[csandy]

Hi

I have just ordered a 320d M Sport with a few options including 19's, sports auto, media pro, heated seats & adaptive suspension. Ideally I wanted HK but decided to opt for xenons instead. It was one or the other but I'm now having second thoughts.

What are the standard halogen lights like on the F30? I know there's no angel eyes anymore. I coped fine with previous cars without xenons but I now have xenons on my e92 so not sure I would want to go back.

Similarly, what is the standard hifi like & is this an improvement over the e9x? I've never had HK but I'm told it's excellent. I upgraded in my e92 to the hifi system which has more speakers & the woofers under the seats so is it going to be a big step back from this? I do like my music & loud sometimes but also just listen to sports talk etc on the radio.

So what would you choose?

TIA

[MaestroAl]

Xenons should be first on your list of options. You should be asking 19" rims or HK instead, or heated seats. I'd have HK above both of those

Or just have both and be done with it

[dopper99]

Yes if it was me I'd drop the 19's and keep xenons and HK. 19's are an appearance thing whereas the other two are useful

[sdb123]

On my E90 I've got HK and Xenon's (as part of the visibility pack)....wouldn't be without either. I'd have dropped the 19" wheels tbh.

On both the E90 and F30 the std. stereo system isn't all that.

[morellomax]

The true cost of the 19's is much greater than the initial option price: more fuel, more alloy repairs, more new tyre costs..... and you won't want to turn the stereo up an extra notch to drown out that extra road noise because..... you won't have the HK system.

[RobUK]

I'd always go for Xenons (over HK) as I prefer them to the standard halogens not just for the looks but the better visibility. In fact I went for the Visibility Package in the end because the adaptive lighting is in a whole new league. It's not so much about the lights 'steering' with the car but how they'll pick out the verge/central reservation etc. I spent 2-3 hours driving down the A1 at night in heavy rain and the adaptive lighting improved visibility like you wouldn't believe!

Having said all that, I went for the standard sound system (yeah, budget got me too) and it really is lack lustre, so I'd agree with the others and go for HK over 19's. (I went for the 18" 398's).

[csandy]

Now I'm even more confused.

I have seen an M Sport with the 19's on EBII (chosen colour) and really like the look of it. I also have 19's on my current e92 & was pleased that i went with these over the standard 18's (just me, I'm fussy).

I normally wouldn't be bothered about heated seats but I slipped a disc a couple of years back. My gf has them in her Golf and the heat does help so this option has to stay.

Toyed with deleting the adaptive suspension at one point but I think that this is a must now. I have some quick thinking to do but guess I'll have to stick with the standard hi-fi if Xenons are a priority.

In an ideal world I would have the HK too but I've already gone over what I wanted to spend.

[Photoman]

HID/Xenons every time!

[sdb123]

The xenons are very good however their real value is when utilised with the visibility pack (of which they come as a component of) as opposed to standalone....that is the first option to be ticked for me.

[PF64]

My last two cars have had 19's but I have gone with 18's this time to get the HK, Xenons and adaptive.

18's or 19's appearance is a matter of opinion.

HK - better sound without question.
Xenons - Better appearance and lighting without question, imo.
Adaptive - Never had before but all the reports on here suggest it is excellent.

[MaestroAl]

Since you've got a bad back then you should be prioritising the lumbar support too. Yes, I know it's criminal that it's not standard but it's a must have for sufferers. I also added the heated seats for the very same reason as yourself

Must haves (should be standard):

Xenons, lumbar, heated seats.

Followed swiftly by:

Adaptive suspension, Vis pack, Pro Nav, HK.

Everything else is toys. Unless you've got kids in which case privacy glass is a must

[justinnum1]

HK

[NISFAN]

Negotiate a harder deal and get both

That said I haven't gone for HK. Standard sound system is fine for me.

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by MaestroAl

Since you've got a bad back then you should be prioritising the lumbar support too. Yes, I know it's criminal that it's not standard but it's a must have for sufferers. I also added the heated seats for the very same reason as yourself

Must haves (should be standard):

Xenons, lumbar, heated seats.

Followed swiftly by:

Adaptive suspension, Vis pack, Pro Nav, HK.

Everything else is toys. Unless you've got kids in which case privacy glass is a must

Absolutely! You're on my page.

[MaestroAl]

That's probably why we've ordered very, very similar cars

[RJK2128]

Believe me xenons are somewhat over rated, I have them on my current E Class Sport, but after the novelty of them adjusting with the steering and lighting up corners etc, has worn off, (fairly quickly) they are just after all headlamps, and unless you do a lot of driving on unlit roads, are not worth paying any extra for. Plus which LED lights are fast taking over with a number of manufacturers, so in other words the xenons are, in my view, a bit of a waste of money, give me HK anytime. That said, they should be standard on the M Sport anyway.

[Spacebug]

Originally Posted by RJK2128

Believe me xenons are somewhat over rated, I have them on my current E Class Sport, but after the novelty of them adjusting with the steering and lighting up corners etc, has worn off, (fairly quickly) they are just after all headlamps, and unless you do a lot of driving on unlit roads, are not worth paying any extra for. Plus which LED lights are fast taking over with a number of manufacturers, so in other words the xenons are, in my view, a bit of a waste of money, give me HK anytime. That said, they should be standard on the M Sport anyway.

I think you might be getting confused - It'll be a long time before LED replace xenon on the main lights.

Daylight running lights are LED for a lot of manufacturers now but unless you get xenons on the F30 then you'll be stuck with naff halogen daylight running lights.

Oh and the steerable lights you are talking about are not the basic xenons.

[MaestroAl]

Some high end cars are actually coming with LED headlights now but they're serious money. Even the 7 series does

[morellomax]

Originally Posted by MaestroAl

Some high end cars are actually coming with LED headlights now but they're serious money. Even the 7 series does

I had a 2012 A8 for a few weeks (long story) that was dripping with kit, including LED dipped and main beam. Hugely expensive option, and really didn't seem any better than the standard xenons.

[Spacebug]

Originally Posted by MaestroAl

Some high end cars are actually coming with LED headlights now but they're serious money. Even the 7 series does

I stand corrected, but agree that this is very high end and not mainstream by a long way...

[MaestroAl]

I do agree with you that RJK is tripping though Xenons are infinitely better than candles, erm Halogens sorry. In every way. Regardless of whether a £100k car comes with LEDs or not, Halogens are lighting from the last century and it's bloody criminal that Xenons aren't standard on sooooo many cars.

[mgarvey]

I'd echo what everyone else is saying - Xenons if faced with the choice and you must have 19"s (18"s are fine in my opinion).

To answer the original questions, the standard lights aren't great. They don't look good and whilst they work they're not very bright.

The standard stereo system is a little mediocre, but this is relative. If you have really good quality music and ramp the volume up it is a bit coarse, but for general radio use and the odd tune it does the job.