[psulaw]

I’m not sure if this is new for the LCI or just new to me, but I noticed they got rid of the climate controls in the back seat and they got rid of the little storage compartment to the left of the steering wheel. They also got rid of the leather and stitching on the air bag on the steering wheel, but I know others have already commented on that.

[B58-M340iX]

Why would BMW do that.....

[blue_seather]

Originally Posted by B58-M340iX

Why would BMW do that.....

Cost-cutting, of course.

The stitched leather on the steering wheel airbag was removed from the 3 series last year. The 4 series models were left with it but now it's been cut there too. Funnily enough, the M3 and the M4 keep it, even after the LCI.

The little storage to the left of the steering wheel was cut 2 years ago from all models in the basic configurations. You could have it only by optioning the real leather (not Sensatec) dashboard, that I don't even believe was available in the US. It was some very well kept secret, however, and barely anyone knew this. Latest LCI 3 and 4 series cars don't have a real leather dashboard anymore, so no option for that anymore, unfortunately. The M3 and M4 keep it, I think.

The 3-zone climate control was cut from the 2-door 4 series cars, seems like. The 3 and 4 series Gran Coupe have retained it after their recent LCIs. I think BMW figured barely anyone sat behind in the 2-door cars so they could sneak a little cost cutting that hardly anyone would notice, haha.

I think the nets on the back of the front seats were also cut on the 3 series an year ago, but the 4 series car retained it. I assume they should be cut there too, after the LCI.

I don't know about the 3 and 2-door 4 series boots but I am completely disappointed that an year ago they cut the hook, the second net and the socket from the Gran Coupe's. Those were something I was really looking forward to when I bought my Gran Coupe, based on various YouTube clips, and was shocked to see the boot was completely empty with no way to hold in place even a single grocery bag.

I don't know why nobody notices but the new LCIs have been also greatly dechromed in their interiors. This must be another cost-cutting measure for sure. I'm not sure how I feel about this.

Also, the ambient lighting now being only inside of the middle vent in the front, is something that I have to see in person, but I really really hate.

Last but not least, this red mark on the steering wheel is tacky. No laser lights - another thing that will cut BMW's costs - I'm 50:50 on their design and don't know how the new matrix lights actually perform but they will undoubtedly be much cheaper to manufacture. The rear lights are kind of cool, but they lack the 3D element of the old ones. Also, the EU turn indicators are a huuuuge letdown compared to the regular (pre-LCI) rear lights. In order to not clip with the laser elements to the sides of the lights, they look super awkward.

Oh... almost forgot... No Merino leather option in EU for 3 and 4 series anymore. Only for M3 and M4. Also, the 4 series Gran Coupe no longer gets the option for seat ventilation. No Tacora Red Vernasca anymore also, just Sensatec, for some reason.

[Davidbmwdd]

In Europe you can add for both M340/M440 for Lci models (2025) M technic package, which gets u radiator and bigger brakes

[SW19]

Another nice feature on the M440i Coupe that has been removed is the M Performance logo on the engine cover.Now it just says BMW.I assume that the MY25 M340i will also not have it anymore.

[blue_seather]

Originally Posted by Davidbmwdd

In Europe you can add for both M340/M440 for Lci models (2025) M technic package, which gets u radiator and bigger brakes

I stand corrected! Just checked the G26 DE configurator and it's indeed still there. Glad it was not cut out!

Seems like the G26 configurators I looked at the other day weren't very fleshed out yet as it was still missing then. I will correct my original comment.

[psulaw]

Originally Posted by SW19

Another nice feature on the M440i Coupe that has been removed is the M Performance logo on the engine cover.Now it just says BMW.I assume that the MY25 M340i will also not have it anymore.

I agree. The new engine cover seems very generic. It’s one of those things I didn’t realize I cared about until it was gone.

[ejaychaz]

Has anyone tried to fit the new LCI grille on a 2024 G26?

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by psulaw

I’m not sure if this is new for the LCI or just new to me, but I noticed they got rid of the climate controls in the back seat and they got rid of the little storage compartment to the left of the steering wheel. They also got rid of the leather and stitching on the air bag on the steering wheel, but I know others have already commented on that.

On my 2024 GC (interior LCI 1.0) the compartment under the headlamp controls was removed but still has the full climate controls and USB ports in the back seat (with my kids back there on long trips I couldn't live without those).

[komoornik]

Rear seats climate control and USB thingy seems to be only coupe/cabrio.

[335aw]

Originally Posted by komoornik

Rear seats climate control and USB thingy seems to be only coupe/cabrio.

Yeah i started researching that as soon as i read that post above and i also believe that is not on the Gran Coupe which is great but odd ha.