Pricing
Our first EV
In October 2022 we shopped for an EV to replace our Honda CR-V We tested the Model Y, Mach-E, ID.4, EV6, Ioniq 5, BMW iX, and BMW i4, settling on a 2023 model year i4 eDrive 40 with the M-Sport package. We chose the i4 based on driving dynamics, range, and build quality, figuring that the large hatchback would manage 99% of the hauling tasks of an SUV or wagon. We chose the RWD i4 for better range and driving dynamics than the AWD i4 M50. Living on the south coast of MA, winters are mild so we anticipated that RWD and the OEM all-season (i.e., no season) tires would be sufficient all year round, particularly as we have an Audi S4 with an 18" winter wheel and tire package for those days when RWD would be dicey. I love performance cars, which is the i4 is not, but it is so rewarding to drive that I hardly drive the S4 anymore. The dynamics are good. Steering lacks feel but is accurate with crisp turn-in and good centering (we got the dynamic steering option). We got the M-Sport package since that was the only way to get adaptive dampers. The car corners fairly flat and its comfort mode hits an excellent balance between absorbing bumps while limiting excess body motions. The car can hustle and has decent grip on the OEM Pirelli P Zeros, but the 4680-pound curb weight makes it more of a luxury cruiser than a sport sedan, despite the pretense. Given that weight, we opted for the uprated M-Sport brakes, but they hardly get used since the regen works so well. At least the brake pedal feel is good and the transition from regen to mechanical braking is imperceptible. The single motor i4 has more than adequate acceleration (high 4- to low-5 sec 0-60 according to magazine) and it has the typical EV benefit of instant torque that makes highway merges easy. The interior build quality and feel are great, and the car is very quiet on the road. We got the Harmon Kardon sound system, which is pretty good. The quiet cabin makes this is the first car I've owned where listening to classical music is worthwhile. The interior downsides are the center tunnel (this is a dual-purpose ICE/EV platform) and limited rear passenger leg and headroom. That back seats are not penalty zones like some coupes but sung for bigger people. Not a problem for us and front seat room is generous. The hatch works well, and the car can easily haul a bicycle or all our trash & recycling for the dump run. The iDrive 8 infotainment system is on par with better end of those in EVs we tested (ID.4 the worst) but the lack of physical buttons for most functions is irritating. My biggest gripe is the lack of physical audio preset buttons. Voice control is okay but too laggy for flipping between Sirius XM channels. The graphic quality of the display is excellent, and we haven't had any issues with using it in bright sun or at night. The HUD works well and shows next turn instructions from Waze via Android Auto. Occasionally the infotainment crashes when Waze is running but it spontaneously reboots within a minute or so and picks up where it left off. We initially optioned dynamic cruise control and 360-degree parking camera, but those became unavailable as the wiring harnesses were made in Ukraine. Damn Putin! A minor downside of the M-Sport package is that it comes with staggered19" wheels that probably cost about 7% of range compared to the 18s on the base e40. We wanted the adaptive dampers and I think that was worth the slightly diminished range. Given how we use the car, I'd give up some grip for better range but that was not an option. Despite big wheels, the car has been more efficient than expected and ~80% of our driving is on highways. See below for the lifetime efficiency update. In summer we usually get usually see mi/kWh in the low 4s, which translates to about 300 miles. In winter, efficiency drops by 25-30%. The first scheduled maintenance was at 36,000 miles based on 2-year interval (otherwise 40K). It was trivial, but the rear tires needed replacement. I could have pushed them longer, but winter was approaching. Other than that, the car has been flawless with the second scheduled service coming up in October 2026 by which time we should have about 60,000+ miles on the clock. I doubt the brakes will need anything for the first 100,000 miles since I mostly slow with regen, and it's great not having to pay for oil & filter changes every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, or spark plugs & timing belts. The negatives are minor so far. The M steering wheel is too thick and the metal trim on its spokes are cold in winter and take a long time to warm up despite the heated wheel. The outside doorhandles are oddly designed, making it easy for your hand to slide off when trying to open them. The blind spot warning lights in the side mirrors are too small and peripherally placed to be ideal. Our Audi S4 has big warning lights in the side mirror bezel that is much better, but the mirror placement in i4 wouldn't allow it. The back of the car is a dirt magnet. Not sure if that's got to do with aerodynamics, but it never stays clean the and the rear-facing camera lens requires frequent cleaning in winter. That and the occasional screen blackout is all I have to complain about so far. 65,000-mile update (July 2026): most of the positive comments above are still accurate. There have been no mechanical or electronic issues, the average energy consumption since factory stands at 3.9 mi/kWh, and I haven't noticed any loss of range. My opinion about iDrive 8 has dropped a bit. It is quite laggy and changing between Sirius XM stations or changing from XM to Spotify involves too many steps. Also, I'm still getting transient screen blackouts when using Waze. Despite those gripes, I really love the car. We could use more haulage space, so I might flip it for a Volvo EX60 P12 in 2028. By then the i4 will have passed 100,000 miles and the EX60 will have been on the market long enough for Volvo to fix the inevitable software issues. Speaking of software, I have applied every periodic over the air update that the i4 has asked for, but that hasn't resulted in any tangible difference that I could see.
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Ultimate EV Driving Machine
I have owned the BMW i4 now for 2 weeks and it has not disappointed. The comfort level is outstanding and battery distance is unbelievable 300+ miles. It rides so nice and have receive multiple compliment on the choice of color, the San Remo Green. If anyone is contemplating an EV and wants something other than the same old Tesla I would highly recoutaki g a look at this beauty.
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- eDrive40 SedanMSRP: $49,85942 mi away
- xDrive40 SedanMSRP: $48,12919 mi away
- eDrive40 SedanMSRP: $41,80018 mi away
I love my 2023 i4 eDrive40
I got very lucky in that someone had backed out on their VERY well spec'd 2023 I4 eDrive40 in late Dec 22. It has everything I want and only missing what I don't want (such as parking assistance). This car is fast, smooth, comfortable and relaxing to drive. The Harmon Kardon is the best I've heard in a car (I've owned many, many BMWs) and dare I compare the sound to the Bowers and Wilkins? It sounds that good. And the hatchback is just awesome! Two thumbs up on this well built, good looking EV. Some of the comments made by the two testers are wrong (such as the cons - they shouldn't compare the engagement to an ICE vehicle), but they're entitled to make those type of comments.
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It’s Electric
Purchased my 2025 i4X40 at the end of March. I leased it because the lease deal was much better than paying cash or financing. My calculations of money down, monthly payments and buyout at the end was $5,000 cheaper than owning the car. I did the math multiple times and had someone else check my calculations. My off sticker incentive between $7,500, repeat buyer and dealer money off was $9,500! Three years from now if the car is antiquated by major advances in technology and charge range; I can walk away from it. The acceleration is instant and amazing. Especially zero to 30 MPH. I have not floored the pedal yet, no need to. When I take off from a red light I look back and it always looks like the light is still red based on how far back people are. Handles like a bimmer, feels heavy but in a good way. I wanted to buy something where I could function the car without learning a computer screen, I wanted a normal directional signal, something I was accustomed too. The only negative I can think of to this point is the seats could be more comfortable, that said they are not bad I’m just used to the “executive package” seats which are pretty amazing. Be aware, back window visibility is diminished, but it’s not a safety concern, at least not for me. I installed a BMW home charger and never intend to charge at any other charger since I have a second SUV for road trips. It’s my favorite BMW so far and I have owned every version of the 5 series, and multiple X5s. I have made the mistake of buying other brands and have been disappointed and always come back to BMW. I thought I would have battery anxiety, based on my experience with cell phone and smart watches, but so far I have had zero. I have a 30 to 40 minute commute everyday with some decent traffic and I use about 10% battery for a round trip. Sometimes I think I should have bought the M50 because of additional acceleration, but the fact I haven’t even pushed this car to the limit makes me think it would be more about telling people how fast it was versus driving it that fast. *Update. Still love the car. I actually drive it in eco mode most of the time, except when I want to have some fun. During spring, summer and part of fall I am averaging 3.8 to 4.0 mile per kWh each month. (Live in NE). Car came with summer tires, I bought some weather/snow seasonal tires recently and now with temperatures in the 30s to 40s I’m averaging 3.5. 4.0 equals 134 miles per gallon equivalent and 3.5 is 119 miles per gallon. I didn’t buy the car for mpg reasons but it’s amazing really. Only other thing that that sometimes concerns me is you have to make sure you turn off the car before opening the door, because if you do it in the opposite order the the car lights and radio stay on. Simple fix is to lock it.
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My 4th and Best BMW
After owning 3 BMW M sport models starting in 1997, in 2022 I decided to order my first EV,. My 2023 Portimao Blue I4 M50 arrived in February 2023. After driving it for 10 months I rate this the BEST BMW I have owned. With 536 hp it out performs any of my previous BMW’s and has the best road manners. I love my I4 M50
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