My LE is going back.

but the histograms are not identical so how can you have the same incamera processing defaults.

thats good, thats all that matters, i bought the most expencive microscope objective ive owned a few weeks ago thinking it would out perform my 40yo objectives. wel lthat was a big mistake and i accepted the cost as a learning curve, the well regarded nikon 10x was like new condition and it was that bad i put it in the bin, i couldnt sell it to another person knowing it was that bad.

I just updated FastRawViewer to 2.0.8 on my other computer and it opened both files, and it does look like the LE has ("had", as you've already made your decision) a bit more aberration in the outer regions of the frame.

It was clear that something was up with the LE . Maybe it was sample variation, or damage in transit, or again maybe a newer lens formulation to save on manufacturing costs, yes it happens, updates are not always advantageous to the buyer.

From experience, it is no good keeping a piece of kit that you have no confidence in.

If it's supposed to be the same exact lens, then I suspect that the lens in the LE was a lemon, and was not assembled correctly.
Firmware shouldn't affect the resolution of the raw capture at all. I don't see Iliah here recently, but his FastRawViewer, I assume, would demosaic the two cameras with exactly the same interpolation, and FRV does show more aberration, especially towards the edges and corners.