[TankerFlight]

So this new update removes all physical buttons for climate control, etc? Guess I’m sticking with a 2024 then…

It’s such a distraction to fiddle on a menu while driving to change the temperature or fan.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by TankerFlight

So this new update removes all physical buttons for climate control, etc? Guess I’m sticking with a 2024 then…

The physical A/C buttons were removed with the LCI and the move to the OS8 curved screen for model year 2023...

[TankerFlight]

Originally Posted by mbanck

The physical A/C buttons were removed with the LCI and the move to the OS8 curved screen for model year 2023...

Hmm that’s odd. Literally saw a 2023 at the dealer for sale and thought I saw buttons. Guess I didn’t pay attention.

Did all buttons disappear like iDrive 8 on the 2024 X5 M60i?

[stunatu72]

The question is: Are BMWs getting better over the course of time? We know they're making them more expensive while at the same time cutting manufacturing costs. So is newer better anymore? The '20 is the most coveted one. Mine is a '23, and it's fine. You don't know the '25 is going to better just because it has a flashy steering wheel. If they tinkered with the steering and the exhaust is muted, and whatever else they cheaped out on, that's probably not a better car.

I agree but it’s also based on personal preference so can understand folks waiting. I had a deposit on discounted 2024 that was on its way but they gave me $11,000+ to take back my 2021 lease, and 1.5% off the going rate. The day it arrived I learned about the 2025. Disappointed for about 15 mins then considered the following: why walk away from a great discount for an unknown entity? Sounds like the ‘25 has a tweaked engine, how reliable are the tweaks on this 1st batch? Additional torque sounds great but is it actually any faster than an already quick car? Are there performance benefits with a flat bottom steering wheel? What else will they drop from the 2025 as they keep dropping features, eg. rear heated seats, side bolsters, comfort access on back doors, buttons and changing things around such as HUD RPM gauge etc. Does the MPE now become mandatory with the muted sounds? What standard features will find their way into a paid package? So many unknowns :-/ As for idrive 8.5, the dealer intimated it should find its way into older models but not sure how realizable that is…

[awh5]

For the above posts, any car now with iDrive 8 will never get a free update to iDrive 8.5. It requires a different head unit. The climate controls are all screen aside from heated steering wheel and defrosters in iDrive 8. I have iDrive 8, and I like the auto climate except for the heated seats. I only play with my settings twice a year.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by stunatu72

The question is: Are BMWs getting better over the course of time? We know they're making them more expensive while at the same time cutting manufacturing costs. So is newer better anymore? The '20 is the most coveted one. Mine is a '23, and it's fine. You don't know the '25 is going to better just because it has a flashy steering wheel. If they tinkered with the steering and the exhaust is muted, and whatever else they cheaped out on, that's probably not a better car.

I agree but it’s also based on personal preference so can understand folks waiting. I had a deposit on discounted 2024 that was on its way but they gave me $11,000+ to take back my 2021 lease, and 1.5% off the going rate. The day it arrived I learned about the 2025. Disappointed for about 15 mins then considered the following: why walk away from a great discount for an unknown entity? Sounds like the ‘25 has a tweaked engine, how reliable are the tweaks on this 1st batch? Additional torque sounds great but is it actually any faster than an already quick car? Are there performance benefits with a flat bottom steering wheel? What else will they drop from the 2025 as they keep dropping features, eg. rear heated seats, side bolsters, comfort access on back doors, buttons and changing things around such as HUD RPM gauge etc. Does the MPE now become mandatory with the muted sounds? What standard features will find their way into a paid package? So many unknowns :-/ As for idrive 8.5, the dealer intimated it should find its way into older models but not sure how realizable that is…

Absolutely. Take away the emotion and personal preferences - cars regardless of OEM are absolutely getting better. From an economic/inflation perspective, cars are "cheaper" today than they were generation over generation and with BMW, a lot more reliable.

You're going to have people complain about x, y, z based on their preference, but overall as a car and value, it's a lot better today than they were from yesteryear. Only variable is your finances and if you're able to support the price of cars today - and to most, it's a no.

[hrf]

I think overall with all the cost cutting measures and new things that added to 2025 it is still a better car overall with port and direct injection, updated handling, idrive 8.5 and better fuel economy. In US they reduced number of options and it is easier to configure, premium now includes HK and power liftgate, standard options include many things that you pay extra in UK or Germany. From this update i do not like only new wheels and wood trim options, they removed open pore Oak trim and added Ash Blue that i have to get instead of oak. Overall I stil do not regret that I cancelled my 2024 build and will get loaded 2025 once configurator ia updated. It is a still the best car in class if you like sports sedans and classic BMW look. I still think that last great semi analog BMW is e46 M3 which I still have from 2004, but when I test drive M340i, it was also fun, but not in a mechanical way as my e46 m3.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by hrf

I think overall with all the cost cutting measures and new things that added to 2025 it is still a better car overall with port and direct injection, updated handling, idrive 8.5 and better fuel economy. In US they reduced number of options and it is easier to configure, premium now includes HK and power liftgate, standard options include many things that you pay extra in UK or Germany. From this update i do not like only new wheels and wood trim options, they removed open pore Oak trim and added Ash Blue that i have to get instead of oak. Overall I stil do not regret that I cancelled my 2024 build and will get loaded 2025 once configurator ia updated. It is a still the best car in class if you like sports sedans and classic BMW look. I still think that last great semi analog BMW is e46 M3 which I still have from 2004, but when I test drive M340i, it was also fun, but not in a mechanical way as my e46 m3.

Persoanlly, I think the sweet spot was the E90 330i without iDrive. The improvement of reliability from thr E46 to E90 (N52 models only) was significant and the quality and bulild was also a step up from the E46. The E46 will always be #1 to most but for me, the E90 for me will be pinnacle 3er because it was truly a jack of all trades and was an improvement over the E46.

[BlackTeaCp]

After seeing the new 3 series, I feel okay about all the upgrades. But it is so sad to see the plug-in hybrid 330e option is gone from the US market. The new 330e will have a bigger battery which is equal to 60 miles of fully electric range.

[TRACE_on]

I like new color options, so there’s that

[Blue Angel]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Persoanlly, I think the sweet spot was the E90 330i without iDrive. The improvement of reliability from thr E46 to E90 (N52 models only) was significant and the quality and bulild was also a step up from the E46.

We bought our E90 new in 2011 and still have it. It was our first BMW and has proven a very solid and reliable car, my wife’s daily driver for over 230k km. It’s a simple car by today’s standards, but everything it does it does well. The E90 LCI is still one of the best looking BMW sedans, in my opinion.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by awh5

For the above posts, any car now with iDrive 8 will never get a free update to iDrive 8.5. It requires a different head unit. The climate controls are all screen aside from heated steering wheel and defrosters in iDrive 8. I have iDrive 8, and I like the auto climate except for the heated seats. I only play with my settings twice a year.

I just finally coded the heated seats in our 2024 M340i recently using Bimmercode. For whatever reason, they come with the settings for each of the three heat levels (and for the seat bottoms and backs) set to the middle of the temperature range for each level. I set them to maximum value for each of the three levels (i.e. each level has a different temperature range), and they finally feel like BMW heated seats.

Just to check what was up, I checked the coding on my 2019 M2C which has never been changed since we bought it new, and each of the three levels were set to the maximum values from the factory. I also did note that the temperature level ranges (displayed in °C) for each of the three ranges were the same between the two cars.

Anyway, that change to M340i has greatly pleased my wife (it's her primary car) since the M2C and our old E91 heated seats were roasting away compared to the new M340i before the coding change.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

I just finally coded the heated seats in our 2024 M340i recently using Bimmercode. For whatever reason, they come with the settings for each of the three heat levels (and for the seat bottoms and backs) set to the middle of the temperature range for each level. I set them to maximum value for each of the three levels (i.e. each level has a different temperature range), and they finally feel like BMW heated seats.

Just to check what was up, I checked the coding on my 2019 M2C which has never been changed since we bought it new, and each of the three levels were set to the maximum values from the factory. I also did note that the temperature level ranges (displayed in °C) for each of the three ranges were the same between the two cars.

Anyway, that change to M340i has greatly pleased my wife (it's her primary car) since the M2C and our old E91 heated seats were roasting away compared to the new M340i before the coding change.

Do you use the AUTO climate feature by chance?

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Do you use the AUTO climate feature by chance?

We have used both. Neither allowed decent (i.e. typical BMW for the past 20+ years) seat heat levels until they were coded as I mentioned. Also I don't understand what the auto climate feature does to the heated seats since there are truly only three levels that can be coded (which are shown when in non-auto mode). In any event, both auto and non-auto mode heated seats are actually heating well now.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

We have used both. Neither allowed decent (i.e. typical BMW for the past 20+ years) seat heat levels until they were coded as I mentioned. Also I don't understand what the auto climate feature does to the heated seats since there are truly only three levels that can be coded (which are shown when in non-auto mode). In any event, both auto and non-auto mode heated seats are actually heating well now.

Not sure if something changed over time but it was well documented that if you used the AUTO feature, the heated seats wouldn’t get as hot as if you didn’t use the AUTO.

[justplain]

True, though the Sensatec/Alcantara is likely not going to be an available option here (ZA). Really annoying as I'd prefer the black perforated Sensatec seats with width adjustment. Oh well.

Originally Posted by zlatko

justplain - width adjustment was missing from Sensatec seats with LCI1 as well. That is my first BMW without it(and my last) and I'm really missing it. Next time I order BMW I will go with the seats that have it, doesn't matter the color, the material or the price!

Originally Posted by zlatko

justplain - for sure Sensatec is not problem as it has lumbar support and also black Sensatec/Alcantara seats do have width adjustment. I think it is a way to upsell customers to leather options.

[hrf]

- for sure Sensatec is not problem as it has lumbar support and also black Sensatec/Alcantara seats do have width adjustment. I think it is a way to upsell customers to leather options.

Same thing with cooled seats, only available with leather option. I wanted cooled seats, but will still get sensatek, as it ages much better than any leater and less maintenance.

[siddsbmw]

Surprised no one has mentioned the flat bottom steering wheel and whatever is going on with the rear view mirror corners.

I’m happy with my 23 m340i. The only FOMO I’ll have is if the driver assistant pro limit is raised to 85mph.

I wonder if the new mild hybrid electric motor will make the start stop even less noticeable.

[DTX_M340i]

Originally Posted by Equilibrandt

Wasn't expecting an LCI 2.0 change, but I have to say, a simple interior lighting, steering wheel, and carbon fiber trim change group is wholely welcome to the 3 series. The only people that should be mad are brand new MY24 owners, imo.

Wild that BMW clearly has its finger on the pulse for the G20 but not some of the other models. Cash cow gonna cash cow?

Does anyone have any input on how Vegas Red looks in comparison to the previous Melbourne Red? Imo, Melbourne is a really flat, washed-out red; hoping Vegas has some depth. Concur with everyone wishing there was a green option like San Remo. Very weird that the G45 X3 is getting Mineral Red; I figured the 3 and X3 would match popular reds. Guess the 5's red now matches the 3's red.

What if this MY24 owner got 20k off MSRP just because of a LCI 2.0 is coming out? Not all should be mad, I benefited from this small update.

[hrf]

I wonder if the new mild hybrid electric motor will make the start stop even less noticeable.

Updated TU2 engine does not have dedicated starter motor, hybrid engine is used to start, so we should expect better start/stop function, but I still wish I could disable it with coding.

[siddsbmw]

Originally Posted by hrf

I wonder if the new mild hybrid electric motor will make the start stop even less noticeable.

Updated TU2 engine does not have dedicated starter motor, hybrid engine is used to start, so we should expect better start/stop function, but I still wish I could disable it with coding.

I normally hate auto start stop but the mild hybrid is one I can live with. And if it’s the occasional time it’s annoying, I use sport individual to basically simulate comfort.

That being said, isn’t the starter motor used in the first TU motor for initial start only? I thought if the engine was at temp, the hybrid motor is used for power on startup and for all auto start stop restarts.

[siddsbmw]

Originally Posted by DTX_M340i

What if this MY24 owner got 20k off MSRP just because of a LCI 2.0 is coming out? Not all should be mad, I benefited from this small update.

$20k seems like a LOT for any model year bump, especially off a relatively minor update. That being said, that’s a killer deal, hope you enjoy the new car!