[avi66]

Originally Posted by Chrisss_GER

I have no idea. But I'm curious if there are more speakers in the front door (maybe where is the yellow mark in the picture) or only the one speaker with the h/k badge (white mark in the picture).

The G01 had also one speaker in the middle of the front door.

Maybe some G45 owners can tell us more

The top speaker with the illuminated logo is typically the passive tweeter, associated with the mid range speaker located lower down in the door, which is the equivalent to the G01 speaker you mention. It’s already confirmed that the G45 mid door speaker is behind the fabric cover.

These two speakers work as a “single” channel in the ALEV 3 HK, so just one speaker output from the amp, which uses a passive filter at the door in this example to filter the frequency to the tweeter.

The ALEV 3 HK in the G01 had 16 speakers total, across 9 channels with two channels being used for the left and right 8” under seat ported woofers.

The remaining seven channels then split FR,FL,C,RR,RL,DR,DL, so one less speaker but same number of channels in the G45 according to BMW.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Chrisss_GER

The german BMW website says 750 watts with 15 Speakers. One subwoofer in the trunk.

The US build site for the G45 continues to say 600W, 16-speaker system:
https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-ow...pbbbis/options

[PhantomOpera]

Anyone else experiencing a ticking sound coming from the rear drivers side of the car??

[RCtennis3811]

Originally Posted by EWL5

The US build site for the G45 continues to say 600W, 16-speaker system:
https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-own.html#/studio/ffpbbbis/options

One thing I’ve learned is that the BMW USA site had, and continues to have, consistency issues. Heck, they still say the G20 has adaptive headlights to at turn as you drive when the feature was only available in pre-LCI models. 🤦‍♂️

[apoirier594]

Originally Posted by avi66

The real issue is the political drive to EV that is consuming massive amounts of money with generally little appetite from consumers.

This is have a big impact on traditional ICE car manufacturers, and consequently massive cost cutting to build a war chest to survive ZEV mandates and banning of new ICE sales.

Watch out BMW China is going to eat your lunch.

Exactly! Not one acknowledgement of this comment either. Everyone has their heads in the sand.
It’s a huge political push, cars are going to get much worse and I don’t believe the infrastructure is set for full EV to be everywhere on the road.

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by apoirier594

Exactly! Not one acknowledgement of this comment either. Everyone has their heads in the sand.
It’s a huge political push, cars are going to get much worse and I don’t believe the infrastructure is set for full EV to be everywhere on the road.

Side note re: an often overlooked infrastructure cost of EVs - they weigh significantly more than comparable ICE cars and, as such, they notably reduce the lifespan of roads. And since most states fund road infrastructure via gas taxes it's a double whammy of increased road maintenance costs with reduced income to pay for those costs.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by ScottyRyan2019

I just stopped into my dealer this evening and was talking to my SA about the new X3. He said they sold out their entire Sept allotment with customer orders without having one on the floor to be looked at in person. Oct so far is showing the same pace, but they do have a stock vehicle for people to look at.

Now my impression, I like the exterior looks and it looks far better in person than the pics ( Vegas Red looks really good ). 21" 1037M wheels are 🔥

As for the interior. It's a definite change from the outgoing model. I saw that woven textile dash abomination and almost 🤮. Yeah, no thanks.

Seats are comfy, Veganza looks fine and I'm sure will wear well. Lots of headroom and legroom. ( I'm 6' 4" and sit relatively upright and had my seat moved ahead quite a bit).

The interior looks a bit "techy" and yes a lot of plastic material. You can't get all the fancy trim options like before. I do like the layout of the screen, but I'm undecided on the rest of the cockpit.

Side note, I got an i4 M50 loaner. What a hoot to drive ( minus the visceral engine sound )!

I'd definitely buy a new X3.

Remember the days bmw used an orange light at night not to hurt the eyes and interfere with driving? It was a hallmark. Now it’s a light show? I’m showing my age

[JK479]

Originally Posted by J-RO

The sun roof does not open!!!

Cheaper- I feel a little luxury was lost on this

[JK479]

Originally Posted by avi66

I always pause for reflection when a car manufacturer cuts cost so drastically in the areas the users regularly come into contact with, or sees virtually all of the time, so it’s in your face.

To me this is an action of last resort by the manufacturer, and makes me wonder what cost cutting it did in the areas we can’t see, or why it made certain decisions, like the cost of making the side vents electronic with capacitive sliders and motors etc. rather than an elegant manual solution ????

Having been in an M50 it was a big disappointment, and I’m actively looking at alternatives.

I can’t agree more-that panel looks weird too.
It’s too late to order an old m40! Maybe I’ll settle on the LCI x5

[JK479]

Originally Posted by J-RO

A so called luxury brand should not be “cheeping out”. As for the things we can’t see there have been a lot of BMW cars getting recalls lately.

Let’s not forget how cheap MB has gotten. I mean it’s just as bad over there as bmw.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by JK479

Let’s not forget how cheap MB has gotten. I mean it’s just as bad over there as bmw.

I disagree. I sat in a current gen GLC loaner recently and aside from the lack of physical buttons (only thing that screams cheap), the fit and materials were still as expected of a Mercedes. No black plastic anywhere!

[avi66]

Originally Posted by JK479

I can’t agree more-that panel looks weird too.
It’s too late to order an old m40! Maybe I’ll settle on the LCI x5

Imo the X5 is probably the best premium BMW SUV if the size and cost work for you. Much more premium interior than the G45, which is essentially relegated to Kia level.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by RCtennis3811

One thing I’ve learned is that the BMW USA site had, and continues to have, consistency issues. Heck, they still say the G20 has adaptive headlights to at turn as you drive when the feature was only available in pre-LCI models. ��‍♂️

Yup, even seen new US G45 owners YouTubing the lights turn in corners, and they don’t mean the low speed manoeuvring light element.

The old electro mechanical swivel projection lens that turned to match a bend went out with the G01 LCI, being replaced with solid state matrix LED projection with selective beam masking.

Unfortunately, for US market customers BMW disable the clever selective beam masking, which never fails to impress me.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

Imo the X5 is probably the best premium BMW SUV if the size and cost work for you. Much more premium interior than the G45, which is essentially relegated to Kia level.

I do anticipate many new customers from Japanese/Korean brands since they're already used to the materials and just looking for performance!

[avi66]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I do anticipate many new customers from Japanese/Korean brands since they're already used to the materials and just looking for performance!

If the price is similar why not. Just a race to the bottom.

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I do anticipate many new customers from Japanese/Korean brands since they're already used to the materials and just looking for performance!

This is basically me. I've driven sporty Japanese & American cars (with some VW thrown in for good measure) basically my entire life. Never really cared much about luxury so when I started looking at getting a new SUV I indexed on performance over almost everything else. And on that measure, the M50 won for me, and the interior is still quite nice to me.

But I have peasant tastes, apparently, when it comes to car interiors. Hell, I daily'd an old '93 Nissan 240SX for years in the 2000's just cuz it was fun and cheap. Thing still had those stupid automatic seatbelts.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I disagree. I sat in a current gen GLC loaner recently and aside from the lack of physical buttons (only thing that screams cheap), the fit and materials were still as expected of a Mercedes. No black plastic anywhere!

A Class is another story. The CLA is built so poorly.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by avi66

Imo the X5 is probably the best premium BMW SUV if the size and cost work for you. Much more premium interior than the G45, which is essentially relegated to Kia level.

I have one now and wanted to drop down to something more sporty.

But you’re right- they killed the looks of the x7 with the hideous split lights. Not much is keeping me in the brand.

I wanted to aspire to the x7- instead I’m thinking also either a cayenne or gls. But those are also so much more expensive

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by JK479

Remember the days bmw used an orange light at night not to hurt the eyes and interfere with driving? It was a hallmark. Now it’s a light show? I’m showing my age

Yes have them on couple of cars and love them at night! It wasn’t that long ago. China is the primary market now so light shows and dragons are the name of the game until Europe puts tarrifs on China’s cars and then we’ll see what happens. I dislike circus lights in the interior.

[ScottyRyan2019]

Originally Posted by JK479

Remember the days bmw used an orange light at night not to hurt the eyes and interfere with driving? It was a hallmark. Now it’s a light show? I’m showing my age

I don't mind all the tech on the inside. But I don't really need my grill to glow. 🤣

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ScottyRyan2019

I don't mind all the tech on the inside. But I don't really need my grill to glow. 🤣

Bling ! You also get a chunky link neck and wrist chain to complete the look.

The large medallion is optional.

[ScottyRyan2019]

Originally Posted by avi66

Bling ! You also get a chunky link neck and wrist chain to complete the look.

The large medallion is optional.

I hope it is like a dinner plate sized BMW medallion.