[stein_325i]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

ARTICLES

• ArsTechnica
• Autocar
• AutoExpress
• Car and Driver
• CNET Roadshow
• Digitaltrends
• Drive Tribe
• Edmunds
• Goodwood
• InsideEVs
• Motor1
• Top Gear
• Road & Track
• The Drive
• Wheels.ca
  
  

VIDEOS

[AndroidRobot]

So at least it's not terrible

[TheBingoBalls]

Finally! An EV that doesn't have a six figure price tag but has all the things you want in a car in EV form. And coming from a hybrid platform - can't wait to see what happens when BMW has their own EV-only platform. Well done.

[BMWF90M5]

I don't hate it, looks decent actually.

[Mako]

First EV I am considering buying. Especially with 7500 tax credit.

Reasons I haven't ordered yet

1) Weight, 5,000 lbs
2) not sure I want to own, cars already bad investment and now you make it a tech item, they will depreciate even faster
3) full blown M coming?

[Germanauto]

Only EV I'd consider...if I were forced to buy an EV.

With that being said, 5000 lbs LOL. I'd imagine price will be pretty much in line with the M3. So save for the convenience/cost savings of charging at home, what possible advantage does this offer to the enthusiast over an M3?

[TruthOne]

I like it . Looks better than any EV out IMO.

[unfoundnemo]

I have 4 Tesla supercharging stations within 50 miles of me. The nearest fast charging station I could use for this car is about 2 hours away, and it would take 45 minutes to charge to 80%. I want one, but it would have to be a local commuter or only used on specific pre-planned trips with little room for spontaneity. A few more years perhaps…

EDIT (since someone just liked my post 11 months later): I now have an Electrify America Fast Charging station near each of those 4 Tesla supercharging stations within 50 miles of me. The nearest fast charging station I could use for [my] car is about 2 miles away, and I'll go from ~20-80% in 30 minutes. I picked this thing up off a canceled order so don't have a good charging solution at home yet, but have put 3000 miles on it in 6 weeks taking two 600 mile trips along with a handful of 100-200 mile trips with no worries. A few years was really just a few months I guess...

[antzcrashing]

The road and track review is pretty harsh, but honestly it doesn't seem hat negative given how they reviewed it. As if they expected it to be a supercar or something

[SoCali E36]

Ok

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

The road and track review is pretty harsh, but honestly it doesn't seem hat negative given how they reviewed it. As if they expected it to be a supercar or something

Their review is completely different than the rest. Perhaps expecting too much, which they're entitled to, but it's the wrong expectation - no one expected the m50i to be the EV version of a M car. And not sure what novelty is going to wear off - it's an EV that doesn't stray too far from a traditional BMW. Isn't that what everyone hoped BMW would do?

[SD ///M4]

I've had a 6.3 kW ground-mount solar array for more than 5 years and 2 Tesla Powerwalls for almost 4 years. An EV is definitely in my future but I have at least 2 years until the extended warranty on my M4 expires. This is the first EV that I've been interested in but now I'm hearing rumors that there will be an all-electric ///M car so I'm looking forward to that.

https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/...view?preview=1

[GOLFFRR]

best looking EV out there IMO

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Their review is completely different than the rest. Perhaps expecting too much, which they're entitled to, but it's the wrong expectation - no one expected the m50i to be the EV version of a M car. And not sure what novelty is going to wear off - it's an EV that doesn't stray too far from a traditional BMW. Isn't that what everyone hoped BMW would do?

I can't speak for everyone but, it is what I would want out of this car

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Their review is completely different than the rest. Perhaps expecting too much, which they're entitled to, but it's the wrong expectation - no one expected the m50i to be the EV version of a M car. And not sure what novelty is going to wear off - it's an EV that doesn't stray too far from a traditional BMW. Isn't that what everyone hoped BMW would do?

It is exactly what I want.
My E90 died recently. I had already pre-ordered the M50.

I'm waiting for my dealer to call me to configure it.
The only issue I have is the light steering that everyone is talking about. I haven't really liked the steering in a BMW since the E90. So this won't be any different.

so far I like the reviews and can't wait

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Only EV I'd consider...if I were forced to buy an EV.

With that being said, 5000 lbs LOL. I'd imagine price will be pretty much in line with the M3. So save for the convenience/cost savings of charging at home, what possible advantage does this offer to the enthusiast over an M3?

I suppose it depends what you mean by enthusiast. If you’re looking for some lightweight track machine full of feel, this isn’t it. I think there are people out there that can appreciate the engineering and breadth of ability in a car like this though. Indeed it’s more of an appliance, but I’m not so sure that’s a bad thing. My beloved dishwasher is also an appliance, I’m not out here trying to hand wash every cup and bowl lol. Ease of use counts for something, and a car like this can tick a lot of boxes. I’m trying to decide between an M4 and i4 M50 myself, and seeing the stop-sale last week for S58 bearings was a reminder to me that my i3 has been the only trouble-free BMW I’ve ever had. I assume the i4 will be just as reliable but who knows at this point.

To me personally the biggest advantages the i4 has are running the AC/heater remotely anytime without starting the engine, no trips to the gas station, price, and (presumably) reliability. If you already have a fun/sports car, these are great qualities in a daily tbh. Jury is still out on comfort/ride quality

Still leaning M4 at the moment but it’s a tough choice

[Saab Story]

Hopefully they offer an M performance exhaust.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

I suppose it depends what you mean by enthusiast. If you’re looking for some lightweight track machine full of feel, this isn’t it. I think there are people out there that can appreciate the engineering and breadth of ability in a car like this though. Indeed it’s more of an appliance, but I’m not so sure that’s a bad thing. My beloved dishwasher is also an appliance, I’m not out here trying to hand wash every cup and bowl lol. Ease of use counts for something, and a car like this can tick a lot of boxes. I’m trying to decide between an M4 and i4 M50 myself, and seeing the stop-sale last week for S58 bearings was a reminder to me that my i3 has been the only trouble-free BMW I’ve ever had. I assume the i4 will be just as reliable but who knows at this point.

To me personally the biggest advantages the i4 has are running the AC/heater remotely anytime without starting the engine, no trips to the gas station, price, and (presumably) reliability. If you already have a fun/sports car, these are great qualities in a daily tbh. Jury is still out on comfort/ride quality

Still leaning M4 at the moment but it’s a tough choice

All valid points and reasons I would consider an EV too if it ever comes to that point. But for the all out "enthusiast," this is not going to cut it. To its credit, pricing seems like it will still be a few grand less than the M3 but ~$10k? more than the M340. The i4 will be dependent on taxpayer-funded incentives to bring the cost more in line with the M340.

In this scenario I can see the i4 selling well because most BMW buyers, in my observation, are badge enthusiasts not car enthusiasts. I don't believe any of them care about the M340 being 1000 lbs lighter, the engagement provided by paddle shifters, or its decent exhaust note.

[thaalrasha]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

All valid points and reasons I would consider an EV too if it ever comes to that point. But for the all out "enthusiast," this is not going to cut it. To its credit, pricing seems like it will still be a few grand less than the M3 but ~$10k? more than the M340. The i4 will be dependent on taxpayer-funded incentives to bring the cost more in line with the M340.

In this scenario I can see the i4 selling well because most BMW buyers, in my observation, are badge enthusiasts not car enthusiasts. I don't believe any of them care about the M340 being 1000 lbs lighter, the engagement provided by paddle shifters, or its decent exhaust note.

I can't say for every one who lives in EU, but where I am, an i4 M50 here is roughly 40 to 45% cheaper than an M4 as high performance car have a sell penalty because of emissions (could be +30k on an M3 /4 in some EU countries).

[Masander]

Thats not a real M car

[dr_frankfurter]

Keep in mind how crappy EV's were not even 10 years ago. I used to laugh at the idea of people charging their 2012 Nissan Leaf overnight to have a maximum 70 miles of range, and never seeing them on the highway because of how ridiculously slow they were. Today we have a BMW "M lite" EV that has almost the same power and performance of an M3 Comp that can charge up in half an hour. Can't wait to get behind the wheel of one of these.

[Mani59]

Carwow