i4 m50 or Tesla M3

[Ngac]

Hi All,

Wondered if anyone can offer an opinion. First car in the EV market.

Been offered a 2022 i50 for just shy of 30k in a matte paint (not sure if this is a plus or minus.. looks great but a lot more maintenance?)

Or do i just play safe and save 5k ish and buy a 23 plate Model 3?

Cant see anyway to check battery health of i4 but does have a year warranty.

It will be a cash purchase so im a little worried about depreciation tbh over a 3/4 year period. Ive yet to have my charger fitted too so that will be another grand

Thanks

[Wills2]

The matte paint (matte clear coated) can be a PITA if you're not into washing your own car as the after several trips to the local car washers will start to shine it up, I would avoid as it's also very hard to match should you have to get a panel repainted and of course you can't polish out a scratch.

[TheBinarySheep]

I don't have direct experience of the i4, but having looked at one myself many reviews reckon the Tesla is a more engaging drive. I think range is better as well.

[Jamescrs]

I don't have any views on the cars but a good friend had a C63s with matt paint, it looks stunning but it's a nightmare to maintain and if you get damage it's awful to have repainted, my friend found a lot of body shops don't want to touch it because it requires special techniques to paint and dry after.

[Ngac]

Thanks for the input. Think ill just stick to the tesla

[SWoll]

Plenty of 22 plate i4 M50's out there for well under £30k without the daft paint.

They're a very different car to the Model 3. Better built, more traditional and higher quality interior, hatchback practicality etc.

Dependent on your range and public charging needs I'd 100% go and have a look at both as the Tesla approach really isn't for everyone.

[TheBinarySheep]

SWoll said:

Dependent on your range and public charging needs I'd 100% go and have a look at both as the Tesla approach really isn't for everyone.

This is an important point. When I've looked at the i4 I found the interior a bit dated compared to the Tesla. However, that could be that I use to have a 3 series with pretty much the same interior (minus the large screens), so to me it is old as I've already lived with it.

[cb31]

SWoll said:

They're a very different car to the Model 3. Better built, more traditional and higher quality interior, hatchback practicality etc.

Dependent on your range and public charging needs I'd 100% go and have a look at both as the Tesla approach really isn't for everyone.

I agree, I test drove both and much preferred the i4, felt like a proper car rather than a white goods appliance. I suspect the Tesla would be the better buy though in a practical sense.

[NDA]

I suspect the Tesla is the 'safe' choice. Uninspiring and bland perhaps - but it does what it says on the tin - which for 99% of driving (mine at least) is just what you need. It's not trying to be like a petrol car, it was designed from the ground up to be an EV. I don't think the interior ever dates as there's nothing to date!

I have one as it happens and it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned - along with having a few features (common to most EV's) that are very useful. The lack of any servicing is another bonus.