[avi66]

Originally Posted by INLINE6JOC

Compared to my M40i, the drive of the new M50 was wonderful--ride improved overall. The engine better than ever. Exterior styling is fine.
The bean counters did OK until they got to the doors. Let's be very honest here. Look at a new X1 and the current X5-materials and touch points are impressive. The new x3-where do I begin?
The center dash can be fixed for a few bucks- modify the silly hard plastic bits.
The doors are a complete and utter fail. Go look at a GV70.
Gloss black bits on the door where Magnolia Print would be so much better. Add a little stitching from say a Mazda CX-5. A COSCO door handle-CHEAP. Scratchy everything. Kia hides cost cutting better. For the KIA price point, this is perfect.
The gimmicky door lights and controls are SO-SO but executed to a price point that actually makes me frustrated at BMW.
Now, that all said. Once pricing settles down-the drive and engine win me over. Will I order one eventually? Is there a team working on emergency fixes in two years?

Suspect you will need to wait until LCI, although relatively poor sales may accelerate that to be sooner than mid cycle. It will also provide time to assess if any cost cutting we can’t see affects reliability, performance, recalls etc.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by arunr55

No comfort access on the rear door. That’s really bad. Should have checked this before ordering the car😞. Really weird though, the configurator say just comfort access, there is no * or description that comfort access for front seat only. Someone should sue BMW for misleading.

BMW has also removed rear access CA from the X5, X6, X7, 5-Series and XM.

[arunr55]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

BMW has also removed rear access CA from the X5, X6, X7, 5-Series and XM.

make no sense being called a luxury brand.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by arunr55

make no sense being called a luxury brand.

I think BMW is transitioning from premium to mass market, although given its recent efforts, it will struggle in that space. ICE has always been a big differentiator for BMW, and that is disappearing.

Watch this space for BMW becoming a Chinese owned brand…….

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by arunr55

make no sense being called a luxury brand.

It is definitely still a luxury brand but it is quickly moving to a second tier one rather than a top tier brand. Unfortunately I think it will continue down that path for some time.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

I think BMW is transitioning from premium to mass market, although given its recent efforts, it will struggle in that space. ICE has always been a big differentiator for BMW, and that is disappearing.

Watch this space for BMW becoming a Chinese owned brand…….

I've said many times over: luxury brands are cutting back on what we consider "luxury" and mass market brands are getting more upscale. They both want to meet in the middle!

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I've said many times over: luxury brands are cutting back on what we consider "luxury" and mass market brands are getting more upscale. They both want to meet in the middle!

Especially consider a Mazda CX70 or 90 premium trim interior without considering the brand name.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

It is definitely still a luxury brand but it is quickly moving to a second tier one rather than a top tier brand. Unfortunately I think it will continue down that path for some time.

I expect the majority of buyers may not even notice (or pay attention to) the evidence of cost-cutting those of us call out here. New X3s will still sell, and BMW will get away with it.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

I expect the majority of buyers may not even notice (or pay attention to) the evidence of cost-cutting those of us call out here. New X3s will still sell, and BMW will get away with it.

Without a doubt that will be the case. I don't expect the X3 to fall from being BMW's best selling vehicle. Unless their design philosophy changes though, I think they will eventually be seen as part of the Lexus, Acura, Volvo, etc. group rather than Porsche, Audi, MB, etc. We are starting to see that with many of the reviewers mentioning the lack of quality in the interior as well as the minimalist interior. Look at what the head of DesignWorks recently said in regards to removing features. "We say perfection is when there is nothing left to take away". In my opinion that is not what the consumers at this level want in their luxury vehicle. They want it loaded with more features than they can even use. While BMW will likely always have a very good driving experience, that alone will not be able to keep their status.

[blackpear]

Originally Posted by avi66

13. There are no scuff protectors on the inner door sill even in the M50.
14. No puddle lights on each door.
15. No gesture control.
16. No cargo rails.
17. No lower dash storage draw drivers side.
18. Glovebox is half the size.
19. Single projector lens headlights.
20. No M Sport Seats option anymore.
21. Are there still lights in the exterior door handles ?
22. No physical drive mode change buttons, requires touch screen ?

Here is the lights set-up in the X3 M50.
A bit better than I thought.
There are lights:
1. In the front footwell
2. In the rear door pull/storage bins
3. On all 4 external door handles
4. With road/kerb projection
5. Rear Harmon Kardon speakers
6. In the rear footwells

[wartnig]

Originally Posted by blackpear

Here is the lights set-up in the X3 M50.
A bit better than I thought.
There are lights:
1. In the front footwell
2. In the rear door pull/storage bins
3. On all 4 external door handles
3. With road/kerb projection

Such a good video. Thank you. It proves a lot of people wrong of what they think the exterior lighting is. Without actually seeing it.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by blackpear

Here is the lights set-up in the X3 M50.
A bit better than I thought.
There are lights:
1. In the front footwell
2. In the rear door pull/storage bins
3. On all 4 external door handles
4. With road/kerb projection
5. Rear Harmon Kardon speakers
6. In the rear footwells

That’s useful
1. Hard to see in the video does the footwell light change colour and work all the time like the G01, or is just a white light when the door is open ? ( I think it changes colour and is on all the time but wasn’t 100%)
2. I can’t see any lights in the door storage bins, just the grab area in the rear
4. Carpet light but no puddle lights on each door
5. Just the HK badge not the actual speaker like on some BMW systems.


It is what it is.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by wartnig

Such a good video. Thank you. It proves a lot of people wrong of what they think the exterior lighting is. Without actually seeing it.

What are people saying wrong ?

It has the projected carpet as already known, but no puddle lights on each door.

I had a question over the exterior door handle light as it was bright day I saw the M50 so it couldn’t bee seen.

[wartnig]

Originally Posted by avi66

What are people saying wrong ?

It has the projected carpet as already known, but no puddle lights on each door.

I had a question over the exterior door handle light as it was bright day I saw the M50 so it couldn’t bee seen.

Im not sure what your question on the exterior handle was.
Some people just in my circle of friends think the carpet light is driver side only. This video shows it is not. Thank god.

[arunr55]

Originally Posted by blackpear

Here is the lights set-up in the X3 M50.
A bit better than I thought.
There are lights:
1. In the front footwell
2. In the rear door pull/storage bins
3. On all 4 external door handles
4. With road/kerb projection
5. Rear Harmon Kardon speakers
6. In the rear footwells

Thanks for the video. Lighting looks better than I expected. The honking feature is so annoying. Is there a way to disable it?

[avi66]

Originally Posted by wartnig

Im not sure what your question on the exterior handle was.
Some people just in my circle of friends think the carpet light is driver side only. This video shows it is not. Thank god.

That would be odd on just one side lol 😂

[wartnig]

Originally Posted by avi66

That would be odd on just one side lol 😂

I Agree

[usagi]

no more tacora red interior option.

[J-RO]

What percentage of daily use is done at night?

[avi66]

Originally Posted by J-RO

What percentage of daily use is done at night?

Depends where you are, and the time of year. A typical daily commute here from Nov-Mar will likely be in the dark.

[RCtennis3811]

Originally Posted by blackpear

Here is the lights set-up in the X3 M50.
A bit better than I thought.
There are lights:
1. In the front footwell
2. In the rear door pull/storage bins
3. On all 4 external door handles
4. With road/kerb projection
5. Rear Harmon Kardon speakers
6. In the rear footwells

Great video! The rear door pull lights seem pretty bright, so at least it’s not completely dark in the back seat.

One thing I noticed in looking at one in person is that it seems like the door lights under the front doors have returned too, allowing the use of the BMW LED door projectors. IIRC, those were removed from the LCI G01, right? They were for sure removed in all 4 doors for the LCI G20, so it is nice to see that BMW has them once again (albeit only in the front doors).

[avi66]

Originally Posted by RCtennis3811

Great video! The rear door pull lights seem pretty bright, so at least it’s not completely dark in the back seat.

One thing I noticed in looking at one in person is that it seems like the door lights under the front doors have returned too, allowing the use of the BMW LED door projectors. IIRC, those were removed from the LCI G01, right? They were for sure removed in all 4 doors for the LCI G20, so it is nice to see that BMW has them once again (albeit only in the front doors).

I think the lighting effect you’re referring to is the carpet light projected from under fender sill area. This was also on the G01 but a different design, and it was the puddle/projection lights on each door bottom that BMW deleted around MY23.

If you look at the screen cap below the door is closed but the carpet light is visible, and I can’t see any additional lighting on the floor when a door is opened.

So don’t thank BMW just yet lol