[cfm56d7b]

Such a great review. Thanks for sharing!

[Needsdecaf]

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!

That's your choice. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

It's not about economics. No one spending this kind of money on a car is doing it solely to avoid fuel costs. It's about a different driving experience. And any higher performance EV is as different to a turbocharged ICE performance vehicle as chalk and cheese (or however the phrase goes!). If you're doing the daily commute, there is something about the EV life that's very enjoyable, and it's very appealing to even the most diehard petrolhead. Instantly even the most sophisticated ICE powertrain feels outdated and old. The smoothness of the EV, the instant response. The way you just flex your ankle and you're GONE. With no noise or drama. Poof, like a puff of smoke, you're in another space on the road. It's very addictive when you're in traffic.

It makes me appreciate my ICE sports car even more. I wouldn't want to daily my turbo, and I wouldn't want to take my Tesla on a canyon run. I know it's very hard for someone who really admires / wants / has / loves an M5 to understand, but once you've experienced it....it's hard to go back.

[footie]

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!

Cost never comes into the decision, I had a deposit down for a Taycan as well as the i4 when this one fell into my lap and I jumped at it because the Porsche wouldn’t be available to me until Jan 23 almost 10 months later but I am highlighting the benefits in real world running costs between two similar performance cars and by this I mean real world performance not a stats sheet because this hasn’t been covered by anyone.

The M5 Comp was a brilliant machine, in fact way better as a daily runner than I expected given the performance on hand but like any fuel based car which has a gearbox you don’t get that instant kick that a performance EV delivers. They won’t be to everyone’s liking and I am sure ICE options will be available for awhile yet but if you can see past the lack of an engine note they are surprisingly good as a daily commuter.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by footie

The M5 Comp was a brilliant machine, in fact way better as a daily runner than I expected given the performance on hand but like any fuel based car which has a gearbox you don’t get that instant kick that a performance EV delivers. They won’t be to everyone’s liking and I am sure ICE options will be available for awhile yet but if you can see past the lack of an engine note they are surprisingly good as a daily commuter.

I happen to agree.
I have a buddy with two M5 cars (E39 and E60) also has an E90 M3. I have had multiple M3s and my last car (that was totaled) was a FBO E90 335i.

None of those cars compare to the instant performance of the i4 M50.

Quite frankly in terms of real world performance the i4 M50 is simply a beast. I drove one for about an hour with no supervision. I was a bad boy. 😁

I have not been in a car that while getting on the highway had me in triple digits after the merge or that put me in danger of losing my license just leaving a stop light. All this while not giving it more than 50% throttle.

The silent power is like a drug. While I love the shifting of gears and the sound of an engine above 6k RPM; nothing equals almost 600lb-ft of silent torque.

YMMV and while I really like both M3 and M5 Competition; once I saw pre-orders for the I4 M50 nothing else was on my shopping list.

Prior to the introduction of the M50, I was looking at M3/M4 xDrive cars. Nope.

My car will be here about July/August. My build date is May.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by footie

The M5 Comp was a brilliant machine, in fact way better as a daily runner than I expected given the performance on hand but like any fuel based car which has a gearbox you don’t get that instant kick that a performance EV delivers. They won’t be to everyone’s liking and I am sure ICE options will be available for awhile yet but if you can see past the lack of an engine note they are surprisingly good as a daily commuter.

The most impressive thing of M50 is how much it feels like a BMW, even the instant EV power is smoothed out like a CDV, instead of the wild horse pull from a Tesla.

I still like my ICE G20 330i, esp. for its 40+mpg on freeways and 600+ miles of range, or 30+mpg cruising on Hwy1, there is no need to refuel for a 400+ miles round trip lunch break to Big Sur.

[spuntyb]

Do they offer Individual color orders for these yet? Asking for a friend

[BimmerBahn]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Do they offer Individual color orders for these yet? Asking for a friend

The i4 is in the Individual Manufaktur visualization tool, but I don’t know if BMWUSA is currently taking Individual orders, outside of the Frozen Portimao Blue.

[BMWpowered]

Awesome review, loved it. Makes me feel a bit better about ordering and now waiting to get it - hopefully by end of the year.

Since you've been driving it for a bit on roads, in public, has anyone commented on the car grille yet?

Or have we all moved on from the shock and consternation of BMW changing something and now we can all move on with our lives.

[footie]

Originally Posted by BMWpowered

Awesome review, loved it. Makes me feel a bit better about ordering and now waiting to get it - hopefully by end of the year.

Since you've been driving it for a bit on roads, in public, has anyone commented on the car grille yet?

Or have we all moved on from the shock and consternation of BMW changing something and now we can all move on with our lives.

Genuinely no one has mentioned the grill, actually that’s a lie a builder currently working for me asked because he has the M440i and realised it was different to his. I have to admit when I first saw the new grill design in mags I absolutely hated it, and to be honest I still hate it in M3/4 where it just looks like huge nostrils.

Haven’t had him out in it yet because he’s always dirty and no way getting in my car in that state.

If I was in a Taycan it’s futuristic looks would be turning heads and if that’s what you want then this isn’t the car because it’s lack of noise and just looks like any other BMW makes it fly completely under the radar.

[440i6MT]

So you didn't just choose the i4 50i over an M5. You also chose it over a Porsche Taycan.

I think you and Will Smith would get along, because you both exhibit cases of mental instability.

I'm joking, I'm Chris Rocking, please don't slap me

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by MXNSITH

Again, I thought remote start took care of all that

I'm not sure if remote ignition is legal here.

Imagine starting it up in your garage. Confined space risks, fire hazards and the like may not make it possible depending on local legislation.

I know my car can not be remote started over the internet by me.

It may be possible in the UK. But, remote ignition of ICE is not something I am aware of here.

[footie]

Originally Posted by 440i6MT

So you didn't just choose the i4 50i over an M5. You also chose it over a Porsche Taycan.

I think you and Will Smith would get along, because you both exhibit cases of mental instability.

I'm joking, I'm Chris Rocking, please don't slap me

LOL The brother already has a Taycan Cross Turismo 4S on order and due July (fingers crossed) so even if I decided to get the i4 instead of it I can still drive one if/when I want to and I have actually kept my deposit with the Porsche dealer and switch it to a EV Macan but after seeing the new Lotus Electra I’m debating should I be switch that deposit to it instead.

P.S.

Unlike Will I don’t laugh at a joke and then decide it’s offensive so you are safe. 😉

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by 440i6MT

So you didn't just choose the i4 50i over an M5. You also chose it over a Porsche Taycan.

I think you and Will Smith would get along, because you both exhibit cases of mental instability.

I'm joking, I'm Chris Rocking, please don't slap me

In the US, a loaded i4 M50i is just under $80k.

The STARTING price of a RWD Taycan, which is way slower, is approaching $100k. By the time you price one out like a loaded i4, it's easily $115k. and you're still like 1.5 seconds slower to 60 than an i4 50i.

If you step up to a 4S, you start to get somewhat comparable. But a Taycan 4S equipped like an i4 is in the $130k range. That's more than 50% more expensive. And STILL slower.

The Taycan is gorgeous, but has almost the same rear seat room, not much more usable trunk space and drives kinda, well, big. I've driven almost every version of Taycan, except for the CT Turbo and CT4. I'm a dual Porsche AND an EV owner. I should be selling my left nut for one. But as deeply impressed as I have been leaving the test drive, I've never gotten that desire to just say "eff it" and buy one. And I looooooove the wagon. The Taycan GTS Sport Tourismo in Carmine Red is literally my desktop wallpaper at work. But as configured, it's $150k. That's a lotta cheddar.

I get it. The Porsche name makes you spend stupid money for a car that's objectively not much better than a BMW (Cayenne Hybrid is $30k more than a loaded X5 45e). I myself have made that decision. But I haven't been able to do it on a Taycan.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by 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.

Just read a review of the 992 Turbo S Lightweight on Car and Driver's website today at lunch. These numbers are BANANAS.

0-60 in 2.1 seconds!
Quarter Mile in 9.9 Seconds at 138 MPH!
0-100 in 5.1 seconds!

Oh but wait. 5-60 on a roll? 0.4 seconds SLOWER than a Model 3 Performance.
30-50 MPH? 1 second SLOWER than a Model 3 Performance
50-70 MPH? 0.7 seconds SLOWER than a Model 3 performance.


This is where it counts people. I own a 997 Turbo S. It's freaking fast. On boost, it absolutely destroys my Tesla. And it's 3 generations behind a 992 Turbo S (counting 991.1 and 991.2 as separate generations, although technically my car has pretty much the same engine as a 991.1 so I'm getting semantic here. A 992 is 11 years newer. Enough said). I can't imagine how fast a 992 Turbo is.

But in the real world, trundling along at 30 and you want to make a pass? My $61k, 100 MPGe, POS Build Quality Tesla makes that pass a SECOND FASTER.

Think about that.


C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 2.1 sec
100 mph: 5.1 sec
130 mph: 8.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 9.9 sec @ 138 mph
150 mph: 12.0 sec
170 mph: 16.9 sec
180 mph: 20.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.1 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.4 sec

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by BimmerBahn

The i4 is in the Individual Manufaktur visualization tool, but I don’t know if BMWUSA is currently taking Individual orders, outside of the Frozen Portimao Blue.

I figured…thanks!

[BMWpowered]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

In the US, a loaded i4 M50i is just under $80k.

The STARTING price of a RWD Taycan, which is way slower, is approaching $100k. By the time you price one out like a loaded i4, it's easily $115k. and you're still like 1.5 seconds slower to 60 than an i4 50i.

If you step up to a 4S, you start to get somewhat comparable. But a Taycan 4S equipped like an i4 is in the $130k range. That's more than 50% more expensive. And STILL slower.

The Taycan is gorgeous, but has almost the same rear seat room, not much more usable trunk space and drives kinda, well, big. I've driven almost every version of Taycan, except for the CT Turbo and CT4. I'm a dual Porsche AND an EV owner. I should be selling my left nut for one. But as deeply impressed as I have been leaving the test drive, I've never gotten that desire to just say "eff it" and buy one. And I looooooove the wagon. The Taycan GTS Sport Tourismo in Carmine Red is literally my desktop wallpaper at work. But as configured, it's $150k. That's a lotta cheddar.

I get it. The Porsche name makes you spend stupid money for a car that's objectively not much better than a BMW (Cayenne Hybrid is $30k more than a loaded X5 45e). I myself have made that decision. But I haven't been able to do it on a Taycan.

My wife and I were considering the Taycan Cross Turismo vs the i4 too, and for the price difference it was really not worth it.

Actually what tipped the scales in favor of the i4 (other than the price difference) was the backup camera on the Porsche. It's so exquisitely bad, it's unreal. And it's the same reason why she didn't want an Audi E-tron either. They use the same camera. My friend's Panamera Turbo S uses the same too, which should be a crime.

Never seen anyone hate a single feature so much as to exclude an entire auto group from purchasing options, but hey, that's how we decided on the i4 M50 and I'm thrilled about it.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by footie

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.

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.

Yeah you got me…..I just wrote a bunch of cars in my signature. I actually am 13 years old and use my parents Internet to post here. Be serious, no one gets over like 17 MPG on the M5 unless it's driven like an old grandpa. This is well documented on the F90 board. Anyways, enjoy your car.

[MXNSITH]

Originally Posted by Rich9600

I'm not sure if remote ignition is legal here.

Imagine starting it up in your garage. Confined space risks, fire hazards and the like may not make it possible depending on local legislation.

I know my car can not be remote started over the internet by me.

It may be possible in the UK. But, remote ignition of ICE is not something I am aware of here.

Remote start has been around for years in the US

[footie]

Originally Posted by mjr24

Yeah you got me…..I just wrote a bunch of cars in my signature. I actually am 13 years old and use my parents Internet to post here. Be serious, no one gets over like 17 MPG on the M5 unless it's driven like an old grandpa. This is well documented on the F90 board. Anyways, enjoy your car.

In case you aren’t aware a US gallon is quite a bit smaller than a UK gallon, precisely 0.833 in size so my 20mpg is the equivalent 16.66mpg US. 😉

[callouscrab]

This is really a good review - really tempting me to bite the bullet and get one! Can use my "fun on the commute" card to convince the wife...

[E92FI]

Can't wait to get mine. I went with 19 inch wheels. I was told I'll get it in June.

[mofomat]

Originally Posted by Tim Callahan

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.

You clearly haven't read my post properly. I wasn't talking about why anybody would purchase an i4 over an M5. I understand there can be big differences between the two due to taxes. I live in Holland which is similar to the Netherlands in purchase prices.

The point was, once you have decided to purchase an M5, the extra £167 per month in fuel doesn't really make a difference. In Finland and the Netherlands the point is even stronger.