Has anyone gone from a Tesla Model 3 to a BMW i4?
Discussion
Hi all,
Thinking about chopping in the Model 3, mainly as we need a towbar to take the bikes, you can't retrofit one - even for bike carriers now, the local towbar place said there's been issues with the chassis. Finding a car with a factory tow bar isn't easy... Also, we've had one for 4 years, so time for a change I think.
We've booked a test drive for an ID7 - but whilst great for holiday's, it'll probably be too big the rest of the time.
Has anyone gone to a BMW i4? As this feels like the right sort of size, shame there's not a touring body, but the fastback should be comparable to the Model 3? I did see you can get a "frunk" for the i4 as an aftermarket plastic tray thingy, so not a total loss there.
Any other key differences? Any other models to check out? We'd want a similar amount of boot space, which is decent on the Model 3, but otherwise, happy to check anything else out.
Thinking about chopping in the Model 3, mainly as we need a towbar to take the bikes, you can't retrofit one - even for bike carriers now, the local towbar place said there's been issues with the chassis. Finding a car with a factory tow bar isn't easy... Also, we've had one for 4 years, so time for a change I think.
We've booked a test drive for an ID7 - but whilst great for holiday's, it'll probably be too big the rest of the time.
Has anyone gone to a BMW i4? As this feels like the right sort of size, shame there's not a touring body, but the fastback should be comparable to the Model 3? I did see you can get a "frunk" for the i4 as an aftermarket plastic tray thingy, so not a total loss there.
Any other key differences? Any other models to check out? We'd want a similar amount of boot space, which is decent on the Model 3, but otherwise, happy to check anything else out.
Thanks, I can see that you can spec from new a tow bar on the Model 3, but ideally I'd prefer to get something a couple of years old... We own the current Model 3 so would ideally do the same.
The ID7 has snuck in due to some very good lease / finance deals which would make it possible.
But an i4 would be a purchase.
The ID7 has snuck in due to some very good lease / finance deals which would make it possible.
But an i4 would be a purchase.
I was very close to ordering a model 3 highland, but bottled it and went for i4 eDrive40 M Sport - very glad I did.
I've been electric for a few years with an i3 and was impressed by the Tesla, seemed a leap forward, plus 0% finance - but for several reasons not least removal of stalks and my reservations about the screen and lack of binnacle/HUD.
i4 in some ways feels a little of a backwards step as it's very 'traditional' BMW, but despite that it's well appointed, comfortable and very good tech.
If you can get one with iDrive OS 8.5 all the better, but version 8.0 is fine. A bit clunky compared to Tesla but does the job, plus an excellent HUD.
Electric towbar is comically slow to appear - only seen videos and don't have/need one.
I've been electric for a few years with an i3 and was impressed by the Tesla, seemed a leap forward, plus 0% finance - but for several reasons not least removal of stalks and my reservations about the screen and lack of binnacle/HUD.
i4 in some ways feels a little of a backwards step as it's very 'traditional' BMW, but despite that it's well appointed, comfortable and very good tech.
If you can get one with iDrive OS 8.5 all the better, but version 8.0 is fine. A bit clunky compared to Tesla but does the job, plus an excellent HUD.
Electric towbar is comically slow to appear - only seen videos and don't have/need one.
The tesla app lists it as an available accessory for the car (Model 3 tow package, £1157). In addition, since other forums are available, there's at least one person that's fitted it to their highland perf: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/towbar-fit...
Go test drive a Highland Model 3 and an i4 and see which you prefer.
I test drove an i4 M50 and didn’t really like it.
I found it to be fast but cramped and somewhat inert-feeling and the i4’s extra 450 kg. of weight makes itself known with every control input…. I also really didn’t like the overall visibility compared to my Model 3.
I test drove an i4 M50 and didn’t really like it.
I found it to be fast but cramped and somewhat inert-feeling and the i4’s extra 450 kg. of weight makes itself known with every control input…. I also really didn’t like the overall visibility compared to my Model 3.
Edited by Zcd1 on Monday 23 September 13:05
phil4 said:
The tesla app lists it as an available accessory for the car (Model 3 tow package, £1157). In addition, since other forums are available, there's at least one person that's fitted it to their highland perf: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/towbar-fit...
Really helpful, thanks. I'll get it booked in once the car arrives. Can't speak for myself but had a colleague going for the i4 after a M3.
She really liked the way it looks but in the end is getting more and more frustrated by small "quality of life" things.
Most of them was software stuff compared to the Tesla iirc, and all small things she didn't really notice during a short test drive.
She really liked the way it looks but in the end is getting more and more frustrated by small "quality of life" things.
Most of them was software stuff compared to the Tesla iirc, and all small things she didn't really notice during a short test drive.
Zcd1 said:
Go test drive a Highland Model 3 and an i4 and see which you prefer.
I test drove an i4 M50 and didn’t really like it.
I found it to be fast but cramped and somewhat inert-feeling and the i4’s extra 450 kg. of weight makes itself known with every control input…. I also really didn’t like the overall visibility compared to my Model 3.
That's an interesting point, and we did test drive a 330e before getting another Model 3... And the buttons everywhere and the penned in feeling didn't sell us.I test drove an i4 M50 and didn’t really like it.
I found it to be fast but cramped and somewhat inert-feeling and the i4’s extra 450 kg. of weight makes itself known with every control input…. I also really didn’t like the overall visibility compared to my Model 3.
Edited by Zcd1 on Monday 23 September 13:05
As you say, the weight of the i4 isn't going to help. But the ride isn't great in the Model 3 I find, far too choppy - it's trying to sphorty, but also a family car, so neither fish nor fowl. A friends Model 3 performance feels better resolved IMHO. I was thinking that i4 would be better in this regard, as our old i3 was absolutely cracking! I still miss our i3...
I think I'm also just in the mood for a change... But the electric options are all becoming dreadful crossovers and SUV's which I'd rather avoid.
RemarkLima said:
That's an interesting point, and we did test drive a 330e before getting another Model 3... And the buttons everywhere and the penned in feeling didn't sell us.
As you say, the weight of the i4 isn't going to help. But the ride isn't great in the Model 3 I find, far too choppy - it's trying to sphorty, but also a family car, so neither fish nor fowl. A friends Model 3 performance feels better resolved IMHO. I was thinking that i4 would be better in this regard, as our old i3 was absolutely cracking! I still miss our i3...
I think I'm also just in the mood for a change... But the electric options are all becoming dreadful crossovers and SUV's which I'd rather avoid.
The “hemmed in” feeling was exactly my reaction too. As you say, the weight of the i4 isn't going to help. But the ride isn't great in the Model 3 I find, far too choppy - it's trying to sphorty, but also a family car, so neither fish nor fowl. A friends Model 3 performance feels better resolved IMHO. I was thinking that i4 would be better in this regard, as our old i3 was absolutely cracking! I still miss our i3...
I think I'm also just in the mood for a change... But the electric options are all becoming dreadful crossovers and SUV's which I'd rather avoid.
Mine is a ‘22 Model 3 Performance and I find it to be a better car all the way around to the ‘18 3 Performance I owned previously.
Having also test-driven a Highland 3 LR, it’s a nice improvement in most ways and is well worth a look, IMO.
That said, I also understand the desire for something different…
FWIW, we also own a Genesis GV60 Performance. It’s a very nice car, quite different than the Tesla with its own set of strengths and weaknesses.
Maybe worth a look, if you like the design?
Edited by Zcd1 on Monday 23 September 15:26
I had a M3 LR for two and a bit years. I liked it, but I found the boot a pain in the arse for the bike or anything large, it is a saloon after all.
I have an i4 40.
The hatch is much more useful to me, YMMV.
It feels a bit more inert than the M3 - not as fast but no slouch. It can pogo a little in eco pro mode, but normal and sport give it a more balanced suspension feel.
I prefer the interior of the BMW - the Tesla was fine, but it soon got a bit meh, and I still cannot figure out why they go all out on tech, then use plastic wood - it reminded me of the old Atari games console. I like the BMW interior and the dash, but again, YMMV.
I did look at the M50, but I really wanted range, and I recall it was a difference of around 50 miles, which doesn't sound much but for the pre 2024 cars, put the 40 closer to 300 miles - meant I could do a few of my key runs to London and to my folks without a charge needed.
The M3 has a better range, but I opted for the BMW on the basis, I actually like the look of it and Elon Musk has proved to be a
. Thanks to all who have replied - it sounds like we'll need to test thing out and give it a go.
As said, the i4's in a darker colour do look good, there's the dark green which I think looks the bee's knees! But it may feel too "normal".
I also have a 911 (997 C2S) for the uncomfortable ride, so do not need this to be the performance weapon. The hatch on the i4 combined with a decent nose weight tow bar may be more practical. That you can charge anything at Tesla Superchargers is a good thing for other brands, and similarly we went to the south of France is the Model 3, and really didn't need to charge on the Tesla network as there were tons of fast chargers.
So the charging network advantage isn't what it was... But that said, the Model 3 is a decent bit of kit, but we'll try a few options and go from there. Trying to avoid cross-overs and SUV's as a matter of principle really
But that does limit us somewhat!
As said, the i4's in a darker colour do look good, there's the dark green which I think looks the bee's knees! But it may feel too "normal".
I also have a 911 (997 C2S) for the uncomfortable ride, so do not need this to be the performance weapon. The hatch on the i4 combined with a decent nose weight tow bar may be more practical. That you can charge anything at Tesla Superchargers is a good thing for other brands, and similarly we went to the south of France is the Model 3, and really didn't need to charge on the Tesla network as there were tons of fast chargers.
So the charging network advantage isn't what it was... But that said, the Model 3 is a decent bit of kit, but we'll try a few options and go from there. Trying to avoid cross-overs and SUV's as a matter of principle really
But that does limit us somewhat!RemarkLima said:
Thanks to all who have replied - it sounds like we'll need to test thing out and give it a go.
As said, the i4's in a darker colour do look good, there's the dark green which I think looks the bee's knees! But it may feel too "normal".
I also have a 911 (997 C2S) for the uncomfortable ride, so do not need this to be the performance weapon. The hatch on the i4 combined with a decent nose weight tow bar may be more practical. That you can charge anything at Tesla Superchargers is a good thing for other brands, and similarly we went to the south of France is the Model 3, and really didn't need to charge on the Tesla network as there were tons of fast chargers.
So the charging network advantage isn't what it was... But that said, the Model 3 is a decent bit of kit, but we'll try a few options and go from there. Trying to avoid cross-overs and SUV's as a matter of principle really But that does limit us somewhat!
One thing you can do, is join the Tesla network, for £8 a month. This gives you access to around 25 chargers. It is useful as the cost is about half what a Gridserve charges, and often, the superchargers are empty when the mainstream chargers are occupied. As said, the i4's in a darker colour do look good, there's the dark green which I think looks the bee's knees! But it may feel too "normal".
I also have a 911 (997 C2S) for the uncomfortable ride, so do not need this to be the performance weapon. The hatch on the i4 combined with a decent nose weight tow bar may be more practical. That you can charge anything at Tesla Superchargers is a good thing for other brands, and similarly we went to the south of France is the Model 3, and really didn't need to charge on the Tesla network as there were tons of fast chargers.
So the charging network advantage isn't what it was... But that said, the Model 3 is a decent bit of kit, but we'll try a few options and go from there. Trying to avoid cross-overs and SUV's as a matter of principle really
But that does limit us somewhat!We rarely charge away from home - the big draw was the Tesla Supercharger network, but as that opens up and more and more options come online for everywhere else, it doesn't feel like the requirement is the same as it once was.
But being able to use them is certainly handy - it looks like you can PAYG from the Tesla app for any other car right? Just higher fees?
But being able to use them is certainly handy - it looks like you can PAYG from the Tesla app for any other car right? Just higher fees?
RemarkLima said:
We rarely charge away from home - the big draw was the Tesla Supercharger network, but as that opens up and more and more options come online for everywhere else, it doesn't feel like the requirement is the same as it once was.
But being able to use them is certainly handy - it looks like you can PAYG from the Tesla app for any other car right? Just higher fees?
Yep, it's just worth remembering it's not all Tesla chargers, only a subset. I'd check the ones you're likely to want to use are usable.But being able to use them is certainly handy - it looks like you can PAYG from the Tesla app for any other car right? Just higher fees?
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