[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by rambalu80

Any idea when production numbers are expected?

They were allocated to dealers this past Wednesday. I ordered my car Thursday and have a production number now.

[wifesnewbmw]

Where is it listed that Mediterranean Blue can't be ordered with ZMP?

[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by wifesnewbmw

Where is it listed that Mediterranean Blue can't be ordered with ZMP?

It is here in the notes at the bottom of the ordering guide.

Mediterranean Blue (C10) is not on the list.

[rambalu80]

Originally Posted by Weaselboy

They were allocated to dealers this past Wednesday. I ordered my car Thursday and have a production number now.

Thanks Weaselboy. I put in an order yesterday for week 30 production, but haven't received a production number yet. I shall follow up this week.

[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by rambalu80

Thanks Weaselboy. I put in an order yesterday for week 30 production, but haven't received a production number yet. I shall follow up this week.

Nice! Looks like you will be one week behind me.

[rambalu80]

Originally Posted by Weaselboy

Nice! Looks like you will be one week behind me.

Yeah, I was initially planning on ED, but I have some overseas family stuff that came up and threw a monkey wrench into my ED plans, and I won't be back to the States until the last week of August anyway. So, week 30 production would actually work better for me.

[Monaco]

For those of you that have placed orders for 340s, are you planning to lease or buy? If leasing, what are the residuals you've been discussing with your CA? I imagine they will be far less attractive that the 65% I'm seeing on 2015 models.

[rambalu80]

Originally Posted by Monaco

For those of you that have placed orders for 340s, are you planning to lease or buy?

I'm buying.

[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by Monaco

For those of you that have placed orders for 340s, are you planning to lease or buy? If leasing, what are the residuals you've been discussing with your CA? I imagine they will be far less attractive that the 65% I'm seeing on 2015 models.

I'm leasing 36/10 and they don't have the lease rates yet for these. But based on previous years, I'm guessing we will see a two or three point drop to 63 or 64%. My CA guessed the same.

What we have going for us is the 340i lease rates are lumped in with the 328i rates, and the LCI 328i will be plentiful and not in as high demand as the 340i initially, so that will keep the numbers high on those to keep moving cars. So that works in our favor keeping the 340i residuals high linked to the 328i.

[momo3605]

Anyone know if you can get the sports suspension outside of the M sport package? There is no sport line anymore, as sport seats are standard. But what about suspension?

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by momo3605

Anyone know if you can get the sports suspension outside of the M sport package? There is no sport line anymore, as sport seats are standard. But what about suspension?

704 - only with M Sport and only on RWD vehicles.
Adaptive - M Sport or Track Package.

[gongtowjai]

For those who put in their orders, any discounts? Using MSRP? I'm still pondering right now to place an order or not.

[momo3605]

Originally Posted by gongtowjai

For those who put in their orders, any discounts? Using MSRP? I'm still pondering right now to place an order or not.

Worst case, you should have to pay $1000 over invoice. It's just a regular 3 series, in a couple months they will be swarming with them on the lots. Don't overpay

[wifesnewbmw]

Before purchasing 340i...still trying to understand "Enhanced USB/Bluetooth plus smartphone integration". The BMW marketing gurus state that it "greatly improves network coverage and data transmission speeds, especially in rural areas." Not living rural, does this do anything for me in the operation of the Navigation system/mapping? Current 328ix has been awfully slow on everything - Doesn't seem that LTE would affect these functions - therefore the $350 sticker is worthless. Any guidance here?

[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by wifesnewbmw

Before purchasing 340i...still trying to understand "Enhanced USB/Bluetooth plus smartphone integration". The BMW marketing gurus state that it "greatly improves network coverage and data transmission speeds, especially in rural areas." Not living rural, does this do anything for me in the operation of the Navigation system/mapping? Current 328ix has been awfully slow on everything - Doesn't seem that LTE would affect these functions - therefore the $350 sticker is worthless. Any guidance here?

It give you two microphones instead of the standard one, so hypothetically better outgoing voice quality. But I don't know anybody who has done a back to back test.

Enhanced also gives you the ability to see emails and text messages in the iDrive screen if you have a supported device.

[carzaddict]

Originally Posted by wifesnewbmw

Before purchasing 340i...still trying to understand "Enhanced USB/Bluetooth plus smartphone integration". The BMW marketing gurus state that it "greatly improves network coverage and data transmission speeds, especially in rural areas." Not living rural, does this do anything for me in the operation of the Navigation system/mapping? Current 328ix has been awfully slow on everything - Doesn't seem that LTE would affect these functions - therefore the $350 sticker is worthless. Any guidance here?

Enhanced bluetooth lets you do extra things with the bluetooth....one thing for example is the ability to connect TWO phones at the same time......one for phone calls and one ONLY for music. I forgot what else enhanced BT does. I also think enhanced BT allows you to get text messages to the iDrive.

the smartphone integration utilizes the car as an antenna vs the antenna on your phone. Does it improve reception? maybe, marginally. the integration is limited to only a few select phone types. Is the integration worth it? not really. I think at the moment only iPhone 5/5s 4/4s.......forget about it if you have an android

regarding navigation and mapping.......neither enhanced BT nor smartphone integration does anything. the functionality for nav is soley based on the onboard processor (NBT being faster than CIC). the LTE only deals with downloading data......so when there's a map update, the data can be transferred wirelessly (vs plug and play now). the LTE is also good if you have BMW Internet in the car.

[wifesnewbmw]

Thanks for both answers on enhanced USB. One last bit...do you "lose" center console inasmuch as the smartphone appears in pics to be connected to BMW adaptor housed there.

[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by wifesnewbmw

Thanks for both answers on enhanced USB. One last bit...do you "lose" center console inasmuch as the smartphone appears in pics to be connected to BMW adaptor housed there.

Not all of it, but you lose quite a bit of the depth.

[M-Sport Wagon Funnnnnnnnn]

Originally Posted by Weaselboy

Not all of it, but you lose quite a bit of the depth.

I have the adaptor in my center console (it came with the car). Annoying to say the least and if you have a case on your phone (which we all do) the adaptor housing is useless.

[wifesnewbmw]

Thanks. Can you connect without the console adaptor - i.e. separate cable and remove the adaptor? Can't understand BMW's lack of common sense with such an adaptor (on second thought - I've driven my wife's two previous 3 Series enough - and common sense is not a strong point

[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by wifesnewbmw

Thanks. Can you connect without the console adaptor - i.e. separate cable and remove the adaptor? Can't understand BMW's lack of common sense with such an adaptor (on second thought - I've driven my wife's two previous 3 Series enough - and common sense is not a strong point

There is no adapter to remove. The car comes with a blank plastic plate that covers the space where the adapter goes. Then you order the adapter for your specific phone model.

Without that, you can just attach the phone over the USB outlet in the console and get everything except the antenna enhancement.

[wifesnewbmw]

Thanks again Weaselboy - and one final question - does the standard bluetooth (6NH) set-up allow for voice command (such as "call home" or to voice command an address) - not sure I understand at all what "ispeech" signifies with enhanced usb. Much appreciated