[billgti]

Originally Posted by jiggax23

i think its definitely worth it. the leather and bluetooth alone are worth it to me, add in the dimming (and folding?) mirrors, multilink garage system, and lumbar and those are pluses (don't really need the compass, i have navi). but, the biggest reason why i got it is because i heard it helps the re-sale a lot (more people out there want their bimmers w/ this package than without it).

i never understand this whole resale issue. a car with the premium package is not going to get u 3K more than a car without premium on the used car market. with every option you are adding, you are probably only going to get a very small fraction of the cost back. if u're really concerned about resale, a bare bones 3 series is the way to go.

personally i felt that the premium wasn't worth the money because i like leatherette and i don't talk on the phone when i'm driving so i don't need bluetooth.

[soj]

Based on the varied responses in this thread, your answer should be obvious.

It's up to you.

Everyone's opinion is different, and mine is different as well.

PP -

-- Leather - I got it because I wanted the leather. The leather quality is MUCH improved over the e46. I hear the leatherette quality has gone down (although I have no idea). I had leatherette in my e46 and after owning it for 6 years, I thought it didn't age well. Got a little more "sticky" while leather tends to get "smoother" over time.

-- Bluetooth - Voice command and bluetooth access is essential for me. Especially since I've gotten over $400 last year alone for driving while talking on my cell phone. Yes, I know, those bluetooth headsets are nice...but I don't want to drive around town as if I was still in my office. Plus, having something attached to my ear while driving was annoying. It's also nice to able to verbally tell my car to dial home, rather than fiddle with a phone.

-- Auto folding mirrors. Essential in the streets of NYC. I've seen so many mirrors taken off cars. Sure beats having to go around to both sides folding and unfolding each mirror when I get in and out of the car. (yes, I fold both sides because bikes, etc are on the sidewalks sometimes)

-- Lumbar support - Great for long distance driving. It helps my back and I really find that it makes a big difference in ride comfort.

-- The rest of the stuff...whatever. The 4 things above were worth the cost for me.

- SP - I didn't get the SP because of the following:

-- Ride quality. Streets are filled with potholes and rugged terrain. It makes no sense to get the SP in NYC. 18" rims are nice looking but that's about it. The negatives are far worse than having "cool looking rims". I don't get folks who get 18+" rims in NYC only to end up driving around at 5mph the whole time while weaving in and out of traffic to avoid bumps. That sure doesn't sound appealing to me.

-- Suspension is not that different. 0.6"? C'mon now. I can lower the car 0.6" by having a passenger in the car and something in the trunk. 0.6 inches is nothing. The minimum difference should have been an inch.

-- Sports seats. They are nice. But not worth the money on their own.

[chris]

The premium package is definitely worth it. If you like subtle convenient luxuries that make your car a ton more enjoyable and likable down the last detail...you will love this package.

[jiggax23]

Originally Posted by billgti

i never understand this whole resale issue. a car with the premium package is not going to get u 3K more than a car without premium on the used car market. with every option you are adding, you are probably only going to get a very small fraction of the cost back. if u're really concerned about resale, a bare bones 3 series is the way to go.

personally i felt that the premium wasn't worth the money because i like leatherette and i don't talk on the phone when i'm driving so i don't need bluetooth.

im not saying its going to add a significant amount of money to the re-sale value, i'm saying it'll make selling the car easier (from what i've heard).

[soj]

Regarding resale value. Nothing helps resale value more than the following 2 items:

- Automatic transmission
- Leather seats

They always retain their original cost value with regards to resale. Even while the rest of the car is depreciating.

[bimmerchild]

Just plugged in some numbers into kbb and edmunds for a 2002 330i with and without the premium package, and it turns out the difference in valud is only 400 dollars for a package that cost appr 2500 at time of purchase...so I think in terms of the depreciation no premium package is the way to go as you wont see tha money back...

[zero619]

I dont think i can live without the premium package. The leather is one thing but the bluetooth tech is a must have. It's very convenient.

[bimmerchild]

yeah yeah...I know...I just have a bit of regrets only not getting leather...but oh well...too late know :mad:

[soj]

Originally Posted by bimmerchild

Just plugged in some numbers into kbb and edmunds for a 2002 330i with and without the premium package, and it turns out the difference in valud is only 400 dollars for a package that cost appr 2500 at time of purchase...so I think in terms of the depreciation no premium package is the way to go as you wont see tha money back...

Don't believe KBB as gospel. Use it as a guide, followed by tough negotiation.

[zero619]

I dont think i can live without the premium package. The leather is one thing but the bluetooth tech is a must have. It's very convenient though the 2200 price tag may be a bit steep.

[billgti]

Originally Posted by jiggax23

im not saying its going to add a significant amount of money to the re-sale value, i'm saying it'll make selling the car easier (from what i've heard).

well that's really saying the same thing. if u're gonna sell a non-premium pkg car for close to the same price as a premium, then u're gonna have harder time selling it. if u drop the price of a non-premium pkg car by $3K (the cost to you as a new owner), it will sell easily.

forget what people say and look at average transaction prices. resale value is highest for cars with fewest options. the more options u get, be it leather, premium etc. all hurt resale.

[astral]

i got both sport and premium. like them

[Compos Mentis]

I use the PP features every day. I love the way the mirrors unfold as I drive away. Just discovered this today.
CM

[BMW0]

Originally Posted by bimmerchild

Got my e90 330 with no Premium Package, and know thinking I should have not cheaped out and got it. Do you guys think this Package is worth it? I could not justify it at time of purchase and only got the sport package, and heated seat on a stick e90 330i SG with alumin trim...

I did the same thing you did bimmerchild, plus Parking assist, I wish I got Cold weather package so i'd have the split fold rear seat do I could fit my snowboard inside the car instead of on the rack above the car... I should of could of...

[LEDZEP]

Options and packages are there because not everyone likes the same things. It's a personal cost/benefit comparison that we all make. Personally, if you take away my Premium Package you can have the whole car. A BMW without a leather interior is like a BMW with a Ford engine. I use every single component of the PP every day (well, except for Assist - but I know it's there).

[Sage]

Definitely worth it.

[ward]

Originally Posted by zero619

I dont think i can live without the premium package. The leather is one thing but the bluetooth tech is a must have. It's very convenient.

That's why I ordered assist as a stand alone option!!!