Having driven the M50 now for a far bit of time the main difference between it and the 40 is the exact same difference when comparing the 430i and the M440i, meaning it’s all to do with the difference between RWD and AWD, steering and less connected nose. So if you prefer the 40 those same people should prefer the 430i too and for the very same reasons. Performance difference is another level, flooring the throttle can be painful for unsuspected passengers. LOL There’s an argument that in the real world no one needs AWD but the market is leaning that way and even you Joe have swapped your rwd M3 for an awd version.
Very impressive. Looked very secure given the weather and condition of the road you were using. Potential successor for those of us still driving diesel BMs!
Thanks Joe, great review. I was hesitant on ordering the edrive40 until I had test driven it, as on paper, it's slower than my 435d. I needn't have worried. I can confirm, it feels way quicker. Mine is due September. 😁
I think as for range you really need to try it first. BMW have a history of under-reporting the range, to be on the safe side. In a real world test by Björn Nyland, he got the same model you had to go 416 miles (670 km) on one charge. That was longer than he was able to get Tesla M3 LR.
Thank you for your review. I went back in forth between ordering the eDrive 40 M sport and the M50. Finally decided on the eDrive 40 with most options. After your review, I’m glad I did! Thank you for validating my decision.
@@JoeAchilles1 Joe...your comparison review between the M50 and i40 sounds very similar to your influential comparison review of the 230 and M240 some years back. That's the video that convinced me too that the lighter, nimbler 230 was the better choice for me. Sounds like the i40 would also be the better fit for me. Totally enjoy your videos...would love to join your Roadster rides...but it'd be a bit tough to drive our MINI Roadster S across the Atlantic ;-)
Great review Joe and very honest for some one who loves ICE cars. I take delivery of my high spec BMW i4 eDrive 40 M sport in 3 weeks time. I can’t wait.
Thanks for the honest review. Living outside of Chicago, the AWD is more appealing for driving in snow. Does anyone have experience driving either I4 in the snow?
Hi Joe, great video! Perhaps an idea, think about your EU viewers and always show the Km's and consumption in white text when you tell them in miles in the video 😁
I kind of like the "base" steering wheel more than the M wheel. The adaptive suspension, stereo upgrade, and the ventilated seats are the options I would choose.
The M steering wheel is in my opinion the absolute best on the entire market right now. Its just so nice to hold and use and the looks is also epic! I dont like the thin steering wheels but that more of a taste. Its suppose to be fat❤
Hi Joe, I have seen most of the other i4 reviews and yours best answers the big question: "What's it like to drive?". Battery weight is definitely the main issue with most EVs. One exception, the BMW i3 does so by using carbon fibre and aluminium, so it's a fun driver's car but is limited to about 180 miles of range, thus we also run a 320d EDplus just for long trips, it averages 68mpg. However good the i4 is, if you are someone who must go on long distance trips, there is a dreaded problem, yes, the unfortunate charging infrastructure - just travel the M5 to see how trying it gets. At chargers stations you are waiting and so you speak to other EV drivers, they often say "I wish I had a Tesla". So like you, I love my Beemers but practicality determines that, for now anyway, the realistic alternative (because of the Tesla supercharger network) is a Tesla model 3 or an even more practical model Y and their great acceleration and tech is a compensating factor.
The Tesla is just such an aweful motoring experience, everything from handling, braking, cornering and of course visually it makes me want to tear my own eyeballs out and stamp on them. Then there’s the build quality issues the teslas are so well known for 🤮
Excellent as usual Joe- I want this in the Aveturine (sp) red one with 20" M Performace wheels lowered about 5 mm with 5mm spacers on the wheels and Alcantara sport steering wheel. DONE
Hello Joe: This video convinced me to buy a RWD i4 and cancel my AWD which I had on order. Following your podcast and TH-cam Tube content daily now. I did send a message on FB asking ng if you had any thought on the i4M which BMW are planning for 2024. Try or Quad motor etc. I am the iSeries Chair for The BMW Car Club (UK) so interested for the club and maybe for myself. Great content every time Joe.
I'm very happy with my eDrive 40 M-sport with adaptive suspension, laser lights and head-up display 🙂 The rear seat is surprisingly cramped, and with less space than the F30 3-series I had before. Well, we're a family of 3 and my wife and child are not too large, so not a problem.
Great video, thanks Joe! Replacing my audi A7 2014 next year for either I40 or M50.... still wondering which model to choose. I'm living in Québec, Canada with over 3 months of snow\iice conditions. I am wondering if I would regret choosing RWD i40 over AWD m50, since there are lots of hills in my town/ region. No models yet for test drive here. Range not a consideration. I would greatly appreciate your input on my dilemma
LOL, I'm replacing my 2015 A7 Prestige with an e40 next week as well. The BMW has every bit as much tech as the loaded A7plus some. Getting an absolute great deal on a '22 CPO vehicle with less than 10k miles, which saves over $20k (US) over a new one. Test drove it last week and can't wait to get my hands on it.
Have m50 0n order, and got to drive one at the weekend. It’s replacing my M3 CS, and yes, it’s not the same …. But I was hugely impressed with it, and looking forward to taking delivery several months from now 🤣 Salary sacrifice scheme at work makes EV very compelling if you have the option 👍🏻
I am also doing a salary sacrifice scheme at work but final details are not out yet. Do you mind telling me what you will be paying per month for the M50 so that I have an idea
@@Sean-ss7rz I’ve added comfort pack, visibility pack, high tech pack, m seats, 20” wheels and carbon … so a lot of cost on options. I’ll be paying just over £700 a month, but that includes full maintenance, tyres, insurance etc. 3yrs, 12k miles a year. That’s the net cost to me, and I get free charging at work, so with no deposit, I’m wood in compared to what I was paying for my M3 CS (which I’ve sold privately for crazy money in current used car bubble). Downside … I’m driving an I-Pace until it arrives.
@@waynegriffiths8151 that Is an amazing price and you're package sounds alot like what we have been told we are getting with thr insurance included and maintenance and free charging point at home. I dont suppose the company youre going through is Novuna is it ?
@@Sean-ss7rz No, different company ... and tbh, they've been terrible to deal with. But so long as the car gets here, I guess that's what matters. I had a free charging point installed upto a certain value. My advice is to really look into it, and pay to upgrade it to a good one (I got a Zaptec which is fully smart, and very small and looks good), and not just take the dumb one they put in otherwise. You're going to have it for years, so nice to be able to remote access and schedule its charging without being reliant on your car doing it. Good luck
I’ve driven the i4 40 very recently and soon to get a chance in the M50 so will be interesting to see if I share your opinion. Agreed on the performance seems way more than the figures suggest.
Currently an i4M50 on the driveway, got it 2+ years ago. So you answer your question both are brilliant but coming out of an M5 Competition the i4e40 just didn’t have the performance I was use to.
Great drive, I’m coming from a Tesla model 3 performance and drove the M50 and like you really was disappointed I was looking forward to BM handling as I’ve previously had M3’s but it did not deliver so I have ordered the M40 with that pro pack as a replacement
Do you recall which tires BMW puts on from the factory? Be nice if you could sideload audio effects that match the acceleration so you could put a V12 engine sound in the cabin as you rip down those roads. You can make your own commercial! 🤭😁🤣
in canada once you properly spec an i4 40, you get close to the base price of the m50 which comes with way more standard features so its a no brainer to go m50 unless you really need the extra range
@@xXWhateverxX4kHDI've heard of self driving and braking features if I'm not wrong, that's a pretty big deal for most people buying modern cars at this price
Hi Joe, I had an oppertunity 2 weeks ago to drine the M50 and then the drive 40 back to back. The local dealer was swapping cars and I was told I was possibly the first to be able to do this outside of the press. I agree with you the performance is so close, but some how the traction felt more controlled and the steering had so much more feel. Add this to the refinement and range it is pretty much a no brainer to chose the I4 40. Couple of points. If you chose the Sport model instead of the M option pack you get a light roof liner which makes the car much less claustrophobic. The car you have there optioned up though is still well nearly £63K. I think I is a car which options you really need is going to affect the price. I still think key options are the technology pack and steering heating. I know the laser lights are amazing but the Led lights are pretty good. So is it worth £1500? Not sure. A comfort pack with memory seats and heated steering is more important if you share the car with your wife / partner. But this i4 40 is such a great balance. What tyres did the car have. I am sure if it had Michellin Pilot Sport 4S tyres the grip would be even better. The Pirelli P zeros just scramble all over on the M50. Did you have a look? My experience with EV motoring is after completing 20K in a Taycan 4S and the i4 looks to be the most compelling replacement as a business car. Range, refinement, cost and great ride! I would say the i4 40 suits the M badge better than the lifeless M50. That car just doesn't have the calibration right for the steering or traction. Great reviews by the way! Keep up the great work.
@@Kelveron yes I was too. The M50 has a tendency to be all over the place accelerating from standing start in the dry! Let alone in the damp. Compared to the Taycan which you can launch in the wet and it just leaps forward without any fuss. The 40 was much better. But it could easily get out of shape exiting a corner of any aggressive throttle application. That makes it more fun than the M50. I think the right tyres would help.
I've reached the same conclusion. Just changed my order from the M50 to the e40 and went with the M-Sport Pro, Tech and heated steering wheel. It is the better car. Still not 100% sure on the colour though, it's between Brooklyn grey and Portamao blue.
Really useful comments. I’ve ordered the 40 mSport. Can you tell me, are the standard LEDs adaptive? (Not a deal breaker for me, just interested). I think the seats are different to the M50? Due back problems I’m quite seat sensitive. Did you notice any difference? Also, can you advise any experience of real world range what I could expect? I have to do a 220 round trip, am hoping to do it in a single charge
@@grahamsalmons2027 The LED lights are not adaptive like the matrix ones say on a Porsche Taycan. You have to have laser lights for adaption. Real world range on a i40 is around 280 miles in winter. no experience in real warm weather yet. The seats in the Msport are the same as the M50. They are all pretty comfortable. Key is the suspension set up. For best grip forget the Pirelli tyres ad for Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. They give much better grip!
Have to agree just tested this car myself and it's the first EV I could live with, a fun drive. Still not the same quality as my BMW 6 gran coupe 640d.
I am was really interested in the I4 40 as a company car, but i soon realised the options i was speccing the i4 40 with came free with the i4 50 or at a cheaper price making the I4 40 only 5K cheaper then the I4 50 when specced to what i want... This may be a stupid question but can you turn traction off in the i4 40? and 50? and can you go in RWD only in the i4 50?
You can turn off ESP and antispin if you hold the button for about 5 seconds. You can also single press and it will partially disable it to allow some wheel spin (for example for deep snow where a bit of spin can be beneficial). As far as i know, there is no RWD mode as of now, but the car will turn off the front engine while cruising to reduce consumption, so its definately possible to BMW to OTA update an RWD mode for the M50 if they want to.
I'm on a journey of videos to make my mind up on an M50 (and other cars) and I saw people mentioned the e40. What I've noticed that there is a lot of confirmation bias whichever side you're looking for. M50 was proven on a track by a competent racer and yes it was heavy, but with the right config it handled sufficiently. The e40 being the 'proper M car' as some people have put it, is nonsense (confirmation bias). But I will continue to research. Thanks for a great video.
Quick question, and this is something I have rarely heard anyone talking about it.. Is there a safety measure that prevents the vehicle from moving while plugged in? A while ago someone drove off from a fueling station and caused a huge explosion. The fuel nozzle was still connected and the car yanked it. I know Electric chargers will probably not explode in such an instance but still seems like a decent safety measure to avoid damage to the charger and the charging system...
Hi. I have the i4 m50 in order and i have owned several electric cars, currently i drive a polestar 2. All of them will NOT start while charging. You can use the radio, AC and whatever you usually do while parked, but you cannot put it in driving mode or change gears, if you try that it will give you a notification that the car is plugged in.
The i4 M50's extra power is very useful on the highway. In the city and or country roads as ridden by you I can understand that you prefer the i4 40 but on the highway or other roads while overtaking I found the M50 superior. We both drove cars and ended up buying the M50. The 40 and M50 both offer a lot of fun to drive, but extra power is always welcome. I myself did not find the (extra) weight noticeable, but I am not an expert, just an enthusiast.
The i4 40 has 335 horsepower. More horsepower than that isn't "very useful" it is just "very fun". Extra weight you will notice when you buy tires. You either do it more often, or you do it on bigger more expensive tires, or both!
@@CivilWarz true, but for us the range is hardly an issue. We live in the Netherlands and in this small country you have more than enough range with 200 miles. Furthermore, the fast charging options of the i4 are more than sufficient for holiday's.
@@SampleTracks2224 Then you have never or rarely driven on the German autobahn! But it also makes a significant difference at more normal speeds. More power is always nice, which is not to say that 340bhp is not enough.
How much fcking extra power do you need on the highway to merge or pass any other car? The average car isn't over 300 horsepower. You are making a silly baseless argument. The 40 is capable of doing exactly what the 50 does on the highway. You just want the 50 because it's the greater number. Stop with the poor excuses
I'm looking at a new m50 as my next car, I currently have the wonderful g22 440i so taking the ev plunge will be a biggie for me, I'll check out the 40 before proceeding. Cheers Joe...👍
The head up display is almost redundant with sun glasses. I rented the i4 for 19 days from San Francisco. I got bogged in the country and hated the heated seat and the assistant ai couldn't turn it off. Cooling seat I would prefer.
Best EV on the market imo, looks like a conventional ICE car, with 4 decent seats for a family, great range and to top it off a hatchback. This knocks socks of a Model 3 imo. In fact the chap in BMW was telling me he's sold a few to Model 3 owners 😂
I really wanted an i4 but priced up compared to a model 3 it just didn’t make financial sense, plus the delivery times were looking like 6-8 months whereas the Model 3 I could get in 2 months. Loving the model 3 but as their price has just gone up I’ll see if there’s a potential trade up to be had in a few years time, especially if a fast charging network develops that isn’t exclusive to Tesla
There have been several reviews on this car and they have all been very positive. The weakness is of course it is based on the 4 Series Grand Coupe, which looks good but the rear space is compromised. By the way its not the power that is available at all revs but rather the torque. Petrol cars maximum torque is a lot wider than it used to be and is flat from around 1500 rpm to 4500 rpm. The reason electric cars accelerate better is the maximum torque starts at 100 rpm and stays constant up to high revs, of course with software/electronics this can be modeled to have a smoother increase and drop off to make the car feel less aggressive and more comfortable for passengers. The issue as always is weight which is over 300 Kg heavier than the 440i. As this the same platform as the 3 series it makes sense to make an i3 40 and with less power a i3 30 so not sure why BMW have not done that, I know they are making a long wheel version in China for the local market but the 3 series is lighter than the Grand Coupe so in theory it would be even better than the i4 on range/performance and handling and better rear passenger space . Still not convinced the average driver needs or can cope with so much power and acceleration. Good video as always, look forward to the full test.
People always say they recommend this car over the M50. I do have a question though, does it have Pre collision control? I didn't see anything in the specs that it was standard. If anyone knows, feel free to comment! 😁
Great Review Joe, just about to send back my X3M and M135i, settled for a I3S for the wife for her pottering, and myself nothing im going to weigh things up. My heads saying M3 my heart the I4. Lets see how i manage without anything LOL, probably last a week.......im now going to price one of these up :) just for fun Honest
I hear what you’re saying about m sport having better residuals but the fake vents on the side of the kidney grills on the m sport model put me off. Prefer the slightly more subtle look of the sport model.
BHP=top speed Torque=acceleration. The reason EV's feel so fast is that all the torque is available all the time and there's a lot of it compared to a petrol engine.
Hi Joe. Love your stuff and glad you found an EV that puts a smile on the face. Can I just ask, in terms of mid range performance, what does it compare to most similarly? 330D or 340D? I assume not at 340i levels but stronger performance than a 330i? I'm thinking of the 50-70mph punch and 70-90 (Autobahn only of course!) Thanks.
the shape is different over the 4 series/4 series GC. I too find it more pleasing and more acceptable on the i4, even though EV's don't technically need grills.
There's a reason why the number on the dash is called the Guess-O-Meter, you know... I have an M-Sport E40 with 19" wheels and have completed multiple 140-mile round trips that took up 50% of the battery, thus coming to 280 miles of real world range. That lines up with the claim the bigger, wider wheels knock 10% off the top range of the E40. Do note that I made these drives _without_ using Eco Mode nor trying to stretch the efficiency.
I am attracted to the i4 gran coupe, but concerned that if driving myself in this huge car, my leg might touch or rub on something, or my feet might be trapped in a "footwell." I'm ready to go back in the direction we were headed before the transmission and combustion engine were added to the carriage.
Joe, I agree with you: the black interior is too dark. I have a M50 on order with bright canberra beige interior. Your example of the eDrive40M probably costs as much as the entry level M50 that has adaptive air suspension as standard. With that same config as the M50 with same 19’ wheels, the 40M has ”only” 20km extra range. How many of you will say no to 4wd and almost double torque and power for same price? PS: I cant remember you drove the M50 with DSC off - that beast becomes much wilder in off-mode!
very enlightening video. I agree with the e40 option. save 10k and spend on upgrades instead and larger range. dont think the extra weight and hp is worth 10k unless you just dont mind spending the money
The motors on the front axle add all that extra weight and kill the feeling of the car (like the M50). The rear wheels deal with the power and torque no problem.
@@JoeAchilles1 That’s a fair point. My hope is that two smaller (less powerful) motors would be lighter than the ones currently used in the 50i, meaning the weight would only slightly increase compared to the 40i. Thing is, I live in Switzerland. So in the winter all wheel drive is really appreciated here 😅
Ahh Joe the heartbreaker 🤣 - I'm still excited about my M50 (Portimao Blue metallic) coming in the summer... Though I am in Southern California, I'm moving back to my home region of the Pacific NW this summer so the X drive made more sense (I'm coming from a 2016 328i Xdrive). But I do hope I start seeing the e40 (or the M50) on the road instead of the Model 3 😈 But good to know that if you had to, that the e40 would be a legitimate choice for you.
Hello Joe: Your video convinced me to get the RWD i4. 12 months ago I ordered a M50. In august I was told it might not be delivered until min 2023. I the found a completed eDrive40 that had just left Munich (cancelled order). This then got stuck at Killingholme for 3 months due to a recall before it was even registered. I was told by BMW Genius on line that car would definitely be delivered in August so I sold my F Type and XE 300 Sport. I then cancelled. Then I bought a M4 Competition (F82). Love it but the dealers RWD i4 eDrive40 came up for sale and I px the M4 for it and collect tomorrow. Car is fully loaded and not subject to the deletions due to chip and Ukraine component supplies. So 10k on the clock is no problem. As an apology for giving me the wrong information BMW UK have treated me to a full day event at Palmer Sport next year. Looking at a Palmer You Tube Clip I saw your name on the drivers list. Your videos are fantastic and I am glad I'm subscribed.
I really don't understand why they didn't design a modern dashboard to integrate the long/wide "glass cockpit" instrumentation more cleanly than this - this is basically an old design developed along standard analog instrumentation, but with this new stuff just slapped up there on stilts. It looks like some Ali Express-sourced retrofit. Someday I'm sure they'll clean this up but for now, it looks hideous to my eye.
I won't buy an EV, I'll consider a hybrid though.... My X5 35d gets 460+ miles per tank, and then I can just refuel it. I consistently make trips more than 1000km (one way) and need to have the ability to travel further from their. EV won't provide that level of capability.
Good for you. That being said, why would you even bother watching a video on an EV if you're mind has already been made up to buy a non EV vehicle 🤷♂️
@@naughtysauce4323 Short answer, I love technology, but I also like to remind people that there are some of us who have different requirements than the general offering that is currently available. Battery technology, specifically, is a keen interest for me and I enjoy seeing the application in use. Especially when it is evolving in both scope and implementation. For example, the guy that came up with the lithium-ion battery recently released a design for a solid state battery (within the past couple of years). My hope is that I will see some major advancements somewhere that I haven't heard of yet, being introduced or tested that will fit into my current lifestyle. Outside of rechargeable batteries, there hasn't been much in the past couple of decades that has really impacted society, or me.
Just got the i40 40 with M sports pack but without adaptive suspension and the suspension is way to soft. The car feels disconnected from the steering wheel. Straight line driving at high speed is horrible, it needs corrections all the time to just go straight. Sadly I couldnt get the adaptive suspension, since it was a pre configured model.
Thanks for watching as always!
Hopefully see some of you on the 13th 👌
Peace ☮️
Great video! Just one information is missing, that I am sure you will cover in a future video: Will it slide??
Having driven the M50 now for a far bit of time the main difference between it and the 40 is the exact same difference when comparing the 430i and the M440i, meaning it’s all to do with the difference between RWD and AWD, steering and less connected nose. So if you prefer the 40 those same people should prefer the 430i too and for the very same reasons.
Performance difference is another level, flooring the throttle can be painful for unsuspected passengers. LOL
There’s an argument that in the real world no one needs AWD but the market is leaning that way and even you Joe have swapped your rwd M3 for an awd version.
Very impressive. Looked very secure given the weather and condition of the road you were using. Potential successor for those of us still driving diesel BMs!
Great Joe. Been hoping you would get a video in the i4 ‘40’. Going to enjoy watching this better range version. 👌👏
Glad you liked it, seems like "basic" rwd models of electric cars are often the better choice for us driving enthusiasts.
Been waiting for this video! Thanks
Thanks Joe, great review. I was hesitant on ordering the edrive40 until I had test driven it, as on paper, it's slower than my 435d. I needn't have worried. I can confirm, it feels way quicker. Mine is due September. 😁
I love your honesty, keep it up.
Nice Joe. Impressive. Thanks for sharing mate.
picking mine up tomorrow. your video mitigates buyer's remorse.
Another great vid, Joe. Thorough and honest as ever. Proof that the best model isn’t always the most expensive..
I think as for range you really need to try it first. BMW have a history of under-reporting the range, to be on the safe side. In a real world test by Björn Nyland, he got the same model you had to go 416 miles (670 km) on one charge. That was longer than he was able to get Tesla M3 LR.
I have a model 3 and love one pedal driving. It reminds me of driving a carbureted car with manual transmission that provided engine braking.
Thank you for your review. I went back in forth between ordering the eDrive 40 M sport and the M50. Finally decided on the eDrive 40 with most options. After your review, I’m glad I did! Thank you for validating my decision.
Cheers for watching my stuff, you made the right decision 👌
all joking aside you also sold me on the i4-40. I'm looking forward to delivery! It's ok now. You can have the car. No hard feelings!
@@JoeAchilles1 Joe...your comparison review between the M50 and i40 sounds very similar to your influential comparison review of the 230 and M240 some years back. That's the video that convinced me too that the lighter, nimbler 230 was the better choice for me. Sounds like the i40 would also be the better fit for me. Totally enjoy your videos...would love to join your Roadster rides...but it'd be a bit tough to drive our MINI Roadster S across the Atlantic ;-)
Solid, I'd rather have more options and have it lighter and rwd than have the outright power and pace. Hoping I can get one on new company car scheme
I have ordered the i40 really looking forward to driving it. Your video explained lots to me as I also went gor the sport Pro pack
Great review Joe and very honest for some one who loves ICE cars. I take delivery of my high spec BMW i4 eDrive 40 M sport in 3 weeks time. I can’t wait.
Good review Joe as always buddy
Thanks for the honest review. Living outside of Chicago, the AWD is more appealing for driving in snow. Does anyone have experience driving either I4 in the snow?
Cracking video and has all but persuaded me to buy one of these. The i4 40 is the one. Cheers Joe.
Looking forward to seeing ur new M3 Xdrive video Joe
great short video, this has helped me decide to go for this model instead of M50
Thank you BMW for the new display, now I can be in the conversation again. Great vid mate.
I ordered mine in May, it was built and ready for delivery by the end of August!
The ‘40’ was always the one to go for for maybe 90% of i4 buyers. Nice machine!
I think this was identical to the i4 i had and the same terrible weather lol. Really enjoyable video
Hi Joe, nice video. Are you planning to drive the iX3? I’m really interested how you thing it compares to the iX and the i4.
Excellent review thank you Joe for your honesty. This comparative looks like m135i an 128ti.
please do i7! I love the effort and energy you are putting in to the channel! Based on your review I bought a M3 Competition xDrive.
Hi Joe, great video! Perhaps an idea, think about your EU viewers and always show the Km's and consumption in white text when you tell them in miles in the video 😁
I kind of like the "base" steering wheel more than the M wheel. The adaptive suspension, stereo upgrade, and the ventilated seats are the options I would choose.
The M steering wheel is in my opinion the absolute best on the entire market right now. Its just so nice to hold and use and the looks is also epic! I dont like the thin steering wheels but that more of a taste. Its suppose to be fat❤
Hi Joe, I have seen most of the other i4 reviews and yours best answers the big question: "What's it like to drive?". Battery weight is definitely the main issue with most EVs. One exception, the BMW i3 does so by using carbon fibre and aluminium, so it's a fun driver's car but is limited to about 180 miles of range, thus we also run a 320d EDplus just for long trips, it averages 68mpg. However good the i4 is, if you are someone who must go on long distance trips, there is a dreaded problem, yes, the unfortunate charging infrastructure - just travel the M5 to see how trying it gets. At chargers stations you are waiting and so you speak to other EV drivers, they often say "I wish I had a Tesla". So like you, I love my Beemers but practicality determines that, for now anyway, the realistic alternative (because of the Tesla supercharger network) is a Tesla model 3 or an even more practical model Y and their great acceleration and tech is a compensating factor.
The Tesla is just such an aweful motoring experience, everything from handling, braking, cornering and of course visually it makes me want to tear my own eyeballs out and stamp on them. Then there’s the build quality issues the teslas are so well known for 🤮
Have to say, that green paint looks niiiiiice!
Interesting review Joe. With so few saloon car EV's on the market , looks like an alternative to a Model 3....
Id say this
Excellent as usual Joe- I want this in the Aveturine (sp) red one with 20" M Performace wheels lowered about 5 mm with 5mm spacers on the wheels and Alcantara sport steering wheel. DONE
Hello Joe: This video convinced me to buy a RWD i4 and cancel my AWD which I had on order. Following your podcast and TH-cam Tube content daily now. I did send a message on FB asking ng if you had any thought on the i4M which BMW are planning for 2024. Try or Quad motor etc. I am the iSeries Chair for The BMW Car Club (UK) so interested for the club and maybe for myself. Great content every time Joe.
Loving that colour.....reminds me of the old VW "Campaign Green" special paint colour.
Thanks for this clear video: you convinced me to take an I4 and a 40 😅
I'm very happy with my eDrive 40 M-sport with adaptive suspension, laser lights and head-up display 🙂
The rear seat is surprisingly cramped, and with less space than the F30 3-series I had before. Well, we're a family of 3 and my wife and child are not too large, so not a problem.
Great review
For me I'll choose the M50
Hi joe - I get mine next month … every review has said the i40 is the one to get … looking forward to getting now … it’s been 7 month wait !
Are we possibly going to see a range test when you get this for a week?
Great video, thanks Joe! Replacing my audi A7 2014 next year for either I40 or M50.... still wondering which model to choose. I'm living in Québec, Canada with over 3 months of snow\iice conditions. I am wondering if I would regret choosing RWD i40 over AWD m50, since there are lots of hills in my town/ region. No models yet for test drive here. Range not a consideration. I would greatly appreciate your input on my dilemma
LOL, I'm replacing my 2015 A7 Prestige with an e40 next week as well. The BMW has every bit as much tech as the loaded A7plus some. Getting an absolute great deal on a '22 CPO vehicle with less than 10k miles, which saves over $20k (US) over a new one. Test drove it last week and can't wait to get my hands on it.
Have m50 0n order, and got to drive one at the weekend. It’s replacing my M3 CS, and yes, it’s not the same …. But I was hugely impressed with it, and looking forward to taking delivery several months from now 🤣
Salary sacrifice scheme at work makes EV very compelling if you have the option 👍🏻
I am also doing a salary sacrifice scheme at work but final details are not out yet. Do you mind telling me what you will be paying per month for the M50 so that I have an idea
@@Sean-ss7rz I’ve added comfort pack, visibility pack, high tech pack, m seats, 20” wheels and carbon … so a lot of cost on options. I’ll be paying just over £700 a month, but that includes full maintenance, tyres, insurance etc.
3yrs, 12k miles a year. That’s the net cost to me, and I get free charging at work, so with no deposit, I’m wood in compared to what I was paying for my M3 CS (which I’ve sold privately for crazy money in current used car bubble).
Downside … I’m driving an I-Pace until it arrives.
@@waynegriffiths8151 that Is an amazing price and you're package sounds alot like what we have been told we are getting with thr insurance included and maintenance and free charging point at home. I dont suppose the company youre going through is Novuna is it ?
@@Sean-ss7rz No, different company ... and tbh, they've been terrible to deal with. But so long as the car gets here, I guess that's what matters.
I had a free charging point installed upto a certain value. My advice is to really look into it, and pay to upgrade it to a good one (I got a Zaptec which is fully smart, and very small and looks good), and not just take the dumb one they put in otherwise. You're going to have it for years, so nice to be able to remote access and schedule its charging without being reliant on your car doing it. Good luck
@@waynegriffiths8151 I appreciate the advice Wayne thank you
Nice video Joe, must be good if your liking it, how about an I8 video
I’ve driven the i4 40 very recently and soon to get a chance in the M50 so will be interesting to see if I share your opinion. Agreed on the performance seems way more than the figures suggest.
some years later, but did you get the chance to drive the m50? If so, what are your opinions on the two cars?
Currently an i4M50 on the driveway, got it 2+ years ago. So you answer your question both are brilliant but coming out of an M5 Competition the i4e40 just didn’t have the performance I was use to.
@@Luminated67thanks for the reply. how does your maintenance cost fare out - do you mind breaking out?
@@FreQuese my service was at the 2 year point and though I don’t have the bill in front of me because the business paid I think it cost £335.
Great drive, I’m coming from a Tesla model 3 performance and drove the M50 and like you really was disappointed I was looking forward to BM handling as I’ve previously had M3’s but it did not deliver so I have ordered the M40 with that pro pack as a replacement
Do you recall which tires BMW puts on from the factory? Be nice if you could sideload audio effects that match the acceleration so you could put a V12 engine sound in the cabin as you rip down those roads. You can make your own commercial! 🤭😁🤣
in canada once you properly spec an i4 40, you get close to the base price of the m50 which comes with way more standard features so its a no brainer to go m50 unless you really need the extra range
Does it? Standard features for the M50 are the suspension, M styling and steering wheel etc.
@@xXWhateverxX4kHDI've heard of self driving and braking features if I'm not wrong, that's a pretty big deal for most people buying modern cars at this price
Hi Joe. I am interested to know if you would have the same conclusion if you lived in a country with a snowy winter…
Hi Joe I think I m the first one to comment on ur epic bmw electric as always u nailed it 👌 greetings from Toronto Canada mate
You’re actually not first to comment.
You’re third.
@@DaveDVideoMaker oh ya my bad then I thought I m the first one it doesn't matter we all enjoyed the video that's the bottom line right brother
@@paramdeepdhaliwal9694 You’re right.
I4 e40 with the Mperformance package is the one!
im getting the sport trim because you cant get the exterior blue strip om the m sport
How about steering wheel paddles for adjusting regeneration?
Hi Joe, I had an oppertunity 2 weeks ago to drine the M50 and then the drive 40 back to back. The local dealer was swapping cars and I was told I was possibly the first to be able to do this outside of the press. I agree with you the performance is so close, but some how the traction felt more controlled and the steering had so much more feel. Add this to the refinement and range it is pretty much a no brainer to chose the I4 40. Couple of points. If you chose the Sport model instead of the M option pack you get a light roof liner which makes the car much less claustrophobic. The car you have there optioned up though is still well nearly £63K. I think I is a car which options you really need is going to affect the price. I still think key options are the technology pack and steering heating. I know the laser lights are amazing but the Led lights are pretty good. So is it worth £1500? Not sure. A comfort pack with memory seats and heated steering is more important if you share the car with your wife / partner. But this i4 40 is such a great balance. What tyres did the car have. I am sure if it had Michellin Pilot Sport 4S tyres the grip would be even better. The Pirelli P zeros just scramble all over on the M50. Did you have a look?
My experience with EV motoring is after completing 20K in a Taycan 4S and the i4 looks to be the most compelling replacement as a business car. Range, refinement, cost and great ride!
I would say the i4 40 suits the M badge better than the lifeless M50. That car just doesn't have the calibration right for the steering or traction.
Great reviews by the way! Keep up the great work.
Interesting to read your experience of both models, but puzzled that you found the AWD M50's traction isn't as well controlled as the RWD 40!
@@Kelveron yes I was too. The M50 has a tendency to be all over the place accelerating from standing start in the dry! Let alone in the damp. Compared to the Taycan which you can launch in the wet and it just leaps forward without any fuss. The 40 was much better. But it could easily get out of shape exiting a corner of any aggressive throttle application. That makes it more fun than the M50.
I think the right tyres would help.
I've reached the same conclusion. Just changed my order from the M50 to the e40 and went with the M-Sport Pro, Tech and heated steering wheel. It is the better car. Still not 100% sure on the colour though, it's between Brooklyn grey and Portamao blue.
Really useful comments. I’ve ordered the 40 mSport. Can you tell me, are the standard LEDs adaptive? (Not a deal breaker for me, just interested). I think the seats are different to the M50? Due back problems I’m quite seat sensitive. Did you notice any difference? Also, can you advise any experience of real world range what I could expect? I have to do a 220 round trip, am hoping to do it in a single charge
@@grahamsalmons2027 The LED lights are not adaptive like the matrix ones say on a Porsche Taycan. You have to have laser lights for adaption. Real world range on a i40 is around 280 miles in winter. no experience in real warm weather yet.
The seats in the Msport are the same as the M50. They are all pretty comfortable. Key is the suspension set up. For best grip forget the Pirelli tyres ad for Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. They give much better grip!
Have to agree just tested this car myself and it's the first EV I could live with, a fun drive. Still not the same quality as my BMW 6 gran coupe 640d.
For my first EV later this year, its between this BMW i4 40 and a Tesla Y.
is this a true 40? 40i or 40d they are all about 5sec or under to 100kmh...this one is closer to 6 sec...aka 330i...so maybe a i4 30 actually? 😁
I love caffeine & machine such a great place.
I am was really interested in the I4 40 as a company car, but i soon realised the options i was speccing the i4 40 with came free with the i4 50 or at a cheaper price making the I4 40 only 5K cheaper then the I4 50 when specced to what i want...
This may be a stupid question but can you turn traction off in the i4 40? and 50? and can you go in RWD only in the i4 50?
you mean, turning off the front motor? 🙄🤦🏿♂️
You can turn off ESP and antispin if you hold the button for about 5 seconds. You can also single press and it will partially disable it to allow some wheel spin (for example for deep snow where a bit of spin can be beneficial).
As far as i know, there is no RWD mode as of now, but the car will turn off the front engine while cruising to reduce consumption, so its definately possible to BMW to OTA update an RWD mode for the M50 if they want to.
How are you gonna make the car RWD on an EV lmao. So you’re gonna turn off the front motor then it’ll make like 240hp? LOL.
I'm on a journey of videos to make my mind up on an M50 (and other cars) and I saw people mentioned the e40. What I've noticed that there is a lot of confirmation bias whichever side you're looking for. M50 was proven on a track by a competent racer and yes it was heavy, but with the right config it handled sufficiently. The e40 being the 'proper M car' as some people have put it, is nonsense (confirmation bias). But I will continue to research. Thanks for a great video.
Good for you!
My concern is about the quality of the batteries. There's little information about the battery manufacturer "Eve".
Quick question, and this is something I have rarely heard anyone talking about it.. Is there a safety measure that prevents the vehicle from moving while plugged in? A while ago someone drove off from a fueling station and caused a huge explosion. The fuel nozzle was still connected and the car yanked it. I know Electric chargers will probably not explode in such an instance but still seems like a decent safety measure to avoid damage to the charger and the charging system...
Hi. I have the i4 m50 in order and i have owned several electric cars, currently i drive a polestar 2. All of them will NOT start while charging. You can use the radio, AC and whatever you usually do while parked, but you cannot put it in driving mode or change gears, if you try that it will give you a notification that the car is plugged in.
The i4 M50's extra power is very useful on the highway. In the city and or country roads as ridden by you I can understand that you prefer the i4 40 but on the highway or other roads while overtaking I found the M50 superior. We both drove cars and ended up buying the M50. The 40 and M50 both offer a lot of fun to drive, but extra power is always welcome. I myself did not find the (extra) weight noticeable, but I am not an expert, just an enthusiast.
The i4 40 has 335 horsepower. More horsepower than that isn't "very useful" it is just "very fun". Extra weight you will notice when you buy tires. You either do it more often, or you do it on bigger more expensive tires, or both!
The range is better on the i4 40 that's a plus for ppl like me who travel from state to state on the weekends
@@CivilWarz true, but for us the range is hardly an issue. We live in the Netherlands and in this small country you have more than enough range with 200 miles. Furthermore, the fast charging options of the i4 are more than sufficient for holiday's.
@@SampleTracks2224 Then you have never or rarely driven on the German autobahn! But it also makes a significant difference at more normal speeds. More power is always nice, which is not to say that 340bhp is not enough.
How much fcking extra power do you need on the highway to merge or pass any other car? The average car isn't over 300 horsepower. You are making a silly baseless argument. The 40 is capable of doing exactly what the 50 does on the highway. You just want the 50 because it's the greater number. Stop with the poor excuses
I'm looking at a new m50 as my next car, I currently have the wonderful g22 440i so taking the ev plunge will be a biggie for me, I'll check out the 40 before proceeding. Cheers Joe...👍
Hi joe! G87 M2 will also have the curved display
The head up display is almost redundant with sun glasses. I rented the i4 for 19 days from San Francisco. I got bogged in the country and hated the heated seat and the assistant ai couldn't turn it off. Cooling seat I would prefer.
Best EV on the market imo, looks like a conventional ICE car, with 4 decent seats for a family, great range and to top it off a hatchback. This knocks socks of a Model 3 imo. In fact the chap in BMW was telling me he's sold a few to Model 3 owners 😂
I really wanted an i4 but priced up compared to a model 3 it just didn’t make financial sense, plus the delivery times were looking like 6-8 months whereas the Model 3 I could get in 2 months. Loving the model 3 but as their price has just gone up I’ll see if there’s a potential trade up to be had in a few years time, especially if a fast charging network develops that isn’t exclusive to Tesla
Great video Joe, made me want one, if only I could afford it!!
does this RWD do burnouts?
There have been several reviews on this car and they have all been very positive. The weakness is of course it is based on the 4 Series Grand Coupe, which looks good but the rear space is compromised. By the way its not the power that is available at all revs but rather the torque. Petrol cars maximum torque is a lot wider than it used to be and is flat from around 1500 rpm to 4500 rpm. The reason electric cars accelerate better is the maximum torque starts at 100 rpm and stays constant up to high revs, of course with software/electronics this can be modeled to have a smoother increase and drop off to make the car feel less aggressive and more comfortable for passengers. The issue as always is weight which is over 300 Kg heavier than the 440i. As this the same platform as the 3 series it makes sense to make an i3 40 and with less power a i3 30 so not sure why BMW have not done that, I know they are making a long wheel version in China for the local market but the 3 series is lighter than the Grand Coupe so in theory it would be even better than the i4 on range/performance and handling and better rear passenger space . Still not convinced the average driver needs or can cope with so much power and acceleration. Good video as always, look forward to the full test.
Great video! I ordered the eDrive 40 M sport today😀
People always say they recommend this car over the M50. I do have a question though, does it have Pre collision control? I didn't see anything in the specs that it was standard. If anyone knows, feel free to comment! 😁
Great Review Joe, just about to send back my X3M and M135i, settled for a I3S for the wife for her pottering, and myself nothing im going to weigh things up. My heads saying M3 my heart the I4. Lets see how i manage without anything LOL, probably last a week.......im now going to price one of these up :) just for fun Honest
Poor wife! Think she should have the M3, give her pottering a bit of fun 🙂
@@ladybee4564 haha I eventually went for the M2C she won’t drive it LOL. Just biding my time till book opens on New M2
Joe likes the i4 40 because petrol prices are doubling!
I hear what you’re saying about m sport having better residuals but the fake vents on the side of the kidney grills on the m sport model put me off. Prefer the slightly more subtle look of the sport model.
Why can't they figure out how to mold the dash around the display?
I would by the i4 40 b7t it doesn't have awd.. so that's a no from me here I Canada
BHP=top speed Torque=acceleration. The reason EV's feel so fast is that all the torque is available all the time and there's a lot of it compared to a petrol engine.
Hi Joe.
Love your stuff and glad you found an EV that puts a smile on the face.
Can I just ask, in terms of mid range performance, what does it compare to most similarly? 330D or 340D? I assume not at 340i levels but stronger performance than a 330i?
I'm thinking of the 50-70mph punch and 70-90 (Autobahn only of course!)
Thanks.
The main difference is when the roads are greasy /snow /or raining the m50 wont let you down like Rwd can 👍🏼
5.7nseconds? My RAV4 Prime does 5.7.
I wanna buy that exact same one and do uber in canada… would that be a good idea?
Cramped rear seats, and you want to carry fare passengers back there?
idk why the grill looks better on the i4, looks great
the shape is different over the 4 series/4 series GC. I too find it more pleasing and more acceptable on the i4, even though EV's don't technically need grills.
A great video. Only at minute #10:04, as someone who usually drives on the right side, I almost had a heart attack.
Same 😅
So what about the range? Does it actually achieve the predicted range?
2:33 He said fully charged the range on the vehicle was 290mi so about 50-60mi less
There's a reason why the number on the dash is called the Guess-O-Meter, you know...
I have an M-Sport E40 with 19" wheels and have completed multiple 140-mile round trips that took up 50% of the battery, thus coming to 280 miles of real world range. That lines up with the claim the bigger, wider wheels knock 10% off the top range of the E40. Do note that I made these drives _without_ using Eco Mode nor trying to stretch the efficiency.
I am attracted to the i4 gran coupe, but concerned that if driving myself in this huge car, my leg might touch or rub on something, or my feet might be trapped in a "footwell." I'm ready to go back in the direction we were headed before the transmission and combustion engine were added to the carriage.
Joe, I agree with you: the black interior is too dark. I have a M50 on order with bright canberra beige interior.
Your example of the eDrive40M probably costs as much as the entry level M50 that has adaptive air suspension as standard.
With that same config as the M50 with same 19’ wheels, the 40M has ”only” 20km extra range.
How many of you will say no to 4wd and almost double torque and power for same price?
PS: I cant remember you drove the M50 with DSC off - that beast becomes much wilder in off-mode!
Real life tests show much more than 20km range difference..
Standard air suspension is on all i4's.
@@mrcstb7479 Most real life tests use the 20’ wheels on the M50 with -16% range - so you need to compare with same 18’ or 19’ wheels.
@@filiiony4727 Yes, but adaptive air suspension is an option on eDrive40 - even with M sport package. Joe also speaks about that in the review.
@@kingsterre So 100% M adaptive suspension is an option for the edrive 40 ,I orderedon mine.Is true on the m50 is standard.
very enlightening video. I agree with the e40 option. save 10k and spend on upgrades instead and larger range. dont think the extra weight and hp is worth 10k unless you just dont mind spending the money
Interesting, how big difference 165 kilos i.e. 2 adults makes to driving dynamics …
I want one, but I’ll probably have to settle for a used Model 3 for a fraction of the price
Steering wheel wrong side! 😎
If the 40i was all wheel drive it would be ideal. I really need that all wheel drive but I don’t need the power 🤷🏻♂️
The motors on the front axle add all that extra weight and kill the feeling of the car (like the M50). The rear wheels deal with the power and torque no problem.
@@JoeAchilles1 That’s a fair point. My hope is that two smaller (less powerful) motors would be lighter than the ones currently used in the 50i, meaning the weight would only slightly increase compared to the 40i.
Thing is, I live in Switzerland. So in the winter all wheel drive is really appreciated here 😅
what’s the color of this car? it looks amazing
It’s green
San Remo Green, an dark green with gold flake.
Ahh Joe the heartbreaker 🤣 - I'm still excited about my M50 (Portimao Blue metallic) coming in the summer... Though I am in Southern California, I'm moving back to my home region of the Pacific NW this summer so the X drive made more sense (I'm coming from a 2016 328i Xdrive). But I do hope I start seeing the e40 (or the M50) on the road instead of the Model 3 😈 But good to know that if you had to, that the e40 would be a legitimate choice for you.
I've driven both the m50 is a monster loved it
Hello Joe: Your video convinced me to get the RWD i4. 12 months ago I ordered a M50. In august I was told it might not be delivered until min 2023. I the found a completed eDrive40 that had just left Munich (cancelled order). This then got stuck at Killingholme for 3 months due to a recall before it was even registered. I was told by BMW Genius on line that car would definitely be delivered in August so I sold my F Type and XE 300 Sport. I then cancelled. Then I bought a M4 Competition (F82). Love it but the dealers RWD i4 eDrive40 came up for sale and I px the M4 for it and collect tomorrow. Car is fully loaded and not subject to the deletions due to chip and Ukraine component supplies. So 10k on the clock is no problem. As an apology for giving me the wrong information BMW UK have treated me to a full day event at Palmer Sport next year. Looking at a Palmer You Tube Clip I saw your name on the drivers list. Your videos are fantastic and I am glad I'm subscribed.
One pedal driving FTW
I really don't understand why they didn't design a modern dashboard to integrate the long/wide "glass cockpit" instrumentation more cleanly than this - this is basically an old design developed along standard analog instrumentation, but with this new stuff just slapped up there on stilts. It looks like some Ali Express-sourced retrofit. Someday I'm sure they'll clean this up but for now, it looks hideous to my eye.
Kommentar für den Algorithmus
The xDrive 40 will be selling like hotcakes! Coming fall 2022👍🏻
Are you saying that the M division took a car and worsened it? 😱
I won't buy an EV, I'll consider a hybrid though....
My X5 35d gets 460+ miles per tank, and then I can just refuel it. I consistently make trips more than 1000km (one way) and need to have the ability to travel further from their.
EV won't provide that level of capability.
Good for you. That being said, why would you even bother watching a video on an EV if you're mind has already been made up to buy a non EV vehicle 🤷♂️
@@naughtysauce4323
Short answer, I love technology, but I also like to remind people that there are some of us who have different requirements than the general offering that is currently available.
Battery technology, specifically, is a keen interest for me and I enjoy seeing the application in use. Especially when it is evolving in both scope and implementation. For example, the guy that came up with the lithium-ion battery recently released a design for a solid state battery (within the past couple of years).
My hope is that I will see some major advancements somewhere that I haven't heard of yet, being introduced or tested that will fit into my current lifestyle. Outside of rechargeable batteries, there hasn't been much in the past couple of decades that has really impacted society, or me.
Just got the i40 40 with M sports pack but without adaptive suspension and the suspension is way to soft. The car feels disconnected from the steering wheel. Straight line driving at high speed is horrible, it needs corrections all the time to just go straight. Sadly I couldnt get the adaptive suspension, since it was a pre configured model.