[andbrads]

So I had a ‘21 plate M340i, and now own a 23’ plate M340i LCI(1), both MHT. I am feeling quite some differences between them!

1. The older car felt quieter and more insulated. There was no active sound design at all, whereas the new one has iconic sounds which I turn off, but even with it disabled, I can somehow hear the engine more.

2. The ride is way more nuggety on the LCI. Both cars had adaptive obviously, the old car initially had Bridgestone RFTs which I then changed to Michelin PS4S and could not tell that much difference TBH. The new car has Continental RFT so I am wondering if this is making the car feel so much harder.

3. The MHT system seems less keen to shut off the engine and stop / start in my new car.

4. ID8 is great to look at, but the phone connection seems less stable, it drops all the time and has frequent hissy fits when it just won’t recognise my phone, and then randomly starts up CarPlay.

5. One extremely irritating aspect of the new car is that it keeps resetting things like HUD height. Very annoying! I never used my BMW ID in my old car as I didn’t really see the point, but I have now started to use it in the new car to avoid this constant resetting of things like heating settings, HUD height. Even then, sometimes the HUD is reset (too low) even after I have logged in.

6. The loss of temperature-triggered seat and steering wheel heating is a big loss, especially with the touch screen that you have to faff around with now.

All subtle differences but, put together, quite a change. Overall it’s almost like BMW thought the pre-LCI was perhaps too luxurious and not sporty enough, and addressed that with LCI.

Would be interested to hear anyone else’s experiences.

[a.summers86]

I think the noise related point you've noticed is probably down to cost saving and reducing the insulation etc.

The software related issues e.g HUD resetting are possibly just ID8 niggles. Have you checked you are always using the same key as the key links to the profile so will remember the last known height setting. I cant say I've ever had issues with the car not remembering settings - although I'm only in a pre LCI car.

On another note it was disappointed to see the LCI2 standard seats are now cloth/ alcantara. I'd expect a 3 series to be (p)leather as standard - but again, probably down to cost saving and eco reasons. A chap at work has an LCI 2 and my interior feels alot more premium just down to the seats.

[Stealthwolf]

Can’t say much about the other things since I’ve had my LCI M340i for a week and have no comparators. I’ve no issues with the phone connecting or not being recognised.

As for the HUD, the only time it changed position was when I’d grabbed the wrong key and everything was “wrong” in terms of display set up and HUD position.

[alFR]

Didn't have a pre-LCI so can't comment on the differences. My LCI has phone connection issues occasionally, a quick restart of iDrive fixes it. Never had any of the HUD reset issues, although I've always used BMW ID in mine so maybe that's why? Mine has temperature-triggered seat heating, not sure about the wheel. Go into the climate menu and make sure everything is set to auto and the seats should kick in along with the cabin heating when it gets cold enough.

[RichardM]

I moved from a 2020 car to a 2023 LCI and I didn't notice any of those things, other than yes the touch screen takes a little getting used to. No buttons for the heated seats is a pain.

My iPhone connection is very stable and never drops out.

[MisterG]

They made the acoustic glazing an optional extra… it was standard on the pre-lci.

[andbrads]

Originally Posted by MisterG

They made the acoustic glazing an optional extra… it was standard on the pre-lci.

On LCI2 yes but LCI1 was saved from this cheapness! Thankfully I have it.

[andbrads]

Originally Posted by alFR

Didn't have a pre-LCI so can't comment on the differences. My LCI has phone connection issues occasionally, a quick restart of iDrive fixes it. Never had any of the HUD reset issues, although I've always used BMW ID in mine so maybe that's why? Mine has temperature-triggered seat heating, not sure about the wheel. Go into the climate menu and make sure everything is set to auto and the seats should kick in along with the cabin heating when it gets cold enough.

Maybe the auto heated seats is market specific? I’m in the UK and definitely don’t have it. Even on auto heating setting.

[I800C0LLECT]

My heated seats come on under a certain temperature and as long as somebody is in the seat. But I have no way to change the automation of that in id8

[Funboy78]

Having owned a couple with ID7 and then into an LCI with ID8, I can’t say I ever noticed anything you’ve mentioned. In fact for me, it was opposite, I found every was better! (Will caveat perhaps some build quality, some elements/plastics had cheapened).

ID8 for me always solid with phones, never dropped. HUD the same, never experienced any issues. For me, I personally found it a big step forward overall…. However, there are too many apps and less buttons, but after a while it just feels normal.

LCI2 will be interesting. If fully specced, is there much of a difference to an LCI1?

[alFR]

Originally Posted by andbrads

Maybe the auto heated seats is market specific? I’m in the UK and definitely don’t have it. Even on auto heating setting.

I’m in the UK too, so doubt it.

[Herr Gross Byte]

Originally Posted by alFR

I’m in the UK too, so doubt it.

You were correct the first time. For the seat heating to come on in cold weather, go to the climate control and select "auto programme."

[johno]

Originally Posted by Herr Gross Byte

You were correct the first time. For the seat heating to come on in cold weather, go to the climate control and select "auto programme."

When my car hit 3 years, I didn't resubscribe to connected package professional, because there was nothing in the package that I needed, or so I thought.

But, come winter, I noticed that the auto seat heating doesn't work any more, so presumably it was part of the package, although not listed. I don't think I'm going to fork out £119 just for that, so I'm waiting to see if I notice anything else.

[paulockenden]

It doesn't help that all of the idrive versions are different when it comes to the auto heating rules. In ID7 you had full control. Newer versions increasingly less.

[NW90]

Originally Posted by johno

When my car hit 3 years, I didn't resubscribe to connected package professional, because there was nothing in the package that I needed, or so I thought.

But, come winter, I noticed that the auto seat heating doesn't work any more, so presumably it was part of the package, although not listed. I don't think I'm going to fork out £119 just for that, so I'm waiting to see if I notice anything else.

I noticed this and I can no longer use the native Spotify app!

[pauly69]

I have '24 LCI1 and with all of the climate settings on 'auto' and seats on 'low' they only come on at low temperatures. Not sure what the cutover is but there is an element of auto-ness to it using those settings.