[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&#129400 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).

[scas12]

Love the ambient light bar, you can turn down the intensity if you don't want it as bright

[RichardInCA]

Same as scas12 - it’s nice, in personal mode you can change color and intensity. Or you can turn it off too. Probably best to see if a dealer has a car you could go check it our for yourself - it’s obviously a personal decision.

[deutsch100]

LOVE LOVE the ambient light bar. Before I drove my i5 and fell in love with the drive and feel, the ambient light bar sold me on the interior. I personally would not buy a new 5er w/o the ambient bar. It really makes the interior feel and look like a baby 7 Series.

[desalvorw]

Thanks guys!

[COBodom]

This ambient light is whatever to me. To be perfectly honest, it blows my minds why it's called "interactive", there's not a whole lotta interaction happening there. It's big and you can pick some preselected colors. It will prolly blink when the phone rings (haven't experienced yet) and maybe it blinks when the doors are open. Anyways it's just as "interactive" as the ambient light in G30 was. This is not Benz level interaction (music and assistant) It's just a wide strip with some color choices. Very underwhelming for something referred to as an interactive feature.

If you're budgeting then skip this gimmick and allocate your money towards the 6 banger.

[Scrapula]

I love my light bar. It’s one of the features that put this car on the top of my list. Look up color therapy. If you are stressed, surround yourself in a calming light blue. You can auto dim at night or just adjust it yourself. I keep mine as a short cut.

[Juff]

Talked to my salesman yesterday about the light bar again, said like it is go/no-go decision, if 4UR not available I'm cancelling my order (530e), today he called saying BMW warned them that 4UR is in limited supply Feb/Jul'24 and that from Jul'24 it should be standard option for all engines (EV, PHEV, ICE).

Not sure to which extent I can trust that information though...

[F10_Freq]

It really ties the room together.

[Roki]

I like the light bar and the modern dash with the hidden vents. I sometimes get to my kid’s school or a client meeting few minutes early and just sit in the parking garage listening to music with the ambient lighting. I do wish the B&W speakers lit up like in my M8, but maybe that would be overkill.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by F10_Freq

It really ties the room together.

That’s just, like, your opinion, man

[KingSlayerNYC]

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&#129400 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).

Do not get it without the ambient light touch bar.

It's absolutely game changer and I have friends with 2023 M cars who were speechless seeing it.

Everyone who sees it forget about everything else they just want go see the colors and touch the light Bar (it has cut crystal feel to it, nice touch by BMW).

People who have non BMW cars get floored even more. The only thing close to it is Benz S class ambient lighting (due to sharp brightness). I still prefer BMW light bar because it's something I've never seen before. A new take on ambient lighting.

Turns heads while driving and at red lights at night especially.

The B58 alone is worth it. If budget isn't an issue, 540 over 530 without a second thought.

[KingSlayerNYC]

I was going with 530 initially but canceled the whole plan once I found out it was basic ambient lighting.

The themes are so fascinating you'll be sitting in your car at night just admiring the views.

[desalvorw]

I ended up with the i5 that has the interaction bar. I flipping love it!

[KingSlayerNYC]

[QUOTE=desalvorw;31188295]I ended up with the i5 that has the interaction bar. I flipping love it!

Amazing congrats. Just realized the thread is like 3 weeks old haha

[Cam330i]

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&#129400 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")

[desalvorw]

[QUOTE=KingSlayerNYC;31188302]

Originally Posted by desalvorw

I ended up with the i5 that has the interaction bar. I flipping love it!

Amazing congrats. Just realized the thread is like 3 weeks old haha

I can’t say I haven’t done that before! Haha thanks! I love the car!

[Scrapula]

The Sky Lounge roof is awesome. Most EVs have a glass roof with lots of complaints of people getting baked in the sun. BMW has the power sunshade standard which no one else has. It’s still 50 degrees and raining where I live. I love letting in all the light. I might close the shade when the temps get above 80 (if they do). Having lived in England previously, they have similar weather. I would never want to open it.

[DanChapman90]

Originally Posted by Juff

Talked to my salesman yesterday about the light bar again, said like it is go/no-go decision, if 4UR not available I'm cancelling my order (530e), today he called saying BMW warned them that 4UR is in limited supply Feb/Jul'24 and that from Jul'24 it should be standard option for all engines (EV, PHEV, ICE).

Not sure to which extent I can trust that information though...

Just thought I’d comment on this one (haven’t been on the site for ages) but my 3 week old 530e M Sport Pro didn’t come with the interaction bar lighting. Incredibly disappointed but as it’s a company lease vehicle, it is what it is.

[Tori808]

Definitely go with the 540 because it comes with the interaction bar, it makes the interior and the basic ambient bar is literally disrespectful. I was able to get my 530i with the interaction bar option and I absolutely love it.

[desalvorw]

Originally Posted by Tori808

Definitely go with the 540 because it comes with the interaction bar, it makes the interior and the basic ambient bar is literally disrespectful. I was able to get my 530i with the interaction bar option and I absolutely love it.

I got the i5 with it and I love it too. I actually wish BMW would give us more of the active dual colors like in Expressive drive mode when the colors dance around.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by desalvorw

I got the i5 with it and I love it too. I actually wish BMW would give us more of the active dual colors like in Expressive drive mode when the colors dance around.

I bet that will come later as iDrive add-ons for a fee. 😉