[ricchester]

Me too. I placed an order for a Tanzanite M50 two weeks ago I was all set for ordering a Tesla model 3 until I test drove both in the same weekend.

Excellent choice on the Tanzanite. My Audi is Navarra Blue so the Tanzanite is the closest colour I could get to match it (although test drove the M Sport 40 in Portimao, lovely colour also). Haven't had chance to get hold of an M50 yet to compare, but if I can stretch the budget on the spec I want, it's a tempter as don't really need that extra range on the 40 M Sport.

 

[glenharrison8]

Excellent choice on the Tanzanite. My Audi is Navarra Blue so the Tanzanite is the closest colour I could get to match it (although test drove the M Sport 40 in Portimao, lovely colour also). Haven't had chance to get hold of an M50 yet to compare, but if I can stretch the budget on the spec I want, it's a tempter as don't really need that extra range on the 40 M Sport.

The M50 is savage. Don't listen to the moaners about the weight, it felt plenty nimble and responsive to me. The acceleration reminded me of my old TTRS, proper shove you back into your seat fast. The biggest difference is that because it's so quiet and comfortable, you need to watch the speed carefully as 100 feels like 50! and you get to 100 in seconds!!! The technology is also very impressive, and some things it does better than a Tesla. Driver assistance is amazing if not slightly worrying lol

I've decided on the tech pack, m-sport seats and carbon trim, but not the comfort or laser lights as I don't want the keyless proximity thingy and you can add high bean assist for £160 after you get the car. I did add the heated steering wheel though. What did it for me more than anything was the interior quality. Best interior I've found on a car, and I've had BMWs and Audis before.

 

[ricchester]

The M50 is savage. Don't listen to the moaners about the weight, it felt plenty nimble and responsive to me. The acceleration reminded me of my old TTRS, proper shove you back into your seat fast. The biggest difference is that because it's so quiet and comfortable, you need to watch the speed carefully as 100 feels like 50! and you get to 100 in seconds!!! The technology is also very impressive, and some things it does better than a Tesla. Driver assistance is amazing if not slightly worrying lol

I've decided on the tech pack, m-sport seats and carbon trim, but not the comfort or laser lights as I don't want the keyless proximity thingy and you can add high bean assist for £160 after you get the car. I did add the heated steering wheel though. What did it for me more than anything was the interior quality. Best interior I've found on a car, and I've had BMWs and Audis before.

Awesome, thanks for the summary. Indeed, the M Sport felt very similar to the shove the B9 S4 gives (obviously whilst marginally down on torque and BHP and heavier, the instantaneous punch from the i4 40 M Sport really impressed me). Can imagine the rapid acceleration of the M50, the 40 felt bloomin' quick as it was.

Yeah I've currently spec'd the e drive with the M Sport package, along with the Tech Plus and Comfort Plus (if only for the lumbar support and width adjustment on the bolsters like on the S4). Haven't spec'd the leather as the Vernasca doesn't quite cut it compared to the Nappa in the Audi, but other than that the cabin is as you say superb. In two minds about the Visibility Pack for the reason you state of being able to add the High Beam assist for a nominal amount (not sure the laser aspect is worth the extra £1340 over and above the High Beam Assist).

Have you been given an estimate based on a mid-March order? Spoke to the dealer yesterday and they won't know anything until May earliest regarding allocation etc.

 

[glenharrison8]

Have you been given an estimate based on a mid-March order? Spoke to the dealer yesterday and they won't know anything until May earliest regarding allocation etc.

I take what they say with a pinch of salt. They seem to suggest the back end of this year, but I don't want it till March at the earliest anyway, as I currently have an etron through work which is costing me next to nothing, so ideally I'd like to keep the etron as long as possible, then get the BMW.

 

[ricchester]

I take what they say with a pinch of salt. They seem to suggest the back end of this year, but I don't want it till March at the earliest anyway, as I currently have an etron through work which is costing me next to nothing, so ideally I'd like to keep the etron as long as possible, then get the BMW.

Ah perfect, it's nice car the etron, had a test drive of that and the GT last year. I'd have plumbed for the GT if I could but sadly they're just asking Monopoly money for them. Yeah the order shows (comically) Christmas Day as the anticipated delivery... Suspect it'll run into the first quarter of next year which'll be fine as the S4 hasn't really done any work for a 4 year old car, I just need to be gentle on the throttle .

 

[Arm]

I have absolutely zero interest in BMW's new EVs. The iX is a ridiculously oversized turd (much like the Model X) and the i4 is an ICE vehicle made into an EV...a no-no for me given that I've driven pure EVs for the past eight years.

Currently, I own both a 2022 model 3 SR and a 2018 i3s BEV. The model 3 is a nice car with average quality and very poor service and tech support. The i3s is slower but has exceptional BMW service.

The i3s is more fun to drive even though it's not as quick. But it's no slouch. In-gear acceleration is on par with my model 3 from 30 to 75 or more. And it pulls all the way to its limiter.

Handling wise, the i3s leans more but feels more predictable, is way more fun, and much more nimble. The steering is exceptional. It feels like a hot hatch. The model 3 feels like a heavy sedan. On the backroads, you'll be shocked how well the i3s does. It hauls ass.

Interior wise, hands down the i3s is nicer to me. It's beautiful, feels incredibly open and airy, ageless in design. No one believes it's almost a 10 year old design. It has just enough buttons no more. The interface is dated compared to the model 3 but it's just such a nice place to sit in.

Believe it or not, on smooth roads, the i3s is the quieter car. It's so quiet that it shocks you. At speed, wind noise is pronounced but road noise is not. In the model 3 it's the opposite. It has a lot of road noise. At speed and on the highway, the model 3 is a more comfortable car by virtue of the fact that it's a heavier car, has a longer wheel base, and is sprung for cruising at speed.

Overall, I look forward to driving the i3s more. It's just more fun, feels better to drive, and feels special. The carbon fibre tub really makes this car special.

Everything I've written above comparing my two cars can...in essence for me...be applied to comparing the i4 to my i3s. Many will disagree and that's OK. But it's a real shame and a massive mistake by BMW for dropping the i3s and not improving it, modernizing it, and making it more relevant. They didn't need to do much and the tooling was already there. Instead they did a half assed job by making the i4...an EV based on an ICE vehicle. It'll never be as special as the i3s.

 

[modeller]

Saw an iX 50 over the weekend. Looked really good to me. Interior is stunning

 

[Talaipwros]

Me too. I placed an order for a Tanzanite M50 two weeks ago I was all set for ordering a Tesla model 3 until I test drove both in the same weekend.

also, all the talk about dealers not giving discounts is crap. I got £2,500 knocked off, which isn't a lot, but better than nothing.

may I please ask which dealership offered the discound ?

 

[tirant]

I have absolutely zero interest in BMW's new EVs. The iX is a ridiculously oversized turd (much like the Model X) and the i4 is an ICE vehicle made into an EV...a no-no for me given that I've driven pure EVs for the past eight years.

Currently, I own both a 2022 model 3 SR and a 2018 i3s BEV. The model 3 is a nice car with average quality and very poor service and tech support. The i3s is slower but has exceptional BMW service.

The i3s is more fun to drive even though it's not as quick. But it's no slouch. In-gear acceleration is on par with my model 3 from 30 to 75 or more. And it pulls all the way to its limiter.

Handling wise, the i3s leans more but feels more predictable, is way more fun, and much more nimble. The steering is exceptional. It feels like a hot hatch. The model 3 feels like a heavy sedan. On the backroads, you'll be shocked how well the i3s does. It hauls ass.

Interior wise, hands down the i3s is nicer to me. It's beautiful, feels incredibly open and airy, ageless in design. No one believes it's almost a 10 year old design. It has just enough buttons no more. The interface is dated compared to the model 3 but it's just such a nice place to sit in.

Believe it or not, on smooth roads, the i3s is the quieter car. It's so quiet that it shocks you. At speed, wind noise is pronounced but road noise is not. In the model 3 it's the opposite. It has a lot of road noise. At speed and on the highway, the model 3 is a more comfortable car by virtue of the fact that it's a heavier car, has a longer wheel base, and is sprung for cruising at speed.

Overall, I look forward to driving the i3s more. It's just more fun, feels better to drive, and feels special. The carbon fibre tub really makes this car special.

Everything I've written above comparing my two cars can...in essence for me...be applied to comparing the i4 to my i3s. Many will disagree and that's OK. But it's a real shame and a massive mistake by BMW for dropping the i3s and not improving it, modernizing it, and making it more relevant. They didn't need to do much and the tooling was already there. Instead they did a half assed job by making the i4...an EV based on an ICE vehicle. It'll never be as special as the i3s.

Until you test drive an i4. Forget which platform is based on, and judge it by its value. It beats most of the EVs on the market except the Taycan and the etron GT.

 

[Mrklaw]

the BEV e-niro is one of the most efficient EVs there is, and has a range that almost matches WLTP in real world usage. Its not ground up EV either.

There is also a difference between an ICE platform converted to EV, and a platform designed to adapt to ICE/PHEV/EV. I don't know what the i4 falls under but it does seem to be an excellent EV with good range and efficiency.

 

[Shahev]

I4 M Sport ordered with all the options except leather seats. Now need to count down the 356 days to delivery 😉

 

[Shahev]

The M50 is savage. Don't listen to the moaners about the weight, it felt plenty nimble and responsive to me. The acceleration reminded me of my old TTRS, proper shove you back into your seat fast. The biggest difference is that because it's so quiet and comfortable, you need to watch the speed carefully as 100 feels like 50! and you get to 100 in seconds!!! The technology is also very impressive, and some things it does better than a Tesla. Driver assistance is amazing if not slightly worrying lol

I've decided on the tech pack, m-sport seats and carbon trim, but not the comfort or laser lights as I don't want the keyless proximity thingy and you can add high bean assist for £160 after you get the car. I did add the heated steering wheel though. What did it for me more than anything was the interior quality. Best interior I've found on a car, and I've had BMWs and Audis before.

I agree on perception of speed. I found myself driving the i4 on a test drive much faster than I expected.

 

[sunstoner]

Saw an iX 50 over the weekend. Looked really good to me. Interior is stunning

Its a lovely car in the flesh, both inside and out. The owners know it!

 

[sunstoner]

the BEV e-niro is one of the most efficient EVs there is, and has a range that almost matches WLTP in real world usage. Its not ground up EV either.

There is also a difference between an ICE platform converted to EV, and a platform designed to adapt to ICE/PHEV/EV. I don't know what the i4 falls under but it does seem to be an excellent EV with good range and efficiency.

The i4 is a response to the quickening release of new EVs. BMW had to do something.

The fact that its based on an ICE platform has been mentioned aplenty in every review but it happens to be a great platform making the i4 a seriously credible EV and tbf, its proven to be amongst the best on the market.

Does make you wonder how good a dedicated platform will be.

 

[Charlie S]

Does make you wonder how good a dedicated platform will be.

It does, but I hazard a guess it doesn't make that much difference. The i4 has comparable efficiency to the Hyundai/Kia cars on their new dedicated platform and it has similar storage space to them and the Tesla Model 3. Based on Bjorn's testing on youtube it seems the i4 rear drive model with modest sized wheels is even pretty comparable to Tesla in efficiency.

The i4 weighs more than a Tesla but so do most EVs, there's certainly some saving in weight to be had with a dedicated platform but again the Hyundai/Kia EV platform hasn't found it, and we know of the ergonomic negatives of the Tesla style skateboard whereby footwells are higher up than usual. I guess this is another handy reason so many skateboard EVs are crossover/SUVs as seats can be higher and provide more normal footwells.

BMW and Porsche with the Taycan have shaped the batteries around providing "normal" footwells in their cars which I would think is quite a nice benefit of "wedging" the batteries in where they can fit.

I also suspect a lot of the weight in an i4 over a Model 3 is sound deadening and "fancier" materials throughout along with more complex traditional computers and wiring, not so much to do with the chassis design.

In terms of efficinecy it's also notable to me that the "old" Hyundai/Kia EVs, i.e. the Niro and Kona based on combo ICE/hybrid/EV platforms have far better efficiency than their new EVs on dedicated EV platforms...

Finally, I don't think the i4 was a last minute change of plan, they will have been anticipating fitting batteries into the car for a long time and made decisions about the shape of the chassis etc for a long time, whilst still allowing the car to be ICE powered, which starts to blur the lines on a "dedicated" platform...

Bit of a thought ramble and a lot of quotation marks - apologies!

 

[sunstoner]

It does, but I hazard a guess it doesn't make that much difference. The i4 has comparable efficiency to the Hyundai/Kia cars on their new dedicated platform and it has similar storage space to them and the Tesla Model 3. Based on Bjorn's testing on youtube it seems the i4 rear drive model with modest sized wheels is even pretty comparable to Tesla in efficiency.

The i4 weighs more than a Tesla but so do most EVs, there's certainly some saving in weight to be had with a dedicated platform but again the Hyundai/Kia EV platform hasn't found it, and we know of the ergonomic negatives of the Tesla style skateboard whereby footwells are higher up than usual. I guess this is another handy reason so many skateboard EVs are crossover/SUVs as seats can be higher and provide more normal footwells.

BMW and Porsche with the Taycan have shaped the batteries around providing "normal" footwells in their cars which I would think is quite a nice benefit of "wedging" the batteries in where they can fit.

I also suspect a lot of the weight in an i4 over a Model 3 is sound deadening and "fancier" materials throughout along with more complex traditional computers and wiring, not so much to do with the chassis design.

In terms of efficinecy it's also notable to me that the "old" Hyundai/Kia EVs, i.e. the Niro and Kona based on combo ICE/hybrid/EV platforms have far better efficiency than their new EVs on dedicated EV platforms...

Finally, I don't think the i4 was a last minute change of plan, they will have been anticipating fitting batteries into the car for a long time and made decisions about the shape of the chassis etc for a long time, whilst still allowing the car to be ICE powered, which starts to blur the lines on a "dedicated" platform...

Bit of a thought ramble and a lot of quotation marks - apologies!

Oh I agree with most of the above. Overall the i4 is a brilliant EV and has proven to be in all reviews. I suppose I was thinking about the packaging, i.e. cabin space in the rear and the often mentioned transmission tunnel hump. Little insignificant details to most tbh but theyre the little details that are a constant callout in reviews.

I collected a new BMW M3 last October and my brother-in-law who works at my local dealership, keeps teasing me with the i4 M50 as an alternative. With 2 kids just hitting their teens, the M3, well the 3 series has acres of room in the rear for them and their friends which has been great. The i4 is just wee bit cramped, however I do know the i4 to be a top EV and I much, much, much prefer the quality both inside and out of the i4 when compared to a Tesla. Its a really nice place to sit.

 

[RuralEV]

BMW have compromised the package design of the 4 to optionally include a straight six engine and gearbox longitudinally. No dedicated EV platform wastes so much space in front of and in the front of the passenger cabin - electric motors are much smaller and better suited to rear (or front in addition) mounting without needing to compromise driver legroom and create a transmission tunnel.
BMW have done a good job converting the 4 but it's still a compromise with downsides, particularly in terms of internal space. Certainly skateboard architecture isn't ideal for a low car and can be beaten, but not by the 4.
BMW fit and finish are better than Tesla, but reliability and servicing costs aren't the best.

 

[Charlie S]

Oh I agree with most of the above. Overall the i4 is a brilliant EV and has proven to be in all reviews. I suppose I was thinking about the packaging, i.e. cabin space in the rear and the often mentioned transmission tunnel hump. Little insignificant details to most tbh but theyre the little details that are a constant callout in reviews.

I collected a new BMW M3 last October and my brother-in-law who works at my local dealership, keeps teasing me with the i4 M50 as an alternative. With 2 kids just hitting their teens, the M3, well the 3 series has acres of room in the rear for them and their friends which has been great. The i4 is just wee bit cramped, however I do know the i4 to be a top EV and I much, much, much prefer the quality both inside and out of the i4 when compared to a Tesla. Its a really nice place to sit.

Yeah, I guess then you get into the sloped roof of the 4 series vs the practical shape of the 3 series! That won't help. I presume it's the same as the ICE 4 series in the back of the i4 but I don't know that...

Looking at some images online of the chassis it actually looks pretty much like a skateboard including under the footwells so, perhaps it is worse than a regular 4 series I am not sure. They do have parts stuffed in the transmission tunnel for sure, not sure if it's batteries or other parts but at least they're using the space!

 

[RuralEV]

Looking at some images online of the chassis it actually looks pretty much like a skateboard including under the footwells so, perhaps it is worse than a regular 4 series I am not sure. They do have parts stuffed in the transmission tunnel for sure, not sure if it's batteries or other parts but at least they're using the space!

Ignoring the loss of the rear footwells, their appears to be wasted space in the ICE engine bay and yet no frunk. BMW have done a good job on the conversion but would do even better, as they did with the i3 10 years ago, on a dedicated design.

 

[sunstoner]

Ignoring the loss of the rear footwells, their appears to be wasted space in the ICE engine bay and yet no frunk. BMW have done a good job on the conversion but would do even better, as they did with the i3 10 years ago, on a dedicated design.

A proper dedicated ev platform wil be here shortly no doubt and Im sure itll be decent too.

Still the i4 ticks a lot of boxes.