[Dr. Indiana Jones]

I've done some Google research, and here's a summary of key differences:

1) New rim choices for 2018 (18" choices - one is bi-color meaning likely metal on outside and black on inside; the other is black)

https://www.motor1.com/photo/1901295...ries-facelift/

Here's a blow-up of the last rim above

https://icdn-2.motor1.com/images/mgl...s-facelift.jpg

Verdict: 2018 offers some improvement

2) Redesigned interior (especially trim) - the trim on the 2017 is on the left and right of the dash, whereas in 2018 it's in the centre (covers the radio area and doesn't extend to the side air vents, which are now outlined by metal accents).

Other interior changes for 2018: There are more glossy black bits and pieces than before, additional chrome accents, and an updated glove compartment (flusher cover design). 8.8-inch display of the optional Navigation system now boasts touchscreen functionality. Cup holders add a sliding cover, and the window buttons get chrome accents.

The most meaningful positive for 2018 is that the plusher Luxury Line is an option that brings additional leather (Cognac - which looks much like Saddle Brown but probably even orangier) but unclear whether u can get it in other than wood trims.

https://www.motor1.com/photo/1901296...ries-facelift/
https://www.motor1.com/photo/1901322...ries-facelift/
https://icdn-1.motor1.com/images/mgl...s-facelift.jpg

Verdict: Too much chrome accents can be dangerous

3) Three new colours for 2018 (Sunset Orange & Seaside Blue (both pictured below), & Mediterranean Blue (dark blue)

https://www.motor1.com/photo/1901332...ries-facelift/

Verdict: no biggie, unless u want a dark blue exterior


4) Redesigned headlights (2018's have LED “eyebrows” that presumably light up, and hexagonal as opposed to semi-round angel lights)

http://images.caricos.com/b/bmw/2018..._1600x1200.jpg

Verdict: I'm not a big fan of LED lit eyebrows


5) Redesigned LED tail lamps- the 2018s are interesting but can't say for sure their better than the 2017's?

https://www.motor1.com/photo/1901344...ries-facelift/

Verdict: draw

6) 2018 boasts a wider twin-kidney grille design and larger outboard air intakes to make the 2 Series look a tad bit more aggressive. No pics because the differences aren't noticeable

Verdict: Any differences are likely marginal, but u'd have to see them in person to say for sure

Summary: The only thing I like about 2018 is the POSSIBILITY of Cognac leather, but unclear how it looks (c/b orangy) and whether can get it in the trim u want. If u are in the market for a 2-series, and want to save $, the 2017 production is running out soon, so don't wait too much longer.

[harma24]

First, thanks for the very informative post Doctor Jones.

Second, and I'm not just saying this because I've been looking at it every day for the past 7 months, but I truly do prefer the passengers side interior of my 2017 model (which is pretty much the same as everything dating back to the beginning as far as I can tell). I just don't like the way the trim and glove box look in these pictures.

[Gabrola]

Originally Posted by Dr. Indiana Jones

4) Redesigned headlights (2018's have LED “eyebrows” that presumably light up, and hexagonal as opposed to semi-round angel lights)

http://images.caricos.com/b/bmw/2018..._1600x1200.jpg

Verdict: I'm not a big fan of LED lit eyebrows

Wut? It's the opposite. The pre-LCI xenon headlights had LED eyebrows while the LCI adaptive LED headlight eyebrows are unlit.

[fbsm]

Unless you're in love with one of the new colors I dont know why anyone would hold off for the 2018

[keylime503]

Feeling pretty good about my 2017 on order right now .

[snaketh]

You forgot to mention digital dash display, the lights are also LED with adaptive option not just updated eyebrows. The press release mentioned cloth seat option. Whether we'll see that is debatable.

Most of the changes are aesthetic but the Nav, digital cluster, LED lights sway me. If that cloth option is true then I'll be happy.

[qballis]

Originally Posted by snaketh

You forgot to mention digital dash display, the lights are also LED with adaptive option not just updated eyebrows. The press release mentioned cloth seat option. Whether we'll see that is debatable.

Most of the changes are aesthetic but the Nav, digital cluster, LED lights sway me. If that cloth option is true then I'll be happy.

It's not a digital dash in the 2018. It's a "black panel display" which is mostly black with backlit numbers.

The 2017 2 series have the same exact nav as the 2018 too (iDrive 5.0).

The only thing you have right in your post is the headlights...

[breezygirl]

Originally Posted by qballis

It's not a digital dash in the 2018. It's a "black panel display" which is mostly black with backlit numbers.

The 2017 2 series have the same exact nav as the 2018 too (iDrive 5.0).

The only thing you have right in your post is the headlights...

The Nav in the 2018 has the added touchscreen as well. I'm happy with my 2017 choice and had the opportunity to wait for the 2018.

[qballis]

Originally Posted by breezygirl

The Nav in the 2018 has the added touchscreen as well. I'm happy with my 2017 choice and had the opportunity to wait for the 2018.

True about touchscreen, but I don't see why anyone would want fingerprints all over a glossy screen, especially when the iDrive controls work so well.

I had opportunity to wait too, and way happier with the 2017.

[snaketh]

Originally Posted by qballis

It's not a digital dash in the 2018. It's a "black panel display" which is mostly black with backlit numbers.

My nomenclature was wrong. You're correct with the name but not with the description. t's essentially two physical bezels with LCD everything else:

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/attac...1&d=1494498834

The 2017 2 series have the same exact nav as the 2018 too (iDrive 5.0)..

No it has touchscreen capability with an updated UI, I wasn't referring to iDrive.

The only thing you have right in your post is the headlights...

No they also mentioned cloth seat options in the press release here, but like I said, that's wishful thinking to get it here:

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1383402

"New cloth or leather seat upholstery variants, interior trim strips in aluminium or fine wood and high-gloss black panels with chrome accents provide even greater scope for individualisation."

[rightrudder]

I kinda like having physical needles on the speedo and tach. Less video game-ish.

[keylime503]

Originally Posted by qballis

It's not a digital dash in the 2018. It's a "black panel display" which is mostly black with backlit numbers.

The 2017 2 series have the same exact nav as the 2018 too (iDrive 5.0).

The only thing you have right in your post is the headlights...

2016 was iDrive 4.0. 2017 was iDrive 5.0. 2018 is iDrive 6.0. 4 to 5 was a big jump, 5 to 6 is mostly the touchscreen and live tiles additions.

[NVHoo]

Some thoughts.
1. The article appears to be for the Euro version. Who knows what BMW USA will get.
2. Will Seaside Blue replace Estoril and, if so, will it still only be available if you get the M package?
3. Not seeing much difference between Deep Sea and Med?
4. Same with the oranges. However, orange was is not an option on the M240 in 2017 and is shown on an M240 in the photos.
5. Love the new leather color. IMO all manufacturers should offer a classic saddle color. Terra is too dark. An orange 240 with saddle seats and a brown top would be a killer combo for me.
6. Don't understand why all manufacturers do not offer black rims with metal face cuts. It is the best way to minimize the ugliness of brake dust and all you have to do between washes is wipe off the metal cuts and still look good.

I give BMW USA kudos for providing a wide selection of paint and interior colors. AS opposed to Audi which typically offers only 2-3 seat colors and 7 shades of monochromatic paint along with a red, a blue, and maybe some other color in all their model lines.

[USA-RET]

I like the cup holder cover for 2018. Most everything else is incidental IMO.

That being said, if I were ordering (buying) I'd get the newest model unless you are getting a killer deal on the 2017 (and plan on keeping it for the long haul).

If you are leasing, I'd still likely pick the 2018 (unless you are getting a great lease deal on the 2017).

Back in the day, if we wanted black wheels, we'd pull the hubcaps off the car.

I do like machine faced wheels as they have come contrast.

[airansun]

I assume the MSRP will increase for 2018?

Glad I didn't wait. I don't see any changes that make me wince or jealous.

[DF]

Originally Posted by airansun

I assume the MSRP will increase for 2018?

Glad I didn't wait. I don't see any changes that make me wince or jealous.

Nah. It's probably the lightest refresh I've ever seen

[MNnorth]

Originally Posted by NVHoo

1. The article appears to be for the Euro version. Who knows what BMW USA will get.

Exactly! This press release looks like it was for a region other than North America--several word choices and spellings ("petrol" instead of "gasoline," "centre" instead of "center," and so on) look to be aimed at the UK, while some of the trim line designations and engine choices clearly aren't for the NA market...the UK again? Oddly the cars in the photos are left-hand drive, a decidedly non-UK detail, but everything else seems more directed at them. Since German automakers are always telling US buyers, "No, you don't get that," it seems conceivable that the refresh that reaches our shores will be even lighter than the one described here. I don't suppose we'll know for certain until BMWNA issues its own release.

And as someone who had read that the LCI refresh was likely to get a blind-spot monitoring system (it apparently won't) and decided to wait for it, yeah, I'm disappointed and wish I'd ordered a 2017 a couple months ago. And that interior, with its added chrome and (fake?) stitching looks to me like a potential exercise in distracting us from other cost-cutting measures. Then again, we only have a few photos to go by; I'll have to wait and see.

[aozer]

Originally Posted by rightrudder

I kinda like having physical needles on the speedo and tach. Less video game-ish.

same. I actually prefer the simplicity of the current speedo and tach over all of the crazy digital ones most cars have these days

[Dr. Indiana Jones]

Originally Posted by Gabrola

Wut? It's the opposite. The pre-LCI xenon headlights had LED eyebrows while the LCI adaptive LED headlight eyebrows are unlit.

Thx for clarifying/correcting my speculation error. I'm not a big fan of lit LED eyebrows, and just assumed that there wouldn't be any in 2017 (as was the case in my out going 2014) and that given this popular fad, they w/b lit in 2018. Go figure?

[Dr. Indiana Jones]

I largely agree w everything that's been said: I think I prefer non-lit eyebrows in the headlights, so am surprised to hear that 2017 has them and 2018 doesn't (First 2014 MY didn't have them, so when did they bring them in?); yes, you will definitely save some sig money going w a 2017 over the 2018 (whether you own or lease); a touchscreen NAV is pointless just as is a touchscreen laptop (the idrive works great, and who needs fingerprints - heck the damn NAV gets dusty enough as it is, so we certainly don't need fingerprints to add to the problem); the LCI refresh is not that significant, and in some instances may not be as attractive, ergo I'd only consider 2018 if you like the additional exterior colour and rim choices; Rightrudder is right on the money as usual - physical needles on the speedo and tach are a must (u can have digital alternatives too, but not solely digital). I never claimed to know which version of 2018 was presented - it was the only info available at that time - but I agree it w/b nice to know for sure what gets carried over to the UK, NA, etc. I don't think you can go really wrong with either 2017 or 2018, as the differences are nominal. I decided to go with a 2017 because it will save me a sig amount of money on a lease vs. the 2018. My decision was also dictated by the fact that I was able to negotiate some extra money back to me, by having another separate dealer buy back my old lease a month before expiry. If I had opted for 2018, I would have had to extend my old lease and would have paid more.

[Skycaptain]

Found out last week that my new order which is 2 months away is going to be the updated lci edition. Dealer confirmed led lights, digital display and about 1-2k premium over the old model but I'm not sure the price increase was directly related to the end of year sales or just their pricing on the newer lci edition.

Very happy with the led's, they are brighter and give better lighting to the sides of the vehicle which will help me in country driving. Distance should be similar to xenon.

Digital display, prefer the old set up.

Regardless of a price increase or not, since it's an lci edition it will hold its value slightly better. Well going by previous sales and models here in Australia that is.

[Dr. Indiana Jones]

Originally Posted by Dr. Indiana Jones

Thx for clarifying/correcting my speculation error. I'm not a big fan of lit LED eyebrows, and just assumed that there wouldn't be any in 2017 (as was the case in my out going 2014) and that given this popular fad, they w/b lit in 2018. Go figure?

Sadly, LOL, Indy just realized that his outgoing 2014 M235i must have had the lit eyebrow headlights after all. I guess Indy never really paid much attention to them, as thankfully they presumably aren't as bright/obtrusive as those found in new Audi and Mercedes models. So if the 2017 M240i model has the identical set-up to that for 2014, then hopefully it's no biggie. Still think I prefer the non-lit eyebrows for 2018. Can somebody please confirm that the 2017's are the same as those for 2014, and that they aren't too bright/obtrusive?