BMW M135i

Interesting, I must admit that the salesman I delt with did the "isn't it great" and wacked it up to full volume and I walked away thinking it wasn't great but now I have it i'm much more pleased with it, it seems very source dependant and highbitrate mp3's on my memory stick sound good to me :)
 
BMW stereos seem to have noticeably improved lately. My fathers 520d has the Pro audio system and it sounds great, so obviously I was disappointed when my 530d only had the standard system, knowing how utterly atrocious the standard systems were in the past. I'd done some research into pricing up various upgrades but once I'd got the car I found the standard audio system, whilst obviously not as good as the Pro system, was actually very good for a car audio system. So I'll be leaving it alone.
 
I think the E60 was a big transition era for BMW standard fit sound. They made sure the standard speakers were decent enough, the standard amplification was up to the job of moving them, and then fitted some of said speakers under the seats in enclosures to create a sort of sub. Worked well.
 
[TW]Fox;26359026 said:
BMW stereos seem to have noticeably improved lately. My fathers 520d has the Pro audio system and it sounds great, so obviously I was disappointed when my 530d only had the standard system, knowing how utterly atrocious the standard systems were in the past. I'd done some research into pricing up various upgrades but once I'd got the car I found the standard audio system, whilst obviously not as good as the Pro system, was actually very good for a car audio system. So I'll be leaving it alone.

I'm glad to hear that it turned out well in the end for you :)

I think the E60 was a big transition era for BMW standard fit sound. They made sure the standard speakers were decent enough, the standard amplification was up to the job of moving them, and then fitted some of said speakers under the seats in enclosures to create a sort of sub. Worked well.

It's funny how some models were given attention then and not others.

The F2x has a notoriously horrible and sub-standard basic speaker package. If you don't at least upgrade to the Advanced Loudspeaker package, then you're a bit screwed. I guess that's the difference between the 5 series and the 1 series.
 
The F2x has a notoriously horrible and sub-standard basic speaker package. If you don't at least upgrade to the Advanced Loudspeaker package, then you're a bit screwed. I guess that's the difference between the 5 series and the 1 series.
Yeah at least be reasonable in terms of segment :p
 
Nice one Stephen, bet it sounds amazeballs!

Is the standard exhaust a single system, or can the backbox be slipped off on it's own? I've seen both types out there.
 
A lot of money for just a backbox. However, it does sound great!

Looking at around 1k

Agreed on both points. I heard the M Performance exhaust on an M235i on Saturday and it was fantastic! I didn't get to hear it on the move unfortunately, but he gave it a few quick blasts while stationary and it has a lovely bark.

£995 fitted and increased insurance premiums is just too much at the moment.
 
Agreed on both points. I heard the M Performance exhaust on an M235i on Saturday and it was fantastic! I didn't get to hear it on the move unfortunately, but he gave it a few quick blasts while stationary and it has a lovely bark.

£995 fitted and increased insurance premiums is just too much at the moment.

To be honest with you it only sounds good from the outside or with the Windows down.

I test drove an m235I the day I placed an order on my 1 series. You struggle to hear the thing with the Windows up lol. But when you lower them you get that rich 6 cylinder raspiness and burbles lol.
 
Agreed on both points. I heard the M Performance exhaust on an M235i on Saturday and it was fantastic! I didn't get to hear it on the move unfortunately, but he gave it a few quick blasts while stationary and it has a lovely bark.

£995 fitted and increased insurance premiums is just too much at the moment.

If you get the Exhaust and Performance upgrade, the difference it makes on insurance is pretty ridiculous on a 1 or 3 series, considering that the insurance doesn't cover those parts, but merely looks at the performance difference and the 15-25BHP and 30Nm and asks for an extra £125+ minimum.
 
To be honest with you it only sounds good from the outside or with the Windows down.

I test drove an m235I the day I placed an order on my 1 series. You struggle to hear the thing with the Windows up lol. But when you lower them you get that rich 6 cylinder raspiness and burbles lol.

You're not helping with my impatience ;)

I'll get to hear the 6 cylinder loveliness through the sunroof too because I added it to the order this morning :D

If you get the Exhaust and Performance upgrade, the difference it makes on insurance is pretty ridiculous on a 1 or 3 series, considering that the insurance doesn't cover those parts, but merely looks at the performance difference and the 15-25BHP and 30Nm and asks for an extra £125+ minimum.

The M Performance exhaust doesn't even add any performance. It only changes the noise :(
 
You're not helping with my impatience ;)

I'll get to hear the 6 cylinder loveliness through the sunroof too because I added it to the order this morning :D



The M Performance exhaust doesn't even add any performance. It only changes the noise :(



I've never encountered a sunroof that didn't have some problems with it. It either leaks, lets in annoying sunlight, rattles, or has negative effect on the weight/performance of the vehicle. If you desire sun on your head, you just get a drop-top.

The exhaust does affect the performance slightly. By itself, by around 5-12BHP (according to variations on US and UK forums). I dyno'd mine a while before I had it fitted to an N55 engine, and dyno'd it afterwards. It managed 6BHP for me - which is totally unnoticeable.
 
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I've never encountered a sunroof that didn't have some problems with it. It either leaks, lets in annoying sunlight, rattles, or has negative effect on the weight/performance of the vehicle. If you desire sun on your head, you just get a drop-top.

It'll be BMW's problem if I have any issues with it :)
 
The exhaust does affect the performance slightly. By itself, by around 5-12BHP (according to variations on US and UK forums). I dyno'd mine a while before I had it fitted to an N55 engine, and dyno'd it afterwards. It managed 6BHP for me - which is totally unnoticeable.

On the same dyno? Can't that be attributed to a certain margin of error or environmental factors? If you dyno'd in summer and then again in winter I would assume that the cold air would work in your favour.
 
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