[lawgone]

Some of you who have seen me post before probably know I've been on here about a year just waiting for my current lease to end so I can get into a 3er. Well, my lease on my Honda Accord is coming to an end the first week of May. Tomorrow, I'm going down to the BMW store to put down my deposit and order a 2011 328xi coupe. (I know it's a little early but one, I'm anxious, and two, I'm just preparing for any possible delays.)

I had been debating between a 328 and 335 and xDrive or RWD but finally settled on the 328 w/ xDrive. (After this winter, xDrive became a no brainer ) Of course, all things being equal I'd prefer the 335 but for me and my finances, the difference in performance just wasn't enough to justify the extra $7k. But, if they offer a reasonable price then we'll see. I had been leaning towards Montego Blue for the longest time until a recent test drive in a Space Grey 335xi coupe. I really liked that color in person and am going to go with that. I'm also planning on the oyster and black interior (want something different than the black interiors I've always had.)

As for options, I'm going with Premium, Convenience, Sport (mostly for the seats), Value Pkg, Steptronic, Navigation, Heated Seats and Wheel, Satellite,and the snap in adapter for the iPhone. Essentially, everything but M Sport and the HK radio. MSRP is $48,600. Wish me luck on good negotiations.

The waiting is going to be so hard!

[CasperSYTFU]

Congrats bro! HK is an absolute must however. Night and day difference. I would have hated not having it in mine.

[aljlin]

yes I would recommend doing HK radio, it is totally worth it from what I hear. It will be a huge upgrade from the base stereo. Good luck on negotiations and enjoy the wait! It will be worth it!! :-)

[lawl2ez]

Harmon Kardon is really worth it imo. The Smartphone will get you a dock, but you need to buy an adaptor separately for a couple hundred, and honestly, it doesnt do much other than charge ur phone, play music and allow the use of the sharkfin antenna for supposedly better reception. Music can be played through bluetooth stream, and phone can be charged thru the USB port. I would look into avoiding that and get the HK instead but nevertheless congrats

[BLKBMW]

Congrats! I pick up my 2010 328xi tomorrow. Monaco Blue/Beige. Premium/Cold weather. Its a demo with 4300 miles. I think MSRP was $44,xxx? Got it for $33,400 and KBB Excellent trade on my 06. Had great luck on my 06, no problems other than a lock actuator. Hoping for the same with a 328. Congrats again!

[GiaGiaJa]

Must be exciting! Post pics when you can

[ww007]

I agree HK is a significant upgrade to the base stereo. I have it on my car and I just got a loaner from the dealer without it and the bass and clarity are significantly better with the HK. I guess if you plan on upgrading the stereo on your own later, it's a moot point.

As for the smartphone integration, I'd get it only because for all builds starting in March, there is supposed to be app integration for everyone who gets the smartphone integration. Meaning you'll have direct access to some specific iPhone apps through the iDrive itself. I believe if you place your order now the build will probably be sometime in March, but you might wanna check with that.

I just got my car at the end of December and it does not have smartphone integration. So far I'm not missing it (I can justplug my iPhone into the USB and have access to all my songs and playlists), but I wonder if the lack of smartphone integration will prevent me from upgrading to that app integration in the future.

[ibeclueless]

congrats

[wrickem]

Great car, you should be very happy with it. I loved my 328xi.

You probably want to listen to everybody else about the HK, it's definitely worth the price for the sound difference.

Congratulations!

[335BBS]

Is Bluetooth same as smartphone integration? Hands free calling is law up here and I imagine, will be everywhere in the next couple of years . Fines are large .

[lawgone]

Thanks everyone! I'll have to think more about the HK but most of the time I'm listening to ESPN on my way to and from work so it's not an issue. I also will have to do some research on the smartphone integration.

[ww007]

Originally Posted by Leaker

Is Bluetooth same as smartphone integration? Hands free calling is law up here and I imagine, will be everywhere in the next couple of years . Fines are large .

They are 2 different things. Bluetooth lets you wireless pair your phone with the car and use hands-free calling. On some phones, it can even stream your music wirelessly through the car's speakers.

Smartphone integration is just a capability that allows you to hook up a smartphone (with wires) to the car. I'm not sure about all the capabilities but I think better cellphone reception is one of them, along with music playback capability. You still have to buy a phone-specific dock to connect your phone. So far this feature is pretty pointless for iphone users since we can already hook up our iPhones directly through the USB. I think this feature is more useful for, say, Blackberry users since the idrive does not natively recognize those phones through the USB (and therefore won't play your music unless you have the smarthphone integration). Someone correct me if I'm wrong about any of this.

[ksoze]

Originally Posted by ww007

Smartphone integration is just a capability that allows you to hook up a smartphone (with wires) to the car.

Be aware this option (6NF) goes away with March production as a stand alone option and becomes integrated with new option 6NR, "BMW Apps". This new functionality makes the Smartphone Integration part much more useful than just a charger and antenna booster.

[ww007]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Be aware this option (6NF) goes away with March production as a stand alone option and becomes integrated with new option 6NR, "BMW Apps". This new functionality makes the Smartphone Integration part much more useful than just a charger and antenna booster.

Yes thank you, this was what I was talking about earlier. I couldn't recall wha they called it exactly

Anyone know if post 9/10 builds can get this as an upgrade?

[belal242]

Did you consider buying a 2010 335xi?

[GreenThree]

I am sure you will enjoy it! HK is a must. Try not to be anxious approaching a car deal. Especiallydont want to show that side to the dealer for negotiation purposes. Good luck!

[py335]

congrats on the final decision buddy! wow you need to wait till may??! that wait is going to be a killer, but well worth it!

[ksoze]

Originally Posted by ww007

Yes thank you, this was what I was talking about earlier. I couldn't recall wha they called it exactly

Anyone know if post 9/10 builds can get this as an upgrade?

No official word from BMW but some anecdotal evidence that it may be a software upgrade if one has both Nav and 6NF optioned in a Combox-equipped car. BMW USA has been non-responsive to inquiries, but BMW UK has evidently said it can be a software upgrade (for fee).

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by belal242

Did you consider buying a 2010 335xi?

Good point. Up here you can get about $6,000 off list on a 2010. If you are leasing that would be perfect. If you are buying, your car is one year old the day you take delivery so that would be bad at resale time. I got $8,000 off my 09 last Jan. Its leased and there is virtually no difference between 09 and '10.

[ww007]

Originally Posted by ksoze

No official word from BMW but some anecdotal evidence that it may be a software upgrade if one has both Nav and 6NF optioned in a Combox-equipped car. BMW USA has been non-responsive to inquiries, but BMW UK has evidently said it can be a software upgrade (for fee).

Can the 6NF (smartphone integration) be added after delivery?

[ksoze]

Originally Posted by ww007

Can the 6NF (smartphone integration) be added after delivery?

No.

[hipnotic]

congrats