[StLuis51]

Hello everyone about to get my first BMW. I am currently stationed in Germany and have the opportunity to order a M240i and pick it up at BMW Welt with some military discounts. I have an appointment to make the order on Friday. Today just browsing through ads here a found one on a dealer's lot with significant discount. Here is the breakdown:

My order would be:
2017 M240i
Mineral White
Coral Red Interior
6MT
Driver's Assistance
Cold Weather Package
HK Sound
Price $45,025 OTD (no taxes)

Dealer's Car:
2016 M235i x-Drive
Alpine White
Black Sensatec Interior
8AT
Driver's Assistance
Heated Seats
Tech Package
Price $42,500 OTD (no taxes)

My order would exactly how I want it, but I lose the Tech Package ( I like the nicer screen, but can't justify the $1950) plus I have to wait 2 months.

With the dealer's car I gain x-drive (useful here in Germany) and tech package. I lose the 6MT, red interior, and pearl like paint. I can get it now, no waiting.

Which car is the better deal? Or f**k the deal and get what I always wanted? Any insight, opinions, or advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.

[Sportstick]

Thank you for your service.
Order what you want, with those differences.
You will soon forget the delay after delivery, but will always remember if you bought the wrong car for you.

[amw896]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Thank you for your service.
Order what you want, with those differences.
You will soon forget the delay after delivery, but will always remember if you bought the wrong car for you.

agreed

[Redbeemer]

Originally Posted by StLuis51

Hello everyone about to get my first BMW. I am currently stationed in Germany and have the opportunity to order a M240i and pick it up at BMW Welt with some military discounts. I have an appointment to make the order on Friday. Today just browsing through ads here a found one on a dealer's lot with significant discount. Here is the breakdown:

My order would be:
2017 M240i
Mineral White
Coral Red Interior
6MT
Driver's Assistance
Cold Weather Package
HK Sound
Price $45,025 OTD (no taxes)

Dealer's Car:
2016 M235i x-Drive
Alpine White
Black Sensatec Interior
8AT
Driver's Assistance
Heated Seats
Tech Package
Price $42,500 OTD (no taxes)

My order would exactly how I want it, but I lose the Tech Package ( I like the nicer screen, but can't justify the $1950) plus I have to wait 2 months.

With the dealer's car I gain x-drive (useful here in Germany) and tech package. I lose the 6MT, red interior, and pearl like paint. I can get it now, no waiting.

Which car is the better deal? Or f**k the deal and get what I always wanted? Any insight, opinions, or advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.

These are really two different cars, albeit the same make/model. To me, the biggest difference is the manual vs. automatic transmission. I won't debate the issue as there are plenty of people here who will tell you that one is better than the other, but regardless of what anyone says, they ARE different and reflect a different driving experience. To me the color of the interior is almost as important as the exterior color and, although the Sensatec has some advantages, you can only get it in two colors, or in your case, one color (black). I have the Coral leather and really love it, although I was a bit nervous when I ordered it, but have never regretted it since getting the car. Not being able to fully select the interior and exterior colors is one reason I opted for the M235i rather than the M2. I agree that the Tech package is very nice, but not worth it for the larger screen alone (I have it). One final difference, is that you would get the Welt experience, which is a neat thing and you won't even have to pay for airfare to get to Munich to experience it. Unless there is a huge difference in cost, I would always recommend getting what you want rather than what is a bit cheaper or quicker to buy.

[chattanooga240]

To me the Sensatec seats are just not as nice as the leather, but I'd rather have the 8 speed in this particular car than the 6.

That being said, for 3 grand more I'd probably lean toward a 2017 model vs a 2016, even though you lose out on the tech package. Strictly from a resale value standpoint of course.

Do you need all wheel drive?

[StLuis51]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Thank you for your service.
Order what you want, with those differences.
You will soon forget the delay after delivery, but will always remember if you bought the wrong car for you.

Thank you for the support!
Thats very true. 2 months will go by fast.

[StLuis51]

Originally Posted by Redbeemer

These are really two different cars, albeit the same make/model. To me, the biggest difference is the manual vs. automatic transmission. I won't debate the issue as there are plenty of people here who will tell you that one is better than the other, but regardless of what anyone says, they ARE different and reflect a different driving experience. To me the color of the interior is almost as important as the exterior color and, although the Sensatec has some advantages, you can only get it in two colors, or in your case, one color (black). I have the Coral leather and really love it, although I was a bit nervous when I ordered it, but have never regretted it since getting the car. Not being able to fully select the interior and exterior colors is one reason I opted for the M235i rather than the M2. I agree that the Tech package is very nice, but not worth it for the larger screen alone (I have it). One final difference, is that you would get the Welt experience, which is a neat thing and you won't even have to pay for airfare to get to Munich to experience it. Unless there is a huge difference in cost, I would always recommend getting what you want rather than what is a bit cheaper or quicker to buy.

I really want a stand out interior and I think the red coral does that. I test drove both auto and manual. The auto is very good and a lot faster than me at switching gears, but the manual just felt right in this car. Auto also gets better gas mileage but ever since I learned to drive a manual, I really enjoy rowing my own. My salesman said that the Welt experience is pretty amazing. It's only a 2 hour train ride to Munich for me. Then a 2 hour drive back in my new car on the Autobahn

[StLuis51]

Originally Posted by Redbeemer

These are really two different cars, albeit the same make/model. To me, the biggest difference is the manual vs. automatic transmission. I won't debate the issue as there are plenty of people here who will tell you that one is better than the other, but regardless of what anyone says, they ARE different and reflect a different driving experience. To me the color of the interior is almost as important as the exterior color and, although the Sensatec has some advantages, you can only get it in two colors, or in your case, one color (black). I have the Coral leather and really love it, although I was a bit nervous when I ordered it, but have never regretted it since getting the car. Not being able to fully select the interior and exterior colors is one reason I opted for the M235i rather than the M2. I agree that the Tech package is very nice, but not worth it for the larger screen alone (I have it). One final difference, is that you would get the Welt experience, which is a neat thing and you won't even have to pay for airfare to get to Munich to experience it. Unless there is a huge difference in cost, I would always recommend getting what you want rather than what is a bit cheaper or quicker to buy.

I really want a stand out interior and I think the coral red does that. I test drove both auto and manual. The auto is very good and a lot faster than me at switching gears, but the manual just felt right in this car. Auto also gets better gas mileage but ever since I learned to drive a manual, I really enjoy rowing my own. My salesman said that the Welt experience is pretty amazing. It's only a 2 hour train ride to Munich for me. Then a 2 hour drive back in my new car on the Autobahn

[StLuis51]

Originally Posted by nvmaddog

To me the Sensatec seats are just not as nice as the leather, but I'd rather have the 8 speed in this particular car than the 6.

That being said, for 3 grand more I'd probably lean toward a 2017 model vs a 2016, even though you lose out on the tech package. Strictly from a resale value standpoint of course.

Do you need all wheel drive?

In Germany the all wheel drive would be a nice bonus, but I really don't plan on driving the car in the winter. I plan on keeping the car for a long time, by then I should be back in South Florida where you don't need all wheel drive.

[B_Rice]

Get what you want. There's no worse feeling than having to make payments on something you regret.

[DS_BMW]

Originally Posted by B_Rice

Get what you want. There's no worse feeling than having to make payments on something you regret.

I agree and I do this every month.

[BMWZ4]

Get exactly the car you want! I'd go for the 240.

[xantdieselx]

Order it. Get it the way you want it.

[BMW335iOn18s]

Rwd + 6mt all the way

[XutvJet]

Get the 6mt. The 8at might be quicker, but unless you're actually racing the car, it will likely get boring clicking away at the paddles. I recently read a write-up from Automobile magazine about their long-term 2014 M235 6mt. At 40k miles, they tested to run 13.0@107mph. That's pretty dang strong.

As for your color choices, DO IT. I love that color combo on my car. Mineral White really pops the body creases in various lighting situations, far more than Alpine White. The red interior is not loud at all. It's perfect.

[Deutsche-Broke]

Originally Posted by StLuis51

Thank you for the support!
Thats very true. 2 months will go by fast.

Longest 3 1/2 months in my life... I scratched marks onto my cell wall to count the days.

Regardless, I would order the one you want. It's worth it.

I still laugh when I go out to take it to work every day.. And regardless of it being 80 degrees today, the heated leather and steering wheel are going to be nice come February because the dealer never offered any in stock with that option.. Let alone any that weren't white... No offense to anyone who bought a white one, just not my first choice.

Order what you want. You'll thank yourself later with no second guessing.

[Kolyan2k]

Order car sounds better. 2017, red interior, 6-speed

[StLuis51]

Finally made the order this morning. I am super excited for my first BMW. The worst part begins now, the waiting. Ordered exactly how I wanted and in the end even added the Tech Package with Apple CarPlay. Can't wait to pick it up at the Welt hopefully by late August.

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by StLuis51

Finally made the order this morning. I am super excited for my first BMW. The worst part begins now, the waiting. Ordered exactly how I wanted and in the end even added the Tech Package with Apple CarPlay. Can't wait to pick it up at the Welt hopefully by late August.

By the time your M235i has arrived you will have watched every M235i video on YouTube at least twice, read almost every post on here and be able to recite at least a portion of the owners manual by memory but you will not for a second regret your choice.

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by xantdieselx

By the time your M235i has arrived you will have watched every M235i video on YouTube at least twice, read almost every post on here and be able to recite at least a portion of the owners manual by memory but you will not for a second regret your choice.

True statement

[siwo]

Originally Posted by StLuis51

Finally made the order this morning. I am super excited for my first BMW. The worst part begins now, the waiting. Ordered exactly how I wanted and in the end even added the Tech Package with Apple CarPlay. Can't wait to pick it up at the Welt hopefully by late August.

Congrats!! Always best to order something you really want. It's not something inexpensive and can easily be traded up without a hefty price tag along with it. Mine is currently onboard a vessel and making its voyage over to Canada. I'm super excited! --and a little jealous of the Apple CarPlay not available for the M235i but I can live without that.

[MrBucket]

Would you be able to bring the one on the lot back to the US when you are done with your post over there? I'm assuming its a European spec car that you would have to do a bunch of stuff converting it over to US spec if it isn't compliant. The one you would be ordering would be a US spec one, but just being sold in Germany. That is unless the other one sitting around on the lot is a US spec one which someone never took delivery of.

I'd go with the new M240i in your case just so you get the exact car you wanted and have no worries about it being imported to the US properly after your time there is done.