[F31-340i]

Hi, simple questions I couldn't see an answer to:

When did/does the LCI 5er F11 arrive in UK?
Is this when the M Sport got the nice retro 3 spoke wheel, or was it before then? In other words, what prod date 5er should have the nice sport steering wheel?
Does the LCI 5er get the clever xenons that blank only around on-coming cars, or was this available earlier? What exactly is this option called?

Sorry for basic questions, but I've really lost touch with BMW upgrades in last few years.

Cheers!

[Piers]

Hi F10/F11 went to LCI from Sept 2013 approx, and yes that was when the 3 spoke sport wheel kicked in.

Not sure about clever xenons, but xenons were standard from LCI cars, optional prior to LCI

LCI is easy to identify because the iDrive wheel is wide with a black touchpad on top....not a great description I know!!

[mroll320]

I think the lights you mean are the led adaptive lights a pricey £1400 option. Ordinary xenon standard, adaptive xenon comes with main assist etc at I think about £500?

[F31-340i]

Great, thanks, so in theory any 63 plate car could be LCI - but care needed to ensure its not an older stock model. All 13 plates cars will be pre LCI.

I'm thinking of an LCI 520d or 530d/535d, probably the latter. I might consider a petrol 6 pot but they seem very rare.

For the xenons, its the clever adapative function that came in with the F30 - where you leave the main beam on, but the car dips around on coming cars. Uses some sort of camera I think. Not sure if the 5 had it before, seems certain the LCI has it. Not sure its linked to LEDs on the f30, which seem a crazy expensive option on the 5.

Cheers

[dippo]

The easiest quick visual check is the side repeaters - for the LCI, they're in the door mirrors.

I think the larger iDrive wheel is only with Pro Nav.

LCI standard xenons are not adaptive.

[F31-340i]

Thanks,

Trying to compare options, it looks like option 524 adaptive lights £540, included high beam assist 5AC, which seems to give you the clever moding I've seen on the F30 with approaching cars etc. Is that right?

The LED adaptive 552, at £1500 seems therefore to be the exact same functions but with LEDs. Why are LEDs better than adaptive xenons? Not sure I see the benefit?

[hajmuntz]

I have a July 13 520d Lux LCI so earlier cars are out there. Mine might be a mid change bastard though: I have xenons, post LCI bonnet and headlights (slightly different shape) wide idrive and slightly revised rear lights. However, although I have chromed door handles which light up and the illuminated foot plates if don't seem to have the in door ambient lighting.

[B33M3R]

I can confirm that Adaptive Headlights with High Beam Assist function in the same way as the top package LED option on the LCI. Very much worth speccing IMO. Excellent tech, works faultlessly.

[E60MKF]

Production and deliveries began in July/August 2013. If you look at a non-m sport model, the bottom part of bumper will look like a F30 instead of a F01 (as it did Pre-LCI).

[remmib]

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Great, thanks, so in theory any 63 plate car could be LCI - but care needed to ensure its not an older stock model. All 13 plates cars will be pre LCI.

I'm thinking of an LCI 520d or 530d/535d, probably the latter. I might consider a petrol 6 pot but they seem very rare.

For the xenons, its the clever adapative function that came in with the F30 - where you leave the main beam on, but the car dips around on coming cars. Uses some sort of camera I think. Not sure if the 5 had it before, seems certain the LCI has it. Not sure its linked to LEDs on the f30, which seem a crazy expensive option on the 5.

Cheers

No LED on the F30/31 only on the 4-series F32 coupe.

I think the easiest way to look for LCI are side indicators in the side mirrors and not on the side fenders anymore.

[F31-340i]

Originally Posted by B33M3R

I can confirm that Adaptive Headlights with High Beam Assist function in the same way as the top package LED option on the LCI. Very much worth speccing IMO. Excellent tech, works faultlessly.

Thanks, makes sense. I really can't see the point of the extra £1000 for the LED!

How do you find the 520d? I considering a 1 year old 535d (in Q3 this year), but must admit I'm quite tempted by the economics of a new 520d.

[B33M3R]

I love it. I've had plenty of 'fast' cars and all I'll say is that the 520d is by no means slow, especially with the 8spd auto which really keeps the engine in the sweet spot. It accelerates very well and never feels underpowered and will sit at licence losing speeds in near silence. For such a big car it's even good fun in the twistys!

Personally I like buying new and had a budget I wanted to keep within which ruled out the bigger engines if adding the toys I wanted. If you've got the budget though the bigger engines are a no brainer!

[gspannu]

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Thanks, makes sense. I really can't see the point of the extra £1000 for the LED!

How do you find the 520d? I considering a 1 year old 535d (in Q3 this year), but must admit I'm quite tempted by the economics of a new 520d.

Don't be too tempted by the 'quoted' economics of the 520d.

Remember, the F10 is a big, heavy car and the 2 litre engine may not be that efficient in real world scenarios.

The quoted figures by BMW (or any other manufacturer) are absolute worthless. A lot of people also use the figures given by the car's on board computer, and this is usually set to a more positive bias.

The best way is to calculate full tank to full tank across a few tanks and I'm sure if you ask the 520D owners to do that - the actual results will be quite different from the supposed economy.

This is not to say that the 520D is not a great car; I had a brand new 520D for about 9 months; a great car with all toys.
Eventually, just felt it was too under-powered and bought a new 535D. Absolutely love the straight-6.

Go for a 530D/535D/535i if you can

[F31-340i]

Thanks - when discussing economics, I really meant purchase price etc.!

I'm inclined to always go for the big sixes, but the smaller engines keep getting better and make more and more sense.

[E60MKF]

A lot of people didn't like the LCI chrome strips at the side of the nav but after seeing it yesterday at a dealership, my pre-LCI nav screen looks basic. Also Castillo grey looks amazing! I do have space grey but if this was an option, I would have got it!

[gspannu]

Originally Posted by E60MKF

A lot of people didn't like the LCI chrome strips at the side of the nav but after seeing it yesterday at a dealership, my pre-LCI nav screen looks basic. Also Castillo grey looks amazing! I do have space grey but if this was an option, I would have got it!

I have Callisto Grey and bought it without seeing the colour in person... and you are right, it is a brilliant shade, something different from the standard greys.