[Stormbitch]

Recently did a review on the net about if the I4 was a choice not being forced on us.... they would still sell a fair few of them?

What say you about that?

[MidnightRiderM]

I drive on at one of the Ultimate Driving Experiences and was impressed. I would definitely consider it.

[Rawhide]

Originally Posted by Stormbitch

if the I4 was a choice not being forced on us.

How is the I4 being forced on us?

[arentz07]

Originally Posted by Stormbitch

Recently did a review on the net about if the I4 was a choice not being forced on us.... they would still sell a fair few of them?

What say you about that?

Where I live, it is very much a choice. Are you posing this question in the context of London, where ICE vehicles are disincentivized?

[JaminJ]

I wanted an i4 but went with the 330e. The main reason being that, at the time, the i4 did not qualify for the tax credit in the US but the 330e did. I would go with the i4 if it fit my budget a little better.

[ramparts]

I dislike the rear seats in the 4gc and i4 otherwise I'd have it over a 3 every day of the week !

[dudley@07726]

I ordered one (i4m50) in August 22 but changed the order to a M340i around the 3rd week of Sept 22 because
1. Dealer had no idea when he would receive allocation. It was looking like 12-18 months.
2. Didn’t want a car that possibly be considered having lousy efficiency (in 18 months). I would have accepted it in Sept 22, not in 2024.

[toddwalton]

I own the gas powered version and have no interest in going electric considering how miserable and frustrated it made friends and family members who couldn’t wait to get out of their Tesla’s and are happily back in combustion BMW’s.

[Gaviatrix]

I pre-ordered an i4 in October 2021, confirmed the order and paid a full deposit in December 2021, and cancelled it in February 2023 when they still couldn't even give me a production date. I didn't get to test drive one until November 2022. It was very impressive, incredibly quick in a straight line, usual great BMW cabin and ergonomics, but felt really heavy with none of the lightness and road feel I value so much in my 330i. But that wasn't why I cancelled the order, as I was still impressed with it - unlike when I'd tried a Model 3 or a Polestar 2. I felt it was getting too old - BMW are introducing new platforms which are less compromised by their ICE roots, and by the time I'd paid a motza for a new one it would be close to being replaced with a much more efficient new model. Also our charging infrastructure here is years behind Europe and the USA. I plan on buying a small electric city car for using round town in the next couple of years but keeping at least one ICE car for long trips for the foreseeable future. The 330i is amazingly economical on long highway runs at our low speed limits (heavily policed 110km/h max). I average between 4.7-5.1 l/100 km which is in the high 50 mpg range.

[Bc2005]

The i4 might work for me, but BMW made some choices that are making me wait.

- no AWD unless you buy their dual motor top model, and it is then really expensive. I don’t know if RWD would work well with ice and snow.
- all models have go-flat tires with only an emergency inflation kit. I am not in love with runflats, but at least I can keep going after hitting a pothole and blowing a hole in the sidewall. Inflation kits are only good for punctures.
- they are still focused on increasing power, not range. I would trade off some of that 536 horsepower (within reason) for an increase in range.

[Glashutte]

Here in the us the m340i is not that much more. I still chose the inline 4. Cheaper lighter and easier to work on. A few mods and you’ll have more than enough power to get in trouble. Or out of it

[Kerbouchard]

Oh the irony of BMW naming their all electric model after the ice drivetrain in the car “they” hope to replace with it…

To OP’s question, I would choose a naturally aspirated inline 6 (6mt) over a turbo inline 4 (ice) or “i4” electric any day.

[Gladius Nova]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

I own the gas powered version and have no interest in going electric considering how miserable and frustrated it made friends and family members who couldn’t wait to get out of their Tesla’s and are happily back in combustion BMW’s.

Why?

[madpistol]

i4 M50 feels super similar to my current M440i GC. But the M50 feels like it has double the power. If I could go back and buy the i4 M50, I would. It’s an amazing car.

[johngetter]

I had my car in for service yesterday and requested a shuttle home.
The shuttle driver let me test drive the i4 on the way home of the shuttle.
It was VERY nice. Would consider one, but with the lady with already a ev, I am too much of a gear head to leave my petrol engine behind.

[JABCAT]

I looked at them; however, the overall range is not ideal for my situation (500 mi round trip every weekend, 250 one way). The range is too close for comfort and I don't like stopping during the drive.

[doublevanosrc]

I had an i4 e40 loaner for a week and would definitely buy one as my next vehicle. Honestly if they offered the same electric powertrain but on a G20 M sport chassis I would trade my car in tomorrow.

[Synaptic_Jack]

I test drove the i4 and was intent on buying, but ultimately pulled out due to discussions with the sales team about charging network reliability and how that could affect my job (on the road a couple days a week running a sales territory).

I ultimately ended up the same body style anyway - 430xi GC - and am VERY happy that my ICE car can get me to all my appointments without the range anxiety and planning stress involved with current EV vehicles.

I’ll definitely consider one in the future once the charging network is a little more fully developed (at least on its way to matching the reliability and ubiquity of Tesla charging stations).

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by Gladius Nova

Why?

Range anxiety, the lack of chargers, trading air conditioning for distance, and the need to meticulously plan every stop on a 3+ hour journey. Crazy factors we fossil fuelers don’t have to concern ourselves with.

[dancing__narwhal]

Originally Posted by Gaviatrix

It was very impressive, incredibly quick in a straight line, usual great BMW cabin and ergonomics, but felt really heavy with none of the lightness and road feel I value so much in my 330i.

Totally agree with this. I’ve owned a Tesla Model 3 and a BMW 330i in the past. I test drove the i4 M50 and while it was quite fast in a straight line, the handling just didn’t feel as balanced and agile as my previous BMW. I then test drive a new m340i and loved it, so that is what I went with.

I feel like BMW can get there with their electric vehicles but the current ones are being built on shared platforms with ICEs. They are compromised in their designs and end up too heavy and not as well balanced. I’m hoping the Neue Klasse changes that but we will see…

[ramparts]

Originally Posted by dancing__narwhal

Totally agree with this. I’ve owned a Tesla Model 3 and a BMW 330i in the past. I test drove the i4 M50 and while it was quite fast in a straight line, the handling just didn’t feel as balanced and agile as my previous BMW. I then test drive a new m340i and loved it, so that is what I went with.

I feel like BMW can get there with their electric vehicles but the current ones are being built on shared platforms with ICEs. They are compromised in their designs and end up too heavy and not as well balanced. I’m hoping the Neue Klasse changes that but we will see…

Big improvements to weight , packaging and range with the Neue klass which should hopefully make it handle much better