i4 m50 or Tesla M3
Discussion
Hi All,
Wondered if anyone can offer an opinion. First car in the EV market.
Been offered a 2022 i50 for just shy of 30k in a matte paint (not sure if this is a plus or minus.. looks great but a lot more maintenance?)
Or do i just play safe and save 5k ish and buy a 23 plate Model 3?
Cant see anyway to check battery health of i4 but does have a year warranty.
It will be a cash purchase so im a little worried about depreciation tbh over a 3/4 year period. Ive yet to have my charger fitted too so that will be another grand
Thanks
Wondered if anyone can offer an opinion. First car in the EV market.
Been offered a 2022 i50 for just shy of 30k in a matte paint (not sure if this is a plus or minus.. looks great but a lot more maintenance?)
Or do i just play safe and save 5k ish and buy a 23 plate Model 3?
Cant see anyway to check battery health of i4 but does have a year warranty.
It will be a cash purchase so im a little worried about depreciation tbh over a 3/4 year period. Ive yet to have my charger fitted too so that will be another grand
Thanks
The matte paint (matte clear coated) can be a PITA if you're not into washing your own car as the after several trips to the local car washers will start to shine it up, I would avoid as it's also very hard to match should you have to get a panel repainted and of course you can't polish out a scratch.
I don't have any views on the cars but a good friend had a C63s with matt paint, it looks stunning but it's a nightmare to maintain and if you get damage it's awful to have repainted, my friend found a lot of body shops don't want to touch it because it requires special techniques to paint and dry after.
Plenty of 22 plate i4 M50's out there for well under £30k without the daft paint.
They're a very different car to the Model 3. Better built, more traditional and higher quality interior, hatchback practicality etc.
Dependent on your range and public charging needs I'd 100% go and have a look at both as the Tesla approach really isn't for everyone.
They're a very different car to the Model 3. Better built, more traditional and higher quality interior, hatchback practicality etc.
Dependent on your range and public charging needs I'd 100% go and have a look at both as the Tesla approach really isn't for everyone.
SWoll said:
Dependent on your range and public charging needs I'd 100% go and have a look at both as the Tesla approach really isn't for everyone.
This is an important point. When I've looked at the i4 I found the interior a bit dated compared to the Tesla. However, that could be that I use to have a 3 series with pretty much the same interior (minus the large screens), so to me it is old as I've already lived with it.SWoll said:
They're a very different car to the Model 3. Better built, more traditional and higher quality interior, hatchback practicality etc.
Dependent on your range and public charging needs I'd 100% go and have a look at both as the Tesla approach really isn't for everyone.
I agree, I test drove both and much preferred the i4, felt like a proper car rather than a white goods appliance. I suspect the Tesla would be the better buy though in a practical sense.Dependent on your range and public charging needs I'd 100% go and have a look at both as the Tesla approach really isn't for everyone.
I suspect the Tesla is the 'safe' choice. Uninspiring and bland perhaps - but it does what it says on the tin - which for 99% of driving (mine at least) is just what you need. It's not trying to be like a petrol car, it was designed from the ground up to be an EV. I don't think the interior ever dates as there's nothing to date!
I have one as it happens and it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned - along with having a few features (common to most EV's) that are very useful. The lack of any servicing is another bonus.
I have one as it happens and it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned - along with having a few features (common to most EV's) that are very useful. The lack of any servicing is another bonus.
Sorry to play devils advocate...
I have a 21' Model 3 Performance and previously had a few BMWs.
If you're into your driving, you'll be disappointed in the Tesla. It's a weird car from a handling perspective, its great on wide open roads but once you start encountering bumps, undulations, changes in surface it feels like you have no indication of grip or what's going on - the car never seems to settle.
I've tried to hustle mine down some B roads a few times and it can be pretty sketchy if you hit a mid-corner bump as it gets very floaty. I had an M140i a good few years ago which tends to get the same criticism, but it was leagues ahead in giving you an idea of what the car's doing.
That being said, from a standing start and powering out of low speed corners it is immensely grippy and will hold it's line - it's just easily unsettled by changes in road surface and ultimately not very confidence inspiring.
Perhaps harsh criticism, but I have seen multiple reviews state similar: The BMW i4 feels and drives like a BMW which has been made electric, whereas the Tesla drives like an EV - so it depends what you prefer. Very different cars.
I'd happily switch my M3P for an i4 M50 if I wasn't in negative equity with it at the moment...
I have a 21' Model 3 Performance and previously had a few BMWs.
If you're into your driving, you'll be disappointed in the Tesla. It's a weird car from a handling perspective, its great on wide open roads but once you start encountering bumps, undulations, changes in surface it feels like you have no indication of grip or what's going on - the car never seems to settle.
I've tried to hustle mine down some B roads a few times and it can be pretty sketchy if you hit a mid-corner bump as it gets very floaty. I had an M140i a good few years ago which tends to get the same criticism, but it was leagues ahead in giving you an idea of what the car's doing.
That being said, from a standing start and powering out of low speed corners it is immensely grippy and will hold it's line - it's just easily unsettled by changes in road surface and ultimately not very confidence inspiring.
Perhaps harsh criticism, but I have seen multiple reviews state similar: The BMW i4 feels and drives like a BMW which has been made electric, whereas the Tesla drives like an EV - so it depends what you prefer. Very different cars.
I'd happily switch my M3P for an i4 M50 if I wasn't in negative equity with it at the moment...
The Tesla will be quite a chunk more efficient. That's beneficial from a range perspective even if the savings won't be that great.
They both still have plenty of depreciation to do. I think if I was in your position I'd either look at new if there's any good deals about or older ones that have lost another 10-15k.
If you're buying one for £30k at 4 years old I'd be working on losing another 15 over the next 4 years as a minimum.
They both still have plenty of depreciation to do. I think if I was in your position I'd either look at new if there's any good deals about or older ones that have lost another 10-15k.
If you're buying one for £30k at 4 years old I'd be working on losing another 15 over the next 4 years as a minimum.
Hammy98 said:
Sorry to play devils advocate...
I have a 21' Model 3 Performance and previously had a few BMWs.
If you're into your driving, you'll be disappointed in the Tesla. It's a weird car from a handling perspective, its great on wide open roads but once you start encountering bumps, undulations, changes in surface it feels like you have no indication of grip or what's going on - the car never seems to settle.
I've tried to hustle mine down some B roads a few times and it can be pretty sketchy if you hit a mid-corner bump as it gets very floaty. I had an M140i a good few years ago which tends to get the same criticism, but it was leagues ahead in giving you an idea of what the car's doing.
That being said, from a standing start and powering out of low speed corners it is immensely grippy and will hold it's line - it's just easily unsettled by changes in road surface and ultimately not very confidence inspiring.
Perhaps harsh criticism, but I have seen multiple reviews state similar: The BMW i4 feels and drives like a BMW which has been made electric, whereas the Tesla drives like an EV - so it depends what you prefer. Very different cars.
I'd happily switch my M3P for an i4 M50 if I wasn't in negative equity with it at the moment...
I had a 330i before the Tesla, and I find the Tesla handles better. Many reviews also say that the Tesla is more engaging to drive than the i4.I have a 21' Model 3 Performance and previously had a few BMWs.
If you're into your driving, you'll be disappointed in the Tesla. It's a weird car from a handling perspective, its great on wide open roads but once you start encountering bumps, undulations, changes in surface it feels like you have no indication of grip or what's going on - the car never seems to settle.
I've tried to hustle mine down some B roads a few times and it can be pretty sketchy if you hit a mid-corner bump as it gets very floaty. I had an M140i a good few years ago which tends to get the same criticism, but it was leagues ahead in giving you an idea of what the car's doing.
That being said, from a standing start and powering out of low speed corners it is immensely grippy and will hold it's line - it's just easily unsettled by changes in road surface and ultimately not very confidence inspiring.
Perhaps harsh criticism, but I have seen multiple reviews state similar: The BMW i4 feels and drives like a BMW which has been made electric, whereas the Tesla drives like an EV - so it depends what you prefer. Very different cars.
I'd happily switch my M3P for an i4 M50 if I wasn't in negative equity with it at the moment...
I guess it is all subjective though.
Frimley111R said:
If you buy a Tesla there will be huge numbers for sale which will be exactly the same, that makes them a tough sell IMO. The BMW has a good badge and more spec variety making it potentially an easier sale.
I see what you're saying but for a given outlay I think you'll get a newer and lower mileage Tesla. An i4 M50 at under £30k is, I suspect, going to be relatively high mileage (40k plus) and more than likely lowish spec whereas something like a Model 3 Performance is probably going to have around 20k miles on the clock and they all have a pretty high spec as standard.Having said that, given the choice I'd lean towards an i4 but that's mainly because I'd prefer the interior in the BMW (plus it's got the versatility of a hatchback whereas the Model 3's a saloon).
JNW1 said:
Frimley111R said:
If you buy a Tesla there will be huge numbers for sale which will be exactly the same, that makes them a tough sell IMO. The BMW has a good badge and more spec variety making it potentially an easier sale.
I see what you're saying but for a given outlay I think you'll get a newer and lower mileage Tesla. An i4 M50 at under £30k is, I suspect, going to be relatively high mileage (40k plus) and more than likely lowish spec whereas something like a Model 3 Performance is probably going to have around 20k miles on the clock and they all have a pretty high spec as standard.Having said that, given the choice I'd lean towards an i4 but that's mainly because I'd prefer the interior in the BMW (plus it's got the versatility of a hatchback whereas the Model 3's a saloon).
I’d definitely go with the Tesla if it were the M3P highland as it’s a huge improvement on the pre facelift . Probably closer decision with previous model 3. Most of my cars have been BMW and I cross shopped the i4 M50 and also M3 Competition with the M3P and went with the M3P highland. Agree with the comment about it being a bit skittish on B roads and camber changes can unsettle the rear end if you push it in the rain but it handles better than any 3 series I’ve had, feels no worse in terms of perceived interior quality and I actually like the uncluttered simplicity. Prefer the Tesla infotainment to the i4 and storage space in the Tesla is excellent even though the i4 is a hatchback so in theory more useable. Tesla has pretty much everything on it as standard unlike BMW so a similar spec i4 M50 will likely be older/have more miles. Both excellent cars.
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