F32 440i - how important is HK audio?

[MitchT]

In my seemingly eternal search for a unicorn spec F32 BMW 440i I've turned up an approved used one which, while not perfect, is acceptable and very keenly priced. I'd bite their arm off at the current price if it had HK audio, but it doesn't. As it's an approved used BMW and I intend to keep up with the warranty in future, I don't want to upgrade the audio and risk compromising the electrical system in a way which invalidates the warranty. So, just how much of a difference does HK audio make?

[Deviation]

If it has base audio, quite a big difference IMO.


But I’m always listening to music in the car. I don’t drive without music.



I wouldn’t say I’m an audiophile, but I definitely have a preference for good sounding music.



If it has the HiFi audio upgrade instead, which you’ll tell by there still being a tweeter in the door, just without HK branding, it’ll still sound very decent, and you can upgrade the DSP and amplifier.

[MitchT]

Deviation said:

If it has the HiFi audio upgrade instead, which you’ll tell by there still being a tweeter in the door, just without HK branding.

It has the speaker in the door card but not the one in the triangular piece at the bottom of the A-pillar, so I guess not.

I don't always listen to music when driving but, when I do, I want it to sound good. I might listen to the radio a little less in a B58-powered BMW though!

[MarkJS]

I’d definitely want the Harman Kardon audio. The base system is poor.

But, possibly more importantly, the Harman Kardon was part of the M Sport Plus pack at certain periods of production, so the car might be without other things like the M Sport brakes, 19” wheels etc. Depends on year though and these things are easy to spot.

[sortedcossie]

it's must for me, the base system isn't great

[MitchT]

MarkJS said:

I’d definitely want the Harman Kardon audio. The base system is poor.

But, possibly more importantly, the Harman Kardon was part of the M Sport Plus pack at certain periods of production, so the car might be without other things like the M Sport brakes, 19” wheels etc. Depends on year though and these things are easy to spot.

It's a late 2019 and, yes, it's without the blue brake calipers so I guess no M Sport Plus.

[smashy]

I have no HK ,I had a curtesy car with it and I felt no difference and have seen that mentioned on many forums

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16...

https://www.babybmw.net/threads/hk-upgrades.123172...

[Deviation]

I recognise we're all different, but my other half who doesn’t really care for audio quality (and uses cheapo earphones) could immediately tell the difference between the standard BMW system and HK.


It’s quite a significant difference IMO

[d_a_n1979]

HK is the one to go for...

A few of the F30 and F31s I test drove before I settled on the F31 I have; had the basic stereo and it was ok... But when compared to the HK; it's very poor indeed

There's a good thread here too, to give you ideas on changing the EQ to suit your tastes more:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...

[Jamescrs]

I’d want the HK having owned a BMW without it and now one with it and I’d also want the M sport brakes personally

[Pica-Pica]

I have the HK system in an F30. I wouldn’t want a lesser grade. Whether you listen to speech or music, you want clarity and fullness.
In respect to the post on settings, I have set the bass down a bit, as well as the treble. That lets the midrange come through clearer.

[MarkJS]

MitchT said:

MarkJS said:

I’d definitely want the Harman Kardon audio. The base system is poor.

But, possibly more importantly, the Harman Kardon was part of the M Sport Plus pack at certain periods of production, so the car might be without other things like the M Sport brakes, 19” wheels etc. Depends on year though and these things are easy to spot.

It's a late 2019 and, yes, it's without the blue brake calipers so I guess no M Sport Plus.

I’d steer well clear of that particular example then.

[d_a_n1979]

The blue Brembo 370/355mm brakes are easy enough to source and retrofit; all the F3X use the same braking system throughout as far as I recall; just different calipers depending on what was spec'd etc

If one can be found with them fitted then great; but it's not a deal breaker IMO

Lack of xenons/heated seats/pro nav, IMO, are more important - the standard halogen headlights are atrocious

I've never seen one with the LEDs though; so can't comment on those

[MitchT]

d_a_n1979 said:

The blue Brembo 370/355mm brakes are easy enough to source and retrofit; all the F3X use the same braking system throughout as far as I recall; just different calipers depending on what was spec'd etc

If one can be found with them fitted then great; but it's not a deal breaker IMO

Lack of xenons/heated seats/pro nav, IMO, are more important - the standard halogen headlights are atrocious

I've never seen one with the LEDs though; so can't comment on those

As far as I can tell all F32 4 Series have Pro Nav, heated seats and "BMW LED" headlights as standard. Certainly all the ones I've seen have.

[d_a_n1979]

MitchT said:

d_a_n1979 said:

The blue Brembo 370/355mm brakes are easy enough to source and retrofit; all the F3X use the same braking system throughout as far as I recall; just different calipers depending on what was spec'd etc

If one can be found with them fitted then great; but it's not a deal breaker IMO

Lack of xenons/heated seats/pro nav, IMO, are more important - the standard halogen headlights are atrocious

I've never seen one with the LEDs though; so can't comment on those

As far as I can tell all F32 4 Series have Pro Nav, heated seats and "BMW LED" headlights as standard. Certainly all the ones I've seen have.

That's a good start then; one less thing to worry about

[G-wiz]

Not the car being discussed here, but I have a 2012 5 series Touring, base audio, no HK, and it is fairly decent.

Never had opportunity to experience HK, so cannot compare.

[MarkJS]

MitchT said:

d_a_n1979 said:

The blue Brembo 370/355mm brakes are easy enough to source and retrofit; all the F3X use the same braking system throughout as far as I recall; just different calipers depending on what was spec'd etc

If one can be found with them fitted then great; but it's not a deal breaker IMO

Lack of xenons/heated seats/pro nav, IMO, are more important - the standard halogen headlights are atrocious

I've never seen one with the LEDs though; so can't comment on those

As far as I can tell all F32 4 Series have Pro Nav, heated seats and "BMW LED" headlights as standard. Certainly all the ones I've seen have.

A 4 Series as standard is considerably better spec’d than a 3 Series.

I’m reasonably sure it’s impossible to have halogen lights on a UK 4 Series.

[bigdom]

MitchT said:

In my seemingly eternal search for a unicorn spec F32 BMW 440i I've turned up an approved used one which, while not perfect, is acceptable and very keenly priced. I'd bite their arm off at the current price if it had HK audio, but it doesn't. As it's an approved used BMW and I intend to keep up with the warranty in future, I don't want to upgrade the audio and risk compromising the electrical system in a way which invalidates the warranty. So, just how much of a difference does HK audio make?

You wouldn't do anything to the electrical system, it's all plug n play nowadays. Harness off the back of the head unit, and separate power taken directly off the battery. Amps are very small now, so easy to find a location.

4/5 Channel JL amp, with or without DSP depending on whether you want to run a separate sub or power the under seat subs. You could get away with just adding tweeters to the existing setup, or Focal in front or similar would be a nice upgrade. When you sell the car, pull it out, and move on to the next one.

[rottenegg]

d_a_n1979 said:

The blue Brembo 370/355mm brakes are easy enough to source and retrofit; all the F3X use the same braking system throughout as far as I recall; just different calipers depending on what was spec'd etc

Factory fitted M Sport brakes also got the bigger master cylinder from the F80.

Cars with unpainted front 4 pots and steel rear calipers should have it also, but worth checking on RealOEM.

Fitting M sport brakes to a car with steel front and rear brakes with the smaller master cylinder won't work as well.

As for HK. Don't give a toss about it personally. Mine came with it but it sounds a bit crap really. I'd sooner have good brakes and suspension than a radio.

[d_a_n1979]

rottenegg said:

d_a_n1979 said:

The blue Brembo 370/355mm brakes are easy enough to source and retrofit; all the F3X use the same braking system throughout as far as I recall; just different calipers depending on what was spec'd etc

Factory fitted M Sport brakes also got the bigger master cylinder from the F80

Cars with unpainted front 4 pots and steel rear calipers should have it also, but worth checking on RealOEM.

Fitting M sport brakes to a car with steel front and rear brakes with the smaller master cylinder won't work as well.

As for HK. Don't give a toss about it personally. Mine came with it but it sounds a bit crap really. I'd sooner have good brakes and suspension than a radio.

That I didn't know, thanks! From my reading on Bimmerfest forums it looked like they all shared the same master cylinder. Good to know the bigger brakes got the right parts connected to them!