[sg13]

I have an allocation available and love to order. The problem is that some of the things are not available to order. Out of all of them the only thing that's bothering me is the lack of Harmon Kardon stereo and I don't like to change factory installed systems. I don't care about missing on other things like passenger lumbar delete, laserlight, power trunk etc but a decent sound system is must for a $60K car these days

Is the base Hifi system with 10 speakers good enough? I read some people calling it good enough but others raving about Harman Kardon upgrade. The wattage difference is huge, from around 200 to 400+ and number of speakers from 10 to 16, so HK must be much better.

Any advice?
Or wait until LCI comes in?
Or jump to 540 Xdrive? and that one is due for new model in a coupke of months?

WTF with missing on these extras on arguably their best sports sedan?

[Seanhfx]

um, 2 years too late for a 2020 order. Haven't you heard about the chip / supply chain issues. Don't order it if you are so upset at BMW.

[Blado]

Depends on what you listen to. The base sound system is loud enough. But the quality of hk is definitely better and strength of bass is badass.

If it bothers you, you for look at other models that still have hk like m240i.

[wdc330i]

No HK was a deal breaker for me when I was considering an X3 (it may be back now).

But that caused me to consider the 4 GC, which turns out to be a much better choice for me, as I was consolidating the fleet from an SUV and a 240 convertible to a single car. I got practicality and fun combined. Because I frankly find no joy in driving SUVs. Satisfaction is as close as I get. (I would have bought a M340 wagon had they been available in the states.)

There were many options that were migrating in and out of even the 440 GCs when I focused on them. But mine was a canceled customer order that had everything important to me.

The GCs seem to hold onto options better than the 3s. But if you have your heart set on an M340 sedan, you might try scouring various dealer sites for a cancelled order or a dealer inventory one that slipped through with more options. Mine was built in January when apparently there were fewer supply chain issues for a spell.

[madpistol]

I think the base sound system sounds fine, but as others have said, the chip shortage has jacked up all of the nice options. If you want them now, you have to go to higher models.

[Montaver]

The stock system is listenable, but if you want HK you likely won't be impressed with it. It's very thin sounding with poor base separation. Its by no means terrible though, the car has a very low noise floor which helps mask its lack of dynamism.

[1WickedE90]

Originally Posted by sg13

Any advice?
Or wait until LCI comes in?
Or jump to 540 Xdrive? and that one is due for new model in a coupke of months?

I wouldn't base getting a vehicle solely on the availability of the stock sound system (HK or otherwise). If the quality of the music coming out of an audio system in a vehicle is that important to you, any variation of the stock system leaves a lot to be desired. On the G20s, major improvements can be had by upgrading the amp & speaker set with a package from Bavsound or Audiotec Fischer.

Allocations are difficult to come by, so I would place an order if you have one & just upgrade the sound system down the road.

[BIMthereRunFlat]

Since I'm happy with the 2020 model I have and am not therefore car shopping at this time I don't know the situation on the immediate competition from Audi and Merc; are their offerings also pruned back in options for similar reasons to the M340i? If for some reason they still have all the bells and whistles, maybe consider one of them? Perhaps the M340i has an edge in quarter mile drag races or whatever that you see Throttle House and Carwow always doing but, realistically speaking, what the heck difference does it honestly make unless they assume we're all seven years old and wear propeller hats? My previous car was an Audi and frankly the fit and finish and overall build is absolutely par with BMW but if you can get the extras you want, well why not?

[RedKloud]

If you REALLY want a 2020 instead of a 2022, Porsche Bellingham has a used one for sale, which I just traded in - excellent condition!

[Ikester19]

Wait until the LCI comes in

[arentz07]

330i owner with base sound system here, and I will say the base sound system is not bad for a base system. If you are an audiophile, maybe you'd want to swing for the HK. I'd say the subjective quality of the base sound system in our 330i falls somewhere between my former 2016 IS 300 AWD and the Fender audio system in my Mk7 (also 2016) GTI. It's reasonably crisp and has some actual bass response to it, but I think the highs aren't as crisp as I like - nothing like the Mark Levinson in my 2021 IS 350 for example. However, I think that's to be expected of a "base" audio setup. Overall I think it's great.

[zipstic]

Can you go to a dealer and sit in two cars, one with HK and one with the base system?

Seems to me that would be the best way to determine the difference with your own ears.

[sg13]

Originally Posted by zipstic

Can you go to a dealer and sit in two cars, one with HK and one with the base system?

Seems to me that would be the best way to determine the difference with your own ears.

Doing this tomorrow or Wed. if I find the base hifi reasonable good, I'll just go ahead and order the car. If not will wait for the LCI.

[EmTee]

Originally Posted by sg13

Doing this tomorrow or Wed. if I find the base hifi reasonable good, I'll just go ahead and order the car. If not will wait for the LCI.

Once you do, let us know what you think. Curious about the difference. I have HK in my car so no idea what the hifi one sounds like.

[jp0319]

If it were me I wouldn't order if I was not able to get the options I wanted. The whole point of ordering vs. buying an existing car is to get exactly what you want. If you can't order with the options your trying to get, your better off searching dealers within 100 miles to see what they get in on a weekly basis or what they have inbound in case one is close to what you want. I don't think your odds are going to get any better waiting for the MY23 given the current part, chip, and general supply chain issues.

[sg13]

Originally Posted by Seanhfx

um, 2 years too late for a 2020 order. Haven't you heard about the chip / supply chain issues. Don't order it if you are so upset at BMW.

That was a typo that I can't fix now

[Nojomojo]

Have you tried asking your dealer if they can put a build order in with Harmon kardon added on? I just put in an order on the 2nd and my dealer was able to add HK in addition to the parking assistance package.

[sg13]

Originally Posted by Nojomojo

Have you tried asking your dealer if they can put a build order in with Harmon kardon added on? I just put in an order on the 2nd and my dealer was able to add HK in addition to the parking assistance package.

Yes I did. He added on initially and then emailed me the same day that the feature wasn’t available along with the power tailgate.

Double check with your dealer and let me know. I’ll bother him again tomorrow

[sg13]

Originally Posted by EmTee

Once you do, let us know what you think. Curious about the difference. I have HK in my car so no idea what the hifi one sounds like.

The HIFI sound system I tried in the 330i on dealer's lot was alright. It wasn't bad but sounded little thin (not deep) and wasn't too loud at even 80% volume (as compared to HK). I could live with it but not liking the fact that they removed it from arguably their best selling sedan over decades

I drive an X7 which has similar HK system and I have been happy with it.

Anyway I kept my order of M340i and also placed an order for I4 M50i. Let's see which one comes first and better equipped.