[methodtim]

Originally Posted by buckybadger

Your car looks dated in front of the LCI.

I agree the bumper can be improved but I haven't seen the M performance bumper, other than that the LCI is a good refresh.

You think so huh?

[dtox9]

Haven't I seen this look before ???
(2018 Toyota Storm Trooper - errrrr - I mean 4-Runner)

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by af18

Anyone that recently bought the pre-LCI version doesn't want to admit that their relatively new car might look dated compared to the new design and anyone that has been putting off a purchase and waiting for the LCI doesn't want to admit that there are design aspects of the old model that actually look better then the one they've been waiting for."

In my opinion, I think your comment is an overgeneralization and not fair to either side. Speaking for myself, I decided not to wait for the LCI for a few reasons. The biggest was that I was concerned about what the front end would look like, and besides that none of the presumed updates were important to me.

If I thought the LCI looked good (like some of the renders that showed a front end that is similar to the new X5 M Sport), I would have been the first to say that it looks good and congratulate the new LCI owners when they got their vehicles. So for me, my feelings are based on nothing else but how I think it looks. Judging by the leaked pics, I don't think it looks good at all (again, just my opinion). When the official photos come out, if I think it looks good and my opinion is changed I will say so.

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by TX3M

In my opinion, I think your comment is an overgeneralization and not fair to either side. Speaking for myself, I decided not to wait for the LCI for a few reasons. The biggest was that I was concerned about what the front end would look like, and besides that none of the presumed updates were important to me.

If I thought the LCI looked good (like some of the renders that showed a front end that is similar to the new X5 M Sport), I would have been the first to say that it looks good and congratulate the new LCI owners when they got their vehicles. So for me, my feelings are based on nothing else but how I think it looks. Judging by the leaked pics, I don't think it looks good at all (again, just my opinion). When the official photos come out, if I think it looks good and my opinion is changed I will say so.

Agree.

I loved the e90 LCI, I think it addressed some of the most glaring issues from the OG e90. The Audi Q7 LCI gave me immediate FOMO (and... I went and traded in my 2019, lol). I don't HATE this LCI, but I think it doesn't bring much to the game.

[TX3M]

Side by side, both vehicles with black trim:

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by TX3M

Side by side, both vehicles with black trim:

I like the LCI. Too bad with the component shortages the actual X3 one may want to build may not be an option until 2022.

[leon360x]

Not sure the leaked pics are base model or M performance model, compare to the current base X3 models I think they sure look more aggrassive.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by leon360x

Not sure the leaked pics are base model or M performance model, compare to the current base X3 models I think they sure look more aggrassive.

They are from an M-Sport model, not an M-Performance model. But historically, the bumper differences between the two were pretty minor, certainly compared to the base models.

[Prissy]

[buckybadger]

LCI

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by buckybadger

LCI

Yes, that is indeed the subject of this thread, thanks for clarifying!

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by methodtim

Yes, that is indeed the subject of this thread, thanks for clarifying!

Prefer LCI.

[briguy80]

Originally Posted by Pauleebe

I like the LCI. Too bad with the component shortages the actual X3 one may want to build may not be an option until 2022.

Or it seems that most (all but the lumbar support on the passenger seat) are available if you upgrade to the M40i, at least that was my plan if I had no other choice in order land a vehicle this year. Granted, will cost a good bit more — but this is truly a bad situation.

[JSY]

The more I look at the picture, the more I am questioning how accurate it is. The license plate holder seems to over lap the front of the grill indentation a little and that doesn't seem right. But, I can see them making the grill more angular to match the x5s and the x7s which this rendition tries to do.

Also, I am willing to bet it doesn't come with a black grill as standard and this would be part of the shadowline option that many folks won't buy.

Anyway, I'd like to see it in Phytonic Blue to see if it feels more aggressive because it doesn't really to me in this pic. But I'm not as bothered by the front as I am those taillights. lol

[sbt007]

Front bumper on LCI looks worse (to me). The grilles - they are joined which I thought I'd hate but it seems fine.
Rear: I do like the darker tail lights but shape seems kind of the same. So nothing drastic here really in terms of the exterior.

[JCLBoston]

I was actually looking forward to the LCI and was hoping/expecting to like it. Generally, LCI's have improved upon the design - the latest 5 series being a really great example. i'll have to wait until better photos come out for it, but based on these "leaked" photos, I'm pretty disappointed.

Originally Posted by af18

Seems like any time a new design is released, opinions are split between recent buyers of the pre-LCI version and anyone in the market that has been waiting for the LCI. I'm sure there are exceptions to this rule, but it leads to some pretty extreme opinions. Anyone that recently bought the pre-LCI version doesn't want to admit that their relatively new car might look dated compared to the new design and anyone that has been putting off a purchase and waiting for the LCI doesn't want to admit that there are design aspects of the old model that actually look better then the one they've been waiting for.


There were plenty of positive reactions too, but here are a few quotes from the "All new BMW X3 LEAKED!" thread back in 2017 that sound eerily similar to the comments on this thread:

dchamero: "Honestly, I like the front of my 2013 X3 better... it looks cleaner, this new one looks too busy."

BMWRL: "Handsome SAV... if you're not looking at that face. Why does BMW insist on making all the front end of their cars so busy looking. It's like looking at a Tammy Faye Baker's face or a drag queen with full makeup on"

LBBF87: ".....All I can really say is ew."

allen3ybq: "I just don't feel it based on the pictures and it doesn't look aggressive to me at all. Anyone with me?"

[CaturdayMorning]

It has been said earlier but are there really no fog lights? Curious if other manufacturers have dropped them 🤔

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by CaturdayMorning

It has been said earlier but are there really no fog lights? Curious if other manufacturers have dropped them 🤔

Audi has dropped dedicated fog lights for a long time now. Weather/cornering lights are just part of the main array, as they should be.

[TC1856]

If you look at the side vents on the Green LCI that came out a few days before the white LCI, the side vents look much different to me? It’s a profile view but it seams pretty clear to me. The green car appears to have much larger vents. Can someone with better graphics skills try to put them next to each other......

[af18]

I would like to see someone who knows what they are doing do an actual render in a color other than white...but here's a rough look at the LCI in black. To me, the lights are a clear improvement, and the new grille design looks good but isn't drastically different. I didn't love the new bumper on the white car in the photos, but on a darker car the weird angles blend in (and the lack of fog lights actually makes it look less busy than the pre-LCI design IMO). I'll be interested to see some actual press photos of the new design.

[jacko15]

That neutralizes the clown grin quite nicely! Would love to see a render of the LCI with Phytonic Blue Metallic and shadowline. That might be something I could live with. Black is just too labor intensive for me.

[Soup02]

Anyone know when the planned build start is on these? I have a 30e on order with a 'mid-July" build slot but haven't decided if i like the LCI or not yet. Would be good to know if I'm likely to have much of a choice or not?