[mhagger]

I'm looking at a few used 540i x drive vehicles. Definitely want m sport, but would love opinions on the following options:

Massaging seats
Different quality of leathers
Adaptive cruise control
M sport exhaust (only found this on one car, but did like it on a 440i I have driven)

Thoughts appreciated, looking at $30k or under for a vehicle with under 60k miles.

Thanks

[ezaircon4jc]

The adaptive cruise is a blessing in heavy traffic; though it is a little "aggressive" in its slowing (late) and accelerating (feels like it's mashing the pedal when filling the hole.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by mhagger

I'm looking at a few used 540i x drive vehicles. Definitely want m sport, but would love opinions on the following options:

Massaging seats
Different quality of leathers
Adaptive cruise control
M sport exhaust (only found this on one car, but did like it on a 440i I have driven)

Thoughts appreciated, looking at $30k or under for a vehicle with under 60k miles.

Thanks

I wouldn't get the massaging seats again, I don't have back issues and it's a gimmick to me. But those with back issues say otherwise. The Nappa leather is really nice and I would get that over the default option. I love adaptive cruise control and use it a lot in bumper to bumper traffic or on long, boring stretches of freeway. It reduced fatigue (and frustration) quite a bit for me.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

The adaptive cruise is a blessing in heavy traffic; though it is a little "aggressive" in its slowing (late) and accelerating (feels like it's mashing the pedal when filling the hole.

I used to think that too, until I reduced the speed the cruise is set at. In bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway for example, I reduce it from 75 mph to 30 mph and then it doesn't do that nerve wracking rapid acceleration. Similarly, "slow slowing" can be prevented by adjusting the distance bars. What at first seemed like what you describe is now much calmer.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by adhrp

..Similarly, "slow slowing" can be prevented by adjusting the distance bars. What at first seemed like what you describe is now much calmer.

I started doing that. Decreasing from 4 bars to 1 slowly approaching the traffic jam.

[ZachO]

Originally Posted by mhagger

I'm looking at a few used 540i x drive vehicles. Definitely want m sport, but would love opinions on the following options:

Massaging seats
Different quality of leathers
Adaptive cruise control
M sport exhaust (only found this on one car, but did like it on a 440i I have driven)

Thoughts appreciated, looking at $30k or under for a vehicle with under 60k miles.

Thanks

I have a 2017 540i xDrive which I absolutely love and made sure it came with 3 of those options when I purchased it about a year ago. I came from a 2013 535.
IMO, I love having the Nappa leather on the G30, way nicer than the standard leather. If you're a clean freak be prepared because it's a bit tedious to clean and I only use products from Colourlock on it which are pricey, but worth it. My car also came with multi-contour seats, heated, cooled, and massaging.
As much as I wanted the seats, the multi-contour seats with heat are a much better offer. I barely feel the massage, which is nice I just never remember to use it, and the cooled seats are a joke and should have been recalled because it doesn't work whatsoever unless you get in on a hot summer day with a wet t-shirt and then you *MIGHT* feel it working.
For us spirited drivers, I was a bit nervous getting all the safety and adaptive systems, thinking it would bother me. You can "turn down" the system a bit to make it a nicer driving experience and it doesn't kick in unless I'm making a real aggressive lane change and getting close to another car. I do appreciate it and enjoy the adaptive features. It's also nice to have one button to shut all the systems off if you're driving in a snowstorm to prevent any unwanted intervention.
I have the standard exhaust on my car. It does have a shut-off valve for one side. I followed another post on how to open it through my BimmerLink app and then pull the fuse for it to keep it open 24/7 and it is nice. I'm sure the M-sport exhaust is nicer but I'd rather spend the money on something else.

[RonronEG]

The M Performance exhaust can always be added after purchase, I'm assuming that's what you meant and not an m sport exhaust. Even before a tune, that thing is loud- no valve unlike just about every other M performance exhaust out there. Would buy again 10/10.

Massage could go without unless you've got back problems. I'm moving to a 850i and not worried about the missing massage functionality.

Adaptive cruise is a definite yes. The TJA of this gen is really only perfect in true gridlock bumper to bumper traffic otherwise it the to wander and ping pong a bit.

Nappa or better for sure.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by ZachO

...and the cooled seats are a joke and should have been recalled because it doesn't work whatsoever unless you get in on a hot summer day with a wet t-shirt and then you *MIGHT* feel it working.
...

That's because they're not cooled, they're ventilated. I've had cooled seats before, and they're wonderful. It's the only thing I miss about my last car and had my 1st BMW (2012 535i) not have better NAV placement, I would have bought the Jag XF with the cooled seats.

[Warp Ten]

Agree with many thoughts here. M Sport for sure, M Sport exhaust can be added after purchase. I would strongly recommend the RPO 456 Multi Contour seats, as they are much more comfortable and adjustable than the regular seats. Sadly, I don't believe the 456 seats are available any longer from BMW. --Bob

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

That's because they're not cooled, they're ventilated. I've had cooled seats before, and they're wonderful. It's the only thing I miss about my last car and had my 1st BMW (2012 535i) not have better NAV placement, I would have bought the Jag XF with the cooled seats.

This is a good reminder. There is a lot of confusion between the two.

[Neusser]

Take all the sporty options, particularly the exhaust. Definitely avoid heavy options like the panoramic roof.

The stock car is already a luxury car, so if you want something that does sport and luxury in equal measure just put all the sporty bits on it.

The G30/31 is an amazing vehicle, but it can get very 7er if you want, which I defintely do not want.