[Xsapper]

Anyone thinking of going for the 2022 3 series facelift?

[Charlie (Wessex)]

No from me. I buy a car and like to try and keep it for a long time. Not at all interested in having the latest just for the sake of having the latest.

Looks are obviously subjective, but not sure the LCI improves anything at all. Biggest difference though seems to be inside with iDrive 8. In all honesty I find iD7 to be very distracting already, so no need for any more screens. And I think the screens, aping Mercedes, look utterly dreadful. But ETTO.

If I was to change car now, I'd likely go back to a 5er, though I'm more than happy with my G21.

[paulockenden]

I’ve yet to drive one, but from the press images I think the new iDrive is a backwards step. Lots of flash at the expense of function.

Maybe I’ll feel differently after taking one for a spin.

[thescouselander]

idrive is buggy enough without putting more essential controls through the screen interface. Definitely not for me.

[Jklotz]

I just bought an m340i specifically to NOT have that extra screen. I'll reserve judgement until I see one in the flesh, but I like my new car as it is.

[Kr-m422]

.

[Slipmiester]

Originally Posted by Mark 330e

What are the likely differences other than the screen?

Minor cosmetics, ie lci front lights look slimmer, without the notch on the lower edge. Slight mods on the bumpers too i believe.
Not heard anything regarding engine tweaks.

[Charlie (Wessex)]

I wonder whether the quoted BHP figures will rise on some models? Isn't that a usual thing that BMW do with LCI? The last LCI I had was an e61 535d where the BHP went from 272 (I think) > 286.

iDrive seems to be one of the big changes. As I've said elsewhere, I already find the iD7 to be far too distracting. And at night time, I don't want any bigger screens. If everything is touchscreen, then it's really not that much different from using your mobile when driving.

However, there is always a bit of "I don't want it because what I've got already is perfect" about it, because most don't like their vehicles being superseded by something better. Whether it is better is subjective of course, and when the big step from buttons to touch screen comes about, esp for heating, then maybe this argument about one's old tech being better might have validity. There is of course one big drawback with touchscreen - fingerprints. The anal retentive in me gets f'ing wound up by dirty fingerprints on the screen.

Someone also mentioned the 1-8 buttons going. Is that a big prob? I like mine, but I reckon I could live without them. With me, 1-5 are radio, 6 is tyre pressure, 7 is petrol station map, 8 is driving data.

I guess quite a lot might depend on how well voice commands work, though I'm of an age where I don't particularly like talking to machines to get them to do things, esp when it's quicker doing it manually. If the voice controls for heating work better/quicker than they do now, then that might be the way forward when using iD8

[paulockenden]

It’s not just the 1-8 buttons, loads of others have gone too. Compare a pre-LCI interior image with an LCI one. Things like the aircon controls are now on the touchscreen rather than buttons.

[Charlie (Wessex)]

Need buttons for heating/AC. Touchscreen is a step backwards. Was in a 2022 Discovery the other day, and they have it spot on, including a dial. Dial is better than an up/down button, and both are better than touch screen.

[aguywalksintoabar]

Photo source: Car Buzz

That's quite a bit of change on the front alone.

[Talisman77]

I genuinely think the pre-LCI is the perfect blend of aesthetic and function... LCI 8 is a massive step back imo - for one the screen's just plonked there on the dash, they couldn't even integrate it nicely? As others have mentioned, the climate controls are now touchscreen and I personally use the 1-8 MFBs heavily, doubt there's an alternative there.

Then you've got the front of it looking like Kirby and no headlight notch

I'm hoping they realise a few of their errors and fix in iD9 or whatever the future rendition beyond 8 is.

[marksandygill]

Current 3 series is pretty much perfect (aside from no full electric model), the new one just looks bland!

With the new screen it feels like the driver is no longer the focal point of the car, which from my first 116 was the thing I liked most about BMWs!

[Charlie (Wessex)]

At least they've got the DRL's upside down compared to the 5er, as then you'll easily be able to tell the difference between the two.

[aguywalksintoabar]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

At least they've got the DRL's upside down compared to the 5er, as then you'll easily be able to tell the difference between the two.

Makes it look like a Vauxhall or Ford though with them upside down.

[225]

The lack of headlight notch and very odd DRLs do it no favours. It's the same with the m3 and m4 lights I think they would look better with the notch.
They have to change something to make it an LCI and justify the price increase but doesn't do it for me.
The F series LCI I liked as the lights were an improvement IMO.
As for ID8 that would have been fine if they kept the shortcuts and aircon as buttons.
Whack a pointless big screen in if you must keep up with Merc but give us buttons!

[Jimbon1973]

I read that the m340i will now have quad pipes which is a plus for me. (as I've been told I won't get a pre lci one)!

[Carbon dude]

Originally Posted by Jimbon1973

I read that the m340i will now have quad pipes which is a plus for me. (as I've been told I won't get a pre lci one)!

Nice, that's the only downside I can say about the M340i is only having dual exhausts.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Jimbon1973

I read that the m340i will now have quad pipes which is a plus for me. (as I've been told I won't get a pre lci one)!

Where did you hear that?

[marksandygill]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Where did you hear that?

https://www.bmwblog.com/2022/04/21/m...et-quad-pipes/

But not sure the M340i will do, might just be new models and not LCI?

[Jimbon1973]

Originally Posted by marksandygill

https://www.bmwblog.com/2022/04/21/m...et-quad-pipes/

But not sure the M340i will do, might just be new models and not LCI?

Hard to say, but Dukec does say it's for those models that sit immediately below the full M models.
You're right though, could be new models, but then LCI is essentially new versions that will incorporate updates.

[marksandygill]

Doesn't appear to have them, have seen the new X1 M35i and the quad pipes look a bit pathetic!