[LDT]

Cross posted in the G05 forum.

Today I have a 2024 i5 M60 loaner. Well equipped with Black/Atlas extended merino. Interior fit/finish seem comparable to my X5 M60i with Exec and Merino. I took it for an extended spin around the area.
It's my first experience driving a EV and there is Zero throttle lag in the i5. C&D rates it @ 0--60 in 3.3 seconds. It'a a ROCKET!! The regenerative braking takes some getting used to. Storage and cargo capacity are adequate for a sedan. Steering feel is good for a BMW. Overall it's comfortable riding on 19" wheels. The car has nice lines and metallic white shows off it's visual characteristics IMO. The instrument panel showed 99% charge and 365 miles of range when I got in it.
I've had 8 SUV's in a row so moving to a sedan would be an adjustment. I could, might, possibly, eventually come around to the EV side when the range gets to 500 miles or more and the charging infrastructure improves to the point where a full charge can be had in 15 minutes. Sooner or later both will get there but the jury's still out for me.
At least 3 times per year we make a 1500 mile round trip to see the kids/grandkids in addition to several 1000 mile round trips to various destinations in FL. I've been retired for many years but it's difficult to take all of the Type A out of this old boy. Cannot see myself tolerating the time required to re-charge vs a 5 minute fill-up of gas.

[MiGs550e]

Originally Posted by LDT

Cross posted in the G05 forum.
Cannot see myself tolerating the time required to re-charge vs a 5 minute fill-up of gas.

I totally agree! Hence why I went with the 550e.

[paprmkr]

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

I totally agree! Hence why I went with the 550e.

For me it works. I have i5M60 on 21” wheels. Still great ride.
I always had 750 series last F02 so I’m never in a Rush and charge home
I take long trips a lot with wife and two fur babies so by time babies find spot to pee it’s been 30 mins. Stop about every 120 miles since I’m old so babies wife or I have to pee. lol
I like the fact $120 to fill up and oil changes etc. so far almost 4 years of EV owner ship have purchase tires once. I have about 70,000+ miles under belt on EV experience
Either way as long it a bmw can’t go wrong

[agorski]

Like you, I'm retired. I do 99% of my driving around town and charge in my garage and this is a fantastic experience compared to going to gas stations.

Once a year I do a 1100 mile each way road trip. Did it once so far in my i5 and didn't mind the longer time it took. Spent an extra night in a motel (paid for by the free charging at Electrify America for two years that came with the car). It was much more relaxing than in the past when I would drive 600+ miles per day, lose 2 hours of time zone, and be all stressed out.

I understand you do more road trips, but in my case the much better experience in town totally outweighs the occasional road trip aggravation.

[RichardInCA]

First time EV owner here….I cannot remember the last time I used DC fast charging. With a home charger and a charger at work, I now SAVE time that I used to spend detouring to fill up at a gas station on my commutes. Most everyone really underestimates the amazing convenience of home charging.

[lewy]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

First time EV owner here….I cannot remember the last time I used DC fast charging. With a home charger and a charger at work, I now SAVE time that I used to spend detouring to fill up at a gas station on my commutes. Most everyone really underestimates the amazing convenience of home charging.

This. If one doesn't drive every week a 1000 km trip, this is just a money and time saver when you charge at home.
I live in suburbs so finding a station is a like a little trip, staying in line, paying, going back etc. Or if I were going on a trip with tank being not enough, I had to look for a gas station near the road.
Now the problem is gone as I always start with 80/100%.
But as said - for someone it might not work if someone is doing often long distances.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by agorski

Like you, I'm retired. I do 99% of my driving around town and charge in my garage and this is a fantastic experience compared to going to gas stations.

Once a year I do a 1100 mile each way road trip. Did it once so far in my i5 and didn't mind the longer time it took. Spent an extra night in a motel (paid for by the free charging at Electrify America for two years that came with the car). It was much more relaxing than in the past when I would drive 600+ miles per day, lose 2 hours of time zone, and be all stressed out.

I understand you do more road trips, but in my case the much better experience in town totally outweighs the occasional road trip aggravation.

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

First time EV owner here….I cannot remember the last time I used DC fast charging. With a home charger and a charger at work, I now SAVE time that I used to spend detouring to fill up at a gas station on my commutes. Most everyone really underestimates the amazing convenience of home charging.

Very similar for me, except I'm not retired yet (but I do work from home). I'm also a first-time EV driver and just love charging at home in the garage and never having to hit up a gas station again. I also have solar panels on the roof, so that helps to offset the price of charging at home too. I've had my car for one year now, and have used DC fast charging a handful of times, mostly for road trips. Only one of those times, I had to wait before I could plug in because of a lineup.

DC charge #1: Just plugged in for 5 minutes at a random place near my house to make sure my free EA charging was working.

Road Trip 1: Los Angeles to Solvang, CA - only 121 miles each way. I just charged once, the night before the drive to return home. No problems, 30 minutes long.

Road Trip 2: Los Angeles to Las Vegas - 264 miles each way. I charged three times: once during the trip to Vegas, once in Vegas the day before leaving for home, and once on the trip home. No problems during the trips - 30 minutes or less. The charge in Vegas took longer because I was 4th in line so had to wait a while (the wife went to the shopping mall during the wait).

Road Trip 3: Los Angeles to Thermal, CA and Palm Springs, CA - 175 miles each way. I only charged once before the return trip home. No problems, plugged in right away. Even though there were two cars waiting, there was no one in their cars, so I pulled into the open spot and started charging and hit the grocery store. When I got back, the two people were back in their cars, but were very cool about it when I spoke with them. They understood that if they leave their car, they can't expect others to wait around for them to return and leave an open charger unused.

Although it works great for me, I understand it's not for everyone. If you frequently travel long distances, or you can't install a level 2 charger at home, then it might not be the best choice. Although for me, it would be difficult to go back to gasoline - I might be a full convert now.

[aherman18]

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

I totally agree! Hence why I went with the 550e.

Me too. Had my 550e for a few months. Fabulous combination. Even on electric only, it feels pretty quick. I look for excuses to use the B58.

While not quite as fast, wife has X5 45e. She can go months without filling up, using the chargers at home. Then no problem using gas for longer trips. The X5 50e is even faster and has longer range than the 45e

Something the OP might consider!!

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

Although for me, it would be difficult to go back to gasoline - I might be a full convert now.

Honestly, that’s me now - I never thought I’d imagine it, but I find getting a gasoline rental or driving my daughters cars just feels clunky. You get very used to all that smoothness, quietness, and instant torque.

[paprmkr]

Originally Posted by agorski

Like you, I'm retired. I do 99% of my driving around town and charge in my garage and this is a fantastic experience compared to going to gas stations.

Once a year I do a 1100 mile each way road trip. Did it once so far in my i5 and didn't mind the longer time it took. Spent an extra night in a motel (paid for by the free charging at Electrify America for two years that came with the car). It was much more relaxing than in the past when I would drive 600+ miles per day, lose 2 hours of time zone, and be all stressed out.

I understand you do more road trips, but in my case the much better experience in town totally outweighs the occasional road trip aggravation.

Can’t wait til I retire. Be all
Over the road in the USA

[finn123]

Originally Posted by LDT

Cross posted in the G05 forum.

Today I have a 2024 i5 M60 loaner. Well equipped with Black/Atlas extended merino. Interior fit/finish seem comparable to my X5 M60i with Exec and Merino. I took it for an extended spin around the area.
It's my first experience driving a EV and there is Zero throttle lag in the i5. C&D rates it @ 0--60 in 3.3 seconds. It'a a ROCKET!! The regenerative braking takes some getting used to. Storage and cargo capacity are adequate for a sedan. Steering feel is good for a BMW. Overall it's comfortable riding on 19" wheels. The car has nice lines and metallic white shows off it's visual characteristics IMO. The instrument panel showed 99% charge and 365 miles of range when I got in it.
I've had 8 SUV's in a row so moving to a sedan would be an adjustment. I could, might, possibly, eventually come around to the EV side when the range gets to 500 miles or more and the charging infrastructure improves to the point where a full charge can be had in 15 minutes. Sooner or later both will get there but the jury's still out for me.
At least 3 times per year we make a 1500 mile round trip to see the kids/grandkids in addition to several 1000 mile round trips to various destinations in FL. I've been retired for many years but it's difficult to take all of the Type A out of this old boy. Cannot see myself tolerating the time required to re-charge vs a 5 minute fill-up of gas.

It’s not that bad as one anticipates. I haven’t had long road trips with my bmw, but last year I got a 6000km trip in Europe in my Taycan. I didn’t feel any anxiety - neither in charging nor in range.

Fill-up vs recharge comparisons are simply ridiculous. You can only speak about them seriously when there is lack of infrastructure. Otherwise, they are fears based on imaginary experience that one has never had

[paprmkr]

Originally Posted by finn123

It’s not that bad as one anticipates. I haven’t had long road trips with my bmw, but last year I got a 6000km trip in Europe in my Taycan. I didn’t feel any anxiety - neither in charging nor in range.

Fill-up vs recharge comparisons are simply ridiculous. You can only speak about them seriously when there is lack of infrastructure. Otherwise, they are fears based on imaginary experience that one has never had

It’s about planning and enjoying the trip. I am planning trip now for ~4,000 round trip
Oxnard, Ca - Dallas - Nashville - Cincinnati to Chicago-Denver-Las Vegas- home
All so far ElectrifyAmerica. So hopefully all free charging on trip. And with all my Amex points hotels total at Hilton stay so far totally like $500.
I guess glad been saving the points and taking advantage before my promotion ends in November.
Haven’t paid for charging 3.5 yrs. 2 with my i4 and traded in at the end of second year.
Maybe I’ll see some on the road. Trip planned starting May 13rh.

[lewy]

Originally Posted by finn123

It’s not that bad as one anticipates. I haven’t had long road trips with my bmw, but last year I got a 6000km trip in Europe in my Taycan. I didn’t feel any anxiety - neither in charging nor in range.

Fill-up vs recharge comparisons are simply ridiculous. You can only speak about them seriously when there is lack of infrastructure. Otherwise, they are fears based on imaginary experience that one has never had

Taycan is a good car especially with Performance Plus Battery pack.
What are your thoughs on charging in Europe? What countries you visited, where was the worst infrastructure and where was the best?
I was a month ago in Austria (coming from Poland through Czech) and I was schocked how big are the hubs in Austria - near each hub a good restaurant.
In Czechia was terrible, rare chargers. Poland is better, it's still developing, but western Europe is really a step forward regarding infrastructure.

[finn123]

Originally Posted by lewy

Taycan is a good car especially with Performance Plus Battery pack.
What are your thoughs on charging in Europe? What countries you visited, where was the worst infrastructure and where was the best?
I was a month ago in Austria (coming from Poland through Czech) and I was schocked how big are the hubs in Austria - near each hub a good restaurant.
In Czechia was terrible, rare chargers. Poland is better, it's still developing, but western Europe is really a step forward regarding infrastructure.

I have experience in the following countries - Finland (my home country), Sweden, Germany, Austria, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia.

Finland, Sweden, Germany, Austria - no problems at all.
Poland - a little bit more tricky, but still doable.

Baltics - the worst

Though, I tried to use Ionity only as I had just 30cents per kwh rate there.

[NorCalCraig]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

First time EV owner here….I cannot remember the last time I used DC fast charging. With a home charger and a charger at work, I now SAVE time that I used to spend detouring to fill up at a gas station on my commutes. Most everyone really underestimates the amazing convenience of home charging.

Yeah, same hear. It's my first EV and I love not having to go to the gas station on the regular. I have a 50 mile round trip commute 2-3 days a week and so I just plug in at home overnight every couple of days and I'm good! My wife kind of got jealous and since she doesn't drive much either, we went all in with electric and she picked up a Q6. Now the challenge is sharing the charger at home - ha!

We've done a couple short road trips in both and it definitely adds time and a little anxiety finding a charging station. But since that's the anomoly, no more gas station visits has been a dream.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by finn123

It’s not that bad as one anticipates. I haven’t had long road trips with my bmw, but last year I got a 6000km trip in Europe in my Taycan. I didn’t feel any anxiety - neither in charging nor in range.

Fill-up vs recharge comparisons are simply ridiculous. You can only speak about them seriously when there is lack of infrastructure. Otherwise, they are fears based on imaginary experience that one has never had

Mixture of imaginary and reality.

The reality is that it takes longer to refill and full range is typically less than an ICE range. So more time for less distance. I would never say anyone is imagining this inconvenience when it is fact for most comparisons. Personally, I think this inconvenience is the biggest drawback of an EV and most would agree. If it impacted me more, I would probably not have one. As a commuter with a home charger is an irrelevant point 99.9% of the time for me.

Imagining comes in when someone thinks
it is not possible to charge on the road. Or that all stations will be broken or lines will be hours long. This is 99.9% an exaggeration.

[LDT]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

Mixture of imaginary and reality.

The reality is that it takes longer to refill and full range is typically less than an ICE range. So more time for less distance. I would never say anyone is imagining this inconvenience when it is fact for most comparisons. Personally, I think this inconvenience is the biggest drawback of an EV and most would agree. If it impacted me more, I would probably not have one. As a commuter with a home charger is an irrelevant point 99.9% of the time for me.

Imagining comes in when someone thinks
it is not possible to charge on the road. Or that all stations will be broken or lines will be hours long. This is 99.9% an exaggeration.

Agree. I'm completely on-board with local driving within a 100 mile radius of home and reality is that the only charger I need is in my garage. It's the 5 or 6 road trips we take per year that give me good reason for pause. I'm not exactly pressed for time but I don't do well with wasting time. Yes one saves money but an extra night in a Fairfield Inn or similar runs minimum $200 all-in.

[LDT]

Originally Posted by paprmkr

It’s about planning and enjoying the trip. I am planning trip now for ~4,000 round trip
Oxnard, Ca - Dallas - Nashville - Cincinnati to Chicago-Denver-Las Vegas- home
All so far ElectrifyAmerica. So hopefully all free charging on trip. And with all my Amex points hotels total at Hilton stay so far totally like $500.
I guess glad been saving the points and taking advantage before my promotion ends in November.
Haven’t paid for charging 3.5 yrs. 2 with my i4 and traded in at the end of second year.
Maybe I’ll see some on the road. Trip planned starting May 13rh.

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.

[RichardInCA]

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.

This is a relatively new update - when we got our i5’s EA was providing 2yrs of free charging (30min sessions, but unlimited). I’ll end up not having used much at all - so EA made out on my contract. Shame they’re limiting but business is business.

[lewy]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

This is a relatively new update - when we got our i5’s EA was providing 2yrs of free charging (30min sessions, but unlimited). I’ll end up not having used much at all - so EA made out on my contract. Shame they’re limiting but business is business.

You guys are lucky of having 2 years of free charging! I would change the leased car every 2 years

[LDT]

Returned the i5 this afternoon and am happy to be back behind the wheel of my M60i. That said, you i5'ers have a fine automobile and it's fun to drive. My EV curiosity was more than satisfied after a couple of days. A EV simply does not fit my use case at the present time. Maybe some day. Cheers!

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by LDT

Agree. I'm completely on-board with local driving within a 100 mile radius of home and reality is that the only charger I need is in my garage. It's the 5 or 6 road trips we take per year that give me good reason for pause. I'm not exactly pressed for time but I don't do well with wasting time. Yes one saves money but an extra night in a Fairfield Inn or similar runs minimum $200 all-in.

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