[javapro]

So, are kick to open and passenger seat lumbar support and massage are definitely back? Anything else that got recently silently removed by BMW except for the double USB-C ports in the back of front row seats?

[ZigmundUK]

Speaking of kick-to-open, we’ve had a couple of panic moments when the car started to close the boot (aka trunk) when it thinks we’ve kicked it to close. So I’ve disabled the function to close it - only allowing the open…

[Paladin1]

AFAIK the interior camera may be missing on some models, but maybe recent owners can weigh in. I know it showed up in some recent M60s at least after being briefly deleted, but not sure on the latest deliveries. Hands-free tailgate and passenger lumbar/massage are back on both the iX50 and M60 I believe.

[redhot47fla]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

AFAIK the interior camera may be missing on some models, but maybe recent owners can weigh in. I know it showed up in some recent M60s at least after being briefly deleted, but not sure on the latest deliveries. Hands-free tailgate and passenger lumbar/massage are back on both the iX50 and M60 I believe.

M60 ordered in May, delivered on August 4. Interior camera is present. Also hands-free tailgate. Also lumbar/massage, which drives us a little crazy - damn thing keeps rising from the dead.

[javapro]

Originally Posted by redhot47fla

M60 ordered in May, delivered on August 4. Interior camera is present. Also hands-free tailgate. Also lumbar/massage, which drives us a little crazy - damn thing keeps rising from the dead.

You meant to say that you have passenger seat lumbar and massage, right?

Can any other recent new owners comment?

[330 CSi]

My iX M60 which I bought off the lot a couple of weeks ago has 3/23 production date. It has kick to open, interior camera and passenger massage.

[freshxdough]

Interior camera, contactless tailgate opening and closing, and passenger lumbar and massage all present, 2024 xDrive 50

[darylp310]

Originally Posted by javapro

So, are kick to open and passenger seat lumbar support and massage are definitely back? Anything else that got recently silently removed by BMW except for the double USB-C ports in the back of front row seats?

In general, from what I’ve seen, all these features are back for any new cars. Any deletions you might have seen are on older iX inventory. The new cars have everything. Even the change in the USB-C port is not a deletion, it’s just a stylistic change. The power provided by those outlets is the same.

[Gdlum]

I'm not sure about this...

[javapro]

Originally Posted by darylp310

In general, from what I’ve seen, all these features are back for any new cars. Any deletions you might have seen are on older iX inventory. The new cars have everything. Even the change in the USB-C port is not a deletion, it’s just a stylistic change. The power provided by those outlets is the same.

Single USB-C ports instead of double ones is definitely a cost saving measure and not a stylistic change.

[darylp310]

Originally Posted by javapro

Single USB-C ports instead of double ones is definitely a cost saving measure and not a stylistic change.

You think so? I can’t imagine any cost difference. What cost savings could there be if the power supplied is the same? Hmmmm. I think one slot per head rest looks better so I actually prefer it!

[Paladin1]

Easy to quantify!

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...c%21US%21%21AB

But of course, BMW could get discounted bulk rates, and every 4 cents makes a difference! A hundred cars, that's 4 bucks ladies and gents (without the discount). Shrewd business smarts - they could save tens of dollars a year!

[Paladin1]

I've pictured in my head the BMW NA board meeting for just this one cut (cue Wolf of Wall Street):

"And now the report from the Accessory Widgets Division - with this single brilliant modification they saved FORTY DOLLARS THIS YEAR ALONE IN GLOBAL COSTS!" Let's have a big hand for our VP of Marketing!"

[javapro]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Easy to quantify!

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...c%21US%21%21AB

But of course, BMW could get discounted bulk rates, and every 4 cents makes a difference! A hundred cars, that's 4 bucks ladies and gents (without the discount). Shrewd business smarts - they could save tens of dollars a year!

So, may be the reason for this change was technical or safety related? E. g. they received some complaints about USB overheating issues or something when four high powered USB devices were plugged in at the same time?

[Paladin1]

Two ports on the seat back was one of the things that made the iX unique among peers (among others), but not one that likely made a buying decision for anyone. And even though savings were paltry (one hole in the backplate instead of two, one connector instead of two, less time on the line - even by seconds), it was undoubtedly a financial decision. And likely feedback was that nobody really used two connectors each in the back seat.

Just like BMW's decision early to delete features (more expensive than a port) that they clearly could have added - passenger lumbar support as one example (if they could put it in the driver's seat, they could put it in the passenger's seat). BMW just philosophically elected to build more cars, with fewer features, guessing it wouldn't affect sales. Much. And it didn't. Engineers and CEOs are constantly looking for ways to trim costs, even fractions of a penny. As long as it doesn't torpedo the goal of selling more cars, and it's a fine line. In the case of a piddling USB port they undoubtedly guessed right - almost no one buying a new iX (except us electric-heads) will even know there once was an extra port, or care.

As long as a manufacturer makes an excellent product otherwise (and BMW does), consumers, especially brand-loyal consumers, will put up with a lot, but there's an undefined and indistinct tipping point. If 4 ports in the back was a show-stopper from the constantly-collected data in the penthouse suite at Petuelring 130, Munich, cars would roll off the line with them installed this afternoon. Maybe even with 6 ports.

[dannyred]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

AFAIK the interior camera may be missing on some models, but maybe recent owners can weigh in. I know it showed up in some recent M60s at least after being briefly deleted, but not sure on the latest deliveries. Hands-free tailgate and passenger lumbar/massage are back on both the iX50 and M60 I believe.

The interior camera (iX 50) is part of the “Premium Package” it’s not included in the convenience package. I don’t know how it’s configured on the M60

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by dannyred

The interior camera (iX 50) is part of the “Premium Package” it’s not included in the convenience package. I don’t know how it’s configured on the M60

It’s supposed to be included, but there were several of us that fell victim to the parts shortages with late 2022 builds. My build sheet has an interior camera delete credit as well as a passenger lumbar delete credit. I can’t say that I’ve missed either one.