What Missing Comforts Would Be Deal Breakers ?

Marcoose · Post by **Marcoose** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:02 pm

It's a pet hate of mine. BMWs have loads of these comforts that in my opinion don't improve the drive of the 'ultimate driving machine'. And when they breakdown, and breakdown they do, it's a PITA and expensive to repair. For example, the electronic boot release and close mechanisms. Just the other day there was a bloke on the US site that couldn't open his boot. Even with the key. He finally figured it out with the help from the community. But blame electronic comforts.

But BMWs, especially the E89, are marketed as luxurious vehicles. They must have bling and comforts. It comes with the territory.

So what missing comforts would be a deal breakers for you, that would make you look at Audi, Merc, Lexus, Jag, etc ?

OK, I would not buy a car without aircon. But fancy self-adjustable seats don't make a difference to me.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:16 pm

Funnily enough, when I bought my orange E89 I decided I did want a manual gearbox, but I didn't need parking sensors, electric seats, folding mirrors, comfort access, satnav etc.
So I guess I got the perfect car for me, but if I ever wanted to sell it I suspect Mr & Mrs Picky would try to knock the price down.
Can you imagine how disgusted I was when after owning it for two weeks I discovered it had a heated steering wheel?

Rockhopper · Post by **Rockhopper** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:19 pm

Lack of automatic headlights and wipers would be deal stoppers for me. Oh and air-conditioning especially in a non convertible car.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:22 pm

I only have an E85 but if I bought a E89 I would want red msport heated seats, parking sensors back and front and 18" wheels. Manual gearbox and air con. Not bothered about auto lights and wipers or electrically adjustable seats.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:42 pm

I've only had E86s and while I find some of the options useful only a lack of A/C would be a deal breaker for me.

If I was considering an E89 I'd want front and rear PDC, but I won't be considering one because of the roof issues and electronic handbrake.

biZ4rreMids · Post by **biZ4rreMids** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:10 pm

Top of my list was electric folding mirrors as the entrance to my garage is tight.

As it turned out an E89 fits in the garage without the need to fold the mirrors in which is just as well as it would be a challenge reversing it out without the use of mirrors. The car didn’t have heated seats which appears to be a ‘must have’ for most buyers but I found ok even in the middle of winter with the roof down.

B21 · Post by **B21** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:19 pm

Maybe it’s just as well that BMW offered most things as options judging by the above responses..

Of course one issue how do you know that you don’t miss an option if you’ve never had it?

For example I thought electrically adjusted seats were a waste of time…but I learnt on a long journey that being able to easily do minor changes helped relieve and aches n pains..but then again if you don’t drive 250 miles 6 hour days then maybe it’s not required..

Each to their own..

For me on any car it’s auto, cruise, PDC, air con, leather, nav, iPod support, decent audio and on the E89 heated seats..

Nice to have

Electric seats, auto air con, folding mirrors, heated mirrors

Not bothered

Auto lights of any type

Cup holders

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:27 pm

Oh, I forgot about cup holders and heated mirrors.

Also my wife's car has a heated windscreen but only available on Fords I think.

Marcoose · Post by **Marcoose** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:16 pm

Rockhopper wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:19 pm automatic headlights and wipers

MikeyH wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:22 pm msport heated seats, parking sensors back and front

biZ4rreMids wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:10 pm electric folding mirrors

MikeyH wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:27 pm cup holders and heated mirrors.

All very cool comfort items, but having heard of repairs estimates and bills, I sometimes wish mine didn't have them. (Mine doesn't have parking sensors.)

Marcoose · Post by **Marcoose** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:20 pm

B21 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:19 pm Maybe it’s just as well that BMW offered most things as options judging by the above responses..

In hindsight, I wish I was more educated on options, and picked up a used 35is with fewer options. I love the DCT and paddleshifting, though. It was the key reason for choosing the 35is. I know the 35i came with DCT, but the 35is 'seemed' more appealing.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:24 pm

My E85 doesn't have parking sensors either and I haven't had any problems with the rear but I have caught the front and I think sensors would have helped me. The rear of the E89 is a lot higher I think?

obewan · Post by **obewan** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:27 pm

I'm with B21

And cup holders? Personally I've never used them or got the attraction

but each to their own I guess

Ole gits rule · Post by **Ole gits rule** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:35 pm

MikeyH wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:27 pm Oh, I forgot about cup holders and heated mirrors. Also my wife's car has a heated windscreen but only available on Fords I think.

Heated seats / PDC but more importantly a roof that fold away, for me the rest I can live without even audio is not that important

Think heated screens are available on more models now.

IRD · Post by **IRD** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:39 pm

Definitely air con. But many of the others can be added later if you really want them. There are always lots items for sale here. On my last E85 I had MSports heated seats added, the dashboard carbon dipped, the standard wheel recovered by Royal’s, new CSL style wheels etc..

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:06 pm

Ole gits rule wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:35 pm
MikeyH wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:27 pm Oh, I forgot about cup holders and heated mirrors. Also my wife's car has a heated windscreen but only available on Fords I think.
Heated seats / PDC but more importantly a roof that fold away, for me the rest I can live without even audio is not that important

Think heated screens are available on more models now.

Very rarely listen to music in the car unless I'm stuck in a traffic jam. I always like to hear the sounds that the car makes

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