[VelvetElf]

In reference to 2008 335xi in Chicago.

I plan on making a few mods, despite utter ignorance in such department, after I get the vehicle.

Let's assume I can only choose Sports Pkg or Navigation, not both. Given you can slightly retrofit each in an inferior way, is there one option that is far superior to the other?

Also, how much would you say a CPO 08 335xi with 29K miles is worth? My option is pay up for CPO or go via Carmax and save a few grand, all things being equal.

Cheers,
VE

[tscdennab]

If you are into outright performance, skip the navigation and sunroof. Makes the car heavier, and you could also install a lightweight battery with fewer issues.

But given that your car is an xi, it's already too heavy for maximum performance, also more drivetrain losses.

Resale-wise: since the xi is more geared towards confort, I think that adding navigation is a better bet but given the BMW owner nature, it's hard to tell for sure if navigation is valued more than the sport package, but I would think so.

[M40i4me]

I went for the Nav verses the sport package. Since the Nav does so much more and I only have a 328xi it was a better choice for me. I will say that I do miss having the sport package when I am driving aggressively around corners. Without the extra side bolsters you have to clutch the wheel to keep from sliding sideways in the seat. If I can do this in a 328 just imagine the G forces you will experience in a 335.

[FallBlau]

Sport seats are great but go for nav for sure if it's an 09+, big difference.
If it's an 08 for sure, then you can go bothways. As said above,resale value will be better with nav and a garmin is not same thing with bmw nav. Also if you go for sport package, then look for 18" wheels so you get the oil cooler and more sporty look.
I would say get both, i think you can find one that'll fit your needs if you look enough.

[sickem]

it really comes down to personal preference and what you will expect out of the car. if it is a daily driver with a focus on luxury with a a little added performance, then get the nav (had a 328 loaner the other day w/it...it is awesome!). But my 328 did not have sport pkg or nav (just premium pkg) and when I began looking for a 335i a car without sport pkg was simply not an option...having said that I also didn't want x drive.

so bottom line, all of us can debate this all day. comes down to what you want out of the car. if u can't decide, wait for another car to come along. I would imagine a lot of 08s will be coming off lease soon. GL

[John 070]

Does navigation add anything to the driving experience, how your body sits in the seat, cornering, looks, road feel? I would say no. Every smartphone does navigation now. And few consider how much more an extended warranty costs when you have navi, not to mention the dash layout. I would pass on navi even if you still insist on passing on zsp.

[bkrM3]

I would have a very strong preference to have both, which I know is not an answer that's helpful. The sport seats are so good that they make the regular seats feel like youre sitting in an F-150 by comparison. It's really that much of a big deal.

Kind of the same situation with the iDrive. It's a vastly superior way to interact with the electronics in your car, even if you forget about the navigation feature. The iDrive is something I'm glad I have every time I get in my car, it's easy to check service info, set parked car ventilation, manage all your car's options, navigate through playlists on your iPod, etc.

I'd wait for a car that has both if at all possible. If I HAD to choose one or the other (and let me reiterate: get both) I SUPPOSE I could do without the iDrive because at least the car would drive the same, even though it wouldnt be the same 'experience' overall. The non-sport seats/steering wheel are just god awful.

[Kolyan2k]

Navi or Sports is a tough one. Navi = iDrive + Navi + better interior, Sports = lower and sportier suspension + sport seats + wheels

Even when I had navi in car, sometimes I used Google Maps because its easier, real-time traffic, and maps are always new. And since its on the phone, its always with me.

So I would probably go for sports pkg. iDrive was the reason why I got mine, not navi

[R12ax7]

Yeah I will echo Bbkr335s comments. I just got out of an '08 335xi and even that old iDrive system is so intuitive and well integrated. I have been borrowing my dad's 2010 lexus the past month and by comparison that navigation interface seems ancient.

Just to add 1 other piece of info that hasnt been mentioned, the sport package in the xi does not have sport suspension. Same suspension as in every other xi, there is no xi sport suspension at all. That being said, the seats and steering wheel alone are worth it (and paddle shifters if you are getting steptronic) and if its '09+ you also get shadowline trim.

One other note, you can always get KW V3 coilovers later and get an actual sporty suspension.

[jopa489]

If you NEED to pick one, I would go with iDrive only because you're getting xDrive which doesn't give you the sport suspension anyway. But as others have mentioned, the seats and other touches are definitely still worth it.

[teamben158]

I had a 335xi loaner without the sports package when I took my 335i with sports package in for the HPFP/injector recall and I couldn't wait to get my car back. I hated how the steering wheel and seats felt without the sports package. Like someone said above, it makes you feel you're driving a F150, and I've driven a ton of trucks in my day.

To be fair though, if you aren't use to the sports package, it won't be that drastic of a feel, but I can't live without it now. I've never had a car with built in Nav, so I don't really miss it. I use my iPhone when I need to use navigation. It's also pretty rare I drive somewhere that I would truly need to use turn by turn. I usually look up the directions before I go and maybe use it to navigate the last couple miles to find a place I'm going.

[bigj505]

every time i had an option for navigation, i chose not to get it simply because i dont think its worth the money and id rather use my phone or something like that. i hate the fact that the software will need to be updated and the cost the follows it. i have heard great things about iDrive though and my car does seem kind of stupid when i play with the voice command button on my steering wheel w/o iDrive. seems pointless.

that being said, i love the sports option. as everyone else said, the steering wheel and seats are definitely a difference maker. i hate the fat nonsport steering wheel and love the sides of the sport seats keeping me secure when im going around corners. i switched my wheels to something else so it wasnt about the 18" that the car came with.

[sickem]

Originally Posted by John 070

Does navigation add anything to the driving experience, how your body sits in the seat, cornering, looks, road feel? I would say no. Every smartphone does navigation now. And few consider how much more an extended warranty costs when you have navi, not to mention the dash layout. I would pass on navi even if you still insist on passing on zsp.

I drive 80-100 mi per day, and I found that in addition to the actual nav feature it seamlessly integrates bluetooth and iPod manipulation so I found that to be much nicer than fiddling around with the radio a la 1990. But I do agree that it is awkward from a looks standpoint (something I'm REALLY hoping BMW addresses in the F3x). Again, for me nav could go either way, ZSP is a no-brainer.

[apc3libras]

Have you thought about ditching the xi and getting the RWD? You should be fine with some good winter tires, if that is your concern. Then you can get the sports package and be a very happy camper.

[B3AST]

Sport package over navigation any day of the week. But since we're purchasing a car that is inevitably going to cost over $30k what's another $2k for the nav? Why is this always such a debated decision? Don't get it....

[GetSomeE92]

Since you're looking used, I would expand your search from just the Chicago area and look for a car in your price range with both. To echo what bkr335 said, the iDrive is a great way to interface with the car, and the sports package improves the interior and comfort/support of the seats. I drove a 328i loaner the other day and it had no sport package. While comfortable, I missed the support of the sport seats, and the steering wheel didn't look as nice.

[benzo23]

To me the seats alone are worth the sport pkg...

[sickem]

Originally Posted by B3AST

Sport package over navigation any day of the week. But since we're purchasing a car that is inevitably going to cost over $30k what's another $2k for the nav? Why is this always such a debated decision? Don't get it....

I think it's just that the OP is looking used and is limited by what is available. When I was looking to buy my car, the ratio of RWD:AWD was about 1:8. The inventory dwindles even more when you insist on ZSP/ZPP and then color combos. I would imagine that there are even less RWD E90s in Chicagoland. Only RWD E90 I found with nav and the other pkgs was 6MT and AW. OP, test drive (if you haven't already) a ZSP and a non-ZSP car. I assure you that you don't know what you're missing with those sport seats.

[mweisdorfer]

Resale would have to lean on the Nav. In Chicago, i don't know where a sport package would come in handy. Besides with wider tires, it makes it harder to maneuver in the snow filled mid-west winters.

[boostd92]

Originally Posted by benzo23

To me the seats alone are worth the sport pkg...

+1.

The non-sport seats *** SUCK ***. That being said, you can always add your own wheels, buy used sports seats, and a used sports steering wheel if you like (upgrade to aftermarket suspension anyway). Those things are easy to retrofit.

Factory navigation/idrive is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to retrofit without dropping 2-3x what the option cost is.

I'd get the nav, but source some stock sport seats at the very minimum and retrofit those myself. I got the MSport kit on mine for the bodykit, steering wheel, and seats, but the stock suspension and wheels are coming off of it on day one

[Kolyan2k]

Someone wanted to buy my car from Chicago area, I am in Boston......

[Nalod]

xi negates the sport suspension so your just getting the seat and the steeringwheel.

The LCD screen is redundant. YOu get all the information in other ways. If you like shiney color things then its very important feature.

NAV is waste unless your near term memory is shot or you are in outside sales. Otherwise your watching a display of where your going. Brilliant.

That said, teh seat and Steering wheel is a personal preference and its very nice in my opinion. The wheels different?

Do they really put summer runflats on an xi?