[Verdi]

I'm going to get an i3 soon but thinking about getting a used car because the depreciation the first 6-12 months is just immense here. They drop like 40% in 18 months.

Problem is, in Sweden there is a grand total of 1 (ONE!!!) used i3 with Harman Kardon and I don't like the color and it's 400 miles away from me in the very south of Sweden.

Is the std sound system enough? I don't listen to that much music but I've become allergic to poor sound. Even when I'm only listening to a pod or the radio.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Verdi

I'm going to get an i3 soon but thinking about getting a used car because the depreciation the first 6-12 months is just immense here. They drop like 40% in 18 months.

More like 60% in the US, but large chunk of that is $7.5K Federal EV credit available only to the first buyer.

Originally Posted by Verdi

Problem is, in Sweden there is a grand total of 1 (ONE!!!) used i3 with Harman Kardon and I don't like the color and it's 400 miles away from me in the very south of Sweden.

This time of the year, don't you want to go South?

Originally Posted by Verdi

Is the std sound system enough? I don't listen to that much music but I've become allergic to poor sound. Even when I'm only listening to a pod or the radio.

Standard sound system is just about this -><- far removed from terrible.

There are only 4 crappy speakers in the front (doors and dash), no bass and no upper frequencies, and hardly any sound makes it to the back seat passengers. If you have kids, or other frequent back seat passengers, you will have a problem.

HK sound and rear view camera were the only 2 hard requirements for my second i3 (ETA: 10-15 days from now).
I gave up on a REX, but YMMV.

a

[Verdi]

Yes, we have a $4,500 credit for buying an EV as well. But still. And if you get a REX you will only get half of that. But if you lease like I will you will only get a percentage. Let's say you have an expected value of 40% after 3 years of leasing. Then I will have got only 60% of those $4,500. It's proportional to the depreciation and that makes it a bit pointless.

The south of Sweden is not exactly like the south of the US. I prefer going north for skiiing during the winter. The south of Sweden is just pointless during the winter. It's still cold but it's not cold enough to be able to do actual winter stuff.

Hmm. I was afraid of that. Makes it a tougher choice. Back seat sound is not that important but I do value clear and crisp sound for me in the driver's seat.

Originally Posted by afadeev

More like 60% in the US, but large chunk of that is $7.5 Federal EV credit available only to the first buyer.

This time of the year, don't you want to go South?


Standard sound system is just about this -><- far removed from terrible.

There are only 4 crappy speakers in the front (doors and dash), no bass and no upper frequencies, and hardly any sound makes it to the back seat passengers. If you have kids, or other frequent back seat passengers, you will have a problem.

HK sound and rear view camera were the only 2 hard requirements for my second i3 (ETA: 10-15 days from now).
I gave up on a REX, but YMMV.

a

[lorinzo]

If you are a sound snob at all . . . . then get the HK.

Is it great? Answer: no.
Is it over priced? Answer: yes.

If you are not willing to pay for/perform a DIY a speaker upgrade, there is no other option.

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by lorinzo

If you are a sound snob at all . . . . then get the HK.

Is it great? Answer: no.
Is it over priced? Answer: yes.

If you are not willing to pay for/perform a DIY a speaker upgrade, there is no other option.

That would be a great solution. Didn't even consider that. Thought it was too much work.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Verdi

That would be a great solution. Didn't even consider that. Thought it was too much work.

More relevant info here:
http://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1353146

HK is a $735 option ($800 MSRP).
If you lease, you only pay the residualized portion of that, or (for 2 years/20K miles) (1 - 0.64) * 735 = $264.60. That's not too bad.

a

[MFNATIK]

Having come from a non-HK i3 to one with the HK this time, I will say the sound is noticeably improved but the bass presence is no where near as good as my 2017 F80 with HK (and this system is a marked improvement from my early build 2016 HK).

Sound stage is much higher (mid windshield level) with HK vs. knee level with the non-HK setup in the i3. Bass is only ok but tight. It just doesn't hit hard to allow you to feel it. I always use Muse's Undisclosed Desires to reference the bass. My dual SVS SB12's hit so tight and clean and I use that as reference to compare. I also have another SVS PCi-31 that goes deep but isn't as punchy as the sealed subs so I can differentiate my bass and what I like (sealed is better IMO but it is preference).

[Verdi]

I had the H/K sound in my F31 and in my F36 (Gran Coupe) and I thought it was quite good. Now I've got the predecessor in my pre-LCI F11. Hifi Professional DSP or whatever it's called. It's not quite as good as the H/K but it's still ok. It's not as clear and crispy.

Thing is the H/K in the 1er, 2er and i3 is quite a lot worse than the H/K in the 3er, 4er, 5er... It lacks some umpf.

Naturally I've ordered the H/K for my M2 but I already know that it's not that good...

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Verdi

I had the H/K sound in my F31 and in my F36 (Gran Coupe) and I thought it was quite good. Now I've got the predecessor in my pre-LCI F11. Hifi Professional DSP or whatever it's called. It's not quite as good as the H/K but it's still ok. It's not as clear and crispy.

Thing is the H/K in the 1er, 2er and i3 is quite a lot worse than the H/K in the 3er, 4er, 5er... It lacks some umpf.

3-series and above have mini-subs under the front seats.
I can't speak for 1-/2-series, but i3 absolutely does not (space taken by the batteries).

a

[Verdi]

I found a 2017 i3 with the 94Ah battery and REX complete with ALL the extras except the interior which is the standard grey cloth.

Case closed in other words. Got a bit more expensive than I thought but I'm happy.

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by Verdi

I found a 2017 i3 with the 94Ah battery and REX complete with ALL the extras except the interior which is the standard grey cloth.

Case closed in other words. Got a bit more expensive than I thought but I'm happy.

Congrats!! Pics!?! DEKA interior is in my opinion the best of all that is offered. But I do miss the ambient lighting.

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

Congrats!! Pics!?! DEKA interior is in my opinion the best of all that is offered. But I do miss the ambient lighting.

Haven't even seen the car yet. Will sign the conctract today and have a look. It's mineral grey with tinted glass and 20" wheels. I'm sure it will be a great cheap car.

After some thought I'm selling my M550d from 2013. The swap will save me like 600 USD a month. Everything about the M550d is expensive. Tax, insurance, fuel... And my need for speed will be satisfied with my M2 that's arriving as soon as the snow is gone.

[Powerbeast]

You do t need it technically but after you listen to it you definitely want it.

[Fast400]

Yes




You need it

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by Fast400

Yes




You need it

Luckily I bought one who has it then.

[Almaretto]

System in I001 is HK-lite. I am not saying it is still not worth it, but there is still a significant amp difference in other chassis (eg, F015 or F010) that get the EQ and superior quality.

[Verdi]

Almaretto,
I know. For me the big difference is the lack of subwoofer though. But at least it's crisp and clear still. I'm often listening to pods and radio and with my hearing not being perfect I value that highly.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by Verdi

Almaretto,
I know. For me the big difference is the lack of subwoofer though. But at least it's crisp and clear still. I'm often listening to pods and radio and with my hearing not being perfect I value that highly.

Why do you need a subwoofer for podcasts?

If you are listening to low quality sources (radio/BT streaming/etc), then what is the point in a better audio system?

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Why do you need a subwoofer for podcasts

For this?

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Why do you need a subwoofer for podcasts?

If you are listening to low quality sources (radio/BT streaming/etc), then what is the point in a better audio system?

I don't listen exclusively to podcasts.

Even with "low" quality sources like BT and radio you notice a big difference.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by afadeev

For this?

They would have to be pretty powerful subs for you to not have to flip up seats.

Originally Posted by Verdi

I don't listen exclusively to podcasts.

Even with "low" quality sources like BT and radio you notice a big difference.

So you are basically answering your own question?

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

They would have to be pretty powerful subs for you to not have to flip up seats.



So you are basically answering your own question?

No, I listened to the advice here, among other things, before I made up my mind. Now I've already made my decision.

I don't get why so many of you have this need to be nitpicking over every word one writes on forums like this. You seem to be a proper a-hole if you don't mind me using that word.