[DaveA]

Originally Posted by g9icy

There's a lot of variables to consider when looking at audio quality.

Most systems will artificially boost some frequency range or another to make it sound better for particular genres of music. Usually configured for pop music.

HK is quite "un modified" so compared to other systems, it's very "flat", but it does give you an EQ you can tinker with to make up for it, which I appreciate.

Factor on top of that, the fact that Bluetooth is absolutely dreadful for music thanks to lossy compression, and the fact that the device you're playing music from will also have its own EQ modifying the sound as well, AND add on top that the source audio data rate, it all adds up to a mess.

As a test I once played the same music over bluetooth and connected by USB, and there was a very noticeable difference in the quality of the audio, with USB being much better.

There's a similar situation with headphone manufacturers, with Sennheiser being the most "pure" sound, which most people will find completely lacking in bass, and opt for the heavily modified sound of Bose instead. But purists prefer the Sennheisers as they're closer to what the original audio was intended to be.

I won't defend HK too much though, I think the frequency range is too narrow considering its a paid option!

These are good points, especially how folk perceive audio when listening...

A lot of folk would be quite nonplussed by £100k home audio systems because it did not fill the room like a nightclub ibiza house/acid session (or whatever it is called, sorry)... But stick on the LP "Blue" by Joni Mitchell (for instance) and she might tell you that was exactly how she heard it in the studio...

Somebody like Neil Young might tell you that he wants you to hear his music as closely as possible to how he hears it... But how many folk truly get close to that listening to his music...? Heck, even our ability to hear will be different to Neil's, let alone reproducing the music authentically..

Maybe an analogy is looking at a painting... the colours you see will depend to some extent on whether our not you are looking at it in person, or in a photograph... and then the lighting... and even then, you will see it differently to the person next to you...

[Wills2]

The HK in my 7 series whilst playing a CD was brilliant with excellent clarity for a car system but you lose so much when streaming.

Plus some people think heavy bass is a sign of a great sound system whereas I think it's awful, but all that really matters is what the listener/owner thinks.

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by Wills2

The HK in my 7 series whilst playing a CD was brilliant with excellent clarity for a car system but you lose so much when streaming.

Plus some people think heavy bass is a sign of a great sound system whereas I think it's awful, but all that really matters is what the listener/owner thinks.

I don't stream in the car… I load up my phone (or an SD card) with hi-res files that I know are of a certain quality… at least then I know what I should be getting…

I also find BT audio is poor, and battery draining, so you ideally need a cable…

I could stream hi-res but my data allowance would get used quickly.. easier to download over wifi and store on the phone… I use Qobuz…

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Wills2

The HK in my 7 series whilst playing a CD was brilliant with excellent clarity for a car system but you lose so much when streaming.

Plus some people think heavy bass is a sign of a great sound system whereas I think it's awful, but all that really matters is what the listener/owner thinks.

Yep, almost every car I step into (loaner etc), the first thing I do is turn the bass down. Always, always play over a cable using a reasonable source (Deezer hifi or Spotify premium pre-downloaded tracks). Huge difference to a Bluetooth connection which just sounds dreadfully flat.

[KRS_SN]

I saw the new m3 in the flesh. looked hideous and then this

I did think the new x5 was kind of hideous when I saw it first and thought I would never buy it but I ended up doing that.
It drives great. Like an eager puppy ready to break loose compared to the F generation. Generally the G series is less pretty more garish but drives great.
It's almost like BMW is messing with us ie real beauty isn't skin deep. How it looks is for other people how it drives is for yourself.

[stevei]

Still waiting for my Audi.
Been pushed back to mid/late December now.
Be lucky to see it this year.

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by stevei

Still waiting for my Audi.
Been pushed back to mid/late December now.
Be lucky to see it this year.

A few on the forum seem to be suffering from similar... Sorry to hear that...

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by DaveA

A few on the forum seem to be suffering from similar... Sorry to hear that...

Some of the guys on the X3/X4 forum are saying orders placed before September won't be delivered now until April/May next year. When I spoke to the local dealer at the start of September about a factory order I was told "at least March, probably April"

I've heard suggestions that BMW are now only building to order, and not allowing dealerships to reserve slots without a buyer.

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

Some of the guys on the X3/X4 forum are saying orders placed before September won't be delivered now until April/May next year. When I spoke to the local dealer at the start of September about a factory order I was told "at least March, probably April"

I've heard suggestions that BMW are now only building to order, and not allowing dealerships to reserve slots without a buyer.

Yes... I think what happened is that the dealers stopped getting allocations a while ago (2 or 3 months ago, maybe) and were then simply taking orders that then went into a queue... then you waited to get a build slot allocated to the order... I suspect some orders sit there without an allocation longer than others, depending on supply chain and build programmes...

[C320]

Originally Posted by stevei

Still waiting for my Audi.
Been pushed back to mid/late December now.
Be lucky to see it this year.

Sorry to hear that!

My brother in law got his on 3rd Sept: Audi A4 35TFSI Black Edition with Comfort and Sound packs in Daytona Grey

It's quite a nice motor, I'm certainly impressed, he got a cancelled build slot so was able to choose the colour.

I believe he could have got it slightly earlier if he didn't want to wait for the 71 plate.

[stevei]

Originally Posted by C320

Sorry to hear that!

My brother in law got his on 3rd Sept: Audi A4 35TFSI Black Edition with Comfort and Sound packs in Daytona Grey

It's quite a nice motor, I'm certainly impressed, he got a cancelled build slot so was able to choose the colour.

I believe he could have got it slightly earlier if he didn't want to wait for the 71 plate.

Same as mine but I'm getting the 40TFSI.
Order was placed back in June.

[C320]

Originally Posted by stevei

Same as mine but I'm getting the 40TFSI.
Order was placed back in June.

Yeah, he ordered his around then after I saw the deal you mentioned.

The 40TFSI will be really nice - I'm much more impressed with the 35 than I thought I would be as I've been used to more powerful motors

[stevei]

Just had an email saying my car has arrived in the UK👍
So will be selling my beloved 420 very soon.
I was going to use Motorway but can anyone suggest anywhere else?

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by stevei

Just had an email saying my car has arrived in the UK👍
So will be selling my beloved 420 very soon.
I was going to use Motorway but can anyone suggest anywhere else?

Good news!

I sold my wife's car through Wizzle to this dealer. They were great to deal with. They came and collected the car.

They said that if I had approached them direct, it would have avoided Wizzle fees etc.

May be no harm in asking them for a price. I highly recommend them. Money in my account before they drove the car away.

https://www.bespokemotorworks.co.uk/used/cars/bmw

[stevei]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Good news!

I sold my wife's car through Wizzle to this dealer. They were great to deal with. They came and collected the car.

They said that if I had approached them direct, it would have avoided Wizzle fees etc.

May be no harm in asking them for a price. I highly recommend them. Money in my account before they drove the car away.

https://www.bespokemotorworks.co.uk/used/cars/bmw

spot on cheers, i'll have a look

[DB118D]

Another vote for Wizzle here.

Although prices are so variable at the minute, you'd be as well checking WBAC, Evans Halshaw, Arnold Clark, Cazoo, and Cinch as well to try and get the best price you can

[stevei]

Cheers all,
I'm going to give it a good clean this weekend and so that I can take photos and upload them onto the likes of Motorway and Wizzle.

[RoShambolt]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

I've had B&O in my last 2 Audis and HK in the BMW in between them, I reckon the B&O is streets ahead but I am no audiophile and I dont play any clever formats (CDs in all bar the latest Audi where I have moved to spotify...)

Totally agree with this, after the B&O in the S4 the HK in the 340 was very disappointing. Does not hit any of the low frequencies the B&O could.

[stevei]

Offers coming in around £19600

[DB118D]

Originally Posted by stevei

Offers coming in around £19600

How does that compare to previous values or expectations?

I think prices have dropped over November/December but supply is still as tight, so I expect that's more to do with the Christmas period and there should be some bounceback

[stevei]

Originally Posted by DB118D

How does that compare to previous values or expectations?

I think prices have dropped over November/December but supply is still as tight, so I expect that's more to do with the Christmas period and there should be some bounceback

I had another offer yesterday of £20,100.
Approx a grand less than I was hoping for.

[stevei]

It's here