BMW Comfort Package: Features and Benefits
If you’re looking to buy a new BMW, you’ll likely come across the option to add the Comfort Package. This package bundles several premium interior features into one convenient upgrade. But is the BMW Comfort Package really worth the additional cost?
In this comprehensive review, we’ll examine everything you need to know about the BMW Comfort Package. You’ll learn exactly what amenities are included, how much it costs for different models, the key pros and cons, and whether it’s a good value for your needs.
By the end, you’ll know if the Comfort Package is worth it or if you’re better off selecting individual options a la carte. Let’s get started!
What Does the BMW Comfort Package Include?
The BMW Comfort Package includes several upgrades focused on improving daily driving comfort and convenience. The main amenities offered are:
- Power front seats with driver memory and lumbar support – The driver’s seat has adjustable side bolsters and lumbar support for customized back support. Memory function saves preferred adjustments for two drivers.
- Heated front seats – Quickly warm up the front seats with three temperature settings. Ideal for cold weather climates.
- Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors – Interior rearview and side mirror dims automatically to reduce glare from rear headlights at night.
- Ambient interior lighting – LED lighting in footwells, door handles, and other areas sets a relaxing mood. Choose from six color options.
- Storage package – Adds compartments and nets for extra interior storage space.
These features aim to make time spent driving more comfortable and convenient. You gain customizable seat adjustments, warmth in winter, reduced glare while driving at night, and more interior storage space.
Other perks sometimes included depending on the BMW model and package are a power moonroof, satellite radio, and wireless phone charging. But the core amenities focused on comfort remain the same.
How Much Does the BMW Comfort Package Cost?
The BMW Comfort Package ranges in price from $1,000-$1,700 depending on the BMW model you choose. For example:
- BMW 3 Series – $1,050
- BMW 5 Series – $1,700
- BMW X3 – $1,400
- BMW X5 – $1,600
This package is an add-on that you select when building and pricing a new BMW vehicle. It increases the total MSRP and monthly payment amount.
You’ll typically pay more for the Comfort Package on larger, higher-end BMW models compared to smaller compact sedans and SUVs. The package price accounts for around 2-4% of the total MSRP for a moderately equipped BMW.
One downside is that adding the package reduces your ability to negotiate on the car price. BMW dealerships have less wiggle room to come down on a vehicle with this popular package pre-selected.
But you may be able to save some money by unbundling and ordering options a la carte instead, which we’ll discuss more below.
The Key Benefits of Choosing the Comfort Package
The BMW Comfort Package brings several benefits that improve daily driving:
Lumbar Support and Seat Adjustments Reduce Back Pain
The power driver’s seat with side bolster and lumbar adjustments allows you to customize the seat to perfectly fit your body. This alleviates back pain and discomfort on long drives.
The lumbar support specifically targets the lower back area by adjusting the seat curvature. Having improper lumbar support is a common cause of car-related back pain, so these adjustable seats help.
Heated Seats Warm Up Fast in Winter
The heated front seats in the Comfort Package warm up quickly, within 30 seconds of turning them on. There are three temperature settings to choose from.
No longer do you have to bear the pain of sitting on cold leather or getting into a freezing car on winter mornings! The toasty warm seats make winter driving much more pleasant.
Auto-Dimming Mirrors Reduce Nighttime Glare
The auto-dimming interior rearview mirror and side exterior mirrors dim automatically to reduce glare from other car’s headlights behind you.
This makes driving at night much easier on the eyes by blocking bright lights that would normally be reflected into your eyes. The dimming happens smoothly and responds quickly when it senses glare.
Ambient Lighting Sets a Relaxing Mood
The ambient LED lighting included with the package sets a pleasant, relaxing ambiance in the car’s cabin.
You can choose from six different colors for the footwell, door handle, and cup holder lighting based on your mood or preference. This creates a more luxurious, spa-like environment compared to harsh conventional overhead lighting.
Overall, the Comfort Package aims to transform your BMW’s interior into a more comfortable sanctuary and improve the driving experience. For buyers prioritizing amenities like lumbar support and heated seats, the package is likely worthwhile.
The Potential Drawbacks to Consider
However, there are a few potential drawbacks to the BMW Comfort Package to consider:
It’s expensive for just a few upgrades – Costing $1,000-$1,700, the package bundles into one upcharge amenities that may not all be useful to you. This is a premium to pay on top of an already expensive luxury vehicle.
You may not use the features year-round – For buyers in warmer climates who won’t need heated seats often, you essentially pay for something you only use a few months a year. The value is lower if you don’t take advantage of all the components.
It reduces the ability to customize – Ordering the full package upfront prevents you from customizing and choosing only the specific options you want. You have to take everything bundled even if you only want a couple upgrades.
Potential reliability issues down the road – More complex electronic features like auto-dimming mirrors, ambient lighting, and power seats mean more things that could malfunction out of warranty. Simple is sometimes more reliable long-term.
Resale value may not increase – Packages don’t typically return money on trade-ins or increase resale value. Ordering only the most desirable options a la carte might make more financial sense.
For these reasons, the Comfort Package offers great benefits for some luxury car buyers, while providing less value to others. It depends on your climate, driving needs, budget, and preferences.
Is the Comfort Package Worth the Cost?
Whether or not the BMW Comfort Package is worth the $1,000-$1,700 price depends on a few factors:
Cold winter climates – The Comfort Package is most worthwhile if you live in a colder region where you’ll use the heated front seats during fall, winter, and early spring. Quickly warming up on cold days makes the package a smart choice for cold weather states.
Warmer climates – For buyers in hot southern states who won’t need heated seats often, passing on the package makes more sense. You’ll enjoy the other amenities like lumbar support, but not enough to justify the cost.
Frequent long drives – If you take a lot of road trips or have a long commute, the lumbar support and seat adjustments are especially valuable to reduce back fatigue and pain over extended periods of driving.
Must-have features – The package offers good value if you’ll utilize and benefit from most of the bundled features. For example, if you suffer from chronic back pain, the lumbar support alone may warrant the price.
Only want one or two features – If you only really want heated seats or the auto-dimming mirrors for instance, order them as stand-alone options to save money and customize. The package makes less sense.
At the end of the day, take a close look at your specific needs and which of the Comfort Package upgrades you’ll actually use on a regular basis. For buyers wanting most included amenities, it offers solid overall value. But you can likely save money by skipping the bundle and ordering just the must-have options a la carte.
Alternatives to the Comfort Package
Rather than paying for the full Comfort Package, here are some alternative options to consider:
Order Features Individually A La Carte
One of the best ways to save money but still get the amenities you want is to order them individually. For example, add just the heated front seats and power driver’s seat with lumbar support. This allows you to skip features like the ambient lighting you may not care about.
Check pricing to compare getting your must-have options alone versus bundled in the package. Just be aware that ordering multiple options a la carte can add up quickly too.
Add Heated Seats and Lumbar Support Only
A good middle ground is to get the heated front seats and power driver’s seat with lumbar support as standalone options.
This combination provides warmth in winter plus customizable back support for long drives, which are typically the most desirable Comfort Package features. Leave out the dimming mirrors and ambient lighting to save money if you don’t need them.
Consider Third-Party Accessories
You can also install third-party seat cushions and covers to get some of the benefits at a lower cost. For example, aftermarket lumbar support cushions can provide extra back support.
Sheepskin or heated seat covers warm you up in winter without paying for built-in heated seats. Just make sure to get high-quality accessories that integrate seamlessly into your BMW’s interior.
Prioritizing the one or two comfort upgrades that matter most to your needs, while skipping the rest, can help maximize value. The Comfort Package bundles nice-to-have features that may be overkill for some buyers.
Is the BMW Comfort Package Worth It? Our Verdict
Overall, the BMW Comfort Package offers several upgrades that improve daily driving comfort and convenience. For buyers wanting most or all amenities included in the bundle, it provides solid overall value.
However, make sure to assess your specific climate and needs. In warmer regions or if you only want one or two features like lumbar or heated seats, ordering options a la carte is likely the better value.
Carefully weigh the benefits versus drawbacks and consider the alternatives before deciding. The package brings premium comfort but also comes with a premium price tag. Make sure it includes upgrades and features you’ll truly benefit from and use regularly before purchasing.
Hopefully this detailed review of the BMW Comfort Package helps you determine if it’s worth the investment for your needs. Let us know if you have any other questions!
