[Brooklyn Grey 23]

Originally Posted by Dan B

Well now I am doubly pissed off I didn't get ventilated seats!

Unless I'm mistaken or something changed, I believe the ventilated seats were ONLY an option add-on if you had specifically Black Vernasca Leather seats (which is a random and annoying limitation).

[calbearz24]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn Grey 23

Unless I'm mistaken or something changed, I believe the ventilated seats were ONLY an option add-on if you had specifically Black Vernasca Leather seats (which is a random and annoying limitation).

That was the case for my '24 G26 ordered in May. I wanted the black leather w/blue stitching more than the ventilated seats so that drove my choice. It is irritating that the only option for ventilated+leather is black.

[Longdoggy]

Well that all sucks. Liking my 2020 more every year.

[Stag77]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

It would be to me for sure...that's not a bad price.

I didn't realize that the airbag and the airbag cover are actually 2 seperate parts. I've been looking around, and I'm definitely going to be buying a custom leather airbag cover just to get the pre '24 look.

Removing the airbag is super simple, so I imagine that removing the airbag cover can't be too difficult either. A quick google search turned up these two websites selling custom covers for just over $200.

https://oemplusmods.com/products/cus...w-3-series-g20

https://bergautodesign.com/en-us/pro...-airbag-covers

[AZHusky]

Originally Posted by Stag77

I didn't realize that the airbag and the airbag cover are actually 2 seperate parts. I've been looking around, and I'm definitely going to be buying a custom leather airbag cover just to get the pre '24 look.

Removing the airbag is super simple, so I imagine that removing the airbag cover can't be too difficult either. A quick google search turned up these two websites selling custom covers for just over $200.

https://oemplusmods.com/products/cus...w-3-series-g20

https://bergautodesign.com/en-us/pro...-airbag-covers

Just be sure that they will not impact the function of the airbag. Those two look like they won’t so hopefully should be good. Have seen folks putting “bedazzled” covers over their airbag that ended up causing them to loose an eye when they got an accident and airbag deployed shooting fake jewels into their eye. 😬

[Stag77]

Originally Posted by AZHusky

Just be sure that they will not impact the function of the airbag. Those two look like they won’t so hopefully should be good. Have seen folks putting “bedazzled” covers over their airbag that ended up causing them to loose an eye when they got an accident and airbag deployed shooting fake jewels into their eye. 😬

That was my exact thought when I saw the carbon fiber covers on their website. It seems very risky to have any rigid material over the airbag just waiting to explode shrapnel into your face.

Bergautodesign mentions on their website that they put cuts into the covers to allow the airbag to properly release. I imagine the leather/alcantara airbags would be fine, but they do warn that they have not been tested.

[SiFi73]

Originally Posted by dhock_holiday

Also looks like no more red brake calipers?

I also have a '24 on order due end of Jan and has M Sport brakes with red calipers on the order form.

[SiFi73]

Originally Posted by Stag77

For what it's worth, in the My BMW app, it still shows the stitched leather airbag in the interior preview photos of my 3 series. Praying that it comes as shown.

Not sure how much you can trust the my BMW app gallery! I can see a stitched leather airbag cover in my gallery (which I would also prefer), however I'm in the UK and expecting right hand drive vehicle, the myBMW gallery is currently showing as left hand drive!

[Stag77]

Originally Posted by SiFi73

Not sure how much you can trust the my BMW app gallery! I can see a stitched leather airbag cover in my gallery (which I would also prefer), however I'm in the UK and expecting right hand drive vehicle, the myBMW gallery is currently showing as left hand drive!

I was being hopeful at first, but unfortunately every '24 3 series, barring the M3, will have the plastic airbag. There's an older post on this forum asking about the leather airbag being removed from the previews. Sucks that they kept the leather airbag in the configurator and app previews despite knowing we are never getting it. Then they just use a BS supply chain disclaimer to protect themselves legally.

[Imhotep the high priest]

Originally Posted by Stag77

I was being hopeful at first, but unfortunately every '24 3 series, barring the M3, will have the plastic airbag. There's an older post on this forum asking about the leather airbag being removed from the previews. Sucks that they kept the leather airbag in the configurator and app previews despite knowing we are never getting it. Then they just use a BS supply chain disclaimer to protect themselves legally.

Chip shortage
.
Rear cargo net disappears because of *chip shortage*.

No more leather airbag cover with stitching because of *chip shortage*.

No more shifters, just a knob, because of *chip shortage*.

[Tim 4723]

Originally Posted by dhock_holiday

Timestap: 4:21 - Looks like the metal seat adjustment sliders are now just black plastic with white accents.

Do you actually have metal seat adjusters or is it just wishful thinking, because the ones I've seen in Australia have always just been silver plastic? I honestly think the new black and white looks better against the black plastic of the seat surround.

[21M340IDallas]

Originally Posted by dhock_holiday

Looking at videos of the new 2024 G20's it seems like there is more cost cutting happening on these newer cars compared to the 2023's.

In this video:

Timestamp: 1:26 - We see a slightly revised headlight design, gone are the little LED strips at the bottom, replace by triangular chrome accents.

Timestap: 4:21 - Looks like the metal seat adjustment sliders are now just black plastic with white accents.

Timestamp: 5:49 - No more stiched leather airbag cover, now looks like injection molded plastic



That's all that I could catch, granted this is Canadian spec car so not sure if these changes are in US spec ones as well. But somewhat sad to see.

Maybe a supply issue also?

[Lightsped]

All of these feature downgrades are marketing. When the new 3 series comes out, all of these removed features will return, causing all of the brainwashed masses to flock to the dealer to buy the "new improved electric 3 series" with the leather steering wheel cover, cargo nets, etc.....

This same thing happens with other cars too. I am happy to stick with my MY22 thank you very much.

[RCtennis3811]

Originally Posted by Lightsped

All of these feature downgrades are marketing. When the new 3 series comes out, all of these removed features will return, causing all of the brainwashed masses to flock to the dealer to buy the "new improved electric 3 series" with the leather steering wheel cover, cargo nets, etc.....

This same thing happens with other cars too. I am happy to stick with my MY22 thank you very much.

I doubt it. Seatback pockets and one of the cargo nets are missing from the new 5 too because not many people use them. BMW’s also pushing Veganza heavily and there’s not a leather steering wheel cover on the new 5 even when equipped with full Merino; why would they put that on the 3?

[Darryl79]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

They took away cargo net some time ago I thought. Also no more transmission lever. Looks great on the outside but previous interior was better. The large screen looks out of place but I guess technically an upgrade. Less of a drivers car then before because they are moving towards electrification I guess but as long as it has the b58 and zf transmission they should keep it as a drivers car.

It's amazing what you can adapt to. If you've sat in both, initially the LCI all-digital screen can be a touch overwhelming at first, but you get used to it, like anything else. Same with the omission of the gear shift lever. Some habits die hard, but the world is constantly changing and innovating. Money talks and they will continue to sell cars as long as people are buying them.

[Stag77]

I took delivery of my car a few days ago, and I must admit that the airbag cover doesn't bother me nearly as much as I thought it would. It looks terrible in pictures, but it's decent in person.

I'll probably still purchase a leather cover some time down the road, but it doesn't feel immediately necessary as it did before.

[Montaver]

One piece of cost cutting that's not noticeable is behind the rear door cards there used to be some white fluffy insulation, there isn't on my LCI. I know this from watching the Kies motorsports speaker installation video, as that pre-LCI car has it. Notably the back of the door card design is also changed slightly and there is no tape covering the speaker crossover either.

[vadimo]

Originally Posted by Lightsped

All of these feature downgrades are marketing. When the new 3 series comes out, all of these removed features will return, causing all of the brainwashed masses to flock to the dealer to buy the "new improved electric 3 series" with the leather steering wheel cover, cargo nets, etc.....

Yes because of *chip shortage* restored

[pmc123]

what else did they cheapen that you can't see? Grade of bearings in the engine or the wheels? Grade of brake pads?

[dhock_holiday]

Originally Posted by Montaver

One piece of cost cutting that's not noticeable is behind the rear door cards there used to be some white fluffy insulation, there isn't on my LCI. I know this from watching the Kies motorsports speaker installation video, as that pre-LCI car has it. Notably the back of the door card design is also changed slightly and there is no tape covering the speaker crossover either.

I’m guessing some form of sound insulation? The bean counters at BMW must be getting a big bonus for all the cost cutting they are doing

[dhock_holiday]

Originally Posted by Stag77

I took delivery of my car a few days ago, and I must admit that the airbag cover doesn't bother me nearly as much as I thought it would. It looks terrible in pictures, but it's decent in person.

I'll probably still purchase a leather cover some time down the road, but it doesn't feel immediately necessary as it did before.

I doubt it, look at the new 5-Series. Way more plasticy interior than the previous gen.

[B58-M340iX]

Originally Posted by RCtennis3811

Seatback pockets and one of the cargo nets are missing from the new 5 too because not many people use them.

I'm not sure how BMW could determine if seatback pockets are/are not used by the owners outside of a survey.