[AlexFL]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

This is a great review! Definitely worth watching.

[spool twice]

I agree with him, that would have been awesome if BMW included a rear wiper to complete that hatchback look.

[Needsdecaf]

Came here to post this. he's pretty smitten for sure. Need to watch it.

Edit: Wow, he makes a strong case for the 40i vs. the M50. I just priced both out. In pretty much fully loaded trim, the difference is $7k USD. Not all that huge, right around 9% more. For that you get more power, more traction, the air suspension and less range. Perhaps with the 40e you get better steering from less weight along with a bit more stable suspension (i'm still not sold on having air springs on only one axle) and also more range.

[kbsilver]

Originally Posted by spool twice

I agree with him, that would have been awesome if BMW included a rear wiper to complete that hatchback look.

We have a 340GT (same type of hatchback) and it does not have a wiper. It does have an active spoiler (raises when over 60 MPH).

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Came here to post this. he's pretty smitten for sure. Need to watch it.

Edit: Wow, he makes a strong case for the 40i vs. the M50. I just priced both out. In pretty much fully loaded trim, the difference is $7k USD. Not all that huge, right around 9% more. For that you get more power, more traction, the air suspension and less range. Perhaps with the 40e you get better steering from less weight along with a bit more stable suspension (i'm still not sold on having air springs on only one axle) and also more range.

Can the M50 be driven in full RWD mode?

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Can the M50 be driven in full RWD mode?

not sure. Certainly it's not switchable like MXdrive is in the full M models. But that's not the same. In those cars, you can still put 100% power down through the rear by not engaging the transfer case. In the i4 M50, going RWD only means...you're driving an i4 40e. You lose power.

So not sure you'd really want to. Besides, are you really "hooning" around in an i4? My Model 3 feels pretty well balanced. Adding throttle mid-corner doesn't really induce a bunch of push. And as far as traction goes, it's fantastic. The other week it was below freezing and wet. I purposely floored it, running on PS4S's and the traction light didn't even flicker and I still did 0-60 in the mid 3's. Pretty astonishing what you can do with full electronic control.

[techwhiz1]

Good review.

Good case for the I4 eDrive40.
I have an M50 on order and I want the AWD and performance and the looks, etc.

But the one thing I'm glad he said is that in the new world of EVs that the BMW still feels like a BMW and they were able to keep the DNA. That makes me happy.

[jeffc42]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Can the M50 be driven in full RWD mode?

Yes. In Eco Pro mode, the front motor is disabled. Along with nearly half your horsepower.

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by jeffc42

Yes. In Eco Pro mode, the front motor is disabled. Along with nearly half your horsepower.

Yes, it appears that way based on 0-100kph runs in different modes that Eco-Pro is mostly RWD, and *maybe* engages the front wheels at wide-open only to help traction, but then goes back to RWD mode.

IIRC, the default mode is comfort, which is the key-up method used on EPA cycles, so I'd be willing to bet that Eco-Pro will absolutely exceed EPA measures buy all means too.

[BryanC84]

Whoever has been cleaning that car needs a thoroughly good kicking. OH. MY. GOD.

[Ken7]

Originally Posted by BryanC84

Whoever has been cleaning that car needs a thoroughly good kicking. OH. MY. GOD.

Hey, a dry rag, a little sand, it's all good.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Ken7

Hey, a dry rag, a little sand, it's all good.

Don't all your vinyl records look like that? Oh...

[Germanauto]

At ~5000 lbs its not converting anybody besides 0-60 BMW badge enthusiasts.

[LakeSurfer]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

At ~5000 lbs its not converting anybody besides 0-60 BMW badge enthusiasts.

The truth shall set you all free.

Electric cars may be the future for us all but are they the future that makes the most sense? Are they the most efficient means of transportation? Nope, not a chance to both.

Begin after dinner drinks rant. Define the problem. To many cars, yes. To many fossil fuel based dependent cars, yes. The suggested solution to these problems is to create more cars that are dependent on something else? In the US we've become slaves to our cars and slaves to traffic. We've created a car culture out of necessity. My condo has almost zero green spaces because those spaces are completely filled with concrete for our cars. And the few green spaces we have, in 50 years will be filled with charging stations and power plants to charge all of our cars? In the morning we all get up around the same time to go to work, well at least those of us who are les dependent on the govt. it's impossible in this country to survive without a car. That's the problem. Urban development trapping us in a car dependent living quarter, that's the problem. Super blocks, public transportation, trains, busses and better city planning, that's the solution. To solve a problem by adding to it will never solve anything. Spending 6 figures for a car who's main function is to take you to work is the problem. There are a few countries across the pond who are and have figured it out but we're just to busy keeping up with the Jones's and accepting every piss poor solution to see what the problem actually is. I love my cars but if things were different I could easily thin the herd. I bought a second car because I didn't like stacking up the miles on my gun car. I think to myself every day how stupid and ridiculous that is but I'm a slave and that's life.

Back to after dinner drinks. Let the bashing commence.

[Hansn]

Originally Posted by spool twice

I agree with him, that would have been awesome if BMW included a rear wiper to complete that hatchback look.

A wiper is probably not needed due to how the wind flows around the back. There is no wiper on most BMW except the SUVs and wagons that has vertical window all the way in the back.

People using their rear window wiper when they have one actually reminds me of people who would also scatch their car like the pic above.. 😂 When your rear window smudges up its full of sand and other crap from the road, then you rub that into the rear window causing it to become faded and scratched.

You can see whatever you need to see in your side mirrors. I heard americans talk about this before, as if people would look at them as unresponsible if they did not run the rear wiper or clean the rear window. I dont get it, but i guess it may be needed when alot of people are driving like crazy passing on both sides on the freeways.. 😂

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by bryanc84

whoever has been cleaning that car needs a thoroughly good kicking. Oh. My. God.

nooooooooooooooo

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by Hansn

A wiper is probably not needed due to how the wind flows around the back. There is no wiper on most BMW except the SUVs that has vertical window all the way in the back.

People using their rear window wiper when they have one actually reminds me of people who would also scatch their car like the pic above.. 😂 When your rear window smudges up its full of sand and other crap from the road, then you rub that into the rear window causing it to become faded and scratched.

You can see whatever you need to see in your side mirrors.

BMW wagons have rear wipers. They're very handy to have and don't damage glass unless you use them excessively, just like front wipers lmao

[Hansn]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

BMW wagons have rear wipers. They're very handy to have and don't damage glass unless you use them excessively, just like front wipers lmao

Thats what some people do.. 😂 Anyway i guess it depends on where you live also. I had a touring three cars back and the rear wiper was off limits. You can clearly see the difference in summer when the cars are clean, and someone ran their rear wiper in wintertime. Its simply not needed to use it. There are plenty of cars without any visibility out the rear, not to mention trucks. Side mirrors cover all my needs atleast. 👍

[PandaM3]

Originally Posted by jeffc42

Yes. In Eco Pro mode, the front motor is disabled. Along with nearly half your horsepower.

I'd be curious if the M50 range would be the same as the M40 in rwd eco pro mode. Yeah I know we would be likely hooning the M50, but I'd want to extend the range on road trips too so I can hoon in other cities.

[BimmerBahn]

Originally Posted by BryanC84

Whoever has been cleaning that car needs a thoroughly good kicking. OH. MY. GOD.

Looks like there is a plastic covering on it…. And doesn’t the i4 have the same self-healing tech found on the iX on its grill??

[jeffc42]

Originally Posted by PandaM3

I'd be curious if the M50 range would be the same as the M40 in rwd eco pro mode. Yeah I know we would be likely hooning the M50, but I'd want to extend the range on road trips too so I can hoon in other cities.

With the same 19" wheels, the difference in range between the two is only 12 miles according to the EPA. Even disabled, the front motor adds 400 pounds. It probably doesn't make much of a difference.

Eco Pro mode does more besides disabling the front motor, of course. On my 355i, it changes the gas pedal mapping, reduces the effectiveness of the AC, etc. But whatever else it does for an M50, it'll do it too for an eDrive40.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by LakeSurfer

The truth shall set you all free.

Electric cars may be the future for us all but are they the future that makes the most sense? Are they the most efficient means of transportation? Nope, not a chance to both.

Begin after dinner drinks rant. Define the problem. To many cars, yes. To many fossil fuel based dependent cars, yes. The suggested solution to these problems is to create more cars that are dependent on something else? In the US we've become slaves to our cars and slaves to traffic. We've created a car culture out of necessity. My condo has almost zero green spaces because those spaces are completely filled with concrete for our cars. And the few green spaces we have, in 50 years will be filled with charging stations and power plants to charge all of our cars? In the morning we all get up around the same time to go to work, well at least those of us who are les dependent on the govt. it's impossible in this country to survive without a car. That's the problem. Urban development trapping us in a car dependent living quarter, that's the problem. Super blocks, public transportation, trains, busses and better city planning, that's the solution. To solve a problem by adding to it will never solve anything. Spending 6 figures for a car who's main function is to take you to work is the problem. There are a few countries across the pond who are and have figured it out but we're just to busy keeping up with the Jones's and accepting every piss poor solution to see what the problem actually is. I love my cars but if things were different I could easily thin the herd. I bought a second car because I didn't like stacking up the miles on my gun car. I think to myself every day how stupid and ridiculous that is but I'm a slave and that's life.

Back to after dinner drinks. Let the bashing commence.

Your response is besides my original point, however I agree completely. We are so so car dependent and it's killing our physical and mental health. Just today alone I spent 3 hours on Los Angeles freeways.

If they really cared about the environment alongside our well-being, they'd invest in a good public transportation infrastructure project, where people can commute in/out of the city and within the city without being forced to drive and sit in gridlock. Producing electric cars is really hard on the environment, and it takes years for them to even equate the carbon impact of an ICE car. Being able to use a car less frequently would go a long way regardless of how it is powered.

I was in San Francisco the past couple days and while public transport is certainly scarce, it was nice to be able to actually walk places and hop on the BART occasionally.