[jshwon]

I'm looking at a 2014 550i that is pretty much optioned out save the driver assistance package. It has the executive, luxury seat package etc. I was wondering if most people find it useful or just extra. Living in Houston the fact that it has ventilated and active seats I find more important.

Just wonder if I'll miss not having the DA. My gut is telling me no since the car has everything else and it might just be extra nannies that I'd turn off. Wanted to get your opinions.

[S1ammin]

I'm not sure what all Drivers Assistance comprises of. I have it. If that's what parking assistance and lane change warning are, I gotta admit, I like those a lot. Could I do without either or both? Certainly. I look before I switch lanes, and I can park any car. And before I got my windows tinted, I never noticed the warning triangles that light up on your outside mirror housing when there is something in the way.

If faced with an F10 that had everything but drivers assistance package, which would be strange since everything would also include stuff like night vision and automatic parking and probably some other stuff (automatic braking, cruise distance control), man, these rolling laptops can do a lot!

But then again, it kinda looks like as years go on, so does package consolidation. What was the Drivers Assistance Package one year might be modified the following year. You really do need to do your research with BMW. It's nuts.

[jshwon]

From what I understand, have seen and researched is that BMWs can be configured a number of different ways. What you listed (lane departure, blind spot, forward collision) are all part of the DA package. The parking aid and rear view camera the car has. Just not the other items.

I'm thinking they'd be a nice to have but don't think I'd miss them. Would make more use of the ventilated, active seats much more. Just helps with the decision as one of the cars has the DA package but not the luxury seats and the other car has the luxury seats but not DA.

[ezaircon4jc]

If it's the HUD I use that a LOT!!! I will have it on all my cars froward! My wife's car doesn't have it and mine does; I can't imagine living without it. We have a loaner '17 530i that doesn't have it and I'm constantly looking at the speedo; and that ain't easy with the new cluster.

[mswscco]

I think the DA package also adds top view and front side view cameras. I would choose the better seats over the DA but as a heads up, the seat cooling is pretty weak.

[S1ammin]

The Tech Package adds HUD. I guess there is Drivers Assist and Drivers Assist Plus. I think the Plus adds the automated driving aids, and is also inclusive of all things non-Plus.

[ezaircon4jc]

My '14 came with the DA (ZDA option) and I have no idea what it included.

[johnhva]

I have DA and DA+ on my '14:

Driver Assistance Package
-Rear View Camera
-Head-Up Display
-Park Distance Control
-Instrument Cluster w/Extended Contents

Driver Assistance Plus adds
-Active Blind Spot Detection
-Side & Top View Cameras
-Active Driving Assistant
-Speed Limit Info

Luxury seating is great with Contour active seats and ventilation!

[Pimpsy]

Do not buy without driver assistance. The HUD alone is worth it, much less the rear view cam. I wouldn't have any car that didn't have both.

The ventilated seats barely do anything and are by far the most disappointing feature. Sorry to share that...but it's useless. That said, the seats are comfortable and I like the adjustability.

Night vision is also pretty useless although my kids ask me to turn it on so they can play spaceship (they are almost 5).

[johnhva]

Originally Posted by AlanM

The ventilated seats barely do anything and are by far the most disappointing feature. Sorry to share that...but it's useless. ...

You might want to get your seats checked out because seat ventilation on my F10 nappa is very effective on both seats. Top speed can be almost too much. Spouse especially likes it.

[jshwon]

Just so I'm clear BOTH cars have DA. As johnhva mentioned:
Driver Assistance Package
-Rear View Camera
-Head-Up Display
-Park Distance Control
-Instrument cluster w/extended contents

So they both have HUD. Just one has DA+ and one does not. The 550 with DA+ has 33k miles and the one w/o it has 21k miles. I don't think I'd use most of DA+ and would rather have the car with less miles.

BTW both have the luxury seating. The DA+ is the only difference...and the mileage.

[Pimpsy]

Originally Posted by johnhva

You might want to get your seats checked out because seat ventilation on my F10 nappa is very effective on both seats. Top speed can be almost too much. Spouse especially likes it.

The fans only blow air from an intake under the seat and not that well. Not sure what almost too much could mean.

If you want to feel real ventilated seats, sit in a Suburban where it actually pulls from the AC.

[mswscco]

Originally Posted by jshwon

Just so I'm clear BOTH cars have DA. As johnhva mentioned:
Driver Assistance Package
-Rear View Camera
-Head-Up Display
-Park Distance Control
-Instrument cluster w/extended contents

So they both have HUD. Just one has DA+ and one does not. The 550 with DA+ has 33k miles and the one w/o it has 21k miles. I don't think I'd use most of DA+ and would rather have the car with less miles.

BTW both have the luxury seating. The DA+ is the only difference...and the mileage.

In that case, I think the choice is pretty easy. I'd go with the car that's got about a year's less mileage on it, especially if you plan on keeping it for a while. Blind spot monitoring and speed limit info are nice, but I can live without. Hardly use the extra cameras.

[Pimpsy]

Not all miles are the same. Really check out the condition of both cars, and if it were me, I would give the DA+ a little weight because it really is a cool feature. Especially blind spot detection.

[jshwon]

Originally Posted by AlanM

Not all miles are the same. Really check out the condition of both cars, and if it were me, I would give the DA+ a little weight because it really is a cool feature. Especially blind spot detection.

I'll definetly give them both a good look since they are at the same dealer. Having a years lest miles does seem ideal for me as I will keep the car for some time.

The reason I'm leaning towards the non DA+ car is because I had some of the features in my Audi S3. I never paid much attention to blind spot. I've always used my mirrors and looked before moving even with blind spot.