2014 i8 gets laser headlights (yes real lasers) yet M4 gets incandescent tail lights

[swamp2]

The head lights on the the new M4 look wonderful. However, the old school incandescent tail lights are a big disappointment. BMW is doing some really ground breaking work on lighting and the i8 is most likely to debut with laser powered headlights. Lasers will offer a triple crown of improved long range illumination, better color temperatures (around 6000K) and lower power consumption.

Complete details here.

[Powaup]

Maybe the LCI/competition package receive laser lights? Otherwise I agree with you that the light bulb in the tail lights of the F8x is the worst thing about the car

[chmura]

Yes they need to leave room for the LCI in the next year or two. If they add all the googies at launch the lci wont be as desirable.

[basscadet]

I hold LCI cars in low regard. They are just tarted-up cars used to draw attention back to a model that is already getting long-in-the-tooth.

I don't want to wait 2-3+ years to have a car with all the features that it should have from day 1. It's a silly BMW marketing gimmick that is really annoying.

[RMB]

Originally Posted by basscadet

I hold LCI cars in low regard. They are just tarted-up cars used to draw attention back to a model that is already getting long-in-the-tooth.

I don't want to wait 2-3+ years to have a car with all the features that it should have from day 1. It's a silly BMW marketing gimmick that is really annoying.

Totally agree. If new Toyota Corollas can have LED headlights then a premium brand like BMW should not have this on the taillights. Not at the price point for an M3/M4. This is best described as above, "annoying".

[redice]

Agreed, hate how they keep the LED lights for the LCI models.

[tlp]

BMW is using the same outdated 10yr old Playbook. The 2003.5 e46M3 received LED taillights during the mid year LCI refresh. Fast forward over a decade and they are still playing the same stupid game. This is one of many reasons that I buy in the middle of the lifecycle and will never consider the first year.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by tlp

BMW is using the same outdated 10yr old Playbook. The 2003.5 e46M3 received LED taillights during the mid year LCI refresh. Fast forward over a decade and they are still playing the same stupid game. This is one of many reasons that I buy in the middle of the lifecycle and will never consider the first year.

Agreed. This is a tired strategy. For an $80,000 car to have single-bulb incandescent turn signals as a 2015 model is (within the context of things) a travesty.

[LDSM]

I definitely agree on this....it's such a lame move it's sad.

It's things like this, along with "M packages" which are little more than stickers, and cars like the M5 /M6 losing a lot of their edge which have me somewhat worried about what the future holds for BMW.


To be honest they need a halo car, and not the i8

Their benchmark car, the car that every car company looks to is the M3/M4, which is basically a souped up entry level family sedan/coupe. (I'm only slightly exaggerating)
I know the new M3/M4 chassis F8x is something like 70% different from their F3x counterparts. But, the fact is, the M3/M4 is still just a top of the line 3/4 series.

And when you compare that to other car brands what do you have, BMW doesn't have a 911 GT3 fighter, they don't have an SLS Black Series, they don't have an R8, no GT-R

Don't get me wrong, I'm hyped for the M4 and the M235 race car is sick...but how could you drop the ball on the M5/M6, cars that carry the "real" M badge aren't doing it justice....yet we have "M packages" for every SUV/SAC out there or limited edition cars, in limited edition colors, in limited edition numbers.....how about focusing on making something besides the M3/M4 that's exciting so you won't have to rely on marketing tactics.


end rant

[Purple88Gold]

This "LCI" business is getting old and tiring.

[khanyam4]

Why do y'all bitch and moan about something u have the answer to? They have to save something for the lci years. Don't like it wait. Don't like the incandescent turn signal but guess what if you purchase your car new it means you're the first to play. If you don't know how bmw does thing by now it's either your new or you just like bitch and moan. Bmw has to save something's for the lci years.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by khanyam3

If you don't know how bmw does thing by now it's either your new or you just like bitch and moan. Bmw has to save something's for the lci years.

I don't think there was meant to be any particularly big surprise here. There is nothing wrong with saving something for LCI, the thing we'd all like to see at LCI is simply some innovation, like that shown above.

[gee-m-w]

Why does anyone assume there will be an LCI? Don't think so linearly.

[///M1]

One explanation is cost. i8 is what, a $125K car, and the M3 will be about half that? New technology costs money, and there might be (production/supply) issues of bringing something so innovative to a mass production car. I am happy the M3 will have an LED option as it is

[Ezio]

i would care less about LCI, and more about a com pack. because i loved the e92 comp pack. the better looking rims only did it for me. the m4 is likely to have a power bump

the lights are COOL no doubt. but i see so many people putting the LCI lights on there non LCI E90 cars. i think you might be able to add the new stuff if you buy a early M4 anyways

[swanson]

Originally Posted by basscadet

I hold LCI cars in low regard. They are just tarted-up cars used to draw attention back to a model that is already getting long-in-the-tooth.

I don't want to wait 2-3+ years to have a car with all the features that it should have from day 1. It's a silly BMW marketing gimmick that is really annoying.

Its incredible to me how they continue to play this game. How the hell do you launch a new model, let alone, a new M car, and not use LED taillights AGAIN just to add them in 3 yrs from now? LED's have become an industry standard now.
They now that the fanboys will buy it no matter what and they'll do the stupid LCI in a couple of years and make it seem like LED taillights are the newest, coolest design. Joke.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by gee-m-w

Why does anyone assume there will be an LCI? Don't think so linearly.

Because every model in BMW's lineup has had one for the last 15+ years? What do you know about BMW's product strategy for the F80 and F82 that no one else does?

[SCOTT26]

Laser headlights are a cost option on the i8 and are currently not certified for use in the USA.
The first standard BMW to feature them will be the next generation 7er that will be introduced in the Summer of 2015.
Again these will be optional equipment at high cost.

The 5er will follow with the next generation as will the next 6er and of course luxury SAV the X7. Again they will be optional to the customer.
It is not looking likely that Laser Headlights will be offered for the 4er or indeed M4 to customers as an option.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Laser headlights are a cost option on the i8 and are currently not certified for use in the USA.
The first standard BMW to feature them will be the next generation 7er that will be introduced in the Summer of 2015.
Again these will be optional equipment at high cost.

The 5er will follow with the next generation as will the next 6er and of course luxury SAV the X7. Again they will be optional to the customer.
It is not looking likely that Laser Headlights will be offered for the 4er or indeed M4 to customers as an option.

Scott,

The point of the thread was less that the 4-series doesn't have laser headlights as it is that the 4-series doesn't have LED rear blinkers.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by aajami

Scott,

The point of the thread was less that the 4-series doesn't have laser headlights as it is that the 4-series doesn't have LED rear blinkers.

I thought that was painfully obvious... Thanks for reminding those to whom it wan not clear.

[basscadet]

Every time I read BMW's responses on this board I feel like I am just a calculation in a big marketing machine:

-39 yr old married male
-auto enthusiast
-disposable income
-enjoys latest technology
-"early adopter"

BMW: (rubbing hands together) "Bwa-ha ha! This guy is going to buy our car no matter what, so let's try to sell him TWO cars instead of just one! When we introduce LED taillights, some lowering springs, some shitty heavy cast wheels, and a larger Navigation screen for the 2017 model year, it will be just that much easier for him to rationalize trading in his 2015 M3 for a new one!"

Except this time I'm not falling for it. I'm looking at CTS-V and C63 AMG's and at least in those cars I don't have to worry about kids in Mustangs blowing my doors off.

[vzm3]

Originally Posted by basscadet

Every time I read BMW's responses on this board I feel like I am just a calculation in a big marketing machine:

-39 yr old married male
-auto enthusiast
-disposable income
-enjoys latest technology
-"early adopter"

BMW: (rubbing hands together) "Bwa-ha ha! This guy is going to buy our car no matter what, so let's try to sell him TWO cars instead of just one! When we introduce LED taillights, some lowering springs, some shitty heavy cast wheels, and a larger Navigation screen for the 2017 model year, it will be just that much easier for him to rationalize trading in his 2015 M3 for a new one!"

Except this time I'm not falling for it. I'm looking at CTS-V and C63 AMG's and at least in those cars I don't have to worry about kids in Mustangs blowing my doors off.

BOOM! I think you just opened my eyes...