[MEBII]

Hello All,
I live in the Wine Country of Sonoma County, north of San Francisco. I am the original owner of a 2003 330i with Performance Package (ZHP) 6MT and I love the car but at 130,000+ miles it's time to replace her.

I am getting ready to order a 228i and the goal is to keep it under $40k US.

So far here's the build: 228i in EB, M Sport, Heated Seats(a must): $37,100. I've got about $3,000 to play with.

Which of these options are absolutely worth every penny?

1)Track Handling Package $1,600 (when added to the M Sport)
2)Lighting Package 900
3)HK Sound 875
4)Power Seats 995

These are in order of my preference. If someone believes another option should be considered, please comment. I probably wont track the car or run autocross, just go on some amazing drives around where I live and use the car as my daily driver.

Thanks for your time and input.
-Mike

[crqflier]

Based on the fact you got the zhp 11 years ago, I'd definitely get the track pack. Personally I'd put HK in front of lighting. But since you keep your cars a long time, get both and crack that 40k barrier - which sounds like a mental barrier, not a financial barrier. What's a few hundred $$ on a 40k purchase kept for 10 years? Nothing. Power seats - personal preference. But if you want it, get it.

[An14]

Originally Posted by MEBII

Hello All,
I live in the Wine Country of Sonoma County, north of San Francisco. I am the original owner of a 2003 330i with Performance Package (ZHP) 6MT and I love the car but at 130,000+ miles it's time to replace her.

I am getting ready to order a 228i and the goal is to keep it under $40k US.

So far here's the build: 228i in EB, M Sport, Heated Seats(a must): $37,100. I've got about $3,000 to play with.

Which of these options are absolutely worth every penny?

1)Track Handling Package $1,600 (when added to the M Sport)
2)Lighting Package 900
3)HK Sound 875
4)Power Seats 995

These are in order of my preference. If someone believes another option should be considered, please comment. I probably wont track the car or run autocross, just go on some amazing drives around where I live and use the car as my daily driver.

Thanks for your time and input.
-Mike

Lighting package is very much worth it in my opinion.

[ConstantMotion]

MEBII, if you want 6MT (known in the Order Guide as ZMT) you're going to have to order the F22 and wait. And you're going to have to find a dealer with an allocation for an F22 and work out a price. Overall these cars are in short supply. (See the thread "Why Are These Cars in Short Supply".)

To your question, I just did ED for a 228i Sport Line. I'm waiting for the car to come back. I'd do the Mixed Performance Tires. I'd also do the Tech Package (Navi), for sure. By the time you sell this car, there won't be another on the road without Navi. I'm an old guy so I set ours up with Drivers Assistance Package and Premium Package. If you can see your way to more options, I think this will help you find a car or get an allocation because it will be more profitable to the dealer with these options.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

[Sportstick]

Hey Mike,

I think you have the right top choices, and Track Package is a "must" in my book, but would swap #3 and #4. It's not that an HK system isn't a great idea (although I don't have it). It's just that there have been too many comments on this and another forum that this particular HK system doesn't deliver the bang for the buck. It's not better enough to be worth it. Some have found ways to replace speakers and get much better results.

I negotiated to $43,990 for this one, my daily driver....and then got another $1000 off for a BMW driving experience incentive at the dealer.

[MEBII]

Thanks for all the feed back. I'm thinking the Track Package for sure now. In addition to making it a much better car, I think it would help resale down to the road (if I ever want to sell it). Still unsure about the power seats and HK.

[Rupes]

I thought the Msport already included all the track pack options?

[NY10]

If you have to keep it under $40 the. Don't forget tax and DMV fees and the other little things if the $40 is a must.

I would go with the lighting package and tracking package the sound isn't really a must to me

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Rupes

I thought the Msport already included all the track pack options?

No, as you can see from this quick mini-build from the BMWUSA site. Track Package is optional on MSport as well. MSport does not have MAdaptive suspension, Variable Sport Steering, PSS tires standard.

[danimal]

My 228i Sport Line has just lighting and driver assistance. I semi wish I had gotten the tech pack, not because of the nav (which will never be as good as the Google app on my smart phone), but because of the wider screen and more modern iDrive system. I can't say I see it as a particularly good value, though. Otherwise, I couldn't be more thrilled with my minimalist car.

At the time I got mine, the track pack wasn't offered, but I decided not to bother with the adaptive suspension, variable steering, and upgraded brakes because the Sport Line I test drove impressed the heck out of me, and all it had was premium and driver assistance. The ride-handling balance is really superb with just the sport suspension. If you can get a test drive with that setup, I highly recommend it. The only thing I'd really like from the Track Pack is the PSS tires. If you are honestly going to track your car, the upgraded brakes would probably make sense (otherwise, they seem like overkill, unless just have to have blue calipers). One other thing to consider since you seem to keep your cars for a while: when it comes time for new shocks, adaptive ones will likely cost more than conventional. This would cut into any benefit you might see in resale.

As for HK sound, from what I've read, the consensus seems to be that it's a minor improvement over stock but not worth the price. Ultimately, the only way to have a great sound system in a 2 Series is through the aftermarket.

[millertime]

I highly recommend the lighting package. For $900 it adds a lot to the aesthetics and sportiness of the exterior. Plus it just looks fierce, day or night.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by MEBII

Thanks for all the feed back. I'm thinking the Track Package for sure now. In addition to making it a much better car, I think it would help resale down to the road (if I ever want to sell it). Still unsure about the power seats and HK.

Never worry about resale on options. You never get it all back, usually more like 50% at best. As a percentage of new, the best car to get is one with NO options at all. As others have said, just get what YOU want.

I have one major qualm about the Track Handling Package - it is going to cost the EARTH to replace those shocks someday (and it is a lot to go expensively wrong), and you seem like someone who is going to get to someday with this car. Is it really that much better than the regular Sport Package suspension? I wish they still had the better brakes as a stand-alone option.

The only thing to go wrong with my '11 3-series so far is one thing I did not even want - the power seats. Seat control relay crapped out. What isn't there won't break. I ended up with them because the things I wanted in the premium pack were as much or more than just getting the package. Oh well.

[VMRWheels]

Track + Lighting

I regret now not waiting for an option with the lighting package

[uberspeed]

Lighting, I'd consider more of a necessary safety item though it's also aesthetically pleasing.
Coming from ZHP Track Pack might be worth it to you.
HK in 2 series isn't worth it like in other BMW series' vehicles.
Power seats I'll do without next time as well, I don't adjust the seats often enough to warrant them so I definitely agree this would be last on the list of "to haves".

[RobTaylor]

Absolutely for sure, Track Pack and Lighting. You want those Xenon headlights not dim Halgen. Once you have Xenon there is no going back.

[nachob]

Power seats heavier, less headroom and slower to move for rear passengers. Memory is the one nice thing you lose but car is heavy so I would go with track and lighting pkg. I also have 2003 zhp and had to replace zkw headlights. If you have original headlights with burned reflectors you would be happy with anything bit if you buy go fast car, get headlights that match. Could save someone's life. HK while nice won't do that. Congrats. I like 228 too. Not as powerful but feels fun. Also if you are not in love with sunroof skip that too for best performance!

[golf_234]

Originally Posted by nachob

Power seats heavier, less headroom and slower to move for rear passengers. Memory is the one nice thing you lose but car is heavy so I would go with track and lighting pkg. I also have 2003 zhp and had to replace zkw headlights. If you have original headlights with burned reflectors you would be happy with anything bit if you buy go fast car, get headlights that match. Could save someone's life. HK while nice won't do that. Congrats. I like 228 too. Not as powerful but feels fun. Also if you are not in love with sunroof skip that too for best performance!

This. Who cares about power seats. adjust one time to where it is comfortable for you, and be done with it. Lighting, HK, and Track are a must. PS. Interviewing up in SF tomorrow!

[MEBII]

Excellent feed back from all.

Power seats are only attractive to me as I have lower back issues on long drives, a little adjustment one way or the other helps and with manual seats, I'd probably have to stop the car. I did research the seats (and read the owner's manual), manual/electric are both 8 way adjustable for the 228i.

If anyone has manual seats, I like to hear from your experience with them.

[danimal]

Originally Posted by MEBII

Excellent feed back from all.

Power seats are only attractive to me as I have lower back issues on long drives, a little adjustment one way or the other helps and with manual seats, I'd probably have to stop the car. I did research the seats (and read the owner's manual), manual/electric are both 8 way adjustable for the 228i.

If anyone has manual seats, I like to hear from your experience with them.

I have manual seats (Sensatec), and love them, but your point about lower back issues is a good argument for power. I also agree with Nachob that memory would be handy sometimes (but for me, really only if I drop the car off for service or--God forbid--am forced to let a valet drive it).

[chaswyck1]

Some people may also find it convenient (essential?) to be able to adjust the bolsters on the sport seats. I also like the memory because while my wife rarely drives my car, when she does (like on a long drive and I want to sleep) it often takes me days of little tweaks to get everything back to where it was.

Originally Posted by MEBII

Excellent feed back from all.

Power seats are only attractive to me as I have lower back issues on long drives, a little adjustment one way or the other helps and with manual seats, I'd probably have to stop the car. I did research the seats (and read the owner's manual), manual/electric are both 8 way adjustable for the 228i.

If anyone has manual seats, I like to hear from your experience with them.

[2.0T]

I ordered M Sport EB, track handling, tech, cold weather, and 6MT. sticker was 41,050 but well under 40k with truecar pricing. so if you dont want nav, you can get all 4 on your wish list for under 40k once discounts are taken into play

[vh2720]

The premium package includes power seats with an adjustable lumbar support, but it doesn't look like the power seat option includes the lumbar support. Power seats allow for more precise positioning and the ability to adjust position as you drive. Maximum comfort in the seats was my main reason for choosing the premium package and the sport line. I am looking forward to the xenon headlights since my night vision isn't what it used to be.