[pani_K3]

Just wondering on whether everyone on here bought their 3 series exactly how they wanted it when buying second hand? It seems if you are particularly fussy like me, then getting one in the exact spec/colour/trim/model you are after comes along probably just as often as Halley's Comet.

The big bit for me is it has got to be an E92 (or even an E93 cab since I am struggling to find an E92!!) 330d with a manual box which is the killer as that essentially narrows it down to about 5-10% of the entire used 3 series on sale and I am looking for one with sat nav. That in itself is difficult to find but then there's finding one without a gash interior trim and horrible coloured seats in it too. I'm finding few and far between and some have always got a few desirable bits missing like one doesn't have MV4s and no folding mirrors. and another I don't think has bluetooth or folding mirrors or heated seats. Would really like bluetooth and heated seats tbh. Really really difficult finding one exactly as I'd like so do you think I should have some compromise or wait for that elusive E92 330d manual with the spec I'm after? Bearing in mind I've only found one car that matches my entire preferred criteria in an entire 4 months of looking on pistonheads, autotrader and BMW UK and that was back in January when I wasn't entirely ready to make a purchase!!!

So what did you want and what did you make do without when you bought your 3 series, or indeed your model BMW if it isn't a 3 series.

Pani.

[nicktyler]

I did comprimise on it not being new

No seriously I comprimised on the colour, silver instead of Grey and the trim is half leather and not full. Don't regret it for a second though!

[BanziBarn]

Things I wanted but couldn't find.

Folding mirrors
DAB
Xenons
Manual box
heated seats

Now I have the car I'm happy with the box, and am not bothered about DAB. However, I do think my car should have heated seats and folding mirrors to be fully equipped.

Halogens do look a bit cheap from the outside but I'm happy with the light output as I drive mainly in well lit areas. I'm more fussed about the lack of decent halo rings than I am about the actual Xenons really.

[B005T3D-G]

I didn't get the bluetooth I was looking for but at the end of the day I got a good deal on mine and I can live without it. Got everything else I wanted.

[HeavyRightFoot]

I got lucky, everything I wanted except for 19's.
That was resolved shortly after!

[Laney]

I compromised on the sat nav. I don't regret it but I'd still want it in my next one.

[LexS]

I was very lucky that the car I wanted appeared when I had the funds, but if it wasn't there I would have waited as the spec is what sold the car to me. I simply couldn't find anything like it in the Audi range as they're all relatively basic it seems.

Try and concentrate on getting things that cannot be changed. For example wheels, interior trim finishes, bluetooth etc. can all be retrofitted or swapped over at very little cost. Heated seats and the right colour leather are probably something you'll just have to hold out for.

[chrismanchr]

i got the colour i wanted ,the engine i wanted ,bluetooth ,HID etc but one thing i would change !!! ive got cloth seats ;-(((((

[wallsmk2]

Got a 325i instead of a 330i and a se instead of an m sport. But the 325is tended to be owned by little old ladies and retired upstanding pillars of the community so were in mint condition with low miles, and the se once lowered with upgraded shocks and bigger wheels, looks much better than the guppy mouth of the m sport of earlier models...IMO of course

As long as the compromise isn't on really difficult things to retro fit that you really really want - heated seats, sun roof! etc

[parapaul]

I thought I did when I found this one, but after driving 2 hours to see it I found it didn't have the xenons advertised

The rest of the car was exactly right though, I can live with halogens

[MalM3]

dificult to say if i comprimised,.. or just couldnt afford

[sixpot]

Fell really lucky with my car, it's easier to say which options it doesn't have!

[Carl Morris]

I searched nationwide for a year, and found 99.9% of what I wanted right down the street a few weeks ago. White 2008 E90 335XI 6MT with all options. I would have preferred aluminum trim instead of wood, but if I cared enough to change it I could. So that's my only compromise.

[Reggie-g75]

Compromised on hi-fi as opposed to logic 7. Also MV3s opposed to MV4s ( but will get some CSL reps in the summer). Ideally would have liked the beige leather rather than black - although some think beige is a bit old man.
Also would have liked front parking sensors.....

[MEGA]

No. I have every option I wanted.

But I did have to wait almost 7 months to find it. Even bought a non BMW in the interrim as I had to sell my old E90 asap...

Glad I waited.

[MEGA]

Black
Red Leather
Bi-Xenon
Auto fold mirrors
Heated seats
Prof. Nav
313 alloys
Hi Fi
Bluetooth
6FL



The one thing I'd have liked is hk audio; but that's folly really anyway as I'd still have most likely ended upgrading it myself as I always do so..

[Mr Singh]

I got everything I wanted at the time, no compromise there.

Its only after you buy it you wonder and wish about the extras others have and want them more!

[lee335]

i got most of the things that i wanted (colour, sat nav, heated seats, folding mirrors) but really wanted the logic 7 but could not find one anywhere without compromising the other things that i have with this car. Still happy with the car and could retro fit a good sound system if wanted. i think you will find most people on here have to compromise somewhere when buying there car unless you have plenty of £££ and can buy new choosing all the options you want

[AlanYoro35i]

i compromise on the colour..i wanted white but went for silver instead and black leather when i wanted red and no lumber support but for my budget i managed to find a low millage 08 car.

[ALPANDY]

I initially wanted a 335d touring but ended up with a 330d saloon because it ticked most of the boxes otherwise.

The main criteria for me was:

Black paintwork- check
light interior - check
media pack with ipod interface (6fl) check
Auto gearbox- check
Low milage - check
heated seats - check

I don't regret that I didn't manage to get a 335d. I would've loved DAB though but was very hard to find.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by parapaul

I thought I did when I found this one, but after driving 2 hours to see it I found it didn't have the xenons advertised

The rest of the car was exactly right though, I can live with halogens

You drove the car for 2 hours before buying it
How did seller let you do that? or was that dealer?

[makkan00]

No disrespect to OP, but if you are so fussy, and wants most of the stuff, you should go for new car and select what you like.

I can feel what you feel, as I have looked at some cars but interior colour let me down.

Try to get everything in a car except the wheels. You can sort out wheels later, as they are easy to take off and trade, and get what you want later.
But when it comes to interior or xenon, getting those and programming....
Only few people like Lemaan (Chris) can do those things.