[mrsmith]

Originally Posted by ASAP

lol the marketing here is insane... bmw knows exactly what they are doing... ice or not ice... they purposely chose a rwd m3... and guess what people will fall for it

sure it’s marketing but the i4 is MUCH cheaper than an M3 so not really a car you would consider in the same category, BUT the i4 will be a very good car in its own right, I don’t think it will handle quite like an M3 or be as quick around a track but if you can’t quite afford to buy or run an M3 buy this .. it’s the closest BMW you’ll get for the money IMO. M car enthusiasts should embrace this for what it is, it’s not an M3/M4 but it’s still a great BMW.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by mrsmith

sure it’s marketing but the i4 is MUCH cheaper than an M3 so not really a car you would consider in the same category, BUT the i4 will be a very good car in its own right, I don’t think it will handle quite like an M3 or be as quick around a track but if you can’t quite afford to buy or run an M3 buy this .. it’s the closest BMW you’ll get for the money IMO. M car enthusiasts should embrace this for what it is, it’s not an M3/M4 but it’s still a great BMW.

The AWD M3 Competition is under 3 seconds.
https://www.motortrend.com/features/...t-cars-tested/

[________]

Originally Posted by mrsmith

sure it’s marketing but the i4 is MUCH cheaper than an M3 so not really a car you would consider in the same category, BUT the i4 will be a very good car in its own right, I don’t think it will handle quite like an M3 or be as quick around a track but if you can’t quite afford to buy or run an M3 buy this .. it’s the closest BMW you’ll get for the money IMO. M car enthusiasts should embrace this for what it is, it’s not an M3/M4 but it’s still a great BMW.

This isn't an M car.
The i4M (or whatever they call it) is yet to be released.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by Onesie

This isn't an M car.
The i4M (or whatever they call it) is yet to be released.

If it's ever released......

[TargaM2]

Couldn't give a rats arse how quick in a straight line any EV is, its still nothing more than an appliance on wheels & of no appeal whatsoever to myself as a driving enthusiast.
As a city shopping trolley or as a commercial heavy vehicle or as public transport…yes certainly.
As a performance vehicle for those that actually enjoy driving…not a chance.

[NKGK20]

It's a stupid comparison. Trying to push EV.

[BMthusiast]

The major difference between EV and ICE powertrains is engagement. EVs are quick and torquey but that's literally all you get. Everything else that an ICE offers in driving enjoyment is absent from the EV experience. For the type of person that only cares about speed and having the fastest vehicle 0-60, performance EVs are right up their ally, but for most auto enthusiasts EVs are a step down everywhere other than in straight-line quickness.

[mbchris]

Former M2, M3, M4cs owner. I was skeptical of electric cars. Then I bought one on a whim. Then another one.

4 benefits of EV not mentioned above:

1. No need to spend time going to gas stations - plug in at home or office
2. Much easier to drive on the street with linear power, constant torque
3. Environmental aspects/higher efficiency
4. No warmup period for first 3 miles (start and drive)

Downsides not mentioned:
1. More expensive to fix out of warranty
2. Heavier so power to weight needs to be considered (not just headline power)
3. Will chew tires

I found the M cars hard to enjoy on the street. So I got a Miata manual soft top for a daily driver. Have an i4 M50 coming. Will replace Volvo S60 as the in town family hauler. And I have something with 600+ HP gas in plan for the track.

Also in time, development $$$ will go to EVs and gas cars will progress less. We've reached peak gas IMO, and EV tech is just in its first real decade. Ability to adjust power front to rear? Not sure where it will end up. But exciting times.

In the end, there is a choice. And it's good that BMW offers that choice, since obviously in some countries you aren't going to be able to affordably buy a gas car. For me personally, I just like to experience both. Will be telling war stories to the grandkids. I came along just as all cars went to A/C and power windows.

[TheStanman]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I agree that straight line speed is way overrated (unless, of course, one is racing at a track). To me, handling and passing acceleration are at least as important. Instant acceleration gets me up a highway ramp; passing acceleration lets me pass on a steep hill in a passing lane on a normally two lane road with lots of cars pulling trailers.

In modern cars, straight line speed is ubiquitous and handling, engagement, and sound are becoming harder and harder to come by. EVs take that trend to the extreme.

Ironically, BMW has been one of the manufacturers thay has sacrificed driver engagement while prioritizing straight-line speed the most over the past 2 decades. So I think EVs are actually well suited for their current direction and target customer.

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by mbchris

Former M2, M3, M4cs owner. I was skeptical of electric cars. Then I bought one on a whim. Then another one.

4 benefits of EV not mentioned above:

1. No need to spend time going to gas stations - plug in at home or office
2. Much easier to drive on the street with linear power, constant torque
3. Environmental aspects/higher efficiency
4. No warmup period for first 3 miles (start and drive)

Downsides not mentioned:
1. More expensive to fix out of warranty
2. Heavier so power to weight needs to be considered (not just headline power)
3. Will chew tires

I found the M cars hard to enjoy on the street. So I got a Miata manual soft top for a daily driver. Have an i4 M50 coming. Will replace Volvo S60 as the in town family hauler. And I have something with 600+ HP gas in plan for the track.

Also in time, development $$$ will go to EVs and gas cars will progress less. We've reached peak gas IMO, and EV tech is just in its first real decade. Not sure where it will end up. But exciting times.

In the end, there is a choice. And it's good that BMW offers that choice, since obviously in some countries you aren't going to be able to drive a gas car. For me personally, I just like to experience both.

Pretty cool, we are in the same boat. My M50 is replacing my M4cs

Checks all boxes, and admittedly my M4cs is a bit much as a daily and I rarely use its potential. I desired something engaging, only to not even enjoy it for what it was designed for.

[mbchris]

EV cars are engaging. But not in the same way entirely as gas cars. If you approach them from steering feel, sound, heel toe, yes, they are really bad.

But if you like them for balance of throttle, efficiency, smoothness, technology, packaging, then you will enjoy them. And they still corner pretty darn well. It's like being on a roller coaster - when did you get off one of those and say you wish it wasn't electric?

EVs also don't currently pay for roads (in the USA). So that's not sustainable. They will get taxed. But again, tech could advance to negate that additional cost.

As to those with M cars - please share how you enjoy those on the street, stop and go traffic, without breaking the law. I really have no interest in hooking up a radar detector each time for a 5 mile drive, paying speeding tickets, risking life and limb. My M4CS basically just sat in the garage unless it went to the track or autocross. Nice car to show off in, lots of thumbs up. But not supremely practical or enjoyable legally. Hence the manual Miata. M's are enjoyable 5% of the time I drive. I want to boost that percentage. So Miata, EV, Track car.

[madpistol]

I bet if they tested an M3 Comp xDrive vs i4 M50, the outcome would have been different.

[KoenG]

What most forget here is that in the Netherlands, taxes on ICE are mindblowing. So I can presume that over there BMW is trying to pitch the M50 as a (much) cheaper M car. Price deficit between them is 80% (135k€ versus 73k€).

So yes, when I'd live there, no doubt that I would like to see this clip giving me the comfort of mind that the M50 is a fantastic car to drive (for so much less).

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by mbchris

Will replace Volvo S60 as the in town family hauler.

How old/tall are the kids in back?

[Clefmonster]

Why do all these car videos insist on such awful blaring techno music agh

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by TheStanman

In modern cars, straight line speed is ubiquitous and handling, engagement, and sound are becoming harder and harder to come by. EVs take that trend to the extreme.

Ironically, BMW has been one of the manufacturers thay has sacrificed driver engagement while prioritizing straight-line speed the most over the past 2 decades. So I think EVs are actually well suited for their current direction and target customer.

As someone that has driven only BMW as my daily driver for 3 decades your comment of BMW prioritizing straight line over handling for 2 decades is anything but accurate.

If.you look at the speeds of both 3 and 5 series platforms around the track.

My E90 was faster that my E36, handled better and stopped better. Was it heavier? Yes but it was a better car.

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by KoenG

What most forget here is that in the Netherlands, taxes on ICE are mindblowing. So I can presume that over there BMW is trying to pitch the M50 as a (much) cheaper M car. Price deficit between them is 80% (135k€ versus 73k€).

So yes, when I'd live there, no doubt that I would like to see this clip giving me the comfort of mind that the M50 is a fantastic car to drive (for so much less).

Exactly!
Plus the Netherlands is only slightly larger than the US State of Maryland. So range is not an issue 99% of the time.
Also, costs of road taxes, insurance and 'fuel' are significantly lower. At home, the solar panels will charge my EV.
A proper M-Car? Hell no. But yes a killer proposition considering the tax climate and urban area I'm living.

So after 10+ years of DD M-cars I will switch to the i4 M50.

Btw let's not take this video too seriously. It's just a lame sales video from some local dealership.

[GOLFFRR]

torque is nuts in these electrics. I still need to drive that i4 though, pretty hard to pick it over the M3 as far as driving fun but then again I need to drive it before I make the personal decision

[BimmerBahn]

Originally Posted by mbchris

EV cars are engaging. But not in the same way entirely as gas cars. If you approach them from steering feel, sound, heel toe, yes, they are really bad.

But if you like them for balance of throttle, efficiency, smoothness, technology, packaging, then you will enjoy them. And they still corner pretty darn well. It's like being on a roller coaster - when did you get off one of those and say you wish it wasn't electric?

EVs also don't currently pay for roads (in the USA). So that's not sustainable. They will get taxed. But again, tech could advance to negate that additional cost.

As to those with M cars - please share how you enjoy those on the street, stop and go traffic, without breaking the law. I really have no interest in hooking up a radar detector each time for a 5 mile drive, paying speeding tickets, risking life and limb. My M4CS basically just sat in the garage unless it went to the track or autocross. Nice car to show off in, lots of thumbs up. But not supremely practical or enjoyable legally. Hence the manual Miata. M's are enjoyable 5% of the time I drive. I want to boost that percentage. So Miata, EV, Track car.

Engaging….. not a word I’d use for a BEV…. and yes, I have one.

Agree 100% on EV road tax… it’s coming sooner than later.

My M3 ZCP was my daily for 3 years…. Plenty of fun running errands, all within the posted speed limits. Granted, I might take the long way home just to experience the twisties a bit more (lived in SW VA - middle of the blue ridge mtns). The Tesla, as good as it is… isn’t a drivers car, IMO. Long live the ICE

[techwhiz1]

Here in California there is a surcharge on registration so EV pay a share of road tax.

[footie]

Originally Posted by BASELINE

Gimmicky video.

Can we see this race over a 1/4 mile on dry pavement and with both cars being xdrive? 🙄

Traction is always key and of course road conditions will play their part in the results, I’ve the M5C with x-drive so know how well it can perform but at the same time in less than ideal conditions it too can come unstuck so we might find that in the damp the electric i4’s awd system might still outperform the current x-drive.

[footie]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

torque is nuts in these electrics. I still need to drive that i4 though, pretty hard to pick it over the M3 as far as driving fun but then again I need to drive it before I make the personal decision

I recently drove the i4 40 model, despite the single motor and 340hp the instant torque is quite addictive and this is me who drives an M5C, the i4M50 will feel nuts when you stamp the throttle, the lack of turbo lag and need for dropping gears makes it feel otherworldly.

Just don’t expect the rest of the driving experience to live up to the M3.