merlin

In my quest to get the best factory fit sound system currently available for my M5 that is on order, I have today received some positive information from BMW GB. I would rather have everything installed as a factory fit option, because I do not fancy intrusting my new baby to a third party company to install an after market system, which would inevitably involve pulling a considerable amount of the car apart. No thank you!

With regards to the “HiFi Individual High Audio System” or “M Audio” as it is also known, I had previously been given conflicting information from both my dealer, and BMW GB as to it’s availability within the UK. First it was available, then it was not, then it was again, and then not. Up until today, that’s the last I heard on the subject, and thus concluded, rather disappointingly, it was not a valid UK option. However, yesterday, I received the latest UK BMW M Cars brochure from my dealer. Low and behold, on page 82 of the Technology Guide, they list this very option.

The following information is from the UK BMW M Cars brochure, page 82.

HiFi Individual High Audio System (M Audio)

"The new HiFi individual High Audio System on the M5 ensures a brilliant sound experience at all times. It is based on the HiFi DSP Professional System available as an option, complete with a 14-channel amplifier and 290W overall output: 4 x 25W from the subwoofers, 4 x 25W from the woofers, and 6 x 15W in the medium/tweeter range. The big advantage of the DSP amplifier is that it incorporates the computer adjusting each amplifier channel in terms of volume and frequency perfectly to the respective loudspeakers, thus ensuring brilliant sound quality without the slightest distortion. Another special feature of the M sound system is that all loudspeakers with the exception of the standard tweeters in the mirror triangles on the front doors are new. A two-way coaxial system consisting of a medium-range/woofer and a tweeter loudspeaker is fitted in the lower door area at the front, each of these loudspeakers featuring a top-quality, Kevlar-reinforced high-tech membrane. The same loudspeakers are then also fitted on the left-and right-hand side of the parcel shelf, with two woofers installed in double coils beneath the air vent grids in the parcel shelf area. Measuring 215 millimetres or 8.5" in diameter, these woofers are equipped with a hexacone membrane offering supreme stiffness and low, compact dimensions thanks to it's special honeycomb structure. This ultimately, ensures particularly dry and natural reproduction of all bass sounds. (M5)"

With this renewed interest I today contacted both my dealer, and then in impatience for a response from him, BMW GB. BMW GB have now advised me that it is available through BMW Individual, option code 940, at a cost of £950.

It is a relatively new option to the UK market, as such, there is a considerable lack of knowledge displayed by both dealers and within BMW GB themselves.

Although I await absolute confirmation (hopefully tomorrow) that I will be able to add it to my car, I have been told – “it will not be a problem”.

I will post confirmation once I receive it. I hope this info is helpful to anyone seeking the best BMW audio system, especially any UK buyers.

John – In search of M Audio……

LeMans ’01 (74 days not that I’m counting!)


[This message has been edited by merlin (edited 15 December 2000).]

merlin

I received confirmation from BMW GB today. The option is now definitely available to UK buyers through BMW Individual, option code 940, at a cost of £950 (inclusive of VAT). This option includes the DSP sound system.

I hope this clarifies the matter for everyone.

John

jerry lucas

Hi John,
I also am waiting for my LeMans Blue 01 M5 due for delivery on 1st March 2001. The car is to be built in January. Do you think there is enough time to includethe M audio system to the specification on my car ?

Jerry Lucas, Hitchin, Herts. England

merlin

Hi Jerry

Mine is also due on the same dates as yours, and my dealer has said it will not be a problem to get this option added

John
(hey only 73 days to go..!)

Mark5mith

Hi John,

My Le Mans/Le Mans is due on March 1st. too, but I just called my dealer, who said I couldn't have this option as the car has to go to a different factory to have Individual items fitted. I accepted this gracefully, but am now sitting here thinking it could just be because he can't be bothered to put the effort into arranging this for me.

If you do get confirmation, I'd be really grateful.

By the way, thanks for telling me that it's 73 days to go - I'll start to count the days now.

Regards,

Mark

Ps. Only 72 days to go!!

merlin

Hi Mark

My dealer has been most helpful in this matter (Vines of Gatwick), and as I said, he and BMW GB have told me it will not be a problem to get this option added, and it will not cause any delay to my 1st March 2001 delivery.

My dealer will actually add this to my order tomorrow (18/12/00) and reconfirm everything for me, so if anything changes, I'll let everyone know. The reason this could not be done prior to this date, is that BMW GB still have to put the option on the system. So am I the first to get it in the UK?

I can't understand the car having to go to another factory, just to have some different speakers and an alternative Amp fitted? Has anyone else heard of such madness?

I reckon your dealer is pulling a fast one coz he can't be bothered. I would go back to him tell him to try harder. If you have any trouble, speak to Mark Baxter at BMW GB on Tel: 01344 426 565.

Let me know how you get on….

John
LeMans ….have found M Audio

merlin

I have today received final confirmation from my dealer, that this option has now been added to my order. Without any problems or delays I might add...!

John

jerry lucas

I have been told today that my car already holds a chassis number and that it is too late to add the M Audio system. It's a shame that I had to tell the dealer what the M Audio system was, as he had no idea what I was talking about and had not been informed my BMW GB about this option. Does anybody have the chassis number already allocated to their car?. I must admit the car would have been available to me at the beginning of February but I wanted to wait for the 'Y' Plate on March 1st. Could this then mean that my car has already been built?. Waiting for the car now seems like for ever. Perphaps we should all meet up once we receive our cars if we dont live too far from each other.

Jerry Lucas. Hitchin, Herts.

merlin

If I were in your shoes, I would want to get this info confirmed by BMW GB directly. I'm afraid previous experience has taught me not to necessarily trust what your dealer tells you as being 100% correct!

After all the effort I went to, to educate my dealer about this option, the response you have had from yours does not surprise me. As I said before, this option has only just become available in the UK our dealers haven’t even heard of it before!

If your car is due early Feb, could you not get the dealer to try a swap your build slot for a later one. Or is this all too late if you have been allocated a chassis number?

John

Graeme

Having read all the comments regarding the Individual option for the stereo, i'm keen to know what you think of it. Can anyone who actually has the option fitted to a 2001 UK car tell me ?

Waiting for mine to arrive end May.