BMW M440i xDrive GC Vs i4

[taxboy]

As per the title - A bit theoretical at the moment but doing a bit of advance research. Its not a company spend so BIK doesn't impact the purchase.
See what people's thoughts are and also future residuals - crystal ball time !

[CG2020UK]

I’ve drove both a good bit.

Both are brilliant daily drivers and can’t be faulted in that regard.

Personally I prefer the I4 (assuming M50) as electric is just nicer to drive with instant delivery. It’s also cheaper to run and quicker.

Both are adequate in terms of driver enjoyment but they aren’t great and modern BMWs have a weird light vague steering I just don’t like. Both certainly aren’t drivers cars.

I’ve considered switching the M2 for an I4 M50 as it would save me about £200 a month all in vs the M2 but just love the M2 too much and we have the G21 330e for pottering about anyhow.

[Jamescrs]

A good mate of mine had a 330e as a company car, I think it was an F80 and now has an I4 and says he preferred the 330e, I believe the tax benefits may be better on an I4? He's looking at pulling out of the company car scheme if he can get someone to take his I4 on.

[sunnyb13]

Jamescrs said:

A good mate of mine had a 330e as a company car, I think it was an F80 and now has an I4 and says he preferred the 330e, I believe the tax benefits may be better on an I4? He's looking at pulling out of the company car scheme if he can get someone to take his I4 on.

Would be the f30.

[Rob 131 Sport]

I bought a 5 month old M440d Coupe last year and it’s a really good car that I’d wholeheartedly recommend.

However, in the last 30 years I’ve owned 9 BMW’s and generally they have all been great.

[Jamescrs]

sunnyb13 said:

Would be the f30.

I knew someone would be better at the references than me, on my 3rd BMW and still haven't got my head around them.

[sunnyb13]

Jamescrs said:

sunnyb13 said:

Would be the f30.

I knew someone would be better at the references than me, on my 3rd BMW and still haven't got my head around them.

They've certainly got a strange naming convention.

---

Previous Generation
F3X = 3/4 series
F8X = M3/M4
F10 = 5 Series and M5

---

Current Generation
G20 = 3 series
G80 = M3
G30 = 5 Series
F90 = M5

[ukpolak]

I regularly scope out both models as a potential replacement for my 2017 F36 440i gran coupe.

I understand from rumour sites that LCI / mid life updates are due very soon across the 4er portfolio.

I don’t know if this impacts purchases but I’m yet to read about or meet anyone who has purchased an i4 (cash or PCP) as EVs at that (high-ish) price point are mostly acquired on work salary sacrifice schemes. Please correct me if I’m wrong! This compares to the petrol equivalents which tend to be keepers. One of the reasons (per other threads on here) is the quick dating tech in EVs and people not wanting to run the risk of purchasing something when the value risks tanking (which PCP provides of course). Eg Taycan values per the Porsche section on here. Also the tax bens of EVs in salary sacrifice.

Just a couple of thoughts and very helpful comments here so far.

[Vee]

I know you asked about the 440i, however, I replaced my M3 with a 2023 model M340i and my wife's i4 M50 finally arrived in June.

The i4 is really nice but not worth 20K more, unless you're buying via a company.
The acceleration is great and the regenerative braking is also good, but the range is rubbish. Acceleration starts to tail off over the legal limit but there is no need to travel that fast these days.
Apparently is eats tyres too - only 3K miles in on ours.

Everything else is much the same in terms of operation between the 2.
Air suspension in the i4, not sure if the 440 has it also.

I keep looking at the 20K difference and with technology changing so fast + unknown residuals I don't think it is worth 20K more to buy.

[Vee]

Jamescrs said:

A good mate of mine had a 330e as a company car, I think it was an F80 and now has an I4 and says he preferred the 330e, I believe the tax benefits may be better on an I4? He's looking at pulling out of the company car scheme if he can get someone to take his I4 on.

I find that unbelievable, any i4 will be streets ahead of the F30 330e.

[taxboy]

CG2020UK said:

I’ve drove both a good bit.

Both are brilliant daily drivers and can’t be faulted in that regard.

Personally I prefer the I4 (assuming M50) as electric is just nicer to drive with instant delivery. It’s also cheaper to run and quicker.

Both are adequate in terms of driver enjoyment but they aren’t great and modern BMWs have a weird light vague steering I just don’t like. Both certainly aren’t drivers cars.

I’ve considered switching the M2 for an I4 M50 as it would save me about £200 a month all in vs the M2 but just love the M2 too much and we have the G21 330e for pottering about anyhow.

Thanks for sharing your experience - much appreciated 👍 I was thinking about the M40 solely based on the reviews I'd seen plus the lower cost

[taxboy]

ukpolak said:

I regularly scope out both models as a potential replacement for my 2017 F36 440i gran coupe.

I understand from rumour sites that LCI / mid life updates are due very soon across the 4er portfolio.

I don’t know if this impacts purchases but I’m yet to read about or meet anyone who has purchased an i4 (cash or PCP) as EVs at that (high-ish) price point are mostly acquired on work salary sacrifice schemes. Please correct me if I’m wrong! This compares to the petrol equivalents which tend to be keepers. One of the reasons (per other threads on here) is the quick dating tech in EVs and people not wanting to run the risk of purchasing something when the value risks tanking (which PCP provides of course). Eg Taycan values per the Porsche section on here. Also the tax bens of EVs in salary sacrifice.

Just a couple of thoughts and very helpful comments here so far.

Thanks for that you make some valid points. Just to place some context this would be a private purchase and wouldn't be new. I'm hoping to take advantage of that initial depreciation. I'm currently driving an F10 520D, which is now 10 years old but has been brilliant. My circumstances have now changed and I no longer need the benefits of a diesel. When mine recently went back for the EGR recall they gave me a 520 petrol, which didn't feel as quick as my diesel - I guess I've got used to the torquey way a diesel drives ? Other than a more modern interior it didn't really seem to offer much over the existing model.
This got me thinking that I might fancy something a little more sporty but that could still be wafted about as well. The idea of a hatchback and 4 doors for convenience also appealed

With respect to an EV for my requirements I think the tech has reached a tipping point - the range is such that for my occasional longer range trips I can put up with potentially slow charging and even bigger range /efficiency that the future might bring

Apologies for the ramble but thought it might help explain my viewpoint

[taxboy]

Vee said:

I know you asked about the 440i, however, I replaced my M3 with a 2023 model M340i and my wife's i4 M50 finally arrived in June.

The i4 is really nice but not worth 20K more, unless you're buying via a company.
The acceleration is great and the regenerative braking is also good, but the range is rubbish. Acceleration starts to tail off over the legal limit but there is no need to travel that fast these days.
Apparently is eats tyres too - only 3K miles in on ours.

Everything else is much the same in terms of operation between the 2.
Air suspension in the i4, not sure if the 440 has it also.

I keep looking at the 20K difference and with technology changing so fast + unknown residuals I don't think it is worth 20K more to buy.

Thanks for that - can I ask if given a choice of keys, which you would reach for first !

[ukpolak]

taxboy said:

Thanks for that you make some valid points. Just to place some context this would be a private purchase and wouldn't be new. I'm hoping to take advantage of that initial depreciation. I'm currently driving an F10 520D, which is now 10 years old but has been brilliant. My circumstances have now changed and I no longer need the benefits of a diesel. When mine recently went back for the EGR recall they gave me a 520 petrol, which didn't feel as quick as my diesel - I guess I've got used to the torquey way a diesel drives ? Other than a more modern interior it didn't really seem to offer much over the existing model.
This got me thinking that I might fancy something a little more sporty but that could still be wafted about as well. The idea of a hatchback and 4 doors for convenience also appealed

With respect to an EV for my requirements I think the tech has reached a tipping point - the range is such that for my occasional longer range trips I can put up with potentially slow charging and even bigger range /efficiency that the future might bring

Apologies for the ramble but thought it might help explain my viewpoint

I think this is all very valid and it sounds like you’re after an EV as a keeper. Through reading around on here, I see many folks purchasing smaller EV runabouts as longer term keepers, but given the unknown on residuals, battery life questions, dated tech and what not, I don’t think I’ve seen any people purchasing i4s (at the more expensive end) unless they’re on a PCP product when they can give it back.

FWIW I have a 440i GC from 2017 and it’s still going strong and no real “push” to upgrade as the engine, shape, fuel economy etc etc are all perfect.

Unless you can get a tax incentive type deal, I’d go for the petrol.

[Jamescrs]

Vee said:

I find that unbelievable, any i4 will be streets ahead of the F30 330e.

I'm.sorry you.find it unbelievable but its my friends opinion.
I think in a big part its because of range anxiety, he drives all over the country on weekends watching his football club and has had issues on a number of occasions charging on the road.

He's adamant he's getting rid of the car and leaving the company car scheme, he plans to.get a 5 series of some description.

[Vee]

taxboy said:

Thanks for that - can I ask if given a choice of keys, which you would reach for first !

i4, purely for the acceleration.

But, it’s paid for by the company with money that would otherwise remain the the business account not go in our pocket.
If I was paying myself I don’t think it’s worth the extra it costs.

Edited by Vee on Thursday 14th September 20:59

[Vee]

Jamescrs said:

I'm.sorry you.find it unbelievable but its my friends opinion.
I think in a big part its because of range anxiety, he drives all over the country on weekends watching his football club and has had issues on a number of occasions charging on the road.

He's adamant he's getting rid of the car and leaving the company car scheme, he plans to.get a 5 series of some description.

So his problem is not the i4 being worse than the 330e, he’s picked the wrong type of car.

[taxboy]

ukpolak said:

taxboy said:

Thanks for that you make some valid points. Just to place some context this would be a private purchase and wouldn't be new. I'm hoping to take advantage of that initial depreciation. I'm currently driving an F10 520D, which is now 10 years old but has been brilliant. My circumstances have now changed and I no longer need the benefits of a diesel. When mine recently went back for the EGR recall they gave me a 520 petrol, which didn't feel as quick as my diesel - I guess I've got used to the torquey way a diesel drives ? Other than a more modern interior it didn't really seem to offer much over the existing model.
This got me thinking that I might fancy something a little more sporty but that could still be wafted about as well. The idea of a hatchback and 4 doors for convenience also appealed

With respect to an EV for my requirements I think the tech has reached a tipping point - the range is such that for my occasional longer range trips I can put up with potentially slow charging and even bigger range /efficiency that the future might bring

Apologies for the ramble but thought it might help explain my viewpoint

I think this is all very valid and it sounds like you’re after an EV as a keeper. Through reading around on here, I see many folks purchasing smaller EV runabouts as longer term keepers, but given the unknown on residuals, battery life questions, dated tech and what not, I don’t think I’ve seen any people purchasing i4s (at the more expensive end) unless they’re on a PCP product when they can give it back.

FWIW I have a 440i GC from 2017 and it’s still going strong and no real “push” to upgrade as the engine, shape, fuel economy etc etc are all perfect.

Unless you can get a tax incentive type deal, I’d go for the petrol.

Thanks for the input - I'm guessing the i40 ex lease cars haven't filtered into the pre owned market yet to get a feel for the depreciation for private owners

[Jamescrs]

Vee said:

So his problem is not the i4 being worse than the 330e, he’s picked the wrong type of car.

You are very defensive about the i4.

Surely someone is allowed to have their opinion on which car is better or worse even if you don't agree with it?

[Vee]

Jamescrs said:

You are very defensive about the i4.

Surely someone is allowed to have their opinion on which car is better or worse even if you don't agree with it?

I’m not, I said it’s not worth the money it costs.

I’m simply saying that any model i4 is miles ahead of the previous generation 330e. It’s comparing cars designed 7 years apart- every single aspect will be better apart the fact that the 330e will do more than 300 miles before 5 mins of refuelling, and any electric car needs 45 mins to recharge.