[zvery777]

Hi guys, looking at a loaded 2020 m550 ($95k) pre lci with 27k miles, and wondering if I should look for a lci one and jump on this one?

What's are the cons? I know a few options won't be on the pre lci like AA, iDrive and TU2.

Thank you!

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by zvery777

Hi guys, looking at a loaded m550 ($95k) pre lci with 27k miles, and wondering if I should look for a lci one and jump on this one?

What's are the cons? I know a few options won't be on the pre lci like AA, iDrive and TU2.

Thank you!

What model year is it? MY20 pre-LCI has the same TU3 engine as the LCI and has iDrive 7 ("lite"). It also has several other features that were dropped on the early LCI model years due to supply chain shortages (such as soft close doors and B&W sound system).

If you look for an LCI, what features that are not in the pre-LCI are you looking for? Supply chain issues during the early LCI phase resulted in a loss of options for some MY21/22 models. I think MY23 onwards they are back. Lots of info on this forum in that regard if you do a search.

[Joe-BMW33]

Isn’t there this exact thread a few down?

[zvery777]

Originally Posted by adhrp

What model year is it? MY20 pre-LCI has the same TU3 engine as the LCI and has iDrive 7 ("lite"). It also has several other features that were dropped on the early LCI model years due to supply chain shortages (such as soft close doors and B&W sound system).

If you look for an LCI, what features that are not in the pre-LCI are you looking for? Supply chain issues during the early LCI phase resulted in a loss of options for some MY21/22 models. I think MY23 onwards they are back. Lots of info on this forum in that regard if you do a search.

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Isn’t there this exact thread a few down?

It's a 2020 and I read lots about this in prior posts but sometimes there may be new information that would be useful.
This one would have the TU3 and iDrive 7 but I believe there would not be android auto, which I like.

[AP]

If you want the full driver assistance systems, the LCI improves on the pre LCI.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by zvery777

It's a 2020 and I read lots about this in prior posts but sometimes there may be new information that would be useful.
This one would have the TU3 and iDrive 7 but I believe there would not be android auto, which I like.

There's definitely android auto which I have in my car. There's a dealer software update that can load it into the system if you don't see it from the get-go. Under warranty, the update can be requested for free. After that, the dealer might ask for a fee.

[zvery777]

Originally Posted by adhrp

There's definitely android auto which I have in my car. There's a dealer software update that can load it into the system if you don't see it from the get-go. Under warranty, the update can be requested for free. After that, the dealer might ask for a fee.

That's great to know and makes me feel better about the 2020 models. Appreciate it!

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by zvery777

Hi guys, looking at a loaded 2020 m550 ($95k) pre lci with 27k miles, and wondering if I should look for a lci one and jump on this one?

What's are the cons? I know a few options won't be on the pre lci like AA, iDrive and TU2.

Thank you!

At $95k original MSRP, it’s likely a very nice car. I bought a 2020 with similar miles and similar original MSRP a year ago. I wanted pre-LCI. I have zero regrets and zero LCI envy. 2020 is the sweet spot year if you like pre-LCI styling. Newer idrive and newer engine with the original G30 wrapper.

Can you post some specs? DHP? Bowers stereo? Nappa/Merino? Drive assist?

[zvery777]

Originally Posted by NGT2

At $95k original MSRP, it’s likely a very nice car. I bought a 2020 with similar miles and similar original MSRP a year ago. I wanted pre-LCI. I have zero regrets and zero LCI envy. 2020 is the sweet spot year if you like pre-LCI styling. Newer idrive and newer engine with the original G30 wrapper.

Can you post some specs? DHP? Bowers stereo? Nappa/Merino? Drive assist?

This is directly from the dealership's site: Black Nappa Leather Interior. Driving Assistance Plus Package. Luxury Seating Package. Dynamic Handling Package. Parking Assistance Package. Executive Package. Adaptive M Suspension Pro. Active Roll Stabilization. Front Ventilated Seats. Front & Rear Heated Seats. Massaging Front Seats. Parking Assistant Plus. Active Park Distance Control. Surround View w/3D View. Soft Close Doors. Rear Sunshades. Heads-Up Display. Wireless Charging. Enhanced USB & Bluetooth. Navigation System. M-Sport Brakes. M-Sport Differential. 20” M Wheels. Power Tailgate. Display Key. Auto Dimming Mirrors. Rear View Camera. Comfort Access. Sensatec Dash. Grey Poplar Wood Trim. Ambient Lighting. Ceramic Controls. Multi Contour Seats. Remote Control Parking. Automatic Climate Control. Adaptive Full LED Lights. Bowers & Wilkins Stereo. M-Steering Wheel. Rear Spoiler. Shadowline Exterior Trim. Anthracite Headliner. Black Kidney Grills. Blind Spot Monitoring and Much More.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by zvery777

This is directly from the dealership's site: Black Nappa Leather Interior. Driving Assistance Plus Package. Luxury Seating Package. Dynamic Handling Package. Parking Assistance Package. Executive Package. Adaptive M Suspension Pro. Active Roll Stabilization. Front Ventilated Seats. Front & Rear Heated Seats. Massaging Front Seats. Parking Assistant Plus. Active Park Distance Control. Surround View w/3D View. Soft Close Doors. Rear Sunshades. Heads-Up Display. Wireless Charging. Enhanced USB & Bluetooth. Navigation System. M-Sport Brakes. M-Sport Differential. 20” M Wheels. Power Tailgate. Display Key. Auto Dimming Mirrors. Rear View Camera. Comfort Access. Sensatec Dash. Grey Poplar Wood Trim. Ambient Lighting. Ceramic Controls. Multi Contour Seats. Remote Control Parking. Automatic Climate Control. Adaptive Full LED Lights. Bowers & Wilkins Stereo. M-Steering Wheel. Rear Spoiler. Shadowline Exterior Trim. Anthracite Headliner. Black Kidney Grills. Blind Spot Monitoring and Much More.

Very very well optioned car. Honestly, I’d buy it. But that makes sense because that’s basically my car.

Mine is Champaign Quartz Metallic, Black Nappa leather, 19” 664M wheels.

I have all that same equipment. Mine and that one are both missing Alcantara headliner and leather dash. That’s about it.

I really like the dynamic handling package. But some don’t, so I’d drive it first. Even better if you can drive one with and without. I’m unusual in that I really like it but also would take one without it. Most people are extreme one way or another. I test drove one without and then bought mine with DHP, sight unseen without a test drive. All worked out. It makes the turning radius better in parking lots and makes the ride really really nice in town. It corners pretty flat, like it’s on a rail. But some feel the high speed lane change with rear steering is odd. I do not. Also, while it handles great and reduces body roll, some also feel it is simultaneously less connected to the road. One poster described it as a magic carpet on rails. That describes it well enough.

Try to check the service history, obviously, but that mileage is pretty good.

Here is a picture of mine. It’s my favorite car I’ve ever owned.

[zvery777]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Very very well optioned car. Honestly, I’d buy it. But that makes sense because that’s basically my car.

Mine is Champaign Quartz Metallic, Black Nappa leather, 19” 664M wheels.

I have all that same equipment. Mine and that one are both missing Alcantara headliner and leather dash. That’s about it.

I really like the dynamic handling package. But some don’t, so I’d drive it first. Even better if you can drive one with and without. I’m unusual in that I really like it but also would take one without it. Most people are extreme one way or another. I test drove one without and then bought mine with DHP, sight unseen without a test drive. All worked out. It makes the turning radius better in parking lots and makes the ride really really nice in town. It corners pretty flat, like it’s on a rail. But some feel the high speed lane change with rear steering is odd. I do not. Also, while it handles great and reduces body roll, some also feel it is simultaneously less connected to the road. One poster described it as a magic carpet on rails. That describes it well enough.

Try to check the service history, obviously, but that mileage is pretty good.

Here is a picture of mine. It’s my favorite car I’ve ever owned.

Beautiful color, this one is Alpine White. I did read about the DHP and I think I would like it as well. Don't believe I drove one with this option. Went to see the car today and I'm hesitant for some reason, just didn't feel excited about it. My mineral grey 2016 535 is cleaner and better taken care of, plus I really like the grey or blue bmw colors. Also, they didn't offer me as much as I wanted for my car as a trade in and it will be hard to let her go when I know how well its been taken care of by me. Need to think about it some more. Thank you for your input, beautiful car you got BTW!

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by zvery777

Beautiful color, this one is Alpine White. I did read about the DHP and I think I would like it as well. Don't believe I drove one with this option. Went to see the car today and I'm hesitant for some reason, just didn't feel excited about it. My mineral grey 2016 535 is cleaner and better taken care of, plus I really like the grey or blue bmw colors. Also, they didn't offer me as much as I wanted for my car as a trade in and it will be hard to let her go when I know how well its been taken care of by me. Need to think about it some more. Thank you for your input, beautiful car you got BTW!

Thanks!

Man, if you’re gut isn’t feeling it then I don’t blame you if you pass. I passed on some white ones, too. I really wanted tan merino leather and I passed on 2-3 white ones with that option because I also like colors with more personality.

Also, you know your own standards. If it’s not clean enough for you, it will always bug you.

It’s a super well optioned car but you gotta go with your gut, either way.

[zvery777]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Thanks!

Man, if you’re gut isn’t feeling it then I don’t blame you if you pass. I passed on some white ones, too. I really wanted tan merino leather and I passed on 2-3 white ones with that option because I also like colors with more personality.

Also, you know your own standards. If it’s not clean enough for you, it will always bug you.

It’s a super well optioned car but you gotta go with your gut, either way.

Well said! I drove a loaner in Mediterranean blue with mocha Nappa leather and loved that color combo. I'm keeping and eye out there and hopefully something will pop up that will make me jump on it.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by zvery777

Well said! I drove a loaner in Mediterranean blue with mocha Nappa leather and loved that color combo. I'm keeping and eye out there and hopefully something will pop up that will make me jump on it.

It will. I searched a few months after doing a lot of homework on what I wanted. Something pops eventually. I did end up having to buy from a Benz dealer but I had good info on vehicle history and it has original warranty until 2/2025, so I jumped on it. Had to ship it from MN to TN.

Cast a wide enough net, use the big used car sites, and know what you’re looking for. Something will pop. You’ll know it when you see it.

[zvery777]

Originally Posted by NGT2

It will. I searched a few months after doing a lot of homework on what I wanted. Something pops eventually. I did end up having to buy from a Benz dealer but I had good info on vehicle history and it has original warranty until 2/2025, so I jumped on it. Had to ship it from MN to TN.

Cast a wide enough net, use the big used car sites, and know what you’re looking for. Something will pop. You’ll know it when you see it.

I wish these sites let you filter for more unique features like DHP and B&W. So far they have been somewhat of a pain to browse through.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by zvery777

I wish these sites let you filter for more unique features like DHP and B&W. So far they have been somewhat of a pain to browse through.

Yeah. Huge pain. And searching key words doesn’t help because non BMW dealers don’t know the option terms to list. The BMW preowned site is better. Drive assist plus was a must have for me, so I could at least filter for that. On sites like Autotrader and Cars dot com, I’d just search for mileage and not much else. Maybe colors. Then just click the pictures to figure out the options. You can identify bowers vs HK and drive assist steering wheel buttons from pictures.

You can also use a vin decoder site to paste in vin numbers and see all the options on the car that way.

It’s tedious and a pain. But if you take the time to use all the resources, you can find a gem. I got mine with all the options I mentioned, with an “individual” paint color and 2 full years of warranty left, for about $4-$5k less than most that I’d seen elsewhere.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by zvery777

I wish these sites let you filter for more unique features like DHP and B&W. So far they have been somewhat of a pain to browse through.

Where are you located? You have a list of “must have” options?

[zvery777]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Where are you located? You have a list of “must have” options?

I'm in MN and I have a MSRP sheet of one that sold recently with pretty much everything I want.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by zvery777

I'm in MN and I have a MSRP sheet of one that sold recently with pretty much everything I want.

I got mine from Sears Imports up there. BMW of Minnetonka gets decent cars. They might help you find one.

[zvery777]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I got mine from Sears Imports up there. BMW of Minnetonka gets decent cars. They might help you find one.

I'm familiar with both of these. BMW of Minnetonka is great and I got a good service guy there. I may reach to a sales guy and let them know what I'm looking for and maybe they can help. I'm also thinking to wait a few years since mine is still running strong and may regret selling her. At the same time the good ones may be hard to find especially in LCI, so kinda stuck right now.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by zvery777

I'm familiar with both of these. BMW of Minnetonka is great and I got a good service guy there. I may reach to a sales guy and let them know what I'm looking for and maybe they can help. I'm also thinking to wait a few years since mine is still running strong and may regret selling her. At the same time the good ones may be hard to find especially in LCI, so kinda stuck right now.

I think you’ll be able to find LCI M550’s in clean shape with low miles for another couple years. They ended production in 2023. 24-36 month leases will be running up and becoming CPO vehicles for a couple more years.

[zvery777]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I think you’ll be able to find LCI M550’s in clean shape with low miles for another couple years. They ended production in 2023. 24-36 month leases will be running up and becoming CPO vehicles for a couple more years.

I do like the LCI a little more since they may age slightly better IMO. The only issue is, 21 and 22 had many options removed due to the chip shortage but hopefully this didn't affect the american market that much. I'm thinking 23 models may keep their value better since they are the last m550 but who knows. Maybe everyone will go electric 😃