[Dwayne Dibbley]

Hi, i will be looking at a new car towards the end of July, and i was looking at the 320D SE possibly in white.

Are there any must have factory fit options that you would recommend ordering as opposed to retrofitting afterwards.

I was looking at the Xenon upgrade Adaptive light package?

Also andy tips on the interior trim? am i right in thinking you get the silver trim as standard and not the fake wood?

Thanks

[willhollin]

Sports seats and bluetooth.

[M3-FAST]

Personally I don't think white with chrome trim mix very well.

White looks better on 'sporty' type cars. M-sport upgrade will get you lowered suspension, bigger alloys, black window surrounds and sports seats (amongst other niceties!!) which I think would suit a white car better. The SE model has chromes window surrounds and smaller wheels as standard.

Thats where I would be spending my money!

If you use the car (or phone!) a lot then I would defo consider bluetooth - also 6FL for seamless ipod integration with full control via the headunit and steering wheel buttons. If you like your music then hifi is a must (the standard setup is crap crap crap).

Fake wood is defo an option with silver trim as standard

[MEGA]

Get the high line option mate. Free m-sport upgrade, then add bluetooth. Job done.

M sport aluminium trim looks good, especially with darker leather

[E902717]

As others have said really, IMO the 3 series looks alot better as an M-sport and i prefer the ride and handling also as your want white it will look better. Sport seats are a must as well as the bluetooth.

If you do have white and go for the SE the high gloss black shadow line looks alot better than the chrome but is just my opinion

Nothing beats buying a new car!

[xenon]

You need xenons - the standard halogen reflectors look like Mr Kipling pie tins.

[Dwayne Dibbley]

The SE model has chromes window surrounds and smaller wheels as standard

on the BMW website it shows the 320D SE with black over door trims?

Thanks again

[SiKkBaSs]

Originally Posted by xenon

You need xenons - the standard halogen reflectors look like Mr Kipling pie tins.

This. I'm pissed off with my "Mr Kipling pie tins".

[MEGA]

I quite like my kipling pie tins

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by MEGA

I quite like my kipling pie tins

He's only annoyed as he wanted the username "kipling-pie-tins" but it was already taken, so he had to use "xenon" instead.

[Cafe.Racer]

4 pot D's don't have the shiney chrome surrounds... But I would push for the M-Sport, particularly that high-line one they're doing at the moment.

But the time I'd added various options to my SE, I might as well have got an M-Sport, but someone f**ked up the quote...

[Dwayne Dibbley]

Are the Xenons Bi? ie low and high?

Its a company car so only really got the choice of ES or SE trim levels but can add extras.

Are the sports seats really worth there cost over the standard seats?

And to confirm SE has Matt black trim except for the kidney grill edge?

Thanks

[Penyfan1960]

I can understand the interest in making sure the spec of the car is right. I am or have been in that situation.
Have recently sold my 320i SE auto 55 reg. Can’t say it was very easy. As a main dealer told me: ‘you won’t find many punters out there nowadays with more than 10 grand to spend’. Well he was right. I advertised in the leading Auto****** mag & website and after quite a few weeks I eventually sold for £100 pounds less than Glass’s recommended ‘Private Sale Price’. I was hoping for more as it had the Media Package etc. But there you go!
I found the viewing punters looking for leather seats and a perfect car. I.e. no scratches or signs of curbing. Well, the car wasn’t perfect so I mustn’t grumble.
I found the 320i SE a very nice car to drive. Of all the cars I have driven ranging from Hillman Minx, Hunters, Marinas, Capri, Cortina, Sierra, Granada, Mondeo, Mini Cooper. The 320i was by far the best. The only car I always looked forward to driving. In fact, I often made an excuse to drive it. About town or motorway, it was smooth, quite and hassle free. On motorways, using cruise control I could get 41.6mpg. Driving in town about 24.7 mpg. Not bad, considering the Mini Cooper does 25.7 mpg! And I know which I would sooner drive!
The 320i always surprised me of the acceleration available at the 75mph speed limit! S*** law! It would just power on to 110+ so easy with no prob. (So they say!)
Now flush with a bit of cash have had trial drives in: Mercedes ‘C’ class, Audi A4, Jaguar XF, BMW 525D auto & 320D auto M sport.
All rather different cars, but two stood out. The 320D M sport and the Jag XF. The Jag just a bit too big for my requirements and when driving, I felt slightly ‘detached’ but it rode and cornered very nicely and has a super cabin. It was very tempting. My Wife said: ‘I want one!’
I test drove the 320D M sport over a well known pot holed road and to my surprise it seemed to ride better and quieter than the 320i. It handled beautifully, with just the right degree of feeling ‘nippy’. The Jag didn’t feel quite like that.
So, I have now placed an order for a 320D M Sport with the following spec:-
Automatic gearbox
Metallic paint Titanium Silver
Leather seats – Grey Dakota
Heated front seats
Lumbar support
Extended storage - nets & sockets
Loudspeaker system: BMW Business
Media Package:
Professional Sat Nav
Drive Assist
Drive Online
Voice Control
Bluetooth phone prep + telematics
Visibility Package:
Headlight wash
Rain sensor + auto headlight
Xenon headlights
Adaptive headlights
High-beam assist
Cruise Control
Head restraints, rear & folding
USB Interface

Red Brown Eucalyptus Interior Trim
Folding Rear Mirrors + auto dimming
Park Distance Control - Front & Rear
Split folding rear seats
Servotronic

On placing the order I was advised that ‘standard’ delivery would be 4/5 weeks, but with the ‘funny’ red/brown eucalyptus.(it was that or the XF!): I could add on another 10/11 weeks! I have left the spec ride as I don’t want deliver until the new reg. year in Sept.
It is likely that some may consider the Auto gear box a bit of a ‘no-no’ and also other items. I would appreciate any comments together with ideas on other BMW ‘extras’ which may be worth considering.
Many thanks!

[MEGA]

Argh. Silver/grey with fake wood trim? If thats how you spec all yours then no wonder you struggle to sell them

But EACH TO THEIR OWN I'm sure you know a couple of the options you've specced are controversial

Heated seats, media and loudspeaker are good options that'll definitely assist resale alot

I bet you can't wait for the new car to come through. Congrats on the order

[Penyfan1960]

Originally Posted by MEGA

Argh. Silver/grey with fake wood trim? If thats how you spec all yours then no wonder you struggle to sell them

But EACH TO THEIR OWN I'm sure you know a couple of the options you've specced are controversial

Heated seats, media and loudspeaker are good options that'll definitely assist resale alot

I bet you can't wait for the new car to come through. Congrats on the order

Thanks Mega for the comments. When selling the previous motor potential buyers never mentioned the walnut with the silver/grey. Its whether the car had leathers was always the question. The red/brown euc. came about because the better half so liked the 'wood' in the Jag XF. Well, its anything for a quite life!
Yep, I am looking forward to the 320D M sport. I realise now I sold the previous too soon. It just seemed a good idea at the time! Driving a Mini Cooper is not quite the same.
Cheers

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by Penyfan1960

Of all the cars I have driven ranging from Hillman Minx, Hunters, Marinas, Capri, Cortina, Sierra, Granada, Mondeo, Mini Cooper. The 320i was by far the best. !

Should bloody well hope so as well!!

I agree with Mega on the colour combo - strange combination (possibly unique?!). most customers choose contrasting colours (ie dark paint & light leather or vice versa)

Enjoy the car when it finally arrives and post some pics up!!

[Penyfan1960]

Originally Posted by Penyfan1960
Of all the cars I have driven ranging from Hillman Minx, Hunters, Marinas, Capri, Cortina, Sierra, Granada, Mondeo, Mini Cooper. The 320i was by far the best. !
Should bloody well hope so as well!! !

Thanks M3-FAST for your comments But don't forget the Mondeo is an excellent car and for the money, I would say, in all respects. The gearbox is faultless and you don't need a cackhand to use it! As you infer, for the premium we pay for a E90 I am certainly glad it has the edge on a Mondeo. If it did'nt we would all be buying Mondeos, as they are good allrounders. I had one for 3/4 years finishing with more than 90k on the clock with no probs other that the replacement of two rubber bushes on the front end.

[JLR1969]

I personally would not bother with the autobox, not great with a 4 pot motor. Unless of course you are getting on a bit or have a dodgy knee

[dxb335d]

You dont have to have the E90 SE with chrome, you can spec also... You also get the AWESOME 18" 189 ellipsoid rims..

But in E90 spec (ie saloon) Msport does look better..

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

You also get the AWESOME 18" 189 ellipsoid rims....

Not any more

Style 285 V spoke come as standard - all change on LCi models

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

Not any more

Style 285 V spoke come as standard - all change on LCi models

so you cant get them anymore? thats a shame.

[Penyfan1960]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

I personally would not bother with the autobox, not great with a 4 pot motor. Unless of course you are getting on a bit or have a dodgy knee

I've been sussed! Yes! In heavy London traffic an auto is sooooo much easier than a manual. However, I found with my E90 the Steptronic surprisingly effect, after a little practice. Very handy for the odd moments in traffic and the approach roads to motorways. Iv'e got to drive a fair way to find a decent windy road to enjoy a manual. What's the use of flogging up and down a manual gearbox between two sets of traffic lights?
Paddles are the way to go, but a 6-pot motor is outside my budget. Both hands on the steering wheel, with an auto, is a good safety aspect.
I'm looking forward to my 320D m-sport for delivery September and as E902717 post above states:- "Nothing beats buying a new car!"
Cheers!