[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

Maybe you can just rent a 530iX for the road trips? I don't know if they rent a 550e or not. I think the only ones I have seen renting are 530i's

The rental idea is no doubt a good fix for the problem. However, I imagine many are like me where I can’t get past the idea of the inconvenience the car is causing leading me to rent a car!! I’d rather have a car that’s fit for all purposes and maybe not optimal for any. Which I admit might be illogical bc why wouldn’t you want optimal 350 / 365 days a year. It’s just an emotional thing I guess.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

The rental idea is no doubt a good fix for the problem. However, I imagine many are like me where I can’t get past the idea of the inconvenience the car is causing leading me to rent a car!! I’d rather have a car that’s fit for all purposes and maybe not optimal for any. Which I admit might be illogical bc why wouldn’t you want optimal 350 / 365 days a year. It’s just an emotional thing I guess.

I totally understand that Matti. But if your goal is to go 100% electric, except for the few road trips, and don't want to deal with waiting for charging....then that would be the way to do it. Or you have to get 2 cars to replace the 1. One BEV for daily use, and the other ICE or PHEV for longer distance road trips.

I'm still happy with ICE. If I did want to go Electric, I would probably go for the 550e due to not wanting to suffer the Range Anxiety I read so much about. For me, going fully electric would have to have more availability of rapid chargers, and the ability to charge to 80% in 10 minutes or less. And that 80% charge would have to give me about 400 mi range and not get reduced in the cold weather. So I am thinking about another 10-15 years from now. Hopefully about the time I am going to be likely replacing my 540.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

I totally understand that Matti. But if your goal is to go 100% electric, except for the few road trips, and don't want to deal with waiting for charging....then that would be the way to do it. Or you have to get 2 cars to replace the 1. One BEV for daily use, and the other ICE or PHEV for longer distance road trips.

I'm still happy with ICE. If I did want to go Electric, I would probably go for the 550e due to not wanting to suffer the Range Anxiety I read so much about. For me, going fully electric would have to have more availability of rapid chargers, and the ability to charge to 80% in 10 minutes or less. And that 80% charge would have to give me about 400 mi range and not get reduced in the cold weather. So I am thinking about another 10-15 years from now. Hopefully about the time I am going to be likely replacing my 540.

Yea we are on same page. You’re suggestion is the best possible solution.
My response was if in solo context if my only car. I have my wife’s car for our family trips and still the range anxiety eats at me with my EV but I don’t currently have to worry about this rental component to getting an EV. If I did, i definitely would have gone hybrid and I still might make that swap.

[LDT]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

Maybe you can just rent a 530iX for the road trips? I don't know if they rent a 550e or not. I think the only ones I have seen renting are 530i's

Yes we’ve discussed that. It’s doable. Renting a ICE vehicle for road trips makes sense if you’re worried about the charging infrastructure along your route. It works economically too. Summer of 2026 I’ll be in the market. Stay tuned.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by LDT

Yes we’ve discussed that. It’s doable. Renting a ICE vehicle for road trips makes sense if you’re worried about the charging infrastructure along your route. It works economically too. Summer of 2026 I’ll be in the market. Stay tuned.

That will be an interesting time period for you with the new x5 revealed and entering production. You will have a lot of options.

I can’t get over the lack of Idrive controller in the g65 so it’s off the table for me now. I don’t want a voice control, touchscreen only PC on wheels.

[LDT]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

That will be an interesting time period for you with the new x5 revealed and entering production. You will have a lot of options.

I can’t get over the lack of Idrive controller in the g65 so it’s off the table for me now. I don’t want a voice control, touchscreen only PC on wheels.

Indeed. Right now leases on i4/i5/iX are a no brainer what with $7500 lease credit, 1k loyalty, significant dealer discounts, very low MF, etc. Considering the ongoing tariff pissing contest, et al. mid 2026 could look quite different.

[paprmkr]

Originally Posted by LDT

I'll be interested to hear about your experience upon your return.
Here's what the BMW configurator says about the Electrify America free charging. "1,000 kWh of complimentary charging begins on day of vehicle purchase or lease and expires after two years."
1,000 kWh equals about 3,000 miles according to calculations I've read. Presumably one uses this only when on the road as most charging is done at home. We do about 6,000 miles per year on the road.

I got my car when it was 2yrs unlimited mileage. Ends in Nov 2025.
It was same with my I4 drive used that 45k miles now on my i5M60 40k So that trip be free charge too. Go out with bang.

[BlueString]

You have a gas X5 and the dealer gave you an i5 M60 loaner? That's nice of them as my dealership only gives out EV loaners to EV customers. I guess they assume gas folks probably don't have 240v charging at home. I would love to have an i5 as a loaner for a couple days to experience the charging intervals based on my driving. Had a Tesla back in 2016 for 3 years and it was a pain with so very few Superchargers back then.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by BlueString

You have a gas X5 and the dealer gave you an i5 M60 loaner? That's nice of them as my dealership only gives out EV loaners to EV customers. I guess they assume gas folks probably don't have 240v charging at home. I would love to have an i5 as a loaner for a couple days to experience the charging intervals based on my driving. Had a Tesla back in 2016 for 3 years and it was a pain with so very few Superchargers back then.

I think some dealers will give out fully charged EVs if the client confirms they need far less than a single charge of range over the loaned duration .

[LDT]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

I think some dealers will give out fully charged EVs if the client confirms they need far less than a single charge of range over the loaned duration .

In my case I requested a EV loaner I drove it about 100 miles over a day and a half. It was curiosity more than anything.