by "Audistein" (Audistein)
Published 06/23/2017 at 17:59
by "Audistein" (Audistein)
Published 06/23/2017 at 17:59
Tags: BMW
; iDrive
; E93
STARS: 1
As part of some bizarre deactivation scheme for the 2G(?) antenna for the completely useless iDrive internet features in my post-LCI E93, BMW is giving me $300 worth of garbage from their accessories catalog for free. Apparently back in December I opted to take that over a $200 Visa gift card for some reason. I didn’t remember any of this until my dealer called me this week and asked me to spend the money. And there was the certificate was in my email!
The strangest part is I think I only had like 1 or 2 months of iDrive internet service left when the deactivation scheme was announced and my car is from the last year of the E92/E93, so basically they’re paying a small number of people a fair chunk of change for giving up basically nothing. I’m sure there was something going on behind the scenes at BMW corporate and whoever they contracted for internet service in these cars.
So Oppo, what should I buy? I’d prefer nothing to garish, because if I bought a jacket cover in ///M logos I could never bring myself to wear it. Some of their jackets look like they have minimal BMW branding, but its hard to be sure how invisible a logo pressed into leather is.
Since this apparently only applies to “accessories” and not “parts” I don’t think I can use it to get a second key for the car (bought it used with one key) or any M Performance goodies, because I think those all count as parts. A M Performance sport exhaust would be nice though...
"Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras" (jegoingout)
06/23/2017 at 18:02, STARS: 3
Blinkers
"Audistein" (Audistein)
06/23/2017 at 18:03, STARS: 0
Ouch.
"Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
06/23/2017 at 18:04, STARS: 0
That USB stick is pretty sweet.
I’m guessing 3&4 are packing bags for documents. I have similar bags from Tumi and they’re great
"StoneCold" (StoneCold)
06/23/2017 at 18:06, STARS: 1
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/LIFESTYLE/ACCESSORIES—-GIFTS/MINIATURES
!!!
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/23/2017 at 18:08, STARS: 0
“Can I get the visa gift card instead?”
"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
06/23/2017 at 18:10, STARS: 0
You could buy me a set of aluminum pedal covers
"Audistein" (Audistein)
06/23/2017 at 18:11, STARS: 0
An excellent idea.
The only ones I want are basically $100 though. Think of how many keychains I could get instead!
"StoneCold" (StoneCold)
06/23/2017 at 18:12, STARS: 1
The driving gloves are pretty pimp:
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/LIFESTYLE/ACCESSORIES—-GIFTS/LEATHER-GOODS
Some of these look kinda useful:
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/ACCESSORIES/INTERIOR
It is neat they feature the kidney bean design in EVERYTHING:
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/4850/BMW-CUFFLINKS
http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/5528/BMW-MEN-S-DISTINCTIVE-KIDNEY-STYLE-TIE-FUCHSIA
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
06/23/2017 at 18:23, STARS: 2
Digital tire pressure gauge, accurate to the 0.001 psi.
"Audistein" (Audistein)
06/23/2017 at 18:40, STARS: 0
I’ll definitely try on some leather gloves when I go to the dealer.
The cufflinks are a neat design, but it might just look like I’m wearing plastic cufflinks, which isn’t great.
That tie is definitely a consideration though. Thanks.
"Your boy, BJR" (jerseyshoreben)
06/23/2017 at 18:45, STARS: 0
There is literally nothing in that store that wouldn’t make you immediately look like a massive douche.
"Audistein" (Audistein)
06/23/2017 at 18:45, STARS: 0
If you give me $150 I’ll buy them for you...
I would get a set myself by I already have aluminum pedals (m-sport package).
"Audistein" (Audistein)
06/23/2017 at 18:50, STARS: 0
Damn, do they pay you to be that boring?
Wait...
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
06/23/2017 at 18:52, STARS: 0
I’d go for the baseball hat (IMO branded hats aren’t dochey), the wallet, and the pen.
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
06/23/2017 at 18:56, STARS: 0
A used 3-wagon
"Audistein" (Audistein)
06/23/2017 at 18:57, STARS: 1
That picture is just a small sample of the many, many lifestyle accessories available.
There’s a quite nice BMW Heritage hat featuring the vintage motorsport roundel that I’m far more interested in, but it costs $50. If it get a hat it will be this one I think.
I just wish it wasn’t quite so white because I know it will get dirty.
"Audistein" (Audistein)
06/23/2017 at 19:01, STARS: 0
There is lots more stuff, a fair amount of it with relatively discreet branding for a car company’s apparel at least, but I just picked a picture that featured the most aggressively obnoxious items for this post.
"Audistein" (Audistein)
06/23/2017 at 19:09, STARS: 1
Yeah, the USB stick is neat but I’m not even sure if they still sell it (that image is old I think). No one really uses them USB sticks these days anyway except for special uses I suppose.
I think 3 & 4 might be wallets but I’m not sure. While Tumi does usually make great products, I don’t really trust the quality of the BMW branded stuff until I check them out in person, even with the very high price point.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/23/2017 at 20:04, STARS: 0
I drive a bright blue modified BMW because I like how it drives, sounds and looks. It’s a cool car, which I enjoy because it’s a cool car.
Apparently many other people agree with me because I often receive unsolicited compliments from random other drivers on my car. Just the other day, a guy in a beat up Chevy S10 gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up on the highway. I happened to be scratching my balls at the time but I’m fairly confident that was not the reason for the thumbs up.
I have zero interest in displaying random BMW branded items so I can be That Guy™ and advertise to others that I drive a BMW, in situations where I’m not behind the wheel of my car, or having a car-related conversation.
I do, however, have plenty of other things I would happily spend $200 on.
"Audistein" (Audistein)
06/23/2017 at 21:40, STARS: 0
I was just making a joke about getting the gift card being boring and how’s that’s literally me getting paid. Didn’t mean any offense.
I wouldn’t get an M branded polo but a nice bag with a small embossed but not stitched bmw logo in the corner isn’t going to kill me. Also my dealer gives me 20-25% off all accessories so I can make the $300 go a little further than the visa gift card. I mean its fun to do some shopping sometimes, because if I took the $200 I would just spend it on groceries or something and nothing would change.
"razorbeamteam" (razorbeamteam)
06/24/2017 at 00:08, STARS: 0
Combo lapel pin and cuff links, for formal occasions where you’re afraid someone might not know you drive a BMW