[BMW520i]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

Problems? No, but they will have the full complement of features.

Others have chimed in to help give you some additional details.

The clearest way I can explain it is MY2020 (aka iDrive 7 "Lite") cars only include the iDrive 7 Head Unit and cluster. So they look like iDrive 7 cars from that perspective (and they inherit some features like Android Auto support). But they are the only iDrive 7 cars that are missing the full features.

A non-exhaustive list of missing features:

• Remote Software Updates
• Ability for automatic cruise control to auto adjust to posted speed limits
• Ability to change lanes in "self driving" mode for equipped cars
• Ability to drive without hands on the steering wheel in equipped cars
• Drive recorder
• Faster iDrive 7 UI since it uses an SSD and not a HDD

There are many others I'm probably forgetting and don't care to look up either.

Obviously, they may not matter to a buyer, but IMHO unless you have a very specific need for MY2020 if you're interested in iDrive 7 it makes sense to just buy MY2021 or later.

That said, the LCI does have some losses too that aren't iDrive related, but could matter to a buyer.

Such as:

• Loss of Soft Close Doors
• Loss of Night Vision
• Loss of B&W on many trims
• Loss of steering adaptive headlights (in the US)
• Weakened H&K audio due to the RAM module (impacts MY2020 as well)

Also not an exhaustive list of losses...

You'll love your G30 as we all do. They are fantastic cars! Just want you (and others who end up here via search) to be clear eyed on what iDrive 7 means on the G30 anyway.

This is some great information, thank you! I just looked up and watched a video about night vision. That seems like such a great and helpful tool for driving at night, wow. Love these type of safety measurements; that's - among other things - what makes the German cars so good.
I will look into the 'gains' and 'losses' of the LCI and choose one that has all the things I need/want. I have had some great help from all of you.

[BMW520i]

Originally Posted by aerof16

I’d make sure you really want ID7 vs ID6. My G30 is ID6 and my G05 is ID7.

The virtual cockpit looks cool but, I like ID6 much better than ID7. Just much more intuitive and easier to use, in my opinion. ID7 isn’t bad, I just prefer ID6 from a functionality standpoint.

Thanks for your reply. ID7 does look cool, and a bit more useful, since you can have maps on there etc. But it always comes down to preference and if I see a car with great options and ID6, I will choose that over the ID7 without options for example.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by aerof16

I’d make sure you really want ID7 vs ID6. My G30 is ID6 and my G05 is ID7.

The virtual cockpit looks cool but, I like ID6 much better than ID7. Just much more intuitive and easier to use, in my opinion. ID7 isn’t bad, I just prefer ID6 from a functionality standpoint.

I noticed that in the couple of loaners I've had. Digging through the menus is an exercise in frustration. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to where some items are located. Grated, I only had the car for a day or two so didn't have all that much time to get used to it, but it shouldn't be that hard.