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      10-08-2018, 11:54 AM   #1
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Pre-LCI vs. LCI

So I have been planning to get an M2C for a while now, but I am also exploring the possibility of going with an OG M2 as well. I've been driving an N55 135i for 6+ years, and I know and love the engine.

There is a dearth of used 2018's on the market in my area, but several '17s. I only ever got to see an '18 LCI up close and test drive, so I never saw the inside of a pre-LCI.

I'd like a few opinions on whether the LCI is really THAT big of a deal to the point where you would only look for an LCI. Is the pre-LCI going to look/feel dated soon?
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      10-08-2018, 12:53 PM   #2
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If I was shopping for a used M2, I would not really care if it was pre-LCI or LCI - I have an LCI only cz I was busy buying a house before that.

I really like the LED headlights, iDrive 6, new gauges, and esp the new dashboard design of the LCI, but while I didn't really like the old dashboard design, I was nonetheless hell-bent on a new M2 from the moment it was first revealed. The new dash design of the LCI was a total surprise and merely a nice bonus for me.

Since the outside is the same, the only thing that may possibly look dated to you in the future, pre-LCI vs LCI, would be the dash design - and some ppl prefer the old gauges, thinking they have a classic feel. I think the old gauges look perfectly fine - a few ppl said they could be hard to see in bright sunlight, but all this stuff is minor if you ask me.
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      10-08-2018, 01:08 PM   #3
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Thanks.
The other problem I have is that almost all of the M2s in my area are auto/DCT.
MT is non-negotiable for me while I can still get them. I'm surprised so many are auto/DCT.
I'm also annoyed that most of these listings, including from dealers, say "manual" when, in fact, they are not MT.

I'm pretty agnostic bout the gauges. I like LED lights, but can live without.
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      10-08-2018, 01:41 PM   #4
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I never used iDrive5, but I only use the touch screen to skip forward/back in a song with iDrive6 and I rarely even do that. I use the center console wheel control for everything. It's a pain to reach forward to touch the screen, plus you get fingerprints on the screen. I'm not sure what other functionality changes there are in iD6. I know it works very well though. So well that many other manufacturers buy the license to use it in their cars.

I think the pre-LCI interior looks dated, but other people don't really see the inside of a car so it might not matter that much.

I think the LCI looks so much better with the new headlights. Pre-LCI look dated, IMO. Some people like the pre-LCI taillights though, but I don't.

I really love the new gauges. They look amazing and it was a big reason I went with a LCI. I've had the same 2007 sedan since early 2013, so if I were to get a new sports car I definitely wanted gauges that looked up to par.

Something else to consider is the moonroof. If you don't want a moonroof, it may be harder to find an LCI without one. Currently Autotrader shows 246 LCI M2's without a moonroof and 57 with. Then you gotta figure out how many have the options, color, mileage you want.

Another reason I went with a 2018 because I wanted the experience of ordering a car and that was much easier than spending time finding a used one that I wanted. None of that matters in your situation though and all your choices are used.

If I had to choose all over again, and would have to go with used, I'm not sure which I would get. I guess the cost would play a big factor and how much money I had available for the purchase. If the pre-lci is a lot cheaper, it would make sense to get it. Otherwise, I would definitely get the LCI.

Oh, Warranty would come into play too... the LCI having more warranty life left and being a newer vehicle.
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      10-08-2018, 01:59 PM   #5
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Thanks for the input.
Yeah, warranty is a factor (I like warranty).
Price is only a factor insofar as I won't overpay. I'm seeing LCI's still going for over $50k. Hell, for high $50's I can spec a brand new M2C, so if I'm going to be spending in the $50's, I might as well do that.

All-in-all. I'm really torn. My plan all along has been to wait for the M2C next year when hopefully they will offer more colors (MGM) and I can get ED in conjunction with a planned trip to Germany in October.

But that's a whole year away, and I've kinda got the bug...
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      10-08-2018, 02:09 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k View Post
But that's a whole year away, and I've kinda got the bug...
Just wait a year. In the end you'll be happier.
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      10-08-2018, 02:30 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k View Post
Thanks.
The other problem I have is that almost all of the M2s in my area are auto/DCT.
MT is non-negotiable for me while I can still get them. I'm surprised so many are auto/DCT.
I'm also annoyed that most of these listings, including from dealers, say "manual" when, in fact, they are not MT.

I'm pretty agnostic bout the gauges. I like LED lights, but can live without.

Maybe you can try nearby states as well.
For instance, a couple of dealers in MD have multiple LCIs and they clearly state '6 speed manual' in their descriptions. Some have good discounts too.
Personally, I really like the LED headlights and revised panel of the LCI.
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      10-08-2018, 03:30 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewc89 View Post
Just wait a year. In the end you'll be happier.
Honestly, I'd be happy with OG M2 or M2C car-wise, but the prospect of ED is what is really pulling me to want to wait for the C.
Never done one, and always wanted to, and since I'll be there for two weeks on vacation anyway...
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      10-08-2018, 04:01 PM   #9
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I was in a similar boat - wanted to do ED of the OG M2 but by the time I got to it the M2C came out and I missed out on the last batch of 2018s.

In Canada the M2C got into ridiculous price range so I gave up on ED (I go to Europe all the time anyway) and looked for a low mileage OG.

LCI vs pre-LCI was not important for me. I like the new lights a bit better but I prefer the interior of the pre-LCI (traditional gauges and the dash).

What I would suggest is forget about the LCI and get the best deal on a cleanest M2 with manual transmission and MPE. The exhaust noise brings me way more joy than LCI or even M2C ever could.
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      10-08-2018, 04:13 PM   #10
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There are still new M2s around with 6 speed transmissions. BMW Seattle still has 2 black new 2018s.

I am sure there are several more around the country. They can be had for an excellent discount now that the M2C is out.
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      10-08-2018, 04:41 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_lab_rat View Post
I was in a similar boat - wanted to do ED of the OG M2 but by the time I got to it the M2C came out and I missed out on the last batch of 2018s.

In Canada the M2C got into ridiculous price range so I gave up on ED (I go to Europe all the time anyway) and looked for a low mileage OG.

LCI vs pre-LCI was not important for me. I like the new lights a bit better but I prefer the interior of the pre-LCI (traditional gauges and the dash).

What I would suggest is forget about the LCI and get the best deal on a cleanest M2 with manual transmission and MPE. The exhaust noise brings me way more joy than LCI or even M2C ever could.
Does the pre-LCI exhaust sound better than the LCI or something??
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      10-08-2018, 04:57 PM   #12
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yep

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k View Post
So I have been planning to get an M2C for a while now, but I am also exploring the possibility of going with an OG M2 as well. I've been driving an N55 135i for 6+ years, and I know and love the engine.

There is a dearth of used 2018's on the market in my area, but several '17s. I only ever got to see an '18 LCI up close and test drive, so I never saw the inside of a pre-LCI.

I'd like a few opinions on whether the LCI is really THAT big of a deal to the point where you would only look for an LCI. Is the pre-LCI going to look/feel dated soon?
If you want a used LCI check Autotrader.... they have 44 of them listed.

I have been in an 16 OG and my LCI and I can barely tell them apart. I would not pay more for an 18 than a comparable 16 or 17 (remaining warranty being the only real variable in my mind).
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      10-08-2018, 05:00 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1s View Post
Does the pre-LCI exhaust sound better than the LCI or something??
Exhaust is the same.
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      10-08-2018, 05:03 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRF View Post
If you want a used LCI check Autotrader.... they have 44 of them listed.

I have been in an 16 OG and my LCI and I can barely tell them apart. I would not pay more for an 18 than a comparable 16 or 17 (remaining warranty being the only real variable in my mind).
I disagree. The headlights are much better in the LCI especially if it has the executive package (which most do). I also think the LCI gages are much nicer including the large digital speed readout.

Not to mention the led tail lights only on the LCI.
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      10-08-2018, 05:37 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
I disagree. The headlights are much better in the LCI especially if it has the executive package (which most do). I also think the LCI gages are much nicer including the large digital speed readout.

Not to mention the led tail lights only on the LCI.
i've had my LCI for about 7 weeks now, 250 miles on it (including the 60 mile drive home from the dealer), and I have yet to drive at night with the headlights on. :-)
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      10-08-2018, 06:09 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by JRF View Post
i've had my LCI for about 7 weeks now, 250 miles on it (including the 60 mile drive home from the dealer), and I have yet to drive at night with the headlights on. :-)
It is raining here today, so my headlights have been on.
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      10-08-2018, 06:24 PM   #17
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i've had my LCI for about 7 weeks now, 250 miles on it (including the 60 mile drive home from the dealer), and I have yet to drive at night with the headlights on. :-)
It's not the "headlights" per se, it's the angel eyes within them that are noticeably different in the exec pack LCI. They're also your day time running lights so they're on 24/7 (unless you turn them off in iDrive settings) so the time of day you do or don't drive at is irrelevant. Maybe you won't ever notice them since you're behind the wheel but I assure you everyone looking at your car from the outside will. IMO It's worth getting the LCI for those alone, but to each their own.
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      07-09-2019, 09:26 PM   #18
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I'm going to resurrect this thread because it discusses something I'm struggling with shopping for a OG M2. All things being equal I want the LCI (really like the gauges, a one year newer model for warranty purposes and a sunroof, if optioned).

Curious what others would pick, assuming the following cars are identically priced:

2017 CPO with 9K miles
2018 non-CPO with 16K miles

Both with exec package, and no sunroof on the 2018.

I bought my 135i two years old with under 4K miles. So 16K sounds like a lot just to get an LCI. Any opinions?
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      07-09-2019, 09:42 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkoral View Post
I'm going to resurrect this thread because it discusses something I'm struggling with shopping for a OG M2. All things being equal I want the LCI (really like the gauges, a one year newer model for warranty purposes and a sunroof, if optioned).

Curious what others would pick, assuming the following cars are identically priced:

2017 CPO with 9K miles
2018 non-CPO with 16K miles

Both with exec package, and no sunroof on the 2018.

I bought my 135i two years old with under 4K miles. So 16K sounds like a lot just to get an LCI. Any opinions?
The LCI gauges and tail lights can be retrofitted pretty easily at a cost of ~$1500. The issue is more so with the LED headlights since they're crazy expensive. If you have your heart set on the new style angel eyes you may as well just save yourself the headache and get a 2018 from the get go. If they're not that important to you just get a 16/17.
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      07-09-2019, 10:08 PM   #20
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I give zero shits about LED taillights. I’ve owned an M2 for 3 years and have never seen my taillights illuminated except for their reflection off my garage door.
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      07-09-2019, 10:32 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkoral View Post
I'm going to resurrect this thread because it discusses something I'm struggling with shopping for a OG M2. All things being equal I want the LCI (really like the gauges, a one year newer model for warranty purposes and a sunroof, if optioned).

Curious what others would pick, assuming the following cars are identically priced:

2017 CPO with 9K miles
2018 non-CPO with 16K miles

Both with exec package, and no sunroof on the 2018.

I bought my 135i two years old with under 4K miles. So 16K sounds like a lot just to get an LCI. Any opinions?
All things being equal I would go for the LCI. To me it just looks better both interior and exterior wise and IDrive 6 is great too.
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      07-09-2019, 11:01 PM   #22
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The angel eyes give the car a modern look
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