BMW i4

Late reply to this I know - but how is the Model 3 Performance very different to the Long range?

Different spec motors on each, what else? There's no suspension difference that I know of, and both are dual motor so AWD. Plus on the track the Model 3 might be quicker than an M3, but that's no indication of what each is like to drive. The Model 3 is so quick out of a corner it makes up for a lot of time, but just look at the Top Gear episode where they take it, the M3, Alfa Quadrofoglio and C63 against each other. The Model 3 is quickest time wise on the track they set up, but it looks awful in comparison to the composure of the Alfa through the tight bends. There's no comparison.

A Stopwatch isn't the only measure of a good car, if it was there'd be no point in an MX5!

Not saying the Model 3 isn't a decent car - it really is, it's a great car to be fair, and a great price - with 10grand discount thanks to subsidies helping the price even more. But I still really struggle to see the massive difference between the Performance versus LR. I probably would pay the extra 10 grand if I was in a position to and could afford it easily, but if I couldn't afford it, I wouldn't be massively upset that I'm missing out either.

80k difference between an M3 and 330i - they're completely different cars to be fair, even most of the body panels are different, before you get to chassis strengthening and suspension/drivetrain. 25k would be a better price difference though, like it would have been 10 years ago!

Fair points made in the reply.

I'd love to drive the i4 and Model3P back-to-back, it'll be interesting to see how BMW cope with the extra mass of a BEV.

My M3P did 0-60 in 3.2 all the time according to the draggy or 3.4 without the rollout. If yours was doing 4's there is something wrong.

I4 does nothing for me BMW's styling direction at the moment is "challenging" and I dont want to be challenged, also I have had less than stellar experiance with BMW;s ability to make electronics that work. The tesla was drove well, but its not a drivers car, in fact it does almost anything it can to have you avoid having to interact with the car at all. It does nothing to egg you on. The straight line speed grows old after a while and I really wish tesla looked better and felt more premium. The taycan has the looks and feel, albeit at a price. No car is perfect but unlike at the start, its the regular manufacturers are playing catchup to tesla.

First reviews of the i4 should be out Wednesday morning for anyone who’s interested

first review out that I have seen so far, he’s also one of the best reviewers!

Carwow review is up. I won’t spoil the 0-60 :)

^^^ the iX is a new platform I believe, the i4 obviously shares the same platform as the 4 series. It is a bit disappointing alright, an opportunity lost prehaps. Definitely one of the negatives for the i4 is the use of interior space. The transmission tunnel is a real head scratcher.

Reviews seems to be mostly positive so far. I notice they all seem to have the claimed mileage wrong, BMW's claim of ~500km is with 19" wheels where all their test cars had 20" which reduces range by 80kms. The iconic sounds is gimmicky I think, I couldn't see myself using that after a few days. They all seem to be happy with the UI which is good. It's a pity they removed the usual BMW shortcut buttons, I always found those handy.

I'm looking forward to seeing in the flesh and test driving, apparently i40 demos coming to dealers in next few weeks.

80km seems alot of range to lose for going for 20" over 19", what is the the smallest wheels it can be factory ordered with and what is the range then?

looks like the wheel options are from 18"

I really am seeing this as a contender for replacing my G20 330e in a couple of years. I went for the 330e as there wasn't anything in that bracket that appealed to me - the Tesla 3 was the only real contender and I just didn't like it.

One thing I really don't like in the Tesla is the massive screen and I'm not sure how I'd like the new dash in the i4. I love the iDrive 7 and the old school shortcut buttons are used by me all the time. I'm not sure I could justify the M50 version .. but a MSport pack on the i4 would still give the look that I'd want.

It is a compact saloon so will always suffer when thinking of it as a 2+3 family car - it's not the market for it. we are 2+2 family and the 330e just about fits the bracket .. but with a full sized boot it will no different to your run of the mill saloon space wise.

I reckon I'll need to book in a test drive and bring the missus to convince her it is the future !

There's a lot of standard extras in the M50 that you'd probably want to include on the standard i4. So the value really is in the M50 model. I can't see them confusing the offerings by allowing an MSport pack either. The M50 probably really is the MSport and not a true M anyway. We're a while a way from offering a true M offering due to battery weight.

I thought I'd be the same regarding the screen being a bit too much but I test drove the iX3 and didn't find it too much. It blends well unlike the Tesla's which just look like you're in an apple store, yuck.

The Hans Zimmer iconic sounds are a stupid gimmick. Dealer asked me the question if I wanted it included or not, I said no, but I feel like it's probably just a coding change anyway and it will be forced upon us when EU regulations come into play.

No dedicated platform, no dice for me,

the ix3 and i4 are just reworked X3s and 4 series which isnt good enough.

This was an important release and its does nothing for me. It has no USP, not the cheapest, not the fastest, not the best driving, not the most range, not the best looking...its just there. I am sure its a good car and will appeal to the "car enthusiast" more than a tesla for what appears to be similar money to a model 3. But competing with a model 3 this late in the game seems pointless.

That choice makes business sense, though. BMW is a traditional niche manufacturer (in relative terms) and it makes business sense for it to manufacture different variants of the same basic model on the one production line instead of having to set up a completely new production line. In this way it can transition to ev's while not having to compete head-on with the gorilla in the room and still serve its traditional market in the meantime. I don't think that it's in any doubt though about the task in hand, having squandered good early progress.