BMW i4 M50 - 1 month review
Discussion
So have had the i4 M50 for a month now and covered 2.5k miles so I can share a personal first hand ownership opinion.
Effortless pace, lovely cabin, good range and charging home & away has been a doddle. I got the car with 19" wheels and with the current temperatures I would say that real-world range is between 280 - 300.
The car does everything it was designed to do and I would struggle to fault it. However, there is a but - I am just not gelling with it and I can't put my finger on exactly what it is.
The power and handling (on the road) are every bit on par with my previous car (M3 XDrive) but dare I say it lacks the involvement / character of the other car. We have had loads of EVs in the office over the last few years so I am well past the giggling from the instant torque and traffic light nausea. Perhaps once you are used to that, you realise that you are simply in a battery powered 4-series Grand Coupe.
Part of it is definitely the aural deprivation - whilst the Hans Zimmer noises are initially cool in a Tron type of way ultimately they are very synthetic. It also looks a bit blander that most of my previous car - I haven't had the urge to look over my shoulder when walking away that I have had with other cars.
I have been on the look out to find a weekend toy (just test drove a 1993 964 and absolutely loved it) and perhaps the answer lies in trying to compliment the i4 with something a bit more soulful to offer a contrast. Alternatively, the i4 may be taking a trip back to BMW to find new home as I wrestle with the fact that my dino-burning tendancies are still alive and well.
Effortless pace, lovely cabin, good range and charging home & away has been a doddle. I got the car with 19" wheels and with the current temperatures I would say that real-world range is between 280 - 300.
The car does everything it was designed to do and I would struggle to fault it. However, there is a but - I am just not gelling with it and I can't put my finger on exactly what it is.
The power and handling (on the road) are every bit on par with my previous car (M3 XDrive) but dare I say it lacks the involvement / character of the other car. We have had loads of EVs in the office over the last few years so I am well past the giggling from the instant torque and traffic light nausea. Perhaps once you are used to that, you realise that you are simply in a battery powered 4-series Grand Coupe.
Part of it is definitely the aural deprivation - whilst the Hans Zimmer noises are initially cool in a Tron type of way ultimately they are very synthetic. It also looks a bit blander that most of my previous car - I haven't had the urge to look over my shoulder when walking away that I have had with other cars.
I have been on the look out to find a weekend toy (just test drove a 1993 964 and absolutely loved it) and perhaps the answer lies in trying to compliment the i4 with something a bit more soulful to offer a contrast. Alternatively, the i4 may be taking a trip back to BMW to find new home as I wrestle with the fact that my dino-burning tendancies are still alive and well.
Interesting.. I broadly feel the same way about the transition to EV, even though the EV is no less capable than my previous fun ICE cars. It puts a smile on my face often enough because it's impossible not to be amused/bemused by the instant torque in near silence, but it's not the 'same' sort of involvement as ICE where you feel that your own input is working to increase the pace of the car - a perfectly times shift for example. The EV is perfect all the time from the second it leaves the driveway, it doesn't even to warm up so there's no building anticipation for the first time you can open it up each journey.
I think the answer probably is to supplement it with a fun ICE toy/investment. That's my plan (V8 M3) on the basis that I think it's a very safe bet a well maintained and minimal mileage per year, fun ICE car, will rise in value over time at least sufficient to pay for it's keep. You can definitely have the best of both worlds right now, and that should be taken advantage of as soon as ICE values return to sane levels.
If you drive the EV for a few more months and then swapped back full time to an ICE, I think there would be many aspects of the EV daily ease of use that you would miss too. Especially in the winter when you have the ability to defrost and heat it up whilst you drink your morning coffee! You'll also likely be astonished at how good electric AWD drive is vs ICE. The benefits of such convenience and 'ready to go' ease of use and never having go to a petrol station are the things I would sorely miss now.
It'll be interesting to see what you do.
I think the answer probably is to supplement it with a fun ICE toy/investment. That's my plan (V8 M3) on the basis that I think it's a very safe bet a well maintained and minimal mileage per year, fun ICE car, will rise in value over time at least sufficient to pay for it's keep. You can definitely have the best of both worlds right now, and that should be taken advantage of as soon as ICE values return to sane levels.
If you drive the EV for a few more months and then swapped back full time to an ICE, I think there would be many aspects of the EV daily ease of use that you would miss too. Especially in the winter when you have the ability to defrost and heat it up whilst you drink your morning coffee! You'll also likely be astonished at how good electric AWD drive is vs ICE. The benefits of such convenience and 'ready to go' ease of use and never having go to a petrol station are the things I would sorely miss now.
It'll be interesting to see what you do.
Have been in a Polestar for over 18 months now and I get what you mean. I was lucky enough to have a 488 as well but in the year I had both the Polestar was my go to car 95% of the time as it’s just so easy and does everything well. 6 months o I am feeling the need for something for the weekend or like yesterday going to Goodwood, it’s not the same in a normal car.
I have an M50 due soon, was meant to be April delivery but pushed back to September now to coincide with the Polestar 2 year lease return so good to hear you like it.
I have an M50 due soon, was meant to be April delivery but pushed back to September now to coincide with the Polestar 2 year lease return so good to hear you like it.
Our EV is so good at the routine family stuff we have no plans to replace for a long while yet. To be 100% honest our old 24kWh Nissan Leaf was 90% there already just lacked that extra bit of range.
For any real 'engagement' of been on the road I just use my pedal bike these days, far easier to get adrenaline going at much lower speeds and potential consequence to others.
For any real 'engagement' of been on the road I just use my pedal bike these days, far easier to get adrenaline going at much lower speeds and potential consequence to others.
I’m coming to an M50 from an A6 40 tdi, so the massive increase in performance, power and the low running costs are a massive plus for me. There is no drama from my current car so I’m not going to missing anything.
The attraction for me and I would suspect many other salary sacrifice leasers is the access to M3 levels of performance with far lower monthlies and far cheaper running costs.
I am very excited about it arriving due to the performance however I would choose an M3 over it all day long!
The attraction for me and I would suspect many other salary sacrifice leasers is the access to M3 levels of performance with far lower monthlies and far cheaper running costs.
I am very excited about it arriving due to the performance however I would choose an M3 over it all day long!
zj2016 said:
I’m coming to an M50 from an A6 40 tdi, so the massive increase in performance, power and the low running costs are a massive plus for me. There is no drama from my current car so I’m not going to missing anything.
The attraction for me and I would suspect many other salary sacrifice leasers is the access to M3 levels of performance with far lower monthlies and far cheaper running costs.
I am very excited about it arriving due to the performance however I would choose an M3 over it all day long!
I too would prefer the M3 'on the day'. I think the key thing these very potent EV's are doing is to provide a different type of access to such performance.The attraction for me and I would suspect many other salary sacrifice leasers is the access to M3 levels of performance with far lower monthlies and far cheaper running costs.
I am very excited about it arriving due to the performance however I would choose an M3 over it all day long!
You lose what some of what is more visceral in the ICE car but you gain a car that is far cheaper and easier to live with as a daily - and that was the original purpose of the M division cars, to give an owner the complete package. I think EV brings that goal closer overall.
There is a certain satisfaction in driving a nuts and bolts M car. But there's also plenty of satisfaction to be had in one that has 250 miles of cheap driving potential when you wake up each day, is at full power the second you climb inside and doesn't burn through brake pads and discs as fast as it burns through tyres.
The deeper I head down the EV rabbit hole, the more I realise that there are very valid arguements for both. If I had to choose one I'd go EV as it's a life changer, it's simply a better way to make the machine function. But I don't have to choose just one, and that's starting to make this feel like a very good time to be a passionate driver. ICE is about as good as it will ever get, and we can have that and EV.
Totally agree OP. Have had 3 very different EV's so far and have come to the conclusion that being a performance oriented drives car is where they fall down as a proposition. Cracking for city cars, excellent for comfort and refinement but they fall short when it comes to absolute engagement.
Was actually discussing this with the wife tonight on our way out to meet some friends and came to the conclusion that we now do such little mileage compared to two years ago with changes to working practices and our kids both finishing school so rarely use the rear seats that we might swap back into something ICE and interesting full time as whilst we love EV's there is something missing from the experience. Plan to spend tomorrow scouring AT for options.
Was actually discussing this with the wife tonight on our way out to meet some friends and came to the conclusion that we now do such little mileage compared to two years ago with changes to working practices and our kids both finishing school so rarely use the rear seats that we might swap back into something ICE and interesting full time as whilst we love EV's there is something missing from the experience. Plan to spend tomorrow scouring AT for options.
I think it's good to have an EV in the fleet tbh. It's something different and they do what they do well. The I-Pace is perfect for our family needs tbh and costs SFA doing it.
But I personally don't do enough driving day to day for an EV to make much sense and I very much enjoy the little expositions be that in the daily cruiser or the sports car and when I do longer drives they're done in such a way that an EV can be a bit of a pain. And besides, if an EV does make sense for a longer drive then I have one...
I'm not particularly surprised that people who have had EVs for a while kind of get bored with them because I'm the same. I find it hard to think of reasons to buy another unless there is a major step change in battery tech in the next few years.
But I personally don't do enough driving day to day for an EV to make much sense and I very much enjoy the little expositions be that in the daily cruiser or the sports car and when I do longer drives they're done in such a way that an EV can be a bit of a pain. And besides, if an EV does make sense for a longer drive then I have one...
I'm not particularly surprised that people who have had EVs for a while kind of get bored with them because I'm the same. I find it hard to think of reasons to buy another unless there is a major step change in battery tech in the next few years.
DMZ said:
I think it's good to have an EV in the fleet tbh. It's something different and they do what they do well. The I-Pace is perfect for our family needs tbh and costs SFA doing it.
But I personally don't do enough driving day to day for an EV to make much sense and I very much enjoy the little expositions be that in the daily cruiser or the sports car and when I do longer drives they're done in such a way that an EV can be a bit of a pain. And besides, if an EV does make sense for a longer drive then I have one...
I'm not particularly surprised that people who have had EVs for a while kind of get bored with them because I'm the same. I find it hard to think of reasons to buy another unless there is a major step change in battery tech in the next few years.
Our IPace lease ends in a year so I have to chose the next, definitely going to stay with EV as a daily.But I personally don't do enough driving day to day for an EV to make much sense and I very much enjoy the little expositions be that in the daily cruiser or the sports car and when I do longer drives they're done in such a way that an EV can be a bit of a pain. And besides, if an EV does make sense for a longer drive then I have one...
I'm not particularly surprised that people who have had EVs for a while kind of get bored with them because I'm the same. I find it hard to think of reasons to buy another unless there is a major step change in battery tech in the next few years.
I'm tempted by the i4 M50, I need to drive one and should have that opportunity soon. But if I happen not to like it, I'm not sure quite what would replace the iPace, other than another IPace. It's a blend of practicality, comfort/luxury and performance that no other EV manages seems to equal. I just wish they'd hurry up and put out a Range Rover EV, apparently something equivalent to a Velar is in the works but not going to arrive until 2024.
What EV would you swap the iPace for if you had to?
Ultimately I think it is a case of ‘horses for courses’. My wife is on her 4th i3 - it is the perfect car for her needs. It is quick in an urban setting, looks quirky and costs buttons to run. It also has bags of character.
I am now set on getting a 964 for a weekend car - no where near as quick as modern equivalent but I think it looks and sounds brilliant and will be plenty quick enough for the narrow Suffolk roads. An independent near me has a lovely Guards Red one that’s available.
The i4 may stay as a weekday car but I doubt it as it would end up as a very expensive commuter wagon for which there are many better alternatives at a fraction of the purchase price. My i4 was a personal purchase rather than through the company. Perhaps if it was only costing BIK I would just think sod it and keep it but as it’s real money, I would rather spend it on something that holds my attention a bit more.
Bloody cars !!!!
I am now set on getting a 964 for a weekend car - no where near as quick as modern equivalent but I think it looks and sounds brilliant and will be plenty quick enough for the narrow Suffolk roads. An independent near me has a lovely Guards Red one that’s available.
The i4 may stay as a weekday car but I doubt it as it would end up as a very expensive commuter wagon for which there are many better alternatives at a fraction of the purchase price. My i4 was a personal purchase rather than through the company. Perhaps if it was only costing BIK I would just think sod it and keep it but as it’s real money, I would rather spend it on something that holds my attention a bit more.
Bloody cars !!!!
rdj001 said:
Ultimately I think it is a case of ‘horses for courses’. My wife is on her 4th i3 - it is the perfect car for her needs. It is quick in an urban setting, looks quirky and costs buttons to run. It also has bags of character.
I am now set on getting a 964 for a weekend car - no where near as quick as modern equivalent but I think it looks and sounds brilliant and will be plenty quick enough for the narrow Suffolk roads. An independent near me has a lovely Guards Red one that’s available.
The i4 may stay as a weekday car but I doubt it as it would end up as a very expensive commuter wagon for which there are many better alternatives at a fraction of the purchase price. My i4 was a personal purchase rather than through the company. Perhaps if it was only costing BIK I would just think sod it and keep it but as it’s real money, I would rather spend it on something that holds my attention a bit more.
Bloody cars !!!!
Questions:I am now set on getting a 964 for a weekend car - no where near as quick as modern equivalent but I think it looks and sounds brilliant and will be plenty quick enough for the narrow Suffolk roads. An independent near me has a lovely Guards Red one that’s available.
The i4 may stay as a weekday car but I doubt it as it would end up as a very expensive commuter wagon for which there are many better alternatives at a fraction of the purchase price. My i4 was a personal purchase rather than through the company. Perhaps if it was only costing BIK I would just think sod it and keep it but as it’s real money, I would rather spend it on something that holds my attention a bit more.
Bloody cars !!!!
1) Why did you not put the i4 through the company? I agree that as a purchase post tax, it's a lot of car for a daily commute.
2) How much do you want for it?
(in approx 10 months time..)TheDeuce said:
Questions:
1) Why did you not put the i4 through the company? I agree that as a purchase post tax, it's a lot of car for a daily commute.
2) How much do you want for it? (in approx 10 months time..)
1. I chop and change quite regularly so purchasing through the company doesn't work for me as regular changes get complicated.1) Why did you not put the i4 through the company? I agree that as a purchase post tax, it's a lot of car for a daily commute.
2) How much do you want for it?
(in approx 10 months time..)2. 10 months !!!! - I will be surprised if it is on my drive in 10 days.
rdj001 said:
TheDeuce said:
Questions:
1) Why did you not put the i4 through the company? I agree that as a purchase post tax, it's a lot of car for a daily commute.
2) How much do you want for it? (in approx 10 months time..)
1. I chop and change quite regularly so purchasing through the company doesn't work for me as regular changes get complicated.1) Why did you not put the i4 through the company? I agree that as a purchase post tax, it's a lot of car for a daily commute.
2) How much do you want for it?
(in approx 10 months time..)2. 10 months !!!! - I will be surprised if it is on my drive in 10 days.
TheDeuce said:
In all seriousness, sell it quick and you could make a profit if you find the right buyer. The world's gone crazy.
Yup. There are only 2 i4s on Autotrader and they are both 40 Sport models and they seem to £10k over list. I guess some people will pay a chunk to jump the waiting list (which I think is almost a year for the M50). Not in the habit of making money on cars so this may well be a novel experience. No i4s available on BMW website either.964 has been secured. Get it next weekend.
TheDeuce said:
Our IPace lease ends in a year so I have to chose the next, definitely going to stay with EV as a daily.
I'm tempted by the i4 M50, I need to drive one and should have that opportunity soon. But if I happen not to like it, I'm not sure quite what would replace the iPace, other than another IPace. It's a blend of practicality, comfort/luxury and performance that no other EV manages seems to equal. I just wish they'd hurry up and put out a Range Rover EV, apparently something equivalent to a Velar is in the works but not going to arrive until 2024.
What EV would you swap the iPace for if you had to?
Yes spot on when you look at the blend that the I-Pace offers, I can’t think of anything on the market now that matches the I-Pace tbh.I'm tempted by the i4 M50, I need to drive one and should have that opportunity soon. But if I happen not to like it, I'm not sure quite what would replace the iPace, other than another IPace. It's a blend of practicality, comfort/luxury and performance that no other EV manages seems to equal. I just wish they'd hurry up and put out a Range Rover EV, apparently something equivalent to a Velar is in the works but not going to arrive until 2024.
What EV would you swap the iPace for if you had to?
I’m guessing the Macan EV will be something similar?
A Range Rover EV would no doubt be exceptional and I’d say an electric drivetrain would really suit it.
DMZ said:
TheDeuce said:
Our IPace lease ends in a year so I have to chose the next, definitely going to stay with EV as a daily.
I'm tempted by the i4 M50, I need to drive one and should have that opportunity soon. But if I happen not to like it, I'm not sure quite what would replace the iPace, other than another IPace. It's a blend of practicality, comfort/luxury and performance that no other EV manages seems to equal. I just wish they'd hurry up and put out a Range Rover EV, apparently something equivalent to a Velar is in the works but not going to arrive until 2024.
What EV would you swap the iPace for if you had to?
Yes spot on when you look at the blend that the I-Pace offers, I can’t think of anything on the market now that matches the I-Pace tbh.I'm tempted by the i4 M50, I need to drive one and should have that opportunity soon. But if I happen not to like it, I'm not sure quite what would replace the iPace, other than another IPace. It's a blend of practicality, comfort/luxury and performance that no other EV manages seems to equal. I just wish they'd hurry up and put out a Range Rover EV, apparently something equivalent to a Velar is in the works but not going to arrive until 2024.
What EV would you swap the iPace for if you had to?
I’m guessing the Macan EV will be something similar?
A Range Rover EV would no doubt be exceptional and I’d say an electric drivetrain would really suit it.
Just very frustrating that they managed to get the iPace out several years ago, no big build-up, it just appeared - and it's bloody brilliant. The mind boggles as to why a Range Rover product didn't follow up that success by now
Had an i3 for three years at same time as discovery 4. Then ipace. Now I have Volvo XC90 phev and wife has a c40 (400bhp 4wd version). I really don’t miss ice cars at all - perhaps cos I am getting old (have had an Elsie and a couple of caterhams). I am missing the ipace way more than I expected - I just got used to it and didn’t properly appreciate it. Need more space though for university runs. Doing v little mileage nowadays apart from holidays and university runs, and the xc90 is mostly enough just with electric
I would have bought an EV velar if it existed (or even a discovery / discovery sport EV), but the phev didn’t appeal. I thought the Range Rover EV coming in 2024 was the full fat Range Rover rather than velar size - which might make it more than I want to spend. Also going to look at polestar 3 and Volvo embla when they are out
I would have bought an EV velar if it existed (or even a discovery / discovery sport EV), but the phev didn’t appeal. I thought the Range Rover EV coming in 2024 was the full fat Range Rover rather than velar size - which might make it more than I want to spend. Also going to look at polestar 3 and Volvo embla when they are out
oop north said:
Had an i3 for three years at same time as discovery 4. Then ipace. Now I have Volvo XC90 phev and wife has a c40 (400bhp 4wd version). I really don’t miss ice cars at all - perhaps cos I am getting old (have had an Elsie and a couple of caterhams). I am missing the ipace way more than I expected - I just got used to it and didn’t properly appreciate it. Need more space though for university runs. Doing v little mileage nowadays apart from holidays and university runs, and the xc90 is mostly enough just with electric
I would have bought an EV velar if it existed (or even a discovery / discovery sport EV), but the phev didn’t appeal. I thought the Range Rover EV coming in 2024 was the full fat Range Rover rather than velar size - which might make it more than I want to spend. Also going to look at polestar 3 and Volvo embla when they are out
What is it you miss about the iPace? Please don't say the way it drives, I fear that might be what I want to hang onto too!I would have bought an EV velar if it existed (or even a discovery / discovery sport EV), but the phev didn’t appeal. I thought the Range Rover EV coming in 2024 was the full fat Range Rover rather than velar size - which might make it more than I want to spend. Also going to look at polestar 3 and Volvo embla when they are out
And I don't just mean the speed, but the way it politely conquers a twisty b-road at daft speeds effortlessly.
DMZ said:
I think it's good to have an EV in the fleet tbh. It's something different and they do what they do well. The I-Pace is perfect for our family needs tbh and costs SFA doing it.
But I personally don't do enough driving day to day for an EV to make much sense and I very much enjoy the little expositions be that in the daily cruiser or the sports car and when I do longer drives they're done in such a way that an EV can be a bit of a pain. And besides, if an EV does make sense for a longer drive then I have one...
I'm not particularly surprised that people who have had EVs for a while kind of get bored with them because I'm the same. I find it hard to think of reasons to buy another unless there is a major step change in battery tech in the next few years.
I'm not bored per se, just aware of the limitations and with considerable changes in our lifestyle over the past 2 years (remote working, kids old enough to drive themselves) a lot of the benefits of EV now don't fit us.. But I personally don't do enough driving day to day for an EV to make much sense and I very much enjoy the little expositions be that in the daily cruiser or the sports car and when I do longer drives they're done in such a way that an EV can be a bit of a pain. And besides, if an EV does make sense for a longer drive then I have one...
I'm not particularly surprised that people who have had EVs for a while kind of get bored with them because I'm the same. I find it hard to think of reasons to buy another unless there is a major step change in battery tech in the next few years.
I can see us ending up with an i3S or Mini EV as a town car eventually but for the minute I'm feeling the pull of ICE for weekend fun/trips way.
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