Just realized my new M4 was delivered with the wrong stereo

[babamike]

Hey guys, my 2018 M4 cab is only one day old and I realized the sound wasn't great compared to my 2017 440 cab. I couldn't find Logic Sound equalizer menu then saw the tweeters with no Harman Kardon on them.

Here is the thing, all other cars at dealer with Ultimate Package have them. When I go on the BMW Canada website, do a build, and select the Ultimate Package, HK sound is standard and you can't even de-select that option. So something is definitely wrong. I texted my salesman and I guess he will get back to me tomorrow.

Just wondering what you guys think happened here.

[GregM4]

Comes standard in AUS in all M4s, my guess is a mistake on the production line here.

[babamike]

Originally Posted by GregM4

Comes standard in AUS in all M4s, my guess is a mistake on the production line here.

That's exactly what I think.
I guess the car goes back to dealer ?
Can they even add HK system to it now ?

[alex2364]

What does your window sticker say?

[babamike]

Originally Posted by alex2364

What does your window sticker say?

Never got the window sticker they brought this one from another dealer, I kept asking them about option list but I was told they make those stickers at dealership (I didn't think that was true, there's always factory sticker) he gave me the VIN number instead. When I decoded and compared VIN with another car with same package, everything all the features were identical.

[joegie]

use bmwvin.com and pull up your options

[babamike]

Originally Posted by joegie

use bmwvin.com and pull up your options

S676A 
HiFi speaker system

I understand this is probably not HK but this car supposed to come with HK as per the ultimate package, like i said you cant even Deselect this when doing a new build.

[joegie]

Originally Posted by babamike

S676A 
HiFi speaker system

I understand this is probably not HK but this car supposed to come with HK as per the ultimate package, like i said you cant even Deselect this when doing a new build.

hopefully your salesman can shed some light on it, I believe in the US the option comes standard, so you can't even de-select it.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by babamike

Can they even add HK system to it now ?

They can, but I cringe a little thinking about how much of your interior they are going to have to dig into in order to retrofit all of the proper speakers and whatever other supporting hardware might be necessary.

Tough situation. Definitely make sure to get BMW CA (Edit: CA, not NA - forgot for a moment that you were in Canada) involved since this is by all appearances a build issue. Perhaps you can negotiate a compensation arrangement that is sufficient enough to leave you willing to live with the lower end stereo.

[alex2364]

I remember something like this happening several years ago with 5 series M Sport package cars that didn’t come with 704 M suspension. I believe instead of retrofitting the suspension, BMW just decided to refund the difference in the cost of the suspension. Obviously most people weren’t happy about this. Hope you have better luck OP.

[Hachima]

S688A Harman/Kardon Surround Sound system would have been the proper coding.

Personally I would prioritize the sound system above compensation. in the 90s I had an 8 CD system installed, would have upgraded to the Bowers Wilkins system if available and my home theater is a high end Dolby Atmos speaker setup so sound is priority to me. So I'd take the risk of the service center having to dismantle everything in order to correct it.

From your dealership's perspective I'd say their incentive is how many hours this job is rated at and how many hours it actually takes. With all the work needed if is a 10 hour job but can be done in 7 then it's a plus on their side and they are going to push for BMW to have it corrected without any hastle. If its a 10 hour job but takes 15 then you are going to need more push from BMW NA (or BMW Canadian if its a different path) to have them correct it.

If sounds isn't a priority I'd push for something like a MPE upgrade or similar compensation.

[babamike]

Originally Posted by Hachima

S688A Harman/Kardon Surround Sound system would have been the proper coding.

Personally I would prioritize the sound system above compensation. in the 90s I had an 8 CD system installed, would have upgraded to the Bowers Wilkins system if available and my home theater is a high end Dolby Atmos speaker setup so sound is priority to me. So I'd take the risk of the service center having to dismantle everything in order to correct it.

From your dealership's perspective I'd say their incentive is how many hours this job is rated at and how many hours it actually takes. With all the work needed if is a 10 hour job but can be done in 7 then it's a plus on their side and they are going to push for BMW to have it corrected without any hastle. If its a 10 hour job but takes 15 then you are going to need more push from BMW NA (or BMW Canadian if its a different path) to have them correct it.

If sounds isn't a priority I'd push for something like a MPE upgrade or similar compensation.

I don't think I'm going to ask them to rip apart the dash and run new cables to add speakers.
The car already has all the options possible except park assist, which I don't need.
I'm not sure what dealer is going to say tomorrow.
I'm going to push for replacing the car (my car is 1 day old) I've been buying bmw's from them for a decade and from another dealer prior to that.
If I need to get BMW NA involved I will wait for dealers verdict first. Give them the first opportunity to resolve this.

[sandwi54]

Window stickers aren't provided by dealerships - they are made at the port and shipped with the car to the dealership.

Even though it has happened before, it's very rare that an option is missed during production. How did you know that the car came with the Ultimate Package? Was it by the dealership's advertisement? If that is the case, I would doubt that the car actually came with the Ultimate Package - the options may be ordered individually and your car could have been order that way, which explains why it has every option in the Ultimate Package except for HK stereo. I would push the dealership to provide the original build of this car and if indeed it misrepresented the car, I would ask it to take the car back and re-order for you. Not having HK is a deal breaker for me since the Hi-Fi stereo is so crappy in this car.

[JamesMA]

FYI - in case you get stuck with this - there thresds on here in one of the sub forums about upgrading the sound system that sound less intrusive than replacing everything.

[JustChris]

Oh Christ. Bit of a weird one that.
Good luck OP!

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by babamike

S676A 
HiFi speaker system

I understand this is probably not HK but this car supposed to come with HK as per the ultimate package, like i said you cant even Deselect this when doing a new build.

The HK sound system has been standard in Canada on all M3/4 since launch in 2014 (except on the M4GTS and M4CS that have a lesser sound system for weight reduction).

This is definitely an error in the ordering process. I doubt it is straightforward to retrofit the HK sound system as it has more speakers and a different amp (not sure about the wiring harnesses). If sound is important to you, I would definitely ask them to exchange the car with one that is configured as intended. You have the legal upper hand here because the car was not delivered as advertised. I doubt the financial compensation will be worthwhile (probably $1000~1500CAD).

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by babamike

I don't think I'm going to ask them to rip apart the dash and run new cables to add speakers.
The car already has all the options possible except park assist, which I don't need.
I'm not sure what dealer is going to say tomorrow.
I'm going to push for replacing the car (my car is 1 day old) I've been buying bmw's from them for a decade and from another dealer prior to that.
If I need to get BMW NA involved I will wait for dealers verdict first. Give them the first opportunity to resolve this.

You’ll need to deal with BMW Canada. BMW NA is a misnomer as they only cater to the US.

[sandjam]

No way you can retrofit. But what you can do is ask dealer to pay for a Bavarian Soundwerks upgrade. You can get upgraded subs, complete speaker package and even amp to get you upgraded to wear it should have been.

Either that or they need to get you a new car (Which would be preferred option)

[babamike]

Originally Posted by sandwi54

Window stickers aren't provided by dealerships - they are made at the port and shipped with the car to the dealership.

Even though it has happened before, it's very rare that an option is missed during production. How did you know that the car came with the Ultimate Package? Was it by the dealership's advertisement? If that is the case, I would doubt that the car actually came with the Ultimate Package - the options may be ordered individually and your car could have been order that way, which explains why it has every option in the Ultimate Package except for HK stereo. I would push the dealership to provide the original build of this car and if indeed it misrepresented the car, I would ask it to take the car back and re-order for you. Not having HK is a deal breaker for me since the Hi-Fi stereo is so crappy in this car.

This car definitely has the ultimate package and also shows on their final paperwork.
M performance exhaust only comes with ultimate package here in Canada. But I guess it's possible to build with individual options. Again why would someone order that way just to avoid HK.
HK is standard on even basic M4 with bare minimum options allowed.
Bottomline HK can not be avoided in M4, so this definitely a screw up somewhere in the process.

[babamike]

Originally Posted by sandjam

No way you can retrofit. But what you can do is ask dealer to pay for a Bavarian Soundwerks upgrade. You can get upgraded subs, complete speaker package and even amp to get you upgraded to wear it should have been.

Either that or they need to get you a new car (Which would be preferred option)

Again if this after market system is going to bring me to HK level and we taking apart all the door panels, seats etc to get there, I don't think I'm going that route. If I bought it used I understand, this is brand new. I don't even let dealers wash my cars I baby my toys Lol

[bueller]

I had a simalar problem with my 2018 328d (for me the d stands for dogs). I ordered it with the specific instructions that I wanted it to have all the same options as my 2016 328d. The car is missing the road sign info and the compass mirror with garage door opener.

Apparently, with the packages I ordered, all of them, I think, these became 'no cost' options that had to be selected when the car was ordered. I am wondering if a similar thing happened to your order, the dealer either didn't select the no cost option, or deleted it for some reason.

The guy who ordered my car for some reason deleted the little M logos that go on the front fender, but the car came with the Xdrive and 328d emblems on the back. The whole thing has been really annoying, I managed to get a mirror on eBay, and I am going to see if I can add the sign reading option with coding.

Sorry that happened to you, I know the sinking feeling I had when I was missing my options, I can't imagine how you feel with something so large. Hopefully your dealer is more reactive and figures out how to add the correct radio. It definitely looks like a screw up, I went on the Canadian configurator (not that that is always up to date or correct) and the HK system was pre checked and included, there is not even an option to uncheck it.

Please let us know how it works out, I will be really interested to see if you do better than my hey, 'thats too bad, sorry' that I got from my dealer.

B.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by babamike

M performance exhaust only comes with ultimate package here in Canada.

Not the case. The MPE can be ordered as a stand alone option for $4900CAD.