[carholic]

Any good reasons to order either?

I am guessing the e-sim will give the car better cellular reception for data-related things like apps? Also it can be a separate hotspot if you happen to park next to your car and want to use that with your laptop?

Regarding HUD, I never use it on my cars even when they have it, but I am thinking maybe it would be useful on the track?

Thanks.

[Ravenseal]

eSIM is only needed if you plan to use the built in iDrive 8 apps and/or the WiFi hotspot. You’ll have to pay a monthly service fee in addition to.

HUD is like Coke or Pepsi. I’ve had it on my last 4 cars and grew bored of it, so I did not option it on my M2. Other people will tell you how much they love it.

[cmgbk75]

I have both and find them assets. One of my houses is in an area with very poor reception and the eSim has been great. If you’re ordering a Manual car the HUD is a no brained as it brings the Tach and Shift Lights right into your line of sight, I love it. You also get your Map and turn by turn directions via iDrive8 Nav or Apple Maps. At the track last week I discovered the Lap Timer is also in the HUD which I found a lot easier than looking at the Infotainment screen.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by cmgbk75

I have both and find them assets. One of my houses is in an area with very poor reception and the eSim has been great. If you’re ordering a Manual car the HUD is a no brained as it brings the Tach and Shift Lights right into your line of sight, I love it. You also get your Map and turn by turn directions via iDrive8 Nav or Apple Maps. At the track last week I discovered the Lap Timer is also in the HUD which I found a lot easier than looking at the Infotainment screen.

+1. Nav and tach in my line of sight, not having to look down and away. The nav is great when you are in messy city traffic where a person can jaywalk in front of you any moment. Eyes up = safer driving.

Side note: Android Auto Navigation also works seamlessly with the HUD.

Absolutely a YMMV thing, tho. I love it, others do not, and that's totally OK.

[mynameisnick4]

A HUD has been on my must have car features list for years after driving a family members Camaro with one. To have your speed and RPM without having to glance down at a gauge cluster is awesome to me. I almost see it as a safety feature that would benefit anyone. The less we have to take our eyes off the road the better.

ESim however is a massive waste in my opinion. We all carry phones that have hotspot functionality. I don't see the point in having to pay another monthly fee for my car to do it too.

[Game]

HUD is fine. This is my first car with it and if I had to do it over again I'd probably save the $1100.

ESIM is a complete nightmare to set up and useless unless you want a $20 monthly data subscription.

[Rx-7ames]

E-Sim can also be used to make a phone call if you leave your phone at home. I've never seen it done, but I remember seeing that in one of my training classes.

[soflacarguy]

Ive had HUD on several cars, and BMW’s integration is pretty nice so its a must for me. Plus you can turn it off if anything…

I also skipped the SIM for same reasons already mentioned.

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by soflacarguy

Ive had HUD on several cars, and BMW’s integration is pretty nice so its a must for me. Plus you can turn it off if anything…

I also skipped the SIM for same reasons already mentioned.

I skipped it because I drive all my MT cars by feel, rarely looking at the gauge cluster. Also makes the dashboard much cleaner, and I can't imagine HUD windshield replacement being cheap if something goes wrong. Track rats will know what I'm talking about.

[soflacarguy]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

I skipped it because I drive all my MT cars by feel, rarely looking at the gauge cluster. Also makes the dashboard much cleaner, and I can't imagine HUD windshield replacement being cheap if something goes wrong. Track rats will know what I'm talking about.

I totally understand what you mean. In my experience tho HUD is often desirable for resale value, and lucky us in FL we are a Zero deductible windshield replacement state lol.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

I skipped it because I drive all my MT cars by feel, rarely looking at the gauge cluster. Also makes the dashboard much cleaner, and I can't imagine HUD windshield replacement being cheap if something goes wrong. Track rats will know what I'm talking about.

Same. I don't understand people who need to constantly see the tach. Can they not feel what the car and engine are doing? Do they not have the muscle memory? The cluster has shift lights anyway. It'll flash at you if you're nearing redline.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by soflacarguy

I totally understand what you mean. In my experience tho HUD is often desirable for resale value, and lucky us in FL we are a Zero deductible windshield replacement state lol.

Of course the resale value is going to be higher. You're spending $1,100 more. That's how math works.

[soflacarguy]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

Of course the resale value is going to be higher. You're spending $1,100 more. That's how math works.

I don’t even really mean the actual dollar amount- moreso referring to the option being there making it easier to sell later.

I usually don’t keep my cars more than 3 years +/-, and on the flip side Ive often encountered buyers double/triple checking “the car has the HUD right?” Lol

[carholic]

I rarely see the point in HUD for street driving purposes, but I was just considering it for this one because this will be my street/track car and maybe HUD will be useful on the track.

With the E-Sim, I don't get why it will help in a bad reception area, assuming the e-Sim and your phone is subscribing to the same provider.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by carholic

I rarely see the point in HUD for street driving purposes, but I was just considering it for this one because this will be my street/track car and maybe HUD will be useful on the track.

With the E-Sim, I don't get why it will help in a bad reception area, assuming the e-Sim and your phone is subscribing to the same provider.

I THINK these carshave better/bigger antennas than phones. Don’t quote me on that though.

[cmgbk75]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

Same. I don't understand people who need to constantly see the tach. Can they not feel what the car and engine are doing? Do they not have the muscle memory? The cluster has shift lights anyway. It'll flash at you if you're nearing redline.

For me, when driving near the limit on mountain roads (where the car spends 70% of the time) the Tach is an important tool for me. As I also drive 3 other cars and haven’t this one for a month yet, so Muscle Memory is not yet a substitute, nor was it enough during Break-in. Additionally if I ever sell the car (which I doubt), I think the HUD will make it a more attractive vehicle.

Bottom line, with the ability to turn it off, I would rather have the option of having it when it’s needed most, on these twisties and at the track. For $1100, it’s a small part of the overall price of admission. In 5 years every car will have it and it’ll just make cars without seem dated.

[cmgbk75]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

I THINK have better/bigger antennas than phones. Don’t quote me on that though.

This is absolutely correct. The eSim antenna is a massive boost to my signal. It states as much in the OM and is actually true. Where I get SOS on my phone the car provides me with 5G coverage. It saves me from having to drive to an area that I know has coverage to check messages/make a call/place a bet on DraftKings.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by cmgbk75

For me, when driving near the limit on mountain roads (where the car spends 70% of the time) the Tach is an important tool for me. As I also drive 3 other cars and haven’t this one for a month yet, so Muscle Memory is not yet a substitute, nor was it enough during Break-in. Additionally if I ever sell the car (which I doubt), I think the HUD will make it a more attractive vehicle.

Bottom line, with the ability to turn it off, I would rather have the option of having it when it’s needed most, on these twisties and at the track. For $1100, it’s a small part of the overall price of admission. In 5 years every car will have it and it’ll just make cars without seem dated.

I don’t disagree with your reasoning. If you have $1,100 to burn on a feature you might or might not use, more power to you. I diverted that money to fun upgrades like the carbon roof and the M HAS. HUDs have been around for a long time now, dating back to the E60 5 Series and the F30 3 series. Those cars already “look dated” regardless. The M2 already has way too much screen real estate if you ask me. I’m definitely able to live without the HUD after having it on my last 4 cars.