[RJH52]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

Good move. That interactive light bar completely makes the interior. Why BMW even uses that incredibly inferior two narrow strip light bar in any incarnation of the 5 series is completely beyond me.

When I saw that and thought that's what would come with the 540xi I told the salesperson that that was a deal breaker and that I was probably going to get the new E-Class. Thankfully I learned that the 4UR interactive light bar is standard on the 540. The salesperson had no idea that this was the case.

It's always amazed me that people on forums like this know infinitely more than the sales staff.

Told my SA the same thing. If for whatever reason mine arrives without it, I will go order an E class.

[OHV_44]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

It's always amazed me that people on forums like this know infinitely more than the sales staff.

I've been like this for 30 years. It's totally normal. Unfortunately.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

It's always amazed me that people on forums like this know infinitely more than the sales staff.

many people who sell cars are not really interested in cars.(not just the cars they sell, but all cars) they work there because they are good at selling things that pay the bills. I once had to show a 10-year-old Mercedes salesman how to re-program the power windows after disconnecting/reconnecting the battery of a new Mercedes in the showroom. I was just wondering around while waiting for my Mercedes to be serviced and I saw them very confused and trying to figure it out, so I had to step in.

let's you're friends with Tim Cook and your iPhone or Macbook has a problem, you're more likely to find the answer faster by visiting Macrumors rumor than asking Tim Cook.

[shail2000]

It's fair to assume that the SA's are not really interested in the cars but if a certain part is on recall/not present in the car, I believe that they should be the ones to inform the buyers about it. This happened to me twice with the interaction bar as well as the 4 zone climate control. When my 530i was produced and at the port, I got to know from this forum that it will not include the interaction bar. And then when I switched my order to the i5, I got to know that the touch climate controls at the back would not be present in the US. All of this information should be provided by the SA's instead of buyers having to dive into forums to understand the situation.

[PsychDoc]

I got my production number and I should be getting the car (540xi, black sapphire metallic, smoke white veganza interior, dark oak high gloss wood trim, luxury seats, B&W audio, premium package) by mid-March.

Woo hoo.

[leasehackr]

It looks like some discrimination is going on with 530i and 540ix getting the 4UR..LOL. New 540 orders are getting the 4UR.

I was hoping to get a date for 4UR in December for 530i. Looks like no change.

540ix is too expensive, the same price as X5. RJH52 I saw your build.


btw saw a new i5 yesterday at the dealer while dropping a 21 530i for a brake oil change. It's HUGE in length and height. Looks amazing.

[PsychDoc]

Originally Posted by leasehackr

It looks like some discrimination is going on with 530i and 540ix getting the 4UR..LOL. New 540 orders are getting the 4UR.

I was hoping to get a date for 4UR in December for 530i. Looks like no change.

540ix is too expensive, the same price as X5. RJH52 I saw your build.


btw saw a new i5 yesterday at the dealer while dropping a 21 530i for a brake oil change. It's HUGE in length and height. Looks amazing.

I don't mean to be cavalier here but once you're spending $65k on a car, is a $4k - $5k difference really a deal breaker? Especially considering the fact that you're getting the superb ambient lighting and a much more powerful, smooth engine that gives up just 2 mpg.

Again, no disrespect intended. Really just trying to better understand the reasoning here.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by RJH52

Told my SA the same thing. If for whatever reason mine arrives without it, I will go order an E class.

I'm also a Mercedes fanboy for 31+ years.

Having said that, the last two E-class and the new E-class are, well, not attractive cars.(just trying to put it nicely... what I really think about the designs are probably too vulgar to put into words)

[leasehackr]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

I don't mean to be cavalier here but once you're spending $65k on a car, is a $4k - $5k difference really a deal breaker? Especially considering the fact that you're getting the superb ambient lighting and a much more powerful, smooth engine that gives up just 2 mpg.

Again, no disrespect intended. Really just trying to better understand the reasoning here.

None taken

Already ordered X5 and picking up next 2 weeks. MSRP 77K

I usually keep one loaded (SUV) and other sedan around $62-65K (Current 21 530i is $62K). Have been doing this for last 10 years.

Can't pay bill for two 79K cars..LOL

+ picking up Fisker EV sport SUV see pic on lease in March or Q2 next year. so need to save some moniesss

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by leasehackr

None taken

Already ordered X5 and picking up next 2 weeks. MSRP 77K

I usually keep one loaded (SUV) and other sedan around $62-65K (Current 21 530i is $62K). Have been doing this for last 10 years.

Can't pay bill for two 79K cars..LOL

+ picking up Fisker EV sport SUV see pic on lease in March or Q2 next year. so need to save some moniesss

why not just keep one $140k car/suv? (unless my math is wrong) If I was in the same situation, I would probably try to get just a nice Alpina XB7.

[leasehackr]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

why not just keep one $140k car/suv? (unless my math is wrong) If I was in the same situation, I would probably try to get just a nice Alpina XB7.

doesn't work when you have 3 drivers

may be in the future, just one car when I retire.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by leasehackr

doesn't work when you have 3 drivers

may be in the future, just one car when I retire.

my dream is to have someone drive me around when I'm old. (yes, like Miss Daisy) I don't care if it's a human driver or a 100% fully automated self-aware system... I want something that allows me to get into the car and say "take me to JFK", take a nap, and then end up in front of the terminal. Probably will never happen in my lifetime.

Having battled traffic for who knows how many years in DMV, LA and NYC, I've had it with driving.

[leasehackr]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

my dream is to have someone drive me around when I'm old. (yes, like Miss Daisy) I don't care if it's a human driver or a 100% fully automated self-aware system... I want something that allows me to get into the car and say "take me to JFK", take a nap, and then end up in front of the terminal. Probably will never happen in my lifetime.

Having battled traffic for who knows how many years in DMV, LA and NYC, I've had it with driving.

SpaceSilver.X1 you finally ordered the 530i? without 4UR?

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by leasehackr

SpaceSilver.X1 you finally ordered the 530i? without 4UR?

yeah... gave in and told my salesman to cash my check and put the order in. to be honest, I'm fine without it.

[leasehackr]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

yeah... gave in and told my salesman to cash my check and put the order in. to be honest, I'm fine without it.

ok cool.

Hopefully they will update the ordering guide soon. I'm going to pick up X5 next week. I will check with the sales manager in the system to see what it shows up for 4UR.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by leasehackr

ok cool.

Hopefully they will update the ordering guide soon. I'm going to pick up X5 next week. I will check with the sales manager in the system to see what it shows up for 4UR.

I kind of gave up waiting on the light bar after learning that massage seats were not offered as an option on the G60 yet. (which I got used to on my '23 X1) Not that I'm complaining or anything.. if they don't offer it, they don't offer it.

[sethg]

I want to place an order for the 530i but I too am waiting for the ambient light bar to be part of the build. If the ambient light bar will be ready in March 2024, can I place an order now and expect my car to be equipped with it?

[RJH52]

Originally Posted by sethg

I want to place an order for the 530i but I too am waiting for the ambient light bar to be part of the build. If the ambient light bar will be ready in March 2024, can I place an order now and expect my car to be equipped with it?

I don’t know that there is a guarantee the 530i will ever get it. If you really want the interactive bar I’d just pay a little more for the 540ix.

[Andy98526]

Do we know if it’s possible to upgrade the thin 2 stripe colour bar to the full interactive that comes in the i5. I never knew its was different till driving my petrol version away, and while not a deal breaker, as it is what it is, be good to know if it can be upgraded, as it all looks the same.

[PsychDoc]

I was interviewed last Friday by a representative from BMWUSA as they were looking for feedback from current G60 owners. This issue came up and I remarked that it was a real shame that 530 owners were not getting the 4UR ambient light bar. The fellow I spoke with agreed with this completely but indicated that this was due to a parts shortage and that, at least for the moment, there was no plan on making the full ambient light bar available for the 530 as either standard equipment or an option. I told him that as much as I understood how this could happen, had this not come with the 540 I would have canceled my order.

[Andy98526]

I’m looking to know if it can be retro fitted if you already have the pin stripe lighting installed.

[michka]

I am sorry I missed this thread when I configured my 530e a few months ago.
FYI at the time I ordered it (Dec 23) it was planned to include the whole interactive light bar (as shown in the configurator at the time).
I got the car two weeks ago and that was a disappointment. The car only has the cheap light bar. I checked the BMW configurator for many EU countries (I am in France) and indeed they changed it. Now only the i5 and the top PHEV 550e get the interactive light bar. All ICE and 530e get the cheap one. It is a bit of a shame BMW did not inform buyers. Besides this, great car.