Used BMW i4 2021-present review

While BMW and executive cars go hand in hand, the BMW i4 isn't quite the status quo, because you won't find an engine under its bonnet – the i4 is fully electric.

More specifically, its ​​eDrive35 variant is powered by a 70kWh battery, its eDrive40 an 84kWh one and the performance-focused M50 also a 84kWh one. You'll want to focus on that middle version, because it was the entry-level car before the eDrive35 came out, so it's actually the cheapest and most available used one of the lot (for the time being).

The 40 has 335bhp, sprints from 0-62mph in 5.7sec and has an official range of 367 miles. If you’re thinking that 0-62mph time sounds slow (in a world of unbelievably rapid electric cars and electric SUVs), we can put your mind at rest. Due to the instantaneous way it produces power, it feels feels properly punchy both around town and at higher speeds.

That said, if you'd like the utmost performance, check this out: we timed an M50 pinging from 0-60mph in just 3.8sec (quicker than a BMW M3 Competition). Granted, a Tesla Model 3 Performance is a few tenths ahead (3.4sec in our test), but the M50 is ridiculously quick by conventional car standards. The M50 has an official range of 318 miles.

Even in its most focused Sport mode, there's more body lean than you get in a Model 3 Performance, despite the adaptive M suspension (which can be found on the eDrive40 if the original owner specced the M Sport Pro Pack).

It doesn’t feel particularly nimble through quick direction changes, either. This is mainly due to the fact that the M50 weighs at least 350kg more than the Model 3 Performance. In fact, the lighter eDrive40 feels a touch more agile.

The i4 does hold a significant advantage over the Model 3 when it comes to refinement. At a cruise, road and wind noise is minimal – something that can’t be said for the rather noisy Model 3 – and at lower speeds there is virtually no motor whine. The M50 is a little more supple than the eDrive40 but both ride impressively well.

This polished feel flows through to the i4's interior. The driver's seat is comfortable and highly adjustable, plus the position itself feels sporty and close to the ground.

Every surface you touch feels upmarket and it all feels beautifully screwed together. Only a couple of patches of hard, scratchy plastic – around the starter button, for instance – thwart it from feeling quite as plush as more expensive electric cars including the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan.

The i4 features BMW’s latest and greatest iDrive system, which is based around a new operating system and a massive curved display. The display is made up of a 14.9-inch infotainment screen and 12.3in digital dials. It's striking to look at and the graphics are pin-sharp, the central screen is lightning quick to respond to inputs and the menus are logically laid out.

Up front, the i4 shares similar dimensions to the BMW 4 Series, so you’re unlikely to have any trouble with head or leg room. Storage space is plentiful too, with a generously sized glove box, a cubby under the central armrest and door bins that are partitioned so loose items don't rolling around.

In the rear, the dramatically curved roofline means you have less rear head room than in the BMW 3 Series saloon and the rear seat is placed a little higher than in the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé to accommodate the battery and electric motor underneath. As a result, passengers over six feet tall will have their heads touching the ceiling.

The i4’s boot has a larger overall capacity than both those cars, and there's an underfloor storage space big enough for charging cables so they won't get in the way of your luggage.

If you go for the eDrive40, there are two trim levels to choose from: Sport and M Sport. Sport gets you 17in alloy wheels (18in wheels are a no-cost option), gloss-black exterior highlights, a sports leather steering wheel, sports seats, automatic air conditioning, a reversing camera and the curved infotainment display. M Sport introduces aggressive-looking wheels, an M Sport steering wheel, Alcantara highlights, an M Sport spoiler and grey exterior highlights.

The M50 gets 19in wheels, adaptive M suspension, M sport brakes, a ‘gurney flap’ rear spoiler, a head-up display and lots of driving assistant functions. You can also find examples with a number of packages attatched to them – we would recommend seeking out the Comfort Pack that introduces a heated steering wheel, comfort access and front seat lumbar support.

If you're interested in finding a used BMW i4 or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

As of writing, you'll need around £45,000 to consider buying a used BMW i4. Expect a 2022 eDrive40 in excellent condition. The M50 jumps to around £52,000, as does the eDrive35.

You can have a 2023 eDrive40 for around £50,000.

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Charging

The i4 can charge at up to 200kW, allowing you to charge the battery from 10-80% in just over 30 minutes. There aren’t many public CCS charging points in the UK capable of delivering that much power at the moment, though. From a 7kW home charger, expect a 0-100% charge in 13hrs.

Insurance and servicing

The eDrive35 and eDrive40 have their insurance groups in the high 30s (out of a possible 50), with the M50 rising to 43 – even then, it should be cheaper to insure than a Porsche Taycan or Audi E-tron GT.

Pricing for a service (through BMW) of the i4 starts at £460.

Until the eDrive35 comes down in price, it's not really worth a second look, because it's slower and more expensive than the eDrive40 is used, plus it has a smaller battery. The M50 is the most exciting i4 of the lot, but we don't think you'll be disappointed with the performance (and longer range) of the eDrive40 – we don't think you'll feel bad about saving around £7000, either.

There's little to no price difference between Sport and M Sport trims on the used market. The latter vastly outnumbers the former, though, so we'd say go with M Sport.

Our favourite BMW i4: eDrive40 M Sport

The Tesla Model 3 is perhaps the i4's most compelling rival. It's quick, packed with technology and can go impressively far on a single charge. Used prices of around £25,000 only further its case. The i4 offers the comfier drive, mind you, and not everyone will warm to the Model 3's minimalist interior (of which is down on quality when judged against the i4's).

If you have around £55,000 to spend, put a Porsche Taycan on your shopping list. It's very well equipped, fast and amazing to drive. The Audi E-tron GT is a similar proposition, although it isn't quite as sharp in the bends.

Maybe you'd like an electric SUV and, if so, you'll be glad to hear the BMW iX3 is a five-star used buy. Sat next to the i4 eDrive40, the iX3 is down on power and range, but used prices are less at around £38,000 (to begin with).

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If you're interested in finding a used BMW i4 or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.