BMW or Tesla
Author
Discussion

jonwm

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

132 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
Hi All

i think I'm going to go into the company car scheme at work, i have recently moved companies and the car allowance isn't covering the car anymore so looking at options.

2 cars have become available in the pool and looking for some real world experience advise of possible.

1: 2023 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range.
2: 2025 BMW I4 40 E Drive LCI M Sport Pro pack.

Coming from a 2018 6 Series GT so will be losing some room, I did have 3 kids 7,10, 11 but we rarely go out as a family of 5 all together.

Reading and watching reviews I can see that the 3 is slightly better in the back but BMW drives much better and will have more range than the SR 3.

Like i said any opinions welcome!



kambites

69,988 posts

239 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
I think the general consensus is that the Tesla is a better EV, but the BMW is probably a better car so it really depends what's important to you.

The Tesla makes a better job of packaging so it has more interior and boot space (although of course the BMW is a hatchback where the Tesla is a saloon) in a smaller footprint. The Tesla is also far more efficient... but the BMW does the non-EV-specific bits better. The interior is more ergonomically sound, the sound deadening is better, the materials feel higher quality, the chassis is slightly better damped, the steering feels a bit more natural,...

The Tesla is also full of technology for technologies sake. Whether that's good or bad depends on your perspective.


Of course the Tesla is about £10k cheaper, like for like. Not sure how that translates into business lease rates.

TheDeuce

29,542 posts

84 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
As you're coming from a 6 series you're obviously familiar with the general quality level of BMW cars - If you take a model 3 out for a test, you're going to notice lower quality in several areas.

Imo Tesla no longer holds any significant advantage over other EV's such as the i4 in terms of tech or ease of use either.

Also no carplay or android auto in the Tesla!

ZesPak

25,782 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
If all numbers are equal, I'd be a toss up. If you're coming from a BMW, the BMW will probably be the most logical choice.
When managing our fleets however, they never seem to be equal. The BMW seems to be a lot more expensive like for like.

Oh and range isn't all that important if you can do your daily.

My SiL has a Model 3 SR and it crosses Europe pretty darn fast. Good charging speed and incredible efficiency are more important than all out range on longer trips.

kurokawa

658 posts

126 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
jonwm said:
1: 2023 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range.
2: 2025 BMW I4 40 E Drive LCI M Sport Pro pack.
I have a 21 SR+ and driven the i4 40 a few times

For Tesla the good:
Many equipment is standard
The charging network is still one of the best thing from Tesla
Servicing Tesla is a better experience and lower cost

The bad:
Interior not as nice as the i4
Almost Every control you have to go through the iPad
Saloon not as practical as the liftback design


For the i4 the good:
Better drive, and traditional control system
Better interior
More practical

The bad:
Public charging is catching up but still not as amazing as the Tesla network
The ACC not as smooth as Model 3

Just as other say the model 3 is a better EV and i4 is a better car

Dave Hedgehog

15,352 posts

222 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
BMW all day long IMO

although I am biased having owned a model 3 for 6 years

jonwm

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

132 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
For me personally cost in negligible, its BIK on £43k or £65k, I have to pay a £23 contribution towards the I4 but nothing on Tesla, office has free charging and if I travel I can either claim 7p or the full amount of the charge but not both, so makes sense to install home charger which they also contribute £500 for.

TheDeuce

29,542 posts

84 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
Clearly the BMW then. It's a far more premium car/drive than the Tesla.

Unless you really like the sparse design of the Tesla, or for some reason don't like the benefit of having a large hatchback...?

I assume you know the i4 is a hatchback? I think some folk aren't aware just how practical they are.

jonwm

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

132 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
Yes, hatchback is the better solution for me, I have the 6GT which is also a hatch back, I find it very useful.

Kids will be gutted as they want the Tesla haha!

I think it looking like the I4 is the one, I'm hoping to view one later to make sure its not too small in the back, the reviews suggest Model 3 is better in the back by a fair stretch, mainly due to the transmission tunnel!

Martyn76

778 posts

135 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
Surely you need to test drive them both and see which one you prefer?

TheDeuce

29,542 posts

84 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
jonwm said:
Yes, hatchback is the better solution for me, I have the 6GT which is also a hatch back, I find it very useful.

Kids will be gutted as they want the Tesla haha!

I think it looking like the I4 is the one, I'm hoping to view one later to make sure its not too small in the back, the reviews suggest Model 3 is better in the back by a fair stretch, mainly due to the transmission tunnel!
I have an i4, and before that I had 430d in gran coupe from, basically the same as the current i4

The transmission tunnel isn't that big of deal, it's quite low - it's the rear door shape and also the fact the rear seats are shaped to accomodate the rear wheel arches that compromise the space a little. The 3 series (which I've also had), is indeed better for rear seat space, but only a factor if you have to transport 3 adults back there, or two particularly large ones. I've sat in the back of mine a few times for longer journeys and it's absolutely fine.
There is also separate AC controls/zone for the rear, which helps passenger comfort.

The real benefit is the very large power hatch coupled with the flat folding 40/60 split rear seats. I've had a 9'+ Christmas tree in there twice, which is asking a lot from a sports focussed coupe!

It's nice that it has the sport pro pack, does it have and other options?

ZesPak

25,782 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
If cost isn't an issue, test drive them both and make your pick.
Can't believe people would choose a car they'd had to run for years without a proper test drive.

TheDeuce

29,542 posts

84 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
If cost isn't an issue, test drive them both and make your pick.
Can't believe people would choose a car they'd had to run for years without a proper test drive.
I agree and have always tested.

Although if I'd never sat in either, with a gun to my head and forced to choose between these two... I'd go bmw. At very least BMW's are always well engineered, competent and well thought out cars.

ZesPak

25,782 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
TheDeuce said:
At very least BMW's are always well engineered, competent and well thought out cars.
Ok, now I'm not sure if you're trolling or not hehe

TheDeuce

29,542 posts

84 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
TheDeuce said:
At very least BMW's are always well engineered, competent and well thought out cars.
Ok, now I'm not sure if you're trolling or not hehe
I'm serious - I don't think they're all great but all I have encountered are above average in terms of quality and thoughtful design.

WestyCarl

3,721 posts

143 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
I spent 3 yrs in a Tesla model 3 and am now in a BMW i5 40 M sport (not a 4 but they are pretty much the same.....)

Tesla:
- More spacious and useable. (e.g. the BMW has no front boot, the charging cable is stored under the boot)
- More efficent (better range and redcued charging)
- Super easy en-route charging
- Quite noisey on motorways

BMW:
- More refined, less wind and tyre noise, better ride and damping
- charging / route planning isn't as simple (good but not as simple as Tesla)
- Personally I don't like the screen UI. It has many apps which is more complicated and distracting than the Tesla screen
- The obvious cost saving in the i5 is disspaointing compared to the Tesla

Both are great cars though. Having driven both not sure which I'd choose given another chance.


RotorRambler

495 posts

8 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
kurokawa said:
jonwm said:
1: 2023 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range.
2: 2025 BMW I4 40 E Drive LCI M Sport Pro pack.
I have a 21 SR+ and driven the i4 40 a few times

For Tesla the good:
Many equipment is standard
The charging network is still one of the best thing from Tesla
Servicing Tesla is a better experience and lower cost

The bad:
Interior not as nice as the i4
Almost Every control you have to go through the iPad
Saloon not as practical as the liftback design


For the i4 the good:
Better drive, and traditional control system
Better interior
More practical

The bad:
Public charging is catching up but still not as amazing as the Tesla network
The ACC not as smooth as Model 3

Just as other say the model 3 is a better EV and i4 is a better car
Anyone can use the Tesla charging network !(well a large number of their locations are open to all, no subscription required)
E.g.



Edited by RotorRambler on Wednesday 27th August 17:16

Aberlour

15 posts

8 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
kurokawa said:
jonwm said:
1: 2023 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range.
2: 2025 BMW I4 40 E Drive LCI M Sport Pro pack.
I have a 21 SR+ and driven the i4 40 a few times

For Tesla the good:
Many equipment is standard
The charging network is still one of the best thing from Tesla
Servicing Tesla is a better experience and lower cost

The bad:
Interior not as nice as the i4
Almost Every control you have to go through the iPad
Saloon not as practical as the liftback design


For the i4 the good:
Better drive, and traditional control system
Better interior
More practical

The bad:
Public charging is catching up but still not as amazing as the Tesla network
The ACC not as smooth as Model 3

Just as other say the model 3 is a better EV and i4 is a better car
Having driven an iX on Idrive 8.5 and a model y with EAP, I think the BMW beats Tesla ACC in the UK. Simple “look” checking the mirrors to initiate a lane change, less phantom braking, generally better. Not sure what system is in a 2025 I4 mind you.

jonwm

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

132 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
Thanks all.

To answer the test drive question, these 2 are pool cars, my company has a policy.that you have to pick from the pool then have that till the lease expires before you can order a new one.

The pool lists goes quickly, usually says as all new starters fish from this pot.

There are 2 cars that have been there for months a q4 35 and a MG.

Teslas get snapped up super fast, this I4 won't hang around and they are fitst come first served!

Tesla I would only need to have for 18 months, I4 probably 3.5 years!


jonwm

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

132 months

Wednesday 27th August
quotequote all
TheDeuce said:
jonwm said:
Yes, hatchback is the better solution for me, I have the 6GT which is also a hatch back, I find it very useful.

Kids will be gutted as they want the Tesla haha!

I think it looking like the I4 is the one, I'm hoping to view one later to make sure its not too small in the back, the reviews suggest Model 3 is better in the back by a fair stretch, mainly due to the transmission tunnel!
I have an i4, and before that I had 430d in gran coupe from, basically the same as the current i4

The transmission tunnel isn't that big of deal, it's quite low - it's the rear door shape and also the fact the rear seats are shaped to accomodate the rear wheel arches that compromise the space a little. The 3 series (which I've also had), is indeed better for rear seat space, but only a factor if you have to transport 3 adults back there, or two particularly large ones. I've sat in the back of mine a few times for longer journeys and it's absolutely fine.
There is also separate AC controls/zone for the rear, which helps passenger comfort.

The real benefit is the very large power hatch coupled with the flat folding 40/60 split rear seats. I've had a 9'+ Christmas tree in there twice, which is asking a lot from a sports focussed coupe!

It's nice that it has the sport pro pack, does it have and other options?
Only other option I can see is the hifi system, not HK but the lesser one and black sapphire paint. It has the standard 18 inch wheels which is a bit disappointing