[oscarpld]

One thing that bothered me about the cost cutting that BMW did on the new X3 G45 is that the rear doors don't have lighting, but today I noticed in a post that BMW in China does have lighting on the rear doors on this new X3, isn't the United States and Europe the main market now?

[VER]

Maybe those in China are more likely to be driven around or something? So worth the couple extra bucks to throw some lighting back there.

[MidnightLight]

Yup, long wheelbase versions of luxury cars are popular in China because people who can afford them tend to be driven around. So the car manufacturers focus a bit more on the rear passenger experience there.

[hans007]

they get metal door handles too.... like how much more would 4 handles adn 2 lit sections cost for other markets?

[MidnightLight]

On a side note: I was under the impression that the regular versions of the G45 does have a little bit of ambient lighting in that recess above the rear door arm rest. It's much more subdued that the lighting around the handle in the China version. But at least there's something.

Is that not true? Wondering if folks have noticed it since it's now starting to show up on dealer lots.

[Ravenous666]

Originally Posted by hans007

they get metal door handles too.... like how much more would 4 handles adn 2 lit sections cost for other markets?

I would guess it's metalized plastic not solid metal. But who knows.

And they get doorsills front and back.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

On a side note: I was under the impression that the regular versions of the G45 does have a little bit of ambient lighting in that recess above the rear door arm rest. It's much more subdued that the lighting around the handle in the China version. But at least there's something.

Is that not true? Wondering if folks have noticed it since it's now starting to show up on dealer lots.

I’v seen it, and it looks a bit like the door bin lighting in the previous gen (until it was deleted), but just around the door grab area rather than the bin.

[tribalcool]

Originally Posted by hans007

they get metal door handles too.... like how much more would 4 handles adn 2 lit sections cost for other markets?

Exactly, seems like BMW is disconnected in their customer experience.

[Vote Quimby]

I would be much obliged if some enterprising and moderately mechanically inclined person would be so kind as to post the part numbers for the Chinese-spec metal door handles, and perhaps an installation how-to as well.

I'm intending to replace our M40i with an M50 and wasn't aware of the extent of the cost-cutting until I sat in one the other day. I had already braced myself for the inoperable sunroof and questionable dash materials, but I was blissfully unaware of the door handles until I touched them - and I found the tactile sensation viscerally unpleasant. I don't want to end every journey with that.

Thanks in advance.