[clerkpalmer]

Good afternoon all. Currently driving a very fun 23 RS3. Prior to that I drove a Model 3 Performance which I loved. Before getting the RS3, my first choice was an i4 M50. I had one on order but ended up lucking into an allocation of an RS3 and capitalizing on the hot market for Teslas (before the crash). Ive had the RS3 for 8 months and loved every minute of it (other than buying gas).

Now that some used i4 M50s have hit the market, I've been contemplating a swap of sorts. A few dealers seem to be willing to play ball (even swap no cash) so I'm definitely thinking about it. I know these cars won't be crossed shopped often but my current driving is a lot of short trips around the burbs (kids to school etc) and the RS3 at 20MPG average is definitely a nuisance. Before taking the RS3, I was pretty convinced EV was for me.

Any thoughts or opinions on a switch. I'd certainly save a couple of grand a year on gas but I do have some concerns over depreciation on the BMW versus the Audi which remains very limited. Thoughts are welcome!

[BTDOC23]

M50 a terrific car, I just can’t personally get passed the “numb” steering and lack of feel.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by clerkpalmer

Good afternoon all. Currently driving a very fun 23 RS3. Prior to that I drove a Model 3 Performance which I loved. Before getting the RS3, my first choice was an i4 M50. I had one on order but ended up lucking into an allocation of an RS3 and capitalizing on the hot market for Teslas (before the crash). Ive had the RS3 for 8 months and loved every minute of it (other than buying gas).

Now that some used i4 M50s have hit the market, I've been contemplating a swap of sorts. A few dealers seem to be willing to play ball (even swap no cash) so I'm definitely thinking about it. I know these cars won't be crossed shopped often but my current driving is a lot of short trips around the burbs (kids to school etc) and the RS3 at 20MPG average is definitely a nuisance. Before taking the RS3, I was pretty convinced EV was for me.

Any thoughts or opinions on a switch. I'd certainly save a couple of grand a year on gas but I do have some concerns over depreciation on the BMW versus the Audi which remains very limited. Thoughts are welcome!

Lol, this morning, I was just thinking about the opposite, unloading my 2023 i4 M50 for a 2023 RS3 (or a Z4 M40i). There are 2 RS3 on the lot relatively close to me, but they probably are sold or have crazy ADM. You up for a trade?? I’m in PA too, at the other end of the state. I tend to swap out cars fairly often

[clerkpalmer]

Originally Posted by Kief

Lol, this morning, I was just thinking about the opposite, unloading my 2023 i4 M50 for a 2023 RS3 (or a Z4 M40i). There are 2 RS3 on the lot relatively close to me, but they probably are sold or have crazy ADM. You up for a trade?? I’m in PA too, at the other end of the state. I tend to swap out cars fairly often

Perhaps. PM me your contact info. You like Kyalami Green?

[Kief]

Originally Posted by clerkpalmer

Perhaps. PM me your contact info. You like Kyalami Green?

How many miles?

[clerkpalmer]

Originally Posted by Kief

How many miles?

Just passed 6k.

[mbchris]

It’s very hard to have fun anymore in a high powered car without risking huge fines and danger to oneself or others. So my take is get a track car and a great street car. Or a fun car at slow speeds like a GR86 or Miata. The i4 is a great street car.

[Aatish]

So.

I actually sold my 991.2 (my main car) prior to making the M50 my daily.

I’ll get another 911/sports car at some point (when things cool off a bit), but till the. The m50 is more than enough to keep me happy.

I drive ~150 miles a day. It’s a nice car to commute and drive extended periods. Performance is stellar, though the steering is probably my least favorite part.

It’s not horrible, but coming for a 911 it can’t hold a candle on the feel. It is A LOT more comfortable to daily and also a lot easier to put miles on (physically and financially).

I prefer the steering to my past F30 and Audi A6. No feedback, but still engaging. It’s very quick, and the weighting in comfort is pretty good. For daily driving and highways, more than enough. Austin has nice back roads; the steering is plenty fine for those situations and does compliment the car well imo.

RS3 is a fun car and a great daily imo. I4 M50 is also a fun car and a great daily…but in different ways.

I was between an G80 and the i4. Went with the i4 and not really regretting much, apart from not being able to tune.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by Aatish

So.

I actually sold my 991.2 (my main car) prior to making the M50 my daily.

I’ll get another 911/sports car at some point (when things cool off a bit), but till the. The m50 is more than enough to keep me happy.

I drive ~150 miles a day. It’s a nice car to commute and drive extended periods. Performance is stellar, though the steering is probably my least favorite part.

It’s not horrible, but coming for a 911 it can’t hold a candle on the feel. It is A LOT more comfortable to daily and also a lot easier to put miles on (physically and financially).

I prefer the steering to my past F30 and Audi A6. No feedback, but still engaging. It’s very quick, and the weighting in comfort is pretty good. For daily driving and highways, more than enough. Austin has nice back roads; the steering is plenty fine for those situations and does compliment the car well imo.

RS3 is a fun car and a great daily imo. I4 M50 is also a fun car and a great daily…but in different ways.

I was between an G80 and the i4. Went with the i4 and not really regretting much, apart from not being able to tune.

I drove the G80 also and chose the i4 M50.
If the M5 version was not available I would have bought either a G80 or used M5 Competition

[Aatish]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

I drove the G80 also and chose the i4 M50.
If the M5 version was not available I would have bought either a G80 or used M5 Competition

+1

I think I would have gone M5 comp, or broken and gotten a Taycan 4S or Tesla Model S.

I get 300 miles on my M50, and still can do rolls on these Texas highways. It’s a nice all rounder imo.

[footie]

The son had an RS3 when I got my i4M50 and purely based on performance the M50 is quicker in every way especially the instant acceleration to overtake but the reason anyone picks an RS3 over the likes of an S3 or Golf R is purely it's engine and the unique sound it makes so this will be one thing that you WILL miss dearly.

Obviously the i4M50 weighs a hell of a lot more than the RS3 and when you push on you feel this difference but as long as you don't carry too much speed into the corner the i4 will grip just as well, stuff like steering feel neither car have anything remotely decent compared to a Lotus etc but both are very precise. Things that the i4M50 absolutely hammers the RS3 is the quality of the drivetrain, the RS3 engine has a bit more lags than the BMW inline 6 and combined with the DSG it's a bit clunky where as the i4 is buttery smooth and precise, the refinement of an EV is something I doubt any ICE will ever be able to replicate.

So my opinion is if you can detach yourself from the emotion of that engine note and don't drive it like you stole it then the i4M50 is an amazing bit of kit.

[clerkpalmer]

Originally Posted by footie

The son had an RS3 when I got my i4M50 and purely based on performance the M50 is quicker in every way especially the instant acceleration to overtake but the reason anyone picks an RS3 over the likes of an S3 or Golf R is purely it's engine and the unique sound it makes so this will be one thing that you WILL miss dearly.

Obviously the i4M50 weighs a hell of a lot more than the RS3 and when you push on you feel this difference but as long as you don't carry too much speed into the corner the i4 will grip just as well, stuff like steering feel neither car have anything remotely decent compared to a Lotus etc but both are very precise. Things that the i4M50 absolutely hammers the RS3 is the quality of the drivetrain, the RS3 engine has a bit more lags than the BMW inline 6 and combined with the DSG it's a bit clunky where as the i4 is buttery smooth and precise, the refinement of an EV is something I doubt any ICE will ever be able to replicate.

So my opinion is if you can detach yourself from the emotion of that engine note and don't drive it like you stole it then the i4M50 is an amazing bit of kit.

Thanks for the thoughts. Yes, the 5 pot is intoxicating. I don't find the DSG too clunky these days (miles better than older units) and the car does need to be kept in the sweet spot for maximum fun (higher revs). Coming from a Tesla Model 3 Performance prior to the RS3, I am used to the pros (mostly) and cons of an EV although I think the i4 solves all of my gripes with Tesla (build quality and interior). I'm continue to continue to look at the market on the i4 and see if I can make a swap of sorts.

[footie]

Originally Posted by clerkpalmer

Thanks for the thoughts. Yes, the 5 pot is intoxicating. I don't find the DSG too clunky these days (miles better than older units) and the car does need to be kept in the sweet spot for maximum fun (higher revs). Coming from a Tesla Model 3 Performance prior to the RS3, I am used to the pros (mostly) and cons of an EV although I think the i4 solves all of my gripes with Tesla (build quality and interior). I'm continue to continue to look at the market on the i4 and see if I can make a swap of sorts.

I barely drove the son’s RS3 when he had it so can’t really comment on it but the DSG in wife Mk8 Golf R combined with its 4 pot isn’t that great IMO, oddly prior to owning an EV I never notice such things but now it’s probably the most noticeable issue I have with an ICE car.

This is me hand on heart telling you the i4M50 is by far the best car I have ever owned and I have owned a lot of nice stuff over the years, in fact the brother has the Taycan Cross Turismo 4S and I still rate the i4 the better daily driver so don’t think owning one of these will be the same as the Tesla because it won’t.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by footie

I barely drove the son’s RS3 when he had it so can’t really comment on it but the DSG in wife Mk8 Golf R combined with its 4 pot isn’t that great IMO, oddly prior to owning an EV I never notice such things but now it’s probably the most noticeable issue I have with an ICE car.

This is me hand on heart telling you the i4M50 is by far the best car I have ever owned and I have owned a lot of nice stuff over the years, in fact the brother has the Taycan Cross Turismo 4S and I still rate the i4 the better daily driver so don’t think owning one of these will be the same as the Tesla because it won’t.

I've had mostly BMWs for the last 30 years as a daily driver. I definitely have to say my M50 is the best car I've owned by a long shot.

I had a discussion of what cars I was shopping when I got my car.
I was shopping some kind of M3 and two/three year old M5 Competitions.

I'm happier with the EV for a number of reasons but the standout reason is no real maintenance. I just get to drive and not think about all the issues with an ICE car. No smog check at registration. No oil changes. No plugs. The list goes on.

The only thing I miss is the rumble of an engine, but at freeway speeds the quiet takes over and I don't miss the drone of an exhaust.

I figure people should do what makes them happy. My car makes me happy everytime I drive it.

[footie]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

I've had mostly BMWs for the last 30 years as a daily driver. I definitely have to say my M50 is the best car I've owned by a long shot.

I had a discussion of what cars I was shopping when I got my car.
I was shopping some kind of M3 and two/three year old M5 Competitions.

I'm happier with the EV for a number of reasons but the standout reason is no real maintenance. I just get to drive and not think about all the issues with an ICE car. No smog check at registration. No oil changes. No plugs. The list goes on.

The only thing I miss is the rumble of an engine, but at freeway speeds the quiet takes over and I don't miss the drone of an exhaust.

I figure people should do what makes them happy. My car makes me happy everytime I drive it.

Yeah whatever floats your boat I say, though most that dismiss EVs usually have never experienced them at all. I think if anyone drove an EV for a month most would love the driving experience and for the reasons I listed, of course charging is always a thing that will make people hesitant because regardless where you live the amount of charging points are too few and with the increase in EV sales this isn't improving at a fast enough rate but if you don't drive more than 100 miles per day you and can charge at home then EV something more should consider IMO.

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by Aatish

I get 300 miles on my M50, and still can do rolls on these Texas highways. It’s a nice all rounder imo.

I get 3.8 miles / kWh which puts me slightly over 300 also. I expect this to drop slighter with degradation in a few years but not by much. Most certainly it will be above EPA estimates even in 3-5 years.

[Karnidge]

I am about to pull the trigger on a 2025 M50 lease. I just test drove it today and it was a fun experience. I am a huge ICE fan and thought I would be the last person considering an EV. I love the little girggles the Z4 makes when you let off the gas. It's immersive. I loved starting the M4 in the morning and listening to the insane exhaust note as it warms up on a cold day. It's hard to turn that off because it's how it's always been. Louder and faster went hand in hand.

What I really like about the M50 is it's familiar. It looks like a ICE performance sedan. It feels like one inside too. It's a nice transition for someone like myself, going into an EV for the first time.

I only drive into the office a few times a week and I don't go on long road trips in my cars. Too many miles. We take the wife's car for that. So a lease really makes sense. The tech is going to change significantly in the next 3 to 5 years and those batteries are going to lose their charge. I wouldn't want to own a 2025 EV in 2032.

I think the M50 is forward thinking and clearly the direction performance cars are going. A true M varient will be here before you know it and my name will be on the list.

[Fish Fingers]

Originally Posted by Karnidge

I am about to pull the trigger on a 2025 M50 lease. I just test drove it today and it was a fun experience. I am a huge ICE fan and thought I would be the last person considering an EV. I love the little girggles the Z4 makes when you let off the gas. It's immersive. I loved starting the M4 in the morning and listening to the insane exhaust note as it warms up on a cold day. It's hard to turn that off because it's how it's always been. Louder and faster went hand in hand.

What I really like about the M50 is it's familiar. It looks like a ICE performance sedan. It feels like one inside too. It's a nice transition for someone like myself, going into an EV for the first time.

I only drive into the office a few times a week and I don't go on long road trips in my cars. Too many miles. We take the wife's car for that. So a lease really makes sense. The tech is going to change significantly in the next 3 to 5 years and those batteries are going to lose their charge. I wouldn't want to own a 2025 EV in 2032.

I think the M50 is forward thinking and clearly the direction performance cars are going. A true M varient will be here before you know it and my name will be on the list.

All the noise of a loud revving and polluting ICE seems very last century, when you just pull silently away in your M50.
If you want a bit more 'experience' you have got 'Sport Boost' which gives you full power and noise, and really reminds me of driving an old school Audi Quattro when you floor it.

[jpuffmasterpuffpuffpuff69]

I miss shoveling horse poop, saddle sores, and getting wet in the rain. These newfangled cars are for morons who don't know how good the old tech is.

I'm sorry, I don't have much tolerance for the same stupid over and over.

[Karnidge]

Originally Posted by jpuffmasterpuffpuffpuff69

I miss shoveling horse poop, saddle sores, and getting wet in the rain. These newfangled cars are for morons who don't know how good the old tech is.

I'm sorry, I don't have much tolerance for the same stupid over and over.

So... You jumped in here to insult me and act like a complete douche to prove a point? Which is what? Maybe less drunk typing for puffpuff69phatpuff

[mlanes01]

For 99% of what you use your car for the i4 is great at. Amazing commuter in every way. It's a pig in corners, super heavy and like a Tesla it's a one trick pony with quick torque and acceleration. Tbh I'm under the impression that buying an electric car for performance is a bit dumb. Hence I have an x40... Which for me was the right balance of range and performance. If it was practical for me to get an M5 right now I would definitely be driving that. I actually almost got an i5 a few weeks back but ultimately decided that I don't want to give up any more range because we have winter in the northeast and my drives are too long with too unreliable public charging. A huge downside to the i4 is the super small backseat which for me was the big reason to consider the I5. All that withstanding... I still sorta miss the thrill of a loud gass engine, hearing the engine rev and feeling it build torque as I move through the gears etc .. all those ppl that say they would never go ice again... I just can't relate to. I love my i4 as a daily driver/commuter it's a great car but I still have my wife's x5 for longer trips with the kids. Also I have the opposite feeling of all the "I hate going to the gas station" crowd of ev drivers. After dealing with the shitty unreliable and expensive public ev chargers I have to hunt for in a dark uncovered Walmart parking lot, I am always happy to pull up to a conveniently placed covered gas station and fill up in under 10 mins, but that's likely because I use my ev most of the time. Anyway to end this rant... You've had a Tesla before so you know what you are getting into, the i4 is one of the best ev's for the driver and a much more normal driving experience. I think if you can afford a taycan than that is even better, but comparing it to an RS3 is apples to oranges and the performance just isn't there for me in the m50 to satisfy the kind of spirited driving I did in my e36 or e90.

[jpuffmasterpuffpuffpuff69]

Originally Posted by Karnidge

So... You jumped in here to insult me and act like a complete douche to prove a point? Which is what? Maybe less drunk typing for puffpuff69phatpuff

Joins ev forum. Complains about evs. Complains that he gets made fun of.

I bet you're great at parties.

Originally Posted by mlanes01

For 99% of what you use your car for the i4 is great at. Amazing commuter in every way. It's a pig in corners, super heavy and like a Tesla it's a one trick pony with quick torque and acceleration. Tbh I'm under the impression that buying an electric car for performance is a bit dumb. Hence I have an x40... Which for me was the right balance of range and performance. If it was practical for me to get an M5 right now I would definitely be driving that. I actually almost got an i5 a few weeks back but ultimately decided that I don't want to give up any more range because we have winter in the northeast and my drives are too long with too unreliable public charging. A huge downside to the i4 is the super small backseat which for me was the big reason to consider the I5. All that withstanding... I still sorta miss the thrill of a loud gass engine, hearing the engine rev and feeling it build torque as I move through the gears etc .. all those ppl that say they would never go ice again... I just can't relate to. I love my i4 as a daily driver/commuter it's a great car but I still have my wife's x5 for longer trips with the kids. Also I have the opposite feeling of all the "I hate going to the gas station" crowd of ev drivers. After dealing with the shitty unreliable and expensive public ev chargers I have to hunt for in a dark uncovered Walmart parking lot, I am always happy to pull up to a conveniently placed covered gas station and fill up in under 10 mins, but that's likely because I use my ev most of the time. Anyway to end this rant... You've had a Tesla before so you know what you are getting into, the i4 is one of the best ev's for the driver and a much more normal driving experience. I think if you can afford a taycan than that is even better, but comparing it to an RS3 is apples to oranges and the performance just isn't there for me in the m50 to satisfy the kind of spirited driving I did in my e36 or e90.

The i4 M50 certainly feels weighty in the corners, but with the 20" wheels, it has plenty of grip and handles mid-corner bumps just fine. It's not a lightweight sports car, but it's much faster from point to point on a canyon road than my lightweight sports car.

The RS3 is a front-heavy pig. They had to put wider front than rear tires to deal with the terrible understeer, which is hilarious. Oh, but that 5 cylinder, unbalanced sound! LOL.

Of course Kia makes an EV for just this situation. It has real fake engine sounds and fake shifting. Heck, it's hard to buy a CVT these days that doesn't have fake shifting.

Why?

I guess you can just go vroom vroom with your mouth as you drive.

If I want to go long distances, I take an ICE vehicle. However, then it doesn't especially matter what I drive since I'm mostly just going straight. On the freeway, a luxury car is quieter and a cheaper car is louder, and that's about it.

99% of EV charging happens in a garage or carport. And yes, gas stations suck. Let me stop on my way to work once every week or so, touch something filthy, and stand there for several minutes. Want cheap gas? Gotta wait in line at Costco or go to a bad part of town. Thank you. But hey, I can get a slushy while I'm at it, right?