[Kenny C]

I have an order for an I4 m50 and was wondering what the BMW wall box level 2 charger would offer me over the supplied accessories. I know I have to have a 220 line installed near the car. I don't think it will offer faster charging times. Anything other than programing charging times? Say at night?

I previously bought my daughter a VW ID.4. Charging infrastructure here in Long Island is terrible. There is only 1 DC fast charger that's not even near me.
Any info greatly appreciated

[mbchris]

You mean 1 Electrify America charger? I see multiple DC fast chargers on Long Island. I think all require payment though.

I recommend the Plugshare app.

[Kenny C]

EA ia 25 30 minutes from my house. Not practical. No EVGO near by

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by Kenny C

I have an order for an I4 m50 and was wondering what the BMW wall box level 2 charger would offer me over the supplied [I][/I]accessories. I know I have to have a 220 line installed near the car. I don't think it will offer faster charging times. Anything other than programing charging times? Say at night?

I previously bought my daughter a VW ID.4. Charging infrastructure here in Long Island is terrible. There is only 1 DC fast charger that's not even near me.
Any info greatly appreciated

If you have a 220V line available, whether you can charge at 30/40/50 amps doesn’t matter much if you plan to charge overnight. Any of those charging levels will refill your battery overnight (in 6-10 hours).

If you’re trying to take advantage of limited-time off-peak electric rates, then the higher amperage might provide a small benefit, depending on your daily mileage driven and the total time of off-peak rate availability.

In my case, my car’s included charger, which supplies a maximum of 40 amps, easily recharges my car’s battery overnight regardless of how many miles I drive. The optional (extra cost) “wall box” type charger can supply 50 amps, but that wouldn’t make any difference at all to my daily cost or routine.

[spool twice]

To get the most out of a level 2, yes a 60amp is ideal (80% rule) to get up to 11kw @ 48amp.

However, the difference like mentioned above wouldn't matter too much if the car is charging over night.

Approximate values based on amp:

20 amp = 4.8kw
30 amp = 7.2kw
40 amp = 9.6kw
50 amp = 12kw

In other words, on a level 2 40amp outlet the car will charge up to 9.6kw per hour, adding 32.2 miles of range per hr if you have a range of 270 on your particular driving cycle. This figure will vary depending on prior driving, and does not dictate the next drive cycle, think of like average mpg on one tank vs another.

I took BMWs 270 range (found on a separate section on BMWusa where it lists the edrive40 at 275miles vs the M50 at 270miles when both are equipped with 19" wheels), divided it by the usable battery range of 80.5kw, and ended up with 3.354 miles per kw. Take 3.354 and multiply it by 9.6kw to get miles per hour for charging.

Hope this helps? All above are approximate values based on ideal charging conditions.

Side note, with FPL charging a combined rate of approx 11 cents/kw, from 20-80% would only cost less than $5.50 for me...literally it would take 9-10 charges to equal 1 gas tank fill on my M4cs...


To answer your question on which product to use (the BMW supplied one or the wallmount unit), the biggest question would be where would your plug be installed? If outdoors, than the wallmount unit is better for security reasons vs having an opened NEMA 14-50 plug readily available outside for someone to steal your electricity. If it's in your garage, I'd just stick with the BMW supplied one.

The wallmount units likely have more features though (like how much you are actually drawing etc etc...) that is easier to read vs going into the i-drive system menu's, and perhaps are aruguably more "stable" at charging speed. Additionally, you'll have the added benefit of having two units (use BMW's supplied for road trips, and the wallmount for when you are at home).

I'm going to stick with BMW's supplied unit for now and see how stable it is and if it will fit my needs. I'm not really sure what the max charge is on that unit and if it limits it to lets say 9.4kw vs the full 11kw that BMW says the i4 can charge at on a level 2.

[Haywood]

Originally Posted by Kenny C

I have an order for an I4 m50 and was wondering what the BMW wall box level 2 charger would offer me over the supplied accessories. I know I have to have a 220 line installed near the car. I don't think it will offer faster charging times. Anything other than programing charging times? Say at night?

I previously bought my daughter a VW ID.4. Charging infrastructure here in Long Island is terrible. There is only 1 DC fast charger that's not even near me.
Any info greatly appreciated

Check out the link from PSEG. I ordered the Chargepoint based on my research over the Juicebox. It's a good deal at $500 off. I spoke to a rep there and decided to buy it this year because they're not sure if the rebate will be available in 2022. You can also sign up for the off-hours rebate which saves you $.05 per kW if you charge between 11pm and 6am. You also get a $50 rebate check.

https://www.psegliny.com/saveenergya...ev/smartcharge

[Ken7]

Originally Posted by spool twice

I took BMWs 270 range (found on a separate section on BMWusa where it lists the edrive40 at 275miles vs the M50 at 270miles when both are equipped with 19" wheels), divided it by the usable battery range of 80.5kw, and ended up with 3.354 miles per kw. Take 3.354 and multiply it by 9.6kw to get miles per hour for charging.

Some strange info on range vs wheel sizes on the BMW site. First, a hit of 25 miles seems odd to me given their are a number of different wheel & tire choices on the build site. It's hard to believe every 19" wheel & tire choice has the same 25 mile hit in range. I bet some are much less than that.

Second, if you look at the iX, it's even stranger. They list the expected hit going from a 20" to a 21" wheel. But then you find the range increases going from a 21" to a 22" wheel. Really? How does that work.

I'm a bit skeptical of some of this info.

[spool twice]

On some Facebook groups, the type of 19" wheel also impact range. Probably has to do with tire type, weight, and how aerodynamic they are.

On the M50, the 20" wheels have an even bigger impact according to BMW.

Wheels matter with EVs

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Ken7

Some strange info on range vs wheel sizes on the BMW site. First, a hit of 25 miles seems odd to me given their are a number of different wheel & tire choices on the build site. It's hard to believe every 19" wheel & tire choice has the same 25 mile hit in range. I bet some are much less than that.

Second, if you look at the iX, it's even stranger. They list the expected hit going from a 20" to a 21" wheel. But then you find the range increases going from a 21" to a 22" wheel. Really? How does that work.

I'm a bit skeptical of some of this info.

The issue is most likely mass and a likely scenario is the following. The wheels are designed by BMW design staff, released to engineering, and sourced to an external supplier. The release engineer has a mass target for 19" wheels and the design staff is tasked with specifying a design that meets that target. This is critical as mass for a 19" setup will then affect the selection of calibrated suspension components, and the goal is to reduce complexity in the plant to reduce the chance of error. They want all 19" equipped vehicles to have the same part numbers for suspension components. Therefore, it is more likely than not that all the different 19" wheels have a similar weight.

As for the 22", check the specs for the manufacturing process. It may be that the 21" and below are pressure cast, while the 22" may be forged, allowing for a lighter weight design.

I don't have the facts to support this, but it is a plausible theory from my experience with product development, pending learning the actual relative weights.

[Ken7]

Originally Posted by spool twice

On some Facebook groups, the type of 19" wheel also impact range. Probably has to do with tire type, weight, and how aerodynamic they are.

On the M50, the 20" wheels have an even bigger impact according to BMW.

Wheels matter with EVs

Definitely, that’s always been the case with EVs I’ve owned. But there’s something that doesn’t seem right & inconsistent with BMW’s range hit estimates. I guess we’ll see when they actually hit the road.

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

The issue is most likely mass and a likely scenario is the following. The wheels are designed by BMW design staff, released to engineering, and sourced to an external supplier. The release engineer has a mass target for 19" wheels and the design staff is tasked with specifying a design that meets that target. This is critical as mass for a 19" setup will then affect the selection of calibrated suspension components, and the goal is to reduce complexity in the plant to reduce the chance of error. They want all 19" equipped vehicles to have the same part numbers for suspension components. Therefore, it is more likely than not that all the different 19" wheels have a similar weight.

As for the 22", check the specs for the manufacturing process. It may be that the 21" and below are pressure cast, while the 22" may be forged, allowing for a lighter weight design.

I don't have the facts to support this, but it is a plausible theory from my experience with product development, pending learning the actual relative weights.

According to BMW "...and (unique to the class) 22-inch format, whose special design principle reduces weight and enhances aerodynamics. "

Hope the specs are published soon. I know on the F8x M3/M4, the 18" standard wheels are heavier than the optional 19" wheels.

[Kenny C]

Great responses!! Thanks a million. Ill try the supplies accessories before buy-ing the wall box

[Kenny C]

I had solar panel installed in 2010. Was going to get an I3 but hurricane Sandy changed my plans. The I4 will be interesting

[Ken7]

I would have gone for the 18s on the i4, but IMO they’re just kind of ugly.

[spool twice]

The double five spoke designed 18" on the i4 M50 looks okay to me:

https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-ow...xterior/wheels

[Ken7]

Originally Posted by spool twice

The double five spoke designed 18" on the i4 M50 looks okay to me:

https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-ow...xterior/wheels

Agreed, but unfortunately not available on the eDrive40. The only available 18” wheel on that model is not great looking.

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by Ken7

Agreed, but unfortunately not available on the eDrive40. The only available 18” wheel on that model is not great looking.

oh wow didn't realize that. I never built an edrive40. I wonder then if the 18" wheels are simply just wheel covers on the edrive40

***EDIT*** nevermind I just viewed the edrive40 18" wheels. Looks like just darker finished 18" wheels that are available on the M50 where they are more machined aluminum/polished

[dani40]

Biggest difference will be weather resistance and security in the sense on how the charger is secured to the wall and if it is installed indoors or outdoors.

The Wall charger might have some smart functions I would assume also.

Finally, make sure you pick the correct NEMA adapter for the plug you have available.

[spool twice]

Does anyone have the specs of BMW's NEMA 14-50 adapter? Trying to find out if can 240v/48a or if its possibly a lower amp?

If the i4 can support 11kw with a 240v/48a outlet, I'd at least like to know if the supplied adapter can supply the full 11kw charging or if I'd need to purchase a seperate unit (my OCD...)

[Straycatndc]

Most likely not 48A. There is a code limitation, a derating value, that requires 48A to be supplied via 60A circuit. NEMA 6-50 and 14-50 outlets are limited to 50A. This is outlined in the ChargePoint EVSE manual. Fora 50A circuit the max load is 40A charging. For 40A circuit the maximum load is 32A charging.

[dani40]

Originally Posted by spool twice

Does anyone have the specs of BMW's NEMA 14-50 adapter? Trying to find out if can 240v/48a or if its possibly a lower amp?

If the i4 can support 11kw with a 240v/48a outlet, I'd at least like to know if the supplied adapter can supply the full 11kw charging or if I'd need to purchase a seperate unit (my OCD...)

From bmw.ca

[spool twice]

thanks! great chart!

So there looks to be another advantage in getting a wall unit, the benefit of using the full 48A/11kw charging system.

Looks like at 60% (SOC 20% to 80%), it would take 5hrs 2 mins @ 9.6kw, but it would take 4hrs 23 mins @ 11kw.

39 mins is a sizable gap which will only widen if your charging > 60%

But I suppose if it's only for overnight charging that it wouldn't matter too much.