[Andyecon]

Hi everyone, I am considering a 530e and have been trying to figure out which packages to add... the problem is that I don’t know how much each of them affects residual value at trade in (I plan to finance).

For example, going from RWD (my preference) to AWD (my wife’s) costs $2300 up front, but the local trade-in values on RWD’s from 2018 are actually almost $3000 below AWD’s, so it is really a no brainer.

What about other packages? Is there any place to find research on this? I realize so many people lease that maybe nobody has ever felt the need to compile such information, but I wanted to check if I just missed it on these forums.

[LogicalApex]

Options are money losers at resale. You don’t see much of a price spread between a bare bones and a fully loaded car on the used market. As such I don’t think it would help residual much.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

Options are money losers at resale. You don’t see much of a price spread between a bare bones and a fully loaded car on the used market. As such I don’t think it would help residual much.

I will agree with this, with the caveat that there may be more of a difference at retail (what the dealer charges) for a loaded car versus a stripper, than at wholesale (what the dealer gives you for it on trade).

So yes, don't buy options you don't need or want.

[admranger]

other than the AWD, you'll likely find options will increase the speed of the sale. Low options slower for a car like a 5 series. Highly optioned faster sale.

Of course, I could be wrong.

[Black520i]

When I was looking for a used G30, I was trying to select one which had better options. So yes, options will still be an advantage when you want to re-sell the vehicle.

Ofcourse depends what options they are, how sensible and usable.

Cheers!
N