluetooth
• Aux/USB Interface

[MikeinAlexandria]

If convenience package means remote control of the roof, then, that. Possibly the keyless entry.

Since you are getting a 135i, and it is the US market, I would go for the BMW Performance suspension as well. I have a KW because there is no BMW version of that for my car. Ditch the runflats and go for good, summer time tires, then get a seat of smaller rims with snows for winter if you get bad weather.

The cars are great fun, you'll love it!

[Jbiancolli]

Alarm

[Kuya]

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

If convenience package means remote control of the roof, then, that. Possibly the keyless entry.

Since you are getting a 135i, and it is the US market, I would go for the BMW Performance suspension as well. I have a KW because there is no BMW version of that for my car. Ditch the runflats and go for good, summer time tires, then get a seat of smaller rims with snows for winter if you get bad weather.

The cars are great fun, you'll love it!

I didn't realize there was a performance suspension option. Is that part of the "Active Steering" option? I was told that this option not only effects steering dynamics but possibly suspension as well?

Originally Posted by Jbiancolli

Alarm

Good point. I thought I overlooked this after reading your post, but I just realized it is part of the Convenience Package. =)

[Focusedintntions]

There are days i regret not getting idrive, but at the same time, there are most days where i don't miss it. Wish i would have ordered perf suspension though. Oh well.

[Roshi]

Harmon Kardon sound system.

[Rawhide]

So I've had both a 128 and a 135 with different options (besides the inherent model differences). Here my list.

Sport seats 128-no 135-yes
Must Have. Love em.

Comfort Access 128-yes 135-no
Don't miss this at all. Besides, it was kind of buggy on my 128 anyway.

Alarm 128-no 135-yes
Glad I have it now, always bothered me a little having no alarm on my 128

Paddle Shifters 128-no 135-yes
Mixed feeling on these, I almost never use them (prefer the shifter) but they're still cool.

Step tranny 128-yes 135-yes
Still wish there would have been a decent manual on the lot, but I have to admit it does very well. I really miss rolling through those gears though.

Twin turbos 128-no 135-yes
MUAHAHAHAHA!

OK, the last one doesn't count I know.

[PA135i]

The premium package.

My 2008 has:

Sparkling Graphite Metallic
Terracotta Boston leather
Sport Package:
sport seats
M steering wheel
Showdowline trim
Comfort access
HD radio
HK premium audio

& alarm

[miiipilot]

Originally Posted by iainthim

Harmon Kardon sound system.

x 1000

135i base sounds good, until higher volume. I can't drive with the windows down on the freeway and here it clearly.


DCT would be a close second.

miiipilot

[doublevanosrc]

Seat heaters, nice feature especially in the northern states.

[Kuya]

Originally Posted by miiipilot

x 1000

135i base sounds good, until higher volume. I can't drive with the windows down on the freeway and here it clearly.


DCT would be a close second.

miiipilot

Harmon Kardon seemed decent, but I keep seeing recommendations to go see Ken at Musicar Northwest.

Musicar NW > HK? (probably only a select few can speak to this)

[tcd223]

if you don't get the perf suspension, at least put in an e9x M3 sway bar up front. good bang for your buck at ~$250 for parts, and a good DIY project.

[BrokenVert]

Manual. I had a choice in august 08. I could get a car in the color that I wanted SGM, or I could custom order an 09 with a stick.

I chose the color, which I will never regret. But I still wish I had a stick

[adrean8j]

Coilovers, M3 suspension bits....would be the greatest difference in driving characteristics.

Factory Options: BLUETOOTH...can't say this one loud enough....I absolutely wish I had gotten it. Just easier when I have a phone call while I am driving. It is the ONLY thing I really regret not getting.

[Kuya]

Thanks for the responses guys! I really took time to do my research, but it seems there was a lot that I overlooked. I'm hoping this thread will help other prospective 1 series buyers and current 1 series owners. I'll periodically update any suggestions made up top.

Keep the suggestions coming!

[rps]

SIRIUS is a must for me. Also, the cold weather package would have been nice.

[Kcyrusm]

I wish I got mine with Navigation. It was the only thing I didn't get...

I don't need it for actual navigation, but now there are BMW apps, including Pandora. I'd rather not have to plug my phone in with an aux cable and grab my phone every time I want to skip a song. The iPod integration and navigation is a lot nicer on the iDrive screen as well.

[Emerson]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Manual. I had a choice in august 08. I could get a car in the color that I wanted SGM, or I could custom order an 09 with a stick.

I chose the color, which I will never regret. But I still wish I had a stick

This.

I love everything about this car, but it being an auto is really no fun!

Also, heated seats FTW especially in the northwest! You're in OR!!

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Kuya

I didn't realize there was a performance suspension option. Is that part of the "Active Steering" option? I was told that this option not only effects steering dynamics but possibly suspension as well?

"Performance Suspension" is listed under "Accessories" for $1,421. As I find that given the terrible road conditions in so much of the US, the 1 series sport suspension is stiff enough, I wouldn't consider it as it the spring rates are increased 34% over the sport suspension.

"Active Steering" ($1,550) is something else entirely and has nothing to do with the suspension. I have it on my '07 328i wagon but not on my 128i 'vert, and would not want it on the 1er. With Active Steering, turning the steering wheel has a much greater effect (the front wheels turn at a greater angle) at slow speeds than at highway speeds. Note that all BMWs have variable power steering boost, but active steering actually varies the steering ratio up or down from the standard 16:1, depending on car speed. While I've gotten used to it on the E91, I still feel that the steering is overboosted, somewhat dead feeling and prone to low speed oversteer when coming from a car with a fixed steering ratio. Order it if your major driving issue is that it is too hard for you to turn the wheel when parallel parking, otherwise, it seems to me to be the answer to a question nobody has asked.

Oh, my one regret is not ordering Satellite Radio on my 128i.

Tom

[adrean8j]

The suspension stuff ONLY applies to the 128i...the 135i comes with the sport suspension....

[Sylon]

Maybe Im the weird one, but now that the weather is nicer, I could care less about the stereo's sound quality. I drive with my windows down anytime I can, so I couldnt hear the stereo anyway. I enjoy the exhaust note and that pssh the bypass valve makes when I change gears.


My 135i has the M-Sport package, leather seats, and thats pretty much it, lol. I do regret not getting the DCT and iDrive, but I couldnt afford either, and the M-Sport package was more important to me. Well, not true, I may have been able to afford the DCT, but I was mistakenly mislead by the previous paddle shift transmission on the older 135i's. I test drove a 2009 135i with the paddle shift, and hated every second of it. I enjoyed the car, hated the transmission. But I didnt know that the DCT was coming out with the new 2011's, so I didnt bother adding it to my order. Parts of me regret it, but the 6MT is still a lot of fun.

[f1rst 1]

I wish mine had the aux AND USB interfaces...I just bought a streaming Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the cigarette lighter but the BMW piggy back cable with track names etc on the display would have been nice.