[eliphil]

Hello

Brand new to the BMW forum having decided to order a new M550I tomorrow. I found a dealership 2 states away from me that has the exact build I want less one option but its sitting at the port due to a missing chip. the dealer says it should be in and installed within 2-4 weeks. My other choice is to order new from my local dealer who says he has an open allocation and would be 8-12 weeks. I am not sure either dealer really can predict lead times based on the supply chain crunch. I would love to buy from my local dealer but not sure how long the build will take and the out of state dealer has the car at the port. Any advice would be appreciated.

Also wondering if anyone has the dynamic handling pkge and if its worth it?

Thanks

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by eliphil

Hello

Brand new to the BMW forum having decided to order a new M550I tomorrow. I found a dealership 2 states away from me that has the exact build I want less one option but its sitting at the port due to a missing chip. the dealer says it should be in and installed within 2-4 weeks. My other choice is to order new from my local dealer who says he has an open allocation and would be 8-12 weeks. I am not sure either dealer really can predict lead times based on the supply chain crunch. I would love to buy from my local dealer but not sure how long the build will take and the out of state dealer has the car at the port. Any advice would be appreciated.

Also wondering if anyone has the dynamic handling pkge and if its worth it?

Thanks

I'm guessing that one option that you want is DHP and the car two states away is missing it. In terms of advice, you should really drive a car with and without it. DHP is not for everyone and as impactful for some people as others.

It's pretty much the only option I don't have and I was in the same boat as you. I did not compare with and without before buying, I asked for opinions. Since then I have driven a car with it and I can tell you it's definitely something I would want next time. Is it on the top of my list? Nope, but it's noticeable and I hate not having every option, just because.

It's hard to describe, but the rear wheels turn and the car feels like the whole body shifts when cornering. It's not an "on rails" feeling. It's the opposite, it's a smooth turn and soft. It definitely reduces body roll. But some people don't like it because of the softness of the turn. They say it doesn't feel real and they can't feel the road. I thought it was pretty cool and any reduction in body roll is good news for me.

Is it worth $3000 (or whatever they are charging), that's subjective. To me, Bowers & Wilkins is more important. Sure I bought this car without DHP, but I would have passed without B&W. Same for 668M's.

Personally, I would order exactly what you want and wait a few more weeks, BUT, that said, I wouldn't be ordering or buying right now because there are options you just can't get and it degrades the experience. See Bowers & Wilkins.

[eliphil]

are you saying I cant order the B&W stereo? Iss it a big upgrade from the HK? The one I am interested in at the port actually has the dynamic handling pkge and while I have not driven one w it I do beleive it will be right for me becuase I dont like excessive body roll.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by eliphil

are you saying I cant order the B&W stereo? Iss it a big upgrade from the HK? The one I am interested in at the port actually has the dynamic handling pkge and while I have not driven one w it I do beleive it will be right for me becuase I dont like excessive body roll.

Unless the one at the port slipped in before they put the nix on B&W, it won't have it and you can't order it.

It is night and day over HK, which really sucks. Just a phenomenal audio experience.

[eliphil]

is it permanently done or just temporary?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by eliphil

is it permanently done or just temporary?

It will be back someday, can't say when, probably not this year, but too much money on the table at $3,600 for it for BMW to not offer. It's a matter of will the choice be Bang & Olusfsen or Bowers & Wilkins, both VERY good.

[saw1]

I have 2018 M550 without DHP and I wish I had it. I didn't want to spend the $$ at the time, big mistake. The car is otherwise amazing but the sharper turn in with DHP is a must have imho.

I have the HK system and I love it. It is the best in car audio system I have ever had. The BW may be better, but not to my untrained ear as I have listened to both. Not worth the extra money to me.

[JTV]

Personally, I would just order from the local dealer and wait patiently, unless I were truly desperate to have the new car asap due to logistical issues. I ordered my M550i in September and it arrived 12/15; I'd say 8-12 weeks is likely accurate. Plus, the longer it takes for the car to arrive, the closer you'll be to having nice weather in NJ.

[YETIinFL]

It really depends on whether that one option is at the top of your list. DHP was at the top of my list, B&W was not. After 27 years in the military, I can't hear very well anyway.

I keep my cars for many years, and when my first special order started production, there was an option missing. They did not give a reason, but I declined that build and started a second one.

If it's important enough to get a second opinion, then it's probably important enough for you to wait for the exact car that you want. If your gut is telling you this, then I would wait and special order one.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by saw1

I have 2018 M550 without DHP and I wish I had it. I didn't want to spend the $$ at the time, big mistake. The car is otherwise amazing but the sharper turn in with DHP is a must have imho.

I have the HK system and I love it. It is the best in car audio system I have ever had. The BW may be better, but not to my untrained ear as I have listened to both. Not worth the extra money to me.

I have had HK in my F10 and now B&W in my G30. Different cars, but HK was "ok" but really lacking on the depth of the lows, i.e. Bass response. The HK system in the G30 is the same. If you actually had B&W for a while, you would agree. That said, if audio ain't your thing, HK is passable.

For me, pressing the Sport button and putting on some good tunes is part of the driving experience. I find with B&W it sounds good at all volumes, even low, whereas, HK only sounded ok when cranked up.

Subjective, but I am not even sure HK is available with the chip shortage and now you are talking the base "Hifi" system which is like a transistor radio.

[saw1]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I have had HK in my F10 and now B&W in my G30. Different cars, but HK was "ok" but really lacking on the depth of the lows, i.e. Bass response. The HK system in the G30 is the same. If you actually had B&W for a while, you would agree. That said, if audio ain't your thing, HK is passable.

For me, pressing the Sport button and putting on some good tunes is part of the driving experience. I find with B&W it sounds good at all volumes, even low, whereas, HK only sounded ok when cranked up.

Subjective, but I am not even sure HK is available with the chip shortage and now you are talking the base "Hifi" system which is like a transistor radio.

I think how a new system sounds has a lot o do with what you came from. I had the B and O system in an S5 cab, going to the HK in the m550 was night and day. But that's what I expected going from cabrio to sedan.

I agree the base system is crap, I had it on a 540 loaner and I was not impressed.

[Gautam]

I agree with most of the responses. Dhp makes the car noticeably more planted and better at cornering. Test drive both if you can. I would also suggest being patient and getting a car with the features you really want, or else the lack of them will nag at you. It took me several cars to learn this hard way.

It’s unfortunate that B&W isn’t currently available. I have owned BMW’s with base, HK and B&W. HK is solid. I would avoid base. But Joe is right, B&W is something special and is close to the best in the industry. It sounds great at every volume level. It also makes you a lot pickier about your audio source. I drove a car with HK for a week after getting used to B&W, and I’ll say I didn’t fully appreciate what I had till I lost it. But if you’re not an audiophile or a music person you’re probably fine without it.

One way I’ve tried to reason about missing features is how hard they are to retrofit or find aftermarket substitutes for. On that token, not having your favorite wheels isn’t the biggest deal in the grand scheme of things. Dhp is on the opposite end of the spectrum, all but impossible to add anything like it for all practical purposes.

[ZulaM5]

I would not buy a M550 without DHP.

[eliphil]

Thanks to all for the feedback. Knowing my driving preferences I am confident that DHP is for me and now that you cant order an upgraded stereo I will try and upgrade the HK with some modifications after I take delivery. I have decided to take the car that is just missing the stereo chip and sits at the port in Germany as it will expedite my delivery date and happens to be exact build I want less one option. Will send pics once it arrives which I hope will be in the next 2 months. I am coming out of an Audi with an amazing B&O stereo that has tremendous high end but I am sure the I can tweak the HK to make it sound great.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by eliphil

Thanks to all for the feedback. Knowing my driving preferences I am confident that DHP is for me and now that you cant order an upgraded stereo I will try and upgrade the HK with some modifications after I take delivery. I have decided to take the car that is just missing the stereo chip and sits at the port in Germany as it will expedite my delivery date and happens to be exact build I want less one option. Will send pics once it arrives which I hope will be in the next 2 months. I am coming out of an Audi with an amazing B&O stereo that has tremendous high end but I am sure the I can tweak the HK to make it sound great.

Congrats! I had the B&O in my Audi Q7. That system was absolutely incredible combined with the favorable acoustical environment of an SUV.

Not to be negative and rain on your parade, but you need to temper your expectations of the HK significantly coming for that B&O setup. You're going to need to do a lot more than tweak a few setting to get the response you are used to.

There are plenty of threads here on options for upgrading the HK system. There are two or three routes you can go.

[eliphil]

Thanks for the advice. My Audi's B&O is wonderful and I will miss it but I am looking forward to a new road best after 6 years in my Audi which has been an incredible experience.