I would take the M50. Instant throttle response is something you can enjoy all day long. Also, base MSRP is under $70k. You can load up a M3 just as well to be over $90k
I think your comparison with the M3 Competition on cost misses the huge savings in fuel. Drop the paint, carbon fiber exterior, and the 20” performance wheels, you will have a $75K car with a better ride on the 19”. Factor in a $2K/yr in fuel savings and the M50 ought to be the better choice, no?
In Germany the i4 M50 is around the same price as the M440i (around 85-90k fully specced). The M4 is around 25-30k more. The running costs of a M3 here are pretty insane (my F87 M2 is already crazy expensive). The i4: no yearly tax, bonus of 5000 + 2500€ by government + OEM, cheap charging at home. I ordered my i4 with list price of 88k for 80k (including OEM part of government package) and will get an additional 5k back. I test drove the g82 M4. And compared to the F series it disconnects the driver from the street. Sure. The performance is brutal. But you can’t use it on normal roads. And the sound is very meh coming from a N55 M2 with Performanxe Exhaust. So yeah. After all these fun years in ICEs I go now the BEV way :-)
I have an m50 coming in February with a few extras costing €85k euros. The m3 competition price starts at €155k here in Ireland 🇮🇪. There probably will be more m3's here than m50's but that's because most people buying electric are spend thrifty unlike me who can't afford the m3!! I'm replacing a mark 8 golf gti clubsport with the m50 as it's the same price as a golf r over here and a lot more car for the money. Massive power, massive trunk,4 doors, comfortable and quiet (I'm obviously getting old) anyway I hope I won't regret my decision 😉
Would just like to point out to any European buyers: the grill was designed with our license plates in mind and looks FAR better with one attached. Notice how the rear also looks particularly ugly with US style plates rather than our longer plates in Europe.
Nice review except for the fact that you obviously missed the mark on the ride quality (it’s very comfortable in Comfort & ECO modes which are used over 80% of the time - you drove in Sports Boost mode which is the stiffest suspension level) and the price is in the 75k level whereas M3 Comp is over 100k or the Taycan 4S over 120k. It’s a good value for money based on my daily experience. Otherwise, I enjoyed your review 👍🏾
That paint option alone is about $4K :) But any other color except white is $900 in Canada. $500 floor mats mandatory purchase with the car, $3999 some mystery dealer's option (thin air) get ready to be ripped off if you want one of these.
Of course the M50 is worth it. Its the future. Cheaper to maintain , as well. A gas to drive. The grill is fine. Only caveat its missing a frunk. And should include 18" wheels in US as standard. Gerill is distinctive. Glad to see other commentors are getting accepting.
I can jump in since I drove the car also. Nico will give his own answer. To me, the ride was soft in Comfort. But there is a caveat: I drove the car in Germany and the roads were better, smoother. I also learned from BMW that the gap between driving modes is quite wide and additionally, the tire choice will also have an impact. Overall, I like the ride and it didn't bother me being sporty and bouncy.
I actually bought my i4 m50 because it was significantly cheaper @79k all in. M3 comp x costs over 80k + 10k dealer markup, + options… well over 100k. And then 7%sales tax too (i4 has no sales tax & 7500 tax back. So in reality .. your looking at $110k+ for a spec’d m3 v $72k for a spec’d i4 m50. That’s almost a 40k difference. Therefore i4 is significantly cheaper. If I could get a m3compX for 72500 I definitely would have !!
Normal people would have the Music on to drown out the EV Motors sound. Overtime you'd be reading the Owners manual to learn about the screen and features like other ICE Automobiles. Nothing is wrong with the front grills, it's history and style that changes. I Love it! Not a Tesla EV with no style in or out.
I test drove the i4 M50 and then the i4 e40 and much preferred the 40 and I am lucky enough to be able to stretch to the M50 if necessary. I chose the i4 e40 in Portimao Blue with some nice options and I do not regret that decision, comfort is far better along with the increased range and is certainly fast enough for my needs and the speed restrictions in the UK.
You should sit in the i4 e-Drive 40. It's reasonably fast at around 5 sec. 0-60mph. Without the sport chassis its a much smoother ride. It's hands down the better car, if you don't need the rocket feeling.The 40 is lighter and therefor not as heavy feeling in the corners.
I'd be curious if the ride is any smoother on the 19" wheels. I know you gain a significant bump in range with just that change, and I don't think it detracts from the vehicle appearance. FWIW, I had a test drive a few months ago, and loved it, and that was on the 20s.
Well, I would say this and the new M3 are the best looking BMW's because of the front. They finally don't look dated anymore. The 3 series looks like a 2003 car. BMW were ugly old dated looking cars for years. Look at Audi and Mercedes. They always looked more modern and better. Finally BMW catched up.
@@bmwblog Picked mine up on Feb 17. Enjoying it so far. Just with the cold, still-wintery weather and lots of highway driving, range not so great. Looking forward to the summer lol
In reality the grill looks much much smaller than in your video. Its your wide angle cam!!! Audi, mercedes, lexus have bigger grills. You are just not used to it, that’s all.
Great review, now that you can pick up second hand versions of this for a cheaper price it makes the decision a little easier. I think the frozen blue looks amazing.
The only thing I will say is with basic features on the M3 is the same price as a fully spec M50, if you did both with the same specs its 99k vs 82k. With the M50 you get tax credit ($7500 & by 2024 $3500) which will bring your overall price 75k, 2 years free charging(saves roughly $15 per charge on road trips), and uses no gas (M3 is roughly $78+ to fill). On the drag strip the M3 and M50 was close in the beginning but M3 pulls off and only one person hit 3.3sec in the M50 on 19s. While the M3 is better to drive I feel unless you are tracking your car daily or flying through a lot of tight roads for the price the M50 would be the way to go.
Exactly. 3 years later the M50 saves you money. I honestly think this M50 will be a classic. Just like the I3 is being sought after on the used car market I think this M50 should have a good resale value later on
Hi I have bmw m3 comp xdrive and I will take it over thus electric all day every day big no for me I hate electric cars period no soul no involvement no fan it's like driving a microwave plain and boring love and greetings from Toronto Canada
For the same money, would you buy the BMW i4 M50 or BMW M3?
Since i am a petrol guy i would have the M3
Definitely an M3.
I would take the M50. Instant throttle response is something you can enjoy all day long. Also, base MSRP is under $70k. You can load up a M3 just as well to be over $90k
@@bjrnsigvebotnmark6618 Can't go wrong with that either
@@hotrod182 Yes, base is around $66,000.
I love this front man! All other cars seems older...one of the reason I bought it.
Well everyone are saying it’s confortable except for you. Did you make sure it has the m adaptive suspension?
the grille does look very very good, totally subjective but to me it is one of the best parts
Agree!
Fair enough! Even between BMWBLOG team members, we have different opinions on it
Black Saphire with black shadowline is the way to make the kidney look nice.
I love the front
I think your comparison with the M3 Competition on cost misses the huge savings in fuel. Drop the paint, carbon fiber exterior, and the 20” performance wheels, you will have a $75K car with a better ride on the 19”. Factor in a $2K/yr in fuel savings and the M50 ought to be the better choice, no?
True. This questions was purely based on the fully loaded price of the M50
In Germany the i4 M50 is around the same price as the M440i (around 85-90k fully specced). The M4 is around 25-30k more.
The running costs of a M3 here are pretty insane (my F87 M2 is already crazy expensive).
The i4: no yearly tax, bonus of 5000 + 2500€ by government + OEM, cheap charging at home.
I ordered my i4 with list price of 88k for 80k (including OEM part of government package) and will get an additional 5k back.
I test drove the g82 M4. And compared to the F series it disconnects the driver from the street. Sure. The performance is brutal. But you can’t use it on normal roads. And the sound is very meh coming from a N55 M2 with Performanxe Exhaust.
So yeah. After all these fun years in ICEs I go now the BEV way :-)
I have an m50 coming in February with a few extras costing €85k euros. The m3 competition price starts at €155k here in Ireland 🇮🇪.
There probably will be more m3's here than m50's but that's because most people buying electric are spend thrifty unlike me who can't afford the m3!!
I'm replacing a mark 8 golf gti clubsport with the m50 as it's the same price as a golf r over here and a lot more car for the money.
Massive power, massive trunk,4 doors, comfortable and quiet (I'm obviously getting old) anyway I hope I won't regret my decision 😉
The grill is the best, looks so aggressive
Would just like to point out to any European buyers: the grill was designed with our license plates in mind and looks FAR better with one attached. Notice how the rear also looks particularly ugly with US style plates rather than our longer plates in Europe.
The UK licence plate actually improves the look of the grill
Thanks for posting. Picked up my M50 last week in the same color and love it…including the grill. Might have to give iconic sounds another try.
Hope you enjoy it!
Nice review except for the fact that you obviously missed the mark on the ride quality (it’s very comfortable in Comfort & ECO modes which are used over 80% of the time - you drove in Sports Boost mode which is the stiffest suspension level) and the price is in the 75k level whereas M3 Comp is over 100k or the Taycan 4S over 120k. It’s a good value for money based on my daily experience. Otherwise, I enjoyed your review 👍🏾
It appears to me that most all reviewers all criticized the grill of this car. Maybe to get likes? 🤔
Not for likes. Styling is subjective. So some of us like it, others don't. Nothing wrong with that
That paint option alone is about $4K :) But any other color except white is $900 in Canada. $500 floor mats mandatory purchase with the car, $3999 some mystery dealer's option (thin air) get ready to be ripped off if you want one of these.
I see the car seat in the back… how easy is it to get your little one in and out? Are their feet smashed against the back of the seat?
Hofmeister kink? I thought that was something you could only get at 2am in a Berlin nightclub! 🤣
Of course the M50 is worth it. Its the future. Cheaper to maintain , as well. A gas to drive. The grill is fine. Only caveat its missing a frunk. And should include 18" wheels in US as standard. Gerill is distinctive. Glad to see other commentors are getting accepting.
Question though: why do you need a frunk? Genuine question
Great review!
Glad you enjoyed it
Like it, quite fast and comfy. But the range is limited.
Great review. Could you specify if the car feels bumpy in Comfort mode? Or are you only reviewing the car in Sport mode?
I can jump in since I drove the car also. Nico will give his own answer. To me, the ride was soft in Comfort. But there is a caveat: I drove the car in Germany and the roads were better, smoother. I also learned from BMW that the gap between driving modes is quite wide and additionally, the tire choice will also have an impact. Overall, I like the ride and it didn't bother me being sporty and bouncy.
@@bmwblog thanks! Good to know. I have an i4 coming soon, so watching/reading content to prepare for delivery
Unsure about your comments re ride I have 20 in wheels and the ride is sublime ! Coming from an x 4 m 40 far better
It also depends on the roads and their surface. Some of the US roads are not the greatest
Hard disagree on the looks from the front. I love it and hope it's here to stay, especially for the EV segment
I actually bought my i4 m50 because it was significantly cheaper @79k all in. M3 comp x costs over 80k + 10k dealer markup, + options… well over 100k. And then 7%sales tax too (i4 has no sales tax & 7500 tax back. So in reality .. your looking at $110k+ for a spec’d m3 v $72k for a spec’d i4 m50. That’s almost a 40k difference. Therefore i4 is significantly cheaper. If I could get a m3compX for 72500 I definitely would have !!
Normal people would have the Music on to drown out the EV Motors sound. Overtime you'd be reading the Owners manual to learn about the screen and features like other ICE Automobiles. Nothing is wrong with the front grills, it's history and style that changes. I Love it! Not a Tesla EV with no style in or out.
I test drove the i4 M50 and then the i4 e40 and much preferred the 40 and I am lucky enough to be able to stretch to the M50 if necessary.
I chose the i4 e40 in Portimao Blue with some nice options and I do not regret that decision, comfort is far better along with the increased range and is certainly fast enough for my needs and the speed restrictions in the UK.
You should sit in the i4 e-Drive 40. It's reasonably fast at around 5 sec. 0-60mph. Without the sport chassis its a much smoother ride. It's hands down the better car, if you don't need the rocket feeling.The 40 is lighter and therefor not as heavy feeling in the corners.
That's the next one to test
I'd be curious if the ride is any smoother on the 19" wheels. I know you gain a significant bump in range with just that change, and I don't think it detracts from the vehicle appearance. FWIW, I had a test drive a few months ago, and loved it, and that was on the 20s.
I love the grill. It makes me wanna buy it.
Well, I would say this and the new M3 are the best looking BMW's because of the front. They finally don't look dated anymore. The 3 series looks like a 2003 car. BMW were ugly old dated looking cars for years. Look at Audi and Mercedes. They always looked more modern and better. Finally BMW catched up.
I got the metallic Portimao Blue since I'm going to be in the rainy PNW. mine is nearly done, just the final checks before being imported.
Congrats
@@bmwblog Thank you. My spec is $10K less than your test car thankfully.
@@bmwblog Picked mine up on Feb 17. Enjoying it so far. Just with the cold, still-wintery weather and lots of highway driving, range not so great. Looking forward to the summer lol
I am very happy with my i4 m50
In reality the grill looks much much smaller than in your video. Its your wide angle cam!!! Audi, mercedes, lexus have bigger grills. You are just not used to it, that’s all.
It's still a large grille, regardless of the lens angle.
Great review, now that you can pick up second hand versions of this for a cheaper price it makes the decision a little easier. I think the frozen blue looks amazing.
Frozen Blue is a great color
The only thing I will say is with basic features on the M3 is the same price as a fully spec M50, if you did both with the same specs its 99k vs 82k. With the M50 you get tax credit ($7500 & by 2024 $3500) which will bring your overall price 75k, 2 years free charging(saves roughly $15 per charge on road trips), and uses no gas (M3 is roughly $78+ to fill). On the drag strip the M3 and M50 was close in the beginning but M3 pulls off and only one person hit 3.3sec in the M50 on 19s. While the M3 is better to drive I feel unless you are tracking your car daily or flying through a lot of tight roads for the price the M50 would be the way to go.
Exactly. 3 years later the M50 saves you money. I honestly think this M50 will be a classic. Just like the I3 is being sought after on the used car market I think this M50 should have a good resale value later on
All valid points.
It remains to be seen. There are some other fantastic electric BMWs coming after 2025
@@bmwblog i5 M50?
@@bmwblog True! Def subbed can't wait to see more of your content!
No mention of the Tesla M3 Performance?
Nico didn't drive that model so couldn't fairly compare it
Alright, pretty big elephant in the room🙂
Would get tired of that noise pretty quickly but the grill looks better and better every day … The edrive 40 is the better choice imo.
The cost of insurance, fuel and maintenance is 2x on the M3 vs the i4..
Not a fan of fake sound with these electric cars. I'll forever appreciate the real/natural sound from a performance engine.
You’re aware that the real / natural sound of nowadays performance engines is most of the time fake too? :-)
Hi I have bmw m3 comp xdrive and I will take it over thus electric all day every day big no for me I hate electric cars period no soul no involvement no fan it's like driving a microwave plain and boring love and greetings from Toronto Canada
One day, all M cars will be EVs :)
@@bmwblog I know unfortunately such a sad future for sure
Dude use a period.
I love the front end, next non issue please.