[matowi]

Originally Posted by LDT

So you can order acoustic glass inthe UK! It’s aggravating that one cannot order it in the US.

I can confirm I have it on mine too… first thing I checked when picking up her today

[grigiogirl]

Originally Posted by BSfmAZ

Exactly the same, shopped the cayenne, actually had a deposit down, agree the sound is much, much better, the dash screen(s) were a turn off, 3 year maint. adds another $4k vs free. Porsche does still have a "button" for start/stop! Was a MB driver but the gle 63 clocked in at $157k and their quality has been on the decline for years. I happily went back to bmw ('23 z4 for her, '24 m60i for him). Like u very happy with the choice!

Totally agree with you! The maintenance cost was a huge turn off for me, the fact you buy a brand new car over $100k+ and you STILL have to pay for all the maintenance. Even on a lease maintenance was only covering certain things for 2 years of the 3. Gorgeous car and sounds spectacular but not worth the extra $$$ when you can get a fully loaded m60i for much less. MB have beautiful interiors but every owner know complains of the constant problems & repairs needed on the new models. BMW was definitely the smart choice! Enjoy

[BMPHIL]

Originally Posted by LDT

So you can order acoustic glass inthe UK! It’s aggravating that one cannot order it in the US.

Yes was available on all 3 of my X5's.

[Mtn2Srf]

The Cayenne is a beautiful piece of machinery and no doubt will handle better overall, however, it’s nice to know my dragy results are still considerably faster than the 0 to 60 and quarter-mile of this vehicle.

[BSfmAZ]

Originally Posted by LDT

So you can order acoustic glass inthe UK! It’s aggravating that one cannot order it in the US.

Acoustic glass is hit or miss on various MB models in the US. Was available on the GLC 43 I had and the gle. Pretty sure they dropped it on 2023 on... I think Porsche also has it available on some models.

[matowi]

It’s a bit confusing… why would BMW limit some of the more exciting options for the largest market they have, especially considering it’s also the market where the cars are actually built?… acoustic glass, the proper M seats? Why not allow the US market enjoy these? Can’t figure it - even if these required an extra payment, I bet many would be happy to pay up

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by matowi

largest market they have

The company is headquartered in Germany but has factories in many other countries, including Brazil, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico, and China. The latter is becoming BMW's most important market; nearly one-third of vehicle sales in 2023 were in China.

[matowi]

All true. I was specifically referring to X5, which (as far as I know) is currently built only in US (the Brazilian plant isn’t operational yet, I understand). And I also make an uneducated guesstimate that US is the largest market for the X5 (why would it be built here otherwise…?)

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by matowi

All true. I was specifically referring to X5, which (as far as I know) is currently built only in US (the Brazilian plant isn’t operational yet, I understand). And I also make an uneducated guesstimate that US is the largest market for the X5 (why would it be built here otherwise…?)

Tax reason - anything larger than a X3 is technically a light truck here and import tax is crazy, compared to passenger cars (sedan + x1/2)

I think a X5 is probably marketed as a slightly premium workhorse car here in the US, but a more upscale/luxury car elsewhere. So it is packaged differently?

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by matowi

And I also make an uneducated guesstimate that US is the largest market for the X5 (why would it be built here otherwise…?)

I believe until 2022 this should be right, before they start localize X5 production (technically, Chinese Long wheel base variation with its Joint Venture). I would guess sale number in China would explode and overtake US market the same way as they localized production for X3 few years earlier, but I don’t have a number.

For X4,6,7, m-lite and m variations it is all imported for Chinese market so I would guess US is still the largest market.

[BMPHIL]

Originally Posted by matowi

It’s a bit confusing… why would BMW limit some of the more exciting options for the largest market they have, especially considering it’s also the market where the cars are actually built?… acoustic glass, the proper M seats? Why not allow the US market enjoy these? Can’t figure it - even if these required an extra payment, I bet many would be happy to pay up

You are correct in that it makes no sense, we cannot get the 40i LCI in UK.