ive owned my m50 for about a month and was worried the EV feel would get dry but... it hasn't. This thing is a joy to drive, insanely powerful, precise and it feels like I'm driving a stealth fighter jet. So much fun. I've owned bmw's for 15 years and have already had 3 conversations with strangers bc they're struck by it like I am. I'm totally geeked about it.
Good to hear. I have test driven the M50 and ordered one. Listening to these two almost made me rethink my purchase because of the technology upgrades. That’s with any car though.
@@ME-yi1hx I nearly bought one, but we don’t have much charging infrastructure in our area yet, so I went with an M550. I think you’ll be happy with it though.
I love the practical liftback sedans! Also the wheels are GORGEOUS The outside B roll shots are fantastic! been a subscriber for so long! always worth the watch! keep it up! amazing
the one in the video has the 20" 868M wheel option, which is also why it has those fender flares in the rear to accommodate the 285 rear tires (you get 255s without this option). I have this option on my car, and it does look fantastic, but it's a pain in the ass to clean 😅 (and it brings down your range significantly, but it doesn't bother me too much)
I've owned an M50 in frozen blue for 5 months now and I absolutely love it. The only vehicle that can keep up with it off from the lights are motorbikes! It took a while to get used to the charging, but I have only had one situation where I was worried and I charged at a public charger. The steering is a little lack lustre compared to my old 2019 440i but you get used to it fairly soon. I've done 10,000 klm so far and I've saved over $2,000 in fuel, insurance, and servicing!
My 23 M50 has been the best decision i have made. I have a M3P, MY, MS and did have a MS100D, and nothing comes close to the quality in sound, ride, and build compared to Tesla, Audi and Porsche. I passed on a 22 Taycan 4s CT for 69K$ and 33K miles and purchased my i4 M50 for 45k with 22K.
I was talking to a coworker that isn't a "car enthusiast" but enjoys fast cars. They recently got a BMW electric as a service loaner and raved to me how quick, agile, and fast the car was. BMW is likely building these cars for their mainstream loyal following that likes the solid BMW feel, leases cars, and wouldn't mind charging at home. They like BMW, but treat it as "The Ultimate Driving Appliance." These models are the perfect stepping stone for someone who owned a mid-2010s BMW product, wanted a new version of what they had, and wants to try out an electric version. Everything on the inside and outside still say "BMW" rather than "OMG futuristic EV!!!!!!!1!!1!!1" like a lot of the other products on the market.
Funny, I am probably the exact buyer you described… switched from an m440 to this 7000 km ago. Cost me about 110$ cad of energy so far (hydroelectricity is cheap up here) I love it. Versatile, comfortable or sporty depending on the mode…. Leasing it for probably less than half of the cost of an M3 when you consider energy $. Hatchback is super practical I do not track it… this is where its weight would really show badly versus the 440 or M3. Good on-point review!
Nice review! I recently found a used e40 M Sport (on Auto Tempest!) and I enjoy it as a DD. It’s a very dark blue, so you don’t notice the beaver teeth. The RWD version weighs 330 lbs less than the M50, has better steering “feel,” and 270-300 miles of range depending on wheel choice. Quick enough at 4.8 sec, and I turned off the “moaning robot” sound. With depreciation, mine cost far less than half of your tester. Easier to justify. Like Paul, I love a Cayman, so my weekend car is a 718 GTS 4.0 6-speed. My 2 car solution.
Exactly, basically no one is paying anywhere close to sticker. It's super easy to get 10% off or more AND the $7500 incentive, making these hundreds a month cheaper than an M340i/M440i.
Hans Zimmer created the sound for the i4 driving modes. He also help create the sound for the batmobile in the Batman Begins and Dark Knight movies. So, I like to think batmobile instead of moaning robots. 😆
I got mine on Thursday and can't stop smiling lol I thought I would really miss the engine sound, but daily driving I do crank the stereo. I'm not going to take this to a track day, because we don't have one on Maui lol If we had a track I would get the m3 competition for the insane handling etc. For the most part I'm mainly just dropping kids off at a school and doing errands with a huge fucking grin on my face! 😎🤙
Hi, from Japan!! I Of course, I love engine sounds but I love the robot moaning sounds, too. It’s like space ship sounds. My boy’s heart in my mind is awakened by this sound.
Thanks for coming back, not bad😊 anyway, you stated its faster than M3 and it's not, facts. BTW, if you drive it not like an idiot but fairly like fun on a twisty road, the stability functions will interact and hinder progress. I guess because of weight. As a daily ok car! Keep up the good work
If you want range don't get the 20" wheels. I am based in the UK and in the "summer" getting 290 miles no issue on 19" with the i4 M50. That's good enough for me.
Y'all have a wonderful way of making me laugh. On the noise it makes when accelerating, a "you're hurting me" sort of noise seems... like an odd choice. If the car makes a sound, I want it to sound eager to accelerate, not like it's complaining at me for asking it to do normal car things!
I got mine 6 months ago for 55k with all the incentives they where giving which made sense at the time and it’s been an amazing experience however for 88k might as well get a m3 comp
I've been driving an eDrive40 for 2 years now. It's a fantastic DD. The 50 just seemed like overkill and I want the range that came with the 40 and RWD. So far I'm not disappointed with he quality and DD aspects of the car. Steering is exactly what you said, very accurate, direct but no feedback. Suspension is very BMW of old, what I mean by that is on my car, with M Sport is that it's firm but also compliant and very well damped. It's fantastic. I'd not get the 50 but the 40 or 35? Great DDs. I did buy mine, maybe I should have or shouldn't have, I dunno, I honestly don't care. I've saved so much on fuel and maintenance in the first two years that I don't really care. Not to mention it's super quiet. The stereo, and I have the upgrade, is absolute shit. It's trash. I agree completely on the looks the nose sucks, it's busy and just flat ugly. Every other angle? It looks good. I find the criticism of the doors odd. It's not a full frame door so it won't "thunk" like a full frame door. Find me another door that's not full frame this side of Porsche that closes as well? I haven't found one. Additionally, the door itself, the door card, the materials are all quite good. LOL@Paul's face as Todd says get this over an M3. I was having a laugh. Paul clearly disagrees. Another fantastic review. Love you guys that's why I'm a patron. Keep it up.
@@ghrtt7 it’s rather ridiculous that on nicer cars the options are rubbish. Hell the base stereo should be at least as good as my HK upgrade. Our Acura MDX Advance has a much better stereo. Tragic really.
eDrive40 owner here too. Had it for almost a year now, and done over 30k kms, all across Europe. It's by far the best and most comfortable daily I've ever had (coming from an M140i and M2C). Also incredibly cheap to run when charging at home. I've never seen less than 400kms (250 miles) of range in winter and easily over 500 (310-320 miles) in summer. It's not an enthusiasts car, but if you want that, you're missing the point of the i4.
I test drove one of these two years ago. The range is the only thing that kept me from buying. I ended up in an M550i, but will eventually go with an EV when range and infrastructure improve.
@@flashsushi1843 How many people do you know that have had to replace their batteries? Seriously, the complaints about battery cost are just stupid. I’m not saying that it doesn’t happen, but it’s a rare case when it does.
We own a 23" M50 with 19" wheels. Yes, size does matter. This is my wife's primary. Her last ride was a Giulia (great great chassis and steering) to this. She likes odd looking faces including mine. We test drove many in the segment and the M50 was her jam. I don't think the Ionic 5N should be a direct comparison. It's like comparing a hot hatch to a luxury sports car. The BMW interior (not the door shut) is a SOO much nicer as is the dealer experience, when spending ($79k) The dealer experience. We shopped Kia, Hyundai and Genesis. I felt like it was 1980 all over again.
The Ionic 5N looks like a teenagers car compared to the BMW cmon! You can’t take the 5N to most professional business sales calls . Im a realtor and sell million $ homes and not going to drive clients in a 5N !
I get your point. The 5N looks like a futuristic toy and the BMW like a premium, sporty GC. If you park them side by side and ask people to choose, they would all pick the BMW, no contest.
@@Hdog56-o1f After 5 years Tesla Model 3, I'm now in an i4 M50. Even though Tesla does a great job with the updated models lately, I love having a true luxury car again. The interior, the outside looks, the driving pleasure: the look and feel is just incredibly different. So my top choices are currently my i4 or a Taycan.
Considering Lucid used the BMW E39 M5 as the model for their suspension tuning and a lucid gets better range. Would that mean the lucid is the better car.
@@MrRaitziexactly. Also does the claim that BMW is the ultimate drivetrain specialist hold water if the Lucid has more power, better range with tuning from the E39 M5? Don't get me wrong, I love love love BMW. However they are clearly incredibly far behind, 200 range is laughable at that cost.
We have a separate review of Lucid and the Air is very impressive. But we wouldn’t consider range a part of the drivetrain. No question it’s low here and should be better, as mentioned. Also, BMW is making impressive power delivery across their entire lineup, EVs and ICE, something most brands aren’t doing. We look forward to more model options from Lucid as we like what we’ve experienced. We hope you’ve seen that review. Thanks for watching!
@@TestDriveVideos I have indeed seen many reviews including you guys. I've been watching you for many years now to great expectations for each review. This is probably the first time I have to disagree. In my humble opinion the battery is a key component of the drivetrain since it is an integral component of the skateboard which everything else wraps around. I'll admit the battery could be compared to a gas tank but if needed you can carry a gas can if needed. I'm a Tesla model 3 long range owner, but at this cost level I selected the Lucid because they used BMW as the benchmark and driving dynamics for development. Nearly double the range, similar driving dynamics with more power at a lower price point is something they need to consider in the next generation. Mind you I'm a BMWCCA board member and ran the autocross program for my local chapter so to say I'm a fan would be an understatement. It just disappoints me when they expect ooo's and wows when I know for a fact they can do better but choose not to. Thanks for the response I'm honored you took the time. Looking forward to your next video.
You aren't going to see an $88k i4 on a normal dealer lot. You're paying about $10k extra (over a regular "fully loaded" i4 M50) for special options like custom paint. It's also kinda weird to call out the "227 miles of range" as you are showing the charging screen displaying 269 miles of max range (which means the car you were driving had the 19" wheels, not the 20s).
Just orderd mine, 2025 custom build in frozen grey - $80,125 sticker. Seeling price $63,311.25, 3yrs/10K, $787/M (including taxes), $0 down, DAS $3500 (taxes + fees). San Francisco Bay Area.
My coworker has one, the M50. It's fast. He can never find an available fast charger all the time we went out on field surveys. It doesn't have much for an ecosystem, not like a Tesla.
I really can't believe they didn't give us 4 sounds to choose from. The current one, a more baritone growly one, a whinier higher pitched one, and silence.
I have the base edrive35 and its still plenty fast as a daily driver and you get most of what youre getting in the interior/tech in this top model in the $50-$60k range. That to me is what the price should be.
BMW may be making a smart move by keeping their gas powered and electric cars with the same interiors and pretty much same controls. It will make the transition from gas to electric much less of a hassle for those buying an EV for the first time. BMW seems to be wanting to appeal to the older, financially well off class of customer with this strategy.
This car doesn’t make sense in every except on tracks. Recently we did auto cross with this i4 m50 and m3p and the bmw won every single time. On a straight line m3p wins. For the weight, the suspension and handling is bonkers. Having said that, if you want to drive daily then get the m3p. But if you have some money and doesn’t care about practicality then this is a best car.
My uncle has a BMW with the hatch. But at this stage not in my budget. I got a Seal. Looks great. Plenty of performance for me. But I can afford to drive it as much as i want. And that is with just level 1 charging during the day. FSD is going to change things thou. Oh well.
The Ioniq 5 is over 1,60m high, no thanks. And what no review ever mentions: the i4 is one of the very few premium cars right now that's below 2,10m width with mirrors. I'd have big problems with the 2,20m+ of the Tesla S, Nio ET5 etc. on the narrow village roads here. Also, left lane on Autobahn constructions have a 2,10m width limit, you can't legally use them with a lot of modern vehicles.
The i4 is quick but I priced out a comparable 3 series with the 4 pot under the hood and it was $13,000 less. And I bet that BMW is losing money on the i4 like most automakers. The 3 series also did not have the beaver teeth 😮 which I can do without. If you don’t have to have the tire shredding torque of an EV, the gas 3 Series seems like a bargain by comparison. But if I had to live with an EV, I would prefer it over a Tesla just because of its traditional shape.
Come on guys, it's a VERY good EV (and I agree that it is a very "BMW" EV as well), but it does not hold a candle to the G80 M3 Competition xDrive. It is fast but not as fast as the M3 (look at trap speeds), and it certainly does not handle, sound, or even come close to how dynamic the M3 is. I'm not just talking out of my @ss here either. I own a 2024 M3 Competition xDrive and have driven and even had an i4 M50 as a loaner. Aside from the smooth operation of having no gears, I was so happy to be back in my M3 (and yes you can absolutely feel the roughly 1,000 lbs of extra weight between the two).
I know the difference too. But the instant torque with the silent engine on the i4 M50 gives me a magic feeling. I’m driving a lot in mountainous regions and it feels subjectively faster than an equivalent ICE car, because in outgoing curves the instant torque is a game changer. The ICE version in dynamic speed changes in narrow corners needs time to build up the power by finding the right RPM. The downside for sure is the weight, which diminishes the classic BMW handling. The missing sound for me is a feature, because you can drive the car constantly hard without getting tired by the exhaust noise or giving you worries about the engine’s health. Last but not least the i4 M50 is a good money saving option.
I'm one of the people who will not buy the current gen of M cars because of how unique they look. And thank god that designer is designing cars that I'll never buy right now.
M50 is not the one; 35/40e are plenty quick, hundreds of lbs lighter on the nose and have much more useful range. For me the issue with this is the packaging; these cars are tight. For the weight & EV weight distribution honestly an SUV is not blasphemous IMO.
Hi Every driver. Don't know where you checked your data! The M3Cxdrive is faster 0-100k and everywhere else. Bar instant acs. Dynamically the I4M50 does not stand a chance against the M3. Strange review !!
We hope you noticed that we stated - for the way most owners will actually drive their M3. We also acknowledged that if you’re driving it on track or at the limits the M3 is better - but that’s not most people. Thanks for watching but sorry you missed those vital comments.
BMW hasn't been the ultimate driving machine for almost 2 decades already. Also, they use a lot of shiny plastic (piano black) on the outside nowadays. And that's a trend I loathe already.
The M Sport Differential is currently what's missing on BMW M Performance BEVs. Road and Track's review of the i5 M60 definitely notices the heft during cornering.
Tesla drivers look sheepish and embarrassed when they see this - they could have had the i4 instead of that horrifically boring cheap lookingTesla they are in.
BMW does look better, but I'd still go with Tesla for almost everything else. And it'll still save me a bunch of cash to mod the Tesla to look a bit better lol. If you're buying an EV, please don't buy a BMW EV lol.
It is mind boggling that you could go through this whole review, and you didn't ONCE mention the Tesla Model 3 Performance! With the subsidies, the M3P costs $47K, which is almost exactly half of what this i4 M50 costs. Plus the Tesla does a 10 sec 1/4 mile, and has 300+ miles real world range. You two spent a LOT of time on the fake engine noises, but you do have choices for the sound, and you can switch it totally off too. Is the Tesla exclusion just an advertiser thing? I own a BMW 545i and 535iX, and a Tesla Model Y, so I realize that BMW (like Porsche, Audi, Mercedes) are trying to target their gas-only customers, rather than talk about non-German competition. But the buyers do not live in a bubble, and neither should you.
A word about “Real world range”. I find that Germans make conservative estimates whereas the Californians are a bit more idealistic in their estimations.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance is a great alt here, you’re absolutely right. And we have driven all Teslas. But sadly at this point any mention of Tesla sends people running to their corner immediately and they stop listening to anything else that is said. So instead we focused on how this stacks up to others and if you watched you know that most of the time was spent on how it competes with BMWs own lineup. Between this and our original channel we have a wide range of Tesla coverage and comparison. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Because a Tesla can dented if you close the frunk forcefully with uneven pressure, or totaled in a fender-bender. How does replacing a door cost $10,000 when Tesla has four of them which would then exceed the worth of the entire vehicle?
But it’s a Tesla… and for my money, when I’ve riden in or driven them, they aren’t as well built or anywhere near as isolated and as well handling as this. Also luxury means different things to everyone I accept that, but one thing I think is a through line, is the build quality of a luxury vehicle should be that. Why does the Tesla seem so noisy and so much less an isolated experience? I’d love to know your thoughts. They are quick but hours long drives in the Tesla unless it was an S or the X Was just not great in my opinion and I had a family of folx who were used to bmw and were not impressed across a lot of age ranges. 😅
@@LafemmebearMusicSeems bmw skipped the quality assurance testing on those doors. If they rattle like that brand new, those things are gonna sound like they’re gonna fall off in a few years 😂
The problem is, you’re driving a last generation, more plastic than a recycling center, more rattles than a baby’s toy, piece of junk, Tesla Model 3 Performance. No thanks!
I've seen these on the road, and they do look nice, but...$88k? Sorry, I'd take a fully loaded Z4 M40i with the manual, and pocket the other $15k for a nice cross-country road trip vacation.
There’s no reason to buy the M3??? Haha. EV’s can NEVER replace gasoline cars. Its just not the same. No real engine, no gears, no revving, no sound, its gay
@@NuxDriver Just get one of the damn space ships then. When someone finally builds a car with a real interrior except for the stupid screen there is some stupid fat shit that can't make it 5 minutes without having a drink. It's a drivers car, if you can't go a couple of hours without a drink there is seriously some big healt issues
Bizarre that these UA-camr car guys are going berserk about a bmw ev that’s not even fast. Have they missed out on the plaid announcement nearly 4 years ago?
? - This BMW is genuinely fast. We hope you've driven one. And no where did we claim it's the fastest EV. We've driven the Plaid, and every Tesla, and they are astonishingly quick. However, as was mentioned in this review, the point here is how much performance is provided compared to BMWs own "performance" product line. Thanks for the comment anyway.
I still don't like this generation of design. Thankfully that's changing. But I'm glad to see car manufacturers are doing what I asked him to do 10 years ago which is just take their normal cars and make them run on electricity. That being said, don't buy this. Electric cars depreciate very quickly. They should because they're a piece of technology. Which means the normal version of this that's 2 years old you can get for like 27,000. I know because I looked. This is one of like three cars that are electric and not a hatchback or SUV. Still waiting for them to make a i2. A true successor to the one series active E. I know I know asking the sports car maker to make an electric sports car but somebody's got to do it. If caterham and MG can, they can. Give me a coupe. ua-cam.com/video/UTb_JFU7i-Y/v-deo.htmlsi=HZCXWR4HNei8P-kG It's been 13 years let's do it
ive owned my m50 for about a month and was worried the EV feel would get dry but... it hasn't. This thing is a joy to drive, insanely powerful, precise and it feels like I'm driving a stealth fighter jet. So much fun. I've owned bmw's for 15 years and have already had 3 conversations with strangers bc they're struck by it like I am. I'm totally geeked about it.
Until it breaks, and probably soon.
@@Rmmlom good, it will be under warranty
Good to hear. I have test driven the M50 and ordered one. Listening to these two almost made me rethink my purchase because of the technology upgrades. That’s with any car though.
@@ME-yi1hx I nearly bought one, but we don’t have much charging infrastructure in our area yet, so I went with an M550. I think you’ll be happy with it though.
I love the practical liftback sedans! Also the wheels are GORGEOUS The outside B roll shots are fantastic! been a subscriber for so long! always worth the watch! keep it up! amazing
the one in the video has the 20" 868M wheel option, which is also why it has those fender flares in the rear to accommodate the 285 rear tires (you get 255s without this option). I have this option on my car, and it does look fantastic, but it's a pain in the ass to clean 😅 (and it brings down your range significantly, but it doesn't bother me too much)
I've owned an M50 in frozen blue for 5 months now and I absolutely love it. The only vehicle that can keep up with it off from the lights are motorbikes! It took a while to get used to the charging, but I have only had one situation where I was worried and I charged at a public charger. The steering is a little lack lustre compared to my old 2019 440i but you get used to it fairly soon. I've done 10,000 klm so far and I've saved over $2,000 in fuel, insurance, and servicing!
I have driven this car twice at BMW events. It's so fun, smooth, and fast that owners are bound to get into some trouble.
My 23 M50 has been the best decision i have made. I have a M3P, MY, MS and did have a MS100D, and nothing comes close to the quality in sound, ride, and build compared to Tesla, Audi and Porsche. I passed on a 22 Taycan 4s CT for 69K$ and 33K miles and purchased my i4 M50 for 45k with 22K.
I was talking to a coworker that isn't a "car enthusiast" but enjoys fast cars. They recently got a BMW electric as a service loaner and raved to me how quick, agile, and fast the car was.
BMW is likely building these cars for their mainstream loyal following that likes the solid BMW feel, leases cars, and wouldn't mind charging at home. They like BMW, but treat it as "The Ultimate Driving Appliance."
These models are the perfect stepping stone for someone who owned a mid-2010s BMW product, wanted a new version of what they had, and wants to try out an electric version. Everything on the inside and outside still say "BMW" rather than "OMG futuristic EV!!!!!!!1!!1!!1" like a lot of the other products on the market.
Funny, I am probably the exact buyer you described… switched from an m440 to this 7000 km ago. Cost me about 110$ cad of energy so far (hydroelectricity is cheap up here) I love it. Versatile, comfortable or sporty depending on the mode…. Leasing it for probably less than half of the cost of an M3 when you consider energy $. Hatchback is super practical I do not track it… this is where its weight would really show badly versus the 440 or M3. Good on-point review!
Nice review! I recently found a used e40 M Sport (on Auto Tempest!) and I enjoy it as a DD. It’s a very dark blue, so you don’t notice the beaver teeth. The RWD version weighs 330 lbs less than the M50, has better steering “feel,” and 270-300 miles of range depending on wheel choice. Quick enough at 4.8 sec, and I turned off the “moaning robot” sound. With depreciation, mine cost far less than half of your tester. Easier to justify.
Like Paul, I love a Cayman, so my weekend car is a 718 GTS 4.0 6-speed. My 2 car solution.
Between incentives and year end deals, this car is going for as little as $62,500 purchased or $597 leased. I got the lease. Incredible "in town" car.
How much was your down payment to get to a $597 lease payment?
Exactly, basically no one is paying anywhere close to sticker. It's super easy to get 10% off or more AND the $7500 incentive, making these hundreds a month cheaper than an M340i/M440i.
Which version, the M50?
@@YahYeeeet you can get an i4 m50 lease for $529 a month at my local dealership
Yep. "In town" because you're gonna struggle to find working charging stations when you travel.
Hans Zimmer created the sound for the i4 driving modes. He also help create the sound for the batmobile in the Batman Begins and Dark Knight movies. So, I like to think batmobile instead of moaning robots. 😆
I got mine on Thursday and can't stop smiling lol I thought I would really miss the engine sound, but daily driving I do crank the stereo. I'm not going to take this to a track day, because we don't have one on Maui lol If we had a track I would get the m3 competition for the insane handling etc. For the most part I'm mainly just dropping kids off at a school and doing errands with a huge fucking grin on my face! 😎🤙
Great video!! Would love to see the review for the 2025! On a lease, with the discounts and EV incentives, MSRP its actually hitting closer to 60's.
I forgot how much I love you guys! Great video! FYI - you can shut off "BMW Iconic Sounds" ( I hate the fake noise!)
Hi, from Japan!! I Of course, I love engine sounds but I love the robot moaning sounds, too. It’s like space ship sounds. My boy’s heart in my mind is awakened by this sound.
Thanks for coming back, not bad😊 anyway, you stated its faster than M3 and it's not, facts. BTW, if you drive it not like an idiot but fairly like fun on a twisty road, the stability functions will interact and hinder progress. I guess because of weight. As a daily ok car! Keep up the good work
In our testing, the 2022 BMW i4 M50 reached 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, which makes it 0.2 second quicker than the M3 Competition. Based from Caranddriver.
That shade of blue is lovely.
If you want range don't get the 20" wheels. I am based in the UK and in the "summer" getting 290 miles no issue on 19" with the i4 M50. That's good enough for me.
Y'all have a wonderful way of making me laugh.
On the noise it makes when accelerating, a "you're hurting me" sort of noise seems... like an odd choice. If the car makes a sound, I want it to sound eager to accelerate, not like it's complaining at me for asking it to do normal car things!
You guys should review the civic hybrid hatchback
It's on our list, we hope to get one soon! Thanks for watching!
I got mine 6 months ago for 55k with all the incentives they where giving which made sense at the time and it’s been an amazing experience however for 88k might as well get a m3 comp
I've been driving an eDrive40 for 2 years now. It's a fantastic DD. The 50 just seemed like overkill and I want the range that came with the 40 and RWD. So far I'm not disappointed with he quality and DD aspects of the car. Steering is exactly what you said, very accurate, direct but no feedback. Suspension is very BMW of old, what I mean by that is on my car, with M Sport is that it's firm but also compliant and very well damped. It's fantastic.
I'd not get the 50 but the 40 or 35? Great DDs.
I did buy mine, maybe I should have or shouldn't have, I dunno, I honestly don't care. I've saved so much on fuel and maintenance in the first two years that I don't really care. Not to mention it's super quiet.
The stereo, and I have the upgrade, is absolute shit. It's trash.
I agree completely on the looks the nose sucks, it's busy and just flat ugly. Every other angle? It looks good.
I find the criticism of the doors odd. It's not a full frame door so it won't "thunk" like a full frame door. Find me another door that's not full frame this side of Porsche that closes as well? I haven't found one. Additionally, the door itself, the door card, the materials are all quite good.
LOL@Paul's face as Todd says get this over an M3. I was having a laugh. Paul clearly disagrees.
Another fantastic review. Love you guys that's why I'm a patron. Keep it up.
@@ghrtt7 it’s rather ridiculous that on nicer cars the options are rubbish. Hell the base stereo should be at least as good as my HK upgrade.
Our Acura MDX Advance has a much better stereo. Tragic really.
@@6SpeedTA95 I feel like the last really good stereo upgrade was the B&W system in the current XC90.
@@joespittle1 it’s excellent
As a fellow e40 M Sport owner, I agree that this is the “sweet spot” for an i4.
eDrive40 owner here too. Had it for almost a year now, and done over 30k kms, all across Europe. It's by far the best and most comfortable daily I've ever had (coming from an M140i and M2C). Also incredibly cheap to run when charging at home. I've never seen less than 400kms (250 miles) of range in winter and easily over 500 (310-320 miles) in summer. It's not an enthusiasts car, but if you want that, you're missing the point of the i4.
What hue of blue is that? Santorini Blue II or Voodoo Blue or Maritime Blue?
I test drove one of these two years ago. The range is the only thing that kept me from buying. I ended up in an M550i, but will eventually go with an EV when range and infrastructure improve.
And when batteries don't cost crazy amounts of money. At least with ICE or transmissions, could source them used in scrap yards.
@@flashsushi1843 How many people do you know that have had to replace their batteries? Seriously, the complaints about battery cost are just stupid. I’m not saying that it doesn’t happen, but it’s a rare case when it does.
We own a 23" M50 with 19" wheels. Yes, size does matter. This is my wife's primary. Her last ride was a Giulia (great great chassis and steering) to this. She likes odd looking faces including mine. We test drove many in the segment and the M50 was her jam. I don't think the Ionic 5N should be a direct comparison. It's like comparing a hot hatch to a luxury sports car. The BMW interior (not the door shut) is a SOO much nicer as is the dealer experience, when spending ($79k) The dealer experience. We shopped Kia, Hyundai and Genesis. I felt like it was 1980 all over again.
The Ionic 5N looks like a teenagers car compared to the BMW cmon! You can’t take the 5N to most professional business sales calls . Im a realtor and sell million $ homes and not going to drive clients in a 5N !
Lol
I get your point. The 5N looks like a futuristic toy and the BMW like a premium, sporty GC. If you park them side by side and ask people to choose, they would all pick the BMW, no contest.
@@Dkro28 Honestly I would buy a new 2025 Model 3 Performance or a used 2022 Model S Plaid
@@Hdog56-o1f After 5 years Tesla Model 3, I'm now in an i4 M50. Even though Tesla does a great job with the updated models lately, I love having a true luxury car again. The interior, the outside looks, the driving pleasure: the look and feel is just incredibly different. So my top choices are currently my i4 or a Taycan.
Considering Lucid used the BMW E39 M5 as the model for their suspension tuning and a lucid gets better range. Would that mean the lucid is the better car.
Well it is. Formula E motor tech.
@@MrRaitziexactly.
Also does the claim that BMW is the ultimate drivetrain specialist hold water if the Lucid has more power, better range with tuning from the E39 M5?
Don't get me wrong, I love love love BMW. However they are clearly incredibly far behind, 200 range is laughable at that cost.
We have a separate review of Lucid and the Air is very impressive. But we wouldn’t consider range a part of the drivetrain. No question it’s low here and should be better, as mentioned. Also, BMW is making impressive power delivery across their entire lineup, EVs and ICE, something most brands aren’t doing. We look forward to more model options from Lucid as we like what we’ve experienced. We hope you’ve seen that review. Thanks for watching!
@@TestDriveVideos
I have indeed seen many reviews including you guys. I've been watching you for many years now to great expectations for each review. This is probably the first time I have to disagree. In my humble opinion the battery is a key component of the drivetrain since it is an integral component of the skateboard which everything else wraps around. I'll admit the battery could be compared to a gas tank but if needed you can carry a gas can if needed.
I'm a Tesla model 3 long range owner, but at this cost level I selected the Lucid because they used BMW as the benchmark and driving dynamics for development.
Nearly double the range, similar driving dynamics with more power at a lower price point is something they need to consider in the next generation.
Mind you I'm a BMWCCA board member and ran the autocross program for my local chapter so to say I'm a fan would be an understatement.
It just disappoints me when they expect ooo's and wows when I know for a fact they can do better but choose not to.
Thanks for the response I'm honored you took the time.
Looking forward to your next video.
Have the 2024 i4M50 in Dravit Grey. Luv the car, such a beast
If they licensed the Swedish Chef voice for sport mode, I’d at least test drive one.
This car works best as the xDrive40. Significantly less pricey, and all the same goodness.
You aren't going to see an $88k i4 on a normal dealer lot. You're paying about $10k extra (over a regular "fully loaded" i4 M50) for special options like custom paint.
It's also kinda weird to call out the "227 miles of range" as you are showing the charging screen displaying 269 miles of max range (which means the car you were driving had the 19" wheels, not the 20s).
My M50 arrives in about a month. There are a few cosmetic changes for the MY25 car, including a different grille
Just orderd mine, 2025 custom build in frozen grey - $80,125 sticker. Seeling price $63,311.25, 3yrs/10K, $787/M (including taxes), $0 down, DAS $3500 (taxes + fees). San Francisco Bay Area.
My coworker has one, the M50. It's fast. He can never find an available fast charger all the time we went out on field surveys. It doesn't have much for an ecosystem, not like a Tesla.
I really can't believe they didn't give us 4 sounds to choose from. The current one, a more baritone growly one, a whinier higher pitched one, and silence.
I have the base edrive35 and its still plenty fast as a daily driver and you get most of what youre getting in the interior/tech in this top model in the $50-$60k range. That to me is what the price should be.
I have the MY24 Polestar 2 single motor RWD. I think the base rwd version of any EV is the way to go. Excellent choice you made!
BMW may be making a smart move by keeping their gas powered and electric cars with the same interiors and pretty much same controls. It will make the transition from gas to electric much less of a hassle for those buying an EV for the first time. BMW seems to be wanting to appeal to the older, financially well off class of customer with this strategy.
This car doesn’t make sense in every except on tracks. Recently we did auto cross with this i4 m50 and m3p and the bmw won every single time. On a straight line m3p wins. For the weight, the suspension and handling is bonkers. Having said that, if you want to drive daily then get the m3p. But if you have some money and doesn’t care about practicality then this is a best car.
I think the sweet spot of performance/price:/range crosses with the M40 version- lighter and more efficient but better compromise
My uncle has a BMW with the hatch. But at this stage not in my budget.
I got a Seal. Looks great. Plenty of performance for me. But I can afford to drive it as much as i want. And that is with just level 1 charging during the day.
FSD is going to change things thou. Oh well.
The Ioniq 5 is over 1,60m high, no thanks. And what no review ever mentions: the i4 is one of the very few premium cars right now that's below 2,10m width with mirrors. I'd have big problems with the 2,20m+ of the Tesla S, Nio ET5 etc. on the narrow village roads here. Also, left lane on Autobahn constructions have a 2,10m width limit, you can't legally use them with a lot of modern vehicles.
How's this compare vs Tesla 3 performance?
If you don't like the noise, turn it off.
The i4 is quick but I priced out a comparable 3 series with the 4 pot under the hood and it was $13,000 less. And I bet that BMW is losing money on the i4 like most automakers. The 3 series also did not have the beaver teeth 😮 which I can do without. If you don’t have to have the tire shredding torque of an EV, the gas 3 Series seems like a bargain by comparison. But if I had to live with an EV, I would prefer it over a Tesla just because of its traditional shape.
Come on guys, it's a VERY good EV (and I agree that it is a very "BMW" EV as well), but it does not hold a candle to the G80 M3 Competition xDrive. It is fast but not as fast as the M3 (look at trap speeds), and it certainly does not handle, sound, or even come close to how dynamic the M3 is.
I'm not just talking out of my @ss here either. I own a 2024 M3 Competition xDrive and have driven and even had an i4 M50 as a loaner. Aside from the smooth operation of having no gears, I was so happy to be back in my M3 (and yes you can absolutely feel the roughly 1,000 lbs of extra weight between the two).
I own a 2023 M3CX and have driven an i4 M50 and I agree 100%. The M3 is more engaging
I know the difference too. But the instant torque with the silent engine on the i4 M50 gives me a magic feeling. I’m driving a lot in mountainous regions and it feels subjectively faster than an equivalent ICE car, because in outgoing curves the instant torque is a game changer. The ICE version in dynamic speed changes in narrow corners needs time to build up the power by finding the right RPM. The downside for sure is the weight, which diminishes the classic BMW handling. The missing sound for me is a feature, because you can drive the car constantly hard without getting tired by the exhaust noise or giving you worries about the engine’s health. Last but not least the i4 M50 is a good money saving option.
your tail wing looks great!
I'm one of the people who will not buy the current gen of M cars because of how unique they look. And thank god that designer is designing cars that I'll never buy right now.
M50 is not the one; 35/40e are plenty quick, hundreds of lbs lighter on the nose and have much more useful range. For me the issue with this is the packaging; these cars are tight. For the weight & EV weight distribution honestly an SUV is not blasphemous IMO.
They aren’t plenty quick, I don’t agree, that’s your opinion. 😊
I own fast bmw combustion engine vehicles so the 40e felt to similar I wanted more
So I have a *manual* G80 M3, and *look* for reasons to go out and drive it, because it is *so much fun* rowing the gears in my super sedan 💪
Hi Every driver. Don't know where you checked your data! The M3Cxdrive is faster 0-100k and everywhere else. Bar instant acs. Dynamically the I4M50 does not stand a chance against the M3. Strange review !!
We hope you noticed that we stated - for the way most owners will actually drive their M3. We also acknowledged that if you’re driving it on track or at the limits the M3 is better - but that’s not most people. Thanks for watching but sorry you missed those vital comments.
Sheesh, Elon really fired up some robot talk! 🤔😅 I kid I kid. Nice service loaner we have here.😎
What's "executive"? Expensive? Rich?
Executive (or Luxury) Compact is a European thing because they think there's something between a Compact and a Mid-Size car.
@BogeyTheBear yeah I get the size part but I think it was also meant in terms of affordability (execs as in suits) is what I inferred.
I have exactly the same car for half year, I get tired of charging this car every time you waste half hour or more🤷♂️
I know it's probably abused by journalists but man that paint is really rough and swirled terribly.
only 300 mile range for 80000usd lol - su 7 left the room
you don't like the Hans Zimmer sound? well.......
15:15 Great car for road trip? LOL. You cant travel from LA to Las Vegas without stopping for charging. Forget it.
Elec cars will never have same effect gas / turbo cars have
Paul, did you have to call the gear shifter a "tongue"? 😢 now i can't get that visual out of my head!!
Let me know wheN you see an ioniq N o n the road
BMW hasn't been the ultimate driving machine for almost 2 decades already. Also, they use a lot of shiny plastic (piano black) on the outside nowadays. And that's a trend I loathe already.
I've been driving one for a year now, but I don't like the sound at all. Hans Zimmer or not. Turned off all the time.
No electric B.S. Just problems, problems and more problems. Where do we start. BMW stay with the winner's,, petro is king.
I would choose the new 2024 Tesla model 3 sport...
The M Sport Differential is currently what's missing on BMW M Performance BEVs.
Road and Track's review of the i5 M60 definitely notices the heft during cornering.
M3 KILLER what a joke
More reliable than m3 I bet
Tesla drivers look sheepish and embarrassed when they see this - they could have had the i4 instead of that horrifically boring cheap lookingTesla they are in.
Tbh the model 3, especially the updated version, drives much better
If you want an inefficient cruizer that is 700kg heavier and has no charging network, go for the BMW 😅
BMW does look better, but I'd still go with Tesla for almost everything else. And it'll still save me a bunch of cash to mod the Tesla to look a bit better lol. If you're buying an EV, please don't buy a BMW EV lol.
Except you can’t charge this anywhere and has buck teeth.
For $88k you can almost buy a 2024 Plaid. Plaid is 10x better than this i4
no all ev's are able to fast charge.. the best is the new Porsche taycan.... lucid..and Tesla...the BMW'S dont charge well..
Your discussion…is pointless, such boredom. An EV that looks like fun, and it is…
These two guys are more annoying than the dead golden girls 😂
Not to me! They are great at describing the car's features and quirks. Some times they agree, some time they disagree with each other.
@@marcoulibarri5744 then you are probably as annoying as they are
The Ioniq 5N is also some 200lbs lighter despite being an SUV. It's the all-around better pick for me IMO unless you're a badge snob
It is mind boggling that you could go through this whole review, and you didn't ONCE mention the Tesla Model 3 Performance! With the subsidies, the M3P costs $47K, which is almost exactly half of what this i4 M50 costs. Plus the Tesla does a 10 sec 1/4 mile, and has 300+ miles real world range. You two spent a LOT of time on the fake engine noises, but you do have choices for the sound, and you can switch it totally off too. Is the Tesla exclusion just an advertiser thing? I own a BMW 545i and 535iX, and a Tesla Model Y, so I realize that BMW (like Porsche, Audi, Mercedes) are trying to target their gas-only customers, rather than talk about non-German competition. But the buyers do not live in a bubble, and neither should you.
A word about “Real world range”. I find that Germans make conservative estimates whereas the Californians are a bit more idealistic in their estimations.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance is a great alt here, you’re absolutely right. And we have driven all Teslas. But sadly at this point any mention of Tesla sends people running to their corner immediately and they stop listening to anything else that is said. So instead we focused on how this stacks up to others and if you watched you know that most of the time was spent on how it competes with BMWs own lineup. Between this and our original channel we have a wide range of Tesla coverage and comparison. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Blah, blah, blah, blah…at the original poster.
The Beaver Teef look like their wearing braces now 🤦🏻♂️
Thanks guys
Hyundai is trash, please…don’t even go there with your Ionic 5N trash!!!
Doesn’t even come to BMW’s ankles!!
Case closed!!!
PoonMachine
If Tesla can make lightweight electric cars, why can't BMW ?
@@ifeanyiikemefuna3706 I admit it is fun, but weight kills electric range, brakes, tires, etc: It is no fun recharging every 200-300 km !
Look at their M5. It's even heavier than most EVs. And it's ont even an EV...
Because a Tesla can dented if you close the frunk forcefully with uneven pressure, or totaled in a fender-bender. How does replacing a door cost $10,000 when Tesla has four of them which would then exceed the worth of the entire vehicle?
low range. electric. no steering feel. super heavy. bs sounds. no thanks. fuel forever!
I would never. Electric cars are so washed 😅
Good to know, no one cares
My ‘20 Tesla M3P is faster, and I payed 21k for it..
But it’s a Tesla… and for my money, when I’ve riden in or driven them, they aren’t as well built or anywhere near as isolated and as well handling as this. Also luxury means different things to everyone I accept that, but one thing I think is a through line, is the build quality of a luxury vehicle should be that. Why does the Tesla seem so noisy and so much less an isolated experience? I’d love to know your thoughts.
They are quick but hours long drives in the Tesla unless it was an S or the X Was just not great in my opinion and I had a family of folx who were used to bmw and were not impressed across a lot of age ranges. 😅
@@LafemmebearMusicSeems bmw skipped the quality assurance testing on those doors. If they rattle like that brand new, those things are gonna sound like they’re gonna fall off in a few years 😂
The problem is, you’re driving a last generation, more plastic than a recycling center, more rattles than a baby’s toy, piece of junk, Tesla Model 3 Performance. No thanks!
I've seen these on the road, and they do look nice, but...$88k? Sorry, I'd take a fully loaded Z4 M40i with the manual, and pocket the other $15k for a nice cross-country road trip vacation.
There’s no reason to buy the M3??? Haha. EV’s can NEVER replace gasoline cars. Its just not the same. No real engine, no gears, no revving, no sound, its gay
Silly
@ no its gay
I would get a model 3 performance all day. It's a no brainer.
Center counsel is prime real estate. It’s time the drive selector moved elsewhere. Most cars don’t have mechanical linkages anymore.
Nah it doesn’t all need to be storage 😊
@@LafemmebearMusic I want a Homer Simpson Super Sized drink holder.
@@NuxDriver Just get one of the damn space ships then. When someone finally builds a car with a real interrior except for the stupid screen there is some stupid fat shit that can't make it 5 minutes without having a drink. It's a drivers car, if you can't go a couple of hours without a drink there is seriously some big healt issues
@@Iceeeen I was referring to the Simpsons episode where Homer designed a car. You obviously didn’t get the reference.
Bizarre that these UA-camr car guys are going berserk about a bmw ev that’s not even fast. Have they missed out on the plaid announcement nearly 4 years ago?
True, provided the Tesla is only launched once or twice and driven in a straight line.
? - This BMW is genuinely fast. We hope you've driven one. And no where did we claim it's the fastest EV. We've driven the Plaid, and every Tesla, and they are astonishingly quick. However, as was mentioned in this review, the point here is how much performance is provided compared to BMWs own "performance" product line. Thanks for the comment anyway.
I still don't like this generation of design. Thankfully that's changing. But I'm glad to see car manufacturers are doing what I asked him to do 10 years ago which is just take their normal cars and make them run on electricity.
That being said, don't buy this. Electric cars depreciate very quickly. They should because they're a piece of technology. Which means the normal version of this that's 2 years old you can get for like 27,000. I know because I looked. This is one of like three cars that are electric and not a hatchback or SUV. Still waiting for them to make a i2. A true successor to the one series active E. I know I know asking the sports car maker to make an electric sports car but somebody's got to do it. If caterham and MG can, they can. Give me a coupe.
ua-cam.com/video/UTb_JFU7i-Y/v-deo.htmlsi=HZCXWR4HNei8P-kG
It's been 13 years let's do it