[jpSQLDude]

My X3 M40i lease is coming to an end in about 5 months, and I was planning on custom-ordering a maxed-out X5 M50i, including the Bowers & Wilkins, of course. But it is gone from the online configurator!

B&W is gone from the X5 M50i.
B&W is gone from the X5 M.
B&W is gone from the X7 M50i.

It is totally gone!!

My X3 has the Harman Kardon system, and I'm sorry but that SUCKS.

I am left with an number of crappy options:

1. Get a new X5 with a crappy sound system and live with it -- not gonna happen.

2. Get a new X5 with a crappy sound system -- and then rely on a third-party upgrade. I have really been avoiding that. I've had horrible luck in the past.

3. Quickly find an X5 with B&W on a dealer's lot right now -- even though there is no way it will be configured the way I want, and I will also have to eat some loss on ending my lease early.

4. Switch to a Mercedes GLE 580 or AMG GLE 53, which not only comes with the upgraded Burmester sound system, but also has the option for their "Acoustic Comfort Package" -- which is even better than the BMW "acoustic glass", which BMW dropped over a year ago.

Damn you BMW!!

WTF?!

[allinon72]

BMW, like many manufacturers, is trying to keep their head above water in this chip shortage environment. They are working with the hand they are dealt, and quite honestly seem to be doing better than a lot of manufacturers in mitigating the losses. That being said, it is disappointing, but to kick and scream as if BMW is doing it on purpose doesn't do any good.

[MOTOP]

Originally Posted by jpSQLDude

My X3 M40i lease is coming to an end in about 5 months, and I was planning on custom-ordering a maxed-out X5 M50i, including the Bowers & Wilkins, of course. But it is gone from the online configurator!

B&W is gone from the X5 M50i.
B&W is gone from the X5 M.
B&W is gone from the X7 M50i.

It is totally gone!!

My X3 has the Harman Kardon system, and I'm sorry but that SUCKS.

I am left with an number of crappy options:

1. Get a new X5 with a crappy sound system and live with it -- not gonna happen.

2. Get a new X5 with a crappy sound system -- and then rely on a third-party upgrade. I have really been avoiding that. I've had horrible luck in the past.

3. Quickly find an X5 with B&W on a dealer's lot right now -- even though there is no way it will be configured the way I want, and I will also have to eat some loss on ending my lease early.

4. Switch to a Mercedes GLE 580 or AMG GLE 53, which not only comes with the upgraded Burmester sound system, but also has the option for their "Acoustic Comfort Package" -- which is even better than the BMW "acoustic glass", which BMW dropped over a year ago.

Damn you BMW!!

WTF?!

Go with #4.
Add a few bucks and get AMG GLE 63.
You will not regret.

And yes, wireless carplay is a gimmick. Personally i’d replace it with the wired one in a blink of an eye.

[kyrocks]

I wonder if I will get the Bowers and Wilkins. I'm week 40 build (end of September) and I ordered it.

[Axxlrod]

Originally Posted by MOTOP

Go with #4.
Add a few bucks and get AMG GLE 63.
You will not regret.

And yes, wireless carplay is a gimmick. Personally i’d replace it with the wired one in a blink of an eye.

Get an AMG while you can. Mercedes is discontinuing the V8 engine!

[silverstar335]

Originally Posted by jpSQLDude

My X3 M40i lease is coming to an end in about 5 months, and I was planning on custom-ordering a maxed-out X5 M50i, including the Bowers & Wilkins, of course. But it is gone from the online configurator!

B&W is gone from the X5 M50i.
B&W is gone from the X5 M.
B&W is gone from the X7 M50i.

It is totally gone!!

My X3 has the Harman Kardon system, and I'm sorry but that SUCKS.

I am left with an number of crappy options:

1. Get a new X5 with a crappy sound system and live with it -- not gonna happen.

2. Get a new X5 with a crappy sound system -- and then rely on a third-party upgrade. I have really been avoiding that. I've had horrible luck in the past.

3. Quickly find an X5 with B&W on a dealer's lot right now -- even though there is no way it will be configured the way I want, and I will also have to eat some loss on ending my lease early.

4. Switch to a Mercedes GLE 580 or AMG GLE 53, which not only comes with the upgraded Burmester sound system, but also has the option for their "Acoustic Comfort Package" -- which is even better than the BMW "acoustic glass", which BMW dropped over a year ago.

Damn you BMW!!

WTF?!

You could upgrade the speakers to Focal (BMW), you can get them from Germany for significantly less than what crutchfield has them listed for.

I ended up with the HiFi system in my 45e and am in the process of upgrading the speakers followed by upgrading the amp.

Certainly not ideal but an option.

[taek]

Ironic, since most Mercedes owners would gladly trade their sound systems to get their V8s back, which were discontinued because of the chip shortage.

[alewifebp]

Well, you can go with a GLE 53 if you want to get that. But if you were expecting to perform anything near what the M50 or genuine M gives you, well, good luck. And if you want to find an GLE 580 on any lot right now, I wish you good luck on that too. And if you planned on placing an order for that GLE 580, you are gonna need a lot of luck for 2021-2022 since there aren't any V8's to be had.

Porsche is probably your only alternative right now. Let us know how that price negotiation goes.

[motherkin]

Have you checked with a dealer? It is definitely in the ordering guide.
The online configurator is very unreliable and glitchy.

[xDrivex5]

I would go option no 3 or if no luck them AMG is also not a bad choice

[calbears]

Originally Posted by motherkin

Have you checked with a dealer? It is definitely in the ordering guide.
The online configurator is very unreliable and glitchy.

It's gone from all vehicles with B&W as an option

[allinon72]

I'd rather wait it out instead of making the tragic decision to go to Mercedes over a sound system.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by kyrocks

I wonder if I will get the Bowers and Wilkins. I'm week 40 build (end of September) and I ordered it.

I'm similar and wondering the same thing ... I'm hoping BMW is sophisticated enough with their production planning that all active orders with planned build weeks get what's on the spec sheet, and they're shutting down the options for UNORDERED/no-build-week vehicles ... they've had enough time with the shortages to get their shit together I hope

It'll be very frustrating (and a bad customer experience) to have an active order with a locked build, only to have them come back and change the order (and expectations) when that change is due to BMW's poor production planning - especially given mine has Individual-lite options that extended the build week!

Had I known I'd miss out on the B&W I would've skipped the Individual stuff ... In fact I wanted to make a few some changes but couldn't due to Individual.

BUT AFAIK now, B&W is still on the order sheet with a locked build date so I'll assume BMW has their shit together and I'll get what I ordered!

Originally Posted by MOTOP

Add a few bucks and get AMG GLE 63.
You will not regret.

It's almost impossible to buy an AMG GLE 63, at least as of a few weeks ago. I called tons of dealership all over the country and most had nothing available for any price - those that did wanted +$25k

Same with the X5m in socal - dealers asking for +$10k as of last week, and a PA dealer asking for +$5k.

Shits crazy out there.

[bobt1972]

Any rumors on whether or not B&W is coming back yet? I have an X5 M550i on order for October build and the lack of this option bums me out. Secretly hoping it would make it back in time to be added to the build.

[Atlantis8000]

I've ordered originally with HK. BMW contacted me to upgrade or downgrade because HK was not available. I choose for B&W but got called last week saying that now even B&W was not an option anymore. Eventually I opted for HIFI Pro and will probably install an aftermarket system. (Probably Gladen Boxmore). My car goes into production around week 39...

[MOTOP]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

IIt's almost impossible to buy an AMG GLE 63, at least as of a few weeks ago. I called tons of dealership all over the country and most had nothing available for any price - those that did wanted +$25k

Same with the X5m in socal - dealers asking for +$10k as of last week, and a PA dealer asking for +$5k.

Shits crazy out there.

Good luck with your build man.
Hope it goes the way you plan.

I have B&W myself tuned as “Lounge 3D” which gives tons of bass at low volume.
Would be really hard to go back to HK.

[DG-X5]

Originally Posted by MOTOP

Good luck with your build man.
Hope it goes the way you plan.

I have B&W myself tuned as “Lounge 3D” which gives tons of bass at low volume.
Would be really hard to go back to HK.

Sorry for going OT, but isn't Lounge normally meant for rear seat passenger acoustic optimization?

[MOTOP]

Originally Posted by DG-X5MC

Sorry for going OT, but isn't Lounge normally meant for rear seat passenger acoustic optimization?

I’ll be there. In a coffin. In Caddy, not in a bimmer.

I’m not a pro, bro.
Tried em all. That one, IMHO, gives most bass keeping the rest of frequencies inline.
And yes, i listen to Heavy stuff only.

[GKW]

I have an X5M50 w B&W and an M850i coupe w HK.

Huge difference. Very noticeable and worth the big $$ that I paid for the upgrade when I got my X5 last year.

I am considering ordering an Alpina for spring delivery and was shocked not to see the B&W as standard equipment or even an option!

Now we need a new thread on suitable after-market options...

GW

[Bucksn6]

Was going to add b&w to my x5m50i build set to go into prod week 40. Not available. Sucks.

[shatty]

Yea I noticed it was missing from online also. If you ordered with B&W and the approved the build and set from production, Im sure they allocated enuf of the parts for those that was accepted. Im in the same boat. I am trying to decide between x5 M50i and X6 M50i and I was going to get the upgrade. Im tired of aftermarket systems. Something always goes wrong. I just wanted something good and not have to worry. I also wished they offered the gray ash on the X6. It looks the best out of all. But I have to settle for piano black if I go with the X6.

EDIT: Gray ash is available on X6M. Not the M50. But its available on the X5 m50 and X5M

[MarkCav]

Originally Posted by shatty

Yea I noticed it was missing from online also. If you ordered with B&W and the approved the build and set from production, Im sure they allocated enuf of the parts for those that was accepted. Im in the same boat. I am trying to decide between x5 M50i and X6 M50i and I was going to get the upgrade. Im tired of aftermarket systems. Something always goes wrong. I just wanted something good and not have to worry. I also wished they offered the gray ash on the X6. It looks the best out of all. But I have to settle for piano black if I go with the X6.

EDIT: Gray ash is available on X6M. Not the M50. But its available on the X5 m50 and X5M

I'm actuality pretty upset about no B&W. Harmon Kardon is absolutely terrible.