New to BMW

Hello,
I'm a soon to be first time owner of a BMW 330Ci. I'm sure questions like this come up a lot so forgive me if I'm repeating them and couldn't find the answers in all these posts.

Basically, my questions are regarding options. Obviously, I'm going fairly high end on price tag for this car (or at least for my tax bracket), so I'm wondering what options are worth the money from the factory. Aftermarket or dealer stuff I can worry about later.

My biggest concern is the Nav System. I really want to get it just for the look, but I don't travel via car very often so I can't really justify it. Not to mention, that I'm not too thrilled with the idea of getting a cassette player in my dash and another $1000 for CD Changer in the trunk.

Nav System - worth it?
Xenon headlights - worth it?
17" wheels or 18" wheels - worth it?

I still have another week or so before I have to finalize the options I think so thanks for any feedback.

Worth it is in the opinion of the owner.... if you have the money, I say go for it. If you can only afford a few of the things they would be in this priority IMHO.

1. 18" wheels
2. XEON
3. NavSystem

hey everyone, I am also getting a 330 ci in about 3-4 weeks......
this is going to be my first car, and thus as a newbie I think I am gonna ask one of those stupid questions...........

anyways.........

Is there a m3 style body kit for the 2002 330 coupe model???? If so, anyone wanna post a picture of what it looks like plz??? (I just want the front piece)

The best way 2 gain torque is change the gear ratio right??? Or is there any other way to do it better??

and for craigw..........I think the navigation system and the xenon lights are worth it since the after markets ones are kinda bad (from what I heard).....I don't know about the wheels tho........

Of course it is a personal choice, but here is my opinion:

- New NAV system looks really nice, but at $1800 is too constly. Basically, you are buying a limited function computer for that much. If you do not travel much, you would be better investing that money on a real computer (a high-end mind you). Once the new software comes out in about a year or two with the Inet access, e-mail, etc. the existing NAV systems will not be able to support, thus you will not be able to upgrade. The iDrive will take over the BMW line; and that is a totally different hardware and software.

- I like the Xenons, they really do improve visibility at night. During winter with bad weather and early night fall, I am glad I dished out the $700.

- 18"ers are great value. They look great I think and handling is nothing short of superb. But, I can only compare it to my older Honda's 205 cross, 16", 60% profile tires; so I cannot comment on the difference compared to stock 17"ers.

http://members.roadfly.com/flyingtoaster/330Ci_Side3.jpg

The xenons are great and a very popular option. The 18's look great. But the nav is way behind in technology to other comparable cars. It's too bad that BMW could not find a way to engineer the CD in the dash with the Nav. The combination of the CD in the trunk and the obsolete Nav made me nix it. But from what I hear the BMW nav does function quite well.

Instead of getting a nav system and xenon headlights that dont blind other people, just get $2500 worth of non warranty voiding performance stuff. I mean who spends $700 to make sure they dont make people squint a little bit. :flash: A cold air intake and a sweet exhaust system is a better expenditure of money IMHO

Originally posted by 328isRob
Worth it is in the opinion of the owner.... if you have the money, I say go for it. If you can only afford a few of the things they would be in this priority IMHO.

1. 18" wheels
2. XEON
3. NavSystem

Ditto.

I got 1 & 2 on my 2002 330Ci that I expect to get next Monday. At first I did have doubts about the wheels but now I am sure I want them. One option I did not get that I wish I did is the winter package, it has been very cold here recently (very cold at SF Bay Area standards).

My 330Ci is Jet Black (I needn't say I know ;) ) the premium, sports packages, xeon + 18" wheels. It comes with HK stereo as standard, plus the in dash CD player. I have to stop, I am drooling as I type this :D

Originally posted by JetBlack330Ci


Ditto.

I got 1 & 2 on my 2002 330Ci that I expect to get next Monday. At first I did have doubts about the wheels but now I am sure I want them. One option I did not get that I wish I did is the winter package, it has been very cold here recently (very cold at SF Bay Area standards).

My 330Ci is Jet Black (I needn't say I know ;) ) the premium, sports packages, xeon + 18" wheels. It comes with HK stereo as standard, plus the in dash CD player. I have to stop, I am drooling as I type this :D

The 40's and 50's dont qualify for the cold weather package :) hehe, it just means you can't wear shorts... now those people up north who are below freezing for months at a time they need the package. You CA people need everything don't you? BTW, I'm just picking on you.

Originally posted by 328isRob

You CA people need everything don't you?

Yeah you are right, we do :D

Congrats JetBlack, nice choice.

My ranking of "options:"

1) Absence of Steptronic
2) Sport Package
3) Xenons
4) Nav System
5) M3 Steering Wheel
6) Moonroof

How much you guys pay for your 2002 330ci?
I am lookin into purchasing one..and wondering how much you guys got them for(with sportspackage and whatever)

37K even with:

- SP, PP, Bi-Xn, 18"

thanks for info flyingtoaster....
I am waiting till this summer to purchase one.....hopefully i can get a good deal...:frog:

Don't kill yourself for it. An advice: read this post:

=http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2574

:)