finally ordered after months of deliberation and advise from this forum.

went for 545i with all the options except for the fancy chassis electronic stuff - after all you can't see that and i reckon that the car handles well unaided.

my dealer spent about half an hour trying to persuade me to wait and buy a 535d, sounds good, 272 bhp, 560 Nm torque, 0 60 in 6.6 secs, BUT, it doesn't make the right kind of noise!

he even offered me a new m3 csl - now how was I going to explain that one - right dear, I want to get rid of the m3 because its too noisey, very bumpy and cramped in the back for the kids, and guess what, I got an m3 csl, even more noisey, more bumpy and just as cramped in the back - I'm tempted though!

anyway i completely let my heart rule my head and stuck with the 545, it'll blast the 535d over a quarter mile anyway!

Also found out that the L7 hi-fi is made by a stateside company called Lexicon, never heard of them in the UK - are these guys good at the hi-fi stuff?

now just got the tedious agony of waiting for delivery.

guys - thanks for all the advise - jonboy

jonboy - Now I have had chance to play with L7 I can tell you it's pretty special. Forget that there are only 2 modes - it's the quality that counts.

Lexicon are well known for producing high end DSP units for home theatre, they were bought by the HK group some time ago.

I'm looking forward to getting some proper time in the car on my own to go through more of my music.

Congrats on the 545 choice - you'll love it. I'm seriously thinking about the Hartge mod for mine, which should give me performance equivalent to the 535d for a fraction of the price.

browellm

thanks for that, not bothered about only 2 modes - I'm a bit of a hi-fi freak and am really after good "breadth" when the volumes up - not the nasty shrill compression i get at the moment in my standard bmw business cd.

i'd be interested in your views when you've had some serious solo in-car time...

btw - one more post an don't you make "elite"

jonboy

Lexicon is know is the US for high end HIFI. One of the best things about their components is that you can do a software upgrade to their processors. They seem to always plan ahead for upgrades etc. If I knew it was a Lexicon system I would have spent the extra $$$

I'm very unhappy with the std sound .... Does anyone know of an upgrade path ?
Thanks

I would definately upgrade your order and equip your car with the sports package if you haven't done so already.

Only a few of the options are must-have and the sports package is one of them.

Jonboy, Good for you man !! Life is too short and I agree the sport package is a must !! LOL although I'm sure the wait will be teadious.