OK. So I am getting ready to order a 335 coupe and want some suggestions from current owners on options, etc. So far I am certain of several things. 1. 6sp manual,2. sport pkg, 3. NO active steering.
Please offer anything helpful you can add. I would so much appreciate the assistance.

Cheers

Welcome! Sounds like you have the important things already (especially the 6spd!!). I see NJ ... definitely go with heated seats, they rock! I'd suggest the iPod/USB option, and Comfort Access as "safe" options. Navigation is often debated, it's a love/hate thing and I'd suggest going to a dealership and trying out a car with iDrive.

I agree with Gig103. Must Haves:
- iPod intregration (6FL option)
- heated seats
- Floor Mats & Wheel locks (try to get for free)

Heated seats!!!!
Leather
Comfort Access

Chicks dig heated seats (if that is relevent).

Logic 7

Chicks dig heated seats (if that is relevent).
A good way to warm them up for you know what :devillook

I agree with Gig103. Must Haves:
- iPod intregration (6FL option)
- heated seats
- Floor Mats & Wheel locks (try to get for free)

Nothing is free amigo. You are paying for it one way or the other. If your dealer says that he will throw in free floor mats after you negotiated the price, then he still had room to play.

If you want floor mats, then just add it to your list and negotiate everything you want. Don't forget the rubber trunk liner.

i agree

Thanks to everyone who responded. I'll be ordering the car on Sat. AM with all of your suggestions in mind.

:D

Those were my essentials too. I also drive a 2005 Ford Pickup as well!

I went with Titanium Silver (Very happy with the color and how clean it stays), Black guts (aluminum trim), 6-spd., Sport (No Brainer), Navigation (In my opinion this makes the car as functional as it was MEANT to be; and for $2100 -or whatever - this was also a no-brainer), iPod adapter, Comfort Access and heated seats (No cold weather package though).



Essential Options (In my opinion)
Navigation (the iDrive adds SO much to this car. More than just directions)
Comfort Access (Makes me feel a little more like Bond!)

Things I wish I would've added:
SIRIUS
Bluetooth (There's no good place to put your phone)

Things I could do without
Heated seats (They're OKAY, but become too hot quickly and your back and butt warm up first anyhow, so I could do without)

Things I could do without
Heated seats (They're OKAY, but become too hot quickly and your back and butt warm up first anyhow, so I could do without)
Wait till it gets really really cold, you'll appreciate them believe me. That was the only option I kicked myself in the butt for not getting on my old e36.
I'm already using the and appreciating them, although still using the 1st setting only. Hop out of the Gym in shorts, temps at freezing point outside, hop in the car,turn on the heated seats and enjoy the cosiness :stickoutt.

The heated seats are quite strong, too..they'll toast your buns in a hurry.

On mine I got Sport, Bluetooth, Heated Seats, Comfort Access. I recommend them all.

Just got my 335 coupe. IMO the must have options are: Tit Silver exterior, sport pkg, prem pkg and heated seats.

I'm in the minority with this but don't care for the ipod adapter. I find regular CD generate much better sound in the Logic 7 system than MP3s. If I want to play MP3s I just put in am mp3 CD with over 150 songs. The logic 7 CD player plays mp3 cds.

When I negotiated, I got to their lowest price first and then said they have to throw the extra stuff like mats, stainless steel BMW plates, etc... This is getting harder because everyone now is trying to save money on everything. I hear my dealer spends $30k a year by giving away the 3 series mats to customers. IMO, I don't give a damn because they make a lot of money anyway, especially later on service. The rubber mats are a must have as the carpet ones get dirty easily.

The rubber mats are a must have as the carpet ones get dirty easily.
+1 esp. with winter coming. I also love my trunk rubber mat: groceries, stroller, soccer gear, etc all can go in without dirtying the trunk.

Wait till it gets really really cold, you'll appreciate them believe me. That was the only option I kicked myself in the butt for not getting on my old e36.
I'm already using the and appreciating them, although still using the 1st setting only. Hop out of the Gym in shorts, temps at freezing point outside, hop in the car,turn on the heated seats and enjoy the cosiness :stickoutt.

I have only ever used the low setting even on the coldest days. Medium and high are just too hot. Women, however, can sit for hours on high, just one more thing about them I don't understand. :confused

The rubber mats are a must have as the carpet ones get dirty easily.

That is why they invented the vacumn. I gave my factory mats to a friend. I bought a set of aftermarket plush mats that are just great. They weren't cheap, but well worth the money. On a long ride it is so wonderful just to kick of my shoes on put them on the mats.

I have only ever used the low setting even on the coldest days. Medium and high are just too hot. Women, however, can sit for hours on high, just one more thing about them I don't understand. :confused
HAHAHA, I can relate to that :stickoutt.

Women, however, can sit for hours on high, just one more thing about them I don't understand. :confused

It's because if you put the heater on high, then press the seatback adjust button and hold it for three seconds, the seat vibrates.

...I went with Titanium Silver (Very happy with the color and how clean it stays)...

Titanium rules !!!

JNS - another thread this morning makes me want to point this out -- if you want/need rear folding seats, that is a separate option ... or just get the Cold-Weather Package which will have the heated seats, and the folding rears (and headlamp washers and a ski-sack)

Ok, so here is the plan. Color still is up in the air, but...

Black Sapphire Metallic, black interior, aluminum trim, 6sp manual, sport package, comfort access, heated seats, integrated iPod interface.

While I appreciate the usefulness of navigation I cannot bring myself to the iDrive. Several family members have iDrive equipped vehicles and I just dont like the system.

Thanks again to everyone who chimed in. When its delivered I'll post some photos.

PS - Color might be Titanium Silver instead :)

Ok, so here is the plan. Color still is up in the air, but...

Black Sapphire Metallic, black interior, aluminum trim, 6sp manual, sport package, comfort access, heated seats, integrated iPod interface.



FWIW, I have the black interior; I chose the gray poplar trim over aluminum and am very glad I did. I get a lot of compliments on it, too.

Hmmmm.....I did notice that gray poplar. I was just afraid it would look too much like a formica countertop from the 80's.
Thanks for the heads up. I will look at the dealer tomorrow and see if its in any cars there so I can see it for myself. Cheers.

iDrive? Sounds like something Apple invented for BMW..... I am amazed an Apple symbol does not pop up when you turn on the car. On my car, I have the premium pkg, sport pkg, and Navi...

I liked having a navi in the car, it is good but the reaction time is slow compared to simpler systems like in the good ol days (3 years ago). My iDrive is good, but when I turn to the sat, it takes a while to go to it. Loading MP3 cd also takes some time to load. it is a good system, but they needed to perfect the timing of it. a little distracting on the road when you first use it as I learned when I first got my car but better once you know all the controls and can multi task....you can even use the voice-reg button to input information. Depending where you live, heated seats could be a plus. I would suggest extra mats as I am learning from today: wet weather=bad floor mats.

Ordered.
Titanium Silver, black interior, gray poplar trim, 6sp, sport, cold weather package, comfort access, iPod interface. Should arrive in 5-6 weeks.
Once again, thanks to everyone for your input and help.