[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Bimmerforlife

I think you forgot the seat controls. 2021 & older mostly came with lumbar & side adjustment buttons for both driver & passenger on the leather option. For 2022/23 lucky if you get either for driver, usually none for passenger. Even sensatec for 2021 & older got both for driver & passenger. Today only driver gets lumbar and passenger seat is entirely blank.

Yes, I forgot about the lumbar support delete. As you said, very unlikely to get lumbar control for passenger.

FWIW, I do have lumbar on the driver's seat in my '23 xDrive30 picked up in the fall of '22.

[EWL5]

OP, you do what you have to do that makes sense for your situation.

I just know that the loss of content from '21 to '23 models saved BMW quite a bit of bucks per car and yet they increased the price considerably. To add insult to injury, my '23 built the same now costs nearly $1k more than it did in late 2022 "just because".

[avi66]

Originally Posted by EWL5

OP, you do what you have to do that makes sense for your situation.

I just know that the loss of content from '21 to '23 models saved BMW quite a bit of bucks per car and yet they increased the price considerably. To add insult to injury, my '23 built the same now costs nearly $1k more than it did in late 2022 "just because".

I imagine BMW increases prices to reflect inflation, which is why we often pay more for the same thing as time passes.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

Are you sure the HK system is better in any iDrive 7 RAM based car ? The OP’s car is 2021, so should be iDrive 7.

When launched the GO1 used iDrive 6 with NBT EVO head unit and amp, so different hardware to RAM.

Are you confirming there’s now no USB A under the roll back cover section of the centre console next to the wireless charger location ?

The USB C (data capable) on my car is under the centre armrest, and there is a further USB A as described above, which is also data capable.

The LCI has adaptive matrix LED headlights, and I believe it may be possible to recode selective beam back on the US. This essentially provide always on high beam in the appropriate conditions, even with traffic. Hence, better visibility.

By the OP's own admission, his '21 model has iDrive 7 Lite, which means he had the same hardware as all other pre-LCI folks but just running a preview version of iDrive 7. Same explanation for the HK sound system hardware change due to the LCI.

I meant the USB C under the armrest is no longer data capable. The USB A in the center console (again, behind the cup holders) is the only one that can play music. Attached are pics from my digital manual that clearly makes this distinction.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

I imagine BMW increases prices to reflect inflation, which is why we often pay more for the same thing as time passes.

This is true, I suppose the biggest grievance is the hundreds they saved on the '23 models specifically if you're coming from pre-LCI and the significant MSRP increase without any additional equipment benefit.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by EWL5

By the OP's own admission, his '21 model has iDrive 7 Lite, which means he had the same hardware as all other pre-LCI folks but just running a preview version of iDrive 7. Same explanation for the HK sound system hardware change due to the LCI.

I meant the USB C under the armrest is no longer data capable. The USB A in the center console (again, behind the cup holders) is the only one that can play music. Attached are pics from my digital manual that clearly makes this distinction.

The HK hardware changed well before the LCI.

It changed in the model year when BMW introduced the iDrive 7 SP15. IDrive 7 lite simply doesn’t support some of the SP18 features like OTA updates, DAProf etc, but the audio architecture is the same afaik, as are most features, so it’s not a preview as such.

Re the USB we are talking about the same thing. USB A data capable in the centre console.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by EWL5

This is true, I suppose the biggest grievance is the hundreds they saved on the '23 models specifically if you're coming from pre-LCI and the significant MSRP increase without any additional equipment benefit.

Yup, it sucks. By the time I took delivery of my LCI, the same car would have cost me £14k+ more. That’s due to lower discount, BMW price increases, and higher cost of finance.

That said the LCI did benefit from better tech.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

The HK hardware changed well before the LCI.

It changed in the model year when BMW introduced the iDrive 7 SP15. IDrive 7 lite simply doesn’t support some of the SP18 features like OTA updates, DAProf etc, but the audio architecture is the same afaik, as are most features, so it’s not a preview as such.

Re the USB we are talking about the same thing. USB A data capable in the centre console.

I think your rec to the OP is the best concerning the HK system. Simply go for a test drive with the songs you are most familiar with and compare apples to apples. This may require fiddling around w/the equalizer settings to match the '21s current settings but it will be worth it.

Most importantly, OP, please report back once you've done the comparison!

[ASAP]

the only complaint i have about the different model years centers around sound...

the exhaust is quiter and no pops... the HK got crappier... everything else, give me an LCI no questions asked

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ASAP

the only complaint i have about the different model years centers around sound...

the exhaust is quiter and no pops... the HK got crappier... everything else, give me an LCI no questions asked

Does that mean you were happy with the 464w HK in the pre LCI iDrive 7 car ?

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by avi66

Does that mean you were happy with the 464w HK in the pre LCI iDrive 7 car ?

no sir... i was happy with the 2018 Idrive 6 600 W AMP...

In fact, I rode in my friends 2018 340i the other day and HOLY COW how much better that stereo is... it has legitimate subs.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ASAP

no sir... i was happy with the 2018 Idrive 6 600 W AMP...

In fact, I rode in my friends 2018 340i the other day and HOLY COW how much better that stereo is... it has legitimate subs.

Lots of different hardware and a different approach back then even taking the the amp out of the equation.

[BMWGUYinCO]

Great input re:
USB
H/K
Differences between my '21 and the '23 LCI.

Thank you all!

1) Gesture Controls - Never used them, won't miss this.
2) Lashing rails in trunk - Never used; instead I placed a rubber mat that keeps things from sliding around.
3) Accessory lights in the interior (door pockets, etc.) - I guess I might notice these being gone...?
4) Better HK system - This gives serious concern
5) Lower fog lights - I wonder if I will notice? I would if those cast a light to the side during low speed turns - I liked that feature.
6) Button from the trunk-side that releases the back row (must access from 2nd row door). - Rarely used and could get used to wherever the new release mechanism will be.
7) - Adjustable side bolsters/seat controls - I will have to see if it remains the same or has less.

I did dial in the H/K in her current car and we love it. I will take photos of the settings and post them later in this thread (I'll need them for comparison to the new system anyways). In addition, as requested - I'll definitely post my impressions of any perceived differences!

Again, thank you all.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by BMWGUYinCO

Great input re:
USB
H/K
Differences between my '21 and the '23 LCI.

Thank you all!

1) Gesture Controls - Never used them, won't miss this.
2) Lashing rails in trunk - Never used; instead I placed a rubber mat that keeps things from sliding around.
3) Accessory lights in the interior (door pockets, etc.) - I guess I might notice these being gone...?
4) Better HK system - This gives serious concern
5) Lower fog lights - I wonder if I will notice? I would if those cast a light to the side during low speed turns - I liked that feature.
6) Button from the trunk-side that releases the back row (must access from 2nd row door). - Rarely used and could get used to wherever the new release mechanism will be.
7) - Adjustable side bolsters/seat controls - I will have to see if it remains the same or has less.

I did dial in the H/K in her current car and we love it. I will take photos of the settings and post them later in this thread (I'll need them for comparison to the new system anyways). In addition, as requested - I'll definitely post my impressions of any perceived differences!

Again, thank you all.

Re the HK, if you remove the left side pull off trunk trim, usually where the first aid kit lives, you should see the HK RAM and booster, if fitted. Take a pic of the labels if you can.

Human sensory perception can be funky, and when people disagree about something they see or hear, I’m always reminded about this. Clearly some will have no doubt about what they perceive as absolute fact, hence others are wrong , so who is right ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_dress

[chhappy7]

Originally Posted by BMWGUYinCO

Great input re:
USB
H/K
Differences between my '21 and the '23 LCI.

Thank you all!

1) Gesture Controls - Never used them, won't miss this.
2) Lashing rails in trunk - Never used; instead I placed a rubber mat that keeps things from sliding around.
3) Accessory lights in the interior (door pockets, etc.) - I guess I might notice these being gone...?
4) Better HK system - This gives serious concern
5) Lower fog lights - I wonder if I will notice? I would if those cast a light to the side during low speed turns - I liked that feature.
6) Button from the trunk-side that releases the back row (must access from 2nd row door). - Rarely used and could get used to wherever the new release mechanism will be.
7) - Adjustable side bolsters/seat controls - I will have to see if it remains the same or has less.

I did dial in the H/K in her current car and we love it. I will take photos of the settings and post them later in this thread (I'll need them for comparison to the new system anyways). In addition, as requested - I'll definitely post my impressions of any perceived differences!

Again, thank you all.

So the #5 cornering lights, in more modern BMWs, there appears to be an actual separate light built into the headlight for this purpose.

[BMWGUYinCO]

Originally Posted by avi66

Re the HK, if you remove the left side pull off trunk trim, usually where the first aid kit lives, you should see the HK RAM and booster, if fitted. Take a pic of the labels if you can.

I will take a pic of that label for our '21 as well as the new '23 when it arrives later in July!

Originally Posted by chhappy7

So the #5 cornering lights, in more modern BMWs, there appears to be an actual separate light built into the headlight for this purpose.

Thanks chhappy7 - good to know!

[Bimmerforlife]

There’s a lot to think about changing from 2019-2021 to the 2022/23 model. A lot to consider pluses and a lot of negatives losing features.

[chhappy7]

Originally Posted by Bimmerforlife

There’s a lot to think about changing from 2019-2021 to the 2022/23 model. A lot to consider pluses and a lot of negatives losing features.

When i was looking to buy,, I saw the LCI tail lights and nope'd the fuck back to searching for a used pre-LCI xD. It appears with decontenting going on, that was a good move FOR ME, especially with how terrible the LCI tail lights look TO ME.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by chhappy7

When i was looking to buy,, I saw the LCI tail lights and nope'd the fuck back to searching for a used pre-LCI xD. It appears with decontenting going on, that was a good move FOR ME, especially with how terrible the LCI tail lights look TO ME.

Personally, I like the LCI rear OLED lighting and the option to use them as rear DRL’s. Compared to the pre LCI, the lighting is more fluid and consistent, especially the indicators and wraparound.

I got all the options I ordered, including lumbar/bolster, door bin/vent dial lights, cargo tracks, puddle lights, USB C data, gesture, comfort opening etc.

The pre LCI, is a nice car, just showing it’s age a bit now, in both looks and tech.

[chhappy7]

Originally Posted by avi66

Personally, I like the LCI rear OLED lighting and the option to use them as rear DRL’s. Compared to the pre LCI, the lighting is more fluid and consistent, especially the indicators and wraparound.

I got all the options I ordered, including lumbar/bolster, door bin/vent dial lights, cargo tracks, puddle lights, USB C data, gesture, comfort opening etc.

The pre LCI, is a nice car, just showing it’s age a bit now, in both looks and tech.

Both have their pros and cons. Different strokes for different folks. -shrug-

[BMWGUYinCO]

Man...the more I look into the plethora of threads on the potential H/K differences, the more I remain confused.

I've seen people state the amp has been downgraded to around 400 watts, but the current U.S. BMW configurator clearly states it has 600 watts. However, on the Harmon Kardon website, for the BMW X3 is states 464 watts.

Also, I saw that there was a technical bulletin to recall some vehicles fitted with the H/K system due to poor performance, so maybe not everyone has taken advantage of this recall?

In any case...it is what it is now...I will for sure be posting a comparison, as well as my current EQ settings in the '21.

[Accentu8]

Originally Posted by Bimmerforlife

Have you actually driven with the adaptive suspension and compared it to yours without it? Some have posted on here that even in comfort with adaptive the ride is still firm. Tires may have a lot to do with comfort and less bounce in cabin.

We drove a 23 M40i with 20” rft and ride was excellent. We ordered one Tuesday. Build week 26. Still in Order Received status of course. Hopefully some movement soon. We’re very excited!

BSM
Shadowline
Black Vernasca
Jet black 699M, performance non rft
Park assist
Premium pkg
Carbon fiber
Remote start
H&K
Red brake calipers