[JoeyO]

I was thinking of maybe holding out until the summer of 2015 to purchase a new 328ixdrive. That way I'll get the new LCI design in the USA.

So let me see if I understand this correctly? The LCI 328 will continue with the N20 engine at that time in the summer of 2015. However the LCI 320 will get a new B48 engine during the summer of 2015. Only a year later in 2016 will the 328 get a newer B48 (higher tuned) engine. Is that right? It's confusing why they wouldn't make all the engine changes at the same time.

By the way, yea, I know all the nomenclature names will soon change. I'm using current nomenclatures.

[Paigey]

2015 is 335i LCI B58 engine, not N20. No plans for 320i LCI. 328i LCI 2016.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Paigey

2015 is 335i LCI B58 engine, not N20. No plans for 320i LCI. 328i LCI 2016.

OK, let's not confuse an already confusing issue. It appears you do not understand what LCI/Lifecycle Impulse is. ALL F30/31 3ers will receive the LCI/facelift for model year 2016 regardless of whether they get the new motors that year. LCI refers to the overall body of tweaks, changes, and improvements that occur midway through the model lifecycle.

[Paigey]

I was talking about what OP,was talking about: the engine.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Paigey

I was talking about what OP,was talking about: the engine.

That's fine, but the LCI itself bears no particular relation to any change in motors. In fact, historically most motor changes occur completely independently of when the LCI occurs.

[Paigey]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

That's fine, but the LCI itself bears no particular relation to any change in motors. In fact, historically most motor changes occur completely independently of when the LCI occurs.

Bears no particular relation? Questionable statement. Strong correlation if they decide to revamp the engine. It might not always be on the exact same year as the facelift, but I consider the new engine as part of the LCI. LCI is a catch-all marketing buzzword. But hey, maybe I'm wrong.

I was going off of this:

F30 328i LCI SOP 07/15 EOP 06/16. LCI for F30 and F31 328i continues for one year with the old engine.
F30 328i LCI SOP 07/16 EOP 10/18. Re-engine with B48B20O0.

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by Paigey

Bears no particular relation? Questionable statement. Strong correlation if they decide to revamp the engine. It might not always be on the exact same year as the facelift, but I consider the new engine as part of the LCI. LCI is a catch-all marketing buzzword. But hey, maybe I'm wrong.

I was going off of this:

F30 328i LCI SOP 07/15 EOP 06/16. LCI for F30 and F31 328i continues for one year with the old engine.
F30 328i LCI SOP 07/16 EOP 10/18. Re-engine with B48B20O0.

As noted, an LCI doesn't necessitate a change in engines. For the E90, the 335 with the N54 was released as pre-LCI and LCI models, so there was no correlation there.

That said, a member of these forums who claims to have insider information, has said that the 318, 320, 330 and 340 are due as the F30 LCI models (which are MY2016, not MY2015 - those are already on the road). I agree it seems sensible to insert the new engines with LCI, but perhaps that isn't always easy to plan from BMW's standpoint.

If the 330 is to be released as a MY2016 to replace the 328 (seems likely based on insider info), it will surely have a power bump to earn that new badge, which to me would mean it would incorporate the B48 and not the N20.

The N20 is a great engine and is underrated by BMW, putting down closer to 265 engine HP. I can understand wanting to get the LCI features aside from the engine, but I wouldn't worry as much about getting the B48 vs the N20.

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by Paigey

Bears no particular relation? Questionable statement. Strong correlation if they decide to revamp the engine. It might not always be on the exact same year as the facelift, but I consider the new engine as part of the LCI. LCI is a catch-all marketing buzzword. But hey, maybe I'm wrong.

I was going off of this:

F30 328i LCI SOP 07/15 EOP 06/16. LCI for F30 and F31 328i continues for one year with the old engine.
F30 328i LCI SOP 07/16 EOP 10/18. Re-engine with B48B20O0.

And this is exactly what tturedraider meant: ALL F30/F31 get LCI for MY2016, and then an year later F30/F31 LCI 328i is replaced with F30/F31 LCI 330i.

LCI is never about the engine. The new engine can be a part of LCI, but it never defines LCI.

And once more, veeeerrrryyy slooooowwwllllyyyy, so that everyone can finally understand:

MY2016: F30/F31 LCI, with 320i N20, 328i N20, and 340i B58.
MY2017 and on: 320i N20, 330i B48, and 340i B58.

[Paigey]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

And this is exactly what tturedraider meant: ALL F30/F31 get LCI for MY2016, and then an year later F30/F31 LCI 328i is replaced with F30/F31 LCI 330i.

LCI is never about the engine. The new engine can be a part of LCI, but it never defines LCI.

And once more, veeeerrrryyy slooooowwwllllyyyy, so that everyone can finally understand:

MY2016: F30/F31 LCI, with 320i N20, 328i N20, and 340i B58.
MY2017 and on: 320i N20, 330i B48, and 340i B58.

Fair enough, thank you for the correction.

[KneeDragr]

I believe they stagger upgrades in order to keep interest high and keep people upgrading at lease end instead of buying.