Quote:
Originally Posted by desalvorw
Those that have the 540 or i5, what is your take on the ambient lighting? Is it too much or do you like it? Trying to get opinions because I’m budgeting and deciding between a 540 and 530 at their respective price points. I like the pep in the B58 of the 540, but just want to get everyone’s opinion of the lighting. I’m already pre-approved plenty through Navy Federal (with the senior enlisted discount, even though I’m a CWO🥸  and get the $4000 military discount (although I know dealers here in VA with a lot of military will try to stuff that in the OTD, sneaky bastards). |
Hellooo!
You most definitely want the
Ambient Lighting Bar (4UR), which means you should go for the 540i!
The ambient lighting design in the 530i's is an absolute joke and is somewhat insulting, although there is no judgement or shade to those who have a 530i. That said, you should know that you have a nice variety of colors to chose from,
but you can only choose a color while in "Personal (Normal/Comfort)" Mode - switching to either
Sport mode or Eco Pro mode, for example, will result in the
ambient lighting color changing to Red/Dark Blue or Turquoise respectively, rather you like it or not and this is seen in BOTH the 530i and the 540i!
That is the only thing
I do NOT like about current BMW's with "My Modes" - I want to be able to drive my car in
Sport mode without the ambient lighting color changing and without the layout of the instrument cluster changing as well. To make it even worse, the X5/X6/X7/XM (incl. M's and Alpina XB7) have a unique setting in the ambient lighting menu where you can separate the driving mode and the ambient lighting color
(e.g., my favorite color is Turquoise and I can drive the X7 in sport mode, but still have the ambient lighting color set to turquoise).
The additional modes -
Expressive, Relax, and Digital Art will
also change the ambient lighting color as well.
BUYING TIP/WARNING - Moonroof vs. Sky Lounge
* If you like to drive with your
Sunroof open,
do NOT get the Sky Lounge (402) option and/or
do NOT get the Executive Package (ZPX), which will include the Sky Lounge (402)
- The Sky Lounge (402) in the 5 series is just a
fixed piece of glass that does NOT open/ventilate and does NOT have any LED lights in it, and in my opinion, is just useless/pointless.
NOTE: You do get a sunshade that can be opened/closed to allow or block out light from the sun, but the glass itself is not operable!
I only mention this because the term "Sky Lounge" can be a bit confusing and misleading - for example:
- The Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof in the
X7 will
have LED lights and
can be opened/closed.
- The Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof in the
i7 will
have LED lights, but it
CANNOT be opened/closed and remains in a fixed position
I hope that makes sense? I'm not sure which model year 5 you are trying to get and so down below is a screenshot of the Sky Lounge option in the pricing guides (incl. MY24 and MY25) - just for additional referencing!
Lastly, the standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound System (standard on all 5's) is alright, but the
Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System is a nice upgrade and you
gain the ability to adjust the Surround Intensity - with the stock Harman Kardon System, all you get is the ability to "Enhance" your sound system via the "Enhanced" Sound profile that is located in the sound menu. As mentioned, there is nothing wrong with the standard H/K system, but just wanted to mention this if you like music!
Anyways, I hope that this additional information can help/benefit/assist you in anyway and please keep us posted with what you decide to do! Please let me (us) know if you have any questions - we all family!
Best,
Cameron (2021 BMW 330i - named: "Hrag")