upgrade from Q4 to iX?

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Discussion

325Ti

Original Poster:

391 posts

146 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
hi all

looking some opinions

currently in an Audi Q4 sportsback 40 Sport (what a mouthful!) as a company car

the opportunity to swap to a BMW iX 40 Sport has come up

as both company cars the cost isnt a big decider, and BIK will be largely the same

iX is much larger, more powerful and luxurious car but range worries me

Audi is currently averaging 250m (from a supposed 330 range) BMW offical range is 260 - so real world about 200?

somouk

1,425 posts

198 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
iX is a lovely car and if the costs aren't a problem then great.

The range appears to be a big problem on them though. Matt Watson has done a few comparison vids including the iX so might be worth taking a look at those.

As you are already driving electric, how many times have you been over the range that the BMW has?

SWoll

18,391 posts

258 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
yes

The 40 comes with a particularly small battery for such a large EV (71kW useable) so in reality 200 miles is going to be about right, and probably worse than that during the coldest parts of winter. For £30k cheaper than the 50 model they had to save money somewhere I suppose, which does make it quite a good deal for what's offered IMHO and definitely the iX to go for if you can live with the range.

Would be a significant step up in every way from your Q4 otherwise though.


TooLateForAName

4,748 posts

184 months

Monday 20th February 2023
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https://ev-database.org/uk/car/1472/BMW-iX-xDrive-...

On the basis of that ^ I think you'll be lucky to get 200

325Ti

Original Poster:

391 posts

146 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
somouk said:
iX is a lovely car and if the costs aren't a problem then great.

The range appears to be a big problem on them though. Matt Watson has done a few comparison vids including the iX so might be worth taking a look at those.

As you are already driving electric, how many times have you been over the range that the BMW has?
to be honest, haivng checked back over my miles i dont believe ive ever exceeded 200 miles in a day, and only time ive struggled with range was when i forgot to charge it at night

raspy

1,474 posts

94 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
TooLateForAName said:
https://ev-database.org/uk/car/1472/BMW-iX-xDrive-...

On the basis of that ^ I think you'll be lucky to get 200
I've had an iX40 since November 2022 on 22inch wheels. I do lots of short journeys (1-3 miles) but I also do longer trips at higher speeds.

I am getting about 210-220 miles consistently these days. I make use of the performance too.

Worst I've had is about 190 miles but that's only because it was seriously below freezing that week. Summer weather should see the car getting above 250 miles without issue based upon what I've heard from other owners.

2 things people who don't own an iX don't realise when it comes to running it in winter;
a) it comes with radiant panel heating (i.e. the panels under the dash put out heat and driver's side armrest and centre armrest are heated too, so I seldom feel the need to put the actual heating on and it's got 4 levels of heat for steering wheel and even enables you to tailor exactly where the heat on the heated seats should come out, from all at the bottom to all at the top or anywhere in between)

b) it's bloody well insulated, so even when popping into the car first thing in the morning when it's been left overnight, the interior never really feels that cold like many other cars would

I generally run in efficient mode, which unlike "eco mode" of other EVs doesn't impact throttle response or power, it just uses less electricity, especially when the car is coasting and uses less power for heating (which like I've said I don't really need that often even in winter)

Even on those days where I have passengers, and they want the heating on, then it doesn't make much of an impact on range (at least not compared to other EVs I've ran including Audi Q4 and 55)

325Ti

Original Poster:

391 posts

146 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
raspy said:
I've had an iX40 since November 2022 on 22inch wheels. I do lots of short journeys (1-3 miles) but I also do longer trips at higher speeds.

I am getting about 210-220 miles consistently these days. I make use of the performance too.

Worst I've had is about 190 miles but that's only because it was seriously below freezing that week. Summer weather should see the car getting above 250 miles without issue based upon what I've heard from other owners.

2 things people who don't own an iX don't realise when it comes to running it in winter;
a) it comes with radiant panel heating (i.e. the panels under the dash put out heat and driver's side armrest and centre armrest are heated too, so I seldom feel the need to put the actual heating on and it's got 4 levels of heat for steering wheel and even enables you to tailor exactly where the heat on the heated seats should come out, from all at the bottom to all at the top or anywhere in between)

b) it's bloody well insulated, so even when popping into the car first thing in the morning when it's been left overnight, the interior never really feels that cold like many other cars would

I generally run in efficient mode, which unlike "eco mode" of other EVs doesn't impact throttle response or power, it just uses less electricity, especially when the car is coasting and uses less power for heating (which like I've said I don't really need that often even in winter)

Even on those days where I have passengers, and they want the heating on, then it doesn't make much of an impact on range (at least not compared to other EVs I've ran including Audi Q4 and 55)
That's great information, thanks for sharing

The range your getting gives a lot more confidence.

raspy

1,474 posts

94 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
325Ti said:
That's great information, thanks for sharing

The range your getting gives a lot more confidence.
Just bear in mind that the biggest downside of the iX40 (as opposed to the iX50/60 which have rear wheel steering) is that the turning circle is HUGE, and it's even worse than something like a Tesla Model X. You do get used to it, but it can be annoying in some really tight car parks.

However, the recent software update brought remote control parking via the app. Find a space, get out, control the parking of the car with the app (from within 6 metres) including reversing into a space between two cars and it does a rather good job.




TheDeuce

21,566 posts

66 months

Monday 20th February 2023
quotequote all
The IX is a good car, but the problem is the 40 is a compromise imo, you ideally want the 50 (or the 60 if money is no object etc..), but you only actually get a 40 right now..

And the 40 is a little light on range and power. Of course it's still more powerful and drives/handles better than virtually all comparable min power variants ICE SUV's - basically those that come with a 2l diesel 4 pot, but when I drove one I got the distinct impression the 50 is the car BMW wanted to make, the 60 is the fun bonkers one, and the 40 was created simply to create a budget offering and, probably a reason to get a budget buyer to find the extra £££ and in the end get the 50.

In the same way no one wants a 316 or 318, but a 320 is generally considered as a sensible and respectable choice.

raspy

1,474 posts

94 months

Tuesday 21st February 2023
quotequote all
TheDeuce said:
The IX is a good car, but the problem is the 40 is a compromise imo, you ideally want the 50 (or the 60 if money is no object etc..), but you only actually get a 40 right now..

And the 40 is a little light on range and power. Of course it's still more powerful and drives/handles better than virtually all comparable min power variants ICE SUV's - basically those that come with a 2l diesel 4 pot, but when I drove one I got the distinct impression the 50 is the car BMW wanted to make, the 60 is the fun bonkers one, and the 40 was created simply to create a budget offering and, probably a reason to get a budget buyer to find the extra £££ and in the end get the 50.

In the same way no one wants a 316 or 318, but a 320 is generally considered as a sensible and respectable choice.
Depends upon your perspective and how much "power" and "range" you require in your daily travels.

I (like quite a few owners) have not found the 40 lacking in power or range, but neither am I racing against other EVs that do 0-60 in 4 seconds nor doing 350 mile motorway travels every day. I guess if your driving involves those scenarios then, yes, the 50 or the 60 would be the only ones worth going for.

b19rak

369 posts

217 months

Thursday 23rd February 2023
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I have a 40 Ix which I’ve had since September. A massively impressive car. Range hasn’t been an issue for me as I don’t usually do anything more then 100 miles on a long return journey. I’ve been from Hinckley to East Finchley and back on a London day trip on a single charge with 30 miles to spare so I know range is good and true to the car’s estimate. Winter months has been less though. It’s moved the EV world on for quality and refinement in my opinion. Unless you are doing serious mileage you don’t need more then the 40.

SWoll

18,391 posts

258 months

Thursday 23rd February 2023
quotequote all
TheDeuce said:
The IX is a good car, but the problem is the 40 is a compromise imo, you ideally want the 50 (or the 60 if money is no object etc..), but you only actually get a 40 right now..

And the 40 is a little light on range and power. Of course it's still more powerful and drives/handles better than virtually all comparable min power variants ICE SUV's - basically those that come with a 2l diesel 4 pot, but when I drove one I got the distinct impression the 50 is the car BMW wanted to make, the 60 is the fun bonkers one, and the 40 was created simply to create a budget offering and, probably a reason to get a budget buyer to find the extra £££ and in the end get the 50.

In the same way no one wants a 316 or 318, but a 320 is generally considered as a sensible and respectable choice.
Whatever the thinking behind it the price difference is ridiculous IMHO.

£73k v £103k is an almost 50% increase in price, and leasing costs jump by the same. You don't even get any extra kit as standard with the 50, just the bigger battery and a bit more performance.



GT9

6,577 posts

172 months

Thursday 23rd February 2023
quotequote all
SWoll said:
Whatever the thinking behind it the price difference is ridiculous IMHO.
Trying to make people think about whether they REALLY need to carry extra battery they never actually use?
The post above yours is case in point I guess.

325Ti

Original Poster:

391 posts

146 months

Sunday 26th February 2023
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Out of interest for the guys who have iX - what colour exterior and interior did you go with and are you happy with it. Trying to pick between the 2 different blues

b19rak

369 posts

217 months

Monday 27th February 2023
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325Ti said:
Out of interest for the guys who have iX - what colour exterior and interior did you go with and are you happy with it. Trying to pick between the 2 different blues
Sophisto Grey and Black M Sport Edition with upgrade wheels and Lasers.

raspy

1,474 posts

94 months

Monday 27th February 2023
quotequote all
325Ti said:
Out of interest for the guys who have iX - what colour exterior and interior did you go with and are you happy with it. Trying to pick between the 2 different blues
Aventurine Red metallic/Titanium Bronze trim with Oyster interior - Reminds me of Iron Man outfit from the outside.

Yes, very happy. Dealer told me virtually everyone just orders black inside and out.

SWoll

18,391 posts

258 months

Monday 27th February 2023
quotequote all
raspy said:
Aventurine Red metallic/Titanium Bronze trim with Oyster interior - Reminds me of Iron Man outfit from the outside.

Yes, very happy. Dealer told me virtually everyone just orders black inside and out.
Having seen a few on the road in various colours I can understand why. Each to their own though, it's all subjective at the end of the day.

325Ti

Original Poster:

391 posts

146 months

Monday 6th March 2023
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Decision made, order placed. Delivery currently forecast mid Sept which seems OK

Went safe with blue exterior and black interior

raspy

1,474 posts

94 months

Monday 6th March 2023
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325Ti said:
Decision made, order placed. Delivery currently forecast mid Sept which seems OK

Went safe with blue exterior and black interior
Nice. You should be getting the versions with the new head unit from March 2023 that will enable more features/better tech from an infotainment perspective.

Over 6 months for delivery of factory order? How times have changed. Mine took 2 months when I ordered last summer.

S600BSB

4,632 posts

106 months

Monday 6th March 2023
quotequote all
b19rak said:
Sophisto Grey and Black M Sport Edition with upgrade wheels and Lasers.
Sorry, but that really does look hideous! The grill...