[footie]

Originally Posted by MXNSITH

The departure condition function (precondition) is not specific to EVs. I thought my M5 Comp had it as well.

It also allows you to do it via the app.

I've since sold it so I can't verify.

I never looked at the My BMW app when I had the M5, now I wished I had after hearing this, would have saved me sitting in the cold waiting for the windscreen to defrost.

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by MXNSITH

The departure condition function (precondition) is not specific to EVs. I thought my M5 Comp had it as well.

It also allows you to do it via the app.

I've since sold it so I can't verify.

It's there but it is limited on ICE cars.
I can start the cabin fan from my phone on my 2016 3 series. No AC or heat, but useful in summer to help drop the cabin temperature when returning to scar parked in the sunshine.

[mjr24]

Not trying to rain on your parade.....but take the performance review with a grain of salt. The M5 Comp is a 2.6 second car in the 0-60.....the i4 is 3.9. Not sure how the i4 could ever feel half as fast even (plus, the fact you got 20 MPG on the M5 tells me you never really drove that car like it was supposed to be driven). I guess I'm more confused why you got a M5 in the first place given your driving style. M cars are harsh and fast. Glad you like the i4, though!

[440i6MT]

So it's 100% ev.

I've been meaning to ask somebody this question: wtf is under the front hood?

[TheBingoBalls]

If you get past the range, or lack thereof, I don't see many people being disappointed. I don't prefer EVs but when I test drove one, I was hooked. And no, not because of the instant torque/acceleration, that's something I don't even care for. It's really a complete package and at a reasonable price point.

[StooHue]

Originally Posted by footie

…the vintage Mini I have but costs spiralled and that idea had to be knocked on its head.

Just wanna say as and old mini owner myself (1988 Austin and 2009 BMW a few year ago) this is a beauty.

Would really love another pre-BMW mini some day and this is a fine example.

PS: your i4 is pretty lit too

[Fuzzy Master]

Originally Posted by 440i6MT

So it's 100% ev.

I've been meaning to ask somebody this question: wtf is under the front hood?

A hell of a lot of plumbing !

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by mjr24

Not trying to rain on your parade.....but take the performance review with a grain of salt. The M5 Comp is a 2.6 second car in the 0-60.....the i4 is 3.9. Not sure how the i4 could ever feel half as fast even (plus, the fact you got 20 MPG on the M5 tells me you never really drove that car like it was supposed to be driven). I guess I'm more confused why you got a M5 in the first place given your driving style. M cars are harsh and fast. Glad you like the i4, though!

Instant power vs waiting for air to be sucked into combustible chambers and/or downshifts, why the i4 M50 has quicker 30-50mph (1.5 vs 2.5 seconds) and 50-70mph (2.0 vs 2.5 seconds) passing power, it's simply quicker witted for traffic squirts, but yes obviously the M5 is quicker over the long haul, it just takes time to gather that speed vs an EV.

It's even prevalent in 5-60mph times where Car and Driver has the i4 M50 at 3.5 seconds vs 3.6 for the M5 Competiton which is outside of using launch controls simply because there is no wait for power delivery on EV's

[lastsun61]

Originally Posted by footie

Ok after having the i4M50 for 10 days now I think I can give a reasonably good opinion on how I now feel about the switch from the M5 Competition and whether it was the right move or not. I will touch on how the car drives, some of the tech which might be different depending of what’s allowed in your country and finally range and cost of ownership.

1: How it drives

The switch from the M5 was made on a financial basis because currently there’s tax benefits for business customers and due to shortages of second hand cars my M5 was holding a premium but it still had to drive like a proper BMW for me to be happy with my decision. The most noticeable difference is the instant performance on tap, my M5 was no slouch but compared to this it feels slow, in sport boost the push in the back is brutal there’s no other word to describe it, even in ECO Pro it’s got enough performance for day to day driving to not need either Comfort or Sport and can overtake at the kind of pace one would associate with a top level hot hatch.

Handling, a sticky point for most because at 2.2 ton it’s a real porker and yet it can tackle corners with surprising composure, I am sure if you really started to push at speeds that would lose you your license it’s composure would fall apart but you will not experience this on the road at real world speeds, the only real negative I can point at is the steering feel which simply isn’t there and I can’t quite understand why this should be, it’s perfectly accurate but you feel nothing. Plus points, the brakes seem to be good and the ride quality to a definitely step up from the M5, its rides more like my 740d did which is amazing considering it’s size and how it tackles corners.

2: The technology

The contains some pretty cool tech, if you aren’t on the throttle and approaching a car in front of you that’s traveling slower it automatic brakes for you, likewise entering a slower speed zone without throttle it slows the car to within 5 mph of the speed limit before freewheeling again. Then there’s the cruise control which allows you to SET the speed to the new speed limit you are approaching and it auto adjusts itself, I am finding myself using this function all the time, it’s probably been available before but it’s new to me. Also new to me but probably no to other electric car owners is the departure conditioning function, basically set the time you intend to leave the house on the app and the car pre warms itself cabin etc which is brilliant in cold mornings. Also like how you can set the charging time with the app which is good if you have an EV electricity tariff which is cheaper at night.

3: Running costs and range

Of course we are in difficult times with regards to fuel prices and energy prices so this could vary but I am basing this on present day prices and compared to me M5 which in my opinion is a good comparison because the real world performance of i4M50 is very similar to that of the M5.

I reckon I was probably getting very good mpg out of my M5, I was getting 20mpg (imperial gallons) from mine and based on this figure and the cost I am paying for my electricity (currently don’t have an EV tariff) the i4M50 is working out to be costing my a third of what the M5 cost per mile, so based on my yearly mileage that works out at £2K per year saving. When I switch to an EV tariff this figure will increase by quite a bit so for anyone debating the switch I say it’s a no brainer.

Range on 20” wheels, these are the wider 20s which are offered in the UK but I am 100% getting between 236-244 miles in less than ideal operating temperatures for an electric car, most of my journeys are less than 8 miles which would mean the range might drop with longer journeys but one thing I have found is the state of charge it shows is very accurate to the figure of range it shows so the range left before empty you can believe you’ll achieve.


Conclusion I am over the moon with the car and I can’t recall the last time I felt this happy with a car purchase.

Do you like the new idrive 8 interior? Or do you miss the buttons?

[MXNSITH]

Originally Posted by Rich9600

It's there but it is limited on ICE cars.
I can start the cabin fan from my phone on my 2016 3 series. No AC or heat, but useful in summer to help drop the cabin temperature when returning to scar parked in the sunshine.

Again, I thought remote start took care of all that

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by spool twice

Instant power vs waiting for air to be sucked into combustible chambers and/or downshifts, why the i4 M50 has quicker 30-50mph (1.5 vs 2.5 seconds) and 50-70mph (2.0 vs 2.5 seconds) passing power, it's simply quicker witted for traffic squirts, but yes obviously the M5 is quicker over the long haul, it just takes time to gather that speed vs an EV.

It's even prevalent in 5-60mph times where Car and Driver has the i4 M50 at 3.5 seconds vs 3.6 for the M5 Competiton which is outside of using launch controls simply because there is no wait for power delivery on EV's

I get your point.....but I mean, 0-60 is 0-60. It's not moving to moving fast. The M5 does that much faster. I think that's more the definition of not having to gather that speed. Quoting 5-60 or 30-50 or some odd MPH range is picking straws....the bottom line is the M5 is way faster and way faster right away and it's not even close.

Also how can C and D's M5 measurement for 5-60MPH be 3.5 seconds.....when it's 0-60 on the M5 is 2.6?

2.6 is legit super-car status speed......so, again, the i4 isn't anywhere as fast as you think it is.

I just thought you would have had a hard time going from an M model to this.....but I understand you had certain reasons for doing so and obviously not everything is about speed.

[footie]

Originally Posted by mjr24

Not trying to rain on your parade.....but take the performance review with a grain of salt. The M5 Comp is a 2.6 second car in the 0-60.....the i4 is 3.9. Not sure how the i4 could ever feel half as fast even

Have you ever owned an M5 Comp or even driven one? Well the FACT is that if you are sat behind a couple of slow moving cars you want to overtake and simply put your foot down.. the time it takes for the turbos to spool and the gearbox to kick down the i4M50 is GONE, this is called REAL WORLD performance not magazine stats to fill the heads of teens dreaming about their next car. The simple truth is everywhere you drive has speed limits and for the M5 to get past the i4 in that situation would require triple digits and the loss of your license.

Yes the M5 is quicker in an all out acceleration test from the dig but this is purely a d1ck measuring exercise among wallies and shouldn’t be performed on the street.

Oh and I want to add the i4M50 acceleration from the dig is hampered by its grip from the front tyres, it just loses too much traction, if this wasn’t a problem it too would be a sub 3 second car I am sure of it.

Originally Posted by mjr24

(plus, the fact you got 20 MPG on the M5 tells me you never really drove that car like it was supposed to be driven). I guess I'm more confused why you got a M5 in the first place given your driving style. M cars are harsh and fast. Glad you like the i4, though!

Never drove it like it was meant to be driven. LOL

I don’t know where you live but clearly there’s no cops/police to rain on your fun time like it is here, I very seldom have a day I don’t see at least one police car or speed camera so that 20 mpg is a realistic reflection of the world we live in and just how economical BMW have made a 625hp monster.

Oh and if you doubted the M5 here’s it and the new i4 beside the house.

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by mjr24

I get your point.....but I mean, 0-60 is 0-60. It's not moving to moving fast. The M5 does that much faster. I think that's more the definition of not having to gather that speed. Quoting 5-60 or 30-50 or some odd MPH range is picking straws....the bottom line is the M5 is way faster and way faster right away and it's not even close.

Also how can C and D's M5 measurement for 5-60MPH be 3.5 seconds.....when it's 0-60 on the M5 is 2.6?

2.6 is legit super-car status speed......so, again, the i4 isn't anywhere as fast as you think it is.

I just thought you would have had a hard time going from an M model to this.....but I understand you had certain reasons for doing so and obviously not everything is about speed.

I was simply highlighting passing power 30-50 and 50-70 and normal acceleration outside of using lanch control (5-60). The M5 is quicker yes 0-60, but that 0-60 is a function of launch control from a standstill launch which isn't available if you are in city traffic rolling at 25 mph and finding a spot I'm another lane. The OP was stating having instant power on hand, those stats highlight that.

basically put, the i4 M50 is quicker to react in rolling speeds up to 70mph when you hit the accelerator vs waiting for a downshift, waiting for air to be sucked in, waiting to "make power" in the M5. That quicker reaction and being "in the mode" makes it quicker by sheer immediate power delivery, but ultimately the M5 will eventually gather speed and pass the i4 M50.

Cliff notes, we all know the M5 is the more powerful car, it simply doesn't have the same immediate power delivery of a BEV like the i4 M50.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by spool twice

Instant power vs waiting for air to be sucked into combustible chambers and/or downshifts, why the i4 M50 has quicker 30-50mph (1.5 vs 2.5 seconds) and 50-70mph (2.0 vs 2.5 seconds) passing power, it's simply quicker witted for traffic squirts, but yes obviously the M5 is quicker over the long haul, it just takes time to gather that speed vs an EV.

It's even prevalent in 5-60mph times where Car and Driver has the i4 M50 at 3.5 seconds vs 3.6 for the M5 Competiton which is outside of using launch controls simply because there is no wait for power delivery on EV's

Bingo.

These times are something we tend to forget about, constantly having our eyes drawn to 0-60 times by journalists and manufacturers (and probably our own biases).

I've test-driven two Model S cars, one in 2014, and again in 2021 before deciding on an M5. The ability to shove past traffic is absolutely nuts. I just never liked the way they handled, their heft, or the fact that they have the build quality of a refurbished Amazon Kindle. Plus my commute is almost all highway, about 60 miles round trip on 3-4 lane highway, so opening up that V8, hearing her growl, and pushing around a 4400ish lb car like it's much smaller is just intoxicating. I can't stop loving it.

If there had been an electric BMW to test drive back then though, with better balance, handling, and build quality than the Tesla, I might be in one rn. In day to day, mixed driving, a Porsche or BMW EV is really tough to beat. My friends and colleagues who have garages with like 5+ cars all have a Tesla or Taycan in the mix, and swear by them for short distance commuting. Being able to take a Lambo or Ferrari out on the weekends helps a lot there. 😉

If I had room for more than 2 cars, I might pick up an EV to have on hand, but rn I need one car that can tick all my boxes, and none of them really do it better than the F90.

[footie]

^The shocker is despite owning many performance cars over the years the one that was a hoot to drive was when the son just past his test and I got him a wee 3cyl VW Polo with 60hp, you could ring its neck, throw it at every corner and you where never breaking the law, oh those were the days.

[spuntyb]

^ Nothing beats driving a slow car fast, especially when it's your first car. Best feeling ever!

[GOLFFRR]

sounds like you are loving it. Congrats

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by mjr24

Not trying to rain on your parade.....but take the performance review with a grain of salt. The M5 Comp is a 2.6 second car in the 0-60.....the i4 is 3.9. Not sure how the i4 could ever feel half as fast even (plus, the fact you got 20 MPG on the M5 tells me you never really drove that car like it was supposed to be driven). I guess I'm more confused why you got a M5 in the first place given your driving style. M cars are harsh and fast. Glad you like the i4, though!

LOL, judge much?

The M5 is a 2.6 second car 0-60 when you are at a standing start using launch control. What's the rolling 5-60? Oh wait a lot slower...

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 2.8 sec
100 mph: 6.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 10.9 sec @ 128 mph
130 mph: 11.2 sec
150 mph: 15.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.6 sec

Compare that to a Model 3 Performance (not many instrumented tests on the i4 yet)

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.1 sec
100 mph: 8.2 sec
1/4 mile: 11.6 sec @ 115 mph
130 mph: 16.2 sec
150 mph: 27.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 3.3 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 1.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 1.7 sec

The Tesla is nearly half a second quicker in the real world. Also, look at the 30-50 and 50-70

2.5 vs. 1.1. Yes, 1.1 seconds to gain 20 MPH.
2.6 vs. 1.7. Starting to lose the advantage as the speed climbs.

I own a Model 3 and I also own a 911 Turbo. There is no doubt that when the Porsche is in boost, it is MUCH faster than the Tesla. But you have to be on it, boosting, and in the power. Even with VTG's, there's still lag. In an electric car....that's done. Gone. You just think and boom, you're off.

[footie]

^ Just to add to what you have said here @Needsdecaf I think for all those keyboard warriors who quote stats as proof the M5 is quicker have little to no experience of either car, I owned the M5, drove it everyday for the last 19 months and I know exactly what it's performance was like and how acceptable it was, without any doubt in my mind the instant overtaking ability of the i4M50 is far superior, no doubt about it the M5 will pull past heck it will snort pass at a rate of noughts at around 110-120mph but that's not REAL world driving and it's this pull out and get back in as quick as possible that makes electric cars so appealing.

I honestly thought that having an M5 and getting use to it's performance I would have needed to regularly using Sport Boost never mind Comfort mode to get the same thrill/enjoyment but it's acceleration is that brutal especially in Sport Boost that it's unnerving and I just use the ECO Pro because even it's instant acceleration is more than enough to dispatch a couple of cars without any trouble.

In fact the only times I have used Sport Boost is to show off to someone new in the car.

[mofomat]

Originally Posted by footie

I reckon I was probably getting very good mpg out of my M5, I was getting 20mpg (imperial gallons) from mine and based on this figure and the cost I am paying for my electricity (currently don’t have an EV tariff) the i4M50 is working out to be costing my a third of what the M5 cost per mile, so based on my yearly mileage that works out at £2K per year saving. When I switch to an EV tariff this figure will increase by quite a bit so for anyone debating the switch I say it’s a no brainer.

Not wishing to have a dig. If you're happy, then great. However, I'd rather pay an extra £2K per year in fuel and have the M5.

It's only £167 extra per month for God's sake, which for somebody who can afford a car which currently lists at £104,000 base, that's peanuts!

[Tim Callahan]

Originally Posted by mofomat

Not wishing to have a dig. If you're happy, then great. However, I'd rather pay an extra £2K per year in fuel and have the M5.

It's only £167 extra per month for God's sake, which for somebody who can afford a car which currently lists at £104,000 base, that's peanuts!

This difference is market dependent - in here the i4M50 base price is €68.000, M5 Comp base costs €208.000, out of that car tax is €78.000. While EVs don’t have car tax i4M50 is a no-brainer bargain here.

[jeffc42]

Originally Posted by mjr24

Also how can C and D's M5 measurement for 5-60MPH be 3.5 seconds.....when it's 0-60 on the M5 is 2.6?

Because they are professionals who know about brake torquing. Have your foot on the brake while revving the engine. Once revs and turbo boost have been built up, release the brake and lay down a ribbon of rubber.

Brake torquing can't be used once you're already moving, so you wait for boost to build--or worse, for the transmission to downshift. That's why magazines do 5-60 runs, because it reflects real world driving. The 0-60 times can be achieved only when drag racing.

Launch control is just a computerized version of brake torquing, removing the need for human skill.