[kolien]

Finally took delivery of my castrate version of the X3 3.0d Vermillion Red on monday after waiting for 9 months. It has the option 843 so it has its HP output reduced from the standard 258 to 211, thereby the use of the term castrate It's a question of money spent on the car for me. The car is 155.500 in US dollars, taxes and all where I live.

But anyway, the car is fantastic in every sense. I love the high ride (coming from 3 series wagon), it's quiet, no rumbling from the tires and suspension. Very nice. I did a moderate speed test up to 120kph (approx 75 mph) and there is very little noise to hear from the outside. I have the 19 inch 369 staggered option and they really look fantastic on the car.

Anyway, the only question I have is with the Info Display that I hope to share some information with all of you. To clarify, the Info Display is the LCD display located at the bottom of the speedometer going from the middle all the way to the right edge. My question is related to the quality of the LCD panel. At night, the background shines grey and looks kind of cheap. The info displayed is ok, it is only the background I grumble about. Everything else having a black background, this makes the LCD display stand out and does not blend in very well with the rest. Did not expect this from a premium car.

Love to hear your comments on this.

[RichardBR]

Originally Posted by kolien

Finally took delivery of my castrate version of the X3 3.0d Vermillion Red on monday after waiting for 9 months. It has the option 843 so it has its HP output reduced from the standard 258 to 211, thereby the use of the term castrate It's a question of money spent on the car for me. The car is 155.500 in US dollars, taxes and all where I live.

But anyway, the car is fantastic in every sense. I love the high ride (coming from 3 series wagon), it's quiet, no rumbling from the tires and suspension. Very nice. I did a moderate speed test up to 120kph (approx 75 mph) and there is very little noise to hear from the outside. I have the 19 inch 369 staggered option and they really look fantastic on the car.

Anyway, the only question I have is with the Info Display that I hope to share some information with all of you. To clarify, the Info Display is the LCD display located at the bottom of the speedometer going from the middle all the way to the right edge. My question is related to the quality of the LCD panel. At night, the background shines grey and looks kind of cheap. The info displayed is ok, it is only the background I grumble about. Everything else having a black background, this makes the LCD display stand out and does not blend in very well with the rest. Did not expect this from a premium car.

Love to hear your comments on this.

I haven't got my car yet, but I've seen what you talk about. I think there's a way to tune the brightness of the lcd panel from the iDrive's setup menu. At least i fumbled with the brightness setting of the Head Up Display on the loaner I had a few months ago. I'm sure it's the same for the LCD.

BTW: Where in Norway do you live? Finally a fellow Norwegian on the board

[kolien]

Originally Posted by RichardBR

I haven't got my car yet, but I've seen what you talk about. I think there's a way to tune the brightness of the lcd panel from the iDrive's setup menu. At least i fumbled with the brightness setting of the Head Up Display on the loaner I had a few months ago. I'm sure it's the same for the LCD.

BTW: Where in Norway do you live? Finally a fellow Norwegian on the board

Thank you for the info. I will try to search for the brightness settings in the iDrive as you mention. I found the master brightness adjusting wheel at the left of the steering column, but I had to dim it it all the way down to get rid of the greyness in the LCD display, not an acceptable solution.

I'm from Drammen, 50 km west of Oslo.

[RichardBR]

Originally Posted by kolien

I'm from Drammen, 50 km west of Oslo.

Good going. Any hopes for Godset this year?

Just be sure to post a few pictures of the new ride....

[kolien]

Originally Posted by RichardBR

Good going. Any hopes for Godset this year?

Just be sure to post a few pictures of the new ride....

Godset is "på hugget", playing the big drums. Soccer is not my kind of game I'm afraid, but I try to keep track of any new scores of course.

Uploading a picture of the LCD display also. Sorry for the bad picture quality.

[obtix]

Just throwing this out there... I hate how the contrast changes at night. During the day not only do you not get the problem you mentioned but the red/white text looks much better. At night, it's nice to match but I feel the quality doesn't look as good all red.

[renderfarmer]

Originally Posted by kolien

The car is 155.500 in US dollars, taxes and all where I live.

Is that a typo? Or are you serious about this car having cost you over 155 thousand USD?

[RichardBR]

Originally Posted by renderfarmer

Is that a typo? Or are you serious about this car having cost you over 155 thousand USD?

Afraid not. He bouht his car in Norway with the second highest cartaxes in the world. Only Denmark is higher and about 40-50% of the final price is taxes on emissions, weight and power...

[02420X3]

Originally Posted by RichardBR

Afraid not. He bouht his car in Norway with the second highest cartaxes in the world. Only Denmark is higher and about 40-50% of the final price is taxes on emissions, weight and power...

Hence the de-tuning to 211HP.

[Chalky White]

that is mind-boggling, paying $155,000 for an x3. is your last name trump?

[renderfarmer]

Nevermind whether he can afford that or not, what a rip off!

I just googled "Norway gas prices" and got an article saying $9.38/gallon... Good grief.

I don't even want to know how much insurance is - or maybe it's complimentary; paid for by all of those taxes.

I'm sure Norway is a great place to live but you have my sympathies if you're a Norwegian car lover.

[kolien]

Yes, It's not a typo. If you want proof, see attached link for the prices here:

http://www.bmw.no/no/no/_teaserpool/...X3_01_2012.pdf

Explanation:
"Veil pris ink mva" is the same as US MSRP (I think) without any options added.
"Herav engangs-avgift" is the registration tax not including the yearly road tax. See rightmost column for this figure.

Enjoy the (shocking) reading

[RichardBR]

Originally Posted by kolien

Yes, It's not a typo. If you want proof, see attached link for the prices here:

http://www.bmw.no/no/no/_teaserpool/...X3_01_2012.pdf

Explanation:
"Veil pris ink mva" is the same as US MSRP (I think) without any options added.
"Herav engangs-avgift" is the registration tax not including the yearly road tax. See rightmost column for this figure.

Enjoy the (shocking) reading

I see we're paying about the same for our cars, but I'm getting the 258hp version of the engine. What options have you got, and how much did you manage to cut the price?

[renderfarmer]

Originally Posted by kolien

Yes, It's not a typo. If you want proof, see attached link for the prices here:

Explanation:
"Veil pris ink mva" is the same as US MSRP (I think) without any options added.
"Herav engangs-avgift" is the registration tax not including the yearly road tax. See rightmost column for this figure.

Registration tax aside, a base price of 942K NOK (161,552 USD) for a 35i is criminal.

[Fryguy29]

Originally Posted by renderfarmer

Registration tax aside, a base price of 942K NOK (161,552 USD) for a 35i is criminal.

I don't think I would drive, which I guess it the point of such onerous tax levies.

[kolien]

Originally Posted by RichardBR

I see we're paying about the same for our cars, but I'm getting the 258hp version of the engine. What options have you got, and how much did you manage to cut the price?

Here is the complete options list:




In addition to the items listed, I added BSI (service contract 5 year/100.000km), roof rack and 19 inch rims for both summer and winter tyres.

I got about 5% off the total sales price (all taxes, vat and options and additions included).

How much did you manage to cut the price?

[RichardBR]

Originally Posted by kolien

Here is the complete list

In addition to the items listed, I added BSI (service contract 5 year/100.000km), roof rack and 19 inch rims for both summer and winter tyres.

I got about 5% off the total sales price (all taxes, vat and options and additions included).

How much did you manage to cut the price?

We have almost the same config. I didn't get the HUD. Also got the service included and winter tires. I also got the paint sealer included.

I got 10% off ( ex. the "engangsavgift")

[brissim]

Originally Posted by kolien

Finally took delivery of my castrate version of the X3 3.0d Vermillion Red on monday after waiting for 9 months..................

Just love that description of the 30d. I realise its probably something lost in translation - but ouch!!!

Hope you enjoy your car.

Tony

[kolien]

Originally Posted by RichardBR

We have almost the same config. I didn't get the HUD. Also got the service included and winter tires. I also got the paint sealer included.

I got 10% off ( ex. the "engangsavgift")

Wow. good deal. How did you manage that? Do you have some special company deal, customer loyalty rebate. Please tell
Comparing your off-figure to mine on equal terms I got 7% (ex. "engangsavgift")

[kolien]

Originally Posted by brissim

Just love that description of the 30d. I realise its probably something lost in translation - but ouch!!!

Hope you enjoy your car.

Tony

Yes, I though it would make somebody laugh, and it did!!
The car is great, fantastic, really enjoying it. Every time I drive it the trip is just too short.

Coming from the 3 series with the smallest engine (1.6 litre petrol) this is a huge change for me. Personally I don't think that there is a big difference comparing the original 3.0d and my castrated version. But I would definitely have got the 3.5d version if possible.

[kolien]

Originally Posted by renderfarmer

Nevermind whether he can afford that or not, what a rip off!

I just googled "Norway gas prices" and got an article saying $9.38/gallon... Good grief.

I don't even want to know how much insurance is - or maybe it's complimentary; paid for by all of those taxes.

I'm sure Norway is a great place to live but you have my sympathies if you're a Norwegian car lover.

About insurance: No it's not complimentary i'm afraid. About 1600 US dollar per year give or take for various models.

[Steve30dMSport]

Back to the original question, the brightness of the lcd display is adjusted with the dial next to the light switch. However, it is part of the dash (and ancillary buttons) brightness control so if you want to reduce the lcd display you have to turn down the brightness of the dash and all the buttons on the console.