[sjak92]

Hi Guys,

So I've just ordered my wife a F44 218i as she's returning to the office in August/September, the car intends to make her commute easier as she is currently pregnant with our first child and so that she has a car to get around whilst I'm at work.

Before everyone starts slating the engine choice:

It's a second car - we have an G05 X5 30d for everyday stuff
It will be remapped (circa 180bhp and 300nm more than enough for everyday stuff)
It's needs to be economical
We didn't want another diesel

We managed to get all the necessary spec onto the car. Alpine White, 18's, M Sport, Parking Assistant and a Pan roof. Ordinarily I always spec a car in with the M Sport Plus pack, but with the current microchip shortage, a £2k premium for bigger brakes, m sport seatbelts, tinted windows (which i'll get done aftermarket) and £300 worth of black kidney grill and spoiler simply wasn't justifiable without the HK Sound System

Of course, I could get it retrofitted, around £600 for all parts and another £500 for install and coding, but I have found this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233847709109

Ideally, it needs an AMP by which point i'd go down the HK route. However, how bad is the base 6 speaker setup?

Older cars simply could not produce any bass with the base 6 speaker system and it would sound like utter shite. Is this still the case or is the system bearable and I'll be able to get away with simply a better speaker for cripser music and a little more punch from the subs?

[Kevin298]

Same here. I have the same car on order, probably another 4 wks to wait. The Microchip shortage has has cancelled some of my options. Still decided to proceed and got some discount which I used on windows tints. Although they told me that the black mesh grill doesn’t fit the 218msport model.

Very interested to hear about the sound and if it’s any use.

[rampante17]

If you with the "black mesh grill" mean the "diamond" style grill - here in Sweden some (and mine that is just ordered) are delivered with that grill.
(218i MSport, pan roof, diamond grill, 18", full leather and the new colour Skyscraper Grey... Hopefully taking delivery in September

[sjak92]

Bump on the speakers anyone?

[digi_T]

I have the base system in my 218i m sport. I can’t really compare it to anything but for my needs it’s fine. I like good sound from my devices at home and appreciate what good sounds like and listen to everything from 80s, dance, rock and whilst I sure there are much better options I’ve never regretted not ticking the box for the option HK system.

[damo74]

Originally Posted by digi_T

I have the base system in my 218i m sport. I can't really compare it to anything but for my needs it's fine. I like good sound from my devices at home and appreciate what good sounds like and listen to everything from 80s, dance, rock and whilst I sure there are much better options I've never regretted not ticking the box for the option HK system.

Picked up my white 218iM Sport yesterday and paid to change the grille to gloss black. Looks great against the white.
My only complaint so far is the sound quality from the Stereo. It just seems flat, I can't pick out the highs and mid-tones properly. My last car was a VW Arteon and the sound from the stereo was superb for a standard-fitment unit.

[Kevin298]

Hi,Rampante17
Any pictures of the car and with the black grill please?

Thanks

[rampante17]

Hi Kevin298 - sure will upload pictures when I take delivery of my wife's new 218i MSport in September... but right now - can't do it sorry... I do not have the car yet.

[rampante17]

But here's a reference for it directly from BMW: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...-gloss-10-2019

[sjak92]

Thanks for hijacking my speaker thread with grills :

[J-RO]

Originally Posted by sjak92

Thanks for hijacking my speaker thread with grills :

Speakers have grilles!

[sjak92]

Originally Posted by J-RO

Speakers have grilles!

Hahaha

[Kevin298]

Sorry sjak92

[infovi]

@sjak92

I know this is not the main topic of the thread but, since you mentioned it, could you please provide some more info on the future remapping of your GC 218i? i.e. which company you plan to use, way of remapping (piggyback or ECU rewrite), etc.

I am also planning to do a remap but unfortunately there is very limited information on the internet as far as the F44 218i is concerned... Have you (or anybody else from the forum) heard any impressions from the use of the tune?

BTW the speakers in the F44 base system sound really really flat. My old 2002 Opel Astra sounded way better and had a lot more bass than the BMW.