I just called the dealer and added the Premium Sound to my X5.

Thank you for all of the posts.

Robert

Premuim soumd is great!!!!, worth the money, I;m very pleased.

I have it and think it's worth it. Better sound with no need to mess with aftermarket...

The premium has digital signals (MOST) going direct to the amplifier (from thd CD changer and head unit) rather than analogue for the standard one.. as well as DSP , higher rated speakers etc.. I would hope it would sound better !!. Subwoofers interestingly enough appear to be the same type for both systems.. Unfortunately Philips speakers are used in both systems which are not in my view "Premium"...The replacement cost for the premium amp is around $1000 by the way !!

Why thank you wagner. I would also agree the satnav is rubbish and worth less than the cheapest tomtom. The software on my mobile phone is better. I would state again, the premium sound is great. First car system i've used in which i didn't immediately want to increase the bass settings.

Premium sound vs. Standard sound
 

My 2004 X5 has the standard sound, which was ok back in 04; my 2007 E60 has logic 7 and it sounds very good. Now that said, unless money is no object, I feel the standard system works well enough; we just ordered a new E70 4.8. For our money, the V8, sports package and prem package and technology pkgs were a must. Now if we hadn't at the last minute added comfort seats w/ventilation, we would have upgraded the radio, but this car just got real pricey so we through in the i-pod adapter and said enough. I also belong to another forum were many members are really into their sound systems, for these drivers the logic-7 system is sub par, I don't think so but everybody's different. Go with what's important, we wanted preformance and comfort.Good Luck