BMW i4

So is the packaging of say a Taycan optimal then? I haven’t been lucky enough personally to drive one but reports are it’s similar cabin space to an i4 despite being on a dedicated platform isn’t it?

Okay saying an Ioniq 5 is as spacious as a Q7 is daft, that’s simply not true. Fair enough it’s a better family car than say an i4 but that’s exactly why many i4 drivers won’t buy it.

We have had very practical spacious cars like the Citroen C4 Picasso that are smaller externally than the Ioniq 5 but arguably more practical inside despite running on petrol and diesel but I never heard of one being compared to a 4 series.

I’m at a stage now where I’d love an impractical car rather than an wagon that shouts 2.4 kids and a dog. A better packaged i4 that looks like an ID4 with a flat floor will be a turn off

You are missing the point, the i4 would be better inside if it had a dedicated EV platform, to try and argue that a hulking great transmission tunnel down the the centre isnt undesirable is just stupid, of course it would be better without it.

Its not a sports car we are talking about here its a mid range bmw saloon, which unless i am missing something has the exact same configuration across the back as a 3 series, i.e. 3 sets of seatbelts and a space for a middle passenger i.e. its a 5 seater. A 4 seater has 2 rear seats.

I would love if the i4 was on a dedicated platform, if it was id have an order in for the m50 already, im not trying to talk down anyones choice, but it could have been better.

The difference with the Tesla is that they have designed the interior that way, BMW are working around a transmission tunnel that is not required.

choice would be comparing the tesla interior to the bmw and picking the one you prefer,

a redundant transmission tunnel is a compromise.

What dedicated EV has a better combination of handling, ride, steering?? I fail see too see what the compromises are

It's a small miracle the i4 drives as good as it does. As it is a compromised design. The BMW engineers can take a huge credit there. I'm disappointed that I haven't heard any follow up on my online test drive application I made a good few weeks ago, maybe I should just drive into Frank Keane when I get a chance.

I do think you are missing the point with this car, it’s not a sports car but it is a sporty car, a grand coupe as BMW call it and not the family car to take three adults. It does however has reasonable space so the lifestyle owner can use it everyday and take a bit of luggage in it and maybe sports gear etc. In the same way Porsche could have developed a more practical car than the Taycan is, I’m certain that BMW are happy that this car doesn’t have massive rear legroom, three rear isofix seats etc etc. If you need all that stuff sounds like you need a family wagon.

someone is missing the point but it isnt me 😁

fairly decent assessment - however, I'm in the market and my budget will max out at about €75k and that isn't in the e-tron gt or Porsche range. Even if I were to sell a kidney or child in the next couple of months it won't get me in to a porsche with the spec that I'd want to start off with.

So if I want to go down the route of a grand tourer type car in EV the BMW is top of that pile at the moment. Kia, Hyundai or Polestar do not really float my boat. I wouldn't be classified as a fan boy but I've enjoyed owning a couple of BMWs over the years .. however my favourite car that I've owned was a Superb Estate .. it served the purpose I needed at the time and gave me 450,000km of reliability.

Tesla isn't for me - I've tried to like them but when I'm parting with €60k+ on a car I couldn't justify it on something that I don't like the look of or can't get comfortable sitting in.

Maybe I'll take the i4 for a spin and won't like it and will have to start from scratch again .. or hold on to the 330e for a few more years.

The thing is the i4 on this thread highlighted as having major compromises- two of which is a the central rear tunnel making third rear seat uncomfortable and lack of rear legroom space - and its implied that these wouldn't be an issue if it was built on a dedicated platform.

In reality your Taycan has about the same interior space, also comes with a large rear tunnel, has a smaller boot than the BMW and yet is considerably larger all round. One could claim that that car is clearly compromised but clearly Porsche didn't set out to make the ultimate practical EV. In reality BMW have arrived at a similar place as Porsche without having to invest in a dedicated platform and that no doubt has kept the cost down while meeting the brief that BMW had for the car

snide ignorant comment? Grow up, you claimed people were missing the point, so did I, we just disagree on who that is.

Indeed, look dont get me wrong not trying to piss on anyone's chips, but there is always some factor that makes us compromise on any purchase. What I dont like is when people buy a lovely car like the i4 feel the need to explain and defend any failings as their preference. No frunk - I dont need a frunk. Ice platform - I like transmission tunnels they make me feel at home.

The i4 is a lovely expensive quality car that any owner should be proud to own. No need to argue away the faults or ignore the competition.

In my opinion as a previous Tesla owner, tesla have been caught up with if not overtaken in many aspects. Their design language is missing, they are not nice looking cars, and their ubiquity make them boring. They drive fairly poorly too, like driving with a condom on your hands. They do however have great software, a good dedicated charging infrastructure (for now) and plenty of practicality. I sold my tesla because it was missing that thing that made me want to drive it.

Yeah....no....see I sit low to the ground in the Taycan and it looks amazing ( and by virtue of sitting in it I too look awesome 😁). Low and sleek. I didn't get a cross tourismo cause I think they look like a hearse, so obvious practicality is not my chief concern. . There is a rear hump but not a tunnel but the taycan has a transmission on the rear so needs that, it was not built to save money it was built to drive well. Nothing is there without that reason, nothing is missing without that reason. Its not a perfect car either. I cannot agree that BMW have arrived at a similar place, unless you define that place as launching a mass production EV.

Look you want to play the interior space game then the tesla model 3 has you beat. Want to play the handling and looks game Audi and porsche have you beat. I4 not the fastest, the longest range, best driving, best value for money...its a master of none. But its a overall very good car, but a lot of people seem to only have the requirement that it is not a tesla and costs more than 60k and less than 90k.

Stop trying to make it all thing to all men. There is no need to fanboy, the **** out of it, its still better than 99% of cars on the road. Dont be like tesla loonies, as a BMW fan myself I expect better from us.

Whatever about the merits and disadvantages of BMW choosing to share platforms between ev and combustion models, the i4 is proving to be a success judging by demand.

my pal ordered yesterday and given a delivery date of February/March 2023.

Lots of talk about the Taycan.. did anyone consider the e-tron GT ?