Used BMW i4 buyer's guide (Mk1, 2021-date): one of the very best second hand EVs

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6 days ago

BMW has led in many ways for decades in the ICE world, whether it's efficiency, driving pleasure or ergonomics, while its cars' build quality has invariably been exceptional. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that in the brave new electric world, the German marque should also make a range of cars that appeal in all of those areas and more. The BMW i4 was good enough to scoop Premium Electric Car of the Year at our 2022 and 2023 New Car Awards, and bagged Best Electric Company Car with our sister website DrivingElectric in 2022. But whether you're a business user or a private buyer, the i4 is a brilliant family model that just happens to be an EV. Advertisement - Article continues below
Back in 2019 BMW only had one electric car in its range (the i3); now it has half a dozen distinct models in its armoury, with more on the way. Such is the pace of change in the new-car market, with the marque one of the brands that has embraced this transition the most enthusiastically.
Just as Covid-19 arrived in 2020, BMW started to unleash an array of electric cars, and so far they've all been worthy of your consideration. One of the best all-rounders is the i4, which offers low running costs, superb ergonomics, hatchback practicality, an excellent driving experience and the sort of build quality that we've come to expect from BMW. As a new buy you pay handsomely for all of this, but as a used car the i4 is a lot more affordable, and therefore even more desirable. Fortunately, you can configure your perfect BMW i4 through our Find A Car service. Alternatively, check out the best deals on a new BMW i4 from stock or top prices on used BMW i4 models.
The i4 was launched in the UK in November 2021, in 335bhp eDrive40 form, priced at £51,905 in Sport spec, or £53,405 with M Sport trim. There was also a 469bhp M50 edition for £63,905, which came with a 10-second 537bhp overboost function. For those not needing quite so much power, there was a 278bhp eDrive35 option from summer 2023, which started at £49,995. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View I4 View I4 View I4 View I4
A facelifted i4 went on sale in spring 2024, but the changes weren't exactly far-reaching. As well as a minor update for the exterior lighting, there were fresh steering wheel designs, new upholstery options and the latest iDrive 8.5 software. But there were no mechanical changes, and no adjustments to the model line-up, which still consisted of the eDrive35, eDrive40 and M50.
From summer 2025, the first two are being fitted with slightly more efficient semiconductors, which are claimed to add 15 miles to the achievable range. Meanwhile, the M50 is being replaced by the 593bhp i4 M60 xDrive, capable of 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds.
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The i4 weighs a lot more than an equivalent 4 Series Gran Coupé, but you wouldn't know it from the driving experience. True to BMW form, the i4 is engaging to drive, with great steering, superb stability, plentiful grip and excellent performance even in eDrive35 form.
This entry-level edition can despatch the 0-62mph sprint in just six seconds and is restricted to 118mph; the M50 is limited to 140mph. Many BMWs suffer from a harsh ride, but not the i4, because air suspension is fitted as standard across the range, and buyers could upgrade it to an even more accomplished adaptive set-up.
Even the entry-level i4 eDrive35 has all of the performance and range that you're likely to need, although the eDrive40 is a better all-rounder if you do a lot of long-distance journeys. The twin-motor M50 has a huge amount of power, but it's also the only version to come with four-wheel drive, which is just as well, because its peak torque figure is 795Nm. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
All i4s are well equipped and feature LED headlights, artificial-leather trim, heated front seats, climate control and a reversing camera. M Sport versions add a bodykit, unique upholstery, electrically adjustable memory seats and privacy glass.
The i4's rivals are generally cheaper to buy new, and also more affordable as a used buy. However, the i4 is a better car to live with than any of those alternatives, including the Tesla Model 3, which trumps the BMW in terms of performance, efficiency and charging, but its driving experience, build quality and ergonomics aren't as good.
The Volkswagen ID.7 is an impressive all-rounder that's more comfortable than the BMW, while the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a long range and great dynamics. The BYD Seal is also worth a look, while the Polestar 2 is another strong contender, due to its long range, superb performance and great build quality.
Size matters
The eDrive40 and M50 have an 83.9kWh battery, whereas the eDrive35 has a 70.2kWh item. BMW claims a range of 367, 316 and 299 miles respectively in ideal conditions; owners are finding these achievable.
Safe word
We've come to expect five-star Euro NCAP awards for new cars, especially with premium brands, but the i4 was rated at just four stars when it was tested. It's very strong, but some tech, such as AEB in reverse, isn't fitted. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
On the pull
Many electric cars aren't approved for towing, but the i4 is. All versions can pull up to 1,600kg (750kg unbraked), from the eDrive35 up to the M50. The car's 2.2-ton kerbweight ensures great stability.
Common faults
Software glitches can be a pain, especially with the sat-nav and Apple CarPlay. There's also the odd complaint about some of the driver-assistance systems, but that's about it so far.
Interior design and quality have long been stand-out features for BMWs, and they are here. The twin-screen dash is modern, with clear graphics and intuitive menus, while material quality is excellent. Rear-seat space is a bit tight, but there's hatchback practicality and the boot is big, at 470 litres (1,290 seats down), but there's no front boot.
It's the usual story with EV costs: charge at home and you'll potentially spend very little on electricity, but use the public charging network and you'll have to fork out a lot more.
Insurance tends to be pricey, with even the entry-level eDrive35 sitting in group 34; the eDrive40 is in group 38, while the M50 is in group 43 or 44. Those are typically four or five groups above the equivalent 4 Series Gran Coupé, but on the plus side, the maintenance costs should prove to be lower – potentially quite a lot lower. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
As with all BMW cars, the i4 has condition-based (variable) servicing, so there's no set schedule for when some parts need to be replaced. However, the i4's mechanical simplicity means that a typical service costs between £148 and £181 (plus £120 for fresh brake fluid), and this is due potentially only every two years.
It's clear that BMW is having to quickly find its feet with the transition to electric, because five of the six recalls issued for the i4 so far are related to its powertrain.
The first campaign, in January 2022, was because crash pads hadn't been fitted to the battery packs of some i4s; the second action, in October 2022, was because of faulty battery packs. The next two recalls came in 2023, the first in May because of poorly installed circuit boards in the battery packs, and the second in August because of sub-standard charging units having been fitted.
Faulty batteries were behind an action in February 2024, with the most recent campaign coming four months later, because some i4s suffered damage to their chassis rails during the production process.
Thanks to the fleet market, there's no shortage of used i4s. We found nearly 700 for sale, with most of the earliest i4s being on a 22-plate, although there is the occasional 71-plate example being offered. Of the eDrive editions, one in six is a Sport model, while the rest are M Sports, and of the i4s for sale as a whole, one in four is an M50.
Check the price of a BMW i4 with our free car valuation tool...
So far, the only BMW EV to appear in a Driver Power survey is the i3, which was last included in 2023. Back then it came 13th out of 75, which is impressive for a car launched a decade earlier. This year's survey contains six BMWs, the highest-scoring car being the 4 Series Mk2 in seventh place, while the X3 Mk4 was the lowest-rated, in 39th. Several owners have left reviews on our sister website CarBuyer.co.uk; all own eDrive40 editions and have awarded the BMW EV the full five stars. View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range
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