Ordering a 330ci ZHP need advice

[11JAS11]

Let me start off by letting you guys know how much your forum has helped me so far in translating all of this BMW lingo. I have been driving Audi's for the last 4 years and have recently fallen in love with the 330ci, don't know why it took so long. I started with an 2001 A4 quattro Avant 2.8, 10K+ in mods only to have a girl slam into me 1 mile from my house totaling the car with <300 mi on a new supercharger from PES. Then got a 1.8T A4 (Boring) imediatly traded for the new 3.2 TT DSG, great car, too small, too girly, too expensive. Drove the pickup truck for a few months to get my head straight and have decided to order a 330ci with the performance package. My dealer has been really helpful, letting me drive a bunch of different cars etc. however, does not seem very knowledgeble about the ZHP. I just want to make sure I get exactly what I think I am getting.

2004 330ci Manual
Sparkling Graphite Metalic
Performance package
Premium Package
Winter Package
Xenon headlights
Navigation

So my question is, do I have any overlaping packages here, what is important to me is that I get the bluetooth, navigation, seat heaters, and black leather seats, and of course the ZHP package. Any help would be appreciated.

One more thing, is there a way to get the Alcantara just on the bolsters or just on the center cushions, Audi style?(sorry)

Thanks,
Alan

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Ditch the winter package (aka cold weather package) It's a ski sack, headlight washers, and the ass warmers. (unless you dont mind the extra $250) You can just get the heated seats (stand alone) for $500. For $1000 more with the premium you get the leather along with bmw assist (arguably usefull), lumbar support, and I think the dimming rearview mirror (unless thats standard?). Aside from that they're pretty much unique to their respective packages, BMW doesn't have overlapping packages anyway. How about telling us how much you're paying for the car?

BTW, for 8k more you can get an M3 if performance is what you're looking for...

 

[Average Jae]

welcome aboard Alan!! winter package comes w/ headlight washers, which i think is a great option, altho it does kind of suck that it comes on when it feels like, not when you really want it to.. (wonder if all the spraying of the window washing fluid on the hood strips the wax tho.. hmm)

w/ the cloth package, you get alca side bolster seats and cloth part for your butt. (i'm not sure if you can get heated seats with cloth.. maybe it doesn't matter what surface you sit on. something to ask the dealer?

premium package is the only way to get leather it seems, i'm not the biggest fan of bmw's nav system, since you HAVE to know the address and city to do anything. but it just maybe me. and w/ it you lose the center storage, and more importantly ability to ipod your bimmer, but those are just my gripes.

with the coupe, there's always the temptation to over spend and get the M. i second guess my purchase now and again, but even the zhp is stretching my budget, and is a total one of a kind ride only select few will drive around. i see way more m3s than zhp varient. i say take the m for a spin when you have a chance, if they let you, and compare/ contrast the difference. i personally dont' like the face lift, or the eye lift they gave the new coupes, and think m3's front looks way better. but the coupe's been growing on me, esp w/ the new m tech package. hope you net yourself a good deal.

 

[11JAS11]

Thanks for the advice, I have considered going to the M3, but after spending some decent time behind my roomates '03 M3 SMG, I just can't justify the extra cost of fuel and sticker price, considering that I have a 135 mile round trip 4 days a week to work. The 330 just fits my needs perfectly, try finding a non-ricer "sports car"that gets 30mpg+ in the highway. And the extended warranty is just icing.

Thanks for the opinion on the Nav. I have yet to even see one in person on the 3, and have not really heard any commentary on the quality, I just assume that it is pretty good, bummer about the address thing. I was in Salt Lake last week and had a Pacifica with the nav inside the spedo, it was incredible, just enter a phone number and bam! I know I loose the iPod capability, but I am pretty happy using the monster audio cable anyway. I am most excited about the bluetooth, that is going to rock.

I have not gotten to specifics about the price yet, looks like I am paying mostly cash since I am selling a 35k boat that is paid for, a 2004 Chevy Crew cab quadrasteer, and a 2004 VW Jetta 1.8tdi, neither entirely paid for. My problem is being in Richmond, VA where we have the worst performance car market in the US, well maybe second to Alaska. All my dealership really carries is Silver and Black 530's 735's and a few <35K 325's with no options. So I don't know how much these guys are going to move. And these guys are telling me that I only have a few weeks left to order an '05, any truth to this?

 

[johnnygraphic]

If you drive alot and need to find places, then, the Nav is useful. It isn't the easiest thing to use. BMW is really behind in this technology. Entering an address is really tough. If you're parked and not in a hurry, then, it's no problem, but trying to do it while on the fly-...don't do it on the fly. It is very distracting. Also, trying to search for a restaurant or other place is very difficult and quite frustrating. The Nav in Honda's are thought out much better.

As for iPodding your BMW, you can opt for the aux input adapter which is a good compromise. The sound quality is much better than an FM transmitter.


Other than that-HAVE A GREAT TIME DRIVING IT!!!

Johnny

 

[Nataku]

I would ditch the premium package

The premium package has - $2200
- Automatic-Dimming Inside Rear-View Mirror
- 4-Way Power Lumbar Support For Front Seats
- BMW Assist
- Montana Leather Upholstery

The ZHP already has sport seat with 3 memory setting. No lumbar support. If you really want the leather, just get the leather seats for $1450. Save $750

Oh, interesting no folder rear seats option for the CI.

If you are really frugal, ditch the Cold package - $750

total savings $1500

I'm a ZHP on a budget - xenon, metallica paint, folder rears seats - under 40k w/o tax and title.

 

[codex57]

Don't all coupes already come with folding rear seats standard? I didn't have to pay for it on my coupe.

I like the lumbar support. Wish I had it. I dunno about the usefulness of headlight washers. I'd get the heated seats tho. Isn't VA cold?

To be honest, if you can afford it, I'd just get all the packages. The only thing I'd skip is Nav. The BMW nav isn't the greatest from what I hear. It may be better to just get a Garmin or something. My dad has one and it's great. Plus, it's portable.

 

[dpnguyen]

You def want a coupe? If you could deal with a sedan, an '06 330i may be a happy compromise (the E90 coupe follows in a year). It's going to have more horses than the '05 330 zhp. I personally feel that the E90 looks sleek and sexier but the E46 has a very classy look. Either way you can't go wrong--at least you've come to your senses and getting a Bimmer.

Welcome aboard!

 

[Average Jae]

TomTom go PC mag had a really good review of the unit. i'm thinking about getting it when the price goes down a bit. the only real gripe is the fact that i ahve to dl the map into the unit, so you have to have a lappie or something with you, but i usually plan out where to go, before i go anyway, so i don't think it's that big a deal. the link above has other reviews of the portable NAV units, so something to check out.

don't get me wrong on the bmw nav tho. it is a pretty nice unit. my sister actually likes the NAV on the X5 better than the one in her RX300. you just have to have the ADDRESS

ordering the 05s: it may or may not be true. the e90 06 is coming out soon, but only in sedans for now, so i'd imagine they might still make the e46 Ci, but better make sure. and i do believe Ci comes w/ folding seat standard.

if you are gonna order, have you thought about euro delivery?

 

[rjp325i]

Remember if you elect to get the premium pkg it includes BMW Assist free for the first year. There is a $240 charge for the next year. It becomes an annual expense if you continue to renew. You have to make the decision if you want it or not given the amount of mileage you accumulate per year. Discounts for up to a 3 yr term are available. The Assist was a stand alone option for my 2004 330i w/ZHP (no premium pkg available) priced at $750 alone and the leather as previously stated is $1450. Using that guide the other 2 items in the premium pkg become a "freebie". If you do not want Assist buy just the leather alone. Fold down rear seats are std in the coupe but cost $450 in the sedan. Good luck and enjoy whatever BMW options you decide to buy.

 

[11JAS11]

Thanks for all of your opinions, I am meeting with my salesman tomorrow morning to discuss ordering a 330ci. I spent all day today driving different cars within performance/price that I cared for. Subaru 2.5GT(zippy 4 banger, everything else too boring, but good price <$30K), C230 Kompressor(Clunky manual, not fun to drive <200 bhp, but $34K, great interior), Volvo S 60 R(Wow!)

The 300 hp Volvo is very fast!(closer to S4/M3) It is closer to the size of the 5 series, great interior, great seats, decent 6 speed, AWD, very trick suspension that works, and <$40K. So after I drove this I went to my BMW dealer to take a 330i zhp for a spin and they let me have it for a few hours. I then remembered why I was going to by a BMW, fits like a glove. Really when it comes down to it I will probably pay 3-4 grand more for the 330 than the Volvo, but not much more. Has anyone here scored a ZHP for less than say....43-44K....set up the way I want it, ZHP, nav, winter, xenon, leather. Any tricks or incentives, I can almost pay cash if I have to. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Average Jae]

The S60R is nice. i heard about it right after i got my car, so no comparo shopping for me, but i heard the reliability went the way of the ford, once it got bought out. actually maybe even worse. i like their new updated look, but i guess Volvo also doesn't make em like they used to...

just curious, does anyone still make their cars like they used to?

 

[bmwrocks]

don't get me wrong on the bmw nav tho. it is a pretty nice unit. my sister actually likes the NAV on the X5 better than the one in her RX300. you just have to have the ADDRESS

Sorry this is off-topic but......how would any nav system navigate to a location without the location?

By ADDRESS I am assuming you mean a street address, or an intersection, or a lookup in the information database, all of which the BMW system allows. You can even input a destination by finding it on the map with a cursor.

 

[11JAS11]

Most new nav systems only need a phone number to find locations, and most of the ones with this feature need only voice command to enter info. I think I am going to have to bag the Nav, too hard to find and tips the coupe over 46K

Just got home from the BMW dealer, going back in a few hours. Looks like a coupe is going to cost me close to $5K more than a sedan, this is a really hard decision. I like the sedan but can't stand the yellow side markers and "volvoesque" black rubber trim all the way around the car, the coupe is so slick, and seems to have a bigger trunk and space when the seats are folded down, but close to $5K? They really want to sell me a sedan like <$40K. and more like $45K for the coupe. What do I do, Volvo is out.

 

[Nataku]

I really love the look of the ci, but not very practical for me.

if you don't like the black rubber trim on the sedan, get it painted. I think i will do it during the summer.

 

[finally330i]

Most new nav systems only need a phone number to find locations, and most of the ones with this feature need only voice command to enter info. I think I am going to have to bag the Nav, too hard to find and tips the coupe over 46K

Just got home from the BMW dealer, going back in a few hours. Looks like a coupe is going to cost me close to $5K more than a sedan, this is a really hard decision. I like the sedan but can't stand the yellow side markers and "volvoesque" black rubber trim all the way around the car, the coupe is so slick, and seems to have a bigger trunk and space when the seats are folded down, but close to $5K? They really want to sell me a sedan like <$40K. and more like $45K for the coupe. What do I do, Volvo is out.

Why not get a CPO 2004 or 2003 and save some money?

 

[///M SPEED]

welcome aboard Alan!! winter package comes w/ headlight washers, which i think is a great option, altho it does kind of suck that it comes on when it feels like, not when you really want it to..

FYI: The headlight washers are only activated after the vehicle's lighting system is switched on, the headlamps will also be cleaned every fifth time the automatic windshield washer is activated.

So, only when you turn your headlights on and after the 5th time of activating the automatic washer system. It seems like the headlight washing system is random, but it isn't. I just wanted to point this out.

with the coupe, there's always the temptation to over spend and get the M. i second guess my purchase now and again, but even the zhp is stretching my budget, and is a total one of a kind ride only select few will drive around. i see way more m3s than zhp varient..

They’re not that rare around here. I see many ZHP's around, however they are more individualized with the different packages and options the owners order the cars with. I guess it matter where you live as to how rare they are. I wonder what the production numbers are. I bet it would surprise you....

 

[11JAS11]

Well, I went ahead and got exactly what I wanted. Could not get the nav. though. There were only two graphite metallic zhp coupes left in the US and my dealership is working on getting one of them for me, i gave them a deposit and I will hear this weekend if they could get one. I decided on the coupe because of looks, space(more space with seats folded than in sedan), and belive it or not there is more legroom in the rear seats of the coupe than the sedan. As far as price, well.....I am getting what I wanted and I will leave it at that.