Bowers & Wilkins Diamond System ??? Worth it??

ajfoggy · 01-31-2017, 09:06 AM

Just after a bit of advice really, I have spec'd the above sounds upgrade on my G30 order. I have not heard it and even if I had would I really know the difference compared to the H&K option??

Anyone think it is worth getting?? Dropping that one option frees up a lot of cash for other options!!

claykin · 01-31-2017, 09:18 AM

Was there a particular reason why you specified the B&W system on your order? Or was it one of those tick every box sort of thing until the price gets out of hand....?

If you want to do a reasonable comparison, stop by your dealer and see if they have a 7 series with the B&W system. I believe the 7 series is the only other model with a B&W upgrade. All others still use B&O as their top end.

I listened to a B&O 5 series before I decided to stick with HK (and I had a hard time finding a 5 series with B&O - I think the dealer had one car on their lot with it). While the B&O did sound great (particularly the overall sound stage and the less sharp sounding higher frequencies), I couldn't justify the $3,700 price tag.

TouringPleb · 01-31-2017, 09:19 AM

Can't comment on the G30 but I've heard the B&W system in the XC90 and it's incredible. We'd have gone for it but it's a 3k option on the Volvos.

ajfoggy · 01-31-2017, 09:21 AM

Cheers, it's roughly 3k on the G30 as well, instead of that option I could spec Driving Assistance Plus and VDC...

claykin · 01-31-2017, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Cheers, it's roughly 3k on the G30 as well, instead of that option I could spec Driving Assistance Plus and VDC...

Definitely DA+ and VDC. At least that's my vote from this side of the pond.

Satisfy your urge and go listen to both. Take your favorite music (hopefully not overly compressed MP3s) and do a side by side comparison. Eagles - Hotel California is a good choice.

JLR1969 · 01-31-2017, 09:25 AM

It's a huge outlay and it depends if you spend that much time in your car so will actually have the time to enjoy it.

How long are you keeping the car?

I personally could not justify it unless I was seriously loaded and it made no difference to me either way.

its your money and if you have nothing better to spend it on go ahead.

The advice to hear it first is probably the best otherwise you may just regret spending such a lump sum

ajfoggy · 01-31-2017, 09:27 AM

Back to dealers again then..... think there is a 7 with it in, in the showroom.

ciscopete822 · 01-31-2017, 09:27 AM

heard both in XC90 and 7 series. XC90 sounded much better but that could be due to larger cabin etc. Is it worth 3k premium , well that's a different story. Acoustics will never be good in the car , system itself is very good but dampening factor and shitty plastics covering some of the speakers enclosures are not helping. HK is more than enough - IMO - get other options instead.

ajfoggy · 01-31-2017, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLR1969

It's a huge outlay and it depends if you spend that much time in your car so will actually have the time to enjoy it.

How long are you keeping the car?

I personally could not justify it unless I was seriously loaded and it made no difference to me either way.

its your money and if you have nothing better to spend it on go ahead.

The advice to hear it first is probably the best otherwise you may just regret spending such a lump sum

Well unless this one has an issue like for F80 then this one will be kept for a long time, but I have said that many times before...

JLR1969 · 01-31-2017, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Well unless this one has an issue like for F80 then this one will be kept for a long time, but I have said that many times before...

I think we are programmed to keep looking at something better, it's a self fulfilling prophecy of misery

ajfoggy · 01-31-2017, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLR1969

I think we are programmed to keep looking at something better, it's a self fulfilling prophecy of misery

Indeed, I think it is an illness.

HighlandPete · 01-31-2017, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Well unless this one has an issue like for F80 then this one will be kept for a long time, but I have said that many times before...

You must be a risk taker. If you have issues with a car that you need to change it, what are you doing being an early adopter of a new model?

Seriously, the worst time to buy a car is when a new model is just launched, all the bugs are yet to be sorted.

Really hope it works out.

ajfoggy · 01-31-2017, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

You must be a risk taker. If you have issues with a car that you need to change it, what are you doing being an early adopter of a new model?

Seriously, the worst time to buy a car is when a new model is just launched, all the bugs are yet to be sorted.

Really hope it works out.

Don't worry it will be fine

I was just unlucky with that one.

claykin · 01-31-2017, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Well unless this one has an issue like for F80 then this one will be kept for a long time, but I have said that many times before...

You must be a risk taker. If you have issues with a car that you need to change it, what are you doing being an early adopter of a new model?

Seriously, the worst time to buy a car is when a new model is just launched, all the bugs are yet to be sorted.

Really hope it works out.

100% agree. That said, someone needs to buy the first year so the rest of us can benefit.

ajfoggy · 01-31-2017, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claykin

100% agree. That said, someone needs to buy the first year so the rest of us can benefit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

You must be a risk taker. If you have issues with a car that you need to change it, what are you doing being an early adopter of a new model?

Seriously, the worst time to buy a car is when a new model is just launched, all the bugs are yet to be sorted.

Really hope it works out.

Yeah and look what has happened with my F80! That is hardly new to the market

claykin · 01-31-2017, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Yeah and look what has happened with my F80! That is hardly new to the market

Understood. And I've had a 2nd year BMW model that was a bomb.

Part of my thing with 1st year of new model is a few times its happened where BMW made surprising changes (electronics, systems, etc.) for the 2nd year. I recall the F10 2011 might be an example of that. Also the 2006 E90 might be another example. Doesn't happen every time, so good thoughts for the G30 to be solid from day 1. With all the evolving computer simulation BMW has, hopefully it pays off in better cars overall.

We all wish you only good things with your G30. I'm sure it will be a fine car.

TouringPleb · 01-31-2017, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Well unless this one has an issue like for F80 then this one will be kept for a long time, but I have said that many times before...

You must be a risk taker. If you have issues with a car that you need to change it, what are you doing being an early adopter of a new model?

Seriously, the worst time to buy a car is when a new model is just launched, all the bugs are yet to be sorted.

Really hope it works out.

Definitely agree. I'd never buy the first year of production of a new platform and new electronics although I understand a lot of the tech has come from the 7 series.

I was a service advisor when the E60 5 was launched. My god that was a nightmare. At one point we had to recall every car we'd sold (about 30 at the time) and do a complete re-coding of all the control units. The problem was we could only do car at a time which took all day. And then sometimes it wasn't until the end that we found out that maybe the second or third control unit hadn't re-coded properly and so the whole thing had to be done again.

Had the same thing with the new Minis when they were launched. The first year of production the cars were utter shit, rattles, a major problem with pulling to one side, seat frames collapsing, gearboxes failing.

Learnt never to buy the first year of production.

ajfoggy · 01-31-2017, 02:46 PM

Stop, stop.... i don't need to hear anymore negativity

dopper99 · 02-01-2017, 05:57 PM

Foggy it will be fine!!!!

Anyway, you have a good relationship with your dealer with regards fixing your cars, should the new one go wrong.

When will it arrive? Must be one of the first......

ajfoggy · 02-01-2017, 06:16 PM

Not sure about that, they all hide when I walk in, apart from the sales guys

Quote:

Originally Posted by dopper99

Foggy it will be fine!!!!

Anyway, you have a good relationship with your dealer with regards fixing your cars, should the new one go wrong.

When will it arrive? Must be one of the first......

creepy coupe · 02-02-2017, 03:18 AM

Look on the bright side. If your lemon has rattles, you can drown them out with the overprice hifi.

creepy coupe · 02-02-2017, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobb

This.

You don't get true hi-fi in a car, the environment is too compromised.

I've never understood weighing out for expensive hifi in cars for this reason.

01-31-2017, 09:06 AM	#1
ajfoggy Brigadier General 1517 Rep 3,560 Posts Drives: C63s - S205 - Brilliant Blue Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Warrington iTrader: (0)	Bowers & Wilkins Diamond System ??? Worth it?? Just after a bit of advice really, I have spec'd the above sounds upgrade on my G30 order. I have not heard it and even if I had would I really know the difference compared to the H&K option?? Anyone think it is worth getting?? Dropping that one option frees up a lot of cash for other options!!
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01-31-2017, 09:18 AM	#2
claykin Brigadier General 1588 Rep 4,553 Posts Drives: various BMW Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Was there a particular reason why you specified the B&W system on your order? Or was it one of those tick every box sort of thing until the price gets out of hand....? If you want to do a reasonable comparison, stop by your dealer and see if they have a 7 series with the B&W system. I believe the 7 series is the only other model with a B&W upgrade. All others still use B&O as their top end. I listened to a B&O 5 series before I decided to stick with HK (and I had a hard time finding a 5 series with B&O - I think the dealer had one car on their lot with it). While the B&O did sound great (particularly the overall sound stage and the less sharp sounding higher frequencies), I couldn't justify the $3,700 price tag. __________________ 2023 840GC \| 2021 740i \| 2019 X3
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01-31-2017, 09:19 AM	#3
TouringPleb Brigadier General 4372 Rep 4,230 Posts Drives: SRB 440i GC Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Cambs iTrader: (0)	Can't comment on the G30 but I've heard the B&W system in the XC90 and it's incredible. We'd have gone for it but it's a 3k option on the Volvos.
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01-31-2017, 09:21 AM	#4
ajfoggy Brigadier General 1517 Rep 3,560 Posts Drives: C63s - S205 - Brilliant Blue Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Warrington iTrader: (0)	Cheers, it's roughly 3k on the G30 as well, instead of that option I could spec Driving Assistance Plus and VDC...
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01-31-2017, 09:25 AM	#6
JLR1969 Major General 1882 Rep 7,000 Posts Drives: Kubota GR1600 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England iTrader: (1)	It's a huge outlay and it depends if you spend that much time in your car so will actually have the time to enjoy it. How long are you keeping the car? I personally could not justify it unless I was seriously loaded and it made no difference to me either way. its your money and if you have nothing better to spend it on go ahead. The advice to hear it first is probably the best otherwise you may just regret spending such a lump sum
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01-31-2017, 09:27 AM	#7
ajfoggy Brigadier General 1517 Rep 3,560 Posts Drives: C63s - S205 - Brilliant Blue Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Warrington iTrader: (0)	Back to dealers again then..... think there is a 7 with it in, in the showroom.
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01-31-2017, 09:27 AM	#8
ciscopete822 Major 575 Rep 1,155 Posts Drives: RS6 , 840i and others :P Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Aylesbury iTrader: (0)	heard both in XC90 and 7 series. XC90 sounded much better but that could be due to larger cabin etc. Is it worth 3k premium , well that's a different story. Acoustics will never be good in the car , system itself is very good but dampening factor and shitty plastics covering some of the speakers enclosures are not helping. HK is more than enough - IMO - get other options instead.
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01-31-2017, 02:46 PM	#18
ajfoggy Brigadier General 1517 Rep 3,560 Posts Drives: C63s - S205 - Brilliant Blue Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Warrington iTrader: (0)	Stop, stop.... i don't need to hear anymore negativity
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02-01-2017, 05:57 PM	#19
dopper99 Lieutenant General 3531 Rep 11,292 Posts Drives: Golf R Mk8 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	Foggy it will be fine!!!! Anyway, you have a good relationship with your dealer with regards fixing your cars, should the new one go wrong. When will it arrive? Must be one of the first...... __________________ Current: Golf R Mk8 Previous: Golf R Mk7.5 Mercedes AMG C63 S Coupe F80 M3 Competition Pack
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02-02-2017, 03:18 AM	#21
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Look on the bright side. If your lemon has rattles, you can drown them out with the overprice hifi. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------- Current car.M240i. Previous.MINI JCW. E92 325i. 435d M235i.M135i. 635d Coupe, E92 M3 manual, E92 M3 DCT Competition Pack. E92 335i, Porsche Cayman S Gen2, 135i Coupe. E92 320d, MK5 R32. MK5 Golf GTi,MK5 Golf GT-TDI,E46 318Ci.
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