More toys for Beemer buyers
New digital widgets but no new indicator stalks
BMW has announced a number of specification changes including digital TV compatibility, MP3 decoders and a plethora of interior and exterior changes for the new model year. Launched across most model ranges and offering customers improved choice and value for money, the changes apply to all 3 Series, X3 and 5 Series cars built after 1 September and all X5 and Z4 models built after 1 October, 2004.
BMW 3 Series Saloon
All petrol-engined, non-Sport 3 Series Saloon models are now available with a Plus package, offering a group of previously high value optional items, free-of-charge. The Plus package includes metallic paintwork, unique 17" five-spoke alloy wheels and M aerodynamic body styling, all enhancing the visual appeal of the car while improving value for money and residual values.
All BMW 3 Series diesel models retain their free three years or 60,000-mile service and maintenance package.
BMW 3 Series Coupé
BMW 3 Series Coupé customers purchasing a non-Sport model can now specify the Hi-Line package on their cars. Offering a unique 17" 10-spoke alloy wheel design, metallic paint and Montana leather upholstery, the package is priced between £800 and £1,250, depending upon model, representing a customer saving of between 33 and 46 per cent.
BMW 3 Series Coupé and Convertible
BMW 3 Series Coupé and Convertible customers now have additional exterior colours and interior upholsteries to choose from. Sparkling Graphite, Sonora and Havanna metallic exterior finishes complement Finolino cloth / leather combinations available in Anthracite or Sonora. Additionally, a new range of Futura Exclusive leather, in Garnet Red, Light Beige, Light Grey or Black is matched with Poplar Smoke Grey wood trim to add an air of luxury in the cabin. All Coupé SE models (except 330Ci/Cd SE) also now benefit from a new standard 16" seven-spoke alloy wheel style.
Customers opting for the Professional Navigation system including TV now have the benefit of being able to receive reception of digital TV stations. In recognition of this upgrade, the option price has increased by £70 to £2,345.
A new option for customers wanting to safely and legally use their mobile telephone in the car is also available. ‘Bluetooth phone preparation with functionality for BMW Assist’, priced at £500 (£740 for 318Ci ES), offers users of some Bluetooth-equipped telephones the opportunity of using the wireless connection to select numbers from the phonebook and make / receive hands-free calls by simply using the multifunction steering wheel. This is differentiated from the ‘standard’ Bluetooth option by the addition of a telephone SIM card within the telephone control unit for the benefit of the BMW Assist system.
In conjunction with the optional Professional Navigation system and BMW Assist (ordered separately), if the car is involved in a severe accident rendering the occupants unable to contact the Emergency Services themselves, the car takes over. When the airbags are detonated, the BMW Assist system dials 999. If the operator receives no response from the occupants, the relevant Emergency Service is alerted and provided with details of the car’s model, colour and registration number alongside its position, courtesy of the navigation system.
BMW 5 Series Saloon and Touring
Customers ordering the recently announced 5 Series Sport models can now specify their car in Carbon Black, previously only available from BMW’s Individual palette. Inside, Flashlight cloth / leather is offered on Sport models while optional high-gloss Light Poplar wood and Brushed Aluminium trims further increase the quality feel of the interior.
A plethora of other optional equipment enhancements are new for the 2005 model year 5 Series. Like the 3 Series Coupé and Convertible, the TV function now includes analogue and digital TV reception, making viewing of any non-coded digital stations possible. As a result, the price of the option has increased by £70 to £680. BMW’s Business Navigation now comes as standard with TMC, the traffic monitoring system previously only available with the Professional Navigation option (now priced at £1,200), while the Professional radio option now includes an MP3 decoder.
Extended Voice Control is another new option for the 2005 model year. Priced at £270 it enables the majority of iDrive functions to be accessed via voice control, e.g. names and numbers on a telephone’s SIM can be accessed and radio stations can be selected by a vocal command.
A new rear headphone system is now available to order, priced at £185, for those many customers whose children demand different music to those in the front seats. Rear seat passengers can listen to the CD player on their headphones while adults in the front listen to the radio, or vice versa. The option also includes a remote control for music selection.
An anthracite headlining is now available to order on all models, as is Sun Protection Glazing – something previously only available as an option on Saloon models.
BMW 6 Series Coupé and Convertible
Like its 5 Series relative, 6 Series Coupé and Convertible models specified with TV function now come with the benefit of digital and analogue TV reception. Both 6 Series models also reflect the change to the Professional radio option coming with an MP3 decoder.
Additionally, both the 6 Series Coupé and Convertible variants can now feature Active Cruise Control. Previously only available on 5 and 7 Series models, Active Cruise Control, priced at £1,215, allows the driver to continue at a predetermined speed thanks to radar mounted below the front valance that takes account of other cars moving into its path. On ‘seeing’ a car ahead, Active Cruise Control decelerates the 6 Series to match the speed of the other car, before accelerating to the previous speed when the obstacle has passed.
Also new on the options list for the 6 Series is High Gloss Shadowline, replacing the standard chrome window surrounds with a gloss black finish. An M Sports multifunction steering wheel is also now available, priced at £70, as is the same Extended Voice Control option already outlined in the 5 Series section.
BMW X3
The recent announcement of the X3 2.0d has heralded a change in the external appearance of the Sports Activity Vehicle. The vertical slats in the kidney grilles and lower side window trim of the 2.5i and 3.0i models are now chrome, while the 2.0d models retain black.
Internally, all cars also now come as standard with a covered storage compartment bin, located on top of the dashboard panel that was previously only available as a part of the Storage Compartment Package.
For those carrying children in their X3, front seat-mounted ISOFIX mountings are now available to order, priced at £55. In conjunction with a driver-selectable passenger seat airbag deactivation, three infants can now be transported in safety.
Like other 2005 model year cars in the range, customers specifying the TV function now receive a digital and analogue receiver, enabling the viewing of uncoded digital stations. Accordingly, the retail price of the option has increased to £680. In addition, as on the 3 Series Coupé and Convertible, X3 customers can now also specify Bluetooth phone preparation with functionality for BMW Assist. When specified alongside Professional Navigation and BMW Assist, this option enables an accident-damaged car to make an emergency call for assistance if the occupants are unable to make the call themselves.
BMW X5
Like other 2005 model year BMW cars, X5 models specified with a TV will now be able to receive both digital and analogue signals, allowing the driver to receive uncoded digital stations when the car is stationary. Also, X5’s can be specified with Bluetooth phone preparation with functionality for BMW Assist.
BMW Z4
Customers specifying their Z4 roadster in Maldives Blue are now able to opt for a matching Maldives Blue / Black Active Sports cloth / leather combination. Also, interior trims that were previously of a titanium matt finish will now revert to a black finish. Customers can now specify a high gloss Light Poplar wood trim. Again, Z4 owners can also now benefit from a TV that is able to receive both digital and analogue signals when specified.
not sure to be honest. I would imagine its international as 3 series is on run out and it would be difficult to build cars with different recievers for the TV module..
But like I say I don't honestly know. Except that its a fabulous way of spinning more money out of people, giving away free stuff, upgrading existing equipment and not putting the price up..
ScoobyZoom said:
what?
I'm sorry you're confused. But obviously as an employee of BMW, maybe you are unaware that extras cost money... They may well be offering better products for that money, but it's still a LOT of money.
For example, a CD SATNAV for my X5 was around £2200 from BMW and an after market Pioneer DVD version is £1800 which includes fitting and a 12 disk auto changer...
My point is that BMW (plus Audi/Mercedes/Porsche and any other) sting you on extras!
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