Metal knobs not available for US market?

munich5 · 09-19-2018, 01:42 PM

In reviewing reviews for European X3 models, I notice they are getting metal knobs vs. the US market is not.

Any idea why they didn't offer this for US models?? The metal finishes make the interior look a bit more modern/rich.

Aaaaaaaaa · 09-19-2018, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by munich5

Any idea why they didn't offer this for US models??

Why else? $$$

munich5 · 09-19-2018, 03:57 PM

Seems like such a strange decision given that the US markets is perhaps the largest and arguably most important for BMW...

I think it has something to do with not making the X3 TOO premium (/cannibalizing other higher end models...) I know the metal knobs are a small thing, but this combined with the lack of availability of other options in the US- I think this might be part of the rationale...

verysideways · 09-19-2018, 04:27 PM

“Galvanic embellisher for controls”
Optional
£110

I was advised to get them, though I haven’t seen them yet.

Looks like a lot of the press launch cars had them - most, if not all.

Weird that they don’t offer it in the US.

munich5 · 09-19-2018, 04:32 PM

I wonder if they would do this as a special order for the US

Aaaaaaaaa · 09-19-2018, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by munich5

I wonder if they would do this as a special order for the US

Probably. But for a lot of $$$.

HoustonEaDo · 09-19-2018, 04:54 PM

https://www.ebay.com/i/232879015326?...3D232879015326

https://www.ebay.com/i/273363998153?...3D273363998153

BobsM3Coupe · 09-19-2018, 07:29 PM

While they aren't bad looking, I think they belong in a 7 series.

RichM50d · 09-20-2018, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoustonEaDo

https://www.ebay.com/i/232879015326?...3D232879015326

https://www.ebay.com/i/273363998153?...3D273363998153

Hideous

AndroidRobot · 09-20-2018, 08:16 PM

If someone had a parts list for the whole setup I'd consider getting then and letting you guys know how they install

strike4A · 09-21-2018, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

If someone had a parts list for the whole setup I'd consider getting then and letting you guys know how they install

Here you go! Option code is 4U0.

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/ECE/61_4857

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/ECE/61_5668 (if you don't have M Sport wheel)

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/ECE/61_5614

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/ECE/61_5353

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/ECE/64_2355

T16ole · 09-21-2018, 01:35 PM

In the UK, in order to have adaptive cruise, you must also order the Galvanic Buttons

AndroidRobot · 09-21-2018, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strike4A

Here you go! Option code is 4U0.

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/ECE/61_4857

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/ECE/61_5668 (if you don't have M Sport wheel)

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/ECE/61_5614

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/ECE/61_5353

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/ECE/64_2355

So from what I'm gathering you need to replace each module entirely not just the buttons?

Aaaaaaaaa · 09-21-2018, 04:56 PM

You could always buy one in Mexico and drive it up

snakehips · 09-21-2018, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T16ole

In the UK, in order to have adaptive cruise, you must also order the Galvanic Buttons

Any logical reason for this? I was forced to buy the galvanic for my ACC and I don't mind because they should look good. But while many dependencies in packages are obvious this one seems rather random.

Aaaaaaaaa · 09-21-2018, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakehips

Quote:

Originally Posted by T16ole

In the UK, in order to have adaptive cruise, you must also order the Galvanic Buttons

Any logical reason for this? I was forced to buy the galvanic for my ACC and I don't mind because they should look good. But while many dependencies in packages are obvious this one seems rather random.

Hmm I think for $$$

AndroidRobot · 09-21-2018, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Hmm I think for $$$

If the buttons were replaceable without swapping each module entirely I can see doing the swap. The buttons are a~€200 equivalent option in Europe so paying $1500+ for everything is a little dumb. I don't mind repalcing things, however there's a point where it comes a bad choice.

Yobyot · 09-21-2018, 10:13 PM

USA cars also don't get some external badging. If you look carefully at most non-USA M Performance models they have an M badge on the fenders.

The first time this occurred was with my 2012 F30 335i. There was a feature, 3DZ, called "delete outside lines designation". This car was the first to have "lines" and predates M Performance cars.

For some reason, BMW USA has decided to de-badge our cars for us. Maybe they think the badging is too bling for our market. Galvanic switchgear might be the same to them.

strike4A · 09-23-2018, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

So from what I'm gathering you need to replace each module entirely not just the buttons?

Correct. Really not worth it...

09-19-2018, 01:42 PM	#1
munich5 Private 26 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i (12+ past BMW's) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Metal knobs not available for US market? In reviewing reviews for European X3 models, I notice they are getting metal knobs vs. the US market is not. Any idea why they didn't offer this for US models?? The metal finishes make the interior look a bit more modern/rich.
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09-19-2018, 03:57 PM	#3
munich5 Private 26 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i (12+ past BMW's) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Seems like such a strange decision given that the US markets is perhaps the largest and arguably most important for BMW... I think it has something to do with not making the X3 TOO premium (/cannibalizing other higher end models...) I know the metal knobs are a small thing, but this combined with the lack of availability of other options in the US- I think this might be part of the rationale...
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09-19-2018, 04:27 PM	#4
verysideways Lateral grip estimator 957 Rep 1,390 Posts Drives: i4, M2 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cotswolds, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW i4 Individual [7.83] 2010 Porsche 997.2 ... [0.00] 2002 Morgan Aero 8 [0.00]	“Galvanic embellisher for controls” Optional £110 I was advised to get them, though I haven’t seen them yet. Looks like a lot of the press launch cars had them - most, if not all. Weird that they don’t offer it in the US.
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09-19-2018, 04:32 PM	#5
munich5 Private 26 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i (12+ past BMW's) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	I wonder if they would do this as a special order for the US
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09-19-2018, 04:54 PM	#7
HoustonEaDo First Lieutenant 153 Rep 372 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Houston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	https://www.ebay.com/i/232879015326?...3D232879015326 https://www.ebay.com/i/273363998153?...3D273363998153
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09-19-2018, 07:29 PM	#8
BobsM3Coupe Brigadier General 1454 Rep 3,927 Posts Drives: X5MC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California iTrader: (4)	While they aren't bad looking, I think they belong in a 7 series.
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09-20-2018, 08:16 PM	#10
AndroidRobot Major General 4328 Rep 6,121 Posts Drives: 2022 Porsche Boxster GTS Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2022 Porsche Boxste ... [0.00]	If someone had a parts list for the whole setup I'd consider getting then and letting you guys know how they install
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09-21-2018, 01:35 PM	#12
T16ole Private First Class 92 Rep 145 Posts Drives: M40i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Wales iTrader: (0)	In the UK, in order to have adaptive cruise, you must also order the Galvanic Buttons
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09-21-2018, 04:56 PM	#14
Aaaaaaaaa Banned 7559 Rep 5,056 Posts Drives: The other M3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	You could always buy one in Mexico and drive it up
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09-21-2018, 10:13 PM	#18
Yobyot Major 494 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: MY19 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	USA cars also don't get some external badging. If you look carefully at most non-USA M Performance models they have an M badge on the fenders. The first time this occurred was with my 2012 F30 335i. There was a feature, 3DZ, called "delete outside lines designation". This car was the first to have "lines" and predates M Performance cars. For some reason, BMW USA has decided to de-badge our cars for us. Maybe they think the badging is too bling for our market. Galvanic switchgear might be the same to them. __________________ MY18 X3 30i: Produced: 2018-03-15; Delivered: 2018-03-29 MY19 X3 M40i: Produced: 2018-08-15; Delivered 2018-08-22
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