[jplev]

Tomorrow looks to be the day I finally place an order for an F30 (lease is coming due on my E90). Thanks to everyone for all of the info and questions answered in this forum. I cannot imagine someone going through this process without this kind of knowledge. I probably over-analyzed this to death, but after weighing what I want while trying to keep within some sort of budget, here is what I'm going with:

2014 328i xDrive Sport Line, Mineral Grey Metallic, Black Interior, Anthracite Wood Trim with following options:

• Premium Package
• Navigation System
• Lighting Package
• Driver Assistance Package
• Cold Weather Package
• Side & Top View Cameras (always wanted these)
• Sport Auto w/Paddle Shifters (was on the fence, but convinced it is a good bang for the buck)
• Anti-theft Alarm System (still on the fence, including it for now, not sure if really needed based on where I normally park although not terribly expensive either)

Other items considered:

• DHP - had to cut the budget somewhere, doubt I would make much use of it on a daily basis
• HK - still a bit on the fence, want to hear difference when I go to dealer, but I listen to a sports radio and Sirius/XM probably 75% of the time, so not sure it would be worthwhile
• Tech Package - while I know most like the HUD (and I'm a gadget guy), I think I might find it distracting and for extra $1,000, chose to leave it off

Any comments or suggested before I go tomorrow would be most welcomed.

[Michael Schott]

Are you getting Sport Line just for the seat and trims? I'm sure you know that there is no Sport suspension on an xDrive car. If I were you I'd get the DHP.

[jplev]

Yes, got sports line basically for seats and wheels. I love the sport seats.

So in a nutshell, for an xDrive, what will DHP do for me on a daily driving basis? The dealer does not have a vehicle with DHP to try.

[vitriol]

Nice build!

I would get the alarm. It's not terribly expensive, and to me it's worth the peace of mind (and the chirp).

I agree re HK. Sound is noticeably better, but to me it's not worth the money.

Good call on side/rear cameras. Wish I had these.

I like the HUD a lot and I'm surprised how much I rely on it. I'm not sure it's worth $1000 though (which is the difference in price beyond nav system and tech package).

What is your target sale price? Here's where I would be:
- MSRP: $49,825
- SALE: $46,650

[jplev]

MSRP including $925 D&H is $52,775 (please let me know how you came up with your figures to see if I incorrectly added something). Invoice is $48,515, getting it for $500 over invoice. Then taking off $1,000 UDE cash and $500 loyalty cash (think there is another $500 incentive I am also getting).

On the HUD, if you are not using the NAV system (so everyday driving), for what are you using the HUD?

[elistan]

Originally Posted by jplev

Yes, got sports line basically for seats and wheels. I love the sport seats.

So in a nutshell, for an xDrive, what will DHP do for me on a daily driving basis? The dealer does not have a vehicle with DHP to try.

I assume you've test-driven one or more xDrive models? If you're happy with the handling, I see no reason for you to spend the money on DHP. However, for people like me, we find the non-DHP suspension tuning of the xDrive cars to be very floaty and leaning - not at all sporty. Even though it doesn't "matter" in daily driving (that is, it doesn't get us to the destination any more quickly) the feel of a sport-tuned suspension setup is certainly much more enjoyable. So depending on your preferences, what DHP does for you on a daily driving basis is simply makes the daily drive more fun.

[jplev]

I drove a base 328i loaner a couple of times. I then test drove last week a 320i, 328i and 328d, all with xDrive (latter 2 with sports line). I was happy with the handling of the sports line vehicles, felt better than 320i. If I can drive a car with DHP, I might give it a try. But like you said, if I am happy with the stock suspension, I would likely lean towards saving the $1,000.

[Stillhart]

I have had my Bimmer for about a week and a half now and the HUD is easily one of my favorite features now. I know it sounds silly, but it's REALLY nice not having to take your eyes off the road to check the speed.

I think one of the reasons why it's even nicer on the BMW is that the speedo only has numbers every 20 mph, so you have to stop and do fractions in your head for a second to figure out how fast you're going. It doesn't take long, but an extra second of your eyes off the road can make a big difference.

And seriously, the nav on the HUD is the best nav solution I've ever used, hands down.

I give the HUD/tech package two enthusiastic thumbs up.

I have the HK sounds and it's fine, but it's not mind-blowing or anything. I don't know that it's worth the extra money if I were buying again.

[narlus]

Originally Posted by Stillhart

I have the HK sounds and it's fine, but it's not mind-blowing or anything. I don't know that it's worth the extra money if I were buying again.

the HK is pretty good, esp at the relatively cheap upgrade price. but if you just listen to SiriusXM, you probably don't need it as that sound quality is pretty bad.

my old car had a much better system but it also cost about 2K TIC.

[Lafinkel]

HUD all the way. It shows radio stations, nav, speed, and other info. Very cool and useful and more safe.

[328AL]

I think it's not only HUD that you would be missing, there are 2 more options that comes with a tech package. I don't remember of hand the codes, but one is the safety option, where your car could notify BMW dispatcher in case of emergency automatically so they can alert emergency crews with your location and severity of an accident.

[jplev]

BMW Assist eCall and BMW TeleServices I believe might be the 2 items to which you are referring. According to what I have read, those are both standard items in 2014.

[Stillhart]

Originally Posted by Lafinkel

HUD all the way. It shows radio stations, nav, speed, and other info. Very cool and useful and more safe.

So far I haven't been able to get anything but speed and nav on mine. How do you get other stuff like radio to show?

[34.50]

Originally Posted by Stillhart

So far I haven't been able to get anything but speed and nav on mine. How do you get other stuff like radio to show?

If you have radio (FM/AM/XM) presets, it will scroll through them. If you have an iPod hooked up (USB) with a playlist, you can scroll through the songs in the playlist.

Another cool thing that shows up during navigation is construction, and road closures. Does it show accident info- I seem to recall someone posting a picture of that

[claykin]

Budget rules, but I really like DHP and HK. If you listen to Sat radio and sports mostly, doubt you'd appreciate HK much. Check it out before you decide.

DHP, you need to find a car to test drive. Try another dealer.

[328AL]

Originally Posted by jplev

BMW Assist eCall and BMW TeleServices I believe might be the 2 items to which you are referring. According to what I have read, those are both standard items in 2014.

Ok, great, they were not on 2013. So, it's all about the HUD.

Also, on the DHP, dealers don't have them on their lots and most cars they carry don't have Xenon lights either. I just ordered my car with it.

Everything I've read on this forum and others, if a driving quality is a priority and you want to control not only cornering but also stiffness of your suspension, this is an option to get. Again, form what I've read, it's more sporty in sport mode and more comfy in comfort mode. I've not seen any comments where people said anything other than positive things about it. Maybe your local dealer has a loaner or a used car with it. Having said that, I'd be very careful with those cars, I've driven really horrible loaners, which I always thought of some of them as lemons or buybacks (pure speculation on my part).

It adds to MSRP $1000 if you buy it or $400 if you lease it, but you can't retrofit your car with DHP, unlike, for instance, radio.

[BDWonder]

I test drove a 2013 335 xDrive, they did not have the reg 335. Super fast. However, when I came to a round-about, I experienced a huge body roll. I know it has no sports suspension, and it did not have DHP. I was aware of body roll and the softer ride, but just did not expect such a huge body roll. I def ruled out the xdrive. I wasn't going fast, and was just doing what I'd normally do in my 2010 335 coupe. Immense difference. That body roll initially freaked me out. Too bad, as I was actually considering an xDrive a few months back. Other than that, sweet sweet car indeed.

[jplev]

I'm sure DHP, HK and HUD are all terrific. Unfortunately, I need to draw the line somewhere when it comes to a budget.

For the driving I will normally do and based on my test drive, I think the standard suspension will be fine (but I will test drive again to be sure based on comments above).

For HK, probably not best use of money in my case based on my listening habits I mentioned earlier.

HUD...now that is one that is gnawing at me on which to possibly pull the trigger. I see so many posts with such positive remarks. I may need to figure out a way to add that in.

[GOLFFRR]

congrats that a nice build

[Maddict3]

Originally Posted by vitriol

Nice build!

I would get the alarm. It's not terribly expensive, and to me it's worth the peace of mind (and the chirp).

I agree re HK. Sound is noticeably better, but to me it's not worth the money.

Good call on side/rear cameras. Wish I had these.

I like the HUD a lot and I'm surprised how much I rely on it. I'm not sure it's worth $1000 though (which is the difference in price beyond nav system and tech package).

What is your target sale price? Here's where I would be:
- MSRP: $49,825
- SALE: $46,650

HK for me is night and day when compared to the regular system the car brings. I tell you this because in my 335is I have HK and my cousin has a f30 328i and we are always comparing the two.

HK is def worth the money IMO.

[///jbeck]

Love Mineral Grey with Anthracite

[aluXogen]

Very close to what i'm considering... Ive been back and forth on the HUD for weeks
Anyone have a video of the HUD in action?