[WWONG]

I'm very disappointed in the cost-cutting by BMW on the E9Xs, even though they actually raised the price on the car since its inception. Let's get a list going of the cost-cutting they've put on our cars from a 2006 release MY vs any MY from 2007+.

If you know any more, post them and I'll update. Also post good stuff BMW added that they potentially lose money on (but not inevitable modernization like upgraded iDrive, better paddle shifters, etc.).

Note that some of these may be body style-specific (E90/E91/E92/E93).

COST CUTTING (Good for BMW, Bad for Consumers)

• Removed cigarette lighter/ashtray with no trim cover (update/note: DC plug has been moved under passenger side footwell)
• Logic7 is no longer standard on the 335i
• Removed more speakers on the base audio (4 pieces?) (update: 2011 has hi-fi restored; 2010 owners only people screwed... thanks a lot there, BMW)
• Even with Logic7/HK, there's less speakers than before
• Both visors are now plastic/vinyl
• Removed both nets behind the front seats
• Removed iPod/iPhone holder from the underside of the armrest lid
• Removed flashlight charger slot in glove box that has been in the fleet's vehicles for ages
• Removed flashlight
• Removed drink cooler under armrest
• Hood no longer has cloth insulator
• Moon roof is now optional on the E9X
• Removed band of tint on windshield (E90 & E91)
• Fuzzy cloth-like material around the door/windows have been replaced by rubber (E90 & E91)
• Latches above the rear seats can no longer be hidden/folded and is now a stub
• Removed cargo net hooks in trunk
• The tool kit has less tools
• Removed keyhole from trunk lid
• Anti-theft, CD Changer, Bluetooth, and Sirius are no longer prewired
• Window wiper blades are now thinner, more flexible blades
• Increased option upgrade pricing for PDC
• Increased option upgrade pricing for ZSP
• True for most of the fleet: There's no spare fuses
• Front headrests are now only two-way adjustable (note: reason being is because of active restraint system)
  
  All of this on top of a price increase ($3,000 more on top of base price not including price hike on packages and some options), with more increases per year.
  

Don't get me started on the 15k/yearly "Free Maintenance" oil changes.

THINGS THEY HAVE YET TO DO (Also Bad for Consumers)

• FIXED BY SEPTEMBER 2011 UPDATE: 6FL/iPod -- Add USB iPod charging support (was moved from Firewire charging in 2008 by Apple)
• FIXED BY SEPTEMBER 2011 UPDATE: 6FL/iPod -- More of a rant: Why does it need USB + AUX both plugged in to play? That's just silly.
• Make anti-theft standard... hell, most cars from the 90s had it standard.

COST... GLUING (Good for Consumers, Bad for BMW)

• Added ZVP, but only for the 328i

My silly suggestion is that they create a -$500 Cost Cutting Package that has all that removed. I mean, they can't be saving any more than $500 but that's a lot when multiplied. Some of us want those things!

BMW in Munich:

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by WWONG

I'm very disappointed in the cost-cutting by BMW on the E92 coupes, even though they actually raised the price on the car since its inception. Let's get a list going of the cost-cutting they've put on our cars from a 2007 release MY vs anywhere from 2008+.

If you know any more, post them and I'll update.

- Removed cigarette lighter/ashtray + modular trim lid
- Logic7 is not standard on the 335i
- Removed more speakers on the base audio
- Both visors are now plastic
- Hood no longer has cloth insulator
- Window wiper blades are now thinner, more flexible blades

BMW in Munich:

You spin me right round baby right round like a record baby right round...

My pet peeve in 08s and up is the cigerette lighter and ashtray.

[WWONG]

Originally Posted by Aonarch

You spin me right round baby right round like a record baby right round...

My pet peeve in 08s and up is the cigerette lighter and ashtray.

That doesn't bother me as much since I'm not a smoker and would actually prefer the empty spot, but it's the trim piece that used to cover it that they removed which has got me ragin'

[Nikolas]

-extending the warranty on parts they know they can't fix and moving on ala M3 e46 block and 335 HPFP.

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by Aonarch

You spin me right round baby right round like a record baby right round...

My pet peeve in 08s and up is the cigerette lighter and ashtray.

here you go:

It is not just BMW, but all of the Germans are doing the same. You think BMW is cheap, wait 'til you drive a C class MB.

[Alexander]

I! I got to know your name....

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by Aonarch

I! I got to know your name....

[Alexander]

Nah I just hate not having the power outlet there.

Also 08 and up models the center console is different. I can't have wires hanging out as easy and it has a spring so I can't leave it cracked.

[WWONG]

I added a few more things. I'm worried when these cost-cutting measures begin to intrude into the integrity of the car design. One day, the ashtray. The next day, hood insulation. Another few days from now and the airbag will blow an apology letter instead during deployment

[lux.sh]

Interesting thread. Good catch, WWONG. Now that I see the list... thats quite a bit.
munich is getting sneaky.

[WWONG]

Originally Posted by GhostRideTheWhip

Yeah, my local dealer is refusing to give me new inserts after 6 months. They said I have to wait a full year.

Any idea if these wiper blades are still proprietary? I remember on my E39, the wiper blades had a little extra tab in the clip that made it not follow standards... so I couldn't get wiper blades from Auto-zone for like $15. Instead, I had to go to the stealership and pay $70 for wiper blades.

Thanks, added keyhole in trunk. The seatback nets are already there as "Removed both nets behind the front seats".

[Oulixes]

Originally Posted by WWONG

I'm very disappointed in the cost-cutting by BMW on the E9Xs, even though they actually raised the price on the car since its inception. Let's get a list going of the cost-cutting they've put on our cars from a 2006 release MY vs any MY from 2008+.

If you know any more, post them and I'll update. Also post good stuff BMW added that they potentially lose money on

Negative and not included in your list: The flashlight is gone.

Possibly intentional: The underhood pad that is in my 330xi makes the car sound tame - possibly the removal of it was done on purpose to make the 335i sound more aggressive.

BTW, the project you have undertaken is interesting and useful.

[WWONG]

Originally Posted by Oulixes

Negative and not included in your list: The flashlight is gone.

Possibly intentional: The underhood pad that is in my 330xi makes the car sound tame - possibly the removal of it was done on purpose to make the 335i sound more aggressive.

BTW, the project you have undertaken is interesting and useful.

Thanks. I've already put in, "Removed flashlight charger slot in glove box that has been in the fleet's vehicles for ages" but I'm unsure if it *came* with the flashlight, rather than just the charger slot. Can you confirm?

[Zero.7]

Depressing thread

[nafoo]

Originally Posted by WWONG

Thanks. I've already put in, "Removed flashlight charger slot in glove box that has been in the fleet's vehicles for ages" but I'm unsure if it *came* with the flashlight, rather than just the charger slot. Can you confirm?

Yes, previous models came with the flashlight (e.g., 04 325ci, 07 335i)

They also removed the windshield band on top across of the windshield, but I think the E93 still has it.

I just want to mention that I think the increase in the price of PDC and ZSP makes sense. The later models included front PDC, so that makes sense. The ZSP also now includes Shadowline trim.

[Oulixes]

Originally Posted by WWONG

Thanks. I've already put in, "Removed flashlight charger slot in glove box that has been in the fleet's vehicles for ages" but I'm unsure if it *came* with the flashlight, rather than just the charger slot. Can you confirm?

My 330xi, MY2006, has a fitted rechargeable NiCd incandescent bulb flashlight in the glove box, which is connected via two terminals to the car charging system. The terminals can be converted to a regular cigarette lighter socket by using a simple adapter, which is available both from BMW and aftermarket. The flashlight is quite large and looks boxy.

My 335i, MY2009, had no OEM flashlight included when it came, and there are no terminals to charge it in the glovebox. A small, fitted LED flashlight is now available as an option from BMW (63310411930 Small Flashlight LED) for $41, from Tisher for $32. (There is also a large flashlight available from BMW, but that one does not fit into the glovebox fixture.) The fact that the LED flashlight is not rechargeable should not be held against BMW - batteries in a LED flashlight last much longer that in the old incandescent bulb flashlights. The new flashlight is smaller than the old one and is shaped as a cylinder.

[simianspeedster]

Originally Posted by WWONG

Moon roof is no longer standard on the 335i

The moonroof is still standard equipment on the 335i Sedan and Coupe.

[Respek]

Originally Posted by sf_loft

- Rear only PDC while EU versions get both front and rear.

Wow, can't you get front PDC at all over there? Here in Sweden either one costs extra (front is an additional $400 while rear is part of a package similiar to premium package).

[cstavaru]

Originally Posted by Oulixes

Possibly intentional: The underhood pad that is in my 330xi makes the car sound tame - possibly the removal of it was done on purpose to make the 335i sound more aggressive.

I have the pad and I have a LCI, albeit an Euro-spec.

In Europe, we are used to these from BMW: nothing comes standard, you have to add them at the base price. And I like this, because if I don't need the nets behind the front seats, I don't have to pay for them.

What BMW did is increase the price of the car in the US. And in Europe too, from 41850 Euro to 42.600 Euro.

[smack]

The PDC option includes front and rear sensors on all 3er albeit the 335i ZHP.

[jayely1]

Good list to have when I try selling my car, "See all the stuff you can't get on the new 335i"