[Flamesofgold]

First off I have been an i4m50 owner for 1 year 8k miles. I love it and it’s a decent car with decent range.

I just sat in a model 3 for the first time today and tbh it ain’t as bad as people say. Sure some of the materials are not fancy but tbh the 3 series and 4 is comparable.

I don’t feel luxurious in my i4, if anything I feel they try to be but in the end the fail on it. Tesla is also on the same boat

I did not get to really notice fit and finish but I do not see the hate this car gets.

[Powerwhee]

I agree.

The m50 really isn’t that much better interior wise than the Tesla Model 3. Same pseudo-leather throughout the dash et cet., and the leather options available for the seats are not very supple.

I got an M8 with full leather, and that car is actually luxurious. The leather quality compared to the m50 is way better and the dash and surrounding interior is covered in leather.

Also, in all honesty the Tesla’s infotainment system is better.

The m50 does have a better sounding door close sound, though. But again, it’s not actually luxurious by way of a soft close option.

[hotrod182]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

First off I have been an i4m50 owner for 1 year 8k miles. I love it and it’s a decent car with decent range.

I just sat in a model 3 for the first time today and tbh it ain’t as bad as people say. Sure some of the materials are not fancy but tbh the 3 series and 4 is comparable.

I don’t feel luxurious in my i4, if anything I feel they try to be but in the end the fail on it. Tesla is also on the same boat

I did not get to really notice fit and finish but I do not see the hate this car gets.

I think a lot of it has to do with the customization you choose on your M50 build, which the Tesla offers very little. What color and material choices did you make on the interior of your M50? HUD? I mean, with the carbon fiber trim, laser lights, HK, ambient lighting, cognac, etc, I don't feel my brothers 2023 feels premium at all in comparison. Just kind of sterile and Camry common. I was driving through SFV the other week and counted 5 Teslas in front of me. One in every lane...that definitely is not a very premium part of Tesla ownership. Also, key thing is you said you "Sat inside a Model 3". If you rode in one you would immediately notice the M50 is much quieter, and has a smoother, more premium ride over less than smooth pavement. All part of the luxury quotient.

[Kief]

I'm a fan of Tesla myself, and was very, very close to getting two, but backed out due to their ridiculous trade-in process. I'm eagerly awaiting the updated Model 3 "Plaid"

[falconey]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

First off I have been an i4m50 owner for 1 year 8k miles. I love it and it’s a decent car with decent range.

I just sat in a model 3 for the first time today and tbh it ain’t as bad as people say. Sure some of the materials are not fancy but tbh the 3 series and 4 is comparable.

I don’t feel luxurious in my i4, if anything I feel they try to be but in the end the fail on it. Tesla is also on the same boat

I did not get to really notice fit and finish but I do not see the hate this car gets.

Honestly don't understand the debate. And why open a new thread. Just respond to the million others that discuss the topic, lol. With that said most of the points were touched on by another poster, but I'll add that if you want more luxurious leather you can order that for the m50 as well. If that isn't enough for you I'm sure they'll have the same models and designs for the Tesla when you are ready for your next vehicle

[mlanes01]

the problem is you are buying an m50. the e40 is the winner, and even then it's just slightly too expensive. Where a model 3 is a winner is when you get the tax credit and you are getting a long range for 35-40K depending on whatever random whim elon is on x that day dropping or raising prices.... I can say that compared to my model s, my e40 is way superior in build quality, luxury, paint quality and while tesla had a couple cool features, mostly app/software I would still take the e40. but seriously, charging tesla wins hands down, it's a sad joke the state of CCS chargers in the US...

[Hansn]

I think any BMW is superior build-wise to a Tesla. But you also have the option to spec a BMW with premium materials if you want.


Its a "3 series" category car, so entry level german car on par with the C class and A4. Its meant to be a car for the people, but you can still make it very nice.


In Norway the Tesla charging thing is history, i charge cheaper with the BMW card on Ionity chargers even. Tesla is such a common car its just a boring car at this point. Every parkinglot is full of abused unwashed boring Model 3s. I would never buy one for that reason alone.

[Flamesofgold]

I didn’t get individual leather but at the same time how much more would that had pushed the price?

Luxury imo isn’t about just leather it is the complete picture, that being said it’s comparable. IE, our wireless charger sucks so much ass. If u can’t get simple things right then shame on u. Tesla as well, panel gaps? Shame on you.

I agree I don’t think a model 3 performance is a 65k car. To that extent I don’t believe my car was a 75k car either.

Lastly, I hate how people comment about “omg why u created a new thread” sorry u feel that way. You’re entitled to your opinion as much as I am entitled to start a new thread

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

I didn’t get individual leather but at the same time how much more would that had pushed the price?

Luxury imo isn’t about just leather it is the complete picture, that being said it’s comparable. IE, our wireless charger sucks so much ass. If u can’t get simple things right then shame on u. Tesla as well, panel gaps? Shame on you.

I agree I don’t think a model 3 performance is a 65k car. To that extent I don’t believe my car was a 75k car either.

Lastly, I hate how people comment about “omg why u created a new thread” sorry u feel that way. You’re entitled to your opinion as much as I am entitled to start a new thread

Perceived luxury has many components that it's difficult to quantify some of these components. One them: cockpit environment and controls.

i4 M50 cockpit is preferable at least for me than "barren steppe" Model 3 interior. The very presence of cockpit details which enable driver experience feels luxurious.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

First off I have been an i4m50 owner for 1 year 8k miles. I love it and it’s a decent car with decent range.

I just sat in a model 3 for the first time today and tbh it ain’t as bad as people say. Sure some of the materials are not fancy but tbh the 3 series and 4 is comparable.

I don’t feel luxurious in my i4, if anything I feel they try to be but in the end the fail on it. Tesla is also on the same boat

I did not get to really notice fit and finish but I do not see the hate this car gets.

I beg to differ.
My i4 M50 is better than not only a TM3 but most of the BMW 3, 4 and 5 series cars.

I have full merino leather.
The seats, door panels, lower dash and top of the dash are all leather.

It's a luxury interior not available as an option on any Tesla, even the S or X don't compare.

Oh, and I opted for everything except exterior carbon. Didn't like it.
But I have HUD, HK sound, etc.

The only reaction I get from Tesla owners is OMG.

[Flamesofgold]

Maybe it’s a me thing, but I purposely did not option for leather since I don’t really feel the difference. I’ve had people sit in my i4 and not make one comment about the vegan leather. They would also sit in my car and say it’s “worlds away” from what u can get from Tesla. The average person probably can’t tell fake leather.

Tesla materials feel a bit plasticy and scratchy tbh I understand the complaints it ain’t a 65k car.

Which to my point… my i4 isn’t a 75k car.

I’m not unhappy with my i4 persay. I was just surprised when I sat in a Tesla and thought it ain’t that bad tbh. Seems like people wanna hate just to hate. And the tesla had a few things that were cool about it. I’m not saying I rather own a tesla cause I don’t, but I def don’t understand the hate after sitting in one.

[unfoundnemo]

I had a model 3 rental a few months ago (also had my i4 for over a year), and it was certainly one of the best rentals I have ever had... the biggest miss for me was road and wind noise, though. I'm sure different tires and such could make it "better", but it was MUCH noisier overall. I would put the road noise on par with something like a Ford Fiesta.

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

I beg to differ.
My i4 M50 is better than not only a TM3 but most of the BMW 3, 4 and 5 series cars.

I have full merino leather.
The seats, door panels, lower dash and top of the dash are all leather.

It's a luxury interior not available as an option on any Tesla, even the S or X don't compare.

Oh, and I opted for everything except exterior carbon. Didn't like it.
But I have HUD, HK sound, etc.

The only reaction I get from Tesla owners is OMG.

It is nice, but I still get where Flamesofgold is coming from. While it is better than most 5 series, you can't make it better than what a 5 series could be. It's the little things like the lower door panels, trim around the center console, seat backs, plastic for many of the buttons, ability to get multi-contour seats, etc., that I really miss in the 4 series. I wish we could get those as I would rather stick with the 4, but we simply can't so I'll probably grab an i5 soon enough. I'd gladly pay double if I could get 7 series quality in an i4 while making it a coupe and a little faster. Hopefully the next gen with have a full M variety that gets us closer. I'm sure I'd be paying double for that car regardless.

[Flamesofgold]

Thanks unfoundnemo, I am actually contemplating on the new i5 or potentially what the new model 3 may offer.

Tempted for a lucid but not sure about that tbh.

Or F it maybe I’ll just stick with the i4 (besides not feeling luxurious I don’t have many complaints about it)

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

Maybe it’s a me thing, but I purposely did not option for leather since I don’t really feel the difference. I’ve had people sit in my i4 and not make one comment about the vegan leather. They would also sit in my car and say it’s “worlds away” from what u can get from Tesla. The average person probably can’t tell fake leather.

Tesla materials feel a bit plasticy and scratchy tbh I understand the complaints it ain’t a 65k car.

Which to my point… my i4 isn’t a 75k car.

I’m not unhappy with my i4 persay. I was just surprised when I sat in a Tesla and thought it ain’t that bad tbh. Seems like people wanna hate just to hate. And the tesla had a few things that were cool about it. I’m not saying I rather own a tesla cause I don’t, but I def don’t understand the hate after sitting in one.

It's definitely a you thing. 🤣😂

I can assure you that merino feels nothing like synthetic leather of any kind. The average person can definitely tell the difference between merino leather and synthetic.

My i4 M50 is all of a $80k car as configured.
HUD, laser headlights, adaptive suspension, merino leather, 20" wheels.

The times we are in means a RAV4 is $60k when fully loaded.

Looking at the time value of money. My i4 is a lot more car than my E30 M3 or my E36 M3 ever were and an E30 M30 was about $35k in 1988.

Inflation changes things.

The hate for Tesla was BMW prices for less than Camry.

[Flamesofgold]

With your inflationary example rav4 at 60k would be in line with tesla 3 performace at 65k being that they are both regular level consumer cars.

However that’s far from the truth. Rav 4 primes were probably selling at 60k after markup during Covid. Teslas model 3 performace was about 65k

My build is similar to yours without the merino leather. I can assure you I need more than just merino leather at 80k.

However the main point of the thread was to say that the teslas aren’t as bad as this forum makes it seem. And for the price of 65k (covidprices) vs 75k both cars are more similar than different.

I guess I’m just looking for a bit refinement. The button to open the door on the tesla is kinda cool. Rear heated seats pretty nice. Working wireless phone chargers awesome! Intuitive system that does update cool! I don’t excuse their cheap materials, scratchy plastics and I don’t excuse panel gaps. No option for HUD. However with BMW being the veteran here, seems like they drop the ball on a few items.
-no option for rear heat, wireless phone charging that just doesn’t work, UI system that is decent( I’m being nice here), advertises as being updatable, but earlier models don’t get Idrive 8.5. No option for soft close doors, no cool button open. has slightly better plastics but cheap to the touch.

I would not trade my current i4 for a current Tesla model 3, but I’m not such a brand loyalist that will not take a look at a competitor that may be releasing something in the near future that does tick the boxes.

Also current prices for tesla model 3 performance (55k ish I think) is a better value. At 55k I can excuse cheaper materials

[Flamesofgold]

Also my build had everything except for leather.

But I agree with the comment or, I only sat in the car for 15 min. Maybe I should reserve my judgement until I had more seat time.

I do plan a careful look at the upcoming model 3 & the i5.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by unfoundnemo

It is nice, but I still get where Flamesofgold is coming from. While it is better than most 5 series, you can't make it better than what a 5 series could be. It's the little things like the lower door panels, trim around the center console, seat backs, plastic for many of the buttons, ability to get multi-contour seats, etc., that I really miss in the 4 series. I wish we could get those as I would rather stick with the 4, but we simply can't so I'll probably grab an i5 soon enough. I'd gladly pay double if I could get 7 series quality in an i4 while making it a coupe and a little faster. Hopefully the next gen with have a full M variety that gets us closer. I'm sure I'd be paying double for that car regardless.

Definitely can't make it better than what a 5 "could be", but one of my best friends has a M5 Competition with individual merino in the same color and while there are some elements like the top of the door stitched; an i4 with full individual beats a 5 series unless it is also optioned with individual leather.

There are some things, but I don't miss the multi contour seats. I want the M seats that the i4 M50 gets in the EU.

The i5 is just to big for me and heavier that the i4. If the i4 is a pig, then the i5 has got to be a really fat pig. Mind you I don't think the i4 is a pig. Definitely not after I loweredine on Eibach springs and links.

But let's be honest here there isn't a Tesla (S, X, Y or 3) that comes close to the interior of even an i4 with full individual leather. Forget about it for a optioned 5.

[Salespunk]

I don't have a horse in this race since we own Cadillac and Mercedes EV's, but considered a Model Y/3 and have also driven the i4 pretty extensively. I am also in a lot of high mileage Model 3's via Uber as a passenger.

High level ride quality sucks in the M Y/3. They are super harsh being over sprung/damped. Build quality is very hit or miss with panel gap issues, paint quality issues, etc. I have not been in one that had more than 30K miles that didn't sound like a shopping cart filled with nuts and bolts. Squeaks and rattles galore. There is also the issue of Elon thinking he knows what EVERYONE should use and more importantly what they shouldn't. No vented seats in any Tesla, no CarPlay or AndroidAuto, etc.

On a positive note their drive systems and electronics seem to be more reliable than the big manufacturers currently. Ask me how I know that one...

[JoB01]

New model 3 refresh out today… looks like they took a lot of the “not premium feel” comments to heart, based on the “upgrade” list. The major ones imo being- redesigned driver interface, rear touch/entertainment screen, reduced road noise, “premium” interior materials….. and a 12% increase in range.

I’d be interested to see one IRL to assess whether or not the press release rings true. If it does- it would put the heat on BMW and other competitors.

[footie]

I came from an M5 Competition to the i4M50 and to be honest you do feel a drop down in that quality feel despite mine having the M-performance seats and the carbon trim but at the same time if you sit in a stock Taycan that's without the leather upgrade it feels on par with it.

The one car I have sat in recently that had the WOW factor was the new Lotus Eletre, my god what an interior.

[Kief]

Looks good. Love the new cherry red paint and minor changes in and out. If they improve upon the performance of the Performance/Plaid version (whatever they end up calling it), and it’s priced the same pre-update and still qualifies for full $7500 before the end of the year, I seriously might get one.

https://twitter.com/InsideEVs/status...700011063?s=20