from 2008 to 2013 ...bmw "lowering costs"

bubu · 10-18-2012, 11:57 AM

I'm coming from a 2008 e92 to a 2013 e92 I just did an ED on and noticed a couple of things that annoyed me...its clearly BMW cutting costs as the model years finishes.

1. The visors on the 2013 are now plastic...the same crappy plastic found in the regular 3 series. In the 2008 the visors were covered with the same material as the headliner.

2. The M3 floor mats no longer have an m3 logo...maybe this was an upgraded option in my 2008, but I recall the car just came that way.

3. The front seats no longer have cargo nets for maps etc on the back of the seats...it was useful to stuff a map etc into. I for one used it.

4. Ipod/Iphone holder case in the middle console compartment...again not sure if this was an upgraded option, but the car came with it.

...thoughts? I for one understand that part standardization and savings of even a couple of pennies translates into millions on the back end, but changing these things mid model year leaves a poor impression in my mind.

THE TECH · 10-18-2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubu

I'm coming from a 2008 e92 to a 2013 e92 I just did an ED on and noticed a couple of things that annoyed me...its clearly BMW cutting costs as the model years finishes.

1. The visors on the 2013 are now plastic...the same crappy plastic found in the regular 3 series. In the 2008 the visors were covered with the same material as the headliner.

2. The M3 floor mats no longer have an m3 logo...maybe this was an upgraded option in my 2008, but I recall the car just came that way.

3. The front seats no longer have cargo nets for maps etc on the back of the seats...it was useful to stuff a map etc into. I for one used it.

4. Ipod/Iphone holder case in the middle console compartment...again not sure if this was an upgraded option, but the car came with it.

...thoughts? I for one understand that part standardization and savings of even a couple of pennies translates into millions on the back end, but changing these things mid model year leaves a poor impression in my mind.

Yeah, this is nothing new. Started late 2011.

Foodle · 10-18-2012, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubu

2. The M3 floor mats no longer have an m3 logo...maybe this was an upgraded option in my 2008, but I recall the car just came that way.

I got free M3 logo floormats with my 2011 E90. Although they were special ordered by my CA, not default with the car.

isugoo · 10-18-2012, 12:19 PM

M3 floor mat was always option. Never came from factory for E9X M3. And my 08 M3 doesn't have the net behind the seats... =(
BMW got rid of iPod holder in 09 I think.
They got rid of flashlight and cig adapter + coin holder to simple sunglass holder too..
Kinda sucks...

Nicname · 10-18-2012, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isugoo

M3 floor mat was always option. Never came from factory for E9X M3. And my 08 M3 doesn't have the net behind the seats... =(
BMW got rid of iPod holder in 09 I think.
They got rid of flashlight and cig adapter + coin holder to simple sunglass holder too..
Kinda sucks...

I have a 2012 and I got the coin and cig adapter. Very useful for my V1 and for placing my phone

TVMA Doc · 10-19-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicname

I have a 2012 and I got the coin and cig adapter. Very useful for my V1 and for placing my phone

Even more convenient for the V1 is an "add a circuit" fuse tap. You free up yet another power socket.

And yeah, it may seem silly, but the plastic visors bothered me enough to order a set of Euro visors. The cheap plastic was bad enough, but the air bag warning label was as big as the nav screen.

mdosu · 10-19-2012, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubu

I'm coming from a 2008 e92 to a 2013 e92 I just did an ED on and noticed a couple of things that annoyed me...its clearly BMW cutting costs as the model years finishes.

1. The visors on the 2013 are now plastic...the same crappy plastic found in the regular 3 series. In the 2008 the visors were covered with the same material as the headliner.

2. The M3 floor mats no longer have an m3 logo...maybe this was an upgraded option in my 2008, but I recall the car just came that way.

3. The front seats no longer have cargo nets for maps etc on the back of the seats...it was useful to stuff a map etc into. I for one used it.

4. Ipod/Iphone holder case in the middle console compartment...again not sure if this was an upgraded option, but the car came with it.

...thoughts? I for one understand that part standardization and savings of even a couple of pennies translates into millions on the back end, but changing these things mid model year leaves a poor impression in my mind.

1. Good example of cost cutting, but doesn't bother me, plastic = less weight, you now have M3 Superleggera

2. this is dealer choice, some dealers throw it in as a gift, others don't. Looks like BMW identified these as accessories and allows their dealers to make a cut on this item. Par for the course, Ferrari and Porsche does this too.

3. see comment #1, M3 Superleggera, #2, accessories comment

4. you talking about the snap-in adapter? If so, hell no they won't provide it, firstly not everyone has an Apple product (you have a Apple-centric mindset?), and the cradles were developed after the E9X were released, on a seperate project plans as were cradles for blackberries and other phones. Also #2 above applies, accessories is a big business. Personally, as an Android user, if this was bundled and i couldn't get a refund back by deselecting the option, I would be pissed.

bubu · 10-19-2012, 03:57 PM

...not a snap in adapter mdosu, my 2008 has a pouch attached to the top of the the roof of the armrest that lets you stick any ipod type device in, granted only apple will integrate with the idrive, but now with bluetooth streaming etc it would have been a nice add-on.

Johndong888 · 10-19-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

1. Good example of cost cutting, but doesn't bother me, plastic = less weight, you now have M3 Superleggera

2. this is dealer choice, some dealers throw it in as a gift, others don't. Looks like BMW identified these as accessories and allows their dealers to make a cut on this item. Par for the course, Ferrari and Porsche does this too.

3. see comment #1, M3 Superleggera, #2, accessories comment

4. you talking about the snap-in adapter? If so, hell no they won't provide it, firstly not everyone has an Apple product (you have a Apple-centric mindset?), and the cradles were developed after the E9X were released, on a seperate project plans as were cradles for blackberries and other phones. Also #2 above applies, accessories is a big business. Personally, as an Android user, if this was bundled and i couldn't get a refund back by deselecting the option, I would be pissed.

I believe what OP has referring to as the ipod pouch is the one directly underneath the armrest. IT literally is just a pouch. It was only useful if you had a standalone ipod that you won't touch. I used it to store other things. It was great. I ended up removing it from my 2008 and retrofitting it on my new m3.

mdosu · 10-20-2012, 02:02 AM

Ah yes, the pouch, cost cutting by BMW, I put my insurance card in there

PhillyNate · 10-20-2012, 02:31 AM

1. The quality of the visors in my 2008 328i coupe did seem slightly better but I don't care.
2. My CA threw in some M3 mats as a thank you.
3. My 2008 did have the nets on the back of the seat and my 2011 doesn't. Never used the nets so I don't care.
4. iPod holder/pocket in center console. NOW THIS IS INTERESTING because my 2008 didn't have it either and would've loved to have had it on both cars.

Some folks have mentioned the flashlight as well. I got it with my 2008 and kept it. The 2011 did not come with one so I'm glad I did.

10-18-2012, 11:57 AM	#1
bubu Bunny Slayer 83 Rep 501 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT (2013) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orange County - Southern California iTrader: (0)	from 2008 to 2013 ...bmw "lowering costs" I'm coming from a 2008 e92 to a 2013 e92 I just did an ED on and noticed a couple of things that annoyed me...its clearly BMW cutting costs as the model years finishes. 1. The visors on the 2013 are now plastic...the same crappy plastic found in the regular 3 series. In the 2008 the visors were covered with the same material as the headliner. 2. The M3 floor mats no longer have an m3 logo...maybe this was an upgraded option in my 2008, but I recall the car just came that way. 3. The front seats no longer have cargo nets for maps etc on the back of the seats...it was useful to stuff a map etc into. I for one used it. 4. Ipod/Iphone holder case in the middle console compartment...again not sure if this was an upgraded option, but the car came with it. ...thoughts? I for one understand that part standardization and savings of even a couple of pennies translates into millions on the back end, but changing these things mid model year leaves a poor impression in my mind.
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10-18-2012, 12:19 PM	#4
isugoo Major General 247 Rep 6,125 Posts Drives: 991.2 GTS Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (73)	M3 floor mat was always option. Never came from factory for E9X M3. And my 08 M3 doesn't have the net behind the seats... =( BMW got rid of iPod holder in 09 I think. They got rid of flashlight and cig adapter + coin holder to simple sunglass holder too.. Kinda sucks... __________________ PAST: F80 M3 ZCP \| 911.1 C2S \| F10 M5 ZCP \| E70 X5M \| E90 M3 \| E46 M3 \| E36 M3
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10-19-2012, 03:57 PM	#8
bubu Bunny Slayer 83 Rep 501 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT (2013) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orange County - Southern California iTrader: (0)	...not a snap in adapter mdosu, my 2008 has a pouch attached to the top of the the roof of the armrest that lets you stick any ipod type device in, granted only apple will integrate with the idrive, but now with bluetooth streaming etc it would have been a nice add-on.
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10-20-2012, 02:02 AM	#10
mdosu Banned 314 Rep 8,496 Posts Drives: Double Vanos'd Civic-M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (6)	Ah yes, the pouch, cost cutting by BMW, I put my insurance card in there
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10-20-2012, 02:31 AM	#11
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	1. The quality of the visors in my 2008 328i coupe did seem slightly better but I don't care. 2. My CA threw in some M3 mats as a thank you. 3. My 2008 did have the nets on the back of the seat and my 2011 doesn't. Never used the nets so I don't care. 4. iPod holder/pocket in center console. NOW THIS IS INTERESTING because my 2008 didn't have it either and would've loved to have had it on both cars. Some folks have mentioned the flashlight as well. I got it with my 2008 and kept it. The 2011 did not come with one so I'm glad I did. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11)
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