BMW offers some of the most extensive options available in the automotive market. Modern BMWs are loaded with technology and luxury features, but if you want the best on offer, you must choose some extra packages and options.
With all the variety, choosing what packs and options are best for you is hard. As a BMW owner, I know how tricky it can be to decide what packages and options you should pick for your new car. From ambient lighting to parking assistance, there’s plenty of variety, and you can end up spending a fortune on extras.
With that in mind, in this article, we’ll take you through our choice of packs and options for your next BMW. Depending on your BMW model, there are different packs and options available, so we’ll try and make it as simple as possible.
Let’s get started!
So what are BMW packages?
Instead of just giving you a choice of individual options, BMW also combines similar options into packages – so you’ll see things like ‘technology package’ or ‘premium package.’ It’s also worth checking the packages when looking for used models, as some of these packs have many features.
Some models don’t have every package available, and more premium cars have most options as standard. To keep things simple, I will discuss the main packages and options you can choose.
In some regions, the options included in each pack may differ, so it’s always best to check what is available with your local dealer.
Which Packs are available on your BMW?
Below we’ve put together a summary of which packs are available on each BMW model. Depending on the trim level of your BMW, different packs may be available.
BMW SUV models
| X1 | X3 | X4 | X5 | X6 | X7 | |
| Convenience | Y | Y | ||||
| Premium | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Executive | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Shadowline | Y | Y | ||||
| Climate Comfort | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Dynamic Handling | Y | Y | ||||
| Driving Assistance | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Parking Assistance | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| M Sport | Y | Y | Y |
BMW Sedan / Coupe / Convertible models
| 2 Series | 3 Series | 4 Series | 5 Series | 7 Series | 8 Series | Z4 | |
| Convenience | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||
| Premium | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Executive | Y | Y | |||||
| Shadowline | Y | Y | Y | ||||
| Climate Comfort | |||||||
| Dynamic Handling | Y | Y | Y | ||||
| Driving Assistance | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Parking Assistance | Y | Y | Y | ||||
| M Sport | Y | Y | Y | ||||
| M Performance | Y | ||||||
| High Performance Tire | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Individual Composition | Y | ||||||
| Luxury Rear Seating | Y | ||||||
| Executive Lounge Seating | Y |
BMW Electric models
| iX | i4 | i5 | i7 | |
| Convenience | Y | Y | Y | |
| Premium | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Executive | Y | Y | ||
| Luxury | Y | |||
| Shadowline | Y | |||
| Dynamic Handling | Y | |||
| Driving Assistance | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Parking Assistance | Y | |||
| M Sport | Y | Y | ||
| High-Performance Tire | Y | |||
| Individual Composition | Y | |||
| Luxury Seating | Y | Y | ||
| Executive Lounge Seating | Y |
BMW Performance models
| M2 | M3 | M4 | M8 | X3M | X4M | X5M | X6M | XM | |
| Executive | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Shadowline | Y | ||||||||
| Carbon | Y | ||||||||
| Lightning | Y | ||||||||
| Competition | Y | Y | |||||||
| Driving Assistance | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||
| Parking Assistance | Y | Y |
You can find out more details about most of the packs on this list in the next sections:
Convenience Pack
The convenience package is the ‘entry-level’ pack from BMW. The convenience pack can differ depending on your model, but it usually includes the below options:
- Wireless Device Charging
- Comfort Access Keyless Entry
- Lumbar Support
- Panoramic Moonroof
The convenience pack is available as an optional extra on most lower-spec BMW models, including the 2 Series, X3, and Z4. These features are included as standard on higher-spec models such as the 8 Series and X5.
Overall, the convenience package features are useful, particularly the wireless charging and keyless entry. We’d recommend this pack.
To find out more about the convenience pack, click here.
Technology Pack
The Technology package usually includes the following:
- Heads-Up Display (HUD)
- Wireless charging for mobile devices
- Gesture Control
- Improved Soundsystem
My current BMW has this pack, and for the cost, I think it’s one of the best packages BMW offers. The wireless charging is worthwhile, and the HUD option is excellent, so for those two features alone, it’s worth choosing.
I’ve owned cars without the improved Soundsystem, and the difference isn’t massive, but it’s a nice upgrade. One downside of this package is the gesture control – it’s challenging to use and adds no benefit. Apart from showing it off to friends when I first bought the car, I almost forgot it was there.
Overall, I’d give the Technology Package a High Recommendation
Driver Assistance Package
This is sometimes called the Technology Plus Pack and includes all the advanced driving and parking systems available. I’ve never owned a BMW with these options, but I’ve driven a few models with Driver Assistance. The pack usually includes:
- Active Cruise Control
- Lane Keeping Assistant
- Parking Assistant Plus
- Blind Spot Detection
I think the benefits of this pack depend on what type of driving you will be doing in your BMW. My driving doesn’t include much time in a busy city or a long commute, so the features like Active Cruise Control and Parking Assistant wouldn’t help me that much.
If you spend a lot of time on long drives or driving in a lot of traffic, this pack could be handy. This is mainly for the Active Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assistant. It’s nothing ground-breaking, but you’ll get many benefits from those features on those long journeys.
Overall, I’d give the Driver Assistance Package a Low Recommendation
To find out more about the driver assistance pack, click here.
Premium Package
This pack is probably the most confusing BMW offers. It’s got different options depending on where you are in the world, but primarily it’s designed to give you things you want and don’t need. These include:
- Heated Seats (Front and sometimes Rear)
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Electric Memory Front Seats
- Lumbar Support
- 3D Surround Cameras
I’ve got mixed opinions on this package. I just picked out a couple of options on my current car instead of going for the whole pack (Heated seats, Lumbar Support, and Memory Seats).
You could argue all these features are worth it, but if I were looking to buy a new BMW out of all the options in this pack, I’d probably choose just the Heated Seats. I don’t live in a warm climate, and heated seats are excellent on a cold morning, but I can’t understand why you would need to get a Heated Steering Wheel; it’s a problem you can solve by wearing gloves.
The Electric Memory Seats are as helpful as the Gesture Control we talked about earlier. Unless you constantly change drivers in your car and have very different driving positions, you can survive by manually adjusting seats.
Lumbar Support is excellent for long-distance journeys, so it’s not that useful for me. Consider it if you know you’ll be in the car for long drives. Finally, the 3D Surround Camera is helpful in some situations (I borrowed a friend’s X5, and I was so happy to have the surround cameras when parking it), so it’s a worthwhile option if you’re buying one of the larger models.
Overall, I’m not sure about the premium package. I’d probably say Low Recommendation.
To find out more about the premium pack, click here
M Sport Package
Depending on the model you are looking at, this pack is a must-have for me. With recent BMW models, I’m not too fond of the chrome effect on the grille and around the other trim parts, and changing those to black with the M Sport package makes a huge difference, in my opinion. Some packs also come with:
- Colored brake calipers
- M Sport detailing (badges on exterior and interior)
- Different alloy wheels
All of these make a big difference to the appearance of the car. If you choose the M Sport model variant, all of this is standard, but that’s not available for every model, so if you want the ‘sportier and more aggressive-looking car, this pack is a definite yes.
Overall, this one comes down to personal taste, so you might want a less sporty-looking car, but if you’re like me, then a Strong Recommendation.
Other Packages
Aside from the packs we’ve mentioned, a few that deserve looking at include:
Individual Options
Outside of the primary packs, you can spec many extra options onto most BMWs. Some of these options are seriously worth considering. It’s worth checking to see what you can get separately and what you need a package for. As we’ve seen, some of those packages come with options I don’t think most drivers will need.
Interior options
- Red/Blue Brake Calipers
- Massage Seats
- Split Folding Seats
- Ambient Lighting
- Extended Storage
- Rear Side Window Shades
The above list doesn’t include those options you can already get as part of a package, but I don’t think any are vital. A sunroof is a good option, and folding seats are helpful if you have a suitable model and need the space, though I could manage without any of these.
Technology Options
- BMW Laserlights
- Remote Engine Start
- Drive Recording
Let’s start with Laserlights. When I first saw them as an option, it looked like a marketing phrase for slightly better lights at a premium cost. After seeing them in action, they make a significant difference against standard lights. Whether it’s worth the price (Laserlights are always one of the most expensive options) is debatable, but it’s an option I’d love to have on my next car.
The Remote Start and Drive Recording both of these have minimal use. If you’re in a cold climate, the remote start will be beneficial, but it’s worth pointing out that remote start is a feature banned in Europe for safety regulations.
Exterior Options
We’ve already covered the M Sport package, and on my last two models, I went a step further and chose the full carbon fiber exterior trim. To give you a list of options for styling the exterior:
- Carbon Fibre Spoiler
- M Style Door Mirrors
- Carbon Fibre Side Skirts
- Different Alloy Wheels
- Carbon Fiber Splitter
These all really come down to personal taste, but I’ve parked my car next to a standard M Sport model, and for me, the carbon options make it stand out. You might not like that look, so find a car with those options and see if you like it. I’ll be adding a post soon to review my vehicle options.
Summary
In general, I think BMW can be difficult with its pricing structure for some of these options. If you want your BMW a certain way, though, you have the chance to design it exactly to meet your needs, which I think is a bonus to many owners.
We haven’t looked at options like exterior paint and interior materials. Don’t worry; I’ll cover these in a future post (including showing you the exterior color I selected, which is pretty unique!)
If you want to learn more about buying and owning a BMW, check out more of our posts below:
