03-12-2018, 10:19 AM | #1 |
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Must Have or Do Without
So when looking at buying the X3 there are things that I'm on the fence about as far as options and packages. Are these things that really needed or are they just nice to have or are they truly unnecessary or ....? So let me throw a few out there:
Premium Tier or Executive Tier? Of the seven things the Executive tier adds, only headlights and the instrument panel are anything that interest me and I'm not sure they are necessary. (And if I understand correctly, if you don't get the executive tier and you don't pick the parking assistant, you don't get a back up cam?) Leather or Sensatec? More durable? Too Stiff? Cheap? Driving Assistance Plus? Most cars on the lots have at least the regular driving assistance pack. The Active Cruise Control is the only thing that intrigues me in the plus package. Lot's of driving aids or interference otherwise (not sure if they are truly a good thing) Dynamic Damper Control? I read that many who have it says it makes a difference. Is it considerably noticeable or is it just a bit nicer or are people trying to justify the extra $1000 laid out for it. So, must have or no? I'm on the fence about the sound system but over the years I've come to the conclusion that road and car noise negate any real quality you can get out of a super premium sound system. So outside of that, I'm just trying to figure out what's really great to have or what I could probably do without. Thanks in advance for anyone's input. Last edited by Dreamer2; 03-12-2018 at 11:09 AM.. |
03-12-2018, 11:10 AM | #2 | |
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Dynamic damper is impressive. I test drove an M40i with adaptive dampers and 21" wheels over rough pavement and was impressed by the ride. Feels even smooth with 19" wheels. I'd get this. Think heads up display and Icon headlights are excellent. Fully digital dash is unremarkable. I bought the upgraded sound system, and it certainly sounds significantly better than the base system, but I also agree with your general assessment and do not think it sounds anywhere close to as good as the speakers sitting in my house that I bought off of craigslist for $400. I'm not going to sit in my car just to listen to this system. Definitely not a must have. |
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03-12-2018, 12:45 PM | #3 |
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I "checked all the boxes" on my build. The biggest disappointment is the HUD.
Impossible to see with polarized sunglasses, no daytime/nighttime auto adjustment. The instrument panel lacks a digital speed display (aside from sport mode). My 3/4 ton chevy truck has a better display for showing actual speed vs the speed limit. |
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03-12-2018, 03:43 PM | #4 |
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Gotta disagree here. The HUD is probably one of the best features of this car. There are many customizations, including brightness levels via iDrive. I would consider this a must have for sure.
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03-12-2018, 05:05 PM | #5 | |
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IMO, bare minimum "must haves": M40i Alpine White 19" 698M with performance RFTs Black SensaTec Aluminum Rhombicle Trim Premium Package $2,950 Adaptive M Suspension $700 Wireless Charging / WiFi $500 DESTINATION + HANDLING $995 MSRP $59,645 30i M Sport Design $5,300 Premium Tier Premium Package $3,300 Alpine White 19" 698M with performance RFTs Black SensaTec Aluminum Rhombicle Trim Dynamic Damper Control $1,000 Park Distance Control $750 Wireless Charging / WiFi $500 DESTINATION + HANDLING $995 MSRP $54,495 In the end, I checked all the boxes. It helps knowing where your starting point is and what is the most important feature you want from your X3.
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03-12-2018, 05:59 PM | #6 |
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Personally, I would love to go m40i. But I’m not the only owner and my fear is the rumbling exhaust might be a drawback for her. I understand from reading that some say it’s not bad in eco or comfort mode. But there are those who disagree. I just need it to be semi-quiet when cruising at 70 mph. So thinking probably going in a 30i direction with a few options. Although I saw one dealership offering their higher end X3s at $4000-5000 off MSRP. That may make it hard to pass up the m40i. I dunno. I’ve got issues.
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03-12-2018, 06:19 PM | #7 |
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I'm a big proponent of Driving Assistance Plus. It's 2018 and drivers are, unfortunately, distracted everywhere you go. Why not have the highest level of safety for you and your loved ones? Better yet - why even spend $50K on a vehicle and not get the best available safety features when many other cars have the same features for half the cost?
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03-12-2018, 07:03 PM | #8 | |
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For that price, the car has ZCV, ZDA, ZDB, ZPK, ZPP, 6CP and a bauble here or there. I'll VO code 6NS when I get the car -- and save $500. This will be the daily driver of a person who has to get to work at a hospital in all weather (and this year in New England, crappy isn't the word for the weather). I bought convenience (heated seats/steering wheel) for her; toys (CarPlay; Harman-Kardon audio) for me; safety for both of us. The remarkable thing is that configured this way, the options added approximately $11225 (26%!) to the price of the car. If you read the Consumer Reports' review of the car -- or watch it on YouTube -- you'll see they are spot on in criticizing BMW for only making full speed emergency braking available in the very expensive ZDB (which pre-reqs both ZDA and ZPP). Bottom line: it's hard not to check all the boxes. If you want safety, you're "half-pregnant" and feel compelled to go all the way.
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03-14-2018, 12:40 PM | #9 | |
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03-14-2018, 03:31 PM | #10 |
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I would go premium tier to get Navigation and HUD. For safety get at least Drivers Assistance Package.
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03-14-2018, 03:32 PM | #11 | ||
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03-14-2018, 05:14 PM | #12 | |
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These are the features I love the most. HUD and the ability to scroll thru presets, phone calls without taking your eyes off the road. Driver assistance plus and whatever provides the 360 view not sure if it's driver assist plus or park assist plus Harman Kardon sound Panaramic roof Ambient lighting I think I'll like the ventilated seats come summer love the heated seats and steering wheel for winter Comfort access Sensatec dash/leather seats/ heated and recline rear seats Storage option is nice Adaptive leds are neat Things that came with my package that I would not bother with: Display key (you lose a regular fob by going with the display key. It's bulky, very little range for precondition function) Ambient air |
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03-14-2018, 05:21 PM | #13 |
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For me the must haves are:
- B58 - Adaptive suspension - 4 piston front brakes (wish the rears were 2 piston fixed) - leather sport seats - navigation - comfort access (spoiled with it now)
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03-14-2018, 05:37 PM | #14 | |||
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I was using the acc today and I did not have to even touch the brake or the gas to stay with traffic in cruise or stop and go. simple click of a steering wheel button. it's incredibly easy and stress free to use. never thought it would be this convenient or I'd use it. I also hardly had to touch the steering wheel to drive in the highway 20+ miles. it's not a tesla autopilot mode, don't get me wrong, but it is impressive.... the h&k stereo can without a doubt, over power and reduce any road noise or exhaust noise you might be worried about. it's easily one of the best I've heard for this type of vehicle. it's not a burmester but it's damn good. I wouldn't pass up the h&k..... I bought the 40i, but I wouldn't pass up the adaptive suspension had I went with the 30i. if your sacrificing the engine for the boss, then at least get some suspension upgrades.... get the leather. you'll be happier you did. Quote:
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03-14-2018, 05:42 PM | #15 |
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I don't like new electronic speedometer, I like more conventional analog with no stupid screens.
I also don't understand how BMW can't programe that when you have automatic gearbox in D that on screen doesn't show which gear are you in, only D. That's ridiculous. |
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03-14-2018, 09:27 PM | #17 |
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360/top down view camera was a requirement for me. My F25 35i has it as part of Nav/Tech package, 360 backup camera is a must. actually on F25 its 270 both sides and rear) but works great. 30i or M40i, it makes parallel parking and back in parking so easy. requires Exec package in US. they got me there.
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03-15-2018, 01:17 AM | #18 | |
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I personally love the full digital instrument. The screen is very high res, and the animation is very smooth. At least one advantage is that with previous analog instrument, it is hard to tell if the car is stopped (in stop/start) or the engine is off. With the new digital screen, it is very clear and easy to tell. |
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03-15-2018, 07:03 AM | #19 | |
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https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/...by-2018-223739
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even the gimmicky hand gestures for it work perfectly for me and I like to show it off and watch people go |
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03-15-2018, 07:15 AM | #20 |
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Change to M/S even if not using paddle shift and you will see the gear on the screen.
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03-15-2018, 07:45 AM | #21 |
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Backup camera standard on all vehicles by 2018, but the 360/top down camera is not - and its an add-on even with G01 via Exec package in US.
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2018 X3 M40i G01 | Phytonic Blue | Mocha | Premium+Exec | Driver Assist | Adaptive M Suspension
2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience [traded in] 2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite [traded in] |
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03-15-2018, 07:57 AM | #22 |
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