BMW and M Power Owners

What's the opinion on the G20/G21 3 Series LCI? Is it worth making sure you got an LCI model, is it not too much different? I know the inside looks a bit nicer on the LCI, with the disadvantage of moving to touchscreen controls for climate.

I'm being a typical man and planning the next car even though it'll be 18 months away :D
 
squerble said:
What's the opinion on the G20/G21 3 Series LCI? Is it worth making sure you got an LCI model, is it not too much different? I know the inside looks a bit nicer on the LCI, with the disadvantage of moving to touchscreen controls for climate.

I'm being a typical man and planning the next car even though it'll be 18 months away :D
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I quite like mine (came from a pre-facelift M340i to a facelift M340i last year).

Is it a better car? No. Is the touch screen annoying and would I prefer the pre-facelift? Yes. But I got an incredible deal as a friend sorted me at almost trade/cost price so it was hard to say no.
My pre-facelift didn't have MHT whereas my current one does and I don't really have a preference either way.

I'd say go sit in and drive both, see which you prefer.
 
Maccy said:
I quite like mine (came from a pre-facelift M340i to a facelift M340i last year).

Is it a better car? No. Is the touch screen annoying and would I prefer the pre-facelift? Yes. But I got an incredible deal as a friend sorted me at almost trade/cost price so it was hard to say no.
My pre-facelift didn't have MHT whereas my current one does and I don't really have a preference either way.

I'd say go sit in and drive both, see which you prefer.
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Thanks.

This will be my first BMW, and I'm quite liking the look of the G20/21 (Tourer preferable). Seems I should be able to get a decent example in the low £20ks region. Realistically it'll be a 320i or 330i and has to be auto :D . I believe the 320 and 330 are both the same 2.0L I4 Turbo, I'm guessing the 30i is just a factory remap (if you or anyone know for sure).
 
squerble said:
What's the opinion on the G20/G21 3 Series LCI? Is it worth making sure you got an LCI model, is it not too much different? I know the inside looks a bit nicer on the LCI, with the disadvantage of moving to touchscreen controls for climate.

I'm being a typical man and planning the next car even though it'll be 18 months away :D
Click to expand...

Pre LCI with visibility and tech pack is the sweet spot IMO. That’s what I’d be going for if I was looking for one right now.


E.g. have this on my list for commuter cars: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507144454005?


The petrol gets mid 40s on a run, diesel is mid 50s so not a million miles away.


330i is the sweet spot too IMO having owned a 320d and had a 320i for a while.


330i isn’t much more than a 320i, but same torque as a 320d which is perfect.


330d commands too much of a premium and isn’t worth it.


M340i is nice but wouldn’t pay 10k more for one - the engine isn’t as noticeable in a G20 as the F30 as it’s quite a quiet cabin.
 
MrRockliffe said:
Pre LCI with visibility and tech pack is the sweet spot IMO. That’s what I’d be going for if I was looking for one right now.


E.g. have this on my list for commuter cars: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507144454005?


The petrol gets mid 40s on a run, diesel is mid 50s so not a million miles away.


330i is the sweet spot too IMO having owned a 320d and had a 320i for a while.


330i isn’t much more than a 320i, but same torque as a 320d which is perfect.


330d commands too much of a premium and isn’t worth it.


M340i is nice but wouldn’t pay 10k more for one - the engine isn’t as noticeable in a G20 as the F30 as it’s quite a quiet cabin.
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Great advice, thanks.

Are there any obvious markers to look for in the pics for the tech and visibility packs? I can see in the example you linked has a pick of the HK speakers so that's obvious, but I also spotted the "adaptive" button near the drive modes - adaptive suspension?
 
squerble said:
Great advice, thanks.

Are there any obvious markers to look for in the pics for the tech and visibility packs? I can see in the example you linked has a pick of the HK speakers so that's obvious, but I also spotted the "adaptive" button near the drive modes - adaptive suspension?
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Visibility pack gives you adaptive laser lights which does the beam blanking


The way to tell is the DRL.


The standard ones are more like a “—“

Using the example @tamzzy gave: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508085275807


Compare that to the one I linked.




This is just my preference though - the standard LEDs are much better than those of the F30 anyway. I just happen to really appreciate the beam blanking and the way the lasers light up country roads, as I drive on them a lot.


HK is needed as the standard audio is dire, but that comes from someone with an Arendal speaker setup at home (I.e. I love my music).


Edit: adaptive button is indeed adaptive dampers. The standard ones are REALLY good though and provide a much more sophisticated ride than the F30, so wouldn’t say they’re needed.


It doesn’t apply to the LCI as they dropped the adaptive mode, but still offer adaptive dampers - you have to spot it via brakes and wheels instead, which are 19s with M Sport brakes (usually red or blue callipers, the former on the LCI I think).
 
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MrRockliffe said:
This is just my preference though - the standard LEDs are much better than those of the F30 anyway. I just happen to really appreciate the beam blanking and the way the lasers light up country roads, as I drive on them a lot.
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MrRockliffe said:
HK is needed as the standard audio is dire, but that comes from someone with an Arendal speaker setup at home (I.e. I love my music).
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yep, definitely opt for the adaptive led/laser and HK audio if available
my 440i had the works including adaptive suspension too. with the adaptive suspension, could take or leave it i guess...the comfort was softer than the standard, the sport was harsher than the m-sport
 
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Bear said:
Is that nasty as in its not very nice or is it like a woman is nasty but in a good way
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The car is a nasty, dirty whore. The colour is just a bit crap. It's a flat red, which is normally OK (like on a GTI), but it just doesn't pop or anything. Very meh IMO.

BuSr4fi.png
 
MrRockliffe said:
Pre LCI with visibility and tech pack is the sweet spot IMO. That’s what I’d be going for if I was looking for one right now.


E.g. have this on my list for commuter cars: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507144454005?


The petrol gets mid 40s on a run, diesel is mid 50s so not a million miles away.


330i is the sweet spot too IMO having owned a 320d and had a 320i for a while.


330i isn’t much more than a 320i, but same torque as a 320d which is perfect.


330d commands too much of a premium and isn’t worth it.


M340i is nice but wouldn’t pay 10k more for one - the engine isn’t as noticeable in a G20 as the F30 as it’s quite a quiet cabin.
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I agree with tech pack, and also vision is nice… but I’d add comfort pack to the must haves.

Actually, I’d prioritise it over the vision pack.
 
TS7 said:
Possibly one of these: https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202508115329429?quoteref=95d95b18-5222-4681-9a68-802b3dd73bab

I know it's pretty niche but anyone gone from an M5 to an M4 or just have experience of an M4 overall.

Also - all thoughts and opinions welcome.
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Sounds like you were satisfied with the M5 up to this point, what is it your are looking for in a change?

I had an M5 previously, currently I have an M3. I don’t think I would have made the change directly, other than the M3 being a bit smaller, more agile and a bit more raw, it’s not night and day different from an ownership perspective. The M5 is more plush and you are more insulated from the overall driving experience, but it’s still a really good car.

When I was looking earlier this year, I did consider going back to an M5, but I’d been there, done that and didn’t need the size. I started looking at Alfa QFs but when I tried to test drive a nearly new one, the garage cancelled because it was in the workshop, broken and they couldn’t tell me when it would be coming out. No such worries with the M3.
 
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Picked up my g70 7 series today. Just worked out to seems there is no play / pause button or mute on the steering wheel ? Am I being thick? Or is it voice, gesture and main control panel only ?
 
kitkat9933 said:
Picked up my g70 7 series today. Just worked out to seems there is no play / pause button or mute on the steering wheel ? Am I being thick? Or is it voice, gesture and main control panel only ?
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Nice.

BMW don’t typically have a mute button on the steering wheel.

I use gesture to pause mostly, it’s actually useful…
 
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