[beanbaguk]

I'm in the middle of working out the best configuration for my new 4 series grand coupe.

I've decided to downgrade the engine to the 420d from the 430d. I do a ton of mileage and the running costs were racking up so decided to stick with what I knew.

However, I'm toying with options and wondered if some of you guys had some feedback as you may have them yourselves.

Adaptive LED's
I have adaptive Xenons on my current F31 and I must admit I do like them. Especially the cornering aspect. The adaptive high beam is also good but it does turn on and off a lot and it's not really needed. Just nice to light up the road ahead. The problem is it's a pricey option at €1,400. Is it worth it?

Individual Leather
With the 420d, leather is not standard so the dakota option is still €1800, but I do want a black leather interior. The individual option does look much nicer but it's also €2,500. Is it worth the extra? Can somebody also clarify if either of the two leather options include a leather dash?

Surround View
This looks so gimmicky but I've nicked my front bumper on the F31 so many times on a pavement, I think this will save me a re-spray or two! €444. Is it worth it? I think so!

M-Sport Brakes
Yes! I've always wanted these but no doubt the discs and pads cost more to replace when worn!

Anything else I must have?!

[hinckley]

My opinions:

Adaptive LED's - Compared to Xenons, these are nice, but not a must-have. However, I don't know the EU spec. If you don't get LEDs, do you get halogens? If so, the LEDs become a must-have.

Individual Leather - This is a huge luxury that makes a huge difference in the feel of the interior. In the US, getting Individual leather also gives you a leather dash. However, I believe that in the EU, the leather dash is a separate option. If you can afford it, get it.

Surround View - This is not a gimmick. It's a great safety feature.

M-Sport Brakes - Others will probably have a better opinion on this option.

[beanbaguk]

LED's are standard in EU spec with high beam assist, but the key difference is they're not adaptive.

I need to check the whole leather thing. €700 to upgrade to individual leather isn't insane but it's €2,500 for the whole option!

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by beanbaguk

LED's are standard in EU spec with high beam assist, but the key difference is they're not adaptive.

I'd put my money in the leather dash over the adaptive LEDs. It's a big expense for a big reward imo. But that of course is my money!

[MomoM3]

In the US the Adaptive LEDs basically just add the ability of the lights to sway left/right in corners. IIRC, it also supposedly adjusts to ride height if extra weight is in the car.

If I were to do it again, I'd likely get the better Merino leather. Dakota feels like a baseball glove.

Go for Surround View. Really helps with parking straight and not damaging your wheels against curbs.

I have the M Brakes but have not driven the same car without them. I like them. They bite nice.

[moff]

Adaptive LED's do a whole lot more than just adjust height and left / right.

The Individual leather is merino and of much higher quality than the Dakota which is pretty poor.

The Individual leather dash is a £1000 option too but not necessary with the leather interior.

M Sport brakes won't be particularly expensive to replace but no doubt more than the stock ones.

[dreamingat30fps]

If it was me I would just get the leather (I hate the dakota leather) and the surround view, assuming the car comes standard with LED or HID headlights. I doubt you will get any use out of the upgraded brakes unless you track the car.

[alohasurftoad]

Get all of the above, life is short

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by moff

Adaptive LED's do a whole lot more than just adjust height and left / right.

Yes, but in the US they don't do all that unless you code it in unfortunately. Noted that OP is not in US, so agreed, definitely get the Adaptive LEDs in that case...

[torkles]

The adaptive headlights are awesome and the surround view is fantastic. I highly recommend those. I don't have an opinion on the individual leather, all I've ever had is the dakota leather and it's fine.

On a 335, I don't think the m sport brake upgrade is worth the cost since all it changes are the rear calipers, different pads, and makes the calipers blue. If you get bigger rotors with the m sport brakes on a 420, it's probably worth it.

[Jim E.]

Originally Posted by beanbaguk

I'm in the middle of working out the best configuration for my new 4 series grand coupe.

I've decided to downgrade the engine to the 420d from the 430d. I do a ton of mileage and the running costs were racking up so decided to stick with what I knew.

However, I'm toying with options and wondered if some of you guys had some feedback as you may have them yourselves.

Adaptive LED's
I have adaptive Xenons on my current F31 and I must admit I do like them. Especially the cornering aspect. The adaptive high beam is also good but it does turn on and off a lot and it's not really needed. Just nice to light up the road ahead. The problem is it's a pricey option at €1,400. Is it worth it?

Individual Leather
With the 420d, leather is not standard so the dakota option is still €1800, but I do want a black leather interior. The individual option does look much nicer but it's also €2,500. Is it worth the extra? Can somebody also clarify if either of the two leather options include a leather dash?

Surround View
This looks so gimmicky but I've nicked my front bumper on the F31 so many times on a pavement, I think this will save me a re-spray or two! €444. Is it worth it? I think so!

M-Sport Brakes
Yes! I've always wanted these but no doubt the discs and pads cost more to replace when worn!

Anything else I must have?!

Adaptive LED are a must. Especially since you have the benefit of "anti-dazzle" coding whereas we do not here in the U.S.

Merino leather (plus leather dash) was a must have option for me. I would not have bought it otherwise. It transforms the interior and the delta to move up to merino is not that bad at all for you.

Surround view is nice to have. But if I had to drop one of your choices to allocate more funds to another option, then this would be it.

M perforamnce brakes is a really good option and the cost is not bad given what you get. You will also have the option of using different pads including the one's from the F8x M3/M4 - assuming you like dust. But there are also other options in terms of pads.

Good luck.

[Vojta89]

Originally Posted by beanbaguk

I'm in the middle of working out the best configuration for my new 4 series grand coupe.

I've decided to downgrade the engine to the 420d from the 430d. I do a ton of mileage and the running costs were racking up so decided to stick with what I knew.

However, I'm toying with options and wondered if some of you guys had some feedback as you may have them yourselves.

Adaptive LED's
I have adaptive Xenons on my current F31 and I must admit I do like them. Especially the cornering aspect. The adaptive high beam is also good but it does turn on and off a lot and it's not really needed. Just nice to light up the road ahead. The problem is it's a pricey option at €1,400. Is it worth it?

Individual Leather
With the 420d, leather is not standard so the dakota option is still €1800, but I do want a black leather interior. The individual option does look much nicer but it's also €2,500. Is it worth the extra? Can somebody also clarify if either of the two leather options include a leather dash?

Surround View
This looks so gimmicky but I've nicked my front bumper on the F31 so many times on a pavement, I think this will save me a re-spray or two! €444. Is it worth it? I think so!

M-Sport Brakes
Yes! I've always wanted these but no doubt the discs and pads cost more to replace when worn!

Anything else I must have?!

Adaptive LED - must have
Individual Merino black with leather dash - must have
Surround view - for me it's useless
M-sport Brakes - take base brakes and than upgrade to Mperformance (bigger than Msport on 420d)

I have LEDs, merino black with dash and also Msport brakes (but on 335d where bigger Msport are placed)

[lee_fr200]

When you look at discounts he 430d only ends up been around £1000 more than a 420d go on coast 2 coast drive the deal etc etc spec them and you might save you never know

[otay]

The non-Adaptive LEDs got a crappy rating here in the US. I live in a semi-rural area...it's dark at night. That plus the fact I'm getting old, make the adaptive LEDs a must-have and are included on my 340i order.

IIHS ratings for F30:
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/veh...s-4-door-sedan
...click on Headlights on left side of page.

[jmg]

Is it worth it?

That's very subjective based on your budget. I say they are all worth it except the extended leather. That's really up to you if you like that look. For me, I could take it or leave it. If the perfect car was sitting on the lot except it didn't have the individual leather, I'd rather just take that one than order a custom F30 and pay more and wait longer.

[beanbaguk]

Just logged back in and wow, thanks for the feedback.

I would LOVE to go for the 430d but the price difference here in Spain is immense. I've tried looking for second hand low mileage examples, but they simply don't exist. Moreover, I can't understand it for the life of me, but people here simply don't order M-Sport trims and usually opt for the sport trim. I'm not at all interested in that guise.

I'm still waiting to hear back from my dealer on a good deal. I know he's working hard on it as I bought a 218d for my wife, and he delivered my 320d to me so he knows I'm not playing about (which is what I find with some garages).

I'm going try and find an example of the adaptive LED's on a demo car as I would love to just try out the new technology and see if it beats the Xenon variant on my car.

However in the meantime, these are the options I've provisionally chosen. (No doubt they will change a bit).

- 420d Grand Coupe in M-Sport trim
- Carbon black exterior paint
- Black individual leather (also comes with dash too, so I'm told but the dealer will confirm this for me).
- Sport Auto gearbox
- 441 Ferric grey 18" wheels (roads in Spain are too crap for 19")
- Hexagonal / Black interior trim
- ConnectedDrive package
- "Executive Plus Package" which includes
- Full digital dash
- Lumbar support
- Parking camera
- Speed limit info
- Folding mirrors
- Professional Navigation
- Cruise control with brake function
- Surround view
- HiFi speaker upgrade (I'll upgrade these with my BSW speakers and bimmertech amp)
- Rear window tint
- Variable steering
- M-Sport brakes
- High beam assist
- Storage package

I think that's all!

[GoranBonn]

I'm not seeing Heads Up Display on that list. If you're not getting that as part of a package, strongly consider it. It's a terrific driving aid and I won't consider any future car without it.

[Tim182]

Originally Posted by GoranBonn

I'm not seeing Heads Up Display on that list. If you're not getting that as part of a package, strongly consider it. It's a terrific driving aid and I won't consider any future car without it.

+1. It's insanely good and I'd spec it before pretty much any other option.

[beanbaguk]

I hadn't even considered the head-up display....I'll take a look at it when I'm in the garage. What sort of information does it show?

[oz555]

[

Originally Posted by beanbaguk

Anything else I must have?!

Power seats are must and parking cameras, because I have feeling I am sitting in a submarine. No need for individual leather, standard black with blue stiching is very nice. Take Adaptive LED just because of mighty looks. Regards.

[Dang3r]

Originally Posted by beanbaguk

I hadn't even considered the head-up display....I'll take a look at it when I'm in the garage. What sort of information does it show?

HUD is meanwhile essential for me, shows speed, NAV data, warnings&cautions and if you order also speed limit info aka active traffic sign reading.

Surround view is more than a gadget, used it more as the reverse camera.

Electric seats with memory are also very nice, especially if you and wifey are often changes the driver seat.

I was pleased with Dakota leather, the upgrade to Merino wasnt worth the price IMO

M-Sportbrakes at a 420 is a waste of money and here just for optics, no real functional reason for me

Adaptive LED's are the best I'd driven up to date, would order them every time again.

A final word to the variable steering: If you choose 8 gear sport transmission, the steering becomes more sensitive and more direct after switching the sport mode. A coder is be able to divide the settings to individual and you could enable this also into your daily drive by iDrive menu. So this option could be deleted and you would save money

Aside from that: Good god man, delete 2 doors and get yourself a F32 real coupé

[beanbaguk]

Originally Posted by Dang3r

Aside from that: Good god man, delete 2 doors and get yourself a F32 real coupé

Sadly it's down to having a kid and two dogs. A coupe simply doesn't give me the space I need!