Options as must haves

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

After a blast out in a friends 28i, I've got the dct newer car bug... Preferably a 35is but certainly an i.

I'll be chopping in my ///M which has a few options but I'm not a toys person - no nav, no pdc but wind deflector, cruise (hardly used) and a few other bits. The only thing I needed was an six input which seems to come as standard on the E89? It'll still be more of a weekend car, so doesn't need to necessarily be absolutely laiden with every extra. I live on a street in London so folding mirrors would be grand.

So the question is, what options really are unmissable - or would make resale more difficult?!

 

[john-e89]

Just IMO JAD but the nav I-drive is very desirable for using and for re-sale, it's a very good unit which has many functions other than the sat nav, if you're not buying new as it now comes as standard then personally I'd try to find a car with it and not accept anything without. Cruise is desirable and a wind deflector a must. If you can find a car with the comfort pack then it'll have these along with folding mirrors. I think PDC is standard across the range. Comfort access is available, I did'nt spec this as I was'nt bothered and had to draw a line somewhere but it'd help with re-sale and you can flip the rear clam shell up with the roof up to have better access to the boot with it, which to be fair is crap with the roof down. Heated seats and steering wheel heating are available. I guess the more toys you have reflects in the price but it definately would help sell it on if needed.

In summary then obviously just IMO must haves are:

Sat nav I drive.
Cruise.
Wind deflector.
Heated seats.
Folding mirrors.
Pro 14 speaker stereo.

 

[dr_john]

Wouldn't bother with cruise but it comes as part of the comfort pack, the rest of which is worth having.

Idrive is great, as said its not just sat nav, it's a full car management and info system.

As for sound system, standard is not great but is adequate IMO, I wouldn't pay for anything more, but then I've never believed in using any of my cars as an audio experience, I save that for my living room!

 

[sars]

If you want to listen to music with the top down then an upgraded stereo is an absolute must, 4 x 25 watts = 87 dB which is about the same as a lorry at 50 mph

 

[Z4M-2006]

The screen is so much more than just nav...

It's a must on the E89 imho..

Heated seats.... Yes.... Like on any Z..

I like the folding mirrors on mine, keeps them out of the way when parked.

I also like the comfort access.... I guess it's one of the things that if you have it, the more you use it..

Media pack is great.... Just store all your music into the cars internal hard drive with instant access to all saved music... Great idea..


Oh as Sars says, the standard audio is poor.... Advanced or pro audio as a minimum....
I think you get pro audio as standard on 35is though... But check....
I did see a green 35is with no screen and the poorest spec or sale a while back... It was cheap though

 

[cosmobod]

If your looking at newer ones idrive has been standard since the summer.

 

[firebobby]

PDC to help protect the rear
Folding mirrors for parking
Heated seats for the instant warm bum on leather
Wind deflector to keep the car less blowy
Cruise (Retro) to make motorway jaunts easier
Auto wipers

 

[Z4M-2006]

I would have thought 90% of the must have's will be on a 35is model if that's what your looking for..

 

[KERMIT1970]

The only options I didn't go for was heated steering wheel & tv function. Don't laugh but wish I had went for the heated wheel my 640 has it & it's brilliant in the cold mornings. Best £126 you'll ever spend lol

 

[andya1]

For me it is

DCT gearbox
Heated seats
idrive
Wind deflector
Xenon's
Auto lights/wipers
306BHP

As for upgraded stereo to me the standard one is perfectly fine but I would rather listen to the sound of the car than music.

 

[Angie4m]

For me it is

DCT gearbox
Heated seats
idrive
Wind deflector
Xenon's
Auto lights/wipers
306BHP

As for upgraded stereo to me the standard one is perfectly fine but I would rather listen to the sound of the car than music.

Xenon headlights are standard on all models (makes a change) and Auto lights and wipers are standard on all M Sport models apart from the 18i strangely enough.

To be honest I think a 35i or 35is sell well anyways.........just make sure you don't get in a weird colour. I don't think Orion silver is a great colour for the car tbh and that could lead to struggling to sell it on in the future. I know some have that colour and like it but it's a really niche colour.

 

[andya1]

For me it is

DCT gearbox
Heated seats
idrive
Wind deflector
Xenon's
Auto lights/wipers
306BHP

As for upgraded stereo to me the standard one is perfectly fine but I would rather listen to the sound of the car than music.

Xenon headlights are standard on all models (makes a change) and Auto lights and wipers are standard on all M Sport models apart from the 18i strangely enough.

To be honest I think a 35i or 35is sell well anyways.........just make sure you don't get in a weird colour. I don't think Orion silver is a great colour for the car tbh and that could lead to struggling to sell it on in the future. I know some have that colour and like it but it's a really niche colour.

Hi Angie

I thought Xenons were standard but I am so glad they are and I forgot to mention front and rear parking sensors as they are great as well

I think you are right re the 35i and 35is always being sought after as there aren't that many around when you look on Autotrader or BMW used and I am so glad I did get the 35i as it is just superb

 

[imported]

front and rear parking sensors as they are great as well

I think the Z4 is one of those cars where parking sensors aren't really needed. When reversing the contour gives you an idea of where the bumper is (you're so close to the back anyway) and the long front makes it pretty easy guess the bumper. Also aesthetically the sensors don't look good either.

Parking sensors are likely to increase the risk of a clipping. I've read on other forums where people insurance premium went up after fitting after-market sensors.

 

[Angie4m]

front and rear parking sensors as they are great as well

I think the Z4 is one of those cars where parking sensors aren't really needed. When reversing the contour gives you an idea of where the bumper is (you're so close to the back anyway) and the long front makes it pretty easy guess the bumper. Also aesthetically the sensors don't look good either.

Parking sensors are likely to increase the risk of a clipping. I've read on other forums where people insurance premium went up after fitting after-market sensors.

Rears are fitted as standard and due to this the insurance premium paid already takes this into account. The bonnet is over 6 foot long and some people have no concept of how far they have in front of them.

Insurance premiums will be higher for vehicles with parking sensors regardless wether it's front, rear or both vs the same car without them. Reason being is that when they fail, which can happen people are 'supposedly' more likely to hit something or someone due to them usually relying on the sensor beep.

Now we all know should still be checking but some folk are lazy and stupid. I say that because my mates Mondeo had that very issue and the day before it was due to be fixed his Mrs reversed it straight into a 6ft wall because even though she had been told they weren't working she was still waiting for the beep and not looking and only realised when she smacked the wall.

As for the ascetics, you can't really notice them on certain colours of cars but if you have white for instance the black part can make them slightly more obvious.

 

[ronk]

I wouldn't like to be without sensors - as said, darker colours they're not noticible.
The screen representations of obstacles are accurate in my opinion.