[Craig1969]

Has anyone heard about the scale and scope of issues related to the Bowers and Wilkins sound systems in new build BMWs? Apparently, B + W isn't even an option which BMW allows to be added to new cars at this point. Any insights?

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by Craig1969

Has anyone heard about the scale and scope of issues related to the Bowers and Wilkins sound systems in new build BMWs? Apparently, B + W isn't even an option which BMW allows to be added to new cars at this point. Any insights?

I just put an order in start of September and ran into same thing. But since I have gotten it added and the neck warmers for the F91. Not sure the whole scope but I put in an individual order and during the conversation with BMW Individual it was added there at that stage. But I'm also looking at 4-6month build for individual. So I'm not sure if that is why it was added or if they only did it under pressure from me and my SA.

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by Tenac

I just put an order in start of September and ran into same thing. But since I have gotten it added and the neck warmers for the F91. Not sure the whole scope but I put in an individual order and during the conversation with BMW Individual it was added there at that stage. But I'm also looking at 4-6month build for individual. So I'm not sure if that is why it was added or if they only did it under pressure from me and my SA.

From an Individual standpoint B&W has nothing to do with that. However, pick an Individual component, e.g., paint or interior and there is an absolute lock date on the order placed by Individual once hit no more changes can be made. I learned that the hard way with my first 2020 M850i order as the Individual lock date had passed when I discovered that the order did not have the full Drivers Assistance base package but it was too late to change that.

If anything the lack of being able to place an order configured with the B&W audio likely ties back to the chip shortage as it requires an upgraded RAM unit. Hence, BMW may be throttling the orders to include B&W audio based on their existing inventory of the upgraded RAM units vs just allowing the orders to be placed into the system ad hoc. Worse case scenario is the inventory of the upgraded RAM units goes dry and B&W no longer becomes an option just like the standard wireless charging is not not available.

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ

From an Individual standpoint B&W has nothing to do with that. However, pick an Individual component, e.g., paint or interior and there is an absolute lock date on the order placed by Individual once hit no more changes can be made. I learned that the hard way with my first 2020 M850i order as the Individual lock date had passed when I discovered that the order did not have the full Drivers Assistance base package but it was too late to change that.

If anything the lack of being able to place an order configured with the B&W audio likely ties back to the chip shortage as it requires an upgraded RAM unit. Hence, BMW may be throttling the orders to include B&W audio based on their existing inventory of the upgraded RAM units vs just allowing the orders to be placed into the system ad hoc. Worse case scenario is the inventory of the upgraded RAM units goes dry and B&W no longer becomes an option just like the standard wireless charging is not not available.

Yeah, seems like you might be on to something there. When I sent order in no B&W or Neck warmers... After talking with the Individual team and them approving the order they also added both back into my build. Seems like they might be reducing the amount of orders with B&W to reserve them. I'm okay with that because I got it so far

[Beemer5to3]

Bowers & Wilkins still looks like an option on the UK configurator.

Is Harman Kardon not standard fit in the US / overseas? My 840i has HK and it's very good.

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by Beemer5to3

Bowers & Wilkins still looks like an option on the UK configurator.

Is Harman Kardon not standard fit in the US / overseas? My 840i has HK and it's very good.

Yeah, its standard here for HK. Which I am actually fine with but really do enjoy how the lighted metal covers of the B&W set the cabin off for me, so as an addon I'm super happy with it.

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by Beemer5to3

Bowers & Wilkins still looks like an option on the UK configurator.

Is Harman Kardon not standard fit in the US / overseas? My 840i has HK and it's very good.

Yes, H&K is standard here in the US on all 8-series and to your point it is pretty good. I've made it work in my wife's X5 but when it came to my 2020 M850i I purposely did a high resolution audio comparison (24-bit/96kH sources on a thumb drive) and the B&W absolutely wins hands down. That said even if one is not an audiophile whom will put either system to their limits such as I the pure aesthetics of the B&W in a 8-series cabin is likely worth the price of entry.

Truth be told thanks to COVID-19 I've only put about 6800 miles on the M850i since December 2020. Hence, I likely could have lived with the H&K vs the B&W but every drive no matter how limited the latter puts a smile on my face and it just ramps up when it is a nigh time drive and the aesthetic kicks in. To that point I've had a few friends as passengers at night whom literally gawked at the aesthetic lighting of the B&W speakers.

[brzn]

My build was pushed back 7 weeks due to B&W.

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by X5Mpartingout

My build was pushed back 7 weeks due to B&W.

Most likely due to the chip/part shortages for the either the upgrade RAM unit or perhaps the upgraded "booster" aka amp for the B&W. Either way it is definitely worth the wait!

[hersh67]

This can be frustrating for people looking to order soon. How long has the wireless charge option been unavailable?

[limeypride]

Originally Posted by hersh67

This can be frustrating for people looking to order soon. How long has the wireless charge option been unavailable?

A while. I picked up my '22 M8 a few weeks back and it's missing it... so presumably there's a 4+ month deficit that caused that.

[BMW41049]

My wife's 2022 M850i is at the VDC waiting for the B&W audio module according to my dealer. Its been a slow 3 weeks so far.

[Craig1969]

Yes, my car likewise has been at the VDC for exactly three weeks. And no resolution in sight. :-(

[Tenac]

I was told total build time between 4 to 6 months, so I still check everyday since you view it on the app. LOL It will probably be more frustrating when it starts production and takes time weeks between moving to new updates.

[Bimmersandmopars]

Originally Posted by limeypride

A while. I picked up my '22 M8 a few weeks back and it's missing it... so presumably there's a 4+ month deficit that caused that.

My m8gc which was ordered late April has the wireless charger, wife's 2nd X7 m50i doesn't and it went into production a month or so after. Then again 2 different plants and inventories.

[BMW41049]

Originally Posted by Bimmersandmopars

My m8gc which was ordered late April has the wireless charger, wife's 2nd X7 m50i doesn't and it went into production a month or so after. Then again 2 different plants and inventories.

We ordered the M850 in late June and at the time they told us the wireless charger was not available due to the chip shortage.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by BMW41049

We ordered the M850 in late June and at the time they told us the wireless charger was not available due to the chip shortage.

You aren't missing out on the wireless charger. It's darn near worthless. I gave up on using it after about a week.

[limeypride]

Originally Posted by snareman

You aren't missing out on the wireless charger. It's darn near worthless. I gave up on using it after about a week.

I agree. Any decent size phone becomes wedged—it's more useful as Dragy storage and charging.

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by limeypride

I agree. Any decent size phone becomes wedged—it's more useful as Dragy storage and charging.

Agreed as the wireless charging is pretty much useless with my Google Pixel 3 XL from both it's size and as well as the metal strip in the case for my phone mount. I'm planning on picking up a Pixel 6 Pro when it launches and it's bigger than the 3 XL so it is doubtful it will even fit.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ

Agreed as the wireless charging is pretty much useless with my Google Pixel 3 XL from both it's size and as well as the metal strip in the case for my phone mount. I'm planning on picking up a Pixel 6 Pro when it launches and it's bigger than the 3 XL so it is doubtful it will even fit.

For me the useless part was that the phone just plain didn't charge. It would heat up and then go through this charging/not charging cycling and ultimately just not charge. When I drove home from my PCD I was clueless about the charger. I started the day with my phone at 90%, drove around 7h with the phone in the charger almost all of the time and ended up the day at 66%. They need to rework the entire thing. Maybe put some fans in there to keep the phone cool or something. It all seems to be a known issue for lots of people and I'm not sure how the design made it out of beta testing.

Same for me with the Pixel 6. I have a Galaxy S21 Plus now and I'm frustrated with Samsung for a bunch of small reasons enough to make me jump ship after several of their phones. I'm hoping for a more enjoyable time with a Pixel. It seems like they are finally coming out with a true flagship quality phone.

[xmanpro]

My large iphone charges okay with the wireless charger. I do not use a case tho if that makes a difference. Also if I am using the Waze app it gets pretty warm, when not using Waze the temp is okay. This is across my m3c x6m and m8c all 2021. Stock charger and not a retrofit.

[yk7]

Originally Posted by Craig1969

Has anyone heard about the scale and scope of issues related to the Bowers and Wilkins sound systems in new build BMWs? Apparently, B + W isn't even an option which BMW allows to be added to new cars at this point. Any insights?

I just purchased my 2022 from Miami and drove back to VA to do 1000miles to break in instead of shipping. Took it straightto my local dealer for break in service. They told me there exactly “good for u that u made sure u got the B&W because there will be no more”.