I Test-Drive a BMW i4 eDrive 40 with M Packages

[Jimrpa]

Sticker price as driven: ~$69K
I’m not a “driving enthusiast” or a “professional reviewer”.
The vehicle felt very tight and composed. I had a chance to do a WOT to about 70 on a straight road, then roam around small, twisty little roads for a while. The handling and performance were great, but somewhat different than the Mustang Mach e. It felt a little bit more stable?
It was rear wheel drive, but the sales guy told me a single motor AWD was coming. It’s equivalent to BlueCruise only works in certain circumstances, and only up to 40 MPH, which was odd.
The UI was nice and snappy, and I loved the heads up display.
Seats were great. Supposedly, ventilated seats were available.
a ton on switches and knobs all over the place. Very confusing “gear”/“drive mode” selection. (I’m sure you can get used to it).
Almost NO rear seat leg room, no frunk. A huge transmission/driveshaft.
If the Mustang Mach e didn’t exist, it would be a strong contender. I still prefer the Mustang Mach E.
Edit: corrected error in model number and name. Updated sticker price.

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[Tampamike]

Yeah, I wish we had that BMW HUD. Loved the one on my previous X6.

 

[ebeponyan]

Somebody has to say it: no frunk, therefore no frunk button.

 

[SWO]

I didn't realize it was RWD only. That's a big turn off.

 

[skiingj]

I have been looking at the i4 M50 for some time to replace my MME. I thought all M50s were AWD and it was the only i4 model to have AWD. Thanks for the review.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

no frunk.

So, I'm guessing it doesn't have a drunk release button either.

 

[alexgorod]

a single motor AWD was coming

Really? interesting

 

[LincolnLuvr]

The i4 M50 isn't equipped with Highway Assistant? That's a surprise- should be better than Blue Cruise.

 

[Jimrpa]

The i4 M50 isn't equipped with Highway Assistant? That's a surprise- should be better than Blue Cruise.

Why should it be better than BlueCruise? BlueCruise works above 40 mph handsfree.

 

[LincolnLuvr]

Why should it be better than BlueCruise? BlueCruise works above 40 mph handsfree.

Highway Assistant is supposed to have near Level 3 capability. Surprised the i4 M50 wasnt equipped with Active Driver Assist Pro which has hands off Blue Cruise functionality.

 

[Jimrpa]

Highway Assistant is supposed to have near Level 3 capability. Surprised the i4 M50 wasnt equipped with Active Driver Assist Pro which has hands off Blue Cruise functionality.

The salesperson didn’t use product names, so I don’t know what it was equipped with. He was very specific that the handsfree driving feature only worked on certain roads and only up to 40 MPH. I did turn on the system briefly, and it seemed pretty much like adaptive cruise control with lane centering. You could remove your hands from the steering wheel briefly, but then the system would complain.

 

[Kevin P]

You did not test drive an i4 M50. ALL of them are AWD, dual motor, with 536 horsepower. They all also cost more than $63k. Starting price before options is $69k for an M50. Sounds like you drove an i4 eDrive40. The M50 is another beast entirely.

https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/all-electric/i4/gran-coupe/build-your-own.html

 

[AllenXS]

So, I'm guessing it doesn't have a drunk release button either.

How did Jim get out then?

 

[MGHTYDX]

Sticker price as driven: ~$63K
I’m not a “driving enthusiast” or a “professional reviewer”.
The vehicle felt very tight and composed. I had a chance to do a WOT to about 70 on a straight road, then roam around small, twisty little roads for a while. The handling and performance were great, but somewhat different than the Mustang Mach e. It felt a little bit more stable?
It was rear wheel drive, but the sales guy told me a single motor AWD was coming. It’s equivalent to BlueCruise only works in certain circumstances, and only up to 40 MPH, which was odd.
The UI was nice and snappy, and I loved the heads up display.
Seats were great. Supposedly, ventilated seats were available.
a ton on switches and knobs all over the place. Very confusing “gear”/“drive mode” selection. (I’m sure you can get used to it).
Almost NO rear seat leg room, no frunk. A huge transmission/driveshaft.
If the Mustang Mach e didn’t exist, it would be a strong contender. I still prefer the Mustang Mach E.

In January, I traded in my 2022 Mach E GTPE for a slightly used (1000 mi) 2022 BMW i4 M50. I do not regret it.

 

[Jimrpa]

You did not test drive an i4 M50. ALL of them are AWD, dual motor, with 536 horsepower. They all also cost more than $63k. Starting price before options is $69k for an M50. Sounds like you drove an i4 eDrive40. The M50 is another beast entirely.

https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/all-electric/i4/gran-coupe/build-your-own.html

You are correct. That was a typo. I test drove a BMW i4 eDrive 40 with the M package.. The sticker was approximately $69K.
This is the car I test drove.

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