[hilljf]

I have the HUD on my 550i xDrive with sport paddle shifters.

I really wish that the HUD would display the gear you are in and the engine RPM when in manual shifting mode.

THis is the information needed to pilot the car and when being agressive in manual mode is when the HUD has the most value.

Can BMW do a software upgrade to add this info?

John

[imposss]

yeah, me too just like m5/m6

[ibimmer954]

It's on the M5. At least it was on the E60 M5. Maybe it'll be on the new M5.

[Jon D]

I didn't specify HUD for my F10, bought last September but, having spent all of yesterday test driving the F12 640i, I now wish I had done so.
I found it exceptionally good, but I agree that RPM and gear position should be displayed when in manual.
As a matter of interest, how much is the HUD in the US? In the UK we have to pay £980 ($1,600).

[imposss]

Originally Posted by Jon D

I didn't specify HUD for my F10, bought last September but, having spent all of yesterday test driving the F12 640i, I now wish I had done so.
I found it exceptionally good, but I agree that RPM and gear position should be displayed when in manual.
As a matter of interest, how much is the HUD in the US? In the UK we have to pay £980 ($1,600).

1500$ cad in Canada =1400$ us ))

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by imposss

1500$ cad in Canada =1400$ us ))

Not as bad a gap as I'd feared - I was expecting someone to say $980!

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by Jon D

I didn't specify HUD for my F10, bought last September but, having spent all of yesterday test driving the F12 640i,

Jon, did you enjoy the F12? I'm very curious as it could be my next bimmer.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by EdwinF10

Jon, did you enjoy the F12? I'm very curious as it could be my next bimmer.

Very much, but with one reservation and I reckon you can guess what that was - yes, the steering. Although it had bags of road feedback and was far more responsive and quicker than the F10, it still had that numb on-centre EPS characteristic, which results in having to make constant corrections just to keep it in a straight line.

[ibimmer954]

When I ordered my car, the retail price of the HUD option was US $1300. It's a lot, but I love the option in my car!

[Argelius]

I also wish it would display the turn signal indicators.

Not a huge issue. But I love the HUD...and the more I rely on it, the more I want to rely on it for lots of things -- not just MPH and nav instructions.

[Titanflux]

One thought from all this - why have an instrument cluster at all....?

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by Titanflux

One thought from all this - why have an instrument cluster at all....?

In case the HUD fails or you forgot to order it in the first place .

[BimmerUKF10]

Originally Posted by Jon D

In case the HUD fails or you forgot to order it in the first place .

+1!

...and I agree with the other posters who suggested turning signal and rev counter / gear number.

The big trouble with the instrument cluster is that you can't see it properly if you like the steering wheel low down. HUD circumvents this problem if not for the lack of indicators, rev counter and gear number!

[1HOT BMR]

I can't see the instrument cluster and get a comfortable driving position at the same time and I've never had this problem with any other car I owned, so I wish I could have the tachometer and turn signals displayed in addition to what is already there. I know what gear I'm in at all times because mine is a manual

[davesf]

Originally Posted by Argelius

I also wish it would display the turn signal indicators.

Not a huge issue. But I love the HUD...and the more I rely on it, the more I want to rely on it for lots of things -- not just MPH and nav instructions.

I have to +1 this. I just took delivery of my 550xi, and I really wish I could put the turn-signal indicators on the HUD.

[stealth.pilot]

The M5 HUD has RPM and Gear. In the next week or so, I will be testing a mod to configure the M HUD on my F10. Will let you know if it works.

[MBrown1003]

Originally Posted by davesf

I have to +1 this. I just took delivery of my 550xi, and I really wish I could put the turn-signal indicators on the HUD.

Another +1

[TunedIn]

What about the problem of not being able to see the HUD when wearing polarized sunglasses ? When I test drove a 550i last year with the HUD, it was almost impossible to see the display with my sunglasses on... and I love my Serengeti's !

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by TunedIn

What about the problem of not being able to see the HUD when wearing polarized sunglasses ? When I test drove a 550i last year with the HUD, it was almost impossible to see the display with my sunglasses on... and I love my Serengeti's !

That's the nature of HUD. It is a reflection and polarization removes reflections.

I love my Maui Jims too, but I just bought a different pair of non polarized sunglasses for the car. I'd rather have HUD than Polarized sunglasses.

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

That's the nature of HUD. It is a reflection and polarization removes reflections.

I love my Maui Jims too, but I just bought a different pair of non polarized sunglasses for the car. I'd rather have HUD than Polarized sunglasses.

Well, that's one way to solve the problem ! Lol. I went through three pairs of Maui Jims that I was using as my bicycling sunglasses, but they were a little flimsy, and at $280+ a pair, I finally gave up and switched to $40 bicycling-specific sunglasses, assuming if I lost or broke them who cares. But I've had 'em for over two years now, and they actually do a far better job of keeping sweat out of my eyes than the Maui Jims, which as you know are an open and lightweight design. For driving, though, there's something about Serengeti's that I really like.

Continuing off topic (sorry), I'm impressed with how loaded your 550i is. Couple questions:
1) What was the MSRP ?
2) How do you like the Integral Active Steering ? As you know, IAS has been very controversial on these forums, with people seemingly equally divided between loving it and loathing it. Did you take test drives both with and without prior to deciding to include it in your build ?

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by TunedIn

Continuing off topic (sorry), I'm impressed with how loaded your 550i is. Couple questions:
1) What was the MSRP ?
2) How do you like the Integral Active Steering ? As you know, IAS has been very controversial on these forums, with people seemingly equally divided between loving it and loathing it. Did you take test drives both with and without prior to deciding to include it in your build ?

MSRP was $85k. However I paid a lot less since I got it for $800 over ED invoice.

I would definitely recommend the IAS. I couldn't find a 5 series with IAS before I ordered, but I did test drive 2 swb 750i M-Sport vehicles back-to-back. One with IAS and one without IAS, and I drove the test cars hard on winding back roads. The IAS car had much better steering - it felt more responsive, more precise, more agile. The car also felt like it could corner faster. I highly recommend IAS if you are a guy who likes pushing the car in the curves, and also doing fast lane changes on highway.

My Dad was asking me about whether I had any regrets in the way I configured my car, and I told him if I bought another one today, I would spec it exactly the same. These are the best options to have in my opinion if you enjoy both a wow interior, and a car that really rewards the aggressive driver.

Also I am working with Patryk to add the M-HUD software. We should have that up and running by the end of next week!

One final thing - I agree with you on the Maui Jim plastic frames, but I have the metal Kahuna model which is rock solid. Unfortunately they don't make non-polarized, so if you have a good recommendation on a maker of prescription non-polarized wrap-around sunglasses, let me know.

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

I would definitely recommend the IAS. I couldn't find a 5 series with IAS before I ordered, but I did test drive 2 swb 750i M-Sport vehicles back-to-back. One with IAS and one without IAS, and I drove the test cars hard on winding back roads. The IAS car had much better steering - it felt more responsive, more precise, more agile. The car also felt like it could corner faster. I highly recommend IAS if you are a guy who likes pushing the car in the curves, and also doing fast lane changes on highway.
...

One final thing - I agree with you on the Maui Jim plastic frames, but I have the metal Kahuna model which is rock solid. Unfortunately they don't make non-polarized, so if you have a good recommendation on a maker of prescription non-polarized wrap-around sunglasses, let me know.

Were you seriously considering buying a 750i before you settled on a 550i ? If so, why'd you go with the 5 ?

Thanks for your input regarding IAS, I do like to drive aggressively. (Case in point, on Christmas Day I drove the Palms to Pines highway returning from the desert to San Diego (74, 371, 79), and I had a blast with my Z3, Manual Transmission and very light traffic. Oh, and no wife or other passengers screaming at me to slow down and don't pass anyone ). Now I'm rethinking my decision about not getting IAS, perhaps I need to add it.

My three pairs of Maui Jims were all the Kahuna model. In all fairness, I was rough with them, even sitting on a pair once when I had placed them on my bicycle seat and forgot. I love the look and optics, but for driving the Serengeti's are better, IMO.