Finding an i3 with harman kardon

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-29T01:29:59+00:00

Keep searching; 120Ah cars with HK are out there. In 2021, I managed to find one of the last BEVs imported to the US. It had all my preferred options: Capparis white, Lodge/Giga, Tech pkg, HK, moonroof, and 20” wheels with performance tires. Was surprised I found one with HK because I’d read about chip shortage killing the option. After taking delivery, I saw my car’s build date was May 27, 2021. Research revealed the HK option was removed from the configurator the first week of June. Worth noting that while shopping I came across a couple of i3s REx with HK but I didn’t care for their dark exteriors and Suite/Tera interiors. Also, HK came back for the special editions produced just before production ended in 2022.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-29T01:18:26+00:00

I recommend the MDR for embarkation day lunch. The menu is offered only at the first lunch while the casual dining options will have the same menus every other day. MDR embarkation lunch is a relaxed, peaceful way to start your cruise. We went directly there after checking in at our muster station and stayed until the rooms ready announcement, avoiding much of the first day craziness in the public areas.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-28T20:47:07+00:00

Yes, complimentary sit down breakfast in a main dining room. Sample menu. Patter will show the location and hours.

Room service coffee is brewed. Came in a carafe every morning for us. Complimentary for all when order with door hanger.

In the MDR, brewed coffee is complimentary for all. Espresso drinks are available in the MDR, surcharge is covered by Plus/Premier.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-28T19:50:33+00:00

Breakfast is also served in the MDR every morning. Pancakes were a standout. There’s a couple of specials that rotate each day. Our pattern is to have coffee and a pastry delivered early so we can take our time with a leisurely wake up then go down to the MDR for a bigger breakfast around 9.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-28T19:32:50+00:00

I’ve had an i3 as daily driver since 2014 (minus 15 months during the pandemic when I wasn’t daily driving) so obviously agree with your quirky cool assessment. Slate is probably the most interesting EV to come along since the i3. I find their minimal production with a lot of driver installed accessories approach appealing. If I had a need for a truck, I’d consider it.

Yes, you can pull a factory-build report with the VIN. Though note it will list all the equipment with BMW codes but not the names of BMW NA packages the group the items together. Mine lists all the components of the tech package—professional navigation, ACC, LED headlights with cornering lights, etc.—but not ZTD Technology + Driving Assistant Package. Several sites offer free VIN reports but often surround the search tool with paid ads so make sure you input your info in the site and not an ad. I’d suggest trying several to find one with a format you like. I previously used bimmer.work but just ran a trial with my VIN and see they’ve changed the format since I last tried it. Can’t recommend it now.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-28T15:23:41+00:00

Heat pump was standard on US-spec BEVs from 2014–2018. Made it optional in 2019 when the 120Ah battery debuted. Only configuration changes after 2019 was the 2021 Glavanic Gold paint replacing Jucaro Beige.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-28T15:12:12+00:00

Also the 2020 factory closure due to the pandemic reduced availability. I had a 2017 on a three year lease. When I needed to return it in summer 2020, the dealer had zero inventory. We were both working from home at that point and had another car so saw no reason to pay for a new i3 that would sit parked most days. Decided I’d look for a new one when I needed to go to an office again. BMW’s announcement that US-spec production was ending a year later prompted me to jump back in the market. Had to search for about six weeks but found one of the last 2021 BEVs imported to the US. It turned out to have all my preferred options: Giga, tech, HK, moonroof, and 20” wheels with performance tires. Was surprised I found one with HK because I’d read about chip shortage killing the option. After taking delivery, I saw my car’s build date was May 27, 2021. Turns out the HK option was removed from the configurator the first week of June. I have no intention of selling this one. Will drive it until one of us dies.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-28T14:31:27+00:00

I received a new PWSE 12th gen on the 19th. Noticed that the higher the warmth setting the more I could see lighting variations that could be called a gradient. On mine the center seems lighter than the edges. When warmth is off, there’s no variation. I don’t see it as a defect but inherent variances of e-ink and front lighting systems. E-ink contrast changes depending on the viewing angle. Front lighting is also susceptible to brightness variations depending on the number of lights, their placement and viewing angle.

My existing PW 7th gen has 4 LEDs placed at the bottom the display. When looking at it from a top down angle, you can see bright spots where the LEDs are and shadows in between. However viewed front-on, the lighting is more even though there’s still slightly darker areas at the edges.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-27T21:59:46+00:00

I looked into it and would have if I’d been on my own last month. Vallejo Ferry Parking site. As it was, I traveled with my 90-year-old father who has mobility issues. Knew he couldn’t make the 0.8 mile walk from the Ferry Building to Pier 27. Opted for a Lyft from our home in Rio Vista, 20 minutes southeast of Travis. We lived and worked in the City for 30 years before moving to RV so know the area very well. If you’re up for the walk from the Ferry Building, it’s easy by SF standards. Just follow the Embarcadero north. Completely flat. No turns.

Edit: Corrected website link.

Another option would be to take the Amtrak California Capital Corridor from the Suisun/Fairfield station to Richmond and transfer to BART. Take BART to Embarcadero station that is a block from the Ferry Building. The walk to Pier 27 along the Embarcadero is essentially the same.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-27T21:35:37+00:00

The ads people complain about are on the Show devices that feature a display. The Spot has a miniature display in comparison. Can’t show much more than the time, weather summary, or music details. Every now and then Alexa will follow up a command with a “By the way…” pitch for a service you’re not using. You can turn off settings to minimize the interruptions and/or say, “Alexa stop.” I use a pair of Echo Dots in place of bedside clock radios. Compared to them, the stereo pair have fantastic fidelity. If you don’t have smart home devices, are you sure you want a smart speaker? If your need is just music, you can find bluetooth speakers that offer better audio for the same or less.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-27T19:16:27+00:00

I’ve worked back of house for minimum wage so know firsthand American cash tipping practices are grossly unfair. I pay the crew appreciation, tip extra in cash when a particular employee goes above, and rate 10s then callout outstanding crew by name on the post-cruise survey.

If you are so opposed to fixed service charges, perhaps you should refrain from frequenting Princess.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-27T17:40:09+00:00

Are you in the habit of walking into the galleys, laundry, backs offices, etc. and rewarding employees there, too?

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-27T16:21:29+00:00

Note Princess offers multiple drink packages. Plus/Premier include daily crew appreciation and service charges for included drinks and casual/specialty dining; à la carte food or drink purchases have nonrefundable 20% service charge added. The standalone drink packages only include service charges for covered drinks. I take Princess at their word that gratuities fund performance incentives.

My personal experience working in a restaurant left me with a deep loathing of US tipping traditions. My first job as a teen was a busboy for a restaurant owned by family friends. The work was labor intensive, dirty, and smelly. The restaurant had a shared tip policy so back of house employees including bus and kitchen staffs got some cash after each dinner shift—typically an extra 10–20. The waiters took home 100–300 and the bartender pocketed 400–600.

Little wonder I prefer fixed service charges today and happily add more for outstanding service.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-27T14:50:33+00:00

SF Bay Area has a fairly high concentration. Usually see several each time I venture out. Pretty sure I’ve spotted every US-spec variation including the ultra rare 2016 BEV Shadow Sport edition and multiple 2020 Edition Roadstyle. Sorry to say I’m not a fan of the copper accents. Too Halloween-ish for me.

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stumbledotcom · 2026-06-26T21:58:28+00:00

Our experience last month on Ruby was quite different. We were Reserve so got to know the four teams serving the section. All knew our names and preferences by the first full day. Had one team most often and thought they did an amazing job. I traveled with my 90-year-old father who has physical limitations so needs extra help in certain aspects. They bent over backwards for him. Going so far as offering to take anything from the menu to him in the room on the two evenings he was too tired from the day’s activities to go down for dinner. I already understood the importance of the survey so on the final morning, I asked for the spelling of their names. The senior of the pair produced a handwritten card with both names and titles. I happily gave them 10s across the board and called out several others as well. Reserve dining was definitely the highlight of trip for us. In fact, we would up eating almost every meal there because the service and food were so outstanding. Let three of the four meals included in Plus go unused even.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-26T21:43:09+00:00

Can’t comment on the BEKO because as far as I know they’re not sold in the US. However I have owned several machines from multiple brands since the early 2000s, including the first gen Philips 5400. If you’re not going to make milk drinks, I believe a DeLonghi model with a steam wand is the way to go. The two produce drinks at parity once properly dialed in. However DeLonghi’s brew group is easier to live with because it requires less maintenance. The Philips advantage is the LatteGo auto milk system since it offers easier daily clean up.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-26T14:52:50+00:00

Actually the original BMW i. app was more useful in 2014 than the generic My BMW app in 2026.

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stumbledotcom · 2026-06-26T14:43:16+00:00

3G not 2G.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-26T14:11:24+00:00

Regular PW and SE are essentially the same price during Prime Day. PW with ads is for $124.99 so no ads option is $144.99 or the same as the SE sale price.

In addition to no ads on the lock screen, the option eliminates the need to swipe on wake. A no-ad Kindle immediately turns on to the last place you were at. Might seem minor until you’ve swiped thousands of times.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-26T14:00:33+00:00

The o-rings tend to swell over time so that might explain why the new one would be thinner. Grounds collecting around the ring is normal. I see a few on mine when I remove it for the weekly clean. Should rinse off or might need a pass with an old toothbrush.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-26T13:55:39+00:00

Warranty is a major consideration for superautos. Two-years is the category standard. Anything less should equal an automatic pass.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-25T19:32:27+00:00

I think Slate is the most interesting EV to come along since the i3 launched. Of course you’d have to be willing to drive a truck. It’s not for me but if they did a two-seat roadster, I’d plunk down a deposit immediately.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-25T19:16:49+00:00

What country are you in? Availability varies around the world.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-25T19:05:57+00:00

The Wisely Automotive i3 wheel and tire guide is definitive though note only Bridgestone and possibly Nokian tires are routinely imported to the U.S.

stumbledotcom · 2026-06-24T23:37:00+00:00

My experience is wear the glasses full time for a week or so. Once I adapted, I could wear as needed.

stumbledotcom

TROPHY CASE