[BMPHIL]

I traded my 2022 40i for a 2023 M50i last April. I didn't want the new model without buttons and got a good deal on the M50i.
I have been offered and taken a new M60i fully loaded with £11000 off and have decided to change.
I pick the car up on March 1st as registration plates change to 24 in the UK.
The car is in Frozen pure grey and has full black merino interior, not that it will mean anything to members in US but it has tech plus and comfort plus packs as well as other extras.
When I have had it for a short period I will post an honest appraisal of pre lci against lci x5 from a "doubter".

[dwwStL]

Sacrificing for the greater good

[BMPHIL]

Originally Posted by dwwStL

Sacrificing for the greater good

Will tell you in 6 weeks.

[Gibson6594]

Put your trust in the almighty BMW. LCI or die!

[BlkGS]

You're not much of a doubter if youre trading your car for an LCI, lol.

[BMPHIL]

Only trading because of deal I was offered and spec of new car, time will tell!.

[E70X5M35i]

post pics when available : )

[BMPHIL]

Originally Posted by E70X5M35i

post pics when available : )

Will do.

[mobilejo]

Phil what made you decide to change - meaning in terms of the numbers what made it make sense to you?

I'm asking because my PCP is up on my X6 and I was all set on buying it out and just keeping it, but they are constantly calling me offering deals on the LCI and I'm wondering if its worth it to change or not when I don't love the LCI (I basically felt the same as you about it)...

I'm struggling to see the numbers working out well but I do wonder if there's an angle I'm not looking at it from.

[BMPHIL]

Originally Posted by mobilejo

Phil what made you decide to change - meaning in terms of the numbers what made it make sense to you?

I'm asking because my PCP is up on my X6 and I was all set on buying it out and just keeping it, but they are constantly calling me offering deals on the LCI and I'm wondering if its worth it to change or not when I don't love the LCI (I basically felt the same as you about it)...

I'm struggling to see the numbers working out well but I do wonder if there's an angle I'm not looking at it from.

Apologies for the late reply, the numbers didn't make sense but it was a great deal on a fully loaded car, I easily get bored with cars even the M50i. I may regret the decision but you only live once.

[BMPHIL]

Collected the car yesterday and first impressions are good. New idrive will take alot of getting used to but I'm sure it will be not too difficult.
No access via rear door is a pain but having car open when you approach will get over that. I previously had the luggage compartment package which isn't available on the LCI and will miss the cover moving back electrically if only the top of the boot is opened, really helped with putting items in.
Do not find the stop/start intrusive and is nearly seamless with the 48 volt.
Driving the car is no different to driving the M50i , may think differently when I have driven it more.
Voice control is really good and allows you to turn on the steering wheel heating and the seats to a specific level.
A couple of photos below but not the best in our wonderful weather.
Having memory buttons on the passenger side for the seats is a bonus but can still adjust passenger seat from drivers side.

[mobilejo]

Love the frozen paint!

But you change cars like we change Prime Ministers, so the real question is which will last longer - this car or a lettuce?

[six]

Looks great! Look forward to your thoughts once you are used it it.

I too miss the rear door unlock access, it still catches me out now. I don’t turn on the unlock on approach and departure stuff as I prefer to be in control of when the car unlocks. Now I have to remember to go to the front door first, hmmmm!

[RNorb]

Originally Posted by BMPHIL

Collected the car yesterday and first impressions are good. New idrive will take alot of getting used to but I'm sure it will be not too difficult.
No access via rear door is a pain but having car open when you approach will get over that. I previously had the luggage compartment package which isn't available on the LCI and will miss the cover moving back electrically if only the top of the boot is opened, really helped with putting items in.
Do not find the stop/start intrusive and is nearly seamless with the 48 volt.
Driving the car is no different to driving the M50i , may think differently when I have driven it more.
Voice control is really good and allows you to turn on the steering wheel heating and the seats to a specific level.
A couple of photos below but not the best in our wonderful weather.
Having memory buttons on the passenger side for the seats is a bonus but can still adjust passenger seat from drivers side.

In Arizona in the U.S. no front license plate is required. That is a "bonus"!

[Cityman]

Congrats! Looks very nice. I’ve had my new m60i for about 3 weeks now and love it. Skyscraper gray w/ merino black leather. I originally had a 50e on order and cancelled it to buy this one. Zero regrets. It’s hard not to exceed the speed limits in this vehicle.

[GrokuE7]

Originally Posted by dwwStL

Sacrificing for the greater good

This is the way..

[rvivam]

The pics look great BMPHIL . I was planning for a very similar look (Purce LCI PHEV and not an M). But, had to budge in to pick an inventory for an awesome finance rate. Nevertheless, really happy with my purchase. I will look forward for your review.

[X5MC4ME]

Beautiful car! That color really suits the LCI. The sport seats look awesome. Enjoy jt!

X

[BMPHIL]

I have had the car a month so will do a comparison between the 2024 M60i and 2023 M50i.
Specification : Frozen Pure Grey, 22 inch 747M Bicolour alloys, Individual black Full Merino Leather, Fineline Black Wood with Metal effect Interior Trim.
Comfort Plus Pack, Technology Plus Pack, Front and Rear Air Suspension, Acoustic Glass, Sky Lounge Panoramic roof, Crafted clarity controls, Anthracite Alcantara Headlining,Bowers and Wilkins Diamond Surround Audio System, M Electric Front Sports Seats, Accessory Mat Protect Pack, BMW Front and Rear Advanced Car Eye 3.0 Pro, Trackstar 5 Tracker.

Driving there is very little difference between the 2 cars, I have no problem with the ASS on the LCI near enough seemless, wasn't a major problem on pre LCI and had a button to disable if needed.

The adaptive LED lights on LCI are not as good as the lasers on pre LCI, they are good enough.

The Frozen Grey is a brilliant colour and has comments all the time.
Previous car had extended merino, this one has full merino, not a lot of difference for a fair amount of money.
I am not an audiophile but the Bowers and Wilkins is superb, much better than the Harmon Karmon, a lot of money but worth it if you are into your music.
The sky lounge sunroof is good but would have been happy with a normal sunroof for half the price.
Soft close doors are a waste of time as is the new gear stick (or lack of), much preferred the old style.
Happy to see buttons for memorising seat positions on drivers and passenger doors, still have the option to alter passenger seat from drivers side.
Petty to remove the access from rear doors but not an issue for me as have car on lock/unlock when approaching and leaving.
No side net in boot which I had on M50i, also no luggage compartment pack which was really useful as when top hatch was opened it electrically opened as well as at push of button disappearing into floor.
Another odd thing is if you have the boot open and have the fob set like I do if you walk away the doors lock, I can't think of any circumstance why I would want to leave the boot fully open but lock the doors.

Now the big one, I bought the M50i last April as I didn't want the buttonless LCI, because I got a good deal on the LCI and it was better specced than my pre LCI I bit the bullet hence the title of this topic. I don't have any issues with the lack of buttons, most things can be controlled using voice control or the controller. Not happy with the fingerprints on the touchscreen but have cleaner in car to deal with this.

Am I glad I changed - YES- but all round not a vast improvement on the pre LCI car,

[mscot]

Originally Posted by BMPHIL

I do if you walk away the doors lock, I can't think of any circumstance why I would want to leave the boot fully open but lock the doors.

Whomever works in UX for BMW's software development is very bad at their job. There are so many ways that the UX can be improved on this vehicle.

[crabman]

Agree completely. I came over from MB and MBUX has a more logical layout. Biggest difference is that it's far easier to find a setting, even when deeply embedded, because the menu structure is easily parsed.

[Mattl0806]

BMPHIL Thanks for the review!

So you really don’t notice an observable difference with the engine upgrade / mild hybrid now?

I have to think you lost some decent $ handing in the m50 after a short time - when you say you’re happy - this includes the assumed loss?