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      09-19-2019, 03:15 PM   #1
VTENGR
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DHP vs Bowers Sound

In an effort to keep my M50i build under 100k, I have to choose b/w DHP or B&W sound. Since this will be my daily driver, I figured I would get more enjoyment from the B&W on an everyday type driving, since I'm not going to be pushing the car hard into the corners on my M-Fr commute. I'm curious what people who have both think, if they had to choose one or the other.
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      09-19-2019, 03:31 PM   #2
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I debated adding BW sound too. for me the issue is the exec pack is req for BW and imo, so much in the exec pack is not worth it...just me. I optioned just want I wanted. the sky lounge is undeniable cool, I can live w/out. BW i'm sure it's great but to me Sirius Xm sounds just fine on the HK...you should use best Flac files or similar to really experience BW potential again, imo. Getting DHP to me in South FL again, not worth it. I know it's an amazing sys. but again Air Susp w/ IAS better for me. kept my M50i build MSRP at 98k
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      09-19-2019, 04:58 PM   #3
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I will go with normal or air suspension and BW for sure, a must for audiophiles. Some of my friend once told me you can't hear any difference between HK and BW, I strongly disagree. Also USB lossless files playback is recommended for BW. I don't really need my SAV to handle that good, even with DHP I think it's not comparable to the coming X5M. Just my personal opinion.
Not to mention the good BW looks

Last edited by babyghost; 09-19-2019 at 05:11 PM..
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      09-19-2019, 05:41 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottjays View Post
I debated adding BW sound too. for me the issue is the exec pack is req for BW and imo, so much in the exec pack is not worth it...just me. I optioned just want I wanted. the sky lounge is undeniable cool, I can live w/out. BW i'm sure it's great but to me Sirius Xm sounds just fine on the HK...you should use best Flac files or similar to really experience BW potential again, imo. Getting DHP to me in South FL again, not worth it. I know it's an amazing sys. but again Air Susp w/ IAS better for me. kept my M50i build MSRP at 98k
That Exec package does it make it a steep upgrade if you don't value those features. I tend to agree the exec package is not all that good on the X6.
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      09-19-2019, 08:17 PM   #5
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DHP is also great for turns, highway ramps, suburban driving. I have HK in my current car and it's great. End of the day your source is what matters.
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      09-19-2019, 09:04 PM   #6
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Just get both - you won't think twice about the money after a month or two, but if you don't get both you'll regret it. You're spending $100K, what's $2500 more? You only live once - go all out.
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      09-19-2019, 09:11 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by The J-Man View Post
Just get both - you won't think twice about the money after a month or two, but if you don't get both you'll regret it. You're spending $100K, what's $2500 more? You only live once - go all out.
I like the way you think. However, I need to get the wife approval factor (WAF) in check. She already thinks I'm crazy to want to spend 100k.
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      09-19-2019, 09:24 PM   #8
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Sounds like you'd get more satisfaction with B&W - dislike that fact you have to tack on Exec package but it does makes a visual and aural statement
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      09-19-2019, 09:49 PM   #9
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DHP 100% for me. Just get a sub and amp and the HK system is plenty good.
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      09-19-2019, 10:38 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by VTENGR View Post
I like the way you think. However, I need to get the wife approval factor (WAF) in check. She already thinks I'm crazy to want to spend 100k.
Well, you're getting a discount from MSRP, right? I think you can get everything you want with a sub 100K PURCHASE price. Wife doesn't need to know about the sticker price, right?
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      09-20-2019, 09:31 AM   #11
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get the sound system, I love it.

HK is nice too.. at least in my X3. I think its the same specs as in the X5.

BW is definitely nicer though if you like to listen to your music loud. If you don't play you're music too loud then HK is good enough.
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      09-20-2019, 09:34 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by The J-Man View Post
Well, you're getting a discount from MSRP, right? I think you can get everything you want with a sub 100K PURCHASE price. Wife doesn't need to know about the sticker price, right?
but after taxes (7% here in GA) and fees, even with a "good" 10% discount, I'm right back to 100k

The wife is pushing for the 40i b/c she doesn't think I "need" the M50i.. well of course I don't "need" it - it's a toy plain and simple. Plus, with the way the environmental standards are going, this may be the last time you can get a twin turbo V8 car - everyone is going to 6 cylinders now!
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      09-20-2019, 09:45 AM   #13
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There isnt a ton of difference between BMW x40i and a similarly equipped M50i in terms of price. here is a 88k+ build of xdrive without DHP

https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-ow...fyyx1s/summary
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      09-20-2019, 09:59 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbjunction View Post
There isnt a ton of difference between BMW x40i and a similarly equipped M50i in terms of price. here is a 88k+ build of xdrive without DHP

https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-ow...fyyx1s/summary
The two builds I have are $99,945 for the M50i (w/o DHP w/ B&W) and $91,145 for the 40i equiped the same way but with night vision. So about 9k difference. It's also the perception of buying a six figure car. Wife can't wrap her head around it - I'm working on that though.
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      09-20-2019, 10:04 AM   #15
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Have you thought about 50i?
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      09-20-2019, 10:21 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by Aimster82 View Post
Have you thought about 50i?
Black trim over the wheel arches are a deal breaker - must have M Sport package at a minimum. I could price out an M50i to get at my wife's threshold but then it comes in do I get a watered down M50i or a fully loaded 40i. Right now I'm concentrating on the M50i as a strategy to sway the wife. If she knows the 40i will easily get to her budget, then there's no shot for the M50i.
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      09-20-2019, 10:29 AM   #17
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I was in the same boat and decided with DHP
the HK is good enough
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      09-20-2019, 10:50 AM   #18
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Right now I'm leaning towards B&W simply because I will literally use it every day and it has an aesthetic component to it - bushed aluminum speaker grills + ambient lighting. I have a few weeks to decide...
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      09-20-2019, 10:58 AM   #19
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Isn't night vision $2500?. So the apples to apples comparison is a difference of about $11k, right?

Just to be the devil's advocate; you would be paying over $11K to go from 5.4 seconds 0-60 to get to 4.6 seconds 0-60. At highway speed, my guess is that acceleration for passing would be even less of a difference.

And while we are at it, do you really think you will be able to tell the difference between the B&W and the HK while you are nailing the pedal to the floor in Sport+ mode?




Quote:
Originally Posted by VTENGR View Post
The two builds I have are $99,945 for the M50i (w/o DHP w/ B&W) and $91,145 for the 40i equiped the same way but with night vision. So about 9k difference. It's also the perception of buying a six figure car. Wife can't wrap her head around it - I'm working on that though.
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      09-20-2019, 11:03 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dan321 View Post
Isn't night vision $2500?. So the apples to apples comparison is a difference of about $11k, right?

Just to be the devil's advocate; you would be paying over $11K to go from 5.4 seconds 0-60 to get to 4.6 seconds 0-60. At highway speed, my guess is that acceleration for passing would be even less of a difference.

And while we are at it, do you really think you will be able to tell the difference between the B&W and the HK while you are nailing the pedal to the floor in Sport+ mode?
All very good points, but the TTV8 is more than just 0-60 times, it's the sound, the feel of the V8. Going 70 MPH and trying to get to 90 to pass someone (aggressively) you will definitely tell a difference b/w 335 HP and 523 HP. Flooring it at a red light, definitely. Driving normal in traffic - hardly. But like I said before, the M50i is a toy, not a necessity - It's meant to be fun when you want it to be fun. The wifey doesn't see it that way - her eyes, waste of money. But that's my fight to win right now ....
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      09-20-2019, 01:15 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VTENGR View Post
The two builds I have are $99,945 for the M50i (w/o DHP w/ B&W) and $91,145 for the 40i equiped the same way but with night vision. So about 9k difference. It's also the perception of buying a six figure car. Wife can't wrap her head around it - I'm working on that though.
The difference goes down to under 8k with 10% discount on both (no need to bring tax into these conversations ). Then you bring about monthly payments and the difference between the two starts to melt away in thin air. I have driven 40i and 50i and in my mind, the difference is massive - the 50i felt very light whereas 40i felt lethargic (in back 2 back driving) - even at very low speed. Throttle response is very very different, even for city driving. i have a Tesla P90D with ludicrous upgrade right now, so everything is a compromise in terms of acceleration but 40i was too huge of a gap for me. I now have M50i on order which will be even better thab 50i (havent driven one yet). I would take a lightly equipped M50i over a fully loaded 40i every day of the week (including weekends).
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      09-20-2019, 01:36 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VTENGR View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by The J-Man View Post
Well, you're getting a discount from MSRP, right? I think you can get everything you want with a sub 100K PURCHASE price. Wife doesn't need to know about the sticker price, right?
but after taxes (7% here in GA) and fees, even with a "good" 10% discount, I'm right back to 100k

The wife is pushing for the 40i b/c she doesn't think I "need" the M50i.. well of course I don't "need" it - it's a toy plain and simple. Plus, with the way the environmental standards are going, this may be the last time you can get a twin turbo V8 car - everyone is going to 6 cylinders now!
That's what I keep saying. Only have so many years before it's all electric
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