I was just at the dealership yesterday and my MA provoked some buyer's remorse when he told me that I could have had 3 of my custom items all included in the convenience package for the same price had I ordered it.

Needless to say when I got home I tried to verify this info as it seemed clear as day when I specced my car that I would be saving money to order them separately. Unfortunately as far as I can tell the configurator only has 09 prices now.

Anyway - I could only find the '08 package prices on Edmunds.com and wanted to confirm the cost of the Convenience Package - was it $1500 or $1000 in the 2008 configurator?

 

$1500.00

 

Yes $1500

 

Thanks!

 

Shouldn't the MA have been mentioning this fact when you were configuring your order?

 

The convenience package for 08 had a lot of stuff included - selected a la carte, they add up quickly. The problem for me was the armrest. I didn't want it. I checked into ordering the package and having the armrest removed, but the dealer did not recommend this. So I chose the options I wanted from this package separately - MF Steering wheel, Comfort Access, Rain Sensor, Bluetooth - which added up to the $1500 package cost. Didn't want the armrest (or comfort bluetooth option) or garage door opener, but would have liked the auto-dimming mirror. But I couldn't bring myself to spend more than the package cost!

cheers,
Alan

 

You'd think so right? He did mention something but the confusion arises now because he's either forgotten or having a brain-fart about the package $$ prices...

He was saying yesterday that I could have had the Convenience package for the cost of my 3 a la carte items which were:

- MFSW = $250
- Armrest = $250
- Ipod/Bluetooth = $500

Any way you cut it I'm $500 ahead (in fact I'm $750 ahead but that's another story)

I think I must have confused the factory too because they forgot to install the armrest - that's why I was in the dealership yesterday...

 

You should just ask for him (MA) to take some money off or throw something in, for being such a retard, i mean it is his job.

 

rexicon, you have a great sense of humor and/or the absurd.

Packages are great if you want all the stuff in them. I'd love to have the bluetooth/iPod and the MFSW...but well, you should see my garage...still no door.

Agreed, right now it's tough to find accurate info on Edmunds and there's really nothing on Kelly's.

And, really your MA should be shot - what a thing to say at this point?!

 

My package choices (or lack thereof) were driven by a need to keep the monthly payment manageable. There was a shortlist of must have items, bluetooth, xenons, ipod, cruise and upgraded stereo (the armrest was a last minute addition).

Unfortunately there wasn't a "Rexicon Driver's Edition Package" available so I had to go a la carte. I was cognizent that I'd be missing out on some neat features in some cases (homelink would have been nice as would self-dimming mirrors) but the idea was to have a car that would be fun and save some $$ at the pump without bending us over each month at the bank.

I'll just say this - the MA's are lucky the MINI sells itself...

 

BMW are no dummies. "Youification" can easily be "screwification." I admire those who are able to keep to their financial diet when faced with the dim sum platter that is the options list!

To their credit, while not perfect, the configurator is a nice way to try and get some of the option itch scratched. After building a thousand different models I can finally get to the point where I can delete an option without breaking out into a cold sweat at the thought of missing something fun/interesting/useful.

 

Yep, the Conv Pkg was $1500 in 2008.
Like you, I decided what I had to have in the Convenience Package and ordered just those items...MFSteering Wheel and Convenience Access(worth it's weight in platinum)!

The stock ALARM is completely lame, without any type of motion sensor, like a mercury switch.

 

 

You bring up an interesting point. I guess BMW - amongst others - has discovered the automotive equivalent of upselling. Instead of "would you like to supersize that?" you get the tantalising prospect of adding a few desirable options to your list of personalisations for ostensibly pennies more. Before you know it, you've specced out a $35k compact car because the packages are such good value vs. the a la carte approach.

If only an automaker would offer a "you pick two (or 5!)" style package then the OTRAs, Barleys & Rexicons of this world - to name but three of us - would be very happy campers. They'd have to differentiate between premium and standard options but it would still be a winner in my book.

I'll keep dreaming about this I suspect ...

 

 

Well, first: If you've ordered your car, and it's not in production, change it! Second, I didn't want the armrest either, and really didn't want the automatic wipers, but by the time I put together what I did want, I was basically getting the comfort access (fobinyourpocketmesswithyourfriendselectronicprobl emstobe) free.