[digriz]

It’s been 100 days since I took delivery of my i5M60, and it’s time for me to offer my first impressions of this vehicle. I’ll start with a disclaimer: this is my personal opinion, based on my wishes and needs, and the specific vehicle I received. I’m not writing this to advertise or boast, but rather because I believe that this forum is the right venue to express my thoughts without pretense – albeit with quite a bit of enthusiasm (spoiler alert). Also, this post is long. I think it helps put my impressions into context, but please be warned.

For the last six years, I have been fascinated by electric vehicles, but I did not find any that would satisfy my desire for a high-quality, precision machine with a touch of luxury. My car history includes a 2011 BMW X3 35i, which I found comfortable but a bit rigid and above all difficult to spool up due to my impatience with the turbo lag. When that car broke on me a couple of times, I felt it was time to make a change but at that time there was no BEV I could trust and as well the charging network was virtually nonexistent. So, I replaced my X3 with a Toyota Rav4. I came very close to buying the hybrid version, but I couldn’t as it wasn’t immediately available, and I needed a vehicle right away. The Rav4 is a good car: quiet, dependable, and easily driven. What it isn’t, though, at least to me, is my ideal car. But it has been an excellent transition vehicle, and I am keeping it for those tasks that require an SUV.

I live in Atlantic Canada. I tend to use my car as weekday commuter. I take the occasional weekend trip, no more than 400-500 km each way, and about every couple of weeks or so I will take a shorter work trip (up to 300 km each way), although usually this is a day trip. Until recently, this meant that I would not be able to fulfill these requirements with a BEV, but in the last two-three years I have seen a number of manufacturers come up with increasingly palatable options, especially given that I could install an L2 charger at home, which would be what I’d use most of the time. But I had not experienced a BEV yet, as dealers in Atlantic Canada were unable to secure test vehicles, apparently because Quebec was receiving most of them.

Then, I had the chance to try a Tesla Model 3 and its instant response was exactly the opposite of the turbo lag I had experienced with the X3. This was a joyous discovery that suited me perfectly. But I did not like Teslas: I was troubled by some reports of uneven quality, the lack of a repair centre close by, and the roughness of the acceleration curve. I tried to test drive a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and a Ford Mach-e but the dealerships never got back to me when I called to book. Then, I read about the Cadillac Lyriq – and I was captivated. I booked a test drive and, 18 months later, I finally managed to drive a rear-wheel drive model. It was a revelation. Aside from the low-speed noise, the car felt great! But I wanted a 4-wheel drive model, and I asked the dealer about it. I was unable to place an order as the dealer had no allocation, but I was informed that I would be able to order as soon as one became available. That was not to be. Instead, I received a call that a 4-wheel drive model was available to test drive, although it was going to be offered for sale to someone else first. When I tried it, I found out that the extra motor was making the much car stiffer and less responsive. I was very surprised and dismayed by this discovery. I was also disappointed that another car had been ordered while I had been under the impression that the next order would have gone to me. I was clearly mistaken, and a few other interactions with the dealer convinced me that I would not be able to order the car I wanted. The dealer did not get back to me, and I did not insist any more. Coupled with the news about the Ultium platform and the unevenness of the first production run for that car, I think in the end it was for the best.

My experience with BMW was completely different and very positive. There was an abundance of information about the i5, with multiple first impressions and reviews that all but confirmed the quality of the car. The quality of my X3 was very high, and although I did not appreciate the turbo lag, I was very happy with its driving precision. I never managed to really push the X3 to its limits, which was very good for me as I was not looking for a track car – nor did I want an uncontrollable power monster. The only issue was that the dealer was a bit far away. One day in February, I decided to call and book a couple of test drives: the i4M50 and the i5M60. My wife and I spent a whole Saturday at the dealership, got to drive both cars and an iX for good measure and decided together that the i5 was the one we liked the most. We ordered one then and there, with absolutely no fuss or issues like priorities or pre-allocations. It was delivered a month and a half later, at the end of March, and throughout this process I was able to follow its assembly and shipping. It was glorious.

Specifically, I ordered a high-specs M60: advanced driver assistance package, premium enhanced package, adaptive M suspension professional, high gloss dark oak fine wood, comfort seats, and 20” all-season non-rft wheels. I did not go for the appearance packages. The car was delivered exactly as specified, and the dealer even included a small incentive – which I found was thoughtful. Every single part of the sales experience was no-pressure, with full information, complete availability, responsiveness, and professionalism. It put BMW at a completely different level for me.

In these first 100 days, I took time to get to know the car and drive in various conditions. I also got used to charging, and while I mostly relied on home charging, I also tried DC fast charging a few times just to become better accustomed to it. Atlantic Canada doesn’t have as many charging stations as some areas in North America, but there are a good number of them and thus I’ve never had to wait in line for a DC charger.

For me, the car’s interior is functional and well designed. It is of higher quality than what I had in my 2011 X3, while allowing me to do all I need in a straightforward way. I use CarPlay often, but I found some of the features in the BMW maps pleasantly surprising. One thing that really impressed me was the automatic rerouting due to traffic. I was driving home one day, on my usual route, and the BMW voice assistant chimed in, informed me that the route I had chosen was experiencing a traffic jam, and then proceeded to suggest a faster alternate route. This was a very unexpected but pleasant surprise. The seats are very comfortable even for long drives. I tried seats in many other cars – even with massage options – and I did not find anything substantially more comfortable than the seats in my i5. I still have to test drive an i7, though, so my list of comparators is not fully balanced. I like the light features and their customizability, which for me does not mean changing something every day (although that happened a lot in the first few days!), but rather choosing a light hue and intensity that is pleasing for the driver and passengers. I am also fine with the combination of touchscreen and physical controls. For me, this combination is effective in reducing distractions, with some exceptions: for example, I would not call up the accelerometer while I am driving, or set up the next charging level, and similar other commands that should more likely be limited to a stationary vehicle. The system, in that sense, is very permissive, which increases the opportunities to get distracted and fiddle with menu options while driving. I also agree with other contributors that the piano black finish on the center console is a fingerprint magnet. The sound system is good, although it needs an equalization curve, after which it becomes very enjoyable. Unfortunately, the sound quality from Sirius is such that I cannot use it; instead, I use CarPlay. One thing that I did not expect is the quality of the cabin air filter. There is no option for fragrances, and I am very happy about it; but I suspect that the filter contains active carbon, because the air that comes in is always fresh. For a couple of weeks, I drove by a construction site that was depositing asphalt on the other lane, and I never ever smelled any hot tar or diesel particulates.

Driving this car is a continuous joy. Sun, rain, sleet, snow – no matter what, all my drives have been unique enjoyments. I am not a speed demon, nor do I have a lead foot; but there are always times when one needs a good deal of power, especially to escape potentially dangerous situations. And yes, I have tried the different drive modes, the launch control, and the boost mode. They are all different and enjoyable, although in the end the balance of normal mode for me is the winner. I enjoy the small details like the bolster seats tightening when I enter sport mode, and I really love the stability the suspensions provide on all terrains. For the longest time, I have wished for a car that can stay on a path I put it in and this i5 delivers in spades. But it also can have a more ferocious character and give you a chance to paint your curves with the motors, while at the same time remaining fully controllable. I have always driven my i5 amply within its tolerances, and I will admit that I have not taken my car to a track to fully test it. In fact, I don’t feel the need for it, because for me what I need is not a muscle car to throw around the bends, but an assured, effective, and elegant ride that allows me to enjoy driving in comfort. I do not need an M5, nor would I enjoy one. I do need the power, though, so that when I push on the accelerator, the car responds immediately and positively; and I absolutely love it when the adaptive suspensions keep the car level. I realize it is not fair to compare a sedan to an SUV but the change for me is so stark that I cannot help it. Finally, a quick note of praise for the cruise control systems on this car. They are highly customizable, they have worked flawlessly for me every time I used them, and they are easy to learn and use. In particular, the highway assistant professional is surprisingly useful in long drives.

I have driven many cars, from a Lancia Y10 to a Maserati Biturbo. In the i5M60, I have found my optimal car. I am sure that that as time passes newer and more competitive models will be put on the market. But as I write, I couldn’t be happier with my choice, and I’d make it again if I could go back. It’s just my 2c, of course: an anecdotal happy customer. But every customer counts, right?

[SkykingUSA]

Thanks for your thorough and well written post. I'm very glad that you are enjoying your car! After all, that's what a car should be - enjoyable!

Much of what you say resonates with me as well. I love my eDrive40 and came from a very different vehicle before this (2003 Toyota Tundra) so the difference is large between the vehicles. Also important to me was the responsiveness of the vehicle. After being used to a V8 engine for 20 years, I could not see myself going to a 4 or 6 cylinder engine. For me, the responsiveness of the EVs was necessary.

I'm almost 4 months in to my ownership experience and am very happy with my choice too.