[ColoradoKevin]

Originally Posted by jcardea

I just received word from my dealership that my build WILL have HK system as i ordered it. Order was placed 2/6/21 and should begin production tomorrow 2/26/21, my contact at Spartanburg Plant confirmed same.

I ordered an X5 on 2/06/21 as well. I am in Production Week 9. Hopefully they are running ahead of schedule. My dealer said I would have the HK system as ordered.

[226ra]

Originally Posted by ColoradoKevin

I ordered an X5 on 2/06/21 as well. I am in Production Week 9. Hopefully they are running ahead of schedule. My dealer said I would have the HK system as ordered.

How does one find their production week? I’ve been in the production begins phase for one week and have a VIN. I asked my sales advisor and he was basically clueless.

[Chapel Hill]

Originally Posted by 226ra

How does one find their production week? I’ve been in the production begins phase for one week and have a VIN. I asked my sales advisor and he was basically clueless.

Send a note to or call BMW Genius. They are very responsive and can provide the estimated Production Week.

[ColoradoKevin]

Yes, call the Genius line, speak to a person. They can provide Production Week and estimated completion date.

[Luminor513]

Originally Posted by Dwillbimmer

I wouldn't be surprised if the other manufacturers aren't having supply issues and either cutting back production or dropping options too.

Can anyone confirm if other manufacturers are having these same supply issues? Seems strange how many features BMW is removing from the X5.

[ColoradoKevin]

There are several articles on-line about this problem. Apparently it is serious and affects lots of companies.

One link here: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/11/how-...utomakers.html

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by Luminor513

Can anyone confirm if other manufacturers are having these same supply issues? Seems strange how many features BMW is removing from the X5.

Tesla is temporarily scaling back output and also halting Model 3 production line for 2 weeks due to supply-chain issues due to backlogs at ports and severe snow storms affecting ground transport, and semiconductor shortages.

Samsung Electronics said last week that it had suspended operations at its factory in Texas as a winter storm caused power outages, Reuters reports. Samsung has declined to reveal its customers for the factory, but in 2019, Tesla said that its self-driving chips are made from Samsung in Texas.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/08/carm...eres-why-.html

“We have seen in the short term, the automotive industry has been very adversely affected,” Bryce Johnstone, director of automotive segment marketing at chip designer Imagination Technologies, told CNBC via email. “This stems from their just-in-time production methodology and their incredibly complicated supply chains.”

Carmakers uses semiconductors in everything from power steering and brake sensors, to entertainment systems and parking cameras. The smarter cars get, the more chips they use.

“If the chip that powers the in-car dials or automatic braking are delayed, then so will the rest of the vehicle,” said Johnstone.

[jcardea]

Originally Posted by Luminor513

Can anyone confirm if other manufacturers are having these same supply issues? Seems strange how many features BMW is removing from the X5.

Yes, I can confirm other manufactures are affected. I work for GKN Automotive Powertrain Division and supply BMW, GM, FORD, FCA (Chrysler/JEEP) and Maserati with Front and Rear Differentials Assemblies, PTU assemblies. We are down to 4-day work weeks of production at this point and sitting on weeks of inventory. This particular issue with the HK system is a Harmon Kardon issue not BMW. There are generally multiple sources for parts to a final assembly plant itself. HK would be an “Only Source” since it is a branded product. This is really a HK issue not necessarily BMW. Minimal JIT supply chain management is very difficult these days

[647TTA]

Originally Posted by Bmw2626

... I guess I need to check the Mercedes offering out...

Be cautious dealing with Mercedes. I had one on order and it wasn't until it was close to production that I got the list of items shown on their website that were on constraint and not actually available. I am glad I cancelled my Mercedes order and ordered the M50i.

[jcottonfieldx5]

Originally Posted by 647TTA

Be cautious dealing with Mercedes. I had one on order and it wasn't until it was close to production that I got the list of items shown on their website that were on constraint and not actually available. I am glad I cancelled my Mercedes order and ordered the M50i.

Is the hifi system really that much of a dog?? Also-any aftermarket upgrades avail other than Bavsound?

[226ra]

Originally Posted by jcottonfieldx5

Is the hifi system really that much of a dog?? Also-any aftermarket upgrades avail other than Bavsound?

We found the HK system to be mediocre at best (test drove a Telluride same day and it had a much better, clearer sound system). I therefore can’t imagine what the base audio system is like.

[Superman750]

Originally Posted by jcardea

I just received word from my dealership that my build WILL have HK system as i ordered it. Order was placed 2/6/21 and should begin production tomorrow 2/26/21, my contact at Spartanburg Plant confirmed same.

I'm in the same boat. I placed an order for a X5 M50i and a X6 M50i on Monday and my dealer confirmed today that both vehicles will have the HK system.

X5 production started today and X6 is build week 15.

Both also show the HK system in the tracker options section.

[Drothgeb]

I ordered a X40i on Tuesday. After the papers were signed, the salesman informed us that there was a delay with the HK, and he could give us a credit if we went with the base system. I ask how long was the delay expected to be? He said maybe May. Told him that I didn’t want the base system, but would wait.

Then, the next day the salesman calls and says the delay may be 6-12 months and would I consider going with the base system. That’s obviously into the 2022 year, so It was irritating just to hear it. Finally emailed the manager, that if he didn’t think I’d have a car by the end of May, cancel the order. Still waiting to hear back.

I tested both systems. The base sounds OK with the windows up. But it doesn’t do well with the windows down some. The upgrade HK does much better. I always have the window down some, so it really matters to me.

I understand the chip delay. But the salesman knew about the issue before I placed the order. He was just hoping I’d accept the downgrade.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by Drothgeb

I understand the chip delay. But the salesman knew about the issue before I placed the order. He was just hoping I’d accept the downgrade.

Yup, another shifty dealer to be avoided. I pick up on things like what they tried doing to you. You are absolutely correct in that the sales person knew it, he simply wanted to make a sale, not make you a happy customer. Avoid them and either find one you want on a lot somewhere or wait out the duration till HK is offered again. You have to live with your choice.

[Drothgeb]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Yup, another shifty dealer to be avoided. I pick up on things like what they tried doing to you. You are absolutely correct in that the sales person knew it, he simply wanted to make a sale, not make you a happy customer. Avoid them and either find one you want on a lot somewhere or wait out the duration till HK is offered again. You have to live with your choice.

We plan on towing, so the tow hitch and air suspension are hard to find on one on the lot. I’ll wait for now.

[Ebomb808]

Originally Posted by Drothgeb

We plan on towing, so the tow hitch and air suspension are hard to find on one on the lot. I’ll wait for now.

Much more common with the 45e where the air suspension is standard if you wanted to go that route. I found a handful of on lot 45e's with tow packages within 250 miles when I was concerned about my order no longer having HK. Probably have to act fast though as once these sell, no more HK.

[buckybadger]

I got a 2020 and have acoustic glass, HK and glass controls. I can't imagine buying an X5 without any of these options, makes the ownership experience one step up.

[javapro]

Originally Posted by smomin23

Looks like HK isn't standard issue per the website. Seems like it has been dropped.

Not sure if the HK sound system was added to the list of standard features recently and then removed but I can tell you for sure that when I ordered my 2021 X5 45e back in September last year, it was only part of the premium and executive packages (see my build sheet below). I think the website was showing the HK sound system as part of these packages until at least January this year.

[Drothgeb]

Originally Posted by Ebomb808

Much more common with the 45e where the air suspension is standard if you wanted to go that route. I found a handful of on lot 45e's with tow packages within 250 miles when I was concerned about my order no longer having HK. Probably have to act fast though as once these sell, no more HK.

Yes, we thought of that. As far as I know all hybrids have the air suspension. There is one car 800 miles away that was a match.

While the hybrid would be OK locally, it’s not a great tow vehicle. With the extra weight of the batteries and the de-tuned ICE, once battery power runs out, it’s pretty underpowered for our needs. We travel a lot in the mountains. No room for a spare either. Again, that’s fine locally. But with long distance traveling, I’d want a back-up.

We left our order in place for now hoping the HK will come back, but we don’t really expect it to.

[gqgambler]

Originally Posted by Luminor513

Can anyone confirm if other manufacturers are having these same supply issues? Seems strange how many features BMW is removing from the X5.

Yes, other manufacturer are experiencing these issues. Ford stated they anticipate at least a 20% drop in production. Tesla has halted some production. GM shut down 3 plants and reduced production at others. Jumping ship to another brand isn't the easily solution this is a globally issue, each manufacturer will be affected different depending on their supplier, model, and existing stock. MB has already had a lengthy wait on custom builds, 6+ months for some models, so their issues may not be as readily know since people have to wait so long for custom builds. Blame this on just in time manufacturering, when auto demand slowed last year semiconductor product for the Auto industry slowed and switched over to healthcare, Telecom, computers, etc. They can't just readily flip back over to the Auto industry. Remember the BMW SAV are built in the US, but production of many of these components does not occur in the US; this could exacerbate the problem on these specific models because of the need to import the parts. SAV account for about 20-25% of BMW production and the X5 is the highest production vehicle of those; they are going to have to make some tough decisions if they want to keep production volumes up. Us enthusiast are a small group, average customers aren't debating these shortages the way we are.

[smomin23]

Originally Posted by javapro

Not sure if the HK sound system was added to the list of standard features recently and then removed but I can tell you for sure that when I ordered my 2021 X5 45e back in September last year, it was only part of the premium and executive packages (see my build sheet below). I think the website was showing the HK sound system as part of these packages until at least January this year.

That's correct. My week 5 build also showed HK as part of exec package.

I know some folks were seeing HK under standard last week but it's officially been removed due to shortages from the packages. I think anyone seeing it under "standard" might be experiencing a glitch in the configurator

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by smomin23

That's correct. My week 5 build also showed HK as part of exec package.

I know some folks were seeing HK under standard last week but it's officially been removed due to shortages from the packages. I think anyone seeing it under "standard" might be experiencing a glitch in the configurator

My guess is they were looking at the M50i where it is standard.