I drove my first electric - 2025 BMW i4 M50

[GrumpyCat]

Yes and all these posts in here are mentioning if he made two stops to no name places, off the road he was traveling, didn’t fully charge, he would have got to my house 20/25 minutes earlier. Arriving with less charge no less and start off the next day looking to charge again instead of a care free ride 85 mile trip back to Buc-ee’s which you also know has the latest full functioning super chargers that are always available.

If I’m driving 83 MPH on the interstates which is a blast. Like my son I would rather stop once on the road/exit that I have to exit to where I know the latest great super chargers, at a place with two dozen of them so no waiting or wondering while visiting a world class travel stop.

I guess I’m missing something here coming from the group that is saying charging is no big deal.
Bottom line it takes longer traveling with an electric, as much as an hour added to his four hour trip or as little as 4 hours and 40 minutes if you do it “thier” way. I guess I’m just thick headed.

Yes there is a thick-headed component.

You have been told your son is not using "super chargers" yet you persist with the term. He was pictured using a Mercedes-Benz MB.CHARGE station to charge an inferior short range BMW driven 83 MPH. Only Tesla fast charge stations are Superchargers.

And then you continue to extrapolate the experience of a short range BMW EV on a road trip to all EVs.

 

[edyvw]

I know one thing; control arms on BMW don’t snap in half, unlike on “some” vehicles.

 

[UncleDave]

Yes and all these posts in here are mentioning if he made two stops to no name places, off the road he was traveling, didn’t fully charge, he would have got to my house 20/25 minutes earlier. Arriving with less charge no less and start off the next day looking to charge again instead of a care free ride 85 mile trip back to Buc-ee’s which you also know has the latest full functioning super chargers that are always available.

If I’m driving 83 MPH on the interstates which is a blast. Like my son I would rather stop once on the road/exit that I have to exit to where I know the latest great super chargers, at a place with two dozen of them so no waiting or wondering while visiting a world class travel stop.

I guess I’m missing something here coming from the group that is saying charging is no big deal.
Bottom line it takes longer traveling with an electric, as much as an hour added to his four hour trip or as little as 4 hours and 40 minutes if you do it “thier” way. I guess I’m just thick headed.

The bottom line is that the individual driver and their choices have as much and often more to do with trip time than the type of energy a given vehicle uses.

It's not always true the EV will take longer especially if there is destination charging.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Yes and all these posts in here are mentioning if he made two stops to no name places, off the road he was traveling, didn’t fully charge, he would have got to my house 20/25 minutes earlier. Arriving with less charge no less and start off the next day looking to charge again instead of a care free ride 85 mile trip back to Buc-ee’s which you also know has the latest full functioning super chargers that are always available.

If I’m driving 83 MPH on the interstates which is a blast. Like my son I would rather stop once on the road/exit that I have to exit to where I know the latest great super chargers, at a place with two dozen of them so no waiting or wondering while visiting a world class travel stop.

I guess I’m missing something here coming from the group that is saying charging is no big deal.
Bottom line it takes longer traveling with an electric, as much as an hour added to his four hour trip or as little as 4 hours and 40 minutes if you do it “thier” way. I guess I’m just thick headed.

Not sure you are thick headed but perhaps not experienced in EV ownership.

AG, in whatever years of EV ownership I have under my belt, here is what I have learned... It all boils down to use case.
I am not sure what the range of that beautiful car is, but a 260 mile trip may make that the wrong tool for the job; dunno for sure. Respectfully, I am not sure your your son has had enough experience with an EV. Or maybe that's how he chooses to charge? When we got the 1st Model 3, I was paranoid and had to charge to 95% all the time, even though a used it for around town mostly. Now I regularly charge to 75%, and not every day. No need.

Our M3P is EPA rated at 303 miles, or whatever. If I averaged 75 mph, one 10 to 15 minute stop would get me to your place. Maybe even less charger dwell time. But stopping for a Starbucks would be sufficient. If I had charged to 100% at home and drove conservatively, the trip may have been doable without stopping. But I have no desire to operate like that.

That BMW had to go somewhere to gas up prior to the trip, that would pretty much equal out the trip time depending on where he buys his gas. Now how he charges once he gets to your place is another thing. I have no idea what your home has available or what local charging is like.

I can tell you this; ICE vehicles spend far more time (and $$) fueling up than I do on the Tesla; it is not even close. But that's my use case.

All good AG.

 

[UncleDave]

That BMW had to go somewhere to gas up prior to the trip, that would pretty much equal out the trip time depending on where he buys his gas. Now how he charges once he gets to your place is another thing. I have no idea what your home has available or what local charging is like.

AG's ICE trip time computation in post 36 was a simple drive time only, it did not include -

1. The time to fill up prior to departure.
2. Any filling on the trip.
3. A refill once back home.

 

[alarmguy]

….

I can tell you this; ICE vehicles spend far more time (and $$) fueling up than I do on the Tesla; it is not even close. But that's my use case.

All good AG.

yes, all good and you must remember you have the convenience of charging at home.
You also have backup ice vehicles

As we both agree, EVs don’t fit every circumstance of one’s living style

We can also agree electric vehicles are a blast to drive

 

[JeffKeryk]

yes, all good and you must remember you have the convenience of charging at home.
You also have backup ice vehicles

As we both agree, EVs don’t fit every circumstance of one’s living style

We can also agree electric vehicles are a blast to drive

I would not have an EV if I could not charge at home. I paid for the dedicated circuit and Tesla Wall Charger; it wasn't free.
But not gassing up at gas stations has to be experienced to be appreciated, IMO. Especially with our prices around here, but I am primarily talking about the convenience.

It is a different mind set, you learn, or you regret your purchase. The #1 reason EV owners go back to ICE is charging issues.

 

[Dave Hess]

Ok, my son surprised me for Father's day and made the 260 mile trip to our house in his 4 day old BMW i4 M50 electric. (the following statements is keeping in mind its only been 4 days of ownership, my son in the past has rented Tesla's to experience them) Also note he is a BMW employee at the worlds largest BMW plant which is in South Carolina.
This particular model was imported from Germany.

Anyway, he is a real BMW car buff, I would guess over the last 10 years he has had at LEAST 15 new BMWs from where he works with his employee plan in rough numbers, I cant keep track of them (which varies he gets a new BMW every 7 to 9+ months.He also owns an x5 for his wife.

Ok, his impressions of the i4 M50. When asked he tells me he loves it. Enthusiastically he tells me the coolest part about it is that ANYONE who is used to driving BMWs can jump in the electric i4 and feel completely comfortable. It's a BMW with a different power plant but the vehicle itself is all BMW, nothing strange about driving it except for some to get used to the regenerative braking. Since this is the only EV I ever drove I would point out the the i4 lets you pick how aggressive you want the regen braking to be. In steps from mild to aggressive, he sets it to aggressive.

He does favor physical buttons and the ones for the climate control have been removed which he misses, however he said it was easy to get used to the touch screen and along the bottom of the touch screen are "shortcuts" that take you to the proper screen so there isnt a lot of swiping. I watched as he did and it is straight forward. The air conditioning is awesome, very cold you can easily set the fan to low. Temperatures were typical warm and muggy on the coast and he tells me HOT from where he left his house.

The vehicle still has a lot of physical controls on the steering wheel and the two stalks sticking out from each side of the steering wheel base. There are also controls on the center console. I like the shift button there. The fit, finish and "workmanship" is all BMW and this is where the car excels and why my son loves their vehicles. Just beautiful seats, dash, fit, finish inside and out is something a car buff can appreciate.

Im not sure what to add, he loves the car, loves the power delivery of the 530 Hp+ motor. Range is certainly on the lower end of the M50 version. Im not sure about the other versions. All wheel drive and the power amazing (I know the others brands are too) This is in the 3.5 sec 0 to 60 range, fast enough.
It is definitely on the sports car side as far as room. You kind of slide yourself into the car both front and rear seats which are beautiful.

Ok, so he slept overnight at our house and before he left in the morning I took it out on the road with him. WOW, I can see how the power can be addicting. INSANE/
I LOVED the driving experience. The car is just so "together", tight, and well appointed. *LOL* acceleration was insane! Keeping in mind I never drove an EV before I was 100% comfortable with the regenerative braking and it was set in "aggressive mode" I actually LOVED not having to step on the brake peddle to slow down. Not kidding, I was 100% comfortable with it from the very first time I pulled out of the driveway. Now I am spoiled as far as that goes.
Still this is much like a sports car and it's awesome. But not a large SUV vehicle for sure.

Ok, I'll cover the recharge he did on his trip. I do find talking about cost of recharging on expensive cars as silly after all I think this car is pushing $80,000 However it is expensive to use super chargers and cannot be denied. AS far as his regular use when at home, over night in his garage (level2?) fully charges it in 6 or 7 hours with an almost completely drained battery. Which was just last night after returning from my house as he went out shopping with it and by the time he plugged in the charger at home I think he said he had 35 miles left on the charge. In the above mentioned hours he had a full charge again.

More on charging in the next post.

Also I found this review online for the car buffs in here.
https://insideevs.com/reviews/738023/bmw-i4-fast-charge-review/

Here are a few photos at my house.

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@OVERKILL

Beautiful BMW.

I would really like to test drive one of these EV BMW.

 

[OVERKILL]

Beautiful BMW.

I would really like to test drive one of these EV BMW.

You should, they are a hoot! Beautiful cars.

 

[GrumpyCat]

I would not have an EV if I could not charge at home. I paid for the dedicated circuit and Tesla Wall Charger Connector; it wasn't free.

Fixed it for you.

I had two Tesla Wall Connectors installed in my new home's garage so I can use either door, or have a guest.

 

[alarmguy]

Beautiful BMW.

I would really like to test drive one of these EV BMW.

It’s very impressive.
Anyone who drives a BMW will be 100% at home in the EV version. My first EV drive and it simply drove like a regular BMW except the regen braking which I LOVED. If one doesn’t care fir regen braking they can select to make it more mild.

I instantly got hooked on not having to shift my feet often to the brake pedal. Really spoiled me!

Much like I got spoiled by my wife’s 2025 gas equinox with auto braking/stop that I don’t have to keep my foot on the brake pedal at red lights did.
The EV re-gen braking is golden. Performance is amazing in the EV version of the M50 but we can acknowledge the gas M50 is thrilling too. EV does add another 100+ hp though

 

[JeffKeryk]

It’s very impressive.
Anyone who drives a BMW will be 100% at home in the EV version. My first EV drive and it simply drove like a regular BMW except the regen braking which I LOVED. If one doesn’t care fir regen braking they can select to make it more mild.

I instantly got hooked on not having to shift my feet often to the brake pedal. Really spoiled me!

Much like I got spoiled by my wife’s 2025 gas equinox with auto braking/stop that I don’t have to keep my foot on the brake pedal at red lights did.
The EV re-gen braking is golden. Performance is amazing in the EV version of the M50 but we can acknowledge the gas M50 is thrilling too. EV does add another 100+ hp though

1 pedal driving is the best. As to the extra 100 HP, the flat torque curve gives you that incredible pull across the range. No need to get into the upper power band.

These cars are a blast to drive.

 

[Ws6]

I know one thing; control arms on BMW don’t snap in half, unlike on “some” vehicles.

BMW tests their vehicles, as do others, and they use parts with quality provenance, as do most others. Tesla on the other hand is constantly using repurposed parts and employing "quick fix" engineering and parts sourcing. They've improved a lot, since the early 2020s, but id like to see them do even better.

 

[Torrid]

BMW tests their vehicles, as do others, and they use parts with quality provenance, as do most others. Tesla on the other hand is constantly using repurposed parts and employing "quick fix" engineering and parts sourcing. They've improved a lot, since the early 2020s, but id like to see them do even better.

Some shortcuts have been made for sure. I'm glad they learn from their mistakes, but I'd rather they rely less on the buyer to be the tester. I haven't had the major issues. There's just simple things they get wrong because of the lack of testing. Overall the car is great, but some simple stuff like the auto wipers and cruise control behavior leave you scratching your head.

 

[GrumpyCat]

BMW tests their vehicles, as do others, and they use parts with quality provenance, as do most others. Tesla on the other hand is constantly using repurposed parts and employing "quick fix" engineering and parts sourcing. They've improved a lot, since the early 2020s, but id like to see them do even better.

Oh? Citations please?

Tesla builds their own batteries.
Tesla builds their own motors.
Tesla builds their own charging network.
Tesla builds their own seats in-house.

Once Upon A Time Tesla purchased steering columns. Early models used same as older Mercedes-Benz. Buys suspension components from vendors. Probably buys brakes as well.

 

[Torrid]

Oh? Citations please?

Tesla builds their own batteries.
Tesla builds their own motors.
Tesla builds their own charging network.
Tesla builds their own seats in-house.

Once Upon A Time Tesla purchased steering columns. Early models used same as older Mercedes-Benz. Buys suspension components from vendors. Probably buys brakes as well.

Tesla is more in house than anyone else these. It's really impressive. It's the reason why the adoption of full 48v low voltage systems have been so slow. The suppliers won't do it. Tesla does what they want.

 

[Ws6]

Oh? Citations please?

Tesla builds their own batteries.
Tesla builds their own motors.
Tesla builds their own charging network.
Tesla builds their own seats in-house.

Once Upon A Time Tesla purchased steering columns. Early models used same as older Mercedes-Benz. Buys suspension components from vendors. Probably buys brakes as well.

Don't forget the non automotive rated screens they were forced to replace or the home depot wood trim used in the cooling system nonsense.

 

[Marcozi]

I get that, having ridden MC since Norton 750 Commando and BSA 650 Lightnings were considered fast up to modern 175-200HP super bikes. For me getting up to speed fast is only a small part of it, getting it there and keeping it there is the best part. There is nothing like doing almost 200 MPH on 2 wheels but you wont be doing that in the USA.

Early in my navy career a friend bought a new Norton Commando. I rode it and fell in love with it immediately.

 

[Dave1027]

Love the color and everything about it...except that slapped on display in the cockpit. It looks like they forgot they needed instruments and stuck a display on as an afterthought.

Yeah, that's the thing I don't like. It would be way too distracting to me. I want to focus on the road and all the maniacs on it.

 

[Torrid]

Yeah, that's the thing I don't like. It would be way too distracting to me. I want to focus on the road and all the maniacs on it.

I'm surprised how many cars have ambient lights everywhere in the interior. Each new generation adds more accent lights and distraction and odd placements of screens. I still like when SAAB would shut off all the dash lights except for the speedometer. As far as currently available cars I think Mercedes is the biggest offender for the overly lighted interior.