Need HELP on which options most important: 2010 35d

[Kodok]

Originally Posted by rh71

you still have your runflats?

how was the body roll on turns at higher speed?

Yupe, I still have my run flats (OEM Tires).

Not sure about the body roll since I didn't specifically test that (it was a loaner X5 and it's only 60 miles on the odo. I felt bad to push it to the limit since it's a brand new car and the dealer gave it to me for the loaner.).

I drove the 3.0 mostly on city traffic, any bumps, cracks, or potholes felt harder on this loaner than my 4.8i. I'm not sure that maybe the 3.0 needed to break in properly ?

[dmfelger]

Excellent choices. Enjoy.

[acedeucy]

Originally Posted by rh71

I'm looking into a rear entertainment system that's not the RES from factory. It's about that time - my two 14mo. kids are getting impatient on 1hr drives. I wish there were a variety to choose from (I hope Invision is working on new designs). About the "obsolete" comment... if you get a system that accepts multiple formats (divx, etc.) & inputs (usb, etc.) then it wouldn't matter as much... that is if you have the time to convert and rip discs. I don't believe the quality of a blu-ray is really necessary on such a small screen - the problem really comes back to just being able to play the damn thing out of the box though I'm sure.

You do realize that you are talking about a DVD player and not a prom dress? Design is an important factor, but with these active headrests that BMW threw into the mix I don't have too many options with design. I am deeply sorry these don't "WOW" you in the looks department, but functionality wise, there isn't another product out there that can out perform mine and play the number of file formats that mine offers. You can not remove the factory headrests in any '09 or '10 vehicle bc of these active headrests. So it really limits the design, but again we are talking about a DVD player with a USB 2.0 port built-in with RCA Inputs, so winning the Good Housekeeping award is really a super low priority to me. Also to carry the BMW Roundel as a Factory Part it is a great honor. These can't be beat by any means and they fall under the BMW Warranty. IMHO I think they look very attractive and perform even better but X5Meister did manage to find the greatest looking headrest system ever that is capable of transporting small animals. YOu could check those out if need be.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...adrests-6.html

(Scroll down to post 8) Those are such beauties!

Let me know if I can be of anymore assistance to you. Best of luck with your search!

-LAW

[rh71]

^ the 7 series and GT pics that came out recently look pretty good. They just look more integrated into the seat - I don't know if that's possible with yours because of inputs, etc. That's basically what I'm looking for instead of something that looks hung onto the seat. Sort of along the same mentality as an integrated nav vs. a garmin hung on a window or the vent. You get my drift. You stand behind your product and it's well-featured otherwise so that's why I threw your name out there. I know you guys are limited because of the active headrests so I don't fault you, just hoping.

[acedeucy]

Originally Posted by rh71

^ the 7 series and GT pics that came out recently look pretty good. They just look more integrated into the seat - I don't know if that's possible with yours because of inputs, etc. That's basically what I'm looking for instead of something that looks hung onto the seat. Sort of along the same mentality as an integrated nav vs. a garmin hung on a window or the vent. You get my drift. You stand behind your product and it's well-featured otherwise so that's why I threw your name out there. I know you guys are limited because of the active headrests so I don't fault you, just hoping.

I really don't see the correclation my friend!

Let's talk NAV's for a change. A garmin unit vs the integrated NAV unit for example. An integrated unit will number 1, always cost more and have less features than the latter, also the integrated unit is married to the vehicle.

The garmin unit is less expensive, has more features, MP3's, pictures, calculator, currency converter, and traffic updates. Also this unit can be taken with you anywhere and used in any vehicle, bicycle, or even walking around. Can't beat that.

My product, now it is the factory part, but it has more features than any other product on the market. The integrated 7 series unit actually only has one dvd player. That doesn't solve anything when you have more than 1 child in the backseat. Also that integrated 7 series unit doesn;t have a usb port with codec support. SO again you are looking at the benefit that it will "Look more attractive" and again it is not a prom dress. Don't get me wrong the product in the 7 is very sexy, but my product trumps anything out there with respect to keeping the kids happy and busy in the back seat. Plus both children have there own usb port, dvd player, rca input (GAmes), remote control, and wireless headphone. Can't beat it. But when I put out a Christian Dior version you will be the first to know! Also keep in mind that the 7 series system isn't even in the headrest it's attached to the seat. Try bringing that thing in for warranty and getting your car back in an hour or when you are at a different dealership on vacation. I can outservice anything out there and I have the reputation on here to prove it. Jump in anybody!

LOL!

-LAW

[jsears]

Originally Posted by acedeucy

I really don't see the correclation my friend!

Let's talk NAV's for a change. A garmin unit vs the integrated NAV unit for example. An integrated unit will number 1, always cost more and have less features than the latter, also the integrated unit is married to the vehicle.

The garmin unit is less expensive, has more features, MP3's, pictures, calculator, currency converter, and traffic updates. Also this unit can be taken with you anywhere and used in any vehicle, bicycle, or even walking around. Can't beat that.

My product, now it is the factory part, but it has more features than any other product on the market. The integrated 7 series unit actually only has one dvd player. That doesn't solve anything when you have more than 1 child in the backseat. Also that integrated 7 series unit doesn;t have a usb port with codec support. SO again you are looking at the benefit that it will "Look more attractive" and again it is not a prom dress. Don't get me wrong the product in the 7 is very sexy, but my product trumps anything out there with respect to keeping the kids happy and busy in the back seat. Plus both children have there own usb port, dvd player, rca input (GAmes), remote control, and wireless headphone. Can't beat it. But when I put out a Christian Dior version you will be the first to know! Also keep in mind that the 7 series system isn't even in the headrest it's attached to the seat. Try bringing that thing in for warranty and getting your car back in an hour or when you are at a different dealership on vacation. I can outservice anything out there and I have the reputation on here to prove it. Jump in anybody!

LOL!

-LAW

It's really form versus function here.
Look at the GT pic:


It is great looking, the lines are clean, it goes well in the interior, in other words it form is wonderful. What about function? There is one DVD player, no USB support, and also in order to repair it or get it replaced it looks like the entire back part of the front seat is going to have to be taken apart.

I am sure your kids are going to be filled with joy when the damn things breaks while you are on vacation clear across the country. You pull into the BMW Dealership and they tell you they have to overnight the part, because they don't have one that matches your interior color and then it is a 3 hour install on top of that for one side!

Yea, you just spent $70K on a vehicle and I understand that you don't want the RES to be "odd" looking in your new X5. But does your son or daughter really care that those lines and the integration into the front seat make the car even look sexier. No, they care that they get to watch some Dora, Sponge Bob while on a car ride. Who else is riding in the back seat of your X5? The family dog, I am sure you want him slobbering all over the fully integrated 3 hour replaceable screens.

At the end of the day, the users of the RES are your children. They are biggest critic of the product, if it doesn't function well to their standards than you are going to be unhappy, because they will start bugging you while you drive. In this case, I would choose function over form!

[mtech8]

Originally Posted by acedeucy

Jump in anybody!

LOL!

-LAW

Why can't we have it all? Function and form? Would it really cost that much more to make it look integrated into the seats (obviously no debate about integrating into the headrest anymore).

As far as repairs while on vacation, I really doubt anyone is gonna want to sit in a foreign (not local) dealership in the middle of their trip for 2-3 hours (realisitically, there's typically a guy in front of you that had an appointment that they need to make happy first).

Of course, no one is saying that the RSE accessory is not functionally, technically a superior product. But then again, not everyone buys a BMW solely for it's performance abilities.

[acedeucy]

You all forgot 1 important thing. That 7series kit has to be ordered from the factory it cannot be added later unlike my product which can be added later if the customer chooses. Also look at the picture above did anybody else notice that the screens are black and the seat is beige. That doesn't seem like most BMW cutemrs would want it in there like that, but just as Jsears said the kids won't care at all, but they aren't the ones buying the car.

And if you would like me to answer the warranty question, there are several people who have had an issue with a monitor or dvd player while on vacation and they have gone to a dealer that I have sent them to and expericed the 10 min maximum wait time it takes to swap out a monitor. It's not going to take hours to repair the probelm. Not really that painful especially if it keeps the kids quient and they are back on the road that quickly. Its actually the people like, jsears, who have had a problem with the system that appreciate my company more than those who haven't. Not that I am wishing any misfortune upon anybody, im not. Its just there comes a time to make a choice to step up and service a customer or turn your back. I choose to back up my product with the elite service I provide.

As far as form and function and having both. Well there comes a downfall with that and Jsears hit it right on the head. Let say we built a kit just like the 7GT and it had all the bell and whistles mine has. To be that streamlined seriously increas install and warranty times which make that product unattractive pricing wise to a customer. I mean a $2000 unit with a 8-9 hour install could end up costing you around $4000 and for a unit with a single dvd player and no codec support, it really sounds like your getting a hell of a deal...NOT! So would you pay more, you bet your X5 you would!

We engineer our system with all parties in mind. Very easy install, very attractive pricing, and packed with features and benefits. I think we are good with what we are doing currently. No need to fix the equation because it's simply not broken.

-LAW

Thanks JSEARS!

[mtech8]

Hehe. Yeah. I'm the guy that loves black interiors, so that would work best for me.

And as far as getting in and out of a dealership within 10 minutes in CA. Only for the "VERY" important customers or rare occassions.

It always comes down to economics. Your product is probably the best choice out there, but I'm just putting up a wish list of what could be most "ideal".

So in a make believe world, if I had the resources (the technology is out there), I'd pretty much have a part that could be seat mounted to look as if it were integrated seat mount. Then have a top, bottom or side opening that allows the core unit/monitor to be simply slipped in and out for replacement and future potention upgrade opportunities and other applications. Kind of decoupling the form and the function.

[acedeucy]

You wouldn't happen to need a one-of-a-kind" BMW/Ed Hardy polo shirt would you.

Its right up your alley!

LOL! Just kidding. But if you would like me to schedule a meeting with ownership so we can build you a custom 1-of-a-kind- unit built up that does your laundry and fires laser beams, i'm sure we can accomodate. I'll even throw in, as an added bonus, a free 2010 tax consultation with H&R Block after the cost of 1 custom unit with those features is invoiced and sent to you! LOL!

You sound like a guy that knows what he wants but even Veruca Salt didn't wind up with one of those golden gooses! But I saw a few on Ebay!

I got to bring you in on our next design think tank! Let me know if you are ever in Orlando, Florida i'll give you a free tour of manufacturing facility. I promise nothing is made out of chocolate!


-LAW