X5 4.4 Premium Radio

[jklevine]

Does anyone know if it is worth getting the premium radio as an option. I am getting a new X5 and I have heard (even from a dealer) it is not worth it so I thought I would ask the experts. I am getting almost everything else but I have also heard about radio problems in the 2004 X5 so any information would be a great help. Thanks!

[X5Jay]

I opted for the premium radio in my '04 X5. Although I haven't compared it with the standard radio, I really like it. I believe the main differences are that with the premium you get 2 additional speakers which are subwoofers both mounted together in the back passenger side. I can't help to think this helps improve bass significantly. You also get DSP (digital signal processing) which allows you to customize the sound with various effects (room size, echo, concert hall, etc) and also give you an equlaizer. I think adding a little echo makes it sound great - more like a live performance. I also have Sirius satellite which I really like - I hardly listen to anything else. If you really enjoy music in your car, I would recommend it. If music's not that big a deal to you or you're a talk show junkie, you'd probably be wasting the extra $1200 for the premium sound. No problems so far but only 2000 miles so far as well. I wish it had just a bit more power, but then again, I rarely listen at a very high volume so that's a minor issue. Might help just a bit w/resale value. Good luck & hope this helps a bit!

[X5Jay]

Got your note regarding the roof - thanks. I agree that even with the buffeting problem, it's still a lot nicer than the smaller, 1 piece roof. As for the radio, no, I didn't hear a non-premium one but I certainly agree that they should have found a way to put the CD changer behind the screen instead of the casette. Who still listens to casettes? I think the day has come where we can forego casette players in cars - IMHO. But overall, I love the sound system - no real complaints. It certainly suites me well enough to even consider upgrading it further.
Regarding the LX, I didn't drive one of those either - but I did look at them. It just didn't do it for me the way the X5 does. If you've driven one, I'd be interested to hear your impressions/comparisons.

[josejb70]

I don't have the Premium stereo in my X5. And, I noticed that while the sound was OK, it was not great. I stopped by Circuit City and the guy from the shop (who I trust) said that the problem is the speakers that come with the regular stereo. He said they are cheap paper speakers. His suggestion was to install good speakers (only in the front) and that I would see a noticeable difference.

The set of 4 speakers (2 tweaters and 2 mid range) is $170 + $40 for installation. So, I'm gonna get it done today when they move my XM radio to the X5.

I'll report tonight!

[jklevine]

Originally Posted by josejb70

I don't have the Premium stereo in my X5. And, I noticed that while the sound was OK, it was not great. I stopped by Circuit City and the guy from the shop (who I trust) said that the problem is the speakers that come with the regular stereo. He said they are cheap paper speakers. His suggestion was to install good speakers (only in the front) and that I would see a noticeable difference.

The set of 4 speakers (2 tweaters and 2 mid range) is $170 + $40 for installation. So, I'm gonna get it done today when they move my XM radio to the X5.

I'll report tonight!

Thats really great ... I cant wait to hear what you think after installing that. On some of these forums they say to change the head unit but I a getting GPS so there is no way thats going to happen. My service advisor says he has the premium sound and thinks its amazing. I dont know what he is smoking cause he tells me it sounds better in the cars without nav and the cars with nav the premium is no better than the regular without nave. IT all seems crazy to me. I think BMW dealers are full of S*!t to be completely honest. Once the japanes cars can make a car that drives anywhere near as well as their german counterparts im sold however up til that point we are left with great driving cars that break down alot and have poor radios as well as nav systems. But hey if we cared more about that stuff than driving we would all be in lexus.

[josejb70]

Morning!

I was so bombed out last night that I didn't feel like writing. Here's the scoop...

Circuit City could not upgrade the speakers. After they took-off the door panel, we discovered that the speakers are not upgradeable. First, they are 2 ohms (not sure how to spell it). This means that they pull more power from the amp than the regular speakers that Circuit City sells, which are all 4 ohms. Circuit City speakers would not be able to produce enough sound.

Second, and most importantly, the mid-range speaker sits in an integrated housing that butts-up against the door's panel. Putting any other speaker in there would simply be sending the sound into the chamber behind the door panel.

SO! I'm stuck with the factory stereo.

Regarding XM, I have the Commander (which I'm bringing from my last car). They placed it in the ash-tray. It fits perfectly in there! So, it looks very neet. Specially when the ash tray is closed. You don't see anything stuck to the dash like with other aftermarket modules.

The sound from the XM is HORRIBLE. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm taking the car back to Circuit City today. It's very flat. The radio has better sound!

I am dissapointed. I thought 48 grand would buy me a better stereo.

Jose

[RayX5]

Originally Posted by jklevine

Does anyone know if it is worth getting the premium radio as an option. I am getting a new X5 and I have heard (even from a dealer) it is not worth it so I thought I would ask the experts. I am getting almost everything else but I have also heard about radio problems in the 2004 X5 so any information would be a great help. Thanks!

Jk, before buying my X5, I test drove X5's with and without premium sound, back to back. In my opinion, there is difference. Especially due to the three modes of auto tuning, Concert, Jazz & Church. Do what I did and have the salesman set up two vehicles with and w/o premium sound, drive one and hop in the other. Good luck. Enjoy.