[James Cole]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Hello Guys!

Current Tesla Model 3 Performance owner here interested in getting an i4…

Wanted your insight, have never driven an i4 and wont be able for a while, but do you guys feel that it might be a Beta ralease and it might bring a lot of reliability problems down the road?

I understand its basically a gas car converted to electric hence the 2.2 Ton Weight… but how will this car stand the test of time and depreciation?

Does it have a similar architecture to Tesla that via software updates it will add features and fix problems, how frequently do you get updates?

Let me know and thanks!
JC

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by James Cole

Hello Guys!

Current Tesla Model 3 Performance owner here interested in getting an i4…

Wanted your insight, have never driven an i4 and wont be able for a while, but do you guys feel that it might be a Beta ralease and it might bring a lot of reliability problems down the road?

I understand its basically a gas car converted to electric hence the 2.2 Ton Weight… but how will this car stand the test of time and depreciation?

Does it have a similar architecture to Tesla that via software updates it will add features and fix problems, how frequently do you get updates?

Let me know and thanks!
JC

First it's not a "beta" product.
There can be software updates but it is "feature complete".

It's not a gas converted to electric.
It's a platform designed from the ground up to support EV, ICE and Hybrid drivetrains.

It's heavy for a variety of reason and some of that is build quality and things Tesla does not have. A Chevy Bolt weighs in at 3700lbs. The weight is a red herring. If it reaches the range goal and performance, why does it matter what is weighs? Listen to what the door sounds like when it closes compared to a Model 3.

Nobody knows what depreciation will be. Tesla controls depreciation by previously not allowing 3rd parties to buy end of lease cars and now you can't even buy at the end of lease.

If you are in the US, you still get the $7500 tax credit.

Since you are a current Tesla owner what has you considering an i4?

I'm buying an i4 M50. It's currently scheduled for production next month. If I thought it was going to have long term issues, I wouldn't buy it. I've owned BMWs for 30+ years.

[kbsilver]

I just sold my 2011 BMW 335D to make room for the i4. Only made for 3 years this was truly an experimental car for BMW to introduce Diesels back to the US. It was the most reliable car we ever owned and still not a single squeak or rattle at 125K miles. Too bad VW killed off the Diesels.

[cruzer666]

Hey JC!

Thoughts based on my research of the vehicles:
- I4 is built like any BMW with the same high quality standards, quality assurance, high quality fit and finish we would expect from any BMW.
- I4 is not a "BETA" product, this is a full feature release
- The weight of the I4 is more of a result of having a high quality build that won't rattle, won't give you unreasonable cabin noise, high quality paint, you get heavy duty plastics, many added features(dashboard, HUD, seat ventilation etc)
- I4 is not a gas car converted to electric. It is built on the CLAR chassis that was designed to accommodate both an ICE and a BEV.
- BMW have been getting OTA updates for years, they happen 2-3 times a year, I4 is not any different.
- I4 hides it's weight very well, you cannot feel it driving on a regular road, even with sporty high spirited driving. Only way you'll see the added weight is if you take the car on a track.

Cheers!

[deutsch100]

After owning a 2021 Model Y Performance for 35 days and now being in my 2022 i4 M50 for almost two weeks, the difference is night and day! The BMW i4 build quality, materials, fit and finish, paint, ride quality and handling are beyond exceptional! I am blown away with the quality so far!

We also have a Taycan Turbo, and the i4 is about 60% less cost, but feels as good (and better in some ways). BMW needs to just get i4 production up and out, or they can never take customers away from Tesla. The i4 is the deal of the century!!

[James Cole]

Hey Guys, thanks for all the responses…

400kg “to me” seemed like a bit of compromise or afterthought for going electric, But I see your points.

Main reason I am looking to go the i4 is the same reasons you stated above, The Model 3 interior does feel a bit “Beta”, opening and closing sounds like a 12k car, road noise is atrocious but the powertrain seems extremely well sorted, power and ease of driving seem unmatched… only have driven the Audi etron SUV and its crap.

I was thinking maybe the i4 could have all the amenities I required in a premium vehicle but the powertrain and implementation could be lacking… exactly the other way around compared to Tesla

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by James Cole

Hey Guys, thanks for all the responses…

400kg “to me” seemed like a bit of compromise or afterthought for going electric, But I see your points.

Main reason I am looking to go the i4 is the same reasons you stated above, The Model 3 interior does feel a bit “Beta”, opening and closing sounds like a 12k car, road noise is atrocious but the powertrain seems extremely well sorted, power and ease of driving seem unmatched… only have driven the Audi etron SUV and its crap.

I was thinking maybe the i4 could have all the amenities I required in a premium vehicle but the powertrain and implementation could be lacking… exactly the other way around compared to Tesla

Sounds like you need to take an i4 M50 for a spin and see how it compares. Audi SUV is not really a good comparison 🙂. From a performance standpoint real world 0-60mph is about 3.2 and beats the M3P on the quarter mile. Also, BMW is known for its driving dynamics, you don't get the go-kart feel, it drives like a BMW.

[jeff2.0t]

the money invested in the factory is significant, we are far from improvised manufacturing.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by jeff2.0t

the money invested in the factory is significant, we are far from improvised manufacturing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e8VV-5R_jc

BMW uses some of the most state of the art manufacturing techniques.

They used Nvidia Omniverse to build a virtual factory and did all the robot prototyping and everything else in the virtual factory before the real factory.

The plant is bad ass. I worked in auto manufacturing at GM when I first started college (way back in the time of dinosaurs) and it was nothing like this.

[Haywood]

Originally Posted by James Cole

Hey Guys, thanks for all the responses…

400kg “to me” seemed like a bit of compromise or afterthought for going electric, But I see your points.

Main reason I am looking to go the i4 is the same reasons you stated above, The Model 3 interior does feel a bit “Beta”, opening and closing sounds like a 12k car, road noise is atrocious but the powertrain seems extremely well sorted, power and ease of driving seem unmatched… only have driven the Audi etron SUV and its crap.

I was thinking maybe the i4 could have all the amenities I required in a premium vehicle but the powertrain and implementation could be lacking… exactly the other way around compared to Tesla

I find it odd that you drive a M3 and are worried that "the powertrain and implementation could be lacking." Especially, compared to a Tesla? I would look at all the Youtube videos and the driving dynamics compared to the Tesla. It's not even close. Then, you definitely need to drive an i4. I think you'll be happy with the product.

[Encanto]

BMW has been manufacturing EV since 2009, the i4 is its third generation EV. It is not a "gas car converted to EV", nobody knows how it will depreciate in the future, and how it will "stand the test of time" compared to 106 years of gas cars.

You should test drive an i4 to ease your concerns about what it is and what it is not.

Originally Posted by James Cole

Hello Guys!

Current Tesla Model 3 Performance owner here interested in getting an i4…

Wanted your insight, have never driven an i4 and wont be able for a while, but do you guys feel that it might be a Beta ralease and it might bring a lot of reliability problems down the road?

I understand its basically a gas car converted to electric hence the 2.2 Ton Weight… but how will this car stand the test of time and depreciation?

Does it have a similar architecture to Tesla that via software updates it will add features and fix problems, how frequently do you get updates?

Let me know and thanks!
JC

[Aalfred]

I think since BMW has experience with EV in their I3 and I8 models that have been out for a while, I dont think the I4 is a beta model. Now that the I7 is also out, its just a matter of time till BMW starts releasing the "I" models for all of its series since the CLAR frame provides that flexibility. Weight is just a matter of preference. If the handling is good and you are not using gas, weight is just a number. Since you are in Texas, you should def try to do a test drive. Im sure the big metros have demo I4 m50 by now. Since they cant sell them yet, this would be your time to test drive them

[mbchris]

It's fine. It's built off a platform already a few years old, that has been refined, and should be very reliable. So it's going to depreciate just as much or slightly less than most other EVs IMO.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by Aalfred

Since they cant sell them yet, this would be your time to test drive them

Or can they sell them? Loving my i4 M50! Saturday marks two weeks of ownership

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

Or can they sell them? Loving my i4 M50! Saturday marks two weeks of ownership

They can but can also get in big trouble if they get caught.

[Aalfred]

deutsch100 I would have loved to get my hands on one of those. But the 3 demos i saw were all strippers lol. I guess there is always a price thats too tempting. Lol. You might be one of the first owners of I4 in the US. I would try to keep it on the hush side so that BMW doesnt come after you…lol

[Cosmo_Kramer]

Tesla owner asking whether other EV’s are beta, now that’s hilarious. Even Polestar 2’s build quality is way better and it’s made in China.

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

They can but can also get in big trouble if they get caught.

They didn't, I know the dealer in question, I have a good friend working for them, it was just a slap on the wrist. My local dealer BMW Ontario also sold their I4 M50 demo unit knowing full well they are not allowed to. They told me they'll likely keep the standard model as a demo unit instead.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by cruzer666

They didn't, I know the dealer in question, I have a good friend working for them, it was just a slap on the wrist. My local dealer BMW Ontario also sold their I4 M50 demo unit knowing full well they are not allowed to. They told me they'll likely keep the standard model as a demo unit instead.

They could slow allocations. That would be a big deal and they wouldn't even know it.

[James Cole]

Thanks for your responses to those who were reasonable… will consider the i4 to replace my Tesla, my local dealer has an allocation for a 50, should be fun.

[Aalfred]

Originally Posted by James Cole

Thanks for your responses to those who were reasonable… will consider the i4 to replace my Tesla, my local dealer has an allocation for a 50, should be fun.

Just be careful when someone says they have "an allocation". Unless someone cancelled and its open, allocations r a rarity in this day and age. I got suckered by Patrick BMW in Chicago saying that have an allocation earlier this month only to put in my credit app and everything and the "sales Manager" coming back later to tell me that I'm 8th on the wait list and that all allocations r gone. If I were you, I would visit the dealership and talk to the agent you are working with and physically see it in their computer system to confirm it. The last dealer I put my deposit in, showed me her dealerships list and I was 5th when I signed the contract.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by cruzer666

They didn't, I know the dealer in question, I have a good friend working for them, it was just a slap on the wrist. My local dealer BMW Ontario also sold their I4 M50 demo unit knowing full well they are not allowed to. They told me they'll likely keep the standard model as a demo unit instead.

I asked my dealer how much trouble they are in for selling me their i4 M50 "demo" unit the first day they did PDI and took the plastic off. He just kind of casually said "It's no big deal, don't worry....no problems with you buying it or with BMW regarding us".

I'm thinking perhaps BMW knows how backed up the production and deliveries of customer ordered i4 they are, that BMW and dealers figure....why not just sell a car! It's not like someone can drive the demo, fall in love and then buy one!!