[VinX3]

Hi guys,

I ordered my X3 the last week of December 2014. Here's the build:


300 Alpine White
LUNF Mocha Nevada Leather w/ orange contrast stitching
ZMM M Sport
3DZ Without Lines designation outside
ZCW Cold Weather Package
248 Heated Steering Wheel
494 Heated front seats
496 Heated rear seats
502 Retractable headlight washers
ZDA Driver Assistance Package
3AG Rear view camera
508 Park Distance Control
ZLP Lighting Package
522 Xenon headlights
524 Adaptive light control
ZPP Premium Package
322 Comfort Access keyless entry
402 Panoramic moonroof
488 Lumbar support
655 Satellite radio with 1 year subscription
337 M Sport Package
225†Standard suspension
2TB Sport automatic transmission with shift pad...
2V1†19" M Double Spoke wheels - style 622M ...
2VG Performance Control
3MC High-gloss Roof Rails
481 Sport seats
4FU†Fineline Anthracite Wood Trim with Pear...
544 Dynamic Cruise Control
710 M steering wheel
715 Aerodynamic kit
760 Shadowline exterior trim
775 Anthracite headliner
840 Increased top speed limiter
688 Harman Kardon surround sound system
8S4 Variable Light Decoding

Just a few questions:
- 3MC High-gloss Roof Rails - This is the glossy black roof rail, correct?
- 8S4 Variable Light Decoding - What's this for? I can't find it anywhere in the ordering guide.
- 760 Shadowline exterior trim - This is the black window trim (instead of chrome) that all M-sport should have, correct?

Thanks in advance!

[nyalpine90]

YES
no clue
YES

congrats..

[VinX3]

^ Thanks! Did your build sheet come with it?

I did a bit of research and this is the best that I found:

Starting with MY 2008 BMW 5-series Xenon equipped cars (maybe all of them, I don't know) came with a new headlamp design that supports not just turning with steering input but beam pattern reshaping with speed. In other words the headlamp supports changing the bulb's position with respect to the focal point and projector lens within the headlamp assembly. This has the effect of altering the beam shape as it illuminates the road ahead. Slower speeds yield a broader, shorter distance pattern and higher speeds yield a narrower, longer distance pattern.

Unfortunately this variable beam business is not DOT approved, so not for us in the U.S.A. and hence BMW applies 8S4 (not S84) Variable Light Decoding in order to inhibit this functionality. I would love to have my dealer undo that but I'm sure they won't. In fact BMW's dealer car software programming system probably won't let it happen.

The way I understand it it's there to PREVENT this function because it's not legal in the USA.

[VMRWheels]

Congrats! Nice choice on the color combo

[X3MAN]

Originally Posted by VinX3

Hi guys,

I ordered my X3 the last week of December 2014. Here's the build:


300 Alpine White
LUNF Mocha Nevada Leather w/ orange contrast stitching
ZMM M Sport
3DZ Without Lines designation outside
ZCW Cold Weather Package
248 Heated Steering Wheel
494 Heated front seats
496 Heated rear seats
502 Retractable headlight washers
ZDA Driver Assistance Package
3AG Rear view camera
508 Park Distance Control
ZLP Lighting Package
522 Xenon headlights
524 Adaptive light control
ZPP Premium Package
322 Comfort Access keyless entry
402 Panoramic moonroof
488 Lumbar support
655 Satellite radio with 1 year subscription
337 M Sport Package
225†Standard suspension
2TB Sport automatic transmission with shift pad...
2V1†19" M Double Spoke wheels - style 622M ...
2VG Performance Control
3MC High-gloss Roof Rails
481 Sport seats
4FU†Fineline Anthracite Wood Trim with Pear...
544 Dynamic Cruise Control
710 M steering wheel
715 Aerodynamic kit
760 Shadowline exterior trim
775 Anthracite headliner
840 Increased top speed limiter
688 Harman Kardon surround sound system
8S4 Variable Light Decoding

Just a few questions:
- 3MC High-gloss Roof Rails - This is the glossy black roof rail, correct?
- 8S4 Variable Light Decoding - What's this for? I can't find it anywhere in the ordering guide.
- 760 Shadowline exterior trim - This is the black window trim (instead of chrome) that all M-sport should have, correct?

Thanks in advance!

We have the same color combo. congrats
are u buying or leasing? your thoughts on GAP and tire and wheel? taking these?

[mge92]

Originally Posted by VinX3

^ Thanks! Did your build sheet come with it?

I did a bit of research and this is the best that I found:


The way I understand it it's there to PREVENT this function because it's not legal in the USA.

Congrats ... Yeah basically what Vinx3 said, the light decoder is standard due to the backward nature of the USA DOT system ... the gloss rails are the black ones, and the Shadowline exterior trim is the black trim around the windows.

[FSociety]

Congrats man!
Another Alpine White + another NY'er with the M-Sport!

[kjoseph270]

Just found out my dealer doesn't have an allocation until February. They are actively trying to trade with other dealers in the area to get my order sooner. CA said that it's the hottest selling vehicle right now since the LCI. Grrrrr!

[m_alnimah]

Originally Posted by kjoseph270

Just found out my dealer doesn't have an allocation until February. They are actively trying to trade with other dealers in the area to get my order sooner. CA said that it's the hottest selling vehicle right now since the LCI. Grrrrr!

Seems like LCI X3 has gone wild!

[VinX3]

Originally Posted by X3MAN

We have the same color combo. congrats
are u buying or leasing? your thoughts on GAP and tire and wheel? taking these?

I'm financing with $10k down and not planning to get either one. I live in NYC where roads are terrible, and I've been driving cars with low profile tires all my life and never had any issues with blowouts or crack rims (fingers crossed). GAP insurance is nice in case of a total loss, but I want to keep my payments low so I'm going to pass.

Originally Posted by mge.92

Congrats ... Yeah basically what Vinx3 said, the light decoder is standard due to the backward nature of the USA DOT system ... the gloss rails are the black ones, and the Shadowline exterior trim is the black trim around the windows.

Thanks for verifying.

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

Congrats man!
Another Alpine White + another NY'er with the M-Sport!

Thanks

Originally Posted by kjoseph270

Just found out my dealer doesn't have an allocation until February. They are actively trying to trade with other dealers in the area to get my order sooner. CA said that it's the hottest selling vehicle right now since the LCI. Grrrrr!

I told my CA that it would be nice to have the car by the end of the year (I wanted to take advantage of the $1000 holiday cash). He located a car with all the options I wanted and tried to do a swap. Later on, I read the specs sheet and found out the car came w/ aluminum roof rail so I changed my mind. I wanted glossy black roof rail. Swaps are not always successful, but there's a great chance they are. Good luck!

[nyalpine90]

dealership can order gloss black rails, swap them out and offer them to another client

[VinX3]

I was told the rail cannot be removed.

There are other reasons why I wanted to order as well. The car came with Navs but no HK sound system. I don't really care for Navs and rather have the HK.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by VinX3

I'm financing with $10k down and not planning to get either one. I live in NYC where roads are terrible, and I've been driving cars with low profile tires all my life and never had any issues with blowouts or crack rims (fingers crossed). GAP insurance is nice in case of a total loss, but I want to keep my payments low so I'm going to pass.

I denied GAP insurance from my Loan and I took it off from my Insurance (Progressive) that offers it after 2 months. So try to see if you can add it through your car insurance vs loan. car insurance is gap coverage is much cheaper than thru loan provider in my case.

[X3MAN]

[QUOTE=VinX3;17216728]I'm financing with $10k down and not planning to get either one. I live in NYC where roads are terrible, and I've been driving cars with low profile tires all my life and never had any issues with blowouts or crack rims (fingers crossed). GAP insurance is nice in case of a total loss, but I want to keep my payments low so I'm going to pass.


I financed with a 10 K down as well. and its already close to 800/month. I am in the same situation and kind of thinking of not taking the GAP and tire/wheel. will post pics when i get mine

[FSociety]

I def got tire/wheel insurance for extra protection, since I have M-Sport 19's and if I ever decide to upgrade to 20's i will be covered.

[VinX3]

I financed with a 10 K down as well. and its already close to 800/month. I am in the same situation and kind of thinking of not taking the GAP and tire/wheel. will post pics when i get mine

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

I def got tire/wheel insurance for extra protection, since I have M-Sport 19's and if I ever decide to upgrade to 20's i will be covered.

What's the monthly payment for the tire/wheel insurance? I love the look of the 20's but settle for the 19's because 20's don't come with all season from factory.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by VinX3

What's the monthly payment for the tire/wheel insurance? I love the look of the 20's but settle for the 19's because 20's don't come with all season from factory.

$800 a month for 10k loan? is that for a year? lol
I'm 60 months @ 2.04% 35k loan started off $615 a month since I've been paying more to the principal my monthly has lowerd down to $520 now (56 months left)

I did full payment on tire/wheel insurance $1225 including NJ 7% tax for 5yr coverage , $50 deductible .

[X3MAN]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

$800 a month for 10k loan? is that for a year? lol
I'm 60 months @ 2.04% 35k loan started off $615 a month since I've been paying more to the principal my monthly has lowerd down to $520 now (56 months left)

I did full payment on tire/wheel insurance $1225 including NJ 7% tax for 5yr coverage , $50 deductible .

10K down , loan is 45K thus 800/month, my APR is higher at 3%. I plan on paying more to the principal and lower the monthly installment like you did

[VinX3]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

$800 a month for 10k loan? is that for a year? lol
I'm 60 months @ 2.04% 35k loan started off $615 a month since I've been paying more to the principal my monthly has lowerd down to $520 now (56 months left)

I did full payment on tire/wheel insurance $1225 including NJ 7% tax for 5yr coverage , $50 deductible .

That's not too bad. How's the coverage? My coworker cracked his rims and his wheel/tire insurance didn't pay because they claimed he didn't hit a pothole and had a blow out. In the end, he paid out of pocket. It's not BMW though.

Originally Posted by X3MAN

10K down , loan is 45K thus 800/month, my APR is higher at 3%. I plan on paying more to the principal and lower the monthly installment like you did

BMW Financial Service is offering lowest at 3.12% for 72 months. Do we get the lower rate if we finance for 60 months? What do you guys mean by paying more to principal? Meaning paying more per month?

[nyalpine90]

Originally Posted by VinX3

That's not too bad. How's the coverage? My coworker cracked his rims and his wheel/tire insurance didn't pay because they claimed he didn't hit a pothole and had a blow out. In the end, he paid out of pocket. It's not BMW though.



BMW Financial Service is offering lowest at 3.12% for 72 months. Do we get the lower rate if we finance for 60 months? What do you guys mean by paying more to principal? Meaning paying more per month?

lets say your monthly statement is 700 a month, you can pay 725 or whatever your comfortable with. Then it gets split between interest and principle so 100 may go to interest and 600 goes towards principle. if you pay a bit more, more money goes towards principle (loan).

[VinX3]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

lets say your monthly statement is 700 a month, you can pay 725 or whatever your comfortable with. Then it gets split between interest and principle so 100 may go to interest and 600 goes towards principle. if you pay a bit more, more money goes towards principle (loan).

got it!

[MartinHattingh]

Ah, the virtually non-existent interest rates of the 1st world...

My 2012 X3 is financed over 48 months with 10% deposit and zero residual/balloon. Guess what classifies as a really good deal here in South Africa? Prime, which is 9.25% at the moment. Most used vehicle buyers are lucky to get 11-12%.

This is why I went as short as possible on the period and added a deposit, without that the total interest paid ends up about 25% of the initial purchase price. Ouch.