Bonnet Spotter!

Falmouthboy · 10-05-2010, 04:13 AM

OK, so I'm a sad git with nothing beter to do with my time!

Now that I have a 3 Series, I tend to notice them - as you do. I can spot M Sports from SEs by the bumpers and wheels, 6 Cylinders for the tail pipes and so on. BUT, I have found no logic (with the exception of an M3) as to if you get a smooth bonnet or one with ridges on it - put me out of my misery please

Em135eye · 10-05-2010, 04:21 AM

Ridges are LCI (Lifecycle Improvement I think) 3 series - newer than 2008ish. They will also have fully red tail lights - pre LCI have white reversing lights.
Headlights also slightly different.

Oh and the grille "rules" are:
Black slats - four cylinder
Chrome slats - six cylinder (or M3 which is obvious anyway!)

Falmouthboy · 10-05-2010, 04:23 AM

I'm a Sep 2008 - with a smooth bonnet

Em135eye · 10-05-2010, 04:25 AM

Pre LCI then.

TBH I think the smooth bonnet looks cleaner and less fussy.

LCI front lights are nicer though.

DavS1 · 10-05-2010, 04:34 AM

Anyone got 2 pics of the bonnets to compare? never noticed myself.

Em135eye · 10-05-2010, 04:44 AM

LCI bonnet:

Pre LCI:

willhollin · 10-05-2010, 04:46 AM

The E92 bonnet hasn't changed has it? Even after LCI?

sbce90 · 10-05-2010, 04:47 AM

err comparing e92 and e90 there,

but yeh, same idea.

DavS1 · 10-05-2010, 05:06 AM

Ahh, I have to say I preffer the pre LCI bonnet.

Wonder if there is a list of all changes on the LCI cars.

Em135eye · 10-05-2010, 05:15 AM

Yep - one is a coupe, one is a saloon but it's the same sort of idea. Finding a bonnet shot from a similar angle was tricky!

themetz · 10-05-2010, 05:38 AM

It's only the e90 and e91 that gets the LCI Klingon creases. The e92/3 bonnets stay smoooooth pre/post LCI.

chris_s1 · 10-05-2010, 06:50 AM

I love my bonnet ridges!

M3-FAST · 10-05-2010, 06:59 AM

Pre Lci E90/E91 have the two-piece moustache on top of the grilles - the Lci models have the creased bonnet & get the E92 style 'one piece' grilles

E92 have had no bonnet changes but the bumper and headlights changed

M3-FAST · 10-05-2010, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_s1

I love my bonnet ridges!

I love my bonnet hump!

creepy coupe · 10-05-2010, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

I love my bonnet hump!

It's the only thing to remind you you're in an M3 when you're stationary.

themetz · 10-05-2010, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

It's the only thing to remind you you're in an M3 when you're stationary.

apart from the "lap bump"

foxy-367 · 10-05-2010, 08:14 AM

and LCI gets mahoosive mirrors too!!!!

KadeSdad · 10-05-2010, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

It's the only thing to remind you you're in an M3 when you're stationary.

That and the petrol pump you are parked next to

willhollin · 10-05-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KadeSdad

That and the petrol pump you are parked next to

Next to your new car eh?

KadeSdad · 10-05-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

Next to your new car eh?

Not at 30 - 39mpg it won't

ibanezking · 10-05-2010, 12:20 PM

those 2 creases down the middle of the later bonnet look SHIT!

Max

Freethy · 10-05-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themetz

It's only the e90 and e91 that gets the LCI Klingon creases. The e92/3 bonnets stay smoooooth pre/post LCI.

Klingon...i like it

10-05-2010, 04:13 AM	#1
Falmouthboy Squadron Leader (Ret'd) 25 Rep 627 Posts Drives: E91 330d SE & Mini Coupe JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cornwall iTrader: (0)	Bonnet Spotter! OK, so I'm a sad git with nothing beter to do with my time! Now that I have a 3 Series, I tend to notice them - as you do. I can spot M Sports from SEs by the bumpers and wheels, 6 Cylinders for the tail pipes and so on. BUT, I have found no logic (with the exception of an M3) as to if you get a smooth bonnet or one with ridges on it - put me out of my misery please
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-05-2010, 04:21 AM	#2
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	Ridges are LCI (Lifecycle Improvement I think) 3 series - newer than 2008ish. They will also have fully red tail lights - pre LCI have white reversing lights. Headlights also slightly different. Oh and the grille "rules" are: Black slats - four cylinder Chrome slats - six cylinder (or M3 which is obvious anyway!)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 04:23 AM	#3
Falmouthboy Squadron Leader (Ret'd) 25 Rep 627 Posts Drives: E91 330d SE & Mini Coupe JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cornwall iTrader: (0)	I'm a Sep 2008 - with a smooth bonnet
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 04:25 AM	#4
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	Pre LCI then. TBH I think the smooth bonnet looks cleaner and less fussy. LCI front lights are nicer though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 04:34 AM	#5
DavS1 Major 53 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: Emfree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Anyone got 2 pics of the bonnets to compare? never noticed myself. __________________ Monte Carlo Blue M3 Comp
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 04:44 AM	#6
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	LCI bonnet: Pre LCI:
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 04:46 AM	#7
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	The E92 bonnet hasn't changed has it? Even after LCI?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 04:47 AM	#8
sbce90 Me Boosta 249 Rep 5,721 Posts Drives: 320i / MB C63 / VW up! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (3)	err comparing e92 and e90 there, but yeh, same idea.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 05:06 AM	#9
DavS1 Major 53 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: Emfree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Ahh, I have to say I preffer the pre LCI bonnet. Wonder if there is a list of all changes on the LCI cars. __________________ Monte Carlo Blue M3 Comp
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 05:15 AM	#10
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	Yep - one is a coupe, one is a saloon but it's the same sort of idea. Finding a bonnet shot from a similar angle was tricky!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 05:38 AM	#11
themetz smokin' kipper 39 Rep 1,467 Posts Drives: Audi RS5 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	It's only the e90 and e91 that gets the LCI Klingon creases. The e92/3 bonnets stay smoooooth pre/post LCI. __________________ Current Audi RS5. Previously enjoyed E92 335i M Sport; E92 M3; E92 335i M Sport; E46 330ci M Sport
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 06:50 AM	#12
chris_s1 Major 36 Rep 1,113 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 E92 335d [8.66]	I love my bonnet ridges!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 06:59 AM	#13
M3-FAST Defected to the dark side..... 210 Rep 5,795 Posts Drives: BMW M5 LCi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stafford, UK iTrader: (11) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [10.00] 2007 325i M-sport C ... [9.00]	Pre Lci E90/E91 have the two-piece moustache on top of the grilles - the Lci models have the creased bonnet & get the E92 style 'one piece' grilles E92 have had no bonnet changes but the bumper and headlights changed
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 08:14 AM	#17
foxy-367 Lieutenant 5 Rep 448 Posts Drives: 320d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North West iTrader: (0)	and LCI gets mahoosive mirrors too!!!! __________________ Now - E90 320d M Sport, Le Mans Blue, sun protection glass, Auto lights and wipers, 193M, a big grin Previous - Seat Leon FR, Golf Gttdi (x2), Mk3 Fiesta SI, E30 318i Peugeot 205 Roland Garros, Mk2 Fiesta Ghia (it had a rev counter!!!!)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 12:20 PM	#21
ibanezking Weekend Rockstar 39 Rep 728 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Leigh, Lancs iTrader: (1)	those 2 creases down the middle of the later bonnet look SHIT! Max __________________ E92 M3 - Interlagos Blue and Black everything else!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote