[TranMan]

Hey bimmer family,

I have been pondering on whether or not the m40i lci front and rear bumpers will fit the pre lci without any major modifications. I know it's not everyone's taste but I like the facelift on the new lci's but don't see a reason to trade my 2021 m40i in😂.

I've got an offer on a really good deal for the front and rear bumpers.

[bocabimmer]

Originally Posted by TranMan

Hey bimmer family,

I have been pondering on whether or not the m40i lci front and rear bumpers will fit the pre lci without any major modifications. I know it's not everyone's taste but I like the facelift on the new lci's but don't see a reason to trade my 2021 m40i in😂.

I've got an offer on a really good deal for the front and rear bumpers.

Biggest issue I can see right off the bat: headlights are a different shape entirely.

[TranMan]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

Biggest issue I can see right off the bat: headlights are a different shape entirely.

ohhh I had no idea the headlights are a different shape. they looked exactly the same to me. I just thought the newer headlights had the lci upgrade and newer style internals.

[TranMan]

they look exactly the same size to me.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by TranMan

they look exactly the same size to me.

The shape is different to my eyes based on those images.

The LCI appears narrower (lower edge less deep)and the angle near the grille bumper side look different. Could just be the images though.

Any headlight part that meets metal body panels will be the same shape to avoid new pressings, but parts that meets the new redesigned bumper may be different, which they appear to be just looking at where the bumper joins the wing/fender as a reference point, the pre LCI appear less narrow going lower into the number.

[tjt_]

Stevie Wonder might not see the difference.

[bocabimmer]

Definitely different as avi66 described. You can see it clearly in person.

[TranMan]

thanks for the input yall. I have a body shop and considered the upgrade but maybe it just isn't worth it.

[Kiemyster]

Bringing up an old thread here. Was looking for info to convert lci to pre lci because I hate that Lci front bumper, it looks like a pig.

When i did lci conversion to my e90, hood had to be changed. The way BMW tends to do it is to have it where alignment of other panels is not too much an issue. In this particular case, it looks like you should have no issue doing a conversion to LCI. I am looking at the spacing and lines of the headlight, it would appear that the side fender has the same cutout in angle and dimension. It appears the hood and side fender are identical on lci and prelci. I will check part numbers later to confirm, but it seems the same. So, all you would have to do is change headlights and front bumper and you should be fine. Of course, this means you will have to get different brackets I am sure, but this seems like a much easier job to do, it just forces you to get the headlights with the bumper.

[bocabimmer]

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

Bringing up an old thread here. Was looking for info to convert lci to pre lci because I hate that Lci front bumper, it looks like a pig.

When i did lci conversion to my e90, hood had to be changed. The way BMW tends to do it is to have it where alignment of other panels is not too much an issue. In this particular case, it looks like you should have no issue doing a conversion to LCI. I am looking at the spacing and lines of the headlight, it would appear that the side fender has the same cutout in angle and dimension. It appears the hood and side fender are identical on lci and prelci. I will check part numbers later to confirm, but it seems the same. So, all you would have to do is change headlights and front bumper and you should be fine. Of course, this means you will have to get different brackets I am sure, but this seems like a much easier job to do, it just forces you to get the headlights with the bumper.

Yeah but back in the e90 days things were even much simpler with a headlight swap (been there, done that on an e90). I’m not sure what coding, if any, would get the new style LEDs to operate with an older pre-LCI ECUs.

I miss the good old days when I swapped facelifted projector halogen headlights into my Mercedes and all I had to do was remove a plastic trim piece, unscrew 3 screws, undo the wiring harness and then reverse.

[boykindaddy]

Are you prepared to no longer have fog lights?

[AshtonPJT]

Originally Posted by boykindaddy

Are you prepared to no longer have fog lights?

Does anyone actually use fog lights?!?
Mine have 1% black tint over them to clean up the front of the car.

[AshtonPJT]

https://forzaaa.com/products/bmw-x3-...for-bmw-x3-g01

[boykindaddy]

Cool look. I used my fog lights a ton. My area is very foggy 3/4 of the year. Didn’t realize the ‘24 X3 did not have them when I purchased. Bummer.

[Kiemyster]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

Yeah but back in the e90 days things were even much simpler with a headlight swap (been there, done that on an e90). I’m not sure what coding, if any, would get the new style LEDs to operate with an older pre-LCI ECUs.

I miss the good old days when I swapped facelifted projector halogen headlights into my Mercedes and all I had to do was remove a plastic trim piece, unscrew 3 screws, undo the wiring harness and then reverse.

Yeah, it was the golden era. Working on these newer cars is such a pain. I am sure some coding would have to be done, maybe an additional module to program. I am in a weird situation where I would be wanting to do a reverse facelift, as finding a low mileage 2021 x3MC with black interior is really impossible. So if I do end up getting an LCI, I would be converting the front to pre-lci. But lets hope it does not come to that.

[wlfpck]

The rear bumper cover is swappable then? Just the front is not?

[TranMan]

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

Bringing up an old thread here. Was looking for info to convert lci to pre lci because I hate that Lci front bumper, it looks like a pig.

When i did lci conversion to my e90, hood had to be changed. The way BMW tends to do it is to have it where alignment of other panels is not too much an issue. In this particular case, it looks like you should have no issue doing a conversion to LCI. I am looking at the spacing and lines of the headlight, it would appear that the side fender has the same cutout in angle and dimension. It appears the hood and side fender are identical on lci and prelci. I will check part numbers later to confirm, but it seems the same. So, all you would have to do is change headlights and front bumper and you should be fine. Of course, this means you will have to get different brackets I am sure, but this seems like a much easier job to do, it just forces you to get the headlights with the bumper.

this is great information. I am researching too and have been, but to my surprise there isn't much info out there as of yet. possibly because it's fairly new and no one has attempted the conversion. that and some people dislike the lci conversion on these x3's. it may boil down to me just taking the leap and trying it to see what the outcome of it all is. i've also learned that the new lci headlights will need programming in order to work with the pre lci.

[TranMan]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

Yeah but back in the e90 days things were even much simpler with a headlight swap (been there, done that on an e90). I’m not sure what coding, if any, would get the new style LEDs to operate with an older pre-LCI ECUs.

I miss the good old days when I swapped facelifted projector halogen headlights into my Mercedes and all I had to do was remove a plastic trim piece, unscrew 3 screws, undo the wiring harness and then reverse.

the good ol days. cars aren't built to be that simple anymore😭😭😭

[TranMan]

Originally Posted by boykindaddy

Are you prepared to no longer have fog lights?

I considered making custom brackets on the new lci bumper to hold the pre lci fog lights in place. possibly right where the front bumper fog light slots used to exist.

[TranMan]

Originally Posted by AshtonPJT

https://forzaaa.com/products/bmw-x3-...for-bmw-x3-g01

I saw this on their website. I wondered if they built the bumpers to work on the pre lci or if it's exactly the same dimensions as the lci. I definitely wouldn't want to pay +$2,000 on the bumpers though haha.

[TranMan]

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

Yeah, it was the golden era. Working on these newer cars is such a pain. I am sure some coding would have to be done, maybe an additional module to program. I am in a weird situation where I would be wanting to do a reverse facelift, as finding a low mileage 2021 x3MC with black interior is really impossible. So if I do end up getting an LCI, I would be converting the front to pre-lci. But lets hope it does not come to that.

good luck. the x3m's that I found around the east coast area have all been beaten on. the only reason I bought this x3m40i was because a really good friend of mine leased it and was returning it to the dealership. I know his driving habits and he's afraid to go over 60mph😂

[nyalpine90]

a few upgraded to LCI taillights without modifying rear
i dont see why you cant upgrade front and rear bumpers and keep current 21 headlights.