[Justgothere]

Hi, I am split between which car I should get! Any strong opinions in either direction? Thank you!

[F10_Freq]

I tried them both and went with the i5. I preferred the size and comfort.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by Justgothere

Hi, I am split between which car I should get! Any strong opinions in either direction? Thank you!

I previously owned a ‘23 i4 M50 for 8mos before I jumped on one of those crazy Audi RS etron GT leases, which is up this October. I was hoping the LCI i4 M50 would have more performance, as I would have certainly returned to the i4 and custom ordered one. The i4 is a great package, and I like the overall appearance/stance aside from the front (LCI is better IMHO).

However, it appears we need to wait for the Fall 2025 i4 builds to get more power and the i4 M60…which resulted in me checking out the i5 M60. Although they have the same performance, I like the interior of i5 (although some have complained on cost cutting measures), the “newness,” and I never had a 5er before. I would jump on another RS etron GT if the deals returned, but I’m sorta interested in a more “executive” bimmer lol. I have a custom order awaiting an MY2025 allocation/ordering guide. I’m also going to order in frozen deep grey, which I never had, and I’m a little anxious/excited about experiencing. BMW’s BEVs are excellent, and my wife currently has an iX50.

This Friday, I’m attending BMW’s UDE in Philly, so I’m hoping to have a little more experience with the i5.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by F10_Freq

I tried them both and went with the i5. I preferred the size and comfort.

The same for me. The i4 felt a little too small for me, where the i5 felt like it was the right size. I'm only 5'11" and about 185 lbs, but I have been driving larger vehicles my whole life and most recently came from an old spacious Toyota Tundra so the i4 cabin felt too small to me. It does have a nice hatch back and nice looks if you don't mind the vertical grill, but overall I like the look, size and updated features in the i5 more. To me it's really a matter of preference regarding what you like more.

[COBodom]

Very strong opinion - i5 !

[Ossian]

I went through the same decision over the past couple of months, My dealer probably got quite tired of me test driving both of them. BMW has absolutely done some cost-cutting in the I5 cabin relative to the G30, but it is still much more luxurious than the I4, and I found it to be more comfortable as well. Thanks in no small part to the rear-axle steering and M-Sport Pro suspension, the I5 M60 drives smaller than its considerable mass would have you expect. I was surprised to see that the I4's curb weight is less than 300 lbs lighter -- they are both chunks! The I4 just didn't drive that much "smaller" than the I5, and the I5 cabin is a much nicer place to be.

I originally disliked the I5 design, and thought that the I4 had the edge there, but I have done a 180 on that -- I never could get past the beaver tooth grille - not even with the LCI improvement -- and the I5 design has really grown on me.

I'll qualify this by saying that I only drove the M50, and ultimately leased to M60 -- not sure on how the non M-sport models stack up against one another.

At the end of the day, the only real advantage I saw with the I4 was that hatch since it would be great to be ale to easily toss my bike back there. The cost is obviously lower on the I4 as well, but I got a great lease deal on the I5 so that was a non-factor.

They are both solid choices, but if you don't need the hatch, and you'd prefer a more luxurious cabin, better audio, driver's assist pro, etc. then the I5 is the way to go.

[Scrapula]

I test drove the i4 eDrive40 and the i4 M50. I preferred the rear wheel drive version. It was a little small and the leather wasn’t very good quality. I went ahead and ordered the i5 M60 since it had rear wheel steering. I also test drove one before it arrived, to make sure I liked it. I ended up loving it. Very comfortable. Handles well for a big sedan. The leather is soft. I like the hidden air vents and the ambient lighting, too. It feels more like a luxury car. I was torn between it and the Lucid Air Touring, but I think I made the right choice.

[RichardInCA]

Love my i5….but you’ve not told us what matters to you in a car? If you want a luxury executive sedan the i5 is perfect. It’s definitely a big car though. As others have noted, the M60 gets you rear wheel steer which is just magical at “shrinking” the car when it comes to maneuverability.

[F10_Freq]

Even though the i5 is huge, surprisingly the eDrive40 doesn’t feel that big when driving around in it…well…until I go into a fast turn ; ). It also has a good turning radius for the size. The i5 wins for its superbly comfortable ride…even on 20’s. The i4 just feels rougher, even on the base 18’s.

I really wanted the i4 m-sport to feel like my old 328i m-sport…nope…that old 328i coupe was a wonderful ride.

[paprmkr]

Originally Posted by Justgothere

Hi, I am split between which car I should get! Any strong opinions in either direction? Thank you!

I own i4 edrive40 m sport. love it had it 1.5yr 45K miles. but I was used to drive 7 series and my passenger had trouble with rear door head clearance when entering. even my 4'11" daughter. also I regretted not getting the M50 since range was going to be not much less. it was my first ever ev not even rode in one. so when had the opportunity to preorder i5 I went ahead and added everything on page. I am glad the red wasn't available but I really wanted to order it. but even though it probably looks good it may be to orange for me. I still haven't seen one in person. so anyways. I figured I don't have to take the order and love the i4. but when the car came in I love it at first sight. then right there I order the M performance carbon fiber kit. and now love the power, the look, the extra room and everything BMW has added.
so I would go i5M60

[desalvorw]

Originally Posted by F10_Freq

Even though the i5 is huge, surprisingly the eDrive40 doesn’t feel that big when driving around in it…well…until I go into a fast turn ; ). It also has a good turning radius for the size. The i5 wins for its superbly comfortable ride…even on 20’s. The i4 just feels rougher, even on the base 18’s.

I really wanted the i4 m-sport to feel like my old 328i m-sport…nope…that old 328i coupe was a wonderful ride.

I absolutely agree with this. It’s a big car, and a heavy one, but drives much smaller. It actually has a better turning radius than my old Civic did.

[scas12]

It 100% depends on what you value in a car. When I was younger I would have chosen the i4 because I valued the sportiness over the luxury. As I have added a few (some might say one or two &#128526 years I valued both luxury and sportiness, so the i5 M60 made more sense. So, what's your mission?

[RockvilleMD540i]

Speaking only to size of the cars and my size. I had a 2024 i4 loaner car for several days and I have my 2024 540i. I’m 6’1” and about 175 lbs. Getting into and out of the i4 was real snug and I had to pay attention to not hit my head. Much more room in my 540 and just a more comfortable experience to sit in.

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by RockvilleMD540i

Speaking only to size of the cars and my size. I had a 2024 i4 loaner car for several days and I have my 2024 540i. I’m 6’1” and about 175 lbs. Getting into and out of the i4 was real snug and I had to pay attention to not hit my head. Much more room in my 540 and just a more comfortable experience to sit in.

I’m 5’1” and was fine in the i4, but smacked my head on the Lucid several times during my one hour I spent with the car. That is really low.

[agorski]

I'm 6'-3" and could fit in both (I came from a 328i). But I really needed a useable rear seat and I thought the cabin in the i4 was a little bit dated in design compared to the i5. Pretty much the same battery in both, and surprisingly, both are about the same weight.

[robfen]

have an i4 and a 550e
comfort and quality a big step up to the 550e
for a short journey i4 more manouvreable for parking etc

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by scas12

It 100% depends on what you value in a car. When I was younger I would have chosen the i4 because I valued the sportiness over the luxury. As I have added a few (some might say one or two &#128526 years I valued both luxury and sportiness, so the i5 M60 made more sense. So, what's your mission?

I had to smile when I read this, as I'm in a similar position. I was thinking about the M440i. I currently have an A5 Sportback which is an inch lower in ground clearance. I got it serviced at the Audi dealership this week and happened to go over and plop down in an A6. So much more comfortable! And easier to settle into.

I think it was the last nudge I needed to dispel my M440i thoughts in favor of the 540.

[footie]

Had the i4M50 for 2 years before switching to the i5M60, I can only imagine that the new i4 will be getting the updated tech on the i5 because despite the i5M60 having more weight and power it's working out to be about 20-25% more efficient. Other benefits are a more comfortable suspension, quieter, better turning circle and more space if required.

In all honesty I couldn't see myself wanting to go back to the i4 despite it being brilliant in it's own way.

[GOLFFRR]

can't go wrong with either one but I personally really am digging the new i5. I think I may actually get one for myself soon as well.

have you driven them both? Which way are you leaning and why

[Kief]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

can't go wrong with either one but I personally really am digging the new i5. I think I may actually get one for myself soon as well.

have you driven them both? Which way are you leaning and why

Patiently awaiting 2025 i5M60 ordering guide…any intel??