Is the LCI interior better or not?
#2
Originally Posted by SuperC' post='418153' date='Apr 26 2007, 04:59 PM
some say it is not some say it is much better? is the quality of materials better? overall feel or pretty much the same?
ABC
#3
I was the owner of an E39 and looking for a while to replace it. I had been given pre-LCI loaners on several occasions but one of the reasons I was not too keen on purchasing one was the interior. Please understand that I am not putting down any pre-LCI owners, as they are beautiful cars. But IMHO, very humble at that, I felt the interior did not meet the high standards set by BMW. I felt there was a lot of plastic, that the plastic materials used looked like plastic (as opposed to plastic that has a rougher, nicer feel), and I especially did not like the door panels. The wood on them was in the door handle only, it was vertical in appearance, and the handles to me made no sense--they were pushed to the front of the car, screwing up all the ergonomics involved in reaching to open and close the door. It was a big downer for me. I didn't like the square appearance of the speakers in the door panels, and didn't like the lack of presets in IDrive, such that one had to scroll through different screens to perform simple functions. Then the LCI was announced and SO many of my simple issues were addressed--my wife joked that I was responsible for the the interior changes. I LOVE the interior now. I love the horizontal wood in the doors, placement of handles, round speakers, pre-set buttons (for anything, including the phone), and the layout of the buttons, their materials, and their surroundings (pearl/silver surroundings give a much nicer, much more quality look and feel). There are lots of other small differences, but the long and short is that the interior changes are what made me buy another 5, and they have not disappointed in the least.
#4
Senior Members
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 550i..... ex
Originally Posted by SuperC' post='418153' date='Apr 26 2007, 10:59 AM
some say it is not some say it is much better? is the quality of materials better? overall feel or pretty much the same?
So then IMO the new interior isn't necessarily better or worse, there are a few changes/updates that I like and lots that I don't like.
Likes:
- New padded leather wrapped arm console that runs from the whole center arm console all the way to where it ends.
- i-Drive knob
- Very fast i-Drive
Dislikes:
- Missing driver vertical side door handle
- New positioning of window buttons
- e-shifter
Overall I think if the e-shifter wasn't there I'd feel much more comfortable regardless of the other changes, but the e-shifter is designed to he held/grabbed/straddled in one position only, whereas our current steps have a much better feel to it, as well as a classier look.
#5
Senior Members
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Boston, MA USA
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with everything bmw093 has said. As I've said in previous posts, I ordered by 2004 E60 with an all black interior simply because I believe it best hid bad design and worse materials. I've now sat in the LCI interior and as bmw093 has stated, there are many small upgrades which IMHO add up to a major improvement. The door panels and center console are prime examples. btw, I've ordered my new LCI with a creme beige interior!
Other smart people have had just the opposite reaction though, believing that the pre-LCI interior is superior in design, if not necessarily in quality. You just have to look for yourself.
Other smart people have had just the opposite reaction though, believing that the pre-LCI interior is superior in design, if not necessarily in quality. You just have to look for yourself.
#6
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: In a place where the Mercedes density is the highest in the world (no. of MB per square kilometer) I choose a Bimmer, why? because of one thing "The Ultimate Driving Experience"
My Ride:
523i Steptronic, Silver Grey Exterior, Black Interior with Black Dakota Leather and Maple Wood Trim. Chrome Grill, Style 123 rim, Airbags everywhere, PDC, Rain sensor, Auto lights, Moveable front armrest, Advance Climate Control, Glass Sunroof, Auto dimming interior and exterior mirror with foldable functions, Extended Lights package, 6 CD changer in glove box, Power seats with memory, Power adjustable steering wheel, Power rear sunblinds.
Add ons: 123 wheels, chrome grill, K&N Hi flow filter, Eibach Pro Kit, e60.net decal and 24,000km
Past rides:
2001 Nissan Xterra SE
1999 E39 523i
1999 E46 323i
1996 Acura Integra LS
Maybe i have the most basic iDrive. I found that I can live without the button, but having the buttons would be nice. One thing about the interior update I don't like is the new shift knob, it look really out of place.
#7
Senior Members
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by AC_S5' post='418182' date='Apr 26 2007, 11:43 AM
Maybe i have the most basic iDrive. I found that I can live without the button, but having the buttons would be nice. One thing about the interior update I don't like is the new shift knob, it look really out of place.
#8
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Angeles. CA
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i 6 spd Sports Package | NAV | PDC | Logic 7 | BT retrofit | SW V13.3
I have lived in a pre LCI E60 for three years and yes, from day one I have found the interior lacking in fit and finish. My first test drive in 2003, did not even have wood on the door handle. BMW started putting wood on the door handle later. In March 2005 they added wood to the center console and the rear vents. I really think they over did the minimalistic approach.
Now we have a far richer interior, I cannot vouch for the fit until I have 10,000 miles on my LCI but certainly most of the changes, additional leather, wood in the doors, better switches, are all welcome. I would rather not reach so far to get to the window switches. The Pre- LCI egonomics for the window switches was better.
Now we have a far richer interior, I cannot vouch for the fit until I have 10,000 miles on my LCI but certainly most of the changes, additional leather, wood in the doors, better switches, are all welcome. I would rather not reach so far to get to the window switches. The Pre- LCI egonomics for the window switches was better.
#9
Members
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 07 530i|Silver Gray/Black| Premium|Sport|NAV|Auto|PDC|Sunshade|
Originally Posted by bmw093' post='418168' date='Apr 26 2007, 11:27 AM
I was the owner of an E39 and looking for a while to replace it. I had been given pre-LCI loaners on several occasions but one of the reasons I was not too keen on purchasing one was the interior. Please understand that I am not putting down any pre-LCI owners, as they are beautiful cars. But IMHO, very humble at that, I felt the interior did not meet the high standards set by BMW. I felt there was a lot of plastic, that the plastic materials used looked like plastic (as opposed to plastic that has a rougher, nicer feel), and I especially did not like the door panels. The wood on them was in the door handle only, it was vertical in appearance, and the handles to me made no sense--they were pushed to the front of the car, screwing up all the ergonomics involved in reaching to open and close the door. It was a big downer for me. I didn't like the square appearance of the speakers in the door panels, and didn't like the lack of presets in IDrive, such that one had to scroll through different screens to perform simple functions. Then the LCI was announced and SO many of my simple issues were addressed--my wife joked that I was responsible for the the interior changes. I LOVE the interior now. I love the horizontal wood in the doors, placement of handles, round speakers, pre-set buttons (for anything, including the phone), and the layout of the buttons, their materials, and their surroundings (pearl/silver surroundings give a much nicer, much more quality look and feel). There are lots of other small differences, but the long and short is that the interior changes are what made me buy another 5, and they have not disappointed in the least.
#10
Originally Posted by low_ball_88' post='418236' date='Apr 26 2007, 01:31 PM
WOW! I think total opposite from your opinion. I like the wood handles and the design is more symmetrical in design (same on both doors) unlike the LCI where the doors are different. The grab handles on the driver side of the LCI is old school which does not fit into the hightech design of the E60.