Mandatory Options for Residuals/Resale

[dodgy]

Hello,

I'm getting a 335 coupe.

I gather everyone thinks that a nav system, bluetooth and leather is pretty much a must for onward resale, is there anything else which I need to consider a must?

Xenons?
Electric seats?

Thanks

[Gig103]

There isn't any mandatory for the residual... But personally I think that leather is the most important for resale, followed by heated seats in colder climates.

Of course, if you base it on what is on showroom floors, the Automatic Transmission is really important for resale - it was nearly impossible to find a 6MT to test drive, they just don't keep any on the floor like that except the Z4-M and the M6.

[mryakan]

There isn't any mandatory for the residual... But personally I think that leather is the most important for resale, followed by heated seats in colder climates.

Of course, if you base it on what is on showroom floors, the Automatic Transmission is really important for resale - it was nearly impossible to find a 6MT to test drive, they just don't keep any on the floor like that except the Z4-M and the M6.
but then it is harder to find an MT out there so that might increase resale. IMO the transmission choice is a wash when you go to sell it, you paid less anyway. But OP, don't get options you want to sell to someone else, get the ones you want/like.

[henrysko]

:confused.

I'd never consider resale when I look at or buy a car. Kinda cart before the horse mentality.

IMHO, it's a material thing and the beauty and ownership experience is solely in the domain of the beholder.

[carguy7]

Hello,

I'm getting a 335 coupe.

I gather everyone thinks that a nav system, bluetooth and leather is pretty much a must for onward resale, is there anything else which I need to consider a must?

Xenons?
Electric seats?

Thanks

Get a more common color and an auto. I always have taken hits on my MT when trading it in. It didn't stop me from buying an MT but it did cost me on resale. Dealers want cars that will move fast when trading it in.

[Steage]

I would imagine a large majority of the next generation of 335 buyers will be looking for the sports package

[Gig103]

I'd never consider resale when I look at or buy a car. Kinda cart before the horse mentality.

He makes a good point - perhaps a lease is the way to go if you are this cost conscious. That way you get the options you want and no hit at the end.

[Beer Goggles]

Is this really a question?

"Hi I'm buying a car for somebody in the future, what do you think they would like?"

[BillSD]

Is this really a question?

"Hi I'm buying a car for somebody in the future, what do you think they would like?"

Good reply!

[dodgy]

You all make good points, but I just want to make sure I don't miss something which everyone knows to be a 'must' but me :)

Thanks for the tips.

[borisivan]

xenon is standard on 335.

[musv]

If you are really worried about resale, get an Acura. otherwise get what you want on the car. No individual options will really affect the resale more than a couple hundred bucks(pounds, euros, $, ect.) after 3 or 4 years, and if you are looking at resale for a shorter period of time, then definately lease and dont buy. But I dont know what the lease options are like in the UK, or even if you can get acuras there.

Anyways, I think that sport, premium and coldweather packages is the combo that will really maximize resale.

Enjoy the 335, it's completely and utterly rad!

[mryakan]

If you are really worried about resale, get an Acura.
Actually BMW 3-series has historically had some of the best resale values out there. They hold their price well. That being said, I agree that options don't affect resale that much unless they are options that are missing but common on every other comparable car. Nothing strikes me there on the e9x. In the end, the condition the car is in (mileage, age, exterior/interior condition) is the biggest factor in resale value.

[Beer Goggles]

I've made this point 101 times. Any option you have added realistically makes you less money at the end.

Got to edmunds or some other used car value site and click and unclick NAVI as an option. The price difference isn't what the difference in pricing on new car.

[Ty Vil]

I can't believe this is even a question...

[335eye]

Resale value is a valid question for those interested in this (simplified) formula.

(Buy price - resale price = true cost). Those that stongly shop the best buy price should at least consider resale value. Makes little sense to ignore half the formula.

This formula explains why the 335i is less costly than some cars with lower stickers.

Not everybody cares.. more power to ya.

[mryakan]

Resale value is a valid question for those interested in this (simplified) formula.

(Buy price - resale price = true cost). Those that stongly shop the best buy price should at least consider resale value. Makes little sense to ignore half the formula.

This formula explains why the 335i is less costly than some cars with lower stickers.

Not everybody cares.. more power to ya.
It's not that no one cares about resale, it is just that it's kind of silly to pick options based on how much resale they garner. Like say for argument sake, if iDrive cost 2K and it kept 75% of its value much better than any other option (again just making this up to highlight a point, not quoting real numbers), does that mean I should buy iDrive and pay 2K extra to get 1500 down the road even though I may not like iDrive at all or even not have any use for it? How about say if I liked Sirius, but that option (again for argument sake) added 0$ at resale, does that mean I should skip it?
I hope you get my point. Aside from staying away from things that hurt resale value (e.g. bad color combinations), I don't see it reasonable to pick options based on this. You will be driving the car for 3 years or more, who cares about the schmuck who will drive it after you, and the things you pay for are for you to enjoy while driving it.

[JD 6SPEED]

For a 335i, I would say leather and sports pkg. Also automatic, even though I would buy the manual.

[SeanInLA]

Hello,

I'm getting a 335 coupe.

I gather everyone thinks that a nav system, bluetooth and leather is pretty much a must for onward resale, is there anything else which I need to consider a must?

Xenons?
Electric seats?

Thanks

I don't agree...
Nav gets outdated. So in 5 years I don't want to risk buying a used car with Navi. If that breaks I am looking at a 3-4K repair bill for an outdated Navi system. And when it's broke so is the HVAC. So I say it's a liability used.

Bluetooth...maybe. But that's if there isn't a better technology in 5 years. Again just something else to break.

Leather...well since most people can't tell the fake from the real I would say the fake is fine. Also, in 5 years the real leather looks like crap. It wears out and look worn. It's like sitting in an old sofa. But the Leatherette looks brand new. Now what car do you want to buy used, one with worn out leather or new looking leatherette?

Automatic - most people want this option. They fear a burned out clutch, but they don't realize a clutch is $500 and a rebuild of an Automatic is $5000. But the Auto really helps resale.

Sport really helps the look with the larger rims. But if the next buyer prices the cost of 18" tires they may shy off. So it's not a must have.

Xenon - yes. This seems to have a wow factor for everyone. I would suggest this.

With that said....get the car you want. I tend to like a car with less options. I like Sport/Auto.