[Rewted]

So I'll be finalizing my 2008 335i (e92) order on Wednesday. 3.5% off MSRP.

Been struggling with the color choices, either Jet Black or Alpine White. Black looks better, but hard to maintain, white is easy, but looks plain & doesn't show off chrome well.

I'm thinking:
- Jet Black on black.
- Automatic
- Comfort Access
- USB package

- Nav package sounds "cool", but would rarely get used (once a year). A TomTom will do?

Am I missing anything?

[BM-Dub-A-Newbie]

Originally Posted by tyrewt

So I'll be finalizing my 2008 335i (e92) order on Wednesday. 3.5% off MSRP.

Been struggling with the color choices, either Jet Black or Alpine White. Black looks better, but hard to maintain, white is easy, but looks plain & doesn't show off chrome well.

I'm thinking:
- Jet Black on black.
- Automatic
- Comfort Access
- USB package

- Nav package sounds "cool", but would rarely get used (once a year). A TomTom will do?

Am I missing anything?

Alpine White on the e92 look really good...

[yomash]

Originally Posted by tyrewt

So I'll be finalizing my 2008 335i (e92) order on Wednesday. 3.5% off MSRP.

Been struggling with the color choices, either Jet Black or Alpine White. Black looks better, but hard to maintain, white is easy, but looks plain & doesn't show off chrome well.

I'm thinking:
- Jet Black on black.
- Automatic
- Comfort Access
- USB package

- Nav package sounds "cool", but would rarely get used (once a year). A TomTom will do?

Am I missing anything?

I was very torn to get the Nav or not.. you should go to a dealership and have them demo the system for you. There are so many things that are integrated into the iDrive that you might think twice about going with an after market.

I also figured that in a few years nav will be standard on cars, so having one that is integrated into the car like that would help resale value etc..

ultimately, the final decision is yours and you need to determine if you will like having it or not.

[stooken]

Get the navigation. If not for the navi itself then to be able to control all the functions in your car.

My nav froze for a bit once (just restarted the car after I parked) but it was such a pain in the ass to navigate through the entertainment functions w/o it. I was in the same boat and I don't regret getting it at all. Best of all, real time traffic. I check how bad traffic is up ahead and use the navigation to get me through the small streets and back on the freeway. The only thing I really hate is entering destinations in the system. It takes absolutely way too long.

[vbb]

As for color, I agree that the Jet black looks gorgeous when clean and freshly waxed. Probably the best color out there. But I've had a black car for 4 years and I'm tired of the upkeep. I had the intention of getting white for my last 2 cars and have always ended up going with black instead, so this time around I decided to give white a shot. I think it looks really sporty and classy at the same time, plus it isn't quite as bad to keep looking nice.

As for navigation, that was one option that I specifically decided against. After ordering, I wished that I got the comfort access and heated seats (but didn't want to delay production so I decided against updating), but the navigation seems like a waste of money in my situation. I rarely ever "road trip" to places I'm unfamiliar with, and when I do I always rely on my ability to read a map (call me old fashioned) and or use mapquest. I simply don't see myself ever needing the navigation, and so I wasn't going to be thousands for something I wouldn't need. If you're like me and would only use it once or twice a year, I'd pass.

[Rewted]

Originally Posted by vbb

As for color, I agree that the Jet black looks gorgeous when clean and freshly waxed. Probably the best color out there. But I've had a black car for 4 years and I'm tired of the upkeep. I had the intention of getting white for my last 2 cars and have always ended up going with black instead, so this time around I decided to give white a shot. I think it looks really sporty and classy at the same time, plus it isn't quite as bad to keep looking nice.

As for navigation, that was one option that I specifically decided against. After ordering, I wished that I got the comfort access and heated seats (but didn't want to delay production so I decided against updating), but the navigation seems like a waste of money in my situation. I rarely ever "road trip" to places I'm unfamiliar with, and when I do I always rely on my ability to read a map (call me old fashioned) and or use mapquest. I simply don't see myself ever needing the navigation, and so I wasn't going to be thousands for something I wouldn't need. If you're like me and would only use it once or twice a year, I'd pass.

I live in a small city, no need for traffic updates. Not much value in that for $2000+ :|

[stooken]

Originally Posted by tyrewt

I live in a small city, no need for traffic updates. Not much value in that for $2000+ :|

Traffic update is just 1 of the MANY features. I don't use it much either but when I do, it's pretty handy.

There's just so much integrated into the iDrive and navi that it makes everything in the car so easy to control. Find an E9x with navi and play around with it.

I just like convenience and I'll pay for it. Like I said, I tried controlling the entertainment functions with the regular radio buttons and it was a huge PAIN! It took forever to navigate through things.

Comfort access was #1 on my list but after having it, I could have went w/o it. It's cool but not when it lags or sometimes doesn't work. Could've spent less time pulling the key fob out of my pocket as I'm walking to the car and press the button to unlock. Navi was on the bottom of my list and now I'm so happy I got it. Only thing I kind of regret not getting is the premium package for power seats and bluetooth. There's just so many handles to pull!

[Rewted]

Originally Posted by stooken

Traffic update is just 1 of the MANY features. I don't use it much either but when I do, it's pretty handy.

There's just so much integrated into the iDrive and navi that it makes everything in the car so easy to control. Find an E9x with navi and play around with it.

I just like convenience and I'll pay for it. Like I said, I tried controlling the entertainment functions with the regular radio buttons and it was a huge PAIN! It took forever to navigate through things.

Comfort access was #1 on my list but after having it, I could have went w/o it. It's cool but not when it lags or sometimes doesn't work. Could've spent less time pulling the key fob out of my pocket as I'm walking to the car and press the button to unlock. Navi was on the bottom of my list and now I'm so happy I got it. Only thing I kind of regret not getting is the premium package for power seats and bluetooth. There's just so many handles to pull!

Maybe I just don't know much about the other iDrive features and never used it. I have saw a few videos of it in action though, also a lot of comments regarding how it needs a serious update vs other in-car nav systems. Can you list off your top 5 features for iDrive?

This year in 2008 models, bluetooth comes in the premium package.

[stooken]

Originally Posted by tyrewt

Maybe I just don't know much about the other iDrive features and never used it. I have saw a few videos of it in action though, also a lot of comments regarding how it needs a serious update vs other in-car nav systems. Can you list off your top 5 features for iDrive?

This year in 2008 models, bluetooth comes in the premium package.

I think bluetooth comes with premium package in 07's as well.

I never had navigation prior to this car so I guess I can appreciate it more than others. When inputting a destination, it does take a little while to calculate the best route and show up on the screen. I think that's the biggest issue for some people. Sometimes I find it easier just google'ing the directions and printing it out but those aren't always accurate and you have to constantly look at the paper. Navi tells you exactly when to turn at X feet ahead and if you go off route, it'll recalculate a new route for you. It's not necessary for some people but like I said, I like the convenience.

I use the navi/idrive mainly for entertainment controls. It's just so much easier seeing the radio stations, cd tracks and everything on the screen. One turn or click of the dial and it's done. My right hand is always resting by the shifter and the idrive dial is right there too. You can play with some cool climate control options. There's options for lighting, door locks, tpms, steering wheel button selections and etc.

[cn555ic]

black are really hard to keep clean...You must be a good detailer to keep a black car looking like new...Swirl marks are so evident on black cars....White is easier to keep clean and swirl marks are easily hidden...The only thing with this color is the oxidation from the sun...If you wax it and don't do a good job, then you will see the color difference of the white paint..