[BavarianFanatic]

This holds true pretty much all of the time. BMW (and most other manufacturers) add standard content in higher line models that is optional in the lower line models. It's for this reason that you must seriously weigh the options (no pun intended) that you truly must have vs. those are ultimately jewelry and not really valuable to you.

This is one of the fundamental reasons that vehicles are marketed in this manner. You built your 328i for X, but then you realized you could move up to a similarly equipped 340i for X+2,000. Boom, they just pulled an extra 2,000 out of your pocket that they otherwise wouldn't have seen.

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

One other thing to consider: most of the options you order increase the resale price of your car by a negligible amount, if at all. So, unless you lease or plan to own for a very very long time, ordering a higher end car with fewer options is a better idea financially.

Bingo. 99% of the value is the model. The options add very little at resale time unless they are very significant. Even then, it's at a far lower residual value than the car itself. Unless, of course, we're talking about something special.

[5ilver-5amurai]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

Bingo. 99% of the value is the model. The options add very little at resale time unless they are very significant. Even then, it's at a far lower residual value than the car itself. Unless, of course, we're talking about something special.

I don't think that's true. A friend of mine used to flip cars for a living and a very large set of used car buyers won't even look at a car unless it's fully loaded. If OP decides to sell his car in 3-4 years, I'd bet he's going to have harder time selling a stripped car than a loaded one (regardless of engine).

Of course most of us gear-heads in here could care less about options when you're getting a better engine, but the general populace typically does.

[goj]

I would argue the Msport would be more fun to drive unless you're looking for a cruiser then the extra power is nice

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by Aritaurus

One of the VP's at the company I worked for recently bought a 2016 340i xDrive which is the base model with no options and it turned out that his car was only $2000 more than my 2016 328i xDrive with M Sport package, Premium Package Essentials and lumbar support.

Here in Canada, the 340i comes with standard M Sport, Adaptive LED Headlights with High Beam Assist and the On Board Navigation System. My 328i xDrive would have the following options over the stock 340i.

- Comfort Access
- Alarm System
- Rear View Camera
- PDC
- Through Loading system
- Lumbar Support
- Real Time Traffic Info, Concierge Services, BMW Online, Remote Services
- Sirius XM
- Auto Dimming Mirrors with folding option


I'm starting to regret not getting the base 340i instead but I'm not sure if it's worth waiting 3-4 months to wait to place an order on one. Would you rather take the moderately equipped 328i xDrive or the stock 340i?

Just Dinan your 328xi!

[FC4]

Fully optioned low model < stripped higher model

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by FC4

Fully optioned low model < stripped higher model

It all depends on what you value. For some people, the 328 engine is more than enough most of the time and the other options have more intrinsic value. Does the extra HP mean more than having the missing options? At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer. It all boils down to what the buyer values.

[Tacoma]

Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6

meh enjoy your 328! yeah the 340 is quicker but how often are you going to utilize that speed? at least this is how i justified my 428 vs 435 purchase last year.

i still managed to get a stupid speeding ticket with a slower car

I've been posting on BMW boards for >2 decades and this justification always comes up in these discussions and it's always been lame, IMO, because you can use it against any car... meh, just get the loaded 320i because it's got more then enough power in real world situations and the 328i is overkill, especially in traffic... etc.

My rule of thumb is, for the same model, engine is king... get the most power you can afford and the fluff stuff like LED, full leather and comfort access, etc., are gravy. I might eventually change my mind when I'm too old to care in which case I'm going to get myself a nice soft dependable Lexus that isolates me from the rest of this cruel loud world and I can listen to my golden oldies songs in peace and quiet while I cruise below the speed limit on the left lane and my right blinkers always on.

So, in short to the OP, your VP boss is right to get the 340i stripper over a loaded 328i. That's why he's your boss and not the other way around.

[techwhiz]

Never option out a lower model.
Optioned 328 can cost more than a pretty good 340.
Optioned 535 can cost more than a decent 550.

A lot of items that are options on the lower model are standard with the higher model.
Individual options are expensive on the lower models.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by tboooe

It all depends on what you value. For some people, the 328 engine is more than enough most of the time and the other options have more intrinsic value. Does the extra HP mean more than having the missing options? At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer. It all boils down to what the buyer values.

^^This. Don't ask a bunch of strangers on the internet what's best--their answer may not work for the OP.

[SeanWRT]

Definitely a poor decision. Optional equipments are normally overpriced. Always try get a base model that is equipped with what you like as standard.

[Tim@codemybimmer]

Originally Posted by Aritaurus

Here in Canada, the 340i comes with standard M Sport, Adaptive LED Headlights with High Beam Assist and the On Board Navigation System.

Adaptive LED Headlights are optional regardless if its a 328 or 340 in Canada - $1,500 option.

Also High Beam Assistant is a part of the Premium Enhanced package for the 340 in Canada.

Seems kind of stupid, least for the Adaptive LEDs since the Static LED Headlights are standard on both the 328 and 340, kind of defeats the purpose to spend a whole $1,500 just for them to move

[bimmercar]

well, i have to say after driving both 328i and 340i, 340i is really awesome, it pulls very hard

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by Tacoma

I've been posting on BMW boards for >2 decades and this justification always comes up in these discussions and it's always been lame, IMO, because you can use it against any car... meh, just get the loaded 320i because it's got more then enough power in real world situations and the 328i is overkill, especially in traffic... etc.

My rule of thumb is, for the same model, engine is king... get the most power you can afford and the fluff stuff like LED, full leather and comfort access, etc., are gravy. I might eventually change my mind when I'm too old to care in which case I'm going to get myself a nice soft dependable Lexus that isolates me from the rest of this cruel loud world and I can listen to my golden oldies songs in peace and quiet while I cruise below the speed limit on the left lane and my right blinkers always on.

So, in short to the OP, your VP boss is right to get the 340i stripper over a loaded 328i. That's why he's your boss and not the other way around.

Even when I'm 70, still will NEVER own a Lexus. Will be BMW and Porsche til I die!

.... Besides, my golden oldies will be TOOL, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, STP, G&R, and still Zeppelin, Pink, and Hendrix.

My blood will likely keep flowing I'd say.

[rchendesign]

An more interesting question would be - a non M-Sport (standard version in the US) 340i vs an M-Sport 328i...

[ft1330]

I would not own a BMW without options. In this day and age there are certain expectations in cars that are not met by a basic BMW, but that are met by a basic Kia.

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by 5ilver-5amurai

I don't think that's true. A friend of mine used to flip cars for a living and a very large set of used car buyers won't even look at a car unless it's fully loaded. If OP decides to sell his car in 3-4 years, I'd bet he's going to have harder time selling a stripped car than a loaded one (regardless of engine).

Of course most of us gear-heads in here could care less about options when you're getting a better engine, but the general populace typically does.

I do somewhat agree, but it's not a "stripped" car. The move upstream adds content as standard that is optional on the lower tier example. By default they come decently equipped standard.

On the flip side, believe it or not, there ARE people who seek out the lowest possible content. Non-optioned M3s tend to sell very well for example. The same holds true in other situations as well - such as manual cars. While the "general population", and subsequently dealers, value automatics more due to their broad appeal, the limited market for manuals increases their worth since there is a very specific segment of buyers that seek them out, but the number available is relatively small.

[jd_perspective]

Originally Posted by Tacoma

I've been posting on BMW boards for >2 decades and this justification always comes up in these discussions and it's always been lame, IMO, because you can use it against any car... meh, just get the loaded 320i because it's got more then enough power in real world situations and the 328i is overkill, especially in traffic... etc.

My rule of thumb is, for the same model, engine is king... get the most power you can afford and the fluff stuff like LED, full leather and comfort access, etc., are gravy. I might eventually change my mind when I'm too old to care in which case I'm going to get myself a nice soft dependable Lexus that isolates me from the rest of this cruel loud world and I can listen to my golden oldies songs in peace and quiet while I cruise below the speed limit on the left lane and my right blinkers always on.

So, in short to the OP, your VP boss is right to get the 340i stripper over a loaded 328i. That's why he's your boss and not the other way around.

it depends on what's important. if you want an engine & a steering wheel then get the biggest/fastest engine possible. I look at what can I afford and get the best bang for my buck. I like tech and cool options, so I am going to load up my car with all the ones I want at the minimum acceptable engine possible. For ex, I would never get a a 20i because it's too slow. But the 28i works for me so I load up that one. Then if I can still afford more I try to squeeze in a larger engine.

[3onDubs]

Originally Posted by rchendesign

An more interesting question would be - a non M-Sport (standard version in the US) 340i vs an M-Sport 328i...

Correct...this is the biggest deal breaker imo. The steering wheel changes the driving experience and the look of the car completely changes.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by ft1330

I would not own a BMW without options. In this day and age there are certain expectations in cars that are not met by a basic BMW, but that are met by a basic Kia.

Agreed, but I won't take a standard leather and back up camera over standard RWD (and in fact my F80 has cloth seats and no back up camera, and 335 has vinyl seats and no back up camera)

[itrocks4u]

What was the reason for 328 instead of 340? Budget issues? If you've just got the car, you gonna be hit with a depreciation and quite a bit of loss. If it's a lease you can try leasebusters.

Yes I'll take stripped 340 over 328 any day. Don't get into the regret game cause you'll bascislly end up wanting more. I have a 435 f36 that's almost fully loaded. It doesn't have a HUD. I regret not getting it when it was only $1500 more. Now that I have an almost fully loaded 435, I regret not going for a used or stripped M3. Will definitely evaluate my options at one year mark

[carzaddict]

you can always get a tune to make your 328 faster.

my vote is optioned 328. stripper cars are boring