Buying E70 LCI help please

[nickt68]

Hi All

Had an E53 4.4 a few years ago and loved it apart from the fuel bills! I'm now keen to buy a (diesel!!) E70. I've been doing my homework and think that I would like an 'LCI' as I believe that this is the later engine with 8 speed box.

May I just check that the above is correct, plus......

The LCI has rectangular exhausts (easy to identify in advert pictures)

The LCI was 2010 onwards

Sat Nav - this version has an upgraded/more modern system?

Do they all have daylight running lights?

I think the options that I would want are xenon lights, heated seats, professional sat nav and Bluetooth (is this 'Bluetooth prep'?). Anything else would be a bonus - unless there are any 'must haves'?

Sorry if I am asking what has already been asked loads of times but help/clarification/advice would be much appreciated!!!

[X5Sport]

40d has the N57 engine (pre-Lci is M57 series) with dissimilar sized twin turbo setup.  306PS and 700Nm.  The 8-sp box is sublime.

1.  Possibly.  The exhaust tips were trim dependent and could be optioned as well.  It is still a good place to start.

2.  Yes, early 2010.  October 2010 also saw the introduction of the Combox Controller if Pro Nav, Bluetooth & USB optioned.  It is a more advanced module for the entertainment systems than the old TCU from E53 days.

3.  Some late pre-LCI versions got the CIC type iDrive.  Has more buttons on the controller (7 I think).  The unit includes a single slot DVD player in the dash.  Nav updates are all hard drive based with official versions costing about £25 for the maps (DVD or USB) and £200+ for the VIN based unique licence key.

4.  They all have white LED DRLs.  Pre-LCI had tungsten lamp based versions.

Test cars both with and without M Sport suspension, it could be deleted at build and softened the ride.  If you can find one with Comfort Seats they are well worth having, and even better than the E53 version.  Definitely go for the options you selected and USB as this gives you another way of connecting your smartphone for music (if that matters to you).

The other toys are very much personal preference.  I added TV, DAB, rear climate, window blinds, all round cameras (one reversing, one under each mirror, one in each front wing making parking a lot easier as well as pulling out of blind side roads!), auto lights, auto dimming mirrors, auto wipers, adaptive lighting, HUD (I love it but tother half is a bit meh! about it), towbar, 20" wheels, sunroof - no pano on the X6.

My X6 is standard with paddle-shifters, but .I think they might have been trim dependant on the E70.  Worth having for those occasions when you just need to stretch the car's legs and keep both hands in the wheel.  >:D

You could of course go nuts and look for the M50d with triple hair dryers  O:-)

[nickt68]

Thanks for the reply and the info.

1 Does the trim option also dictate the placement of the front fogs - have thought I'd got it sussed by looking for lower mounted fogs but then noticed some 'LCI ' advertised cars had higher mounted lights. Is this M-Tech and SE?

2 We had a 2008 130i (great fun!!!) that had sat nav with idrive. Would this have been the BMW system between the E53 & E70? I am currently driving an F15 (?) 3.0dSE loan car whilst mine is being repaired. It's lovely! Screen aside, how would that system compare to the LCI version

3 Thanks

4 Thanks again

I hadn't realised that auto lights and wipers were an option! Would want those too. The panoramic roof would be great and anything else a bonus. Looking to spend around £20k so thinking that will get one of the earlier LCI's, probably a little up on mileage. The figures for the 4.0 look impressive but the 3.0 I'm driving at the moment (which I think is the same engine & gearbox) is very good so open to either. In actual fact, the best way forward would be if the insurance company/body shop continue to take forever to repair my car and I keep driving the loan car - two weeks so far to repair a dent in the drivers door where someone backed into it

[splang]

There is one for sale in the buy sell section (mine lol)

[nickt68]

Yes saw your car for sale, very nice! Although my wife really likes white, I'm not so keen unfortunately but thanks for mentioning. Also, am I right in thinking that it doesn't have heated seats (despite loads of other, more expensive  options)

[splang]

Correct - no heated seats but it does have an auxiliary heater so you can defrost and heat the car before you even get in!!

[CondorX5]

Good luck in your search.  I moved from E53 to E70 LCI 2012 model in August but paid a good bit more than £20k- it is an AUC though, and 2010 cars are more likely to not be in the BMW dealer network any longer as they have quite stringent requirements, age /mileage/conditin etc. 
Your basics look quite sensible, althoigh there are some great upgrades in the E70 compared to the E53, particularly in the media/sat nav systems.
Plus heated seats are really essential -those that don't have are really going to struggle to sell unless the buyer forgets to check.......
Now that I have had the comfort seats I don't think I could settle for Sport seats again either!

As for colour, well perhaps I am biased but my white /black MSport model looks fantastic I think and it gets lots of admiring comments and looks........but thats a personal like or dislike   I think the grey cars are awful, they just look so bland to me, plus I wanted a change from black or blue cars, the white one I eventually bought just looked so good with the black grilles and upgraded 21" black BMW wheels.

Most important for me was to buy an E70 with the BMW AUC warranty, its been brilliant on my E53.
Wouldn't own a BMW without one.

Best of luck with the hunt, hope you find what you want!