[Legion5]

Is the tech package only limited to showing you the nicer dash lcd screen, and providing the navigation functionality or are there other benefits to it?

I'm not a big fan of the LCD screen, as it looks quite fuzzy and poor quality, and I trust my phone to navigate me so I never use navigation even if equipped.

Will I be missing anything else?

[pikcachu]

you get bmw apps and the M laptimer... which is awesome
Also comes with the office feature so you can check email and sms and let the idrive read them out loud...

you get weather info and also have twitter and FB too

also not sure you can play DVD's without theck pck

[horsepower_and_hounds]

You also get relieved of an additional 2,150 bucks that is weighing you down

[e90post_user]

The screen is larger and is of higher quality than non-tech screen

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Legion5

Is the tech package only limited to showing you the nicer dash lcd screen, and providing the navigation functionality or are there other benefits to it?

I'm not a big fan of the LCD screen, as it looks quite fuzzy and poor quality, and I trust my phone to navigate me so I never use navigation even if equipped.

Will I be missing anything else?

I'm surprised to hear this. I have the Tech Package with larger LCD screen and it is sharp as a tack.

Beyond that, the Technology Package includes:

•Remote Services
•Navigation system
•Advanced Real-Time Traffic Information
•Instrument cluster with extended contents
•BMW Online and BMW Apps

Check it out at the official BMW website:

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...modelcode=152C

[M3 Esq]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

you get bmw apps and the M laptimer... which is awesome
Also comes with the office feature so you can check email and sms and let the idrive read them out loud...

you get weather info and also have twitter and FB too

also not sure you can play DVD's without theck pck

+1 on the laptimer. It is really cool and captures great data if you track.

[Legion5]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

you get bmw apps and the M laptimer... which is awesome
Also comes with the office feature so you can check email and sms and let the idrive read them out loud...

you get weather info and also have twitter and FB too

also not sure you can play DVD's without theck pck

Do you mean that the actual screen in the center is different or just the one in the dash?

[F80_M]

It would be great if we had clarification in whether those who don't have tech package are able to play DVD or is this something that can be coded?

[alz0rz]

Resale value.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by alz0rz

Resale value.

+1 when we got the Macan I honestly couldn't have cared less about the tech package but the dealer said he'd have a much easier time moving it with that package. The 235 is a lease so I skipped it as I really never use it, but it does help for resale. Not sure you'll get a ton more $, but you'll have an easier time moving the car.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by Legion5

Do you mean that the actual screen in the center is different or just the one in the dash?

Yes the screen with the tech package is much larger and sharper.

[bman6074]

I too was not really wanting the tech pkg as i didn't need NAV or satellite radio but I did want to have some of the other options (extended cluster, enhanced bluetooth).
I ended up getting it and have found the NAV to very useful. I can send addresses right from Google maps to the car then go to the car a bring up that address and start guidance. If i have an address in my contract on my phone I can use that as well. I am glad i got it. I think its worth the extra money. All the other features are great too.

[Cyberdemon]

Don't forget the enhanced Bluetooth which allows you to stream audio. You can purchase that package separately if needed.

The standard screen is smaller and lower resolution than the tech package screen which fills the entire pod.

[J-Ho]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Don't forget the enhanced Bluetooth which allows you to stream audio. You can purchase that package separately if needed.

The standard screen is smaller and lower resolution than the tech package screen which fills the entire pod.

Depending on which model year you go with. Music streaming via BT is now standard for all 2015's.

[tccox]

My one big regret not getting the tech package. Without it there's no remote anything. Disagree though with screen quality comments. While smaller, my display is extreamly sharp and clear

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by Legion5

Do you mean that the actual screen in the center is different or just the one in the dash?

both... the iDrive screen is bigger and the intrument cluster screen is bigger too

[wmo168]

It is well worth it, more than just MAP, you get Sport Display and others which show you HP and Rev..

Extended cluster also included plus you get Tele service which can call to unlock your door to BMW.

[USPSALIMITED]

Originally Posted by alz0rz

Resale value.

Maybe.

Technology curve wise, the wiz bang software/screen things are trickling down to economical vehicles right now. In mass production mode the screens get cheap & the software once written is free so you would expect manufacturers to add functionality & glitz to base models after initial development costs have been captured. How this may effects resale I don't know, having the stuff may no longer be a selling point but maybe not having the stuff would be a negative.

Hardware & firmware obsolescence is more worrisome. Hopefully replacement components will be available long term & at a less than cardiac arrest price levels, but, try to buy a component to repair a 5+ year old computer system today and you may walk away either with an empty hand or a shrunken wallet.

There is no such thing as a 2 series that does not have computer technology liabilities, so maybe worrying about added maintenance liabilities with the technology options is just nit picking. I'm kind of thinking that I will always have an iPad or cell phone though & that will be a lot cheaper to keep up to date if I need latest & greatest technology or want to keep some commonality of interface with all of my gadgets.

Or maybe I'm just a luddite curmudgeon who doesn't want a car to be that much smarter than he is

[SmallTownBoy]

Originally Posted by USPSALIMITED

Or maybe I'm just a luddite curmudgeon who doesn't want a car to be that much smarter than he is

Probably not.

The iDrive and the software/gui are by far the weakest elements of an otherwise excellent car. I would have deleted iDrive had that option been available. It's that bad, imo.

Disclosure: My Canadian M235i has standard extended instrument cluster, extended bluetooth and smartphone integration, so it made passing on the Tech and Premium packages a bit easier.

[Qunadry]

Cars have become more about technology and less about driving. What a shame!

[F80_M]

Being without tech package can we still watch DVDs or is that only tech package enabled? If so would coding solve this?

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by YOLO89

Being without tech package can we still watch DVDs or is that only tech package enabled? If so would coding solve this?

I think non-tech don't have DVD player so no matter what you code it won't play