What are your 'must have' options / functionality?

[Howard]

Inspired by a thread over on Pistonheads, I thought I'd ask here!

Personally, I wouldn't have another car without climate control, parking sensors, xenon headlights, electric seat adjustment, bluetooth with audio streaming, USB / iPod support, and a multi function steering wheel. Sat nav isn't absolutely critical but it usually offers a better interface for all the other functionality.


I'm referring to "daily" cars, btw. I know you don't want any of the above in a track car

 

[Howard]

Aircon! I really hope everyone putting this at the top of there list of "must have equipment" are living outside the uk.......

Air con is useful all year round in the UK

 

[Howard]

Two things I wish my car had are bluetooth and a decent in built satnav. My E46 came with bluetooth out of the factory but it is crap, it's too quiet and the connection is unreliable. Fitting a satnav is also something of a faff. For my next car I'd make sure they had both of these things.

Have you looked into those Dynavin (or equivalent) units? They look like they offer nice up-to-date functionality for E46s and such.

Parking sensors are somewhat of a God send, too. Never cared for them before I had them, but now when I jump into my partners car, I am instantly aware I’ve got to be 100% switched on when reversing up to a wall because it’s not equipped with them.

Agreed, I'm already finding the front sensors very useful too.

 

[Howard]

As long as the A/C cools down the cabin enough to stop me feeling uncomfortable and sweaty in the summer, then it will do me.

Climate control is the business. Once you've had it you'll never want to fiddle around with manual HVAC controls ever again.