F25 X3 with Professional Nav

[aussiem3]

I am ordering a X3 F25 - May production - 3.0 diesel with a fair bit of options including Professional Nav. My dealer told me that the Pof. Nav is only available with 06NK - Extended connectivity of bluetooth/USB with voice control. This option is US$1000 in Australia and a total rip off.
Is this the same in every other market? If I don't have to pay for the 06NK then I have the flexibility to include Dynamic Damper Control. DDC will add to the resale value of the car later on but not the 06NK.
I think these days BMW is all about making money. When I bought the E53 X5, TV functions were standard, but now it is $2250 option.
Very disappointed the way BMW is heading ... it is all about $$$$$$$$$$$

[Thunder22]

You can check on BMW North America for price comparisons.

[JCL]

In our market (Canada) we don't get the diesel (yet) but I checked the F25 35i.

We can't get Nav without the Technology package. It comes with Assist and Extended Bluetooth (06NL), Navigation (0609) and TeleServices (06AA). All for $2200.

We can't get DDC without the Dynamic Comfort package. It comes with DDC (0223) and Performance Control (02VG). All for $1500.

There are in fact only five options here on this model: Storage Compartment Package, Sunroof (also available in Premium Package), Satin Roof Rails, HUD, and Rearview Camera (also available in Executive Package). Everything else is bundled.

I believe the primary driver is to reduce the number of combinations in the dealer supply chain, thus lowering distribution costs.

Check www.bmw.ca for comparisons.

[aussiem3]

Look at what we have to choose from. The standard equipment plus the options. I wish BMW Australia had grouped them to make it cost effective as US and Canada.
The way we have is very confusing for the customer. The last time I bought a car was back in 2007 when I picked the M3 and had only a handful of options to choose from. It was very easy because most of the options in other markets were standard in Australia.
I thought the Porsche option list was bad ... the BMW is worse

[AzNMpower32]

In Germany, it does not appear that Professional Nav necessitates 6NL Extended Bluetooth Connectivity features. That is likely a country-specific requirement that BMW decided to combine together.

Trust me, packages seem nice in the US but realise it offers less flexibility. For example, if you want 4-way adjustable lumbar, you HAVE to buy the entire Premium package. If you want sport seats, you HAVE to buy the bigger wheels and steering wheel.

[aussiem3]

The packages and the individul options have advantages and disadvantages. To force someone to buy something for $1000 when they don't want that feature is a rip off.
I can think of optioning with better things. I am really angry. I am downsizing from a E53 X5 diesel.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

I am downsizing from a E53 X5 diesel.

Actually the F25 is close to the size of E53 although it is still lighter. I agree that BMW Australia's options and option packages leave much to be desired. The fact that you can't get a E70 40d on the standard suspension and wheel package as per the 30d is a disgrace.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by Fraser

Actually the F25 is close to the size of E53 although it is still lighter. I agree that BMW Australia's options and option packages leave much to be desired. The fact that you can't get a E70 40d on the standard suspension and wheel package as per the 30d is a disgrace.

We can't get normal sport suspensions on SAVs anymore (X3 and X5) in the US. One can order the standard suspension, which rolls like a watermelon and is only suitable for unpaved roads. Or one can order the expensive electronic adaptive suspension (Adaptive Drive on the X5, DDC on the X3), which will eventually malfunction and cause electronic headaches.

BMW NA decided that Americans prefer appearance-based sport packages only.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

We can't get normal sport suspensions on SAVs anymore (X3 and X5) in the US. One can order the standard suspension, which rolls like a watermelon and is only suitable for unpaved roads. Or one can order the expensive electronic adaptive suspension (Adaptive Drive on the X5, DDC on the X3), which will eventually malfunction and cause electronic headaches.

BMW NA decided that Americans prefer appearance-based sport packages only.

Thankfully the adaptive suspension is generally still an option here across all the Xs. I don't know if US-spec standard suspension is different from the Aussie-spec standard suspension (say on an E70), but the standard suspension (+ the standard wheel/tyre package) here is still a good compromise between control and comfort. But then our roads, especially in rural areas, are a lot rougher than your roads. We don't have the population base (therefore the tax base) to built good roads all over the country given that Australia is more or less as big as the USA (minus Alaska) but with only one-fifteenth the population.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

We can't get normal sport suspensions on SAVs anymore (X3 and X5) in the US. One can order the standard suspension, which rolls like a watermelon and is only suitable for unpaved roads. Or one can order the expensive electronic adaptive suspension (Adaptive Drive on the X5, DDC on the X3), which will eventually malfunction and cause electronic headaches.

BMW NA decided that Americans prefer appearance-based sport packages only.

You can get an E70 in the US with a sport suspension (not Adaptive Drive). I think BMWNA is corrrect that US consumers seem to prefer appearance packages.