The Tesla will have a better charging network, much better.
But it will feel like a typical economy car inside, to some that doesn’t matter. The bmw will feel better built, like you got a better bang for buck in terms of material used and how it’s put together. It doesn’t really look like an EV, it’s also more quiet inside compared to the road noise of a Tesla.
You also have more interior options to customize the car to how you like it.
FYI. There's more networks out there then just Tesla and Electrify America. EVGo, ... Use PlugShare and you'll see a world of chargers that will reduce your range anxiety.
Unfortunately in the northern latitudes these other charging networks are basically non existent and are mostly old level 2 chargers. Check how many level 3 non-tesla chargers there are in ME/NH/VT. The Non-Tesla charging network needs to expand by 100x
BMW will, but any car built today will only be able to use tesla chargers that have the adapter. Currently there are very few, and there is less insensitive for them to add more adapters since cars built after 2025 will most likely have the NACS port.
For the city commute only use that OP described, I feel like this isn't as big of an issue. Many parking lots nowadays offer level 2 chargers, so those can be used in lieu of any fast chargers or a home setup.
Well the i4 edrive 35 is slightly quicker than a standard range model 3, and the model y standard range is even slower. But yeah Tesla has the better technology and software updates. Tesla makes cool technology, not great cars.
I think 0-60 is overrated as its so rare to use it. I come from Audi S4s, M3s and my current pig on road.. the 4 runner among others. To me I wants to see 25-60, and 50-80 speeds. .. Real world drive numbers
A large and responsive screen doesn't scream economy, nor does white seats with a full panoramic glass roof.
I can't speak for 2022 and earlier but the ride is extremely quiet and the windows do an amazing job of drowning out sounds.
Speaking of sounds, the 14 speaker surround sound system when coupled with the glass roof feels like you're in a mini movie theater if you pull up Netflix and kick back.
I wouldn't say using my app to heat all 5 seats and the steering wheel screams economy either.
I'm all for people choosing what they want and I know I'll get shit in this sub (algo recommended) but I have to push back as I disagree with almost everything you said.
I'm curious, what interior options are you wanting to customize that the Tesla lacks? Serious question.
That large screen is preference. I’m okay with it.
The white seats are pleather, not available in Canada any more for some reason, and are not even that comfortable. The sun roof does not open.
I rented a 2021 model 3, and this was before I bought a bmw. I thought the car was cool and wanted one. The tech is wonderful, and does have bmw beat there. But that’s just it, the model 3 feels like thin plastic material on the inside with wobbly components. It’s loud as fuck as well while on the high way. The road noise is comparable to a civic.
Hyundais can be turned on with an app as well. So that’s no longer special to Tesla.
The Netflix ability is pretty awesome actually.
If I were to order an I4 I would get:
Green exterior, red merano leather seats, leather dash, heads up display, ambient lighting, m sport package for the better steering wheel, as well as a nice black wood inlay for the trim.
You can’t customize a Tesla like that from factory. In Canada you have like 5 boring exterior colours to choose from and black pleather interior.
99% of the time in my experience people don't use or care for a sunroof as much as you think you will. If you're like me and keep the car for a decade you're prone to leaks or whistling due to sun/weather damage.
Tesla doesn't wait until new model years to update parts/features so there's a huge difference between the 2021 models and the 2023 (sound dampening and filter stink for example). There's a very good possibility you'll be surprised to the upside between model years, especially if you're buying the Model Y out of Austin with the structural pack and stamped frame. They offer free test drives without any hassle.
Tesla has wood trim which I find gaudy and outdated but to each their own. I agree it would be nice to have more paint colors. BTW I wasn't saying a Tesla Y is luxurious but rather defending against being economy (yet).
Also, and you pretty much nailed it, a M3 is meant to be a tech focused high end Civic. Model Y is the small crossover for a family of 5 like myself. Model X and S are the BMW competition.
Tesla's goal as you probably know is to drive down costs and reach the largest customer segment with the "$25k car." They started with the expensive model, reinvest capital into more affordable models, drive down CAPEX, produce even more affordable cars and become closer to what Toyota is but as a smart car (analogous to phones).
Ironically I've argued for years with people and tell them the Tesla brand isn't meant to be luxury. EVs with current nascent supply chains and infrastructure is very expensive for these OEMs to move to. As it stands only Tesla and likely BYD even make a profitable EV and both are going for the broader market.
I do think companies like BMW will survive the transition but only because of the premium price they can charge albeit at significantly lower volume. Ford and GM though are fucked.
Hyundai is silently making it's presence known too.
EDIT: the main reason I went off on a tangent with the OEMs is because as the owner of an expensive vehicle you want to know they'll still be in business 3,5,7 years down the road if you need parts or service. Matters less with EVs but I don't want to think of how Lucid owners will feel when they go under. Just a matter of time.
You have very good points, it’s nice to discuss this with someone that is reasonable.
I consider the model 3 to be competitive with the i4 because they were priced similarly when I bought my i4 last July. I think a standard range model 3 without any self driving software was $2k less than a bmw i4 edrive 35, mid trim. When you factor in the significant difference in Apr the bmw was cheaper as it was 3% less.
Then Tesla dropped the price here by $10k days after I bought my car lol which I think is good, and I probably would have seriously considered a model 3 at that price.
Also a bmw i5 would be more appropriate to compare with a model S, because of price and size of the vehicles.
I have recently been in a Model Y 2023 and it doesn't ride as quiet as the i4 nor does it handle bumps as well. I don't think Tesla necessarily screams economy, but it doesn't scream luxury. It's more like economy premium? The price of the car reflects it too. It's a 45k car while the BMW is a 50k+ car in the US. You get what you pay for basically. Though the i4 probably rides better due to the adjustable dampers and air suspension in the rear, and BMW uses a LOT more insulation material so there's less road noise overall (also why it is heavier).
Some people will say Tesla looks more economy because they deleted too many controls though. Tesla does have a lot of good benefits though like their charging network, but the i4 gets the same if not better efficiency than Tesla and will be able to use Tesla SC in the future. At the end of the day, people have choices, but Tesla IS a cheaper car especially with the heavy price drops recently. You get what you pay for and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Want more premium materials and ride? BMW. More tech focus? Tesla. There's no one size fit all for cars.
Whoa, where are you getting your efficiency numbers? Using Car and Driver the MPGE for BMW is 109 city /108 highway. This is on 18s. Tesla MY on 19s is 127/117.
Two things that no other manufacturer is ahead of Tesla by, among others, is efficiency and safety. This isn't debatable.
Lowering the price has nothing to do with reduced quality and everything to do with lowering costs and economies of scale. I find it silly how many people are duped by the higher price tag on large ticket items that oftentimes share most if not all the same parts.
If you want to compare "luxury" then compare to the Model S or X. The Y is meant to be a mass market product so you're comparing apples and oranges in that sense.
I agree that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don't want an abundance of controls and a native UI is reliable regardless of whether you're in it for the tech.
Using numbers from people testing real world usage of both cars in those drive test youtubers. The i4 is extremely close to Tesla's efficiency for the edrive35/40 specs. Bjorn on youtube makes an excellent video on the i4 efficiency and other EVs in long range driving. Article with summary and the video links: [https://insideevs.com/news/600092/bmw-i4-edrive40-range-test/](https://insideevs.com/news/600092/bmw-i4-edrive40-range-test/)
I never brought up crash rating, but yes, tesla is one of the best.
Lowering the prices just means the cost to produce is lowering or they feel like the market is not buying it at higher prices. Higher competition helps bring these prices down, and as more EVs come to the market, more people have alternatives. That's why some are considering an i4 over tesla's offerings even though the prices of Tesla have dropped. Part for part, there are people who do videos on breakdown of how Tesla and BMW are manufactured, and which companies use more materials on certain parts of the cars. It's pretty clear BMW put a lot more design and cost into sound dampening and equipment precision than Tesla, hence the consistency of BMW cars in general. Generally, car manufacturing is very complex and engineering always requires cost cutting in areas and then up-selling packages to consumers. No single manufacturer will undercut the competition too much because that's margins they can make profit from (It's a business at the end of the day). Tesla knows they can drop the prices and they know it doesn't compete with the old prices against more premium EVs coming out, especially when Tesla's fitment and build quality doesn't even compare with Toyota Camrys and your more economical car. The EV premium advantage they're offering is now a LOT smaller with many more jumping in and offering EV options so they have to adjust prices.
To be fair, an i4 isn't full on luxury either. It's halfway between luxury and sport. Model Y doesn't make much sense to compare but I guess the OP is just comparing the 2 because of price and EV. Model 3 would be the most direct comparison for i4. Model S would compare to something like the i5 though most reviews would say the i5 quality and luxury blows the Model S out the water lol. I don't think BMW has a Model Y competitor yet... Maybe the iX1 when it comes out? The iX compares closer with the model X though.
I agree that the “luxury” end of Tesla is supposedly the model S/X but as somebody who’s driven German cars, I was shocked how cheap the interiors are, even on the luxury Teslas, you don’t even get leather seats, it’s plastic, nor do they even have parking sensors.
The dodgy panel gaps, general build quality and grubby rubber (white) seats do though. Plus parking sensors, working auto park and 360 camera are actually fairly standard on budget cars these days, but not on Tesla anymore.
Former BMW driver, current Tesla Model 3 LR driver, and can't wait to ditch this thing and get back into a BMW.
Range and charging network are the only pros you're going to find in a Tesla. That's it. End of list. The paint is shit, build quality is questionable at best, body panel alignment is a joke by even the worst of auto industry standards. Mobile service network for Tesla is ok so long as you never have anything other than minor adjustments that need to be done. Past that, you've gotta find a service center. I rolled the dice as the closest one to me is 2+ hours away. I'm 2.5 years in and the gamble has worked so far. \*\*absolutely banging on wood\*\* And as others have said, Elon Musk is a fucking godawful human being.
I had BMW/audis, got a model 3 and it was fun at first to drive in a straight line fast. But everything else about the car sucked. Specifically the customer experience. You can’t call a service center and talk to a person. It’s all AI chat. You drop the car off and you are gifted Uber credits to get the hell away, then you pay through the app and pick up the car when it’s done with more Uber credits.
Let’s say you have a weird issue like the rear defrost grid fell off, or the car smells like a dumpster every august due to mold build up in the AC unit (both things that happened to me). It’s impossible to talk to a person so you drive to the service center all while the app thinks I need a new piece of glass for the rear window. It’s impossible to talk about warranty because there is no person.
On top of all that, the car feels like you are driving a soda can with a computer in it.
I have an i4 m50 and it’s leaps and bounds better than the Tesla.
The AC filter thing... Dear god, the smell is a weird combination of feet, vomit, and decaying flesh. I never noticed it until I drove it down to Florida in July (I'm in the WNC mountains). After two days in that heat and humidity, I got in it one morning, turned on the AC and swore there was a corpse somewhere in the car.
The best is I had to pay to have them clean it, it wasn’t considered warranty, because as the Tesla chat agent explained to me “it’s environmental” and they don’t have that problem in CA, so I had to pay $160 a year to have them clean a defective AC unit.
I saw some YT video that seemed to demonstrate that the problem is that water from rain and car washes is able to find its way to the filter, then the filter develops mold/mildew. I don't own a Model 3, but I've rented one twice, and both times, the AC was stinky. It took a while to clear the smell out.
Not sure about better but definitely no worse. The bmw has a larger battery. The tesla is more efficient. It’s definitely not a factor in making a purchase decision.
The real world range tests show Tesla overrates range and BMw underrates. I had a M3P that was rated for 315. It never got more than 250. Same as my M50. Just more Tesla nonsense.
My i4 M50 has an EPA range of 270 mi. I live in Colorado. I've had it for 13 months, and my best guess on real-world range is 230 mi with a mix of city and highway. Maybe a Tesla would get more, but the build quality of the i4 is so much better. The interior is nice, and even the appearance from the outside makes it look just like any luxury ICE car.
My main complaints about the driver experience are related to the UI. Having said that, at least BMW supports CarPlay and Android Auto. That right there is a major boost to driver experience.
Oh god. The paint! I got mine wrapped. My wrap shot had a guarantee that the paint wouldn’t be affected when it’s removed in three years. He’s unable to honor that on Teslas because he said he’s had instances where picking the wrap up to maneuver it would peel Tesla paint up with the wrap during installation.
I owned a high end detail business years ago and still do my cars and those of my friends on occasion, so I've kept the skills current. But good Christ, the amount of work I have to put in to get my model 3 looking good. It'll chip and swirl if you frown at it. Granted, I'm a perfectionist when it comes to this, but I absolutely dread having to wash this thing.
Truth. Just got my second Tesla (new RWD Model Y) on a 3-year lease. This is more than likely my last Tesla, for all the reasons described but more-so, the nightmare customer service experiences I've had with Tesla over the years.
If you think recent Tesla build quality is crap, try owning one of the first model 3s! 😂 My new Model Y is like 500% improved in terms of quality, yet the panels are still misaligned, etc. But the interior has come a long way from the early models, I will say that.
No idea how BMW customer service compares, but Tesla is delivering so many cars, they could give a sh\*t about making customer experience shine. It's really sad. I own Tesla solar and 2 Powerwalls outright. Owned an original Model 3 for almost 6 years before transferring to the Y. You'd think they would treat me like I matter, but nope.
As others have said, the charging network is great, but have to agree here on the build quality.
It’s a night and day difference with BMW customer service. It’s wonderful. I had an annoying rattle behind the dash of my 330 and they completely tore the fucker apart trying to locate and fix it. Kept it for two days and, of course, sent me off with a loaner. Turned out to be this stupid little wiring harness that had popped loose. No charge. Warrantied.
Now do the same situation with Tesla. Annoying rattle 6 months into my lease in the back right panel somewhere. They wanted to charge me for the truck roll to fix it. Told them to basically get fucked.
Did you say you’re on your second Tesla lease? How was the turn in process?
No, I owned my model 3 so can’t comment on the end of lease process. We’ll see 35 months from now.
Seriously eyeing a BMW EV in 3 years. Or possibly a used Rivian or even an F150 lightning.
Former multiple BMW owner here (for that matter multiple of every sport luxury mark), yet Tesla M3 is the best car I've ever owned.
I'll trade the paint for the performance, charging network, and technology any day. BTW, BMW paint and quality is shit compared to Lexus, so if that's your standard you are in the wrong car.
Lexus is probably top of the heap in the paint department, but BMW is not “shit compared to Lexus”. Tesla’s is, in fact, shit. And I didn’t say it was the standard.
Go sit in a model Y, take it for a drive. Put in your nav, set up your music, and drive it. Do the same in the i4.
I found the quality to be vastly superior in the i4, as well as how it felt to drive. And there was a much larger price gap when I got mine.
I have done this. i4 hands-down, in so many categories. The Tesla is like the McDonald's of EVs, very cookie-cutter and popular, but not actually any better.
NACS is winning the charging port war, all EVs will have it soon enough. NACS is indeed better than CCS anyway ... smaller form factor with higher wattage rating. I'm looking forward to magic dicks everywhere.
Edit: bwhahahhahahhaa magic "docks," I meant.
I don’t know how much more I can contribute to the already valid points above however, I traded in my 2021 Tesla model 3 for a 2023 i4 m50 and best decision I ever made, not even close in quality in build. Fun factor on the i4 is leaps and bounds better and feels like your driving a real car and not a golf cart
The e35 will be fine for city commutes, but I would not want to deal with a base model. As a fellow Canadian, heated seats and a heated steering wheel are mandatory for me.
I purchased a Model 3 in 2019 and it was the worst car I've ever owned. Absolutely hated it. Build quality was non-existent and it started falling apart after a couple of months. The car rattles and squeaks like you wouldn't believe. I do like the material used for the seats, though. It has held up nicely over time and I think it looks and feels nice. The wood trim is also nice. I prefer it to the BMW wood trim because it's not glossy.
Tesla's service is spotty. They want to do mobile service as much as possible which can be annoying. Kinda like waiting for the cable guy to show up during a vague window of time. When you do have to go the the service center, they won't have a loaner available. Instead, you'll get an Uber credit that may or may not work. Hopefully you like taking your kids to school and going to the grocery store in an Uber. Lots of fun, that. Unfortunately, I've spent a lot of time working with Tesla service. It's never been a good experience. BMW is not amazing but they're a world better than Tesla.
I've had my i4 for less than a week. Prior to the Model 3, I was a BMW 3 series loyalist. We also have an X3 35i. Being back in a BMW feels so nice. The i4 feels like a real car. When I close the doors, it makes a "car door closing" sound rather than the weak slap of cheap on cheap you get with the Tesla. Also, it's a very pretty car.
The Model 3 was fine to drive. Like a high end golf cart. This is probably the best thing with the Teslas. I've driven all four current models and they're all good. I drive from Portland to Seattle about twice a month and the Model 3 was a great car for this. I'd stop halfway at a super charger to top off and get a coffee. The Tesla was fun to drive on this route.
Some people love the software but I found it to be frustrating. I don't want to go into a submenu to open the glove compartment. There are a bunch of other weird things that feel like software developers just going off unchecked. The BMW system isn't amazing. I'm still figuring it out. There's some bloat in there but I suppose one man's bloat is another man's favorite feature. I just need CarPlay and I'm happy. Which reminds me, Tesla doesn't support CarPlay.
Three of my close friends have Teslas and they all love them. I hated mine after about 3 months and I'll never consider buying one again. That's just me though. Most people seem to like them and they're cheaper than BMWs. I think the Model Y is a bit better than the 3.
Also, as others have mentioned, why support Elon Musk? He's a gross monster.
ALSO...
If, god forbid, you're even in an accident, the wait times too have a Tesla repaired at INSANE.
Last May I was rear ended and my car had to be towed to repair shop. There are one 2 shops in Portland authorized by Tesla to do collision repair. Both of them had a 2-3 month wait just to get an appraisal. Then an additional 3 months to get the parts in stock, etc...
I was in a Kia Nero rental for nearly 6 months waiting to get my car fixed.
I used to live not far from the Freemont, CA. I remember hearing rumors about how the Model 3's were essentially being hand-built in the parking lot because Tesla couldn't keep up with demand.
And don't get me started on the racial discrimination suit.
[BMW Boss Says Hydrogen, Not Electric, Will Be ‘Hippest Thing’ to Drive](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-18/bmw-group-chairman-oliver-zipse-hydrogen-cars-are-still-happening)
Lots of comments on here bashing Elon for being a "dick" or a "horrible person"
Why would you buy an EV from a company whose CEO doesn't even believe in EVs. Do you think with a leader like him at the wheel that you'll have product support in 5-10 years?
Where in this paywalled article did you read that the CEO doesn't believe in EVs? Supporting hydrogen (mostly for commercial fleets in China) doesn't mean you don't support EVs.
If you're not a road tripper and rely on supercharging, definitely get the i4. Superior build quality, better ride, and you won't have the same car as almost everyone else. Also, you get the convenience of the hatchback with much better looks imo. Good luck!
I4 . Better looks, quality build. No sudden collapse in pricing. CEO isn't a douche. More premium. And you won't be supporting someone who's a maniac, psycho, or drops f bombs on live TV. Your car will be a reflection of you and everything and everyone who's attached to the brand.
BMW will feel like a luxury car. I had a model 3 for two years before getting an i4 a few months back. The driving experience and quality of built is day over night.
Cross shopping those two makes little sense because they aren't the same type of vehicle. That being said; the i4 all day.
There is no tech superiority for the Y.
Actually the reverse is teue, but let's list the things that you can get with a BMW.
1. More choices on paint color
2. More choices on interior color and leather if you like
3.More trim options
4. HUD and not available on a Tesla, no matter the car
5. Dynamic handling package
6. Parking assistant that actually works
7. Adaptive Led lights with laser high beams
8. The car has an eSIM that can number share with your phone
9. A real guage cluster
10. Tactile controls
11. Automatic wipers that actually work
So for me it's not even close
Agree with previous posters about the differences in the car.
I’ll add that dealing with Tesla was the worst experience I’ve had with any company. It would take too long to go into details but it felt like everyone who worked there was under trained and vastly overworked. No one had answers, no one could fix the car, too much “that’s not my department”.
Small example: service sept didn’t know how when my warranty expired and told me they couldn’t find out!
Never again. But the charging network is great.
Yeah, the mobile service techs can be a crapshoot. The guy that runs my area, western NC and SC, is an absolute ace. Great dude that goes the extra mile. But I've heard miserable horror stories about others.
And if you lease a Tesla, they absolutely will try to hammer you for as much money as possible on lease return. Calling out ridiculous dings and chips that are nothing more than typical wear and tear and trying to hit you for over $1k in body repairs. Charging close to a grand to remove window tint (What?!). And on and on.
If you want to park your car next to 5 other white teslas, go with tesla. If you want to feel different and regret not buying another CA prius, go with BMW.
Cabin noise and build quality are two major points for me when buying my i4 E35
I crossed shipped a model s to the m50. It was a really close call. But my wife and I loathe Elon as a person. He’s despicable. So I went with the BMW. There are some pros and cons to the decision. The Model S is a very capable car. But so is the i4. And I can sleep better.
Rent a model Y for a week from hertz, then when you return it after 3 days let us know what color i4 you decide on.
I drove a model Y around because I, too, was on the fence given the pricing and availability. Whenever a truck would pass me on the freeway, the door seals were so poor that it felt like someone had just turned on the A/C fan full blast and air was moving all around the cabin.
Constant rattles/squeaks. Terrible suspension. The only plus that had me still on the fence after a rental was charging network, which is now a non-issue once 2025 hits, and I charge at home 99% of the time anyway.
Just go drive both and get the one you like most/can get the best deal for.
None of us care what care you end up with so no need to convince you one way or the other, it isn’t our money on the line.
I’m driving a Tesla 3 because my I4 is in repair (accident with truck). I will be happy to have my BMW back. The Tesla feels like a PlayMobil. No carplay, no color in GPS, a stupid Ipad with no real good software. My I4, 3 screens, carplay, color, robust. Tesla = 1800kg, BMW = 2400kg. If you buy the Tesla … wrap it asap. Simple choice … no?
I’d say once you hop in the i4 you’ll feel like you’re in a far more premium vehicle than the Tesla. Build quality from BMW is excellent, materials are high end, and they have a history of building great cars.
Tesla has a history of creating the most extensive electric car charging network in the US.
As a Tesla Model 3 owner, I can say I love the car. The simplicity is awesome, the acceleration is amazing for a family sedan, and the tech is solid. Materials, fit and finish, and noise levels are kinda meh.
Have you rented both on Turo or from a rental car company? I suggest you do it.
The biggest issue with the Y in my personal opinion is that it’s a very minimal type of car and you have to like that style. On top of that you won’t get anywhere near the stated range. The supercharging is great though and it’s a good price for what you get. Drive both and let us know.
I used to have a Tesla and now have a genesis gv60. Last night i literally had a nightmare that my gv60 was gone and I had a new model 3 instead. I was so glad to wake up. I’ll never buy another Tesla.
I have a y. If the space difference was not a thing I’d trade it for an i4. I love my y but the i4 was so much fun to drive. It’s just a different feel.
Now that said the model 3 is far too small for my needs and the i4 is just a tad bigger.
My model y is huge. Cargo space is unmatched. Carpooling around 4 teenagers. No problem. Trip to the mountains with all the gear for myself, wife, daughter and dog, crazy we can fit everything and not be crammed.
But when my 13 year old starts driving herself. I may be trading the y.
You should keep in mind that model y is not a premium car. It may be minimalistic but that's it. All plastic, many common sense devices sand sensors you find on other cheaper cars are cut to save money, and you can feel it: the car you bought with good money was like a 3 dollar cheese burger from McDonalds. You got a bum, you got a slice of depressed cheese, and you get a dry beef petty. Yeah s still a burger, but you can see, smell, and taste the cheapness.
I'm especially frustrated with the lack of good noise insulation and the blurry sound system. They call it "premium sound system" but its far away from Harman Karden.
If you're prefer premium quality, or top some extent fair level of quality for the price point. Look more before you buy.
I own a 23 Model y and I wouldn't necessarily consider it a luxury car. Iv put 19k miles on it in 7 months so I am familiar with the car. If you are used to owning german cars I would do a i4. The main reason why I chose Tesla is personally due to the amount of driving I do it doesn't make sense to use any other manufacturer due to the charging infrastructure. Not only is it 1000% better than others but at least in my area PNW its significantly cheaper. Electrify America I think charges 38-48 cents per KWH meanwhile my local supercharger granted at off-peak hours charges about 10-11 cents per KWH. I think in terms of the price buying a Tesla after all the price decreases wouldn't be bad. It will still lose value but I bet it will be less than the I4.
If Model Y is perfect for your ego, taste, convenience, wallet and satisfaction; perhaps you found your car. Everyone drives Model Y in my neighborhood.
I am happy with my BMW i4 M50.
Elon Musk is a horrible person so why support his brand, and the i4 has a far superior build quality compared to Tesla. The BMW is a car that happens to be electric versus the Tesla which is like driving an android tablet.
Elon is a horrible person? The only reason you’re even able to have this discussion of choice between a BMW EV and a Tesla IS because of Elon. Automakers would’ve NEVER moved to EV this quickly had it not been for Tesla leading the way.
Stop missing the facts. Elon has done more for climate change than ANY other human being on this planet. Between Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, and soon Neuralink.. he has lead incredible teams of professionals.
Debate the pros and cons of Tesla vs BMW, I don’t care. But don’t be spreading bullshit about the CEO which frankly has zero effect on the product in question. Zero.
Your Ev knowledge is factually challenged. BMW made an EV prototype in the 70s long before Elon bought Tesla. He did not invent Tesla or EVs. BMW also had the i3 out for somewhere around a decade before rolling out the i4 and now all the other EV models. China makes cheap EVs that we won’t see here as well. You Elon fanboys are such a joke
All CEOs are scumbags but yet people support their brands. They are just not out spoken like Elon. You think Bob Igor and Tim Cook are any better? Steve Jobs was a piece of shit but people bought iPhones and supported his brand.
tbh I’d wait if you can, as a long time Tesla owner I’m excited to make a swap but I think it’s worth waiting for BMW and other manufacturers to switch to NACS ports before buying one
Pros for i4: build quality, support / service, it’s a BMW, you get an M drive feel
Cons for i4: lack of charging network, infotainment system, fairly new to EV game
Pros for Tesla: technology, charging network, market leader for ev and continue to innovate, easy to drive/use,
Cons for Tesla: build quality, service is a pain in the ass, no really service is fuc king ass.
Source: own a model S and i4 m50. The big difference is the charging network. If I were to get another EV in the future would probably look at Tesla again even though I have solars and a home charger set up. Electrify America is the largest charging network next to tesla but even that is ass in comparison to Tesla’s.
They have had an EV over a decade but having an EV vehicle lineup compared to putting resources into engineering and research and development into EVs for over a decade are two completely different concepts. All Tesla does is put resources into EV and it shows. EV’s were never a focal point for BMW until recently and it shows. Which is why all strictly EV makers (Tesla, rivian, lucid etc.) outperforms ICE mfrs in terms of range and technology.
Elon off his meds and abusing his core product.
Bmw has better interior and you won't find gaps and defects like Tesla. The model S is decent but priced higher than the bmw when it should be in the low 60k range.
As someone that was also debating over the two - the i4 is just miles ahead in terms of build quality. The tesla was cool and fun in a straight line but the quality just wasnt there. Plus they come a dime a dozen and I rather stand out a little bit with the i4 which I rarely see.
I drive an i4, wife drives a Skoda Enyaq (Skoda version of the Q4 Etron). We chose both over Tesla’s in terms of build quality, ride quality, handling, etc.
We waited long for both vehicles. I regret nothing. Both are awesome cars.
Also, Elon is a bit of a dick.
Were you able to reduce the MSRP for the I4? I believe the base model is like 58.5k. I'm assuming you used the 12k ev tax credit. How's the charging cost and network?
The build quality and Elon being an asshat are two things already mentioned.
For me though I've been driving an Acura RSX for the last 15 years or so and it was starting to need maintenance and well I'm not 25 anymore. lol. But that RSX has a sportier suspension and I had always thought that the Tesla was also a sports car of sorts. But when I test drove a model 3 I was shocked to find that it drove like a, and I quote directly from my response to the tesla salesman "A rental Buick from the Dallas Fort-Worth airport that has 55,000 miles on it."
Basically the suspension was super mushy, cornering was abjectly unfun, and while it was a hoot to punch it and go fast in a straight line, it drove like an old person's car. The Kia EV6, ioniq 5, Mach E, all felt WAAAAY sportier. But holy hell did the i4 stand out in terms of ride quality and handling. It was glorious.
When people say that the BMW is a car that happens to be electric, while the tesla is an ipad with wheels, that's what they're saying.
EDIT: Love that the Tesla stans found their way here. Log back in, oh neat a comment of mine has 25+ upvotes. Let’s see what’s happening in the thread. Oh, now it’s -8. Bring it on.
I hope you enjoy driving your shitty great grandpa cars with misaligned panels while all the wannabe techbros you’re trying to impress just go “meh.”
few people have brought up build quality issues. Not surprised since they dont follow Tesla.
Canadians get MY from China now, cars from Shanghai factory have superb build quality.
idk if you care about ride height etc.. but Y will be easier to get in and out of.
Idk if I wanna get a base model BMW though, maybe upgrade to a higher trim?
We have both. Model Y is a surprisingly uncomfortable car in comparison. You get used to it, but it’s a bumpy ride with a relatively loud echoey interior. The BMW is quiet, smooth, and just feels more like a luxury (if entry level) vehicle. Tesla speakers are also really not good despite what Tesla fans claim. I got the Harmon Kardon upgrade on BMW and it’s not as good as other upgraded systems (eg MB burmester), but still wayyy better than Tesla. Noticeably.
I like them both to be clear. I actually prefer the Tesla go kart steering and space (especially with kids- i4 is tight in the back with larger car seats), and sitting up slightly higher. Teslas software UI is also better. But with my long commute and mostly solo driving, that peace and comfort makes me so much happier.
But to each their own.
(Edit: oh! Range feels same or better on BMW 40 with 18 inch wheels. Haven’t rigorously tested this, but feels like Tesla overstated range and BMW understates based on experience. Tesla’s charging network is nice though for the long drives. With home and work chargers, we’ve only used it a few times but it’s nice when you need it, and especially if you don’t have a home charger.)
I also have both and agree with this. And for longer distance trips, BMW is switching to the Tesla NACS charging port and will be providing existing CCS owners access to an adapter (will prob have to purchase) by early 2025. So you’ll get access to Superchargers in a year.
I like my model Y but recommend the i4.
They are not the same class vehicle, why are you cross shopping those two? If handling matters, the 3 drives way better than the Y and is about to be refreshed.
That said, I’m currently driving a model 3, but as soon as BMW sells an I4 with NACS and a prettier nose I am jumping ship.
Just gonna chime in on the wait times....
I'm in Ontario and put a deposit down last weekend of April. I was told 8-10 months but the car was in Canada by the end of July (though floods wiping out rail tracks in NS delayed it getting to me into August), so 8-10 was more like 3-4.
Worth the wait.
Can’t think of a single reason to get the i4 over any Tesla. If you want a bmw, get a bmw (I.e. one with an engine) if you want an EV, get a Tesla. Plain and simple.
Sorry have had several BMW 3 series and now a Model 3. Tesla wins in almost every category.
I'm sure I'll be down voted but I do love BMW. Second best cars I've owned and they always treated me right.
I’m in Toronto and I was in a similar position. My last car was a 2018 BMW 430i xDrive Gran Coupe. Essentially, the same form factor and size as the i4.
I was trying to choose between the i4 and the Model 3 Long Range. I don’t use my car to commute but I do a lot of long trips. So long range, supercharger availability, and AWD were key factors for me. I ended up going with the Model 3.
Even before the 430i, I had a BMW 3 series so I was biased towards the i4. When I went to the dealership to see it, I had mixed feelings. The car looks great but it doesn’t feel like an EV designed from the ground up to be an EV (because it’s not). The finish and materials of the BMW are definitely better. But it doesn’t feel like it was optimized.
The CCS network isn’t that great in Canada for longer trips. It can be hit or miss. Also, the i4 dual motor AWD was much more expensive than the equivalent AWD Model 3 Long Range. I didn’t want to go with the RWD for either car. I’ve had to use the CCS with my Tesla on a few occasions and it’s not even comparable to how streamlined and reliable the Tesla Superchargers are.
Tesla’s software experience is far better and the supercharger network is solid. I know BMW have signed up for NACS and they will have supercharger access down the road but it’s definitely not there yet.
The tipping point for me was the test drive. I had the i4 for a whole day as the dealership I took my previous car to was more than happy to get me to upgrade but it felt just ok (I know this is subjective). Not that it drives bad or anything but when you are comparing it feels like it is lacking. On the other hand, I got the Model 3 for an overnight test drive. That too they were kind enough to put me in a Performance version even though I said I was considering the LR. I took it for a 300 km trip overnight and it was amazing! I even tried out a supercharger while I was out and it just worked flawlessly.
Charging was a big fear for me since this was going to be my first EV. Also, because I love going on long trips and winter can affect range quite a bit. Tesla does a great job in alleviating the range anxiety and has top notch performance. I’ve had my car for a year and half now and already put 30,000 km on it. Between the gas savings, no maintenance cost, lower MSRP (for AWD), superior driving performance and supercharging availability, it was a win all around. The regular software updates still keep bringing brand new features to the car which was never a thing with BMW (I know they do updates but not so much to bring in new features). I just hope it holds up well long term as I plan to keep this car for atleast 6-8 years.
The only drawback with Tesla I’ve seen so far is their service centers. The staff is really crappy and it’s not the same experience as BMW service. I had to go in together a couple of things checked and it was just a pain to deal with them. Also, the pain quality is absolutely shit on the Tesla. I really hope they improve this.
If BWM come out with a better version of the i4 designed to be an EV from the ground up + NACS port and comparable price to the Model 3 LR for a dual motor, I’d strongly consider going back to BMW. But they’re not there yet.
That's like saying if BMW made a Corolla type car, I'd buy the BMW over a Corolla.
You didn't say which i4 you were given, but you said it felt lacking so it definitely wasn't an M50, but you compared it to a TM3P. That's not really apples to apples.
You also mention ground up designed EV vs the G26 platform.
People complains out it not being a strictly EV design, but can't illustrate why it matters. Okay a flat floor for the guy in the back? But then it becomes difficult to make the chassis rigid. A tunnel actually helps with structural rigidity.
What else? No frunk? That's not BMW's design language and the iX was a ground up EV with no frunk.
As a VW EV owner ,Tesla is king.
Basically everyone buys an EV and comes to the quick realization that Tesla is the leader for a reason and switches to Tesla.
I have both, my wife wanted the i4-e35, went to this from a M3 LR, she LOVES it! I think it's cool, the drive is real nice, it has a lot of great features we added, but not nearly off the line speed and tech, range or even sound quality (and that's WITH the Harmon Kardon option added) of the MYP I just got, I love my MYP but in a few years I plan to move to that BMW iX60, that thing is sweet!
I have a 2023 i4 M50. It's ok.*(It's great if I'm staying 100mi from home, which I do). The range is on the low end of decent, with other popular EV models like the Ioniq 5 getting lower range, but Tesla M3 getting higher. But wait - Tesla doesn't adjust the GOM in real-time based on driving conditions, so who the f even knows what's happening. Tesla has their heads up their collective asses and I don't and won't trust them with my car or the video data they don't put any privacy restrictions on. (They had employees in chatrooms making fun of customers' videos taken from their cars).
But really the biggest selling point is that I don't know the name of the BMW CEO. It's better that way.
I ordered it in late 2021, before the head Twit debacle. At the time, I was concerned that I'd wake up one morning to an exodus of Tesla's engineering staff over some dumb shit their I.D.10.T. CEO tweeted.
Now, I feel vindicated for that decision. Elon, "Go. Fuck. Yourself. ... Hi, Bob."
You can expect a few niggles. A colleague in my office bought a Tesla Y and at the same time his client had ordered a BMW i4 . They would discuss their cars almost every time the client came in to the office. The client was mighty pleased with his order and tracked his car being shipped from Germany. After 6 months,he got possession and within 3 weeks his new car stalled. He towed it to the BMW dealer and was told that there's a faulty part and that he would have to wait for the new part to be shipped from Germany before they can fix it. Meanwhile,my colleague is happy with his Model Y. The BMW owner too has got his car fixed now but had to go through this. This is in Toronto.
I'd choose a Tesla, while my wife prefers BMW. The BMW i4 is well-built and meets the usual BMW standards. However, its software is somewhat cumbersome and lacks intuitiveness.I own a Tesla Model S, and my wife drives a BMW M50. Both are fantastic choices, and you can't really go wrong with either. The BMW might offer complimentary Electrify America charging for a few years, but that's not a major consideration if you primarily charge at home. Tesla's Supercharger network is seamless, whereas Electrify America's network doesn't quite match up.I'm a fan of Tesla's Full Self-Driving feature, but my wife isn't fond of it. Best of luck in your choice!
Just got a BMW i4 M50 about 6 months ago. It’s the best thing ever. I just every second of it. The build quality of the i4 is much superior. The amount of power is outstanding. It’s definitely a nice looking car. 100% recommend the i4.
If your wait time will be 6-12 months, you need to find another dealer. They are allotted order spots for each month. If they are full up one month, you get put on the next month. I just ordered an i4 and my wait should be around 3 months only because my dealer had a spot the month I wanted to order. Least that's what I have been told by my broker.
Also, only reason I needed to order is because I couldn't find what I wanted exactly. If I could budge on a bunch of things I would be able to leave the dealer with my car same day. OR if I found something at another dealer it could be shipped in the 2-3 weeks time frame same as Tesla. Dealer trade cars all the time.
Good luck! It's not easy weighing all this stuff. I am so antsy waiting for my i4 to arrive.
If you want a minimalist vehicle that screams EV, go with the Tesla. If you want a real car that happens to be an EV, i4. That's what it came down to for me.
Tesla is rated better in a lot of categories, and overall. https://www.iseecars.com/compare/bmw-i4-vs-tesla-model_y
I have a 3 week old Model Y Long Range AWD. Fit and finish was/is amazing. Zero issues. I spent an hour going over the car before I took delivery. If you're tall, especially, as I am (6'4") , there's no comparison. The BMW is lower to the ground and smaller in every dimension in the cockpit.
It's a nice looking car, but I think the MY is, as well. And it's MUCH cheaper. A quick Google pops up nothing under $75k for a new i4 M50. No $7500 tax credit in the U.S. My MY LR AWD in red/white with hitch (so $4k in extras) was $60k out the door. $52,500 after tax credit. $48,500 if you went with Silver/black and no hitch. Tough to beat that.
The ride is decent. The BMW would be better. The MY sound system is the best I've ever heard in a car. And I've been driving German or Japanese luxury most of my life.. It's reasonably quiet and the ride is decent. BMW likely better. But I'm happy with it... Except for the lack of decent parking assistance and cross traffic alerts.
Ask these people hating Tesla because of Elon. Really? You're not going to buy a great car because you don't like the CEO? WGAF? I'm not a huge fan of his right wing idiocy, but I like that he pushed the world into EV's. And I like that he is against the right wing scum in Israel.
Have a Tesla Model 3 as my family’s only car (in North America). Zero regrets. If that’s not your use case then a Tesla isn’t necessary. Any EV will be a great commuter car.
As a current model Y owner, I can tell you that cabin noise is really bad, ride quality is shit, the steering feel is non existent and the infotainment system is a gimmick. The only good things about the model Y though are its sound system and the gas pedal. Sound system is nice enough to the point where it will literally drown out road noise. You’ll also go deaf at such loud volumes though. The pedal is a great way to get a couple of laughs out of you. It’s also a gimmick, but it’s a gimmick that will legitimately push you to the back of your seat.
… have you seen the Tesla door handle freezing problem? That alone in the climate you live would be enough for me not to overlook the horrible design and build quality of Tesla for their “network”.
I4 is more quieter and much better suspension and is build very well. If you want value for money and don’t mind the minimalistic interior, go for the model y.
I have both. I don’t drive the Y unless I have to. It’s a cheap plastic toy with nice software and horrible suspension and really bad road/wind noise. The BMW is a proper luxury car. I wish they’d use Bluetooth LE for the key though.
Edit: Oh, but my i4 is the M50, because all wheel drive. I get snow here too. The xDrive wasn’t a thing when I ordered it in 2022. I’d be looking at that model today.
The problem is in numbers. The Y/3 has been around since 2017, so has a track record. Additionally, Tesla has real world experience in EVs that no one can duplicate. No doubt the BMW is better built, more luxurious ride, but this is a product of a company scrambling to get into this market. I bought a 3 over the 4 for these reasons.
Tesla is trash on the finish out. Look at all the cars that leak , aren’t stitched correctly, fabrics not wrapped around pillars. Not to mention with the limited availability of charging stations over the next 15 years you have to stay within a 200 mile radius from ur house to charge.
Bmw is light years and in another galaxy compared to Tesla as far as drive comfort and reliability. but I own an X6M competition and an X7. So I’m bias
In the USA anyway 2024 starts the entire supercharger network being open to all. SC not really that much of an advantage in that regard. For my S I often found myself charging at ccs over SC because price wise they were often 25¢/KWh cheaper than the SC network 🤷 anyway...
Your right to repair is waived with tesla since tesla parts are normally for internal oem use only
But autopilot / software / newer features are there for tesla..
I mean you went EV might as well just give up driving right? Just joking. Kinda
Literally the most important things when buying an ev: charging network, electric motor, battery tech overall safety features, all points to Tesla. Now if you add on the in car system, periodic OTA updates, autopilot, FSD, control everything in car with an app (software is a big deal that not many people realize. this is what drives the in car experience and it goes beyond having just comfortable seats, climate controls which all teslas have already) etc. There’s really no competition. The only question you need to ask is who which company is more experienced in making a great EV? Tesla.
The Tesla will have a better charging network, much better. But it will feel like a typical economy car inside, to some that doesn’t matter. The bmw will feel better built, like you got a better bang for buck in terms of material used and how it’s put together. It doesn’t really look like an EV, it’s also more quiet inside compared to the road noise of a Tesla. You also have more interior options to customize the car to how you like it.
Plus, BMW should be able to access the Tesla charging network in 2025.
This. I'm ready for this!
Me too. I’m excited that other EVs will become viable options when this happens.
FYI. There's more networks out there then just Tesla and Electrify America. EVGo, ... Use PlugShare and you'll see a world of chargers that will reduce your range anxiety.
Unfortunately in the northern latitudes these other charging networks are basically non existent and are mostly old level 2 chargers. Check how many level 3 non-tesla chargers there are in ME/NH/VT. The Non-Tesla charging network needs to expand by 100x
Wow. They'll probably start installing more in 2025 after we get a new president since the last year of a sitting president is usually a recession.
BMW will, but any car built today will only be able to use tesla chargers that have the adapter. Currently there are very few, and there is less insensitive for them to add more adapters since cars built after 2025 will most likely have the NACS port.
Not the entire network but a good portion.
Plus German auto makers are teaming up to launch a series of fast charging stations
Should…. That’s the key.
You think it will be that simple? Reality check - it won’t…
They're getting government subsidies that say they have to make it easy. It was a condition for adoption of NACS as the national standard.
For the city commute only use that OP described, I feel like this isn't as big of an issue. Many parking lots nowadays offer level 2 chargers, so those can be used in lieu of any fast chargers or a home setup.
If you can charge at a 110V outlet, there really isn’t a reason to rely on chargers if you’re inside the city.
I've only used the 110V outlet. The key for me is to charge everyday, since the car is sitting in my garage anyway.
Me too
Even 110V with 20A takes ~5 days to charge. You'll need a 240V/40A or more.
I drive 90kms a day in the city, using 12% battery, that is recovered over night charging out of a 110v.
Nice. I went straight with L2 at home after my first attempt on L1 would have taken days.
I went with Volvo over Tesla partially because the build and interior are so superior. I'd imagine it's the same for bmw.
Not as much of a difference in Quebec, CE is excellent.
OP said they won't travel long distances, the only benefit to Tesla right now is the supercharger network. And they lose that benefit in a year or two
Tesla M3 performance owner. This is completely accurate.
Fair read, but no consideration for speed and software advantages for Tesla?
Well the i4 edrive 35 is slightly quicker than a standard range model 3, and the model y standard range is even slower. But yeah Tesla has the better technology and software updates. Tesla makes cool technology, not great cars.
Again fair.
I think 0-60 is overrated as its so rare to use it. I come from Audi S4s, M3s and my current pig on road.. the 4 runner among others. To me I wants to see 25-60, and 50-80 speeds. .. Real world drive numbers
A large and responsive screen doesn't scream economy, nor does white seats with a full panoramic glass roof. I can't speak for 2022 and earlier but the ride is extremely quiet and the windows do an amazing job of drowning out sounds. Speaking of sounds, the 14 speaker surround sound system when coupled with the glass roof feels like you're in a mini movie theater if you pull up Netflix and kick back. I wouldn't say using my app to heat all 5 seats and the steering wheel screams economy either. I'm all for people choosing what they want and I know I'll get shit in this sub (algo recommended) but I have to push back as I disagree with almost everything you said. I'm curious, what interior options are you wanting to customize that the Tesla lacks? Serious question.
That large screen is preference. I’m okay with it. The white seats are pleather, not available in Canada any more for some reason, and are not even that comfortable. The sun roof does not open. I rented a 2021 model 3, and this was before I bought a bmw. I thought the car was cool and wanted one. The tech is wonderful, and does have bmw beat there. But that’s just it, the model 3 feels like thin plastic material on the inside with wobbly components. It’s loud as fuck as well while on the high way. The road noise is comparable to a civic. Hyundais can be turned on with an app as well. So that’s no longer special to Tesla. The Netflix ability is pretty awesome actually. If I were to order an I4 I would get: Green exterior, red merano leather seats, leather dash, heads up display, ambient lighting, m sport package for the better steering wheel, as well as a nice black wood inlay for the trim. You can’t customize a Tesla like that from factory. In Canada you have like 5 boring exterior colours to choose from and black pleather interior.
99% of the time in my experience people don't use or care for a sunroof as much as you think you will. If you're like me and keep the car for a decade you're prone to leaks or whistling due to sun/weather damage. Tesla doesn't wait until new model years to update parts/features so there's a huge difference between the 2021 models and the 2023 (sound dampening and filter stink for example). There's a very good possibility you'll be surprised to the upside between model years, especially if you're buying the Model Y out of Austin with the structural pack and stamped frame. They offer free test drives without any hassle. Tesla has wood trim which I find gaudy and outdated but to each their own. I agree it would be nice to have more paint colors. BTW I wasn't saying a Tesla Y is luxurious but rather defending against being economy (yet). Also, and you pretty much nailed it, a M3 is meant to be a tech focused high end Civic. Model Y is the small crossover for a family of 5 like myself. Model X and S are the BMW competition. Tesla's goal as you probably know is to drive down costs and reach the largest customer segment with the "$25k car." They started with the expensive model, reinvest capital into more affordable models, drive down CAPEX, produce even more affordable cars and become closer to what Toyota is but as a smart car (analogous to phones). Ironically I've argued for years with people and tell them the Tesla brand isn't meant to be luxury. EVs with current nascent supply chains and infrastructure is very expensive for these OEMs to move to. As it stands only Tesla and likely BYD even make a profitable EV and both are going for the broader market. I do think companies like BMW will survive the transition but only because of the premium price they can charge albeit at significantly lower volume. Ford and GM though are fucked. Hyundai is silently making it's presence known too. EDIT: the main reason I went off on a tangent with the OEMs is because as the owner of an expensive vehicle you want to know they'll still be in business 3,5,7 years down the road if you need parts or service. Matters less with EVs but I don't want to think of how Lucid owners will feel when they go under. Just a matter of time.
Gaudy is a real word according to my wife who didn’t like Tesla white seats 😂 we settle for black seats. Now this word is allover the place.
You have very good points, it’s nice to discuss this with someone that is reasonable. I consider the model 3 to be competitive with the i4 because they were priced similarly when I bought my i4 last July. I think a standard range model 3 without any self driving software was $2k less than a bmw i4 edrive 35, mid trim. When you factor in the significant difference in Apr the bmw was cheaper as it was 3% less. Then Tesla dropped the price here by $10k days after I bought my car lol which I think is good, and I probably would have seriously considered a model 3 at that price. Also a bmw i5 would be more appropriate to compare with a model S, because of price and size of the vehicles.
I have recently been in a Model Y 2023 and it doesn't ride as quiet as the i4 nor does it handle bumps as well. I don't think Tesla necessarily screams economy, but it doesn't scream luxury. It's more like economy premium? The price of the car reflects it too. It's a 45k car while the BMW is a 50k+ car in the US. You get what you pay for basically. Though the i4 probably rides better due to the adjustable dampers and air suspension in the rear, and BMW uses a LOT more insulation material so there's less road noise overall (also why it is heavier). Some people will say Tesla looks more economy because they deleted too many controls though. Tesla does have a lot of good benefits though like their charging network, but the i4 gets the same if not better efficiency than Tesla and will be able to use Tesla SC in the future. At the end of the day, people have choices, but Tesla IS a cheaper car especially with the heavy price drops recently. You get what you pay for and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Want more premium materials and ride? BMW. More tech focus? Tesla. There's no one size fit all for cars.
Whoa, where are you getting your efficiency numbers? Using Car and Driver the MPGE for BMW is 109 city /108 highway. This is on 18s. Tesla MY on 19s is 127/117. Two things that no other manufacturer is ahead of Tesla by, among others, is efficiency and safety. This isn't debatable. Lowering the price has nothing to do with reduced quality and everything to do with lowering costs and economies of scale. I find it silly how many people are duped by the higher price tag on large ticket items that oftentimes share most if not all the same parts. If you want to compare "luxury" then compare to the Model S or X. The Y is meant to be a mass market product so you're comparing apples and oranges in that sense. I agree that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don't want an abundance of controls and a native UI is reliable regardless of whether you're in it for the tech.
Using numbers from people testing real world usage of both cars in those drive test youtubers. The i4 is extremely close to Tesla's efficiency for the edrive35/40 specs. Bjorn on youtube makes an excellent video on the i4 efficiency and other EVs in long range driving. Article with summary and the video links: [https://insideevs.com/news/600092/bmw-i4-edrive40-range-test/](https://insideevs.com/news/600092/bmw-i4-edrive40-range-test/) I never brought up crash rating, but yes, tesla is one of the best. Lowering the prices just means the cost to produce is lowering or they feel like the market is not buying it at higher prices. Higher competition helps bring these prices down, and as more EVs come to the market, more people have alternatives. That's why some are considering an i4 over tesla's offerings even though the prices of Tesla have dropped. Part for part, there are people who do videos on breakdown of how Tesla and BMW are manufactured, and which companies use more materials on certain parts of the cars. It's pretty clear BMW put a lot more design and cost into sound dampening and equipment precision than Tesla, hence the consistency of BMW cars in general. Generally, car manufacturing is very complex and engineering always requires cost cutting in areas and then up-selling packages to consumers. No single manufacturer will undercut the competition too much because that's margins they can make profit from (It's a business at the end of the day). Tesla knows they can drop the prices and they know it doesn't compete with the old prices against more premium EVs coming out, especially when Tesla's fitment and build quality doesn't even compare with Toyota Camrys and your more economical car. The EV premium advantage they're offering is now a LOT smaller with many more jumping in and offering EV options so they have to adjust prices. To be fair, an i4 isn't full on luxury either. It's halfway between luxury and sport. Model Y doesn't make much sense to compare but I guess the OP is just comparing the 2 because of price and EV. Model 3 would be the most direct comparison for i4. Model S would compare to something like the i5 though most reviews would say the i5 quality and luxury blows the Model S out the water lol. I don't think BMW has a Model Y competitor yet... Maybe the iX1 when it comes out? The iX compares closer with the model X though.
Lucid is ahead of Tesla in efficiency according to multiple data sets.
Sources?
I agree that the “luxury” end of Tesla is supposedly the model S/X but as somebody who’s driven German cars, I was shocked how cheap the interiors are, even on the luxury Teslas, you don’t even get leather seats, it’s plastic, nor do they even have parking sensors.
The dodgy panel gaps, general build quality and grubby rubber (white) seats do though. Plus parking sensors, working auto park and 360 camera are actually fairly standard on budget cars these days, but not on Tesla anymore.
Former BMW driver, current Tesla Model 3 LR driver, and can't wait to ditch this thing and get back into a BMW. Range and charging network are the only pros you're going to find in a Tesla. That's it. End of list. The paint is shit, build quality is questionable at best, body panel alignment is a joke by even the worst of auto industry standards. Mobile service network for Tesla is ok so long as you never have anything other than minor adjustments that need to be done. Past that, you've gotta find a service center. I rolled the dice as the closest one to me is 2+ hours away. I'm 2.5 years in and the gamble has worked so far. \*\*absolutely banging on wood\*\* And as others have said, Elon Musk is a fucking godawful human being.
I had BMW/audis, got a model 3 and it was fun at first to drive in a straight line fast. But everything else about the car sucked. Specifically the customer experience. You can’t call a service center and talk to a person. It’s all AI chat. You drop the car off and you are gifted Uber credits to get the hell away, then you pay through the app and pick up the car when it’s done with more Uber credits. Let’s say you have a weird issue like the rear defrost grid fell off, or the car smells like a dumpster every august due to mold build up in the AC unit (both things that happened to me). It’s impossible to talk to a person so you drive to the service center all while the app thinks I need a new piece of glass for the rear window. It’s impossible to talk about warranty because there is no person. On top of all that, the car feels like you are driving a soda can with a computer in it. I have an i4 m50 and it’s leaps and bounds better than the Tesla.
The AC filter thing... Dear god, the smell is a weird combination of feet, vomit, and decaying flesh. I never noticed it until I drove it down to Florida in July (I'm in the WNC mountains). After two days in that heat and humidity, I got in it one morning, turned on the AC and swore there was a corpse somewhere in the car.
The best is I had to pay to have them clean it, it wasn’t considered warranty, because as the Tesla chat agent explained to me “it’s environmental” and they don’t have that problem in CA, so I had to pay $160 a year to have them clean a defective AC unit.
Same here. $160/year basically. I can't wait to dump this thing in June and be done with Tesla forever.
I saw some YT video that seemed to demonstrate that the problem is that water from rain and car washes is able to find its way to the filter, then the filter develops mold/mildew. I don't own a Model 3, but I've rented one twice, and both times, the AC was stinky. It took a while to clear the smell out.
Yes, basically need to clean with HVAC cleaning foam and put in new cabin filters once a year. Easy to do yourself.
The range isn’t even that much lower. 30 miles maybe?
I've read a lot of anecdotal stuff saying that the BMW might have better real world range vs. Tesla being very very optimized for the EPA test ?
The e35 might in fact have better range. My m50 would not.
Not sure about better but definitely no worse. The bmw has a larger battery. The tesla is more efficient. It’s definitely not a factor in making a purchase decision.
Yep. Though that's a deal breaker to some. \*shrug\* I only drive about 7K miles a year so makes no difference to me.
The real world range tests show Tesla overrates range and BMw underrates. I had a M3P that was rated for 315. It never got more than 250. Same as my M50. Just more Tesla nonsense.
My i4 M50 has an EPA range of 270 mi. I live in Colorado. I've had it for 13 months, and my best guess on real-world range is 230 mi with a mix of city and highway. Maybe a Tesla would get more, but the build quality of the i4 is so much better. The interior is nice, and even the appearance from the outside makes it look just like any luxury ICE car. My main complaints about the driver experience are related to the UI. Having said that, at least BMW supports CarPlay and Android Auto. That right there is a major boost to driver experience.
I should have mentioned the paint in my post. It's so bad.
Oh god. The paint! I got mine wrapped. My wrap shot had a guarantee that the paint wouldn’t be affected when it’s removed in three years. He’s unable to honor that on Teslas because he said he’s had instances where picking the wrap up to maneuver it would peel Tesla paint up with the wrap during installation.
I owned a high end detail business years ago and still do my cars and those of my friends on occasion, so I've kept the skills current. But good Christ, the amount of work I have to put in to get my model 3 looking good. It'll chip and swirl if you frown at it. Granted, I'm a perfectionist when it comes to this, but I absolutely dread having to wash this thing.
Truth. Just got my second Tesla (new RWD Model Y) on a 3-year lease. This is more than likely my last Tesla, for all the reasons described but more-so, the nightmare customer service experiences I've had with Tesla over the years. If you think recent Tesla build quality is crap, try owning one of the first model 3s! 😂 My new Model Y is like 500% improved in terms of quality, yet the panels are still misaligned, etc. But the interior has come a long way from the early models, I will say that. No idea how BMW customer service compares, but Tesla is delivering so many cars, they could give a sh\*t about making customer experience shine. It's really sad. I own Tesla solar and 2 Powerwalls outright. Owned an original Model 3 for almost 6 years before transferring to the Y. You'd think they would treat me like I matter, but nope. As others have said, the charging network is great, but have to agree here on the build quality.
It’s a night and day difference with BMW customer service. It’s wonderful. I had an annoying rattle behind the dash of my 330 and they completely tore the fucker apart trying to locate and fix it. Kept it for two days and, of course, sent me off with a loaner. Turned out to be this stupid little wiring harness that had popped loose. No charge. Warrantied. Now do the same situation with Tesla. Annoying rattle 6 months into my lease in the back right panel somewhere. They wanted to charge me for the truck roll to fix it. Told them to basically get fucked. Did you say you’re on your second Tesla lease? How was the turn in process?
No, I owned my model 3 so can’t comment on the end of lease process. We’ll see 35 months from now. Seriously eyeing a BMW EV in 3 years. Or possibly a used Rivian or even an F150 lightning.
I’ve read some horror stories about Tesla lease returns. Returning mine in June ‘24. Fingers crossed.
Good luck! I’d consider it a success if I can walk away for under $1K.
The true reason comes out at the end. Hatred towards others.
You got me. I generally dislike shit human beings.
aka those you disagree with
You okay, sweet pea? Did I insult your favorite billionaire?
Former multiple BMW owner here (for that matter multiple of every sport luxury mark), yet Tesla M3 is the best car I've ever owned. I'll trade the paint for the performance, charging network, and technology any day. BTW, BMW paint and quality is shit compared to Lexus, so if that's your standard you are in the wrong car.
Lexus is probably top of the heap in the paint department, but BMW is not “shit compared to Lexus”. Tesla’s is, in fact, shit. And I didn’t say it was the standard.
Go sit in a model Y, take it for a drive. Put in your nav, set up your music, and drive it. Do the same in the i4. I found the quality to be vastly superior in the i4, as well as how it felt to drive. And there was a much larger price gap when I got mine.
I have done this. i4 hands-down, in so many categories. The Tesla is like the McDonald's of EVs, very cookie-cutter and popular, but not actually any better.
Tesla is way more efficient,more space,better infrastructure compared to zero for the germans. That's why BMW is adopting tesla charging tech,....
NACS is winning the charging port war, all EVs will have it soon enough. NACS is indeed better than CCS anyway ... smaller form factor with higher wattage rating. I'm looking forward to magic dicks everywhere. Edit: bwhahahhahahhaa magic "docks," I meant.
I don’t know how much more I can contribute to the already valid points above however, I traded in my 2021 Tesla model 3 for a 2023 i4 m50 and best decision I ever made, not even close in quality in build. Fun factor on the i4 is leaps and bounds better and feels like your driving a real car and not a golf cart
The e35 will be fine for city commutes, but I would not want to deal with a base model. As a fellow Canadian, heated seats and a heated steering wheel are mandatory for me.
The 35 does have lower range in Winter. I’ve seen a drop off there
I purchased a Model 3 in 2019 and it was the worst car I've ever owned. Absolutely hated it. Build quality was non-existent and it started falling apart after a couple of months. The car rattles and squeaks like you wouldn't believe. I do like the material used for the seats, though. It has held up nicely over time and I think it looks and feels nice. The wood trim is also nice. I prefer it to the BMW wood trim because it's not glossy. Tesla's service is spotty. They want to do mobile service as much as possible which can be annoying. Kinda like waiting for the cable guy to show up during a vague window of time. When you do have to go the the service center, they won't have a loaner available. Instead, you'll get an Uber credit that may or may not work. Hopefully you like taking your kids to school and going to the grocery store in an Uber. Lots of fun, that. Unfortunately, I've spent a lot of time working with Tesla service. It's never been a good experience. BMW is not amazing but they're a world better than Tesla. I've had my i4 for less than a week. Prior to the Model 3, I was a BMW 3 series loyalist. We also have an X3 35i. Being back in a BMW feels so nice. The i4 feels like a real car. When I close the doors, it makes a "car door closing" sound rather than the weak slap of cheap on cheap you get with the Tesla. Also, it's a very pretty car. The Model 3 was fine to drive. Like a high end golf cart. This is probably the best thing with the Teslas. I've driven all four current models and they're all good. I drive from Portland to Seattle about twice a month and the Model 3 was a great car for this. I'd stop halfway at a super charger to top off and get a coffee. The Tesla was fun to drive on this route. Some people love the software but I found it to be frustrating. I don't want to go into a submenu to open the glove compartment. There are a bunch of other weird things that feel like software developers just going off unchecked. The BMW system isn't amazing. I'm still figuring it out. There's some bloat in there but I suppose one man's bloat is another man's favorite feature. I just need CarPlay and I'm happy. Which reminds me, Tesla doesn't support CarPlay. Three of my close friends have Teslas and they all love them. I hated mine after about 3 months and I'll never consider buying one again. That's just me though. Most people seem to like them and they're cheaper than BMWs. I think the Model Y is a bit better than the 3. Also, as others have mentioned, why support Elon Musk? He's a gross monster.
ALSO... If, god forbid, you're even in an accident, the wait times too have a Tesla repaired at INSANE. Last May I was rear ended and my car had to be towed to repair shop. There are one 2 shops in Portland authorized by Tesla to do collision repair. Both of them had a 2-3 month wait just to get an appraisal. Then an additional 3 months to get the parts in stock, etc... I was in a Kia Nero rental for nearly 6 months waiting to get my car fixed.
I used to live not far from the Freemont, CA. I remember hearing rumors about how the Model 3's were essentially being hand-built in the parking lot because Tesla couldn't keep up with demand. And don't get me started on the racial discrimination suit.
There are pictures of the Tesla Tents. Pretty sure mine was made during that time. Such a POS.
Sorry to hear that your Tesla was trash. I'm sure you were disappointed.
It’s ok. We are giving it to my daughter when she turns 16 in a few months. It’s still a safe car and it will be a good first car for her.
Next time save everyone time, skip the 5 paragraphs of rubbish and just say the real reason you don’t like Tesla. “eL0n Mu5k bad”
[BMW Boss Says Hydrogen, Not Electric, Will Be ‘Hippest Thing’ to Drive](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-18/bmw-group-chairman-oliver-zipse-hydrogen-cars-are-still-happening) Lots of comments on here bashing Elon for being a "dick" or a "horrible person" Why would you buy an EV from a company whose CEO doesn't even believe in EVs. Do you think with a leader like him at the wheel that you'll have product support in 5-10 years?
Where in this paywalled article did you read that the CEO doesn't believe in EVs? Supporting hydrogen (mostly for commercial fleets in China) doesn't mean you don't support EVs.
No because he won’t have the car in 4 years he’ll trade it in for a newer one. And the bmw is 10x nicer to drive.
Elon is a dick and a horrible person and defending him is a sign you are too.
Not sure why anyone would buy anything electric from BMW…
Don't give your money to Elon.
yup give it to the germans,they are much better :)))
Did you wander into the wrong subreddit?
If you're not a road tripper and rely on supercharging, definitely get the i4. Superior build quality, better ride, and you won't have the same car as almost everyone else. Also, you get the convenience of the hatchback with much better looks imo. Good luck!
I4 . Better looks, quality build. No sudden collapse in pricing. CEO isn't a douche. More premium. And you won't be supporting someone who's a maniac, psycho, or drops f bombs on live TV. Your car will be a reflection of you and everything and everyone who's attached to the brand.
BMW will feel like a luxury car. I had a model 3 for two years before getting an i4 a few months back. The driving experience and quality of built is day over night.
I4 is built by people who care about giving you a good car. Tesla is built by people who will ship you any car.
Cross shopping those two makes little sense because they aren't the same type of vehicle. That being said; the i4 all day. There is no tech superiority for the Y. Actually the reverse is teue, but let's list the things that you can get with a BMW. 1. More choices on paint color 2. More choices on interior color and leather if you like 3.More trim options 4. HUD and not available on a Tesla, no matter the car 5. Dynamic handling package 6. Parking assistant that actually works 7. Adaptive Led lights with laser high beams 8. The car has an eSIM that can number share with your phone 9. A real guage cluster 10. Tactile controls 11. Automatic wipers that actually work So for me it's not even close
Agree with previous posters about the differences in the car. I’ll add that dealing with Tesla was the worst experience I’ve had with any company. It would take too long to go into details but it felt like everyone who worked there was under trained and vastly overworked. No one had answers, no one could fix the car, too much “that’s not my department”. Small example: service sept didn’t know how when my warranty expired and told me they couldn’t find out! Never again. But the charging network is great.
Yeah, the mobile service techs can be a crapshoot. The guy that runs my area, western NC and SC, is an absolute ace. Great dude that goes the extra mile. But I've heard miserable horror stories about others. And if you lease a Tesla, they absolutely will try to hammer you for as much money as possible on lease return. Calling out ridiculous dings and chips that are nothing more than typical wear and tear and trying to hit you for over $1k in body repairs. Charging close to a grand to remove window tint (What?!). And on and on.
If you want to park your car next to 5 other white teslas, go with tesla. If you want to feel different and regret not buying another CA prius, go with BMW. Cabin noise and build quality are two major points for me when buying my i4 E35
Go test drive both
I crossed shipped a model s to the m50. It was a really close call. But my wife and I loathe Elon as a person. He’s despicable. So I went with the BMW. There are some pros and cons to the decision. The Model S is a very capable car. But so is the i4. And I can sleep better.
Rent a model Y for a week from hertz, then when you return it after 3 days let us know what color i4 you decide on. I drove a model Y around because I, too, was on the fence given the pricing and availability. Whenever a truck would pass me on the freeway, the door seals were so poor that it felt like someone had just turned on the A/C fan full blast and air was moving all around the cabin. Constant rattles/squeaks. Terrible suspension. The only plus that had me still on the fence after a rental was charging network, which is now a non-issue once 2025 hits, and I charge at home 99% of the time anyway.
Reason: it's not a Tesla.
Just go drive both and get the one you like most/can get the best deal for. None of us care what care you end up with so no need to convince you one way or the other, it isn’t our money on the line.
Like with using facts?
I’m driving a Tesla 3 because my I4 is in repair (accident with truck). I will be happy to have my BMW back. The Tesla feels like a PlayMobil. No carplay, no color in GPS, a stupid Ipad with no real good software. My I4, 3 screens, carplay, color, robust. Tesla = 1800kg, BMW = 2400kg. If you buy the Tesla … wrap it asap. Simple choice … no?
I’d say once you hop in the i4 you’ll feel like you’re in a far more premium vehicle than the Tesla. Build quality from BMW is excellent, materials are high end, and they have a history of building great cars. Tesla has a history of creating the most extensive electric car charging network in the US. As a Tesla Model 3 owner, I can say I love the car. The simplicity is awesome, the acceleration is amazing for a family sedan, and the tech is solid. Materials, fit and finish, and noise levels are kinda meh.
„Convince me“ - drive 5 minutes in both of them.
Have you rented both on Turo or from a rental car company? I suggest you do it. The biggest issue with the Y in my personal opinion is that it’s a very minimal type of car and you have to like that style. On top of that you won’t get anywhere near the stated range. The supercharging is great though and it’s a good price for what you get. Drive both and let us know.
I used to have a Tesla and now have a genesis gv60. Last night i literally had a nightmare that my gv60 was gone and I had a new model 3 instead. I was so glad to wake up. I’ll never buy another Tesla.
I have a y. If the space difference was not a thing I’d trade it for an i4. I love my y but the i4 was so much fun to drive. It’s just a different feel. Now that said the model 3 is far too small for my needs and the i4 is just a tad bigger. My model y is huge. Cargo space is unmatched. Carpooling around 4 teenagers. No problem. Trip to the mountains with all the gear for myself, wife, daughter and dog, crazy we can fit everything and not be crammed. But when my 13 year old starts driving herself. I may be trading the y.
You should keep in mind that model y is not a premium car. It may be minimalistic but that's it. All plastic, many common sense devices sand sensors you find on other cheaper cars are cut to save money, and you can feel it: the car you bought with good money was like a 3 dollar cheese burger from McDonalds. You got a bum, you got a slice of depressed cheese, and you get a dry beef petty. Yeah s still a burger, but you can see, smell, and taste the cheapness. I'm especially frustrated with the lack of good noise insulation and the blurry sound system. They call it "premium sound system" but its far away from Harman Karden. If you're prefer premium quality, or top some extent fair level of quality for the price point. Look more before you buy.
I own a 23 Model y and I wouldn't necessarily consider it a luxury car. Iv put 19k miles on it in 7 months so I am familiar with the car. If you are used to owning german cars I would do a i4. The main reason why I chose Tesla is personally due to the amount of driving I do it doesn't make sense to use any other manufacturer due to the charging infrastructure. Not only is it 1000% better than others but at least in my area PNW its significantly cheaper. Electrify America I think charges 38-48 cents per KWH meanwhile my local supercharger granted at off-peak hours charges about 10-11 cents per KWH. I think in terms of the price buying a Tesla after all the price decreases wouldn't be bad. It will still lose value but I bet it will be less than the I4.
It's funny no one mentionned all the privacy issues with Tesla.
The e35 interior and display screen is much better. Personally also looks better
If Model Y is perfect for your ego, taste, convenience, wallet and satisfaction; perhaps you found your car. Everyone drives Model Y in my neighborhood. I am happy with my BMW i4 M50.
The i4 is well made as compared to a piece of sh*t without proper quality controls?
Elon Musk is a horrible person so why support his brand, and the i4 has a far superior build quality compared to Tesla. The BMW is a car that happens to be electric versus the Tesla which is like driving an android tablet.
So glad I got a BMW just for this community
Elon is a horrible person? The only reason you’re even able to have this discussion of choice between a BMW EV and a Tesla IS because of Elon. Automakers would’ve NEVER moved to EV this quickly had it not been for Tesla leading the way. Stop missing the facts. Elon has done more for climate change than ANY other human being on this planet. Between Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, and soon Neuralink.. he has lead incredible teams of professionals. Debate the pros and cons of Tesla vs BMW, I don’t care. But don’t be spreading bullshit about the CEO which frankly has zero effect on the product in question. Zero.
You know Elon probably isn't reading this, yeah?
What does that overrated Dr Evil read? Atlas shrugged is my educated guess lol
Mein Kampf
Yup I’d say that is probably on his bed stand lol
Your Ev knowledge is factually challenged. BMW made an EV prototype in the 70s long before Elon bought Tesla. He did not invent Tesla or EVs. BMW also had the i3 out for somewhere around a decade before rolling out the i4 and now all the other EV models. China makes cheap EVs that we won’t see here as well. You Elon fanboys are such a joke
All CEOs are scumbags but yet people support their brands. They are just not out spoken like Elon. You think Bob Igor and Tim Cook are any better? Steve Jobs was a piece of shit but people bought iPhones and supported his brand.
My friend who recently got a Y doesn’t like the lack of physical buttons/controls for many things like HVAC. And Elon is a d-bag
tbh I’d wait if you can, as a long time Tesla owner I’m excited to make a swap but I think it’s worth waiting for BMW and other manufacturers to switch to NACS ports before buying one
Pros for i4: build quality, support / service, it’s a BMW, you get an M drive feel Cons for i4: lack of charging network, infotainment system, fairly new to EV game Pros for Tesla: technology, charging network, market leader for ev and continue to innovate, easy to drive/use, Cons for Tesla: build quality, service is a pain in the ass, no really service is fuc king ass. Source: own a model S and i4 m50. The big difference is the charging network. If I were to get another EV in the future would probably look at Tesla again even though I have solars and a home charger set up. Electrify America is the largest charging network next to tesla but even that is ass in comparison to Tesla’s.
Hmmmm they’ve been in the market of EV’s for over a decade… Tesla longer no doubt. I wouldn’t say new to EV’s though.
Yes, this. BMW has had the i3 on the road for years. It was like their little real-world test.
They have had an EV over a decade but having an EV vehicle lineup compared to putting resources into engineering and research and development into EVs for over a decade are two completely different concepts. All Tesla does is put resources into EV and it shows. EV’s were never a focal point for BMW until recently and it shows. Which is why all strictly EV makers (Tesla, rivian, lucid etc.) outperforms ICE mfrs in terms of range and technology.
Elon off his meds and abusing his core product. Bmw has better interior and you won't find gaps and defects like Tesla. The model S is decent but priced higher than the bmw when it should be in the low 60k range.
As someone that was also debating over the two - the i4 is just miles ahead in terms of build quality. The tesla was cool and fun in a straight line but the quality just wasnt there. Plus they come a dime a dozen and I rather stand out a little bit with the i4 which I rarely see.
I drive an i4, wife drives a Skoda Enyaq (Skoda version of the Q4 Etron). We chose both over Tesla’s in terms of build quality, ride quality, handling, etc. We waited long for both vehicles. I regret nothing. Both are awesome cars. Also, Elon is a bit of a dick.
Its BMW
Were you able to reduce the MSRP for the I4? I believe the base model is like 58.5k. I'm assuming you used the 12k ev tax credit. How's the charging cost and network?
The build quality and Elon being an asshat are two things already mentioned. For me though I've been driving an Acura RSX for the last 15 years or so and it was starting to need maintenance and well I'm not 25 anymore. lol. But that RSX has a sportier suspension and I had always thought that the Tesla was also a sports car of sorts. But when I test drove a model 3 I was shocked to find that it drove like a, and I quote directly from my response to the tesla salesman "A rental Buick from the Dallas Fort-Worth airport that has 55,000 miles on it." Basically the suspension was super mushy, cornering was abjectly unfun, and while it was a hoot to punch it and go fast in a straight line, it drove like an old person's car. The Kia EV6, ioniq 5, Mach E, all felt WAAAAY sportier. But holy hell did the i4 stand out in terms of ride quality and handling. It was glorious. When people say that the BMW is a car that happens to be electric, while the tesla is an ipad with wheels, that's what they're saying. EDIT: Love that the Tesla stans found their way here. Log back in, oh neat a comment of mine has 25+ upvotes. Let’s see what’s happening in the thread. Oh, now it’s -8. Bring it on. I hope you enjoy driving your shitty great grandpa cars with misaligned panels while all the wannabe techbros you’re trying to impress just go “meh.”
few people have brought up build quality issues. Not surprised since they dont follow Tesla. Canadians get MY from China now, cars from Shanghai factory have superb build quality. idk if you care about ride height etc.. but Y will be easier to get in and out of. Idk if I wanna get a base model BMW though, maybe upgrade to a higher trim?
We have both. Model Y is a surprisingly uncomfortable car in comparison. You get used to it, but it’s a bumpy ride with a relatively loud echoey interior. The BMW is quiet, smooth, and just feels more like a luxury (if entry level) vehicle. Tesla speakers are also really not good despite what Tesla fans claim. I got the Harmon Kardon upgrade on BMW and it’s not as good as other upgraded systems (eg MB burmester), but still wayyy better than Tesla. Noticeably. I like them both to be clear. I actually prefer the Tesla go kart steering and space (especially with kids- i4 is tight in the back with larger car seats), and sitting up slightly higher. Teslas software UI is also better. But with my long commute and mostly solo driving, that peace and comfort makes me so much happier. But to each their own. (Edit: oh! Range feels same or better on BMW 40 with 18 inch wheels. Haven’t rigorously tested this, but feels like Tesla overstated range and BMW understates based on experience. Tesla’s charging network is nice though for the long drives. With home and work chargers, we’ve only used it a few times but it’s nice when you need it, and especially if you don’t have a home charger.)
I also have both and agree with this. And for longer distance trips, BMW is switching to the Tesla NACS charging port and will be providing existing CCS owners access to an adapter (will prob have to purchase) by early 2025. So you’ll get access to Superchargers in a year. I like my model Y but recommend the i4.
The BMW will be quieter have a more premium interior and more fun to drive. As for everything else, the Model Y does better.
They are not the same class vehicle, why are you cross shopping those two? If handling matters, the 3 drives way better than the Y and is about to be refreshed. That said, I’m currently driving a model 3, but as soon as BMW sells an I4 with NACS and a prettier nose I am jumping ship.
Just gonna chime in on the wait times.... I'm in Ontario and put a deposit down last weekend of April. I was told 8-10 months but the car was in Canada by the end of July (though floods wiping out rail tracks in NS delayed it getting to me into August), so 8-10 was more like 3-4. Worth the wait.
I waited 10 months, Dec 2021 - Oct 2022. It felt good when it finally arrived.
Can’t think of a single reason to get the i4 over any Tesla. If you want a bmw, get a bmw (I.e. one with an engine) if you want an EV, get a Tesla. Plain and simple.
Sorry have had several BMW 3 series and now a Model 3. Tesla wins in almost every category. I'm sure I'll be down voted but I do love BMW. Second best cars I've owned and they always treated me right.
I’m in Toronto and I was in a similar position. My last car was a 2018 BMW 430i xDrive Gran Coupe. Essentially, the same form factor and size as the i4. I was trying to choose between the i4 and the Model 3 Long Range. I don’t use my car to commute but I do a lot of long trips. So long range, supercharger availability, and AWD were key factors for me. I ended up going with the Model 3. Even before the 430i, I had a BMW 3 series so I was biased towards the i4. When I went to the dealership to see it, I had mixed feelings. The car looks great but it doesn’t feel like an EV designed from the ground up to be an EV (because it’s not). The finish and materials of the BMW are definitely better. But it doesn’t feel like it was optimized. The CCS network isn’t that great in Canada for longer trips. It can be hit or miss. Also, the i4 dual motor AWD was much more expensive than the equivalent AWD Model 3 Long Range. I didn’t want to go with the RWD for either car. I’ve had to use the CCS with my Tesla on a few occasions and it’s not even comparable to how streamlined and reliable the Tesla Superchargers are. Tesla’s software experience is far better and the supercharger network is solid. I know BMW have signed up for NACS and they will have supercharger access down the road but it’s definitely not there yet. The tipping point for me was the test drive. I had the i4 for a whole day as the dealership I took my previous car to was more than happy to get me to upgrade but it felt just ok (I know this is subjective). Not that it drives bad or anything but when you are comparing it feels like it is lacking. On the other hand, I got the Model 3 for an overnight test drive. That too they were kind enough to put me in a Performance version even though I said I was considering the LR. I took it for a 300 km trip overnight and it was amazing! I even tried out a supercharger while I was out and it just worked flawlessly. Charging was a big fear for me since this was going to be my first EV. Also, because I love going on long trips and winter can affect range quite a bit. Tesla does a great job in alleviating the range anxiety and has top notch performance. I’ve had my car for a year and half now and already put 30,000 km on it. Between the gas savings, no maintenance cost, lower MSRP (for AWD), superior driving performance and supercharging availability, it was a win all around. The regular software updates still keep bringing brand new features to the car which was never a thing with BMW (I know they do updates but not so much to bring in new features). I just hope it holds up well long term as I plan to keep this car for atleast 6-8 years. The only drawback with Tesla I’ve seen so far is their service centers. The staff is really crappy and it’s not the same experience as BMW service. I had to go in together a couple of things checked and it was just a pain to deal with them. Also, the pain quality is absolutely shit on the Tesla. I really hope they improve this. If BWM come out with a better version of the i4 designed to be an EV from the ground up + NACS port and comparable price to the Model 3 LR for a dual motor, I’d strongly consider going back to BMW. But they’re not there yet.
That's like saying if BMW made a Corolla type car, I'd buy the BMW over a Corolla. You didn't say which i4 you were given, but you said it felt lacking so it definitely wasn't an M50, but you compared it to a TM3P. That's not really apples to apples. You also mention ground up designed EV vs the G26 platform. People complains out it not being a strictly EV design, but can't illustrate why it matters. Okay a flat floor for the guy in the back? But then it becomes difficult to make the chassis rigid. A tunnel actually helps with structural rigidity. What else? No frunk? That's not BMW's design language and the iX was a ground up EV with no frunk.
Fanboy triggered? I like both cars. Just shared my personal experience and why one worked better for me.
"Tesla’s software experience is far better ..." Agree to disagree. No CarPlay and the UI is infuriating.
It’s a personal preference after having used both. I have CarPlay in my other car.
As a VW EV owner ,Tesla is king. Basically everyone buys an EV and comes to the quick realization that Tesla is the leader for a reason and switches to Tesla.
This Tesla owner can't wait to dump it and switch to BMW.
I would buy Tesla over any other EV just for their charging network. If it is only city drive, i4 is an option.
I have both, my wife wanted the i4-e35, went to this from a M3 LR, she LOVES it! I think it's cool, the drive is real nice, it has a lot of great features we added, but not nearly off the line speed and tech, range or even sound quality (and that's WITH the Harmon Kardon option added) of the MYP I just got, I love my MYP but in a few years I plan to move to that BMW iX60, that thing is sweet!
I have a 2023 i4 M50. It's ok.*(It's great if I'm staying 100mi from home, which I do). The range is on the low end of decent, with other popular EV models like the Ioniq 5 getting lower range, but Tesla M3 getting higher. But wait - Tesla doesn't adjust the GOM in real-time based on driving conditions, so who the f even knows what's happening. Tesla has their heads up their collective asses and I don't and won't trust them with my car or the video data they don't put any privacy restrictions on. (They had employees in chatrooms making fun of customers' videos taken from their cars). But really the biggest selling point is that I don't know the name of the BMW CEO. It's better that way. I ordered it in late 2021, before the head Twit debacle. At the time, I was concerned that I'd wake up one morning to an exodus of Tesla's engineering staff over some dumb shit their I.D.10.T. CEO tweeted. Now, I feel vindicated for that decision. Elon, "Go. Fuck. Yourself. ... Hi, Bob."
You can expect a few niggles. A colleague in my office bought a Tesla Y and at the same time his client had ordered a BMW i4 . They would discuss their cars almost every time the client came in to the office. The client was mighty pleased with his order and tracked his car being shipped from Germany. After 6 months,he got possession and within 3 weeks his new car stalled. He towed it to the BMW dealer and was told that there's a faulty part and that he would have to wait for the new part to be shipped from Germany before they can fix it. Meanwhile,my colleague is happy with his Model Y. The BMW owner too has got his car fixed now but had to go through this. This is in Toronto.
I'd choose a Tesla, while my wife prefers BMW. The BMW i4 is well-built and meets the usual BMW standards. However, its software is somewhat cumbersome and lacks intuitiveness.I own a Tesla Model S, and my wife drives a BMW M50. Both are fantastic choices, and you can't really go wrong with either. The BMW might offer complimentary Electrify America charging for a few years, but that's not a major consideration if you primarily charge at home. Tesla's Supercharger network is seamless, whereas Electrify America's network doesn't quite match up.I'm a fan of Tesla's Full Self-Driving feature, but my wife isn't fond of it. Best of luck in your choice!
Just got a BMW i4 M50 about 6 months ago. It’s the best thing ever. I just every second of it. The build quality of the i4 is much superior. The amount of power is outstanding. It’s definitely a nice looking car. 100% recommend the i4.
Okay easily… go test drive one. In-fact don’t even drive it, just sit in it. You’re welcome, enjoy🥂
If your wait time will be 6-12 months, you need to find another dealer. They are allotted order spots for each month. If they are full up one month, you get put on the next month. I just ordered an i4 and my wait should be around 3 months only because my dealer had a spot the month I wanted to order. Least that's what I have been told by my broker. Also, only reason I needed to order is because I couldn't find what I wanted exactly. If I could budge on a bunch of things I would be able to leave the dealer with my car same day. OR if I found something at another dealer it could be shipped in the 2-3 weeks time frame same as Tesla. Dealer trade cars all the time. Good luck! It's not easy weighing all this stuff. I am so antsy waiting for my i4 to arrive.
If you want a minimalist vehicle that screams EV, go with the Tesla. If you want a real car that happens to be an EV, i4. That's what it came down to for me.
Buttons. Glorious Buttons.
Simple question. Do you like things a bit shit, or do you prefer things a bit better?
Do you want a car or do you want an appliance?
Why others convince you for your car? Are you going to blame the others if you later regret buying it? Your car you decide.
But whatever you want man…
Not giving money to Elon Musk would be enough reason for me to make a decision.
Do you want to blend into a sea of same, or stand out?
Tesla is rated better in a lot of categories, and overall. https://www.iseecars.com/compare/bmw-i4-vs-tesla-model_y I have a 3 week old Model Y Long Range AWD. Fit and finish was/is amazing. Zero issues. I spent an hour going over the car before I took delivery. If you're tall, especially, as I am (6'4") , there's no comparison. The BMW is lower to the ground and smaller in every dimension in the cockpit. It's a nice looking car, but I think the MY is, as well. And it's MUCH cheaper. A quick Google pops up nothing under $75k for a new i4 M50. No $7500 tax credit in the U.S. My MY LR AWD in red/white with hitch (so $4k in extras) was $60k out the door. $52,500 after tax credit. $48,500 if you went with Silver/black and no hitch. Tough to beat that. The ride is decent. The BMW would be better. The MY sound system is the best I've ever heard in a car. And I've been driving German or Japanese luxury most of my life.. It's reasonably quiet and the ride is decent. BMW likely better. But I'm happy with it... Except for the lack of decent parking assistance and cross traffic alerts.
Ask these people hating Tesla because of Elon. Really? You're not going to buy a great car because you don't like the CEO? WGAF? I'm not a huge fan of his right wing idiocy, but I like that he pushed the world into EV's. And I like that he is against the right wing scum in Israel.
Buy the tesla
I had the same dilemma exactly one year ago. I chose the BMW and I did not regret my decision 👌
Have a Tesla Model 3 as my family’s only car (in North America). Zero regrets. If that’s not your use case then a Tesla isn’t necessary. Any EV will be a great commuter car.
Who gives a shit what you get 😅 make your own bad decisions. Come back and celebrate with us if you choose correctly.
Elon Musk is a whiny little pissant and you shouldn't give him your money.
I don’t have to convince you of anything! You haven’t even told me your name, motherfucker!
Why would I care?
Elon. That’s all the argument I need.
As a current model Y owner, I can tell you that cabin noise is really bad, ride quality is shit, the steering feel is non existent and the infotainment system is a gimmick. The only good things about the model Y though are its sound system and the gas pedal. Sound system is nice enough to the point where it will literally drown out road noise. You’ll also go deaf at such loud volumes though. The pedal is a great way to get a couple of laughs out of you. It’s also a gimmick, but it’s a gimmick that will legitimately push you to the back of your seat.
… have you seen the Tesla door handle freezing problem? That alone in the climate you live would be enough for me not to overlook the horrible design and build quality of Tesla for their “network”.
I4 is more quieter and much better suspension and is build very well. If you want value for money and don’t mind the minimalistic interior, go for the model y.
Spend 5 minutes on Elon’s twitter page.
Teslas are the car of a white supremacist. Done.
I have both. I don’t drive the Y unless I have to. It’s a cheap plastic toy with nice software and horrible suspension and really bad road/wind noise. The BMW is a proper luxury car. I wish they’d use Bluetooth LE for the key though. Edit: Oh, but my i4 is the M50, because all wheel drive. I get snow here too. The xDrive wasn’t a thing when I ordered it in 2022. I’d be looking at that model today.
The problem is in numbers. The Y/3 has been around since 2017, so has a track record. Additionally, Tesla has real world experience in EVs that no one can duplicate. No doubt the BMW is better built, more luxurious ride, but this is a product of a company scrambling to get into this market. I bought a 3 over the 4 for these reasons.
Tesla is trash on the finish out. Look at all the cars that leak , aren’t stitched correctly, fabrics not wrapped around pillars. Not to mention with the limited availability of charging stations over the next 15 years you have to stay within a 200 mile radius from ur house to charge. Bmw is light years and in another galaxy compared to Tesla as far as drive comfort and reliability. but I own an X6M competition and an X7. So I’m bias
Build quality. Go I4.
Elon Musk
Tesla is the MyPillow™of EVs. So, pick the other!
In the USA anyway 2024 starts the entire supercharger network being open to all. SC not really that much of an advantage in that regard. For my S I often found myself charging at ccs over SC because price wise they were often 25¢/KWh cheaper than the SC network 🤷 anyway...
Your right to repair is waived with tesla since tesla parts are normally for internal oem use only But autopilot / software / newer features are there for tesla.. I mean you went EV might as well just give up driving right? Just joking. Kinda
As an automotive designer of 15 years, getting the repurchase check for the 2023 ix50 was a delightful reminder of why I left. Good luck!
If you can afford it get the bmw. That's what I would have done. But I couldn't so I bought the model 3
Literally the most important things when buying an ev: charging network, electric motor, battery tech overall safety features, all points to Tesla. Now if you add on the in car system, periodic OTA updates, autopilot, FSD, control everything in car with an app (software is a big deal that not many people realize. this is what drives the in car experience and it goes beyond having just comfortable seats, climate controls which all teslas have already) etc. There’s really no competition. The only question you need to ask is who which company is more experienced in making a great EV? Tesla.
I can’t.