Hi. As always a great video, however it was mentioned 7:20 into the presentation, that the Tesla cannot tow “anything”. That’s not correct. I have a Tesla model 3 LR from 2021, and it has a detachable hook, which can tow up to a 1000kg…
I think they meant to say, the "official" stance from Tesla is no tow rating. However, thousands of people are towing with their Model 3's across the globe with lighter weights (I don't know what the unofficial rating is). The car has more than enough power and pull to tow. Its' a matter of warranty needs, should something arise from a towing-related issue. Tesla will probably not cover it.
While I am very happy for the verdict as I just ordered my M50 last week and I love the very happy and open way you ladies review the cars, I cannot help but wonder if there might be a bit of a bias in the decision, given that Niki runs the Official BMW Podcast and that she is the only content creator on YT that did a walkaround and discussion with all the BMW top brass that were/are involved with the i projects...This is not a criticism, but I think a disclaimer should apply. Again, I could not agree more with the verdict as I chose the BMW over Tesla.
BMW all the way. I ordered the M50. There are so many more ways to individualize the BMW. Definitely worth $15k more to not have a cheap quality cookie cutter Tesla.
@@hotrod182 While I agree that the BMW is the better built car, let's not forget that were it not for Tesla, we would not be having this conversation now. We would still be looking at the EV as a fad. Let's give credit where credit's due.
@@IceTeaF00t I've ordered the M50 and I fully agree with your statement. Had it not been for Tesla, we'd have been really scrambling a lot more now to have a path to decarbonizing personal transportation.
@@IceTeaF00t Tesla brought performance EV to the market but GM really made the platform. They didn't pursue it. But they made the skateboard platform as well as thinking of electronic controls and regen brakes. EVs were bound to happen at some point. I do credit Tesla for showing that EVs are quicker, smoother cars than ICE cars.
More on the pros and cons of the BMW and the Tesla. First, it probably would have made more sense to compare the standard range RWD Model 3 against the BMW. Performance is very similar and you'd be comparing two RWD cars instead of one with RWD and the other with AWD. While I don't have access to UK pricing, in the US the RWD Tesla is about $46k. In the US a comparably equipped i4 is $60k. The Tesla has a quoted range of 267 miles while the BMW's EPA rating is 301 miles, but the Tesla can charge at 250 KW while the BMW can charge at only 200 KW...if you can find a station that supports this rate. The implication is that in terms of time spent for a long drive the slightly increased range of the BMW (because it has a huge battery pack...more on that later) is likely more than offset by the virtually ubiquitous availability of 250 KW Superchargers. Of course there is another major implication here. While the Tesla weighs about 3,800 lbs the BMW weighs about 5,000 lbs. This is a big problem in that it contributes in no small way to the reduced efficiency of the BMW, and is really an indicator about just how much better engineered the Tesla is. Of course, a large part of this is that the i4 is a kluge....an IC car that was retrofitted with a cookie cutter electric powertrain. The fact that the BMW is a hatchback is definitely a benefit over the Tesla. On the other hand, did you try to fit 3 people in the back seat of the BMW? While the Tesla has a completely flat floor, making the middle seat usable, the BMW retains the drive shaft tunnel from the IC car. Again, this is what happens when you don't actually design an EV from scratch. Other considerations. The BMW has substantially fewer software features than the Tesla. Yes, it's easy to say that they are gimmicks, and some surely are; but I would argue that having truly integrated route planning is a significant benefit. I would also argue that being able to remotely acquire firmware fixes and enhancements is a very important feature, and something that BMW can't do. Finally, there's efficiency. Yes, both are better than IC vehicles, but consider that the Tesla goes almost as far on 60 kWh as the BMW does on 80 KWh. Of course this is due to a number of factor including a less efficient drive train, worse aerodynamics, and much more weight....again, problems that result from transplanting an EV powertrain into an IC chassis. If one cares, the top speed of the BMW is 118 mph while that of the tesla is 140 mph. Me, I care. So, where does this leave us. A comparable BMW is fully $16k more expensive than the Tesla, if far less efficient, lacks the ability to charge at speeds comparable to the Tesla, doesn't have the ability to receive firmware fixes and feature updates remotely, doesn't have the completely integrated trip planning capabilities that the Tesla does, is no quicker...and substantially slower on top end, and has a driveshaft tunnel making the rear seat far less useful than that of the Tesla. Oh, and it has no frunk. As I see it, the sole benefit of the BMW is the hatchback. As for the "quality" of the interior I would say that this is a matter of taste. While some might prefer the traditional BMW look and feel, I think it looks old and dated. Based on all this I'm having trouble seeing how a rational car buyer would choose the BMW over the Tesla....and it appears that my assessment is shared by the market as a whole. In a lot of ways the i4 is an insult to BMW. They probably could build a better car, but then they would have to get serious about developing and selling a real purpose-built EV, which the i4 isn't.
I couldn’t have said this any better. I love my 2008 BMW 335xi and replacing it with an EV BMW would be great. However, it’s more expensive, slower and vs the long range model 3 version has less range. You would have to be crazy not to pick the Model 3.
Agree with all you said, and i have more things to consider in the cons and pros. (All the cars i owned in my life were BMWs, now i own a Tesla M3P). Now after some time using the M3P i can say i miss from BMW the following. 1- Handling (Teslas are more direct, and at highway speeds are not as precise as the BMWs). 2- U-turns. All the 3 series i had could turn U on any street, the M3P is not bad, but there are many 4 lines streets i have to get too wider to make it with the Tesla. 3- Heads up display. 4- The glass roof is an oven on sunny states, even with the glass tinted. 5- Seats will grab you in a curve, the Tesla seats are more open. Now, regarding this electric BMW. 1- I don't think they talked about the one pedal driving like in the Tesla (don't know if it works the same). 2- What about the traction control. I know that the Tesla has the best traction control i ever seen, the software to maintain the car under control is way better in the Tesla (in my opinion). 3- Does it allows for CarPlay? My previous BMW didn't and it was a 335i Msport with all the goodies on it. My guess is that it does, cuz the BMW map sucks. 4- How about security cameras and being able to live stream it to your phone? Anyways, more options, always better.
I guess most people care about numbercrunching at work - but when it comes to cars, BMW buyers care about what matters in daily use; practicality - comfort - quality - feel and looks. They like the flexibility of being able to load the car with luggage if 5 adults. They do not like to crawl under the car to screw a hitch in the occasion you must tow. They appreciate the quality interior feel and driver focused set-up. They are happy to charge at home and seldom need to charge at stations as daily driving seldom exceeds 300km. They are happy to see huge savings in driving costs compared to ICE equivalents. If there are EV cars not appealing to them with 10% better range or that have a ”get dirty fingers” frunk that they have never needed in the past - that doesn’t change their decision
Well said. The way people judge/decide between cars is totally different from person to person. Some people "feel cool" in a certain brand and will pick it just because of that alone. Other people want to look read specs and really get "the best" car for their money. I'm in the 2nd camp and for me, the Tesla specs/engineering/value is simply superior to the BMW. They deliver more car for your money and do it at a cost that nobody else can even come close to matching. If you value performance per $$ and future proofed technology the Tesla is a clear winner.
The closest Tesla service to me is 300 km away and they didn't return any of my presales emailed questions. Not a single response. Because BMW had customer service really well figured out and Tesla does not, my order was for the i4. I'm sure it will be brilliant enough and I'll get great customer service.
@@dangrass Why is that? I've owned BMWs since 2003 and hardly had any issues, apart from a couple of warranty oil leaks that got sorted straight away at my local BMW dealer.
I have a 2021 M3, made in China. The paintwork and panel gaps are perfect. My friend has scrutinised it and concluded it was indistinguishable from his bmw. I had a BMW I3 previously, , although the paintwork was as good as the Tesla, panel gaps where nowhere near consistant.
I am not a Tesla owner (in fact I've never even driven one) but it has been designed and built on a dedicated EV platform. The i4 is based on a previous ICE model and therefore is inevitably compromised, just like the Hyundai Kona I've got on a 2-year lease. When you factor in the higher purchase price of the i4 I'm not sure how many BMW will actually sell? I'm really hoping to see more saloon/sedan EV models come to market in the UK. I am not a fan of SUV's and certainly don't need anything as big but can't argue with the statistics ........ many people clearly love them and they sell by the millions.
You’ve got it wrong, the new 4 series is designed for electric power, only reason you see ice car coming out it’s BMW try to make all their product lines cover consumer demand 👍🏻
@Robert Berry Genuinely curious. Other than the worse usage of space and the higher weight, did you see any other disadvantages during your ownership of the Kona?
There are Chinese cars that may be quite a lot better than the Model 3. The Xpeng P7 and the Nio ET5 are two I can think of. Hyundai is working on a sedan, the Ioniq 6 that's due out later this year. I do like the Polestar 2 but it's kind of cozy inside. The thing, I go for build quality, solidity, mechanical refinement. That makes me not the biggest fan of anyTesla even though they have excellent performance. BMW needs to put a sedan on a bespoke platform like their iX is on.
The i4 is the EV I have been waiting for. The only Tesla I ever liked was the Model S. The TM3 was a disappointment style-wise. Charging network is irrelevant since 90%+ of my miles will be from my home charger. I don't need a banner claiming "built for EV." The i4 is more efficient than petrol and has a good enough range. In fact with similar range as the TM3 but weighing heavier and with greater actual hauling capacity, the i4 stacks up pretty well in power utilization efficiency. The difference for me really is about handling, comfort and style. Quite frankly I like the fact that the i4 doesn't look like an EV. Unless you notice the silence, no one would suspect it being an EV. If it handles anywhere close to its cousin the M440i, I am sold.
Talking from a UK puspective but soon that problem will solve when the german factory built. Bmw is better at comfy looks and built quality otherwise tesla take it and its way cheaper but soon tesla will fix all of that even though its younger than bmw. Tesla is way better for me and its unique in many ways and elon just need to listen more to customers to get better and better because the potential is there👍💯
Handling with all that extra weight, won't be that good. But we will see when they start coming out with some track times to compare. Not suggesting you will be racing, but the only way to know how well a car handles.
@@RemoteSpeed007 The upcoming track times will also depend on the respective race track. On tracks with many long straights, Tesla will certainly be superior due to the higher top speed. On tracks with many fast sections with accelerations up to max. 225 km/h, the i4 M50 could be faster due to its better acceleration at higher speeds. On a very tight course, the M3 would probably be faster again, due to its lighter weight and better acceleration at slower speeds .... In the end, it all comes down to personal preference, which is best compared during a test drive of the two vehicles. And of course it also depends on the price and your budget.
@@r2d2. Agree mostly, we will have to see, but from what I have seen the M3P is quicker in acceleration at all speeds, where have you seen the I4 been quicker in acceleration (accept one test done with a modified m3p done by carwow when the m3p ran a slower than usual run)?
You should have compared it with the Model 3 RWD which has the same performance and real-world similar range with the LFP battery, but £10k cheaper once you add BMW equivalent add-ons!
You can't upgrade the suspension though to make it ride as good. You can't upgrade to become a hatchback. Let's be honest, there are things the M3 has that the i4 doesn't have, and vice versa. You just have to decide which features you actually need. For me, having Netflix doesn't matter, I could just bring a tablet instead. But for some people, it might be crucial to have Netflix in the car so you'll have to choose accordingly
@@Abebe345 It's not a matter of space, MY is a CUV so not comparable IMO. Plus from what I've heard, the MY has EVEN WORSE suspension (is that possible?) than the M3 so I don't know why you'd choose that :/
@@Tanax13 it's not a traditional CUV. I think the reality, for those who cn afford it, will look at M3 and MY. I think if you go with smaller tires and manage your PSI, the ride is much improved over 20" tires. The MY is proving extremely popular in US and China with wait times growing. I think with MY, Tesla really hit a sweet spot with a lot of buyers. Kudos.
Two great cars. The real comparator is the gas equivalent. I'd love you to do such a comparison and explain to people looking for a new car why they should get the EV version of the BMW
You gave both cars the top efficiency rating- and implied that it was independently verified. Is there a link available to your research underlying that statement? It’s just that other reviewers who have tested them against each other (R Symonds for one) found the i4 to be a lot thirstier than expected...
The same laws of physics apply to both cars, and the BMW i4 M40 weighs around 1,100lbs more than the actual comp car, the Model 3 SR which costs $15,000 less and gets to 60 0.4 seconds faster. It is simply impossible for the BMW to be more efficient or even close to as efficient while weighing that much more unless Tesla are incredibly incompetent, which ten years of data says they are not. This is a case of two more "reviewers" assuming that all of their viewers are extremely gullible and stupid.
This was a really enjoyable review! I'm a long term BMW fan and love the practicality of the i4. Thing is, right now, I would opt for the Model 3 Long Range........In the real world you simply can't beat the charging speed & infrastructure of the Tesla. It's also important to remember that the i4 isn't really an EV....it's a transitional EV, and with this it will inherit some major drawbacks.....and lastly...there's absolutely no way on god's fine earth I'm buying an electric car that has twin fake exhausts!?
No one is mentioning the god awful black grill? I realise that it's part of BMWs design philosphy and heritage. But I can't help but think it's something that has to and will go as seeing them on EV's becomes more and more ridiculous. If you look back at the early Model S they had a fake grill too, it was super controversial when they removed it. But now side by side the no grill look is so much cleaner and more attractive.
Tesla only uses cameras on its current vehicles (“Tesla Vision”) - they are located at the top of the windscreen (behind the rear-view mirror when sat inside the car).
Very true, that's why we got the long range tesla. We did get a bmw for our 2nd car though. I can't wait for the next generation of electric cars from the legacy manufacturers though as they have finally started to take things seriously
I have ordered the Tesla 3 LR AWD and get it in March. I did consider the i4 but with AWD its over £60K. Plus Tesla has the Super Charger network infrastucure already in place.
The charging network all the work Tesla has put into there batteries make it much better EV experiences even if the Tesla is lacking in many area it makes up and that alone!
@@deman19901 Then, I must be a lucky guy with 90k miles and no issues at all with my TM3 LR from 2019. And so are the 6 other persons i know who have bought one after driving mine. I had more problems with my Merc with half a mileage...
@@jeromefournel1673 "Consumer Reports Still Ranks Tesla Reliability 27th Out Of 28" . For reference, in a J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Survey published earlier this year, Tesla was ranked 30th out of the 33 included brands" . "Tesla vehicles are known as much for being fast as for presenting chronic issues. Water leaks, paint problems, spontaneously-breaking glasses, MCU failures, and a long etcetera are now joined by something we have never reported: rust in front reinforcement bars. In a TMC forum thread for Model S owners, at least 15 cases emerged from 2016 until December 26, 2021" . Teslas are junk. The poorest built cars in the industry and the least reliable. American car buyers seam to love MEDIOCRITY.
Consumer Reports (CR) releases its owner satisfaction data every year and for the last three years, Tesla has been the leader. Well, we can now make that four consecutive years, because the EV manufacturer has done it again, easily beating its competitors - it was followed by Lincoln, Ram and Chrysler. This is certainly telling of just how much those who have bought a Tesla love their car. CR does point out that even though Tesla and Lincoln top the tables, both manufacturers actually place near the bottom when it comes to reliability ratings. Tesla scored 5/5 in the Driving category, 4/5 for Comfort, 4/5 for In-Car Electronics, 3/5 for Cabin Storage and 1/5 for Value. It is worth noting, though, that all premium automakers got a 1/5 for Value, so this doesn’t just apply to Tesla - it even applies to Lexus whose impressive reliability record has gained it an increasing number of fans who value dependability.
The German ADAC tests noise at 130 kmh (80 mph). The model 3 is indeed quite noisy. More than the average modern car. The BMW i4 is one of the quietest cars available. Iirc it is a 6 dB difference. That's a lot!
Thank you for a terrific video. I actually ordered an I4, but ultimately cancelled the order, in favour of a Model Y. Why? A few reasons: 1. BMW couldn't tell me what spec I would be getting, particularly, Advanced Bluetooth. I get it, there's a worldwide chip shortage, but I'm spending north of £6ok on a car, I do not want to have to manually swaps connections when two people are in the car. The dealer's handling of this fairly simple question was very poor (e.g wouldn't reply to emails or return calls) 2. It cost a lot - a LOT - to get the BMW specced the same as the Model Y 3. I currently own an F31 320d and an E89 Z4. I had to update the Satellite Navigation on both vehicles recently. The whole operation was so complex, it took me most of one day and brought me to near tears. I couldn't use the same USB stick - each car had to have separate spec USB stick. I had to download the software from a complex website, and manipulate it to get it on to the USB sticks. I then had to upload it in the correct USB port in the vehicle and then and then and then.... my point is, BMW's tech is way behind Tesla's (which updates automatically, wirelessly). As the i4 is so much more technically advanced than my current cars, I decided, based on my experience with doing a relatively simple thing like updating the navigation maps, that I couldn't trust BMW's ability with advanced software into the future. Look, this isn't a BMW hate post. Far from it, I love BMW, I have had them for over 20 years, loved each of them and I will be keeping the Z4. I'm just explaining my rationale for choosing the Y instead of the i4. But I am waiting until Gigafactory Berlin is producing them, and they are producing them with 4680 batteries. Then I will be ordering the Y.
Model Y is known to be even more bumpy than Model 3 - but I guess you already know it? I ordered the M50 and am confident the Apple Carplay will work perfectly (BMW maps are ok but I prefer google maps). The I4 has OTA updates.
Hey. Thanks for the hard work. I have a Model 3. I’ve had A6 Avants, TTRS, RS4, A5, etc., and every time I changed, it felt like the same car inside. I drove a Q4. No vibes. The Tesla - love it or hate it - is different. As I said to a friend this evening, this is the cheapest, fastest and best driving car I’ve had since 1994. Best seats too. I must add that I am not a.better driver than Senna. A fun item: I drove it to the Alps and did a 37k climb to 2300m without touching the brakes and went down a week later - without touching the brakes. Love EVs.
The Tesla Model 3LR (and the base model) can tow a metric tonne in Sweden (or if it was 900 kilograms...). Why can't it tow in the UK? Sure you haven't got the 3LR mixed up with the Performance version?... That one can't tow (for some reason...).
@@kingsterre Are you sure? In Sweden it's available 'off the menu'. There is no option on the website, but it can be added if you order your car by communicating with a Tesla Sales Advisor. And it has been like that for more than half a year...
It’d be the i4 for me here, too! Not a Tesla interior or design fan, if I’m honest, and the 40 RWD BMW is plenty fast enough… no need to spend extra on the M50, unless you have spare cash to burn.
But if money is a concern than the i4 gets significantly more expensive once you want to equip it with features like assist, electric seat adjustment, seat heaters, and what not which are standard in Tesla. In the 4WD configuration (where both have similar battery sizes) the BMW gets about 20.000 Euro (!!!) more expensive than the Tesla Model 3 (an that are German prices, hometown of BMW whereas Tesla still has the burden of import costs). For the RWD version the price difference is about the same but here is the advantage of BMW having a bigger battery of 80kWh compared to 60kWh. So pricewise the i4 with 4WD and some check boxes in the options is getting closer to a Tesla S than to a Tesla 3.
The minute you lose yourself in the plentifully available options, the price difference of the the models shrinks to negligible 4k. The only noticeable difference that you have to tolerate is the reduced range, but that can be improved out if you deselect the hideous spoiler.
Model 3 owner here. I agree that the ride on the Tesla is stiff, but that's just because they chose stiff coils. Replacing those will make them ride well enough to negate the advantage. Other than that, I think the rest is subjective and fair.
@@RemoteSpeed007 exactly. I had a Hyundai sonata last year with very VERY nice and soft ride. But handling was awful. With the 3, I corner at speeds I really shouldn't mention here, with full confidence. But I know I'm trading in comfort for that confident handling.
I don't understand why is i4 a better choice. Maybe because of it's eficiency, supercharger network, developed as a electric car or because is faster? I don't think so...the BMW i4 is slower, the room in the back is not ok for 3 persons, charging speed is lower than model 3.
The BMW can be ordered with adaptive suspension that allows both tight "rougher ride" and a comfort soft ride. That way you can have the both of best worlds. However, there is a cost involved.
No hate for the girls, it was an enjoyable video, but at 14:22 when they say the BMW has matched the Tesla on efficiency, somehow I doubt that. No clear numbers were mentioned or proven in the video, so I am a bit skeptic about that.
Ive ordered a BMW I4, but struggling to get a production date never mind a delivery date. So been looking elsewhere, but this video along with others has convinced me to stay put and wait for my BMW i4.
@@Electrifyingcom APR? I think when mentioning monthly figures it would be useful to include more detail? Overall costs could still be very different. I also tell my viewers to look at the overall costs not just monthlies. Great vid though - I love that green!
If you spec up the BMW to what comes as standard in the model 3 it’s model 3 performance price, but performance is more like the standard range which is £20k less. Insurance is a surprise though. Model 3 RWD is group 48 and BMW group 36 despite so much more expensive?
Having said that, when Tesla superchargers are open to other cars, and when the i4 is a bit cheaper (like my old 4 series GC) then it’s definitely on my shortlist. Just too expensive for now by about £10k
Factor in the performance figures and the rate of Teslas involved in accidents. From where I live now (Hong Kong’s), Tesla’s comprehensive insurance coverage for a year would be 2-3 times of an ICE car of its price bracket, and it isn’t helped by the fact that a lot of Teslas are driven recklessly.
So you prefer the car that is more expensive, rear wheel drive not 4 wheel drive,and is slower and less efficient, because it has buttons and a hatch back (but less cargo capacity)? Seems like a definitive review to me.
Yes, if points like the wide-opening trunk and ride comfort are more important to you in daily use than winning traffic light races, then it's the BMW. The Tesla is faster and minimally more efficient. Was shown very well in the video and now everyone can decide according to their preferences.
Thank you ladies for an honest view of the cars. The Tesla is a slightly better car in the numbers, like range, performance, tech and handling. But because of the Tesla’s minimalist and cheap looking interior, I have ordered the BMW i4 e drive 40 to be in delivered April 2022.
Some thoughts in no particular order: The BMW is comparable to the standard model 3, not the long range. The new Model 3 has a 300 mile range, which is less than the BMW but its an LFP battery - so you can charge it to 100% all the time. The BMW, as I understand it, should only really be charged to 90%. The resulting ranges will be much of a muchness - the BMW should be a little more, but it does cost 10 grand more. No frunk in the BMW - despite that enormous bonnet. What are the software upgrades in the BMW? No-one knows but we do know that Tesla introduce new features all the time. How's the self driving? Not mentioned in the video. Glass roof? So much focusing on the hatchback aspect is a bit odd. If a hatch is important you'll be able to get a model Y soon. If not, and it isn't for us, its a non-issue. Oh and the fart app....really...we've used it once. What about all the other apps and features - netflix, youtube, voice control....they may be great and all present on the BMW - you didn't mention any of it. One final question - how many can BMW actually make? Tesla will probably produce around 800,000 to a million model 3's this year. If BMW can only make, say 50,000 i4's its still going to be irrelevant.
Self driving is mostly a non-issue since it's not even available in Europe from Tesla either so it's a moot point at this stage. Glass roof is preferential. It adds light into the cabin but also lots of heat. Plus it adds weight. So it's a trade off. Comparing the i4 to the MY seems weird just for the "hatchback" aspect, one is a sedan, one is a CUV. Agree on everything else though regarding range, software and production capacity
@@Tanax13 The MY isn't a typical SUV. It handles as good as any sedan probably but gives you huge amounts of room. I think, for those who can afford it, it will be a winner in the market.
@@Abebe345 I didn't say SUV, I said CUV. Sure, if you're in the market for that, it's a great car. But if you're in the market for a sedan, the MY will look overgrown, bulky and ugly. It all comes down to your needs but personally I don't understand how someone in the market for a sedan ends up buying a MY, it's a completely different look..
Self-driving, OTA, and apps... these are questions that nerds care about, but drivers do not. Also, unlike Tesla's walled garden, BMW has CarPlay, so I couldn't care less about most of the internal features, my phone takes care of all that.
Tesla fan girl (up to a point) here: I have owned a black BMW 325 d and got rid of it after 2 years when I realized that most of my miles and commute time were spent driving to and from the dealership for endless unfixable recalls. OBTW the dealership/service was abrasive and generally shitty. My white SR+ (soon to be LRY) has a clean minimalist interior, sector leading performance and range, and I have not been back to the dealership since I picked it up in 2019 (Tesla service comes to me). Fit and finish was acceptable in both cars. The supercharger network made a trek from Michigan to Texas painless. PS love your video.
i driven BMWs from 1989, 1993, 1997, 2008 and 2017 none had any issues. both 3 series, one 5 series and now an i3 2017 and i got a 2022 i3 on order for a 1 year special deal lease. BMW have never faulted me, living in Sweden they are very much put to the test. Audi/VAG on the other hand never worked out for me.
You should have taken a blue one. The black ones are known as non reliable (just kidding). My 540i is also black, I have it since three years and no defect at all.
Almost any car can give you problems. You shouldn't have to deal with abrasive people so BMW needs to know of that dealership. But both BMWs and Teslas can be problematic or relatively reliable.
500kg weight difference. how will that look in snow and ice? also like for like the tesla is about 10k cheaper, so im not sure if there in the same segment.
The BMW hatchback configuration, traditional cabin, decent towing capacity, better ride quality and build quality are the difference with this car. Over all the bmw is slower, RWD (not 4x4) more expensive and with less cutting edge tech than the M3 but, folk want a car that works well in the round and more comfort on our crater filled uk roads so I can see how this appeals . Although a rare option, the model 3 can come with a tow hitch. My M3 has one and has a 1000kg limit. In terms of outright speed, technology, efficiency and value for money the Tesla still edges it for me. The BMW will sell very well indeed as the blended package appears to work on UK roads, I hope they have the supplies to meet demand. Well done ladies a great review!
You did not actually give the efficiency figures i.e. miles per Kwh? Or the weight of each car? And I cannot believe it is ‘close’, as no other brand of EV is.
BMW is 400-500 kg heavier than 3 and 200 kg heavier than Y. 25 kWh/100 km for i4 M50 18,3 kWh/100 km for 3 Perf. Credit to th-cam.com/video/Dxrhdox1qwI/w-d-xo.html
@@dmitrii336Tesla is 27% more efficient. 'Close' is not the word I would use in regard to efficiency! Imagine if one ICE car did 37mpg and the other did 50mpg would that even be a contest?
@@grahambrown42 yes, the difference in efficiency is huge, it's like 1990s car vs 2020s car. I can easily imagine people buying BMW because of brand and all. But no competent fleet manager in his right mind will choose it over Tesla.
a coworker wanted a towbar on his Model Y but Tesla wouldn’t even fit it unless he had the “improved car license “ (called BE in Sweden) so he can drive up to 3500KG, which he doesn’t have, so no towbar for him 😂
@@peterlang3369 0 to 60 in how many seconds...is a way to measure the take off ability...as a bit of a petrol head..it is a nice to know...top speed to another measurement.. not all UK roads are 70.. or are you telling me the highway max is 70..that is MPH...I live in Africa where max speeds are in Km 110 to 120... :-)
@@robertferreiro3466 Max speed in UK is 70 MPH they did say 0-60 was 5.3 sec I believe and top speed I think is 116 mph for the i4 must be software limited I believe as my BMW hybrid is 125 mph
Nice review ladies. I'm not defending Tesla, because trust me, I would like them to be able to tow a decent caravan, but the Model 3 can tow a 1000 kg braked trailer or small caravan. The i4's 1600 kg is way better for me though, as I already own a 435d to pull my caravan. So the i4 would be an ideal replacement. Although, the 0-60 at 5.7 secs is a bit on the slow side for me, being used to 4.7 secs. I could go for the M50 version, but it's way out of my price range. I wonder if BMW will come up with a performance boost for the i4 to match the Long Range Model 3?
I've owned a Tesla since 2018 and my wife had the BMW i3 for 3 years. I think that the i4 is a terrific car, but I'd still go with a Tesla due to all wheel drive, faster acceleration, better software & infotainment setup, and FSD (being a beta tester in US I'm confident Tesla will succeed). I wish M3 was a hatchback for sure, and had a dashboard.
@@zerocool801 this is a good point, you buy a BMW to drive the car and experience it yourself. FSD should never be a deciding factor between these two cars.
@@dabulls1g since I own a model S I did not have to adapt, but I did rent one on turo and it was difficult to get used to for the few days I owned it. Same with the model Y I was given from Tesla for a service loaner, difficult, but others say they get used to it.
The hatch is generally better for loading stuff. The T M Y is always an option, an option with a 1,750 kg tow rating. How are the OTA updates with that BMW? Can they be done without going in to the dealership? Are they a no-charge perk? Does the car get meaningfully better with OTAs? If there is a problem with the BMW how does BMW handle maintenance? Do they send a ranger to wherever the car is and try to fix the problem without the owner having to bring it in? Glad it's a dream to drive though.😉
Both seem to be decent vehicles. When it comes down to which one I get I am not going to worry about what any commentor or my neighbour or colleague say. I am buying which ever vehicle that me and my wife believes fit out budget, wants in a vehicle, and personal design prefence. I have no issue with discussing stats and personal prefernces. Also, I appreciate people clearing the air on possible oversights of the video realizing that the video is not exhaustive. I think they did a fair job and chose what they did based on their criteria.... doesnt mean it is the best for everyone.... thank goodness, I dont want to be driving the exact same car as everyone else (wouldnt want to spend 3 hours finding my car in a parking lot).
The BMW with only a single motor and it’s performance is really properly comparable to the Tesla model 3 Standard Plus RWD but price difference is significant
Yeah, they are working really hard here to figure out a way to declare the BMW the winner. Long term it will not matter, lots of other cars now selling a few hundred models a month have been declared by "reviewers" to be better than the Tesla.
@@albertzimmermann8894 BYD is doing great converting to EVs, because they have been working hard at it for ten years or more. VW Group are late but really committed to switching to EVs and may have a small chance of surviving. All the other legacy automakers are walking dead, wait and see. Tesla is about to start really showing their stuff now with the new Model Y from Austin. Full Self Driving will be their killer app, and it will kill most of the other automakers. Then Cybertruck will show up and obliterate the truck competition by being tougher and stronger and faster and less expensive.
Great review. The problem with conclusions in twin tests is the pressure to answer the question "Which one is best?" without answering another question first: "Best at what, exactly?" If you value outright speed or range, or the Supercharger Network, the Model 3 is compelling. If you value how the BMW driving experience is different more than outright acceleration or appreciate the hatchback then get the BMW. Looks are subjective. Some people hate the walrus teeth of the BMW; I personally think the Model 3's nose looks a little odd. Honestly? I'd sacrifice some speed, driving dynamics AND range, and be tempted by a high spec (and still quite fun) and cheaper Polestar 2 instead. It reminds me of the Mercedes Vs BMW twin tests of the 1990s and 2000s, where each camp would defend their choice (and in their own way, each have a point)... while others nodded, smiled and bought a Saab instead.
Model Y will be interesting as it is a hatch and not a traditional SUV. I think it wil be ome of the choices people will evaluate looking at all of these cars.
I was deciding between the i4 M50 and the Model 3 Performance and having come from M2 and M140i, I was more drawn to the i4. However, on driving them, the Model 3 was the more fun and direct. The i4 felt more refined and definitely better riding, but the steering feel is poor and it felt much more of a (very) fast tourer than a fun car, so not for me. Its extra weight and size made it more unwieldy on our twisty UK country lanes. I can see how many people would prefer the i4 though, especially in the standard guise, as for a transportation device it is the more comfortable and it has a hatchback for practicality. Model 3 Performance it is then, but I will surely miss the manual shifts and the straight 6 of the M2. 😔
@@wleng this purchase would be a replacement so I will only have one car. Without the visceral enjoyment of an ICE and manual, it would need something extra. The M50 I feel is already too much of dampened/numbed experience (except for the speed) that I feel the e-Drive 40 would be even less adequate a replacement. If I only needed a car for comfortable commuting I would probably agree with you. The plan is in the future I would consider a second car in the form of a Lotus Exige/Emira or 718/Cayman for the fun, so don't want to budget more for a Taycan 4S either.
I went back-and-forth several times before posting a response, as many of the points have been made already. However, having looked at both the BMW configurator and the Tesla website in the UK on 1 Feb 2022, I offer the following when comparing the Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor (£49,990) and BMW i40 MSport: the BMW has a hatchback (more practical) and (subjectively, taken from the review) better ride quality. However, when (almost) matched in terms of specification (BMW does not offer heated rear seats (vs 3 in the Tesla), and the acceleration (0-60)is considerably slower, the BMW costs £62.7k. That's more than 25% higher than the 'equivalent' Tesla. For that difference in money, you could upgrade the suspension (~£2.5k) and have everything that the BMW offers, except the hatch, of course, and still have £10k in your pocket. That doesn't sound like a 'win' for the BMW to me. If you'd like to remake the video using an actual Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor, let me know - I'll happily lend you mine to see a fairer and more accurate comparison.
Loved the review. Your points align perfectly with what everyone who drove both cars think. On paper model 3 seems the way to go but if you know about cars then you know that you have to drive a car and then you can judge it.
as much as I am not a tesla's fan, the i4 ain't a real challenger more expensive, less efficient, slower, less roomy, even uglier front it will appeal just to brand loyalists
I was in the market for both these cars, and then I got my leasing budget. What do I see? A BMW i4 M50 will a bunch of option packs is within my budget. The M3LR is *way outside* the budget without even touching a colour choice. The choice was pretty easy then.
I like how they used Tesla’s “5.3s 0-60” as a “downside” because they “would’ve preferred less acceleration with better efficiency” when you can just put it in Chill Mode and have it literally do just that. There’s an entire mode for reining back the acceleration while increasing your efficiency, but somehow it’s a downside that the car gives you the option to choose whichever you prefer? I gotta say, I like the channel, but this seemed like you were trying to just give the BMW points for whatever reason. The i4 is definitely a great option but the Model 3 has _plenty_ of benefits over it that I don’t think were really emphasized. More efficient, better acceleration, lower energy costs, lower price, better charging network, better UI, better navigation integration, way more included with the base model, free autopilot, included modes like sentry mode, dog mode, camp mode, better, more usable phone app, etc. These thing are huge driving factors for choosing a car and it felt like they weren’t really emphasized how many advantages it might have over the other.
I felt like the speakers are completely biased. Played with numbers, didn’t mention hips of benefit from Tesla and hips of drawbacks from the bmw. Compared oranges to apples, clearly.
I’ve had the chance to drive all 3 model 3’s before all in town and motorways and thought they were brilliant all around. I’ve seen videos of the bmw and as it’s not built as an electric car ground up, it feels compromised. And for that I’d always choose the Tesla so far……but not the performance. The standard range is more than enough even for long journeys…….factor in how efficient it also is plus it’s £43k, I don’t think the BMW can touch it.
The ground up thing always confused me. This was supposed to be designed for both ICE and EV so not just a conversion. Also the e-Niro is a fantastic EV and that’s an ICE conversion. They can work sometimes
@@MrKlawUK Accept, this car is 800-1000lbs heavier than the model 3, which means less acceleration, less efficiency, less range, longer charge times, handling would be worse too - and since it can't charge on the Tesla network, would be a hit and miss on longer trips.
With the I4, charging will take 1 minute of my time. 30 sec when connecting the charger and 30 sec the following day to pull it off. Not many people drive more than 300km everyday. And if so happens, I prioritize driving in comfort than arriving with headache. Charging 20-80% takes 30 min w fastcharge those dozen of times a year I need it.
So you take a Tesla Performance and say its too fast? 😁 Maybe next time take the LR. Also you seem to ignore all of the Teslas advantages, yes it doesn’t fit this specific chair, but it has more under floor storage, and a frunk! The Tesla’s rear seat can actually fit three and not have that stupid tunnel in the middle, and has more storage in the front. You talk about the supercharger network as if it is already open to all, but it is not, and even if it will, not all stations, and those who will be open will be less expensive for Teslas. Maybe you should take a look at CARWOW how to do a true comparison. You might still choose the BMW but at least it would be a fair and complete review.
@@benjaminsmith2287 and thats why I didn’t say they should have or shouldn’t have pick the Tesla. Its just that they ignored all of the Tesla’s strengths and while driving the Performance version (the name says it all) they complain its too fast. Sorry but this is just a poor comparison
Tesla needs an adaptive suspension or maybe just a softer suspension on the non performance models. Heads up displays should be an option too. It seems they are a bit loud as well. Not really a surprise as the main design hasn't changed that much for years. I wonder how the new Model Ys out of Austin will be with their single piece castings and structural battery. Will they recalibrate the suspension, or leave it? The 4680 batteries could be a game changer too, but will have to see if they actually give us the range improvement, or use fewer batteries to save money. Charging could be very fast as well. In general, I prefer a ground up ev over a ice conversion. The plumbing/ electrical on ice conversions is usually way more complicated and typically won't be good for long term reliability.
I have test driven both and for me the BMW wins hands down. The only things that Tesla was better at was acceleration (I don't need or want more than the BMW 5.8s anyway) charging network (which is a big plus) and that's about it, everything else was better in the BMW. The real clincher for me was the BMW driver assistance package, made the Telsa enhanced autopilot seem a bit of a joke. I haven't owned a BMW for well over 20 years now, but my order for the i4 is now in progress.
you might change your mind when you go on a long trip. if the navigator in your car does not show correct information and where there are chargers and calculates the range of the battery incorrectly, to commercial chargers
@@Andersljungberg True, but FSD is only in Beta in the USA and not available in Europe let alone the UK. Advanced auto pilot which is available gives next to nothing extra and what it does give works badly, just look at all the disaster videos on the auto summon feature. God knows how many UK idiots paid a huge sum of money for FSD only to find there not allowed to use it. The new EQE/EQS from Mercedes has just been given a level 2 pass. Tesla FSD is still Only at level 3.
@@ianplummer there are two different packages for auto pilot to buy at least here in Sweden. Review I've seen them, the autopilot often gets good reviews, but basically everyone is from the USA
Why reviewers NEVER TALK about lack of spare wheels? This is the biggest downfall for me when it comes to EVs. That so called frunk should be where the extra tyre should be placed.
It's all about weight savings. BMW and most manufacturers are not running spares. They either use run flat tires or a foam patch kit. It's not just EV's.
@@RyanWolfFerguson I didn’t know, I thought BMW and others did spare wheels on all ICE cars… I know Toyota does them but it looks like EVs keep on coming short of spare wheels so we’ll see how Toyota EVs are like. But to me personally I’m crying for a spare wheel or at least make a place where one can put it. There’s no way one would have confidence driving 600Km+ around the country without it.
@@fancyIOP people including myself have put a ton of miles on a car without a spare. If you take care of your tires, run flats or a patch kit is all you will need. Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes, Chevrolet, Kia. They are all ditching spares. Spares are extremely unsafe with the way they are used. Spares expire and are rarely ever replaced, they are not meant to be driven for any lengthy period of time or above 45mph and they always are. Your hesitancy is because you don't have any experience with the alternative. Believe me when I say that the roads are safer without spare tires.
@@RyanWolfFerguson LoL I hear you buddy, I hear you. Just that I had an experience of changing tyres 2/3 times . So maybe that’s why I’m that worried though I changed those tyres in maybe 14yrs or so. But I do hear what you are saying.
But they aren’t in the same price class. You had to compare the performance Tesla with the base i4-40 to even get close. And good old BMW with their option packs (did the i4 have a HUD- mentioned for the M3). I need to ask, why didn’t you get your helmet out of the BMW’s Frunk? Oh, okay (spoiler alert: it doesn’t have one because it is an adapted ICE car). Disclaimer, I don’t own a Tesla or a BMW, but if I had the funds would go for the Beemer.
I think these two cars are actually very different from each other. The i4 costs more because it’s an actual luxury car, and the Model 3 isn’t. They are both good depending on what you want. But I’d probably go for a Mach E
What makes the i4 s luxury car? Build quality? Drive quality? The tesla looks nice and more than makes up for any differences in said build quality with its superior technology capabilities imo
@@dabulls1g all of those things make up the luxury feel of the BMW i4. I don’t think one is better than the other. But the Model 3 makes more sense and the entry level, and the BMW is more top end
@@dabulls1g yes, interior build quality is better in bmw. Plus, it seems that Tesla is always at the bottom of the lists in term of car reliability. Charging network is a huuuge advantage for Tesla. It’s a such shame that Tesla doesn’t use better materials and doesn’t invest into the interiror build quality.
@@oliverstemp9132 The best EV second hand hands down is the Tesla Model 3 standard. You can pick one of these up for 25k in the UK - and to me its very much worth the money because of the tech you get with it and of course you can do a few upgrades. Ive looked around at secopnd hand EV's and the Jaguar I Pcae is an almost buy but its range is less than a standard model 3 +_ with the Tesla you get better Tech so thats the one I would go for. But, the Jag looks far far better.
Nice one ladies.... I think the BMW would be the one I would pick. While the Tesla is good I think the BMW looks better and is more practical inside and out. Love that colour too :-)
Thanks for the great review. I lean towards the BMW for all the reasons you point out. Notably, its a better driver's car, and, I really prefer buttons over a touchscreen. Particularly when the car is moving at 85 mph on a sweeping turn and I'm looking for the seat heater.
It's bullocks. Bmw I4 doesn't drive better, it has been already covered. The problem is it weighs over 2.2tons. it's heavy as hell, which effects it's handling. You can fine tune the handling as much as you like but you can't hide weight.
Most commands available to be voice activated. Even as simple as my hands are cold will turn on the steering wheel heater or seat heaters etc. making a long trip is a seamless process. Navigate to ??? Follow on screen routing, car will automatically charge just sufficient o get to next destination. We just did a 1700km trip easily without any issue. Try that in ANY other BEV!!!
Please mention that there is a very good reason for the glovebox being controlled via the touchscreen... It's so it's secure when renting and it also keeps the dashcam USB secure.
Ordering one or the other right now, test drove both just recently. The only issue with this review is the level of tech included on the Tesla M3. In reality the entry level Model 3 RWD is the closest to the i4 in performance, driving experience and likely real world and useable range with the new LFP battery. The Tesla M3 RWD starts at £45k, the i4 at £52k, however, you'll need to add an additional £7k of extras to the BMW to get the same tech as the Tesla. Don't get me wrong I prefer the BMW, I love BMW's. But the big question is, is the i4 £15k better than a the Tesla M3? I personally don't think so.
Model 3 owner here, I am happy to see competition is getting better and this will result in only one thing, Tesla will get even better. Tesla is a very fast moving company that will never sit still. Also safety of Tesla is unmatched but as usual Tesla doesn't advertise, hence people don't know. Also if Tesla was really worried, they would not want to give away their supercharger advantage, but the company genuinely wants people to transition to EV and are doing everything they can to help facilitate that to non Tesla owners.
I don't think safety is unmatched. Viewing the Polestar 2 vs. Tesla 3 crash test results, they looked almost interchangeable. Maybe the 3 had one active safety result that the Polestar 2 failed. Otherwise, the dummy figures were very comparable. In real-world tests, Volvo is proven as well. I still think Volvo, Mercedes and others are as safe as anything on the road, as crashworthy. And some others as well.
When you compare to the price to Model 3 RWD then the Tesla wins for me! For the 2 days a year I drive over 250 miles I can can cope with the extra need to charge and I’ll save over £100 pcm on finance thank you very much!
I agree and its charged enough by the time you have walked in gone to the loo and grabbed some food. I also have no need for 4 wheel drive - M3 goes round corners on rails and the way you can feel acceleration change mid corners is epic
FINALLY.... I really dislike the bland looks of Tesla. So now for your £52k you have Model 3, i4, EV6 & Ioniq 5. Build quality, fit & finish & even the badge.... BMW nails it. And that is coming from a Mercedes owner that never really desired a BMW. I agree with Electrifying on this one.
Former BMW owner and fanboy, but switched to Tesla in 2019 and never going back. Just miles ahead of the competition. Not saying it's the case here, but I understand the urge of the media to desperately look for faults at Tesla. Tesla is eating everybodys lunch and legacy auto pay the medias bills.
so why compare with the model 3 which is a saloon and not the model Y which would have been a closer comparison ? the price for the tesla is all in where as the BMW has lots of expensive optional extras ! Thanks i do like the shows but please try and make it comparable
A Tesla model 3 LR can tow 900 kg. Why do you say it’s 0? Model 3 is much more efficient at 170 Wh/km WLTP vs I4 m50 240 Wh/km. M3 weighs almost 400 kg less, it has OTA software updates and a much better Autopilot as standard. Strange you don’t mention the obvious things🤔
Right so: Tesla charges at 250kw - BMW 200. Tesla about 10% more efficient Tesla has 9 years of experience around over the air updates some of which include efficiency and performance gains. BMW is built on an ice template so still has transmission tunnel. BMW is approx 10% more expensive with options to march STD spec Tesla. Your conclusion makes very little sense beyond the subjective elements like looks. Also a scarily large number of vagues comments Vs real stats e.g the charging - Tesla much faster Very strange video that I can only assume is designed to get clicks Vs real analysis I also didn't like the way the i4 drives but that's more subjective I guess
Yes,a button phone is better then a touchscreen phone i mean for real, they both do instant long distance comunication,so of course touchscreen phones will never have 100% of telecomunication device market
No doubt, the Tesla needs more refinement to close the gap to the legacy car makers like BMW, Audi and Mercedes. Tesla needs a more sophisticated suspension, a proper matrix laser/led headlight and augmented reality HUD.
I've read all the comments and I would say there are a few from BM dealers trying to pump their product. The BMW is a nice looking car, but its flawed from the off due to its massive weight and ICE tech. I would guess that those who do buy it will regret their choice after a month or two due to its inefficiency and getting beaten at the lights every time they come along a Tesla. One more thing, when it breaks down - and it will - are you expecting the dealers to fix it?
I nearly ordered an i4 m50, was pretty keen apart from the turning circle and the tight rear seat space. A couple of other reviews made me really nervous about the range so I am just sitting on my m3p now, would love something with the performance and interior space and updates of the tesla, suspension and service backup of BMW but a proper 300+ miles of range. I also nearly ordered a Taycan Cross Turismo but it was just so large with so little rear space, its not really a cost thing - its just I like a 3 series size car.
@@kingsterre I’ve had to go around doing that as well! There is nearly 50 miles difference between the 2 wheel sizes! Bmw went for style on the press car and should have gone for efficiency!
@@ChristopherBennett81 you get the same issue with pretty much all electric cars and it often crater comfort. Another thing to watch is buckling the alloys on potholes due to the weight of the car and lack of rubber.
I’m with ya Ladies. Last December I decided against a Model Y and bought BMW iX3 for exactly the same reasons U prefer the i4. And I’m still a Tesla fanboy, from the luxurious splenda of my beema
Superglue on some exhaust tips in the fake exhaust cut outs and you are good to go. Next generation of the i4 might be a more profound effort boasting better range, less weight and smarter utilization of space. But this one is probably intended as a lease for real estate agents. I'll skip this one and stick with my model 3, but next generation will probably be worthy of a look.
I would definitely go for the i4 🤩🔥 - interior and chassis are on a different level. I don't really need to play video games or any of the gimmicks from the M3.
A heads-up display? Why? Real-world driving will have you driving with traffic and you practically can see the speedo in your peripheral vision. Thought it would bother me, but it feels natural and easy from day one.
one major reason to choose the tesla is that you can order it online & you can see when it’s delivered (usually few weeks to few month). On the BMW you need to talk to a greasy car salesman to get the best deal and then probably wait for a year.
Mmm i'm pretty sure that some of your collegues would disagree. The BMW is not a bespoke EV so it's heavier and less efficently packaged (no front boot). It is also slower and more expensive. HOWEVER I do agree on the style, it's better looking in and out and with much more interior usability.
I think the hatchback practicality negates the advantage of the frunk in my opinion. The i4 M50 is quicker 100-200km/hr, quarter mile, and from a roll race at 60mph+ in real life situations, such as the local freeway around here.
The BMW looks better, drives better and feels better. That's why people buy luxury cars. Nobody really gives a fuck about 0-60 times being 1s faster or slower, doesn't matter, you wouldn't be able to tell without specialist timing gear anyway or if a car weighs a bit more or less you can't tell without weighing it anyways. People go with their guts and not some arbitrary and ultimately meaningless differences is some numbers.
BMW has for 5 decades really meant to me Bring More Wallet when it comes to service, parts or depreciation . Sorry for BMW dealers how are they going to make money out of servicing an EV , after all thats where they make a lot of their money . If the BMW is not popular then the depreciation will make gravity look slow as it accelerates to near zero . If that happens fancy cheap leasing will not exist . Just remember Tesla are starting to make them in Germany .
I'd prefer the BMW over the Tesla. Physical buttons, hatchback, ride quality; those are a huge pros. And I like the German craftmanship over that of American cars. At least of the few I have driven or rode in. It just feels solid. If you prefer the Model 3 and undoubtedly have good experiences with it, then that's great too.
Better or not, I would never consider a legacy carmaker’s EV. Who for the past 50 years have been fooling us into believing that combustibles are the way to go. I’d have any of the start-up brands like Rivian, Lucid, Fisker or one of the Chinese ones, like Xpeng or Ora, who have truly realised the have a horrible ICE background and are fully committed to BEV’s.
For your info the Ora company is owned by Great wall motors GWM which also makes combustion models. So the ora is a legacy automaker. Fisker's first car was the karma which was a hybrid not pure ev. Tesla's first car was based on a combustion car platform.
@@atchu5510 yes but they are fully committed to the EV platforms. Without the ICE antics. No VW, Ford, GM, Stelantis, Mercedes, BMW bullshit for me anymore. All the legacy car makers knew 50 years ago that ICE is killing us, yet they tried push diesels, killed or significantly slowed down their EV development.
@@AKA001 I think this is an unfortunate mantra some EV fans have gotten into. Times change. Volvo is committed to EVs. Hyundai is. A lot of established automakers are. This whole "legacy auto" monolith category is a load of nonsense to me. I think this type of EV fan should get off your high horse about EV manufacturers. Businesses will operate as businesses hence Musk's down-the-nose attitude about hydrogen fuel cells and BYD's cars (he laughed at them). If you like a car, fine. But no need to idolize a company or put in one lump other companies. Somehave helped bring about Tesla in the first place. They still needed established car companies to learn how to mass produce their cars.
I really like the BMW, my concern is the service cost and electronic stuff, BMW has been shown to be problematic, I will settle for BMW looks and handling, plus Tesla performance, and electronic wizardry. :)
BMW service (here in Canada at least) is outstanding while I see a lot of Tesla owners in different forums having issues with service and really big issues when they're not near a Tesla service center. While BMW Service is expensive, it's always done right and you can trust what they tell you is wrong with the car. They also (hear at least) stick to their quotes.
be prepared to pay monthly subscription for seat heating, for opening the boot lid, for operating the driver door, for switching ON the headlights etc.
I've been driving BMW's most of my life and recently had an X5. However I've just switched to Tesla Model Y and there's no looking back. If I was staying with ICE cars, no doubt I would've gotten another BMW. But once I decided EV there's no way I'm going BMW. There's no beating Tesla in the EV game. They're just too far ahead of the game at this point. BMW's and others have to play catch up.
Why though? I don't see that in a lot of fields. Only camera based driver's assistance? No HUD, no advanced motors like BMW's SSM or an 800V system like in the Hyundais. The headlights are stuck in the 90's even, far behind even budget brands. Several competitors have equally capable navigation systems now as well. From an engineering standpoint it is very hard to defend this "Tesla is waaay ahead" claim. I think only lean production, battery chemistry and in house semiconductor competence are solid points to support that. They do however have their very unique and well received way of doing things that have a unique appeal.
The i4 is obviously more practical due to the hatchback. But strange to compare the performance vs and rwd car. If you compare the i4M it's weight 400kg more than the Tesla. How on earth did they manage that?
Hi. As always a great video, however it was mentioned 7:20 into the presentation, that the Tesla cannot tow “anything”. That’s not correct. I have a Tesla model 3 LR from 2021, and it has a detachable hook, which can tow up to a 1000kg…
Yep, and it's still available "under the counter" when ordering at a Tesla store.
I think they meant to say, the "official" stance from Tesla is no tow rating. However, thousands of people are towing with their Model 3's across the globe with lighter weights (I don't know what the unofficial rating is). The car has more than enough power and pull to tow. Its' a matter of warranty needs, should something arise from a towing-related issue. Tesla will probably not cover it.
@@EVRevolution no, you can buy officially with tow hitch on non performance version. Just not on custom order page.
@@EVRevolution My guess is it doesn't have proper mounting points underneath the car. A towing bracket needs to be fixed to the main chassis.
@@tonin.4414 The BMW has such a trick totally hidden push of a button electric retractable hitch.
While I am very happy for the verdict as I just ordered my M50 last week and I love the very happy and open way you ladies review the cars, I cannot help but wonder if there might be a bit of a bias in the decision, given that Niki runs the Official BMW Podcast and that she is the only content creator on YT that did a walkaround and discussion with all the BMW top brass that were/are involved with the i projects...This is not a criticism, but I think a disclaimer should apply.
Again, I could not agree more with the verdict as I chose the BMW over Tesla.
I ordered two M50's.
BMW all the way. I ordered the M50. There are so many more ways to individualize the BMW. Definitely worth $15k more to not have a cheap quality cookie cutter Tesla.
@@hotrod182 While I agree that the BMW is the better built car, let's not forget that were it not for Tesla, we would not be having this conversation now. We would still be looking at the EV as a fad. Let's give credit where credit's due.
@@IceTeaF00t I've ordered the M50 and I fully agree with your statement. Had it not been for Tesla, we'd have been really scrambling a lot more now to have a path to decarbonizing personal transportation.
@@IceTeaF00t Tesla brought performance EV to the market but GM really made the platform. They didn't pursue it. But they made the skateboard platform as well as thinking of electronic controls and regen brakes. EVs were bound to happen at some point. I do credit Tesla for showing that EVs are quicker, smoother cars than ICE cars.
More on the pros and cons of the BMW and the Tesla.
First, it probably would have made more sense to compare the standard range RWD Model 3 against the BMW. Performance is very similar and you'd be comparing two RWD cars instead of one with RWD and the other with AWD. While I don't have access to UK pricing, in the US the RWD Tesla is about $46k. In the US a comparably equipped i4 is $60k.
The Tesla has a quoted range of 267 miles while the BMW's EPA rating is 301 miles, but the Tesla can charge at 250 KW while the BMW can charge at only 200 KW...if you can find a station that supports this rate. The implication is that in terms of time spent for a long drive the slightly increased range of the BMW (because it has a huge battery pack...more on that later) is likely more than offset by the virtually ubiquitous availability of 250 KW Superchargers.
Of course there is another major implication here. While the Tesla weighs about 3,800 lbs the BMW weighs about 5,000 lbs. This is a big problem in that it contributes in no small way to the reduced efficiency of the BMW, and is really an indicator about just how much better engineered the Tesla is. Of course, a large part of this is that the i4 is a kluge....an IC car that was retrofitted with a cookie cutter electric powertrain.
The fact that the BMW is a hatchback is definitely a benefit over the Tesla. On the other hand, did you try to fit 3 people in the back seat of the BMW? While the Tesla has a completely flat floor, making the middle seat usable, the BMW retains the drive shaft tunnel from the IC car. Again, this is what happens when you don't actually design an EV from scratch.
Other considerations. The BMW has substantially fewer software features than the Tesla. Yes, it's easy to say that they are gimmicks, and some surely are; but I would argue that having truly integrated route planning is a significant benefit. I would also argue that being able to remotely acquire firmware fixes and enhancements is a very important feature, and something that BMW can't do.
Finally, there's efficiency. Yes, both are better than IC vehicles, but consider that the Tesla goes almost as far on 60 kWh as the BMW does on 80 KWh. Of course this is due to a number of factor including a less efficient drive train, worse aerodynamics, and much more weight....again, problems that result from transplanting an EV powertrain into an IC chassis.
If one cares, the top speed of the BMW is 118 mph while that of the tesla is 140 mph. Me, I care.
So, where does this leave us. A comparable BMW is fully $16k more expensive than the Tesla, if far less efficient, lacks the ability to charge at speeds comparable to the Tesla, doesn't have the ability to receive firmware fixes and feature updates remotely, doesn't have the completely integrated trip planning capabilities that the Tesla does, is no quicker...and substantially slower on top end, and has a driveshaft tunnel making the rear seat far less useful than that of the Tesla. Oh, and it has no frunk.
As I see it, the sole benefit of the BMW is the hatchback. As for the "quality" of the interior I would say that this is a matter of taste. While some might prefer the traditional BMW look and feel, I think it looks old and dated.
Based on all this I'm having trouble seeing how a rational car buyer would choose the BMW over the Tesla....and it appears that my assessment is shared by the market as a whole.
In a lot of ways the i4 is an insult to BMW. They probably could build a better car, but then they would have to get serious about developing and selling a real purpose-built EV, which the i4 isn't.
I couldn’t have said this any better. I love my 2008 BMW 335xi and replacing it with an EV BMW would be great. However, it’s more expensive, slower and vs the long range model 3 version has less range. You would have to be crazy not to pick the Model 3.
Agree with all you said, and i have more things to consider in the cons and pros. (All the cars i owned in my life were BMWs, now i own a Tesla M3P). Now after some time using the M3P i can say i miss from BMW the following.
1- Handling (Teslas are more direct, and at highway speeds are not as precise as the BMWs).
2- U-turns. All the 3 series i had could turn U on any street, the M3P is not bad, but there are many 4 lines streets i have to get too wider to make it with the Tesla.
3- Heads up display.
4- The glass roof is an oven on sunny states, even with the glass tinted.
5- Seats will grab you in a curve, the Tesla seats are more open.
Now, regarding this electric BMW.
1- I don't think they talked about the one pedal driving like in the Tesla (don't know if it works the same).
2- What about the traction control. I know that the Tesla has the best traction control i ever seen, the software to maintain the car under control is way better in the Tesla (in my opinion).
3- Does it allows for CarPlay? My previous BMW didn't and it was a 335i Msport with all the goodies on it. My guess is that it does, cuz the BMW map sucks.
4- How about security cameras and being able to live stream it to your phone?
Anyways, more options, always better.
I guess most people care about numbercrunching at work - but when it comes to cars, BMW buyers care about what matters in daily use; practicality - comfort - quality - feel and looks.
They like the flexibility of being able to load the car with luggage if 5 adults.
They do not like to crawl under the car to screw a hitch in the occasion you must tow.
They appreciate the quality interior feel and driver focused set-up.
They are happy to charge at home and seldom need to charge at stations as daily driving seldom exceeds 300km.
They are happy to see huge savings in driving costs compared to ICE equivalents. If there are EV cars not appealing to them with 10% better range or that have a ”get dirty fingers” frunk that they have never needed in the past - that doesn’t change their decision
Well said. The way people judge/decide between cars is totally different from person to person. Some people "feel cool" in a certain brand and will pick it just because of that alone. Other people want to look read specs and really get "the best" car for their money. I'm in the 2nd camp and for me, the Tesla specs/engineering/value is simply superior to the BMW. They deliver more car for your money and do it at a cost that nobody else can even come close to matching. If you value performance per $$ and future proofed technology the Tesla is a clear winner.
Agreed, only one addon, the Tesla Model 3 SR+ (RWD) cannot charge with 250 kW, it is capped somewhere at 170 kW.
But I wouldnt get the BMW either.
The closest Tesla service to me is 300 km away and they didn't return any of my presales emailed questions. Not a single response. Because BMW had customer service really well figured out and Tesla does not, my order was for the i4. I'm sure it will be brilliant enough and I'll get great customer service.
...and you'll need it
@@dangrass 🤣
@@dangrass Why is that? I've owned BMWs since 2003 and hardly had any issues, apart from a couple of warranty oil leaks that got sorted straight away at my local BMW dealer.
@@dangrass Teslas make the least reliable vehicles in the world. Thy''re also the poorest built.
That will be a point of interest - how the dealer deals with electric.
I have a Shanghai M3, the paintwork is perfect, and so are the panel gaps!
I have a 2021 M3, made in China. The paintwork and panel gaps are perfect. My friend has scrutinised it and concluded it was indistinguishable from his bmw.
I had a BMW I3 previously, , although the paintwork was as good as the Tesla, panel gaps where nowhere near consistant.
@@David-bl1bt China made Model Y owner here. Can confirm that paintwork, exterior and interior quality is perfect.
Shanghai makes Fremont look like learners.
@@KyleHubb Fremont is gen 1 factory for Tesla and will always be I guess. Giga Berlin (gen 3) is the most interesting to see... soon...
I have a 2021 M3P, no problems with gaps or paint, awesome car.
I am not a Tesla owner (in fact I've never even driven one) but it has been designed and built on a dedicated EV platform. The i4 is based on a previous ICE model and therefore is inevitably compromised, just like the Hyundai Kona I've got on a 2-year lease. When you factor in the higher purchase price of the i4 I'm not sure how many BMW will actually sell?
I'm really hoping to see more saloon/sedan EV models come to market in the UK. I am not a fan of SUV's and certainly don't need anything as big but can't argue with the statistics ........ many people clearly love them and they sell by the millions.
Der BMW hat eine extreme Nachfrage
Meinen bekomme ich erst Anfang 2023
You’ve got it wrong, the new 4 series is designed for electric power, only reason you see ice car coming out it’s BMW try to make all their product lines cover consumer demand 👍🏻
@Robert Berry
Genuinely curious. Other than the worse usage of space and the higher weight, did you see any other disadvantages during your ownership of the Kona?
There are Chinese cars that may be quite a lot better than the Model 3. The Xpeng P7 and the Nio ET5 are two I can think of. Hyundai is working on a sedan, the Ioniq 6 that's due out later this year. I do like the Polestar 2 but it's kind of cozy inside. The thing, I go for build quality, solidity, mechanical refinement. That makes me not the biggest fan of anyTesla even though they have excellent performance. BMW needs to put a sedan on a bespoke platform like their iX is on.
@@ostertagcn1 No, he hasn't. The i4 is built on BMWs CLAR platform, debuting in 2015 with the G11 7 series.
The i4 is the EV I have been waiting for. The only Tesla I ever liked was the Model S. The TM3 was a disappointment style-wise. Charging network is irrelevant since 90%+ of my miles will be from my home charger. I don't need a banner claiming "built for EV." The i4 is more efficient than petrol and has a good enough range. In fact with similar range as the TM3 but weighing heavier and with greater actual hauling capacity, the i4 stacks up pretty well in power utilization efficiency. The difference for me really is about handling, comfort and style. Quite frankly I like the fact that the i4 doesn't look like an EV. Unless you notice the silence, no one would suspect it being an EV. If it handles anywhere close to its cousin the M440i, I am sold.
Talking from a UK puspective but soon that problem will solve when the german factory built. Bmw is better at comfy looks and built quality otherwise tesla take it and its way cheaper but soon tesla will fix all of that even though its younger than bmw. Tesla is way better for me and its unique in many ways and elon just need to listen more to customers to get better and better because the potential is there👍💯
I4 is much better than the froggy Model 3
Handling with all that extra weight, won't be that good. But we will see when they start coming out with some track times to compare. Not suggesting you will be racing, but the only way to know how well a car handles.
@@RemoteSpeed007 The upcoming track times will also depend on the respective race track. On tracks with many long straights, Tesla will certainly be superior due to the higher top speed. On tracks with many fast sections with accelerations up to max. 225 km/h, the i4 M50 could be faster due to its better acceleration at higher speeds. On a very tight course, the M3 would probably be faster again, due to its lighter weight and better acceleration at slower speeds ....
In the end, it all comes down to personal preference, which is best compared during a test drive of the two vehicles. And of course it also depends on the price and your budget.
@@r2d2. Agree mostly, we will have to see, but from what I have seen the M3P is quicker in acceleration at all speeds, where have you seen the I4 been quicker in acceleration (accept one test done with a modified m3p done by carwow when the m3p ran a slower than usual run)?
You should have compared it with the Model 3 RWD which has the same performance and real-world similar range with the LFP battery, but £10k cheaper once you add BMW equivalent add-ons!
Let's be honest, they were trying to make the BMW win this "review".
You can't upgrade the suspension though to make it ride as good. You can't upgrade to become a hatchback. Let's be honest, there are things the M3 has that the i4 doesn't have, and vice versa. You just have to decide which features you actually need. For me, having Netflix doesn't matter, I could just bring a tablet instead. But for some people, it might be crucial to have Netflix in the car so you'll have to choose accordingly
@@Tanax13 You can get the MY. Maybe too much space?
@@Abebe345 It's not a matter of space, MY is a CUV so not comparable IMO. Plus from what I've heard, the MY has EVEN WORSE suspension (is that possible?) than the M3 so I don't know why you'd choose that :/
@@Tanax13 it's not a traditional CUV. I think the reality, for those who cn afford it, will look at M3 and MY. I think if you go with smaller tires and manage your PSI, the ride is much improved over 20" tires. The MY is proving extremely popular in US and China with wait times growing. I think with MY, Tesla really hit a sweet spot with a lot of buyers. Kudos.
Two great cars. The real comparator is the gas equivalent. I'd love you to do such a comparison and explain to people looking for a new car why they should get the EV version of the BMW
That £10,000 extra is a real killer.
This is what people often mistaken. Competition is really against ICE. Since no manufacturers can make enough EV to meet demand.
@@recumbentrocks2929 but when most people lease, its just £50 an month.!
I was shopping for an EV, not a BMW. It just turned out the EV that shot to the top of my list was the i4.
You gave both cars the top efficiency rating- and implied that it was independently verified. Is there a link available to your research underlying that statement? It’s just that other reviewers who have tested them against each other (R Symonds for one) found the i4 to be a lot thirstier than expected...
My first thought as well. It's well known by now that the i4 has a bigger battery and yet gets less range when actually put on a road and driven.
The same laws of physics apply to both cars, and the BMW i4 M40 weighs around 1,100lbs more than the actual comp car, the Model 3 SR which costs $15,000 less and gets to 60 0.4 seconds faster. It is simply impossible for the BMW to be more efficient or even close to as efficient while weighing that much more unless Tesla are incredibly incompetent, which ten years of data says they are not. This is a case of two more "reviewers" assuming that all of their viewers are extremely gullible and stupid.
@@tribalypredisposed good points, though the reviewers aren’t anti-Tesla. They talked a lot about how much they like Teslas
This was a really enjoyable review! I'm a long term BMW fan and love the practicality of the i4. Thing is, right now, I would opt for the Model 3 Long Range........In the real world you simply can't beat the charging speed & infrastructure of the Tesla. It's also important to remember that the i4 isn't really an EV....it's a transitional EV, and with this it will inherit some major drawbacks.....and lastly...there's absolutely no way on god's fine earth I'm buying an electric car that has twin fake exhausts!?
No one is mentioning the god awful black grill? I realise that it's part of BMWs design philosphy and heritage. But I can't help but think it's something that has to and will go as seeing them on EV's becomes more and more ridiculous. If you look back at the early Model S they had a fake grill too, it was super controversial when they removed it. But now side by side the no grill look is so much cleaner and more attractive.
@@AbnormalAspirations I don't think the grille is that bad, by the way the grille has thousands of sensors that help guide the car
Where do Tesla put their sensors?
Tesla only uses cameras on its current vehicles (“Tesla Vision”) - they are located at the top of the windscreen (behind the rear-view mirror when sat inside the car).
Very true, that's why we got the long range tesla. We did get a bmw for our 2nd car though. I can't wait for the next generation of electric cars from the legacy manufacturers though as they have finally started to take things seriously
Is the i4 specced to the same level as the Model 3? Usually many standard equipment features on a Tesla are optional extras on a BMW.
The Model 3 LR is £49,990, where'd the extra £1,500 come from? Are you including the optional 19 inch wheels?
I have ordered the Tesla 3 LR AWD and get it in March. I did consider the i4 but with AWD its over £60K. Plus Tesla has the Super Charger network infrastucure already in place.
The charging network all the work Tesla has put into there batteries make it much better EV experiences even if the Tesla is lacking in many area it makes up and that alone!
@@thinerj1 The Tesla will ball apart. Teslas oare the poorest built and least reliable cars in the industry.
@@deman19901 Then, I must be a lucky guy with 90k miles and no issues at all with my TM3 LR from 2019. And so are the 6 other persons i know who have bought one after driving mine. I had more problems with my Merc with half a mileage...
@@jeromefournel1673 "Consumer Reports Still Ranks Tesla Reliability 27th Out Of 28"
. For reference, in a J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Survey published earlier this year, Tesla was ranked 30th out of the 33 included brands"
. "Tesla vehicles are known as much for being fast as for presenting chronic issues. Water leaks, paint problems, spontaneously-breaking glasses, MCU failures, and a long etcetera are now joined by something we have never reported: rust in front reinforcement bars. In a TMC forum thread for Model S owners, at least 15 cases emerged from 2016 until December 26, 2021"
. Teslas are junk. The poorest built cars in the industry and the least reliable. American car buyers seam to love MEDIOCRITY.
Consumer Reports (CR) releases its owner satisfaction data every year and for the last three years, Tesla has been the leader. Well, we can now make that four consecutive years, because the EV manufacturer has done it again, easily beating its competitors - it was followed by Lincoln, Ram and Chrysler.
This is certainly telling of just how much those who have bought a Tesla love their car. CR does point out that even though Tesla and Lincoln top the tables, both manufacturers actually place near the bottom when it comes to reliability ratings.
Tesla scored 5/5 in the Driving category, 4/5 for Comfort, 4/5 for In-Car Electronics, 3/5 for Cabin Storage and 1/5 for Value. It is worth noting, though, that all premium automakers got a 1/5 for Value, so this doesn’t just apply to Tesla - it even applies to Lexus whose impressive reliability record has gained it an increasing number of fans who value dependability.
I have a Model 3 - how does the road noise compare between the two cars? I find the Model 3 pretty noisy at 70mph.
The German ADAC tests noise at 130 kmh (80 mph). The model 3 is indeed quite noisy. More than the average modern car. The BMW i4 is one of the quietest cars available. Iirc it is a 6 dB difference. That's a lot!
I'm for the beamer. I'll be able to find it easily in the car park as I walk past the zillions of exactly the same Model3's.
All in white, no doubt!
exactly this is so boring all those ugly frogs everywhere 😂 finally there are alternatives with P2 and i4 now
Thank you for a terrific video.
I actually ordered an I4, but ultimately cancelled the order, in favour of a Model Y. Why? A few reasons:
1. BMW couldn't tell me what spec I would be getting, particularly, Advanced Bluetooth. I get it, there's a worldwide chip shortage, but I'm spending north of £6ok on a car, I do not want to have to manually swaps connections when two people are in the car. The dealer's handling of this fairly simple question was very poor (e.g wouldn't reply to emails or return calls)
2. It cost a lot - a LOT - to get the BMW specced the same as the Model Y
3. I currently own an F31 320d and an E89 Z4. I had to update the Satellite Navigation on both vehicles recently. The whole operation was so complex, it took me most of one day and brought me to near tears. I couldn't use the same USB stick - each car had to have separate spec USB stick. I had to download the software from a complex website, and manipulate it to get it on to the USB sticks. I then had to upload it in the correct USB port in the vehicle and then and then and then.... my point is, BMW's tech is way behind Tesla's (which updates automatically, wirelessly). As the i4 is so much more technically advanced than my current cars, I decided, based on my experience with doing a relatively simple thing like updating the navigation maps, that I couldn't trust BMW's ability with advanced software into the future.
Look, this isn't a BMW hate post. Far from it, I love BMW, I have had them for over 20 years, loved each of them and I will be keeping the Z4. I'm just explaining my rationale for choosing the Y instead of the i4. But I am waiting until Gigafactory Berlin is producing them, and they are producing them with 4680 batteries. Then I will be ordering the Y.
Model Y is known to be even more bumpy than Model 3 - but I guess you already know it?
I ordered the M50 and am confident the Apple Carplay will work perfectly (BMW maps are ok but I prefer google maps).
The I4 has OTA updates.
Use Waze.
@@rc666 i will try it
You won't regret your decision. You chose one of the most fun and safe vehicle you can buy.
@@rc666 I can’t sell a car with out of date navigation. That would be an awfully cheap thing to do, and would put buyers off.
Hey. Thanks for the hard work. I have a Model 3. I’ve had A6 Avants, TTRS, RS4, A5, etc., and every time I changed, it felt like the same car inside. I drove a Q4. No vibes. The Tesla - love it or hate it - is different. As I said to a friend this evening, this is the cheapest, fastest and best driving car I’ve had since 1994. Best seats too. I must add that I am not a.better driver than Senna. A fun item: I drove it to the Alps and did a 37k climb to 2300m without touching the brakes and went down a week later - without touching the brakes. Love EVs.
The Tesla Model 3LR (and the base model) can tow a metric tonne in Sweden (or if it was 900 kilograms...). Why can't it tow in the UK? Sure you haven't got the 3LR mixed up with the Performance version?... That one can't tow (for some reason...).
Left hand drive is the prob.
@@rc666 Don't think so. Not in this case.
Not anymore - not the new model 3:s. And screwing it on is a real dirty job compared to the automatic I4 hitch
@@kingsterre Are you sure? In Sweden it's available 'off the menu'. There is no option on the website, but it can be added if you order your car by communicating with a Tesla Sales Advisor. And it has been like that for more than half a year...
@@angela1984a Same in UK
It’d be the i4 for me here, too! Not a Tesla interior or design fan, if I’m honest, and the 40 RWD BMW is plenty fast enough… no need to spend extra on the M50, unless you have spare cash to burn.
But if money is a concern than the i4 gets significantly more expensive once you want to equip it with features like assist, electric seat adjustment, seat heaters, and what not which are standard in Tesla. In the 4WD configuration (where both have similar battery sizes) the BMW gets about 20.000 Euro (!!!) more expensive than the Tesla Model 3 (an that are German prices, hometown of BMW whereas Tesla still has the burden of import costs). For the RWD version the price difference is about the same but here is the advantage of BMW having a bigger battery of 80kWh compared to 60kWh. So pricewise the i4 with 4WD and some check boxes in the options is getting closer to a Tesla S than to a Tesla 3.
The minute you lose yourself in the plentifully available options, the price difference of the the models shrinks to negligible 4k. The only noticeable difference that you have to tolerate is the reduced range, but that can be improved out if you deselect the hideous spoiler.
The review was good and it is great to see that other manufacturers are making headway. . Choice is always a good thing whether ICE or electric
Model 3 owner here.
I agree that the ride on the Tesla is stiff, but that's just because they chose stiff coils. Replacing those will make them ride well enough to negate the advantage.
Other than that, I think the rest is subjective and fair.
Rougher ride = better handling, depends what is more important to you.
@@RemoteSpeed007 exactly. I had a Hyundai sonata last year with very VERY nice and soft ride. But handling was awful.
With the 3, I corner at speeds I really shouldn't mention here, with full confidence. But I know I'm trading in comfort for that confident handling.
I don't understand why is i4 a better choice. Maybe because of it's eficiency, supercharger network, developed as a electric car or because is faster? I don't think so...the BMW i4 is slower, the room in the back is not ok for 3 persons, charging speed is lower than model 3.
The BMW can be ordered with adaptive suspension that allows both tight "rougher ride" and a comfort soft ride. That way you can have the both of best worlds. However, there is a cost involved.
@@jefftown9484 it will still handle like a 2.2ton car. You can't hide that with some fancy suspension.
No hate for the girls, it was an enjoyable video, but at 14:22 when they say the BMW has matched the Tesla on efficiency, somehow I doubt that. No clear numbers were mentioned or proven in the video, so I am a bit skeptic about that.
25 vs 18 kWh per 100 km in cold weather.
@@dmitrii336 is that BMW vs Model 3?
@@necbranduc yes th-cam.com/video/Dxrhdox1qwI/w-d-xo.html
Ive ordered a BMW I4, but struggling to get a production date never mind a delivery date. So been looking elsewhere, but this video along with others has convinced me to stay put and wait for my BMW i4.
What are the efficiency numbers for each vehicle? How many kms per kwh consumed?
What is the deposit / term / APR when discussing the PCP examples please? Overall costs could still be different.
Both cars are the makers' own finance offerings with £6k down over three years with 10k miles per year.
@@Electrifyingcom APR? I think when mentioning monthly figures it would be useful to include more detail? Overall costs could still be very different. I also tell my viewers to look at the overall costs not just monthlies. Great vid though - I love that green!
If you spec up the BMW to what comes as standard in the model 3 it’s model 3 performance price, but performance is more like the standard range which is £20k less. Insurance is a surprise though. Model 3 RWD is group 48 and BMW group 36 despite so much more expensive?
Having said that, when Tesla superchargers are open to other cars, and when the i4 is a bit cheaper (like my old 4 series GC) then it’s definitely on my shortlist. Just too expensive for now by about £10k
Factor in the performance figures and the rate of Teslas involved in accidents. From where I live now (Hong Kong’s), Tesla’s comprehensive insurance coverage for a year would be 2-3 times of an ICE car of its price bracket, and it isn’t helped by the fact that a lot of Teslas are driven recklessly.
How convience of access to charging station ?
So you prefer the car that is more expensive, rear wheel drive not 4 wheel drive,and is slower and less efficient, because it has buttons and a hatch back (but less cargo capacity)? Seems like a definitive review to me.
Yes, if points like the wide-opening trunk and ride comfort are more important to you in daily use than winning traffic light races, then it's the BMW. The Tesla is faster and minimally more efficient. Was shown very well in the video and now everyone can decide according to their preferences.
Does I4 get engine or exhaust sound effect?
Thank you ladies for an honest view of the cars. The Tesla is a slightly better car in the numbers, like range, performance, tech and handling. But because of the Tesla’s minimalist and cheap looking interior, I have ordered the BMW i4 e drive 40 to be in delivered April 2022.
Some thoughts in no particular order: The BMW is comparable to the standard model 3, not the long range. The new Model 3 has a 300 mile range, which is less than the BMW but its an LFP battery - so you can charge it to 100% all the time. The BMW, as I understand it, should only really be charged to 90%. The resulting ranges will be much of a muchness - the BMW should be a little more, but it does cost 10 grand more. No frunk in the BMW - despite that enormous bonnet. What are the software upgrades in the BMW? No-one knows but we do know that Tesla introduce new features all the time. How's the self driving? Not mentioned in the video. Glass roof? So much focusing on the hatchback aspect is a bit odd. If a hatch is important you'll be able to get a model Y soon. If not, and it isn't for us, its a non-issue. Oh and the fart app....really...we've used it once. What about all the other apps and features - netflix, youtube, voice control....they may be great and all present on the BMW - you didn't mention any of it. One final question - how many can BMW actually make? Tesla will probably produce around 800,000 to a million model 3's this year. If BMW can only make, say 50,000 i4's its still going to be irrelevant.
Self driving is mostly a non-issue since it's not even available in Europe from Tesla either so it's a moot point at this stage. Glass roof is preferential. It adds light into the cabin but also lots of heat. Plus it adds weight. So it's a trade off. Comparing the i4 to the MY seems weird just for the "hatchback" aspect, one is a sedan, one is a CUV. Agree on everything else though regarding range, software and production capacity
@@Tanax13 The MY isn't a typical SUV. It handles as good as any sedan probably but gives you huge amounts of room. I think, for those who can afford it, it will be a winner in the market.
@@Abebe345 I didn't say SUV, I said CUV. Sure, if you're in the market for that, it's a great car. But if you're in the market for a sedan, the MY will look overgrown, bulky and ugly. It all comes down to your needs but personally I don't understand how someone in the market for a sedan ends up buying a MY, it's a completely different look..
Self-driving, OTA, and apps... these are questions that nerds care about, but drivers do not. Also, unlike Tesla's walled garden, BMW has CarPlay, so I couldn't care less about most of the internal features, my phone takes care of all that.
Tesla fan girl (up to a point) here: I have owned a black BMW 325 d and got rid of it after 2 years when I realized that most of my miles and commute time were spent driving to and from the dealership for endless unfixable recalls. OBTW the dealership/service was abrasive and generally shitty. My white SR+ (soon to be LRY) has a clean minimalist interior, sector leading performance and range, and I have not been back to the dealership since I picked it up in 2019 (Tesla service comes to me). Fit and finish was acceptable in both cars. The supercharger network made a trek from Michigan to Texas painless. PS love your video.
i driven BMWs from 1989, 1993, 1997, 2008 and 2017 none had any issues. both 3 series, one 5 series and now an i3 2017 and i got a 2022 i3 on order for a 1 year special deal lease.
BMW have never faulted me, living in Sweden they are very much put to the test.
Audi/VAG on the other hand never worked out for me.
You should have taken a blue one. The black ones are known as non reliable (just kidding). My 540i is also black, I have it since three years and no defect at all.
Almost any car can give you problems. You shouldn't have to deal with abrasive people so BMW needs to know of that dealership. But both BMWs and Teslas can be problematic or relatively reliable.
500kg weight difference. how will that look in snow and ice? also like for like the tesla is about 10k cheaper, so im not sure if there in the same segment.
I want to see which is more fast ... please make a video
The BMW hatchback configuration, traditional cabin, decent towing capacity, better ride quality and build quality are the difference with this car. Over all the bmw is slower, RWD (not 4x4) more expensive and with less cutting edge tech than the M3 but, folk want a car that works well in the round and more comfort on our crater filled uk roads so I can see how this appeals . Although a rare option, the model 3 can come with a tow hitch. My M3 has one and has a 1000kg limit. In terms of outright speed, technology, efficiency and value for money the Tesla still edges it for me. The BMW will sell very well indeed as the blended package appears to work on UK roads, I hope they have the supplies to meet demand. Well done ladies a great review!
You did not actually give the efficiency figures i.e. miles per Kwh?
Or the weight of each car?
And I cannot believe it is ‘close’, as no other brand of EV is.
BMW is 400-500 kg heavier than 3 and 200 kg heavier than Y.
25 kWh/100 km for i4 M50
18,3 kWh/100 km for 3 Perf.
Credit to th-cam.com/video/Dxrhdox1qwI/w-d-xo.html
@@dmitrii336Tesla is 27% more efficient. 'Close' is not the word I would use in regard to efficiency!
Imagine if one ICE car did 37mpg and the other did 50mpg would that even be a contest?
@@grahambrown42 yes, the difference in efficiency is huge, it's like 1990s car vs 2020s car. I can easily imagine people buying BMW because of brand and all. But no competent fleet manager in his right mind will choose it over Tesla.
The Model 3 is the winner for me, it can tow 1000kg also. Do your research.. but the i4 is an awesome car aswell and would buy it if Tesla didnt exist
Tesla's manual says towing is not allowed with Model 3.
You can only legally tow with the Model 3 if you fit the Towbar, which can only be done at the time of the initial order
Depends on where, it is rated for towing in Europe but not in the US. No mention if the UK is considered part of the European group
Only old Tesla EU Model 3s can tow (but then you have to manually screw it on and off…)
a coworker wanted a towbar on his Model Y but Tesla wouldn’t even fit it unless he had the “improved car license “ (called BE in Sweden) so he can drive up to 3500KG, which he doesn’t have, so no towbar for him 😂
i hope you have done a full range of all the needed tests.....from speed....to price
What’s the point with speed test when max on Uk roads is 70 mph
@@peterlang3369 0 to 60 in how many seconds...is a way to measure the take off ability...as a bit of a petrol head..it is a nice to know...top speed to another measurement.. not all UK roads are 70.. or are you telling me the highway max is 70..that is MPH...I live in Africa where max speeds are in Km 110 to 120... :-)
@@robertferreiro3466 Max speed in UK is 70 MPH they did say 0-60 was 5.3 sec I believe and top speed I think is 116 mph for the i4 must be software limited I believe as my BMW hybrid is 125 mph
Nice review ladies. I'm not defending Tesla, because trust me, I would like them to be able to tow a decent caravan, but the Model 3 can tow a 1000 kg braked trailer or small caravan.
The i4's 1600 kg is way better for me though, as I already own a 435d to pull my caravan. So the i4 would be an ideal replacement. Although, the 0-60 at 5.7 secs is a bit on the slow side for me, being used to 4.7 secs. I could go for the M50 version, but it's way out of my price range. I wonder if BMW will come up with a performance boost for the i4 to match the Long Range Model 3?
I've owned a Tesla since 2018 and my wife had the BMW i3 for 3 years. I think that the i4 is a terrific car, but I'd still go with a Tesla due to all wheel drive, faster acceleration, better software & infotainment setup, and FSD (being a beta tester in US I'm confident Tesla will succeed). I wish M3 was a hatchback for sure, and had a dashboard.
You don’t buy a BMW for FSD anyway…
@@zerocool801 this is a good point, you buy a BMW to drive the car and experience it yourself. FSD should never be a deciding factor between these two cars.
How have you adapted to the monitor in the M3?
@@dabulls1g since I own a model S I did not have to adapt, but I did rent one on turo and it was difficult to get used to for the few days I owned it. Same with the model Y I was given from Tesla for a service loaner, difficult, but others say they get used to it.
And the shoddy build quality 😉
The hatch is generally better for loading stuff. The T M Y is always an option, an option with a 1,750 kg tow rating. How are the OTA updates with that BMW? Can they be done without going in to the dealership? Are they a no-charge perk? Does the car get meaningfully better with OTAs? If there is a problem with the BMW how does BMW handle maintenance? Do they send a ranger to wherever the car is and try to fix the problem without the owner having to bring it in? Glad it's a dream to drive though.😉
Both seem to be decent vehicles. When it comes down to which one I get I am not going to worry about what any commentor or my neighbour or colleague say. I am buying which ever vehicle that me and my wife believes fit out budget, wants in a vehicle, and personal design prefence. I have no issue with discussing stats and personal prefernces. Also, I appreciate people clearing the air on possible oversights of the video realizing that the video is not exhaustive. I think they did a fair job and chose what they did based on their criteria.... doesnt mean it is the best for everyone.... thank goodness, I dont want to be driving the exact same car as everyone else (wouldnt want to spend 3 hours finding my car in a parking lot).
The BMW with only a single motor and it’s performance is really properly comparable to the Tesla model 3 Standard Plus RWD but price difference is significant
I4 M50 has 2 motors
@@matthuber9925 review is of the i4 M40, not the M50.
Yeah, they are working really hard here to figure out a way to declare the BMW the winner. Long term it will not matter, lots of other cars now selling a few hundred models a month have been declared by "reviewers" to be better than the Tesla.
@@tribalypredisposed wait and see :) Was undoubtedly a great ride for tesla, but the competition is coming .. and fast
@@albertzimmermann8894 BYD is doing great converting to EVs, because they have been working hard at it for ten years or more. VW Group are late but really committed to switching to EVs and may have a small chance of surviving. All the other legacy automakers are walking dead, wait and see.
Tesla is about to start really showing their stuff now with the new Model Y from Austin. Full Self Driving will be their killer app, and it will kill most of the other automakers. Then Cybertruck will show up and obliterate the truck competition by being tougher and stronger and faster and less expensive.
What about Apple CarPlay?
Great review.
The problem with conclusions in twin tests is the pressure to answer the question "Which one is best?" without answering another question first: "Best at what, exactly?"
If you value outright speed or range, or the Supercharger Network, the Model 3 is compelling. If you value how the BMW driving experience is different more than outright acceleration or appreciate the hatchback then get the BMW.
Looks are subjective. Some people hate the walrus teeth of the BMW; I personally think the Model 3's nose looks a little odd.
Honestly? I'd sacrifice some speed, driving dynamics AND range, and be tempted by a high spec (and still quite fun) and cheaper Polestar 2 instead.
It reminds me of the Mercedes Vs BMW twin tests of the 1990s and 2000s, where each camp would defend their choice (and in their own way, each have a point)... while others nodded, smiled and bought a Saab instead.
I was the one that bought the Saab 93 3 door hatch back instead.
Model Y will be interesting as it is a hatch and not a traditional SUV. I think it wil be ome of the choices people will evaluate looking at all of these cars.
I was deciding between the i4 M50 and the Model 3 Performance and having come from M2 and M140i, I was more drawn to the i4. However, on driving them, the Model 3 was the more fun and direct. The i4 felt more refined and definitely better riding, but the steering feel is poor and it felt much more of a (very) fast tourer than a fun car, so not for me. Its extra weight and size made it more unwieldy on our twisty UK country lanes.
I can see how many people would prefer the i4 though, especially in the standard guise, as for a transportation device it is the more comfortable and it has a hatchback for practicality.
Model 3 Performance it is then, but I will surely miss the manual shifts and the straight 6 of the M2. 😔
You should he considering the i4 eDrive 40 instead. I have ordered one and also have a M2C.
@@wleng this purchase would be a replacement so I will only have one car. Without the visceral enjoyment of an ICE and manual, it would need something extra. The M50 I feel is already too much of dampened/numbed experience (except for the speed) that I feel the e-Drive 40 would be even less adequate a replacement. If I only needed a car for comfortable commuting I would probably agree with you.
The plan is in the future I would consider a second car in the form of a Lotus Exige/Emira or 718/Cayman for the fun, so don't want to budget more for a Taycan 4S either.
I went back-and-forth several times before posting a response, as many of the points have been made already. However, having looked at both the BMW configurator and the Tesla website in the UK on 1 Feb 2022, I offer the following when comparing the Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor (£49,990) and BMW i40 MSport: the BMW has a hatchback (more practical) and (subjectively, taken from the review) better ride quality. However, when (almost) matched in terms of specification (BMW does not offer heated rear seats (vs 3 in the Tesla), and the acceleration (0-60)is considerably slower, the BMW costs £62.7k. That's more than 25% higher than the 'equivalent' Tesla. For that difference in money, you could upgrade the suspension (~£2.5k) and have everything that the BMW offers, except the hatch, of course, and still have £10k in your pocket. That doesn't sound like a 'win' for the BMW to me. If you'd like to remake the video using an actual Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor, let me know - I'll happily lend you mine to see a fairer and more accurate comparison.
You’re comparing the wrong tesla. Should be the rwd Makes much more sense?
After glossing over the fact the BMW weighs 8 cwt bags of concrete more than the Model 3 which is 27% more energy efficient, you need those hard hats!
Luxury is usually heavier, plus of course the structure to allow towing.
@@timmurphy5541 400Kg difference in weight suggests dark ages engineering!
Weight is the enemy of range and efficiency.
Loved the review. Your points align perfectly with what everyone who drove both cars think. On paper model 3 seems the way to go but if you know about cars then you know that you have to drive a car and then you can judge it.
The blond chick is a brand ambassador for BMW.
@@andrewshortt4665 I fancy her so im kinda biased..
as much as I am not a tesla's fan, the i4 ain't a real challenger
more expensive, less efficient, slower, less roomy, even uglier front
it will appeal just to brand loyalists
That's what happened here. And almost everybody seems to agree with them. I don't get it.
I was in the market for both these cars, and then I got my leasing budget. What do I see? A BMW i4 M50 will a bunch of option packs is within my budget. The M3LR is *way outside* the budget without even touching a colour choice. The choice was pretty easy then.
I like how they used Tesla’s “5.3s 0-60” as a “downside” because they “would’ve preferred less acceleration with better efficiency” when you can just put it in Chill Mode and have it literally do just that. There’s an entire mode for reining back the acceleration while increasing your efficiency, but somehow it’s a downside that the car gives you the option to choose whichever you prefer?
I gotta say, I like the channel, but this seemed like you were trying to just give the BMW points for whatever reason. The i4 is definitely a great option but the Model 3 has _plenty_ of benefits over it that I don’t think were really emphasized. More efficient, better acceleration, lower energy costs, lower price, better charging network, better UI, better navigation integration, way more included with the base model, free autopilot, included modes like sentry mode, dog mode, camp mode, better, more usable phone app, etc. These thing are huge driving factors for choosing a car and it felt like they weren’t really emphasized how many advantages it might have over the other.
I felt like the speakers are completely biased. Played with numbers, didn’t mention hips of benefit from Tesla and hips of drawbacks from the bmw. Compared oranges to apples, clearly.
8:16 just put the chair in from the rear doors area with the seat(s) down if you had to ;)
I’ve had the chance to drive all 3 model 3’s before all in town and motorways and thought they were brilliant all around. I’ve seen videos of the bmw and as it’s not built as an electric car ground up, it feels compromised. And for that I’d always choose the Tesla so far……but not the performance. The standard range is more than enough even for long journeys…….factor in how efficient it also is plus it’s £43k, I don’t think the BMW can touch it.
To add to that, the BMW is very heavy, therefore handling would not be great. (800-1000lbs more)
The ground up thing always confused me. This was supposed to be designed for both ICE and EV so not just a conversion. Also the e-Niro is a fantastic EV and that’s an ICE conversion. They can work sometimes
@@MrKlawUK Accept, this car is 800-1000lbs heavier than the model 3, which means less acceleration, less efficiency, less range, longer charge times, handling would be worse too - and since it can't charge on the Tesla network, would be a hit and miss on longer trips.
With the I4, charging will take 1 minute of my time.
30 sec when connecting the charger and 30 sec the following day to pull it off.
Not many people drive more than 300km everyday. And if so happens, I prioritize driving in comfort than arriving with headache. Charging 20-80% takes 30 min w fastcharge those dozen of times a year I need it.
What about refinement? Solidity? Does that count? Cars are more than numbers. BMW numbers aren't bad at all.
So you take a Tesla Performance and say its too fast? 😁
Maybe next time take the LR.
Also you seem to ignore all of the Teslas advantages, yes it doesn’t fit this specific chair, but it has more under floor storage, and a frunk!
The Tesla’s rear seat can actually fit three and not have that stupid tunnel in the middle, and has more storage in the front.
You talk about the supercharger network as if it is already open to all, but it is not, and even if it will, not all stations, and those who will be open will be less expensive for Teslas.
Maybe you should take a look at CARWOW how to do a true comparison.
You might still choose the BMW but at least it would be a fair and complete review.
They usually pick Tesla.
@@benjaminsmith2287 and thats why I didn’t say they should have or shouldn’t have pick the Tesla.
Its just that they ignored all of the Tesla’s strengths and while driving the Performance version (the name says it all) they complain its too fast.
Sorry but this is just a poor comparison
Tesla needs an adaptive suspension or maybe just a softer suspension on the non performance models. Heads up displays should be an option too. It seems they are a bit loud as well. Not really a surprise as the main design hasn't changed that much for years. I wonder how the new Model Ys out of Austin will be with their single piece castings and structural battery. Will they recalibrate the suspension, or leave it? The 4680 batteries could be a game changer too, but will have to see if they actually give us the range improvement, or use fewer batteries to save money. Charging could be very fast as well. In general, I prefer a ground up ev over a ice conversion. The plumbing/ electrical on ice conversions is usually way more complicated and typically won't be good for long term reliability.
Not everyone really agrees on the suspension, some want the car to feel like a go-kart
there are TH-cam videos where people plug into a screen in front of the steering wheel And it's apparently easy too
I have test driven both and for me the BMW wins hands down. The only things that Tesla was better at was acceleration (I don't need or want more than the BMW 5.8s anyway) charging network (which is a big plus) and that's about it, everything else was better in the BMW. The real clincher for me was the BMW driver assistance package, made the Telsa enhanced autopilot seem a bit of a joke. I haven't owned a BMW for well over 20 years now, but my order for the i4 is now in progress.
you might change your mind when you go on a long trip. if the navigator in your car does not show correct information and where there are chargers and calculates the range of the battery incorrectly, to commercial chargers
you can upgrade the autopilot to a more advanced one on the Tesla For a sum of money, of course
@@Andersljungberg True, but FSD is only in Beta in the USA and not available in Europe let alone the UK. Advanced auto pilot which is available gives next to nothing extra and what it does give works badly, just look at all the disaster videos on the auto summon feature. God knows how many UK idiots paid a huge sum of money for FSD only to find there not allowed to use it. The new EQE/EQS from Mercedes has just been given a level 2 pass. Tesla FSD is still Only at level 3.
@@ianplummer there are two different packages for auto pilot to buy at least here in Sweden. Review I've seen them, the autopilot often gets good reviews, but basically everyone is from the USA
@@ianplummer I don't know how it is in Europe but in the US you can choose to pay a monthly fee
Why reviewers NEVER TALK about lack of spare wheels? This is the biggest downfall for me when it comes to EVs. That so called frunk should be where the extra tyre should be placed.
It's all about weight savings. BMW and most manufacturers are not running spares. They either use run flat tires or a foam patch kit. It's not just EV's.
@@RyanWolfFerguson I didn’t know, I thought BMW and others did spare wheels on all ICE cars… I know Toyota does them but it looks like EVs keep on coming short of spare wheels so we’ll see how Toyota EVs are like. But to me personally I’m crying for a spare wheel or at least make a place where one can put it. There’s no way one would have confidence driving 600Km+ around the country without it.
@@fancyIOP people including myself have put a ton of miles on a car without a spare. If you take care of your tires, run flats or a patch kit is all you will need. Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes, Chevrolet, Kia. They are all ditching spares. Spares are extremely unsafe with the way they are used. Spares expire and are rarely ever replaced, they are not meant to be driven for any lengthy period of time or above 45mph and they always are. Your hesitancy is because you don't have any experience with the alternative. Believe me when I say that the roads are safer without spare tires.
@@RyanWolfFerguson LoL I hear you buddy, I hear you. Just that I had an experience of changing tyres 2/3 times . So maybe that’s why I’m that worried though I changed those tyres in maybe 14yrs or so. But I do hear what you are saying.
But they aren’t in the same price class. You had to compare the performance Tesla with the base i4-40 to even get close. And good old BMW with their option packs (did the i4 have a HUD- mentioned for the M3).
I need to ask, why didn’t you get your helmet out of the BMW’s Frunk? Oh, okay (spoiler alert: it doesn’t have one because it is an adapted ICE car). Disclaimer, I don’t own a Tesla or a BMW, but if I had the funds would go for the Beemer.
I think these two cars are actually very different from each other. The i4 costs more because it’s an actual luxury car, and the Model 3 isn’t. They are both good depending on what you want. But I’d probably go for a Mach E
What makes the i4 s luxury car? Build quality? Drive quality? The tesla looks nice and more than makes up for any differences in said build quality with its superior technology capabilities imo
@@dabulls1g all of those things make up the luxury feel of the BMW i4. I don’t think one is better than the other. But the Model 3 makes more sense and the entry level, and the BMW is more top end
@@dabulls1g yes, interior build quality is better in bmw. Plus, it seems that Tesla is always at the bottom of the lists in term of car reliability. Charging network is a huuuge advantage for Tesla. It’s a such shame that Tesla doesn’t use better materials and doesn’t invest into the interiror build quality.
@@dabulls1g technology doesn’t make something luxurious. The traditional qualities that people look for will always constitute luxury.
@@oliverstemp9132 The best EV second hand hands down is the Tesla Model 3 standard. You can pick one of these up for 25k in the UK - and to me its very much worth the money because of the tech you get with it and of course you can do a few upgrades. Ive looked around at secopnd hand EV's and the Jaguar I Pcae is an almost buy but its range is less than a standard model 3 +_ with the Tesla you get better Tech so thats the one I would go for. But, the Jag looks far far better.
Nice one ladies.... I think the BMW would be the one I would pick. While the Tesla is good I think the BMW looks better and is more practical inside and out. Love that colour too :-)
Thanks for the great review. I lean towards the BMW for all the reasons you point out. Notably, its a better driver's car, and, I really prefer buttons over a touchscreen. Particularly when the car is moving at 85 mph on a sweeping turn and I'm looking for the seat heater.
It's bullocks. Bmw I4 doesn't drive better, it has been already covered. The problem is it weighs over 2.2tons. it's heavy as hell, which effects it's handling. You can fine tune the handling as much as you like but you can't hide weight.
The seat heater is fully automated since...wait for it... the latest over the air software update.
Most commands available to be voice activated. Even as simple as my hands are cold will turn on the steering wheel heater or seat heaters etc. making a long trip is a seamless process. Navigate to ??? Follow on screen routing, car will automatically charge just sufficient o get to next destination. We just did a 1700km trip easily without any issue. Try that in ANY other BEV!!!
@@andrewbell8837 exactly.
Please mention that there is a very good reason for the glovebox being controlled via the touchscreen... It's so it's secure when renting and it also keeps the dashcam USB secure.
I guess its a reason, but that’s a pretty big inconvenience for the user. They could have made a separate secure compartment for the dash cam SD card.
Is there any car that has semi self driving like the Tesla?
The i4
Ordering one or the other right now, test drove both just recently. The only issue with this review is the level of tech included on the Tesla M3. In reality the entry level Model 3 RWD is the closest to the i4 in performance, driving experience and likely real world and useable range with the new LFP battery. The Tesla M3 RWD starts at £45k, the i4 at £52k, however, you'll need to add an additional £7k of extras to the BMW to get the same tech as the Tesla. Don't get me wrong I prefer the BMW, I love BMW's. But the big question is, is the i4 £15k better than a the Tesla M3? I personally don't think so.
Model 3 owner here, I am happy to see competition is getting better and this will result in only one thing, Tesla will get even better. Tesla is a very fast moving company that will never sit still. Also safety of Tesla is unmatched but as usual Tesla doesn't advertise, hence people don't know. Also if Tesla was really worried, they would not want to give away their supercharger advantage, but the company genuinely wants people to transition to EV and are doing everything they can to help facilitate that to non Tesla owners.
Not sure - Tesla are ”doing a Ericsson. ”
Once they start lose edge on product they change focus on infrastructure growth
I don't think safety is unmatched. Viewing the Polestar 2 vs. Tesla 3 crash test results, they looked almost interchangeable. Maybe the 3 had one active safety result that the Polestar 2 failed. Otherwise, the dummy figures were very comparable. In real-world tests, Volvo is proven as well. I still think Volvo, Mercedes and others are as safe as anything on the road, as crashworthy. And some others as well.
When you compare to the price to Model 3 RWD then the Tesla wins for me! For the 2 days a year I drive over 250 miles I can can cope with the extra need to charge and I’ll save over £100 pcm on finance thank you very much!
I agree and its charged enough by the time you have walked in gone to the loo and grabbed some food. I also have no need for 4 wheel drive - M3 goes round corners on rails and the way you can feel acceleration change mid corners is epic
FINALLY.... I really dislike the bland looks of Tesla. So now for your £52k you have Model 3, i4, EV6 & Ioniq 5. Build quality, fit & finish & even the badge.... BMW nails it. And that is coming from a Mercedes owner that never really desired a BMW. I agree with Electrifying on this one.
Former BMW owner and fanboy, but switched to Tesla in 2019 and never going back. Just miles ahead of the competition. Not saying it's the case here, but I understand the urge of the media to desperately look for faults at Tesla. Tesla is eating everybodys lunch and legacy auto pay the medias bills.
so why compare with the model 3 which is a saloon and not the model Y which would have been a closer comparison ? the price for the tesla is all in where as the BMW has lots of expensive optional extras !
Thanks i do like the shows but please try and make it comparable
A Tesla model 3 LR can tow 900 kg. Why do you say it’s 0? Model 3 is much more efficient at 170 Wh/km WLTP vs I4 m50 240 Wh/km. M3 weighs almost 400 kg less, it has OTA software updates and a much better Autopilot as standard. Strange you don’t mention the obvious things🤔
Tesla removed that option 2021
@@kingsterre.. it’s an off menu option.
Right so:
Tesla charges at 250kw - BMW 200.
Tesla about 10% more efficient
Tesla has 9 years of experience around over the air updates some of which include efficiency and performance gains.
BMW is built on an ice template so still has transmission tunnel.
BMW is approx 10% more expensive with options to march STD spec Tesla.
Your conclusion makes very little sense beyond the subjective elements like looks. Also a scarily large number of vagues comments Vs real stats e.g the charging - Tesla much faster
Very strange video that I can only assume is designed to get clicks Vs real analysis
I also didn't like the way the i4 drives but that's more subjective I guess
Tesla Fanboy bla bla bla
Should’ve been hatchback against hatchback… Model Y?
I would love to buy a Model 3, but the lack of quality and refinement are issues for me. I’m considering the i4 M50.
You made the fart noise sound better than the Tesla in the BMW😂
Haha my only hidden talent ;-)
I didn’t hear you mention the lack of bespoke electric architecture. The i4 has a transmission tunnel.
Yes,a button phone is better then a touchscreen phone i mean for real, they both do instant long distance comunication,so of course touchscreen phones will never have 100% of telecomunication device market
No doubt, the Tesla needs more refinement to close the gap to the legacy car makers like BMW, Audi and Mercedes. Tesla needs a more sophisticated suspension, a proper matrix laser/led headlight and augmented reality HUD.
Oh, wow. A model 3 in white, crazy.
I've read all the comments and I would say there are a few from BM dealers trying to pump their product. The BMW is a nice looking car, but its flawed from the off due to its massive weight and ICE tech. I would guess that those who do buy it will regret their choice after a month or two due to its inefficiency and getting beaten at the lights every time they come along a Tesla. One more thing, when it breaks down - and it will - are you expecting the dealers to fix it?
I nearly ordered an i4 m50, was pretty keen apart from the turning circle and the tight rear seat space. A couple of other reviews made me really nervous about the range so I am just sitting on my m3p now, would love something with the performance and interior space and updates of the tesla, suspension and service backup of BMW but a proper 300+ miles of range. I also nearly ordered a Taycan Cross Turismo but it was just so large with so little rear space, its not really a cost thing - its just I like a 3 series size car.
Those tests used the 20’ 285mm tyres with -16% range compared to 19’ 245mm. Journalists were not aware of / didn’t inform that.
Could really do with a BMW i4 M50 xdrive Estate version ...
@@kingsterre I’ve had to go around doing that as well! There is nearly 50 miles difference between the 2 wheel sizes! Bmw went for style on the press car and should have gone for efficiency!
@@gothmog2441 Exactly. Instead it's either a crossover or a problematic roof line which is often aggrivated by the batteries
@@ChristopherBennett81 you get the same issue with pretty much all electric cars and it often crater comfort. Another thing to watch is buckling the alloys on potholes due to the weight of the car and lack of rubber.
I’m with ya Ladies. Last December I decided against a Model Y and bought BMW iX3 for exactly the same reasons U prefer the i4. And I’m still a Tesla fanboy, from the luxurious splenda of my beema
Superglue on some exhaust tips in the fake exhaust cut outs and you are good to go. Next generation of the i4 might be a more profound effort boasting better range, less weight and smarter utilization of space. But this one is probably intended as a lease for real estate agents. I'll skip this one and stick with my model 3, but next generation will probably be worthy of a look.
I would definitely go for the i4 🤩🔥 - interior and chassis are on a different level. I don't really need to play video games or any of the gimmicks from the M3.
Good review but it takes a lot of your credibility away how hard you put down the Tesla to be able to bring up the bmw.
Good review ladies. Subscribed!
A heads-up display? Why? Real-world driving will have you driving with traffic and you practically can see the speedo in your peripheral vision. Thought it would bother me, but it feels natural and easy from day one.
one major reason to choose the tesla is that you can order it online & you can see when it’s delivered (usually few weeks to few month). On the BMW you need to talk to a greasy car salesman to get the best deal and then probably wait for a year.
Mmm i'm pretty sure that some of your collegues would disagree.
The BMW is not a bespoke EV so it's heavier and less efficently packaged (no front boot).
It is also slower and more expensive.
HOWEVER I do agree on the style, it's better looking in and out and with much more interior usability.
I think the hatchback practicality negates the advantage of the frunk in my opinion. The i4 M50 is quicker 100-200km/hr, quarter mile, and from a roll race at 60mph+ in real life situations, such as the local freeway around here.
The BMW looks better, drives better and feels better. That's why people buy luxury cars. Nobody really gives a fuck about 0-60 times being 1s faster or slower, doesn't matter, you wouldn't be able to tell without specialist timing gear anyway or if a car weighs a bit more or less you can't tell without weighing it anyways. People go with their guts and not some arbitrary and ultimately meaningless differences is some numbers.
BMW has for 5 decades really meant to me Bring More Wallet when it comes to service, parts or depreciation . Sorry for BMW dealers how are they going to make money out of servicing an EV , after all thats where they make a lot of their money . If the BMW is not popular then the depreciation will make gravity look slow as it accelerates to near zero . If that happens fancy cheap leasing will not exist . Just remember Tesla are starting to make them in Germany .
I'd prefer the BMW over the Tesla. Physical buttons, hatchback, ride quality; those are a huge pros. And I like the German craftmanship over that of American cars. At least of the few I have driven or rode in. It just feels solid.
If you prefer the Model 3 and undoubtedly have good experiences with it, then that's great too.
Better or not, I would never consider a legacy carmaker’s EV. Who for the past 50 years have been fooling us into believing that combustibles are the way to go. I’d have any of the start-up brands like Rivian, Lucid, Fisker or one of the Chinese ones, like Xpeng or Ora, who have truly realised the have a horrible ICE background and are fully committed to BEV’s.
For your info the Ora company is owned by Great wall motors GWM which also makes combustion models. So the ora is a legacy automaker. Fisker's first car was the karma which was a hybrid not pure ev. Tesla's first car was based on a combustion car platform.
@@atchu5510 yes but they are fully committed to the EV platforms. Without the ICE antics. No VW, Ford, GM, Stelantis, Mercedes, BMW bullshit for me anymore. All the legacy car makers knew 50 years ago that ICE is killing us, yet they tried push diesels, killed or significantly slowed down their EV development.
@@AKA001 I think this is an unfortunate mantra some EV fans have gotten into. Times change. Volvo is committed to EVs. Hyundai is. A lot of established automakers are. This whole "legacy auto" monolith category is a load of nonsense to me. I think this type of EV fan should get off your high horse about EV manufacturers. Businesses will operate as businesses hence Musk's down-the-nose attitude about hydrogen fuel cells and BYD's cars (he laughed at them). If you like a car, fine. But no need to idolize a company or put in one lump other companies. Somehave helped bring about Tesla in the first place. They still needed established car companies to learn how to mass produce their cars.
@@benjaminsmith2287 that's fine. Good luck with you BMW.
Love the BMW i4 😘
I really like the BMW, my concern is the service cost and electronic stuff, BMW has been shown to be problematic, I will settle for BMW looks and handling, plus Tesla performance, and electronic wizardry. :)
It has a solid warranty.
BMW service (here in Canada at least) is outstanding while I see a lot of Tesla owners in different forums having issues with service and really big issues when they're not near a Tesla service center. While BMW Service is expensive, it's always done right and you can trust what they tell you is wrong with the car. They also (hear at least) stick to their quotes.
be prepared to pay monthly subscription for seat heating, for opening the boot lid, for operating the driver door, for switching ON the headlights etc.
I was put off with BMW grill. But on this one in that colour I can handle it.
I've been driving BMW's most of my life and recently had an X5. However I've just switched to Tesla Model Y and there's no looking back. If I was staying with ICE cars, no doubt I would've gotten another BMW. But once I decided EV there's no way I'm going BMW. There's no beating Tesla in the EV game. They're just too far ahead of the game at this point. BMW's and others have to play catch up.
Why though? I don't see that in a lot of fields. Only camera based driver's assistance? No HUD, no advanced motors like BMW's SSM or an 800V system like in the Hyundais. The headlights are stuck in the 90's even, far behind even budget brands. Several competitors have equally capable navigation systems now as well. From an engineering standpoint it is very hard to defend this "Tesla is waaay ahead" claim. I think only lean production, battery chemistry and in house semiconductor competence are solid points to support that. They do however have their very unique and well received way of doing things that have a unique appeal.
The i4 is obviously more practical due to the hatchback. But strange to compare the performance vs and rwd car.
If you compare the i4M it's weight 400kg more than the Tesla. How on earth did they manage that?