[xlover]

Originally Posted by beammeupscottie

Isn't this the LCI with latest kidney grills uncovered?
Looks good to me especially when they black out those kidneys on the X3MC
.....

just a photoshopped guesswork rendering, based on spy shots and speculation

[Spectremotorsports]

Originally Posted by JSY

I am surprised they would change the taillights to that (to me) strange design. I like how they are now a lot and it makes it different and they'll only have that design for 4 years?

Also, the side mirrors - those look like M style side mirrors?

From prior manufacturers mules, I'm guessing the weird taillight design is the old style lenses taped over the new design to hide it. It's pretty common on mules, Porsche did it to hide their new taillight design when they moved to the single-bar.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by LOW4LYF

What makes you think that?

Said earlier today...

Originally Posted by LakeSurfer

Interesting, the quality and amount of "spy" pics and videos there are. It's almost as if the manufacturer was in on it.

[Frank_NJ]

My backup plan will be a X5M

[z335is]

Take it with a grain of salt, but I have it on decent authority that the LCI changes will be very minor. All of this talk of a completely new interior, front fascia etc. are completely off.

[jacko15]

Originally Posted by z335is

Take it with a grain of salt, but I have it on decent authority that the LCI changes will be very minor. All of this talk of a completely new interior, front fascia etc. are completely off.

What does your decent authority have to say about the iDrive 7 hardware? That seems like a substantial change, at least to some of us.

[z335is]

Originally Posted by jacko15

What does your decent authority have to say about the iDrive 7 hardware? That seems like a substantial change, at least to some of us.

No substantial changes to idrive either. Again, take it for what it's worth, but this person has correctly called out every LCI since the e9x.

[Ravenous666]

The iX3 got the new iDrive hardware already and the spyshots show it also on the X3 LCI mules.

I highly doubt your source is reliable in regards to the X3.

[Spectremotorsports]

Originally Posted by z335is

No substantial changes to idrive either. Again, take it for what it's worth, but this person has correctly called out every LCI since the e9x.

50/50 chance your source is right but... I can't possibly fathom a reason that BMW would go through all the effort to fit a G20 style dashboard and controls into the X4 we saw if they weren't planning on changing something.

Add in some pretty clear fascia changes in the lower vent and grille section and I'm gonna take that prediction with a grain of salt. Everyone keeps referencing the 7 and 5 LCI as an example but the X3 sold more than double both of those models combined. It's not hard to see the business case for a bigger than normal refresh on their best selling model with EOP not coming for another 3 years

[z335is]

Originally Posted by Spectremotorsports

50/50 chance your source is right but... I can't possibly fathom a reason that BMW would go through all the effort to fit a G20 style dashboard and controls into the X4 we saw if they weren't planning on changing something.

Add in some pretty clear fascia changes in the lower vent and grille section and I'm gonna take that prediction with a grain of salt. Everyone keeps referencing the 7 and 5 LCI as an example but the X3 sold more than double both of those models combined. It's not hard to see the business case for a bigger than normal refresh on their best selling model with EOP not coming for another 3 years

Well, you could also use that same logic and say why make major changes to one of your best selling models?

My source may very well be wrong, but they haven't failed me yet. I figured I would just pass along the info though. Should be interesting either way.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by z335is

Well, you could also use that same logic and say why make major changes to one of your best selling models?...

They need to offer more Seats choice (my third prediction) i.e. like they have in the X5 portfolio:

456 Comfort Seats
453 Ventilated Seats
4T7 Massage Function for Driver and Passenger

[Ravenous666]

At least in Europe ventilated seats are available as an option.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

At least in Europe ventilated seats are available as an option.

You guys also get nice M seats as an option.

[M40i4me]

Has BMW ever made substantial interior changes on an LCI? Maybe a bigger screen?

[Douggie]

Originally Posted by Spectremotorsports

50/50 chance your source is right but... I can't possibly fathom a reason that BMW would go through all the effort to fit a G20 style dashboard and controls into the X4 we saw if they weren't planning on changing something.

Add in some pretty clear fascia changes in the lower vent and grille section and I'm gonna take that prediction with a grain of salt. Everyone keeps referencing the 7 and 5 LCI as an example but the X3 sold more than double both of those models combined. It's not hard to see the business case for a bigger than normal refresh on their best selling model with EOP not coming for another 3 years

Normally the EOP is 2 years after the LCI, so I don't think BMW will spend that much effort to completely revamp the interior for LCIs. Besides, if they revamp the LCI to use the latest interior design, what will they use for the next brand new model two years down the road? Another newer design than the G20? Seems like a lot of hassle for the 2 years life of the LCI model. Just IMO.

[Mindau]

Originally Posted by Douggie

Normally the EOP is 2 years after the LCI, so I don't think BMW will spend that much effort to completely revamp the interior for LCIs. Besides, if they revamp the LCI to use the latest interior design, what will they use for the next brand new model two years down the road? Another newer design than the G20? Seems like a lot of hassle for the 2 years life of the LCI model. Just IMO.

I am sure they will make g20 alike interior for the x3 lci, and the for the new model the idrive 8 will come which is completely different from the current g20. And they are launching idrive8 on iX and on i4 this year, so of course they will put this in new generation X3, while the facelift now will get the current interior of the g20 alike plus, its been already spotted on the x4 so 99% x3 will get the same

[Douggie]

Originally Posted by Mindau

I am sure they will make g20 alike interior for the x3 lci, and the for the new model the idrive 8 will come which is completely different from the current g20. And they are launching idrive8 on iX and on i4 this year, so of course they will put this in new generation X3, while the facelift now will get the current interior of the g20 alike plus, its been already spotted on the x4 so 99% x3 will get the same

Lol. You do have high expectations from BMW.

Wonder why they didn't do squat for the iX3. Considered a brand new model.

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by Mindau

I am sure they will make g20 alike interior for the x3 lci, and the for the new model the idrive 8 will come which is completely different from the current g20. And they are launching idrive8 on iX and on i4 this year, so of course they will put this in new generation X3, while the facelift now will get the current interior of the g20 alike plus, its been already spotted on the x4 so 99% x3 will get the same

I don't believe that BMW has ever revamped the entire interior of a car for an LCI. There's always a first time I suppose, but I'd put the odds at maybe 5%.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by Douggie

Normally the EOP is 2 years after the LCI, so I don't think BMW will spend that much effort to completely revamp the interior for LCIs. Besides, if they revamp the LCI to use the latest interior design, what will they use for the next brand new model two years down the road? Another newer design than the G20? Seems like a lot of hassle for the 2 years life of the LCI model. Just IMO.

LCI is generally the last three years of BMW's seven year cycle.

Originally Posted by blinkme323

I don't believe that BMW has ever revamped the entire interior of a car for an LCI. There's always a first time I suppose, but I'd put the odds at maybe 5%.

I agree, but that 5% may be a good bet this time. There are pics out there of a X6 LCI with a i4 interior. So BMW may be changing.

[Mindau]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

I don't believe that BMW has ever revamped the entire interior of a car for an LCI. There's always a first time I suppose, but I'd put the odds at maybe 5%.

They did on the e60 and unless they want the x4 lci to have the newer one and x3 lci to have the old one then yes...

[rob175]

IF in the next few years BMW is re-designing all of their models front end grills to look like the new X7's grill, I won't be buying another BMW...plain and simple. Lexus is just as horrible to me....

What's the fascination with front grills that are huge, plastic and sure to be destroyed if a parallel parker backs into the grill even gently.

To me, it's aesthetically FUGLY!

[jacko15]

Originally Posted by hinckley

I agree, but that 5% may be a good bet this time. There are pics out there of a X6 LCI with a i4 interior. So BMW may be changing.

I sure hope that the X3 LCI doesn't look like that inside.