[math4scher]

I am a real novice to BMW and can really use some help with my tentative build below:

228i
M Sport
Estoril Blue
Black Dakota or Coral Red
Driver Assistance Package
Lighting Package
Premium Package
Technology Package
M Sport Brakes
Manual Transmission
Heated Front Seats
Harmon/Kardon Premium Sound

Total MSRP as Built: $46,650

1. What would be a fair/good price to pay?

2. Is the Dynamic Handling Package worth it/needed with the M Sport Line?

3. I know that interior color is a matter of personal taste, but I'm going back and forth/crazy between Dakota Black and Coral Red.

4. Any other comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

[BEM-S4]

So you're close to $47K, right? Is that your budget? The reason I ask is that a lot of the stuff you are paying for on the 228 is standard on the 235. I think you can make some, not a lot, of compromises and get a lot more car for your money if you go the 235 route. For instance:

EB
Black Leather (no premium, do you really need / want all that borderline useless stuff anyway?)
Heated seats
Parking Assistant ($500, includes sensors and self parking)
HK Stereo

Configured like that you're at $47,900 and get all the M doodads you were paying for on the 228. I also don't think you're missing a ton. The premium vs just leather is a lot of stuff you can definitely live without, the tech is totally overpriced and you're getting the critical elements of driver assistance for half price.

Just my $0.02, it's your car and your money at the end of the day. But if you go with something similar to what I have outlined above you are getting a ton more car and a few less doodads that are questionably beneficial at best.

[ska///235i]

Skip some options and roll with a 235

Its a car not a tech toy...imo

[math4scher]

BEM-S4, Your $0.02 makes lots of cents - thanks for taking the time to respond and thanks for your valuable insights.

Did you configure your M235i en route as you suggested I do?

By the way, do you have any idea what would be a fair/good price to pay for a MSRP of $47,900?

THANKS again!

[math4scher]

ska325xi, thanks for your honest opinion.

What must have options would you choose for your ideal M235i?

THANKS again!

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by math4scher

BEM-S4, Your $0.02 makes lots of cents - thanks for taking the time to respond and thanks for your valuable insights.

Did you configure your M235i en route as you suggested I do?

By the way, do you have any idea what would be a fair/good price to pay for a MSRP of $47,900?

THANKS again!

If I had it to do over again I would have. Car is already in production though as I ordered quite some time ago. I got mineral grey, black leather, brushed trim. Premium package (I would have skipped), winter (adds heated wheel for $50 more than just seats) and HK. I would have skipped premium and gotten parking sensors, didn't know at the time it was a $500 option my dealer thought was standard back then and I thought it was the $1K driver package or nothing and the rest of the package annoys me.

Check the pricing thread everyone posts their deals I think the general consensus is around $2500 off. I don't know though my father delivered the sales manager's kids so I'm getting a healthy discount.

[BEM-S4]

One other thing, you buying or leasing? If you're trying to stick to a number I'd make slightly different choices depending on the answer. Leasing don't care about resale could really skip leather if you're going black anyway but that'll hurt you down the road if you're buying, for example.

[math4scher]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

One other thing, you buying or leasing? If you're trying to stick to a number I'd make slightly different choices depending on the answer. Leasing don't care about resale could really skip leather if you're going black anyway but that'll hurt you down the road if you're buying, for example.

Thanks again for sharing/taking the time to help me through this - I'm buying btw!

[math4scher]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

If I had it to do over again I would have. Car is already in production though as I ordered quite some time ago. I got mineral grey, black leather, brushed trim. Premium package (I would have skipped), winter (adds heated wheel for $50 more than just seats) and HK. I would have skipped premium and gotten parking sensors, didn't know at the time it was a $500 option my dealer thought was standard back then and I thought it was the $1K driver package or nothing and the rest of the package annoys me.

Check the pricing thread everyone posts their deals I think the general consensus is around $2500 off. I don't know though my father delivered the sales manager's kids so I'm getting a healthy discount.

That helps lots...I had no idea what a fair/good price would be! THANKS!

[BEM-S4]

No worries. If you're buying I'd do it as I suggested and you're just $1k north of your original plan. I'm fairly certain you won't miss the extras when you've got one of the best engines BMW has ever made, you'll be too busy driving the hell out of it.

[ska///235i]

When i got my e90 325 back in 2005 i got all the options cuz I wanted everything at the time. Yes it was exciting the first year with all the gadget/tech stuff but after a while I rarely use any of it. Things will get outdated (like nav), but more HP never does so if you're already spending that much $..go with the bigger engine.
Think about what optional you can utilize everyday or must haves. Stuff like Nav is available on your phone where you're already paying data plan so why waste another $2k

Xenon, msport, m brakes, adaptive suspension is already standard on the m235 (this could depend in region). IMO paying over $45k for a 228 is not worth it

[Vertigo//SD]

M235i stripper is the way to go.

[math4scher]

Originally Posted by Vertigo//SD

M235i stripper is the way to go.

Thanks for sharing your build. If you don't mind, could you please tell what you paid.

[Vertigo//SD]

Originally Posted by math4scher

Thanks for sharing your build. If you don't mind, could you please tell what you paid.

I have two years left on my X1 lease so this is a future car/build. Everything changes if the M2 is available at that time. Fingers crossed...

[math4scher]

Vertigo//SD, thanks for getting back to me again!