[TaBzK]

Originally Posted by Phasers

Harman Kardon sound system.

So what kind of sound system comes standard now? My CA never told me that I wasn't going to get the HK system. Disappointed.

[Phasers]

Originally Posted by TaBzK

So what kind of sound system comes standard now? My CA never told me that I wasn't going to get the HK system. Disappointed.

Well since you ordered the M50i, you'll get HK.

I have the 40i, so neither HK nor B&W are options any longer.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by Phasers

Well since you ordered the M50i, you'll get HK.

I have the 40i, so neither HK nor B&W are options any longer.

While not preferred, you can always upgrade the base HiFi or even the HK system with some good aftermarket speaker and sub options for a noteworthy improvement in sound for not that much money. And very DIY'able as well.

[Angelo_GraysonMiniBMW]

Looks great! How is the sound system since HK is not available? I’m seriously debating whether to order the ‘22 X7 i40 now that it comes with a 10 speaker system. I don’t blast my music but appreciate nice sound system.

[Phasers]

Originally Posted by Angelo1

Looks great! How is the sound system since HK is not available? I’m seriously debating whether to order the ‘22 X7 i40 now that it comes with a 10 speaker system. I don’t blast my music but appreciate nice sound system.

Honestly, it's lacking power. I have to turn the volume up to 50% just to have a minimum viable volume.

I'd say it's acceptable but this is a $90k vehicle. I'm debating swapping out the system for an upgrade but in general I'm fairly upset that the base sound system in a car this expensive is so 'meh'

[Angelo_GraysonMiniBMW]

Originally Posted by Phasers

Honestly, it's lacking power. I have to turn the volume up to 50% just to have a minimum viable volume.

I'd say it's acceptable but this is a $90k vehicle. I'm debating swapping out the system for an upgrade but in general I'm fairly upset that the base sound system in a car this expensive is so 'meh'

I appreciate the feedback. I’m now considering upgrading to the i50 just to have the better sound system or simply not ordering the i40 at all. My wife’s X3 has the HK and it sounds pretty good at low volume. I really like the i40 engine for better mpg and power for an inline 6,probably more reliable as well long term. If I go the i50 route, would just lease it as I was planning to buy i40. Another annoyance is having to get the bi-color 22’s, since I can’t order the black 21’s and I’m not a fan of the silver 21”s on a Artic grey with blacked out trim msport. I will say, the i40 drives exceptionally well and really enjoyed my test drive.

[Phasers]

Originally Posted by Angelo1

I appreciate the feedback. I’m now considering upgrading to the i50 just to have the better sound system or simply not ordering the i40 at all. My wife’s X3 has the HK and it sounds pretty good at low volume. I really like the i40 engine for better mpg and power for an inline 6,probably more reliable as well long term. If I go the i50 route, would just lease it as I was planning to buy i40. Another annoyance is having to get the bi-color 22’s, since I can’t order the black 21’s and I’m not a fan of the silver 21”s on a Artic grey with blacked out trim msport. I will say, the i40 drives exceptionally well and really enjoyed my test drive.

In fairness it's cheaper to upgrade the sound system than it is to buy up to the M50i. You can go with the bimmertech system for $2100 in parts (all 10 speakers and an amp) then you just need someone to install.

[jmciver]

Shameless plug, but another example of the sound system upgrade possibilities for the X7 specifically nonetheless, including the DIY aspects of it.…

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1846757

[DavidB_UK]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Running boards with M-Sport on the 40i has been available in the States for a while now - I have it on my ‘20 X7 40i. But for ‘22, you apparently can’t get them on the M50i….

I never understand why the options vary so much between geography. My U.K. spec car is built in the same Spartanburg plant but running boards on an M sport (40i or 40d) aren’t even a cost option. At least I know it’s possible - so I’ll have to get my dealer to order the OEM part and fit them once the car is delivered…

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by DavidB_UK

I never understand why the options vary so much between geography. My U.K. spec car is built in the same Spartanburg plant but running boards on an M sport (40i or 40d) aren’t even a cost option. At least I know it’s possible - so I’ll have to get my dealer to order the OEM part and fit them once the car is delivered…

You can blame BMW's marketing department as they "think" they know what options different markets want. Then based on their market research, they determine a cost of the different configurations/options vs maximizing profits in each market, and assign (or limit) the available options accordingly. Some option availability is based on different laws/policies in different countries (as is the case with no anti-glare high beam headlight availability in the US). But most is based on marketing research about what BMW thinks the people predominantly want in a given market.

I think some of these marketing research decisions make good business sense. Like the fact the diesel models are only sold overseas as diesels just don't sell well here in the US today. But others don't make sense, like the M Sport seats for the X7 which are not available in the US, but many European markets. I would speculate that if those seats were offered in the US, they would have a very high take rate (especially on the M50i) and since the X7's are built in the US, the additional cost to offer said option should be marginal.

I am not a marketing expert, and an unpredictable event like COVID parts shortages notwithstanding, considering we live in a globally interconnected world, when it comes to option "restrictions" in different markets, I think BMW (and probably other auto makers) gets it wrong more than they should.

[brambimmer]

jmciver, I searched for M Sport seats and couldn't find a picture. Would you mind providing a link or point me in the direction of where I could find them? Thanks!

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by brambimmer

jmciver, I searched for M Sport seats and couldn't find a picture. Would you mind providing a link or point me in the direction of where I could find them? Thanks!

A forum member from Europe posted them a little while ago. It was the first I had seen of them. If I find the post/link I will post it here. It may have been a special order item…

[Angelo_GraysonMiniBMW]

Originally Posted by Phasers

In fairness it's cheaper to upgrade the sound system than it is to buy up to the M50i. You can go with the bimmertech system for $2100 in parts (all 10 speakers and an amp) then you just need someone to install.

Is this the route you’re going? I just sat in an X7 with the base hi-fi sound system and it was horrible. My 2019 Land Cruiser has a much better system and it’s just ok. How is the wear on your 22” tires? This is another thing I’m debating on. I currently have the 21” on my build sheet as I don’t want to change out tires every 10k miles, but the 22”s look so good. I was overruled by the family and ordered the Alpine white m sport pkg with extended shadow line instead of the Artic grey I originally chose.

[DavidB_UK]

Originally Posted by jmciver

A forum member from Europe posted them a little while ago. It was the first I had seen of them. If I find the post/link I will post it here. It may have been a special order item…

There’s a thread on it here

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1654870

However I’ve just ordered my X7 in Europe (specifically the U.K.) and these weren’t on the options list, so I’d assume you’d have to go down the BMW individual route and then pay a fortune for a special install…