[Romie]

After getting a few ads for the BMW i4, I decided to finally take a test drive. I'm on the fence about trading in our FE for a GT when it's out or keeping the FE and adding a totally different car.

The demo unit was the i4 m50, with 536 HP, so it would be a fair fight against the upcoming EV6 GT.

BMW Pros
Handling. During the test drive I took a few hard turns that would have lost traction in the EV6. The i4 in Sport mode stuck like glue. Off the line it did not disappoint either, but it wasn't Model S level punch. The EV6 has always been enough in Sport mode.

The BMW infotainment was a win. Resolution is sharper and it looks more modern.

Resale. This is debatable but I found the argument online in the comment section somewhere. A BMW on the used market is highly desirable. Not sure how many aspire to own a used Kia.

EV6 Pros
BMW climate controls are almost 100% on screen. We might be annoyed with shared buttons on the EV6 but these are better than no buttons and knobs at all. The BMW I drove didn't have cooled seats.

Styling. My wife prefers the EV6 interior, especially the fabric dash. The i4 has just as much plastic but it's not cleverly done. She says the exterior on the BMW is not a head turner.

Rear seat space. The roofline on the BMW is sloped and leaves little headroom for anyone over 5'8". There's a transmission tunnel hump in the rear seat leftover from the ICE version of the car.

Trunk space. They're so close going by appearance alone. The BMW has a power supply included. It doesn't have a seat release in the trunk. You have to reach inside to drop the seats.
Think the EV6 front trunk is small? Theres no front trunk storage space at all on the BMW.

Noise. I heard more wind noise while driving the BMW. I had to check all the windows were up. The piped in fake engine sounds are not as tastefully done as the Kia's. I assume they can be turned off. Vibration and harshness were about the same on both cars.

Dimensions. The two cars are about the same size outside. Front clearance on the EV6 is higher.

Image. This is just my opinion but I make better first impressions in a Kia. If clients or employers see my car or even just the key, they won't think I'm high priced.

Here are two pictures I snapped before I thought of posting here. Sorry about the tree.

 

[accelerus]

I won't pretend to know everything about BMW - never had one but I've admired them over the decades. And that's the funny part - the front kidney grill is just comically oversized and hilarious (not in a good way)

I'd wager their software might be a bit more intuitive and more luxury feel/materials, but ooof that front grill really takes the wind out of my sails. Either car though is all electric so you are winning no matter what you choose

 

[JK-KIAEV6]

I won't pretend to know everything about BMW - never had one but I've admired them over the decades. And that's the funny part - the front kidney grill is just comically oversized and hilarious (not in a good way)

I'd wager their software might be a bit more intuitive and more luxury feel/materials, but ooof that front grill really takes the wind out of my sails. Either car though is all electric so you are winning no matter what you choose

Have yo agree the front of the BMW is so ugly, its like they have forgot its an eclectic car.

 

[Romie]

its like they have forgot its an eclectic car.

This is the drawback of starting with an ICE platform to make an EV instead of going purpose-built from scratch. The grille and what you get under the hood/bonnet leave me scratching my head.

The interior space utilization on the EV6 is phenomenal. The BMW interior space is unremarkable. Also missing from this M tuned model were the good BMW seats. My guess is this is aimed at someone who has always had BMW cars or has always wanted one. I wanted one long ago when the M3 was in car magazines. Not today.

 

[JK-KIAEV6]

Very True, Never really been a BMW fan, yes there are one or two nice models but they never really blew me away, i took one look at the front and straight away it would be not for me, this has not changed over the years with some hideous BMW fronts and this one is no different, it could be the best car on the planet but still a no for me.

 

[azKiaUser]

After getting a few ads for the BMW i4, I decided to finally take a test drive. I'm on the fence about trading in our FE for a GT when it's out or keeping the FE and adding a totally different car.

The demo unit was the i4 m50, with 536 HP, so it would be a fair fight against the upcoming EV6 GT.

BMW Pros
Handling. During the test drive I took a few hard turns that would have lost traction in the EV6. The i4 in Sport mode stuck like glue. Off the line it did not disappoint either, but it wasn't Model S level punch. The EV6 has always been enough in Sport mode.

The BMW infotainment was a win. Resolution is sharper and it looks more modern.

Resale. This is debatable but I found the argument online in the comment section somewhere. A BMW on the used market is highly desirable. Not sure how many aspire to own a used Kia.

EV6 Pros
BMW climate controls are almost 100% on screen. We might be annoyed with shared buttons on the EV6 but these are better than no buttons and knobs at all. The BMW I drove didn't have cooled seats.

Styling. My wife prefers the EV6 interior, especially the fabric dash. The i4 has just as much plastic but it's not cleverly done. She says the exterior on the BMW is not a head turner.

Rear seat space. The roofline on the BMW is sloped and leaves little headroom for anyone over 5'8". There's a transmission tunnel hump in the rear seat leftover from the ICE version of the car.

Trunk space. They're so close going by appearance alone. The BMW has a power supply included. It doesn't have a seat release in the trunk. You have to reach inside to drop the seats.
Think the EV6 front trunk is small? Theres no front trunk storage space at all on the BMW.

Noise. I heard more wind noise while driving the BMW. I had to check all the windows were up. The piped in fake engine sounds are not as tastefully done as the Kia's. I assume they can be turned off. Vibration and harshness were about the same on both cars.

Dimensions. The two cars are about the same size outside. Front clearance on the EV6 is higher.

Image. This is just my opinion but I make better first impressions in a Kia. If clients or employers see my car or even just the key, they won't think I'm high priced.

Here are two pictures I snapped before I thought of posting here. Sorry about the tree.

View attachment 7963
View attachment 7962

I REALLY liked the M50...of course the price was way higher than the EV6 ; unless you go for the i40

Without driving the new EV6 GT it'd be difficult to really compare

I thought the iDrive felt much more modern. I like the EV6 infotainment; but it feels 'standard' to me.

My SO also thought there was nothing special about the M50, she thought the interior was 'normal'...nothing to go wow about. She didn't care for the drive or the lower seating position. I thought all the controls, switches etc felt solid and high quality.

The BMW salesman said he could offer me MSRP (just salesman words so I took it for what its worth). At that time, April or May, he said he thought inventory would come in sometime at the end of the year.

Being 6'4ish the rear did feel a little tight I've always liked BMW's so I typically forgive some of the flaws...

I am still super happy with the EV6 (still the honeymoon phase so...we'll see if eating her peas one at a time gets to me later)

 

[EV- Technician]

5th generation propulsion units are way more efficient than kia&Hyundai propulsion units. Especially on interstate speeds.
Here is some information regarding unit that use brushes to magnetize rotor ( it has no magnets, this approach is more efficient and have no resistance when coasting because there is no magnets on the rotor

 

[Romie]

Here is some information regarding unit that use brushes to magnetize rotor ( it has no magnets, this approach is more efficient and have no resistance when coasting because there is no magnets on the rotor

I see. So we can expect less of an efficiency penalty at highway speeds in the long range (322~ hp) BMW compared to the AWD EV6.
BTW the link didn't come through but I did find this from Motor Trend.

BMW's Magnet-Less Motor: How Does It Work?

Here's why this old-school technology is back in BMW's newest high-performance EV.

www.motortrend.com

 

[EV- Technician]

I see. So we can expect less of an efficiency penalty at highway speeds in the long range (322~ hp) BMW compared to the AWD EV6.
BTW the link didn't come through but I did find this from Motor Trend.

BMW's Magnet-Less Motor: How Does It Work?

Here's why this old-school technology is back in BMW's newest high-performance EV.

www.motortrend.com

Yes it more efficient than Tesla propulsion unit when tested at 130 km/h.
So this propulsion unit can be PM motor and AC induction motor in one piece. Best of both worlds. No resistance when coasting ( inverter will not keep electricity to the rotor to be magnetized. They have higher torque less heat production ( much lover ratio and much lower rotor speeds required to be in efficiency map when loaded)
From my knowledge about brushes and BMW engineering life expectancy, brushes will last up to 300 000 km before it needs brushes replacing. Electric motor is easily accessible and this maintenance is not very complicated to replace. Some testing over EU I4 RWD is more efficient than Tesla 3 model, even I4 is much more heavy than Tesla 3.

 

[uwenator3]

Easy solution, if you use turn signals get the Kia, if not get BMW.

 

[Romie]

Easy solution, if you use turn signals get the Kia, if not get BMW.

"Does it have lane change assist?"
Yes, simply tug the wheel in the direction you'd like to go at any time. 😉✌

 

[JK-KIAEV6]

Also has no mirrors as you do not need to look.

 

[kurt.mccann]

Yes it more efficient than Tesla propulsion unit when tested at 130 km/h.
So this propulsion unit can be PM motor and AC induction motor in one piece. Best of both worlds. No resistance when coasting ( inverter will not keep electricity to the rotor to be magnetized. They have higher torque less heat production ( much lover ratio and much lower rotor speeds required to be in efficiency map when loaded)
From my knowledge about brushes and BMW engineering life expectancy, brushes will last up to 300 000 km before it needs brushes replacing. Electric motor is easily accessible and this maintenance is not very complicated to replace. Some testing over EU I4 RWD is more efficient than Tesla 3 model, even I4 is much more heavy than Tesla 3.

Weird that the bmw gets lower efficiency rating than kia if motor is more efficient

 

[EV- Technician]

Weird that the bmw gets lower efficiency rating than kia if motor is more efficient

Germans are always showing less than what really they can deliver. Also propulsion units power is also under rated. Under promise and over deliver is how BMW rolls. But they are quite heavy vs Tesla vehicles. Also chassis for ICE vehicle with EV conversion.

 

[eclipxe]

I bought an EV6 while waiting on my i4 M50. Order from April was at least one year wait.
I’m on the fence now about keeping the M50 order - the EV6 is just so good. The extra power and handling will be nice, but I’d miss out on better performing ventilated seats and the blind spot monitor in the dash (which I really love). The EV6 remote control (back/forward from the remote) is also spectacular and something I use very often.

I prefer the i4 styling and the iDrive knob controller. Obviously the power and handling are great…but yeah the EV6 might just stick around. We’ll see how my AMP does and if anything else fails in the next year.

 

[alexw]

Here’s one big win for the BMW: their customer service is MUCH better than Kia’s. I’d bring my used (CPO) cheap-as-they-sell 328 in to get a light replaced under warranty and they’d give me a loaner to get me on my way even if it might be a quick thing. They’d give you a loaner for an $80 oil change.

I bought the most expensive car Kia sells, get a ride home from a friend, then wait 5 days before they even offer me an update.

 

[eclipxe]

Here’s one big win for the BMW: their customer service is MUCH better than Kia’s. I’d bring my used (CPO) cheap-as-they-sell 328 in to get a light replaced under warranty and they’d give me a loaner to get me on my way even if it might be a quick thing.

I bought the most expensive car Kia sells, get a ride home from a friend, then wait 5 days before they even offer me an update.

Very true

 

[Romie]

Here’s one big win for the BMW: their customer service is MUCH better than Kia’s.

I have to give it to BMW on that one. My local Kia dealer gives me a shuttle ride home and picks me up because I live within their ten mile range. A loaner vehicle beats that for sure.

I've said I bought the Kia over Tesla for the service. In that same vein, if something went wrong away from home, I'd rather end up at a BMW service center anywhere in the nation versus the nearest Kia service center.

 

[DonaldS]

I won't pretend to know everything about BMW - never had one but I've admired them over the decades. And that's the funny part - the front kidney grill is just comically oversized and hilarious (not in a good way)

I'd wager their software might be a bit more intuitive and more luxury feel/materials, but ooof that front grill really takes the wind out of my sails. Either car though is all electric so you are winning no matter what you choose

I chose my FE because it is a rolling power wall. V2L sold me.

 

[alexw]

My local Kia dealer gives me a shuttle ride home and picks me up because I live within their ten mile range.

I'd love that. I live 7 miles away, and don't even really need a car 80% of the week. But my dealer just hands you the paperwork and points you to the waiting room.

I chose my FE because it is a rolling power wall. V2L sold me.

I'm actually a bit disappointed there. "V2L" as a concept promises a whole lot more than "two outlets that are slightly different kinds of inconvenient to use" I was a lot more impressed back when I thought there'd be a way to use bidirectional (AC) EVSE to power your house i.e. in an outage.