Battery size: 66-80kWh
Miles per kWh: 4.4
Max charge rate: 200kW
Range when new: 299 - 367 miles
Intro & history
Do you remember when BMW launched the original i3? Engineers marvelled at the ingenuity and design gurus cooed over the styling. But BMW’s traditional buyers stared in confusion. The crazy upright hatchback was not going to tempt drivers out of their 3-Series.
As a result, thousands of company car drivers who wanted to cash in on the tax advantages of an EV defected to other brands, especially Tesla.
So what followed from BMW was altogether more conventional. The i4 shared its body with a petrol 4-Series, which would normally seem like a compromise but there was little sign of it in the i4. It had a long range of more than 300 miles, super-fast charging and drove just like any other BMW – but with more performance.
Crucially, compared to the Tesla Model 3, it also had a hatchback which gave it extra practicality.
There have been a few tweaks along the way, including a cheaper versions which made the i4 more affordable and are still great performers.
It might have been overshadowed but the new iX3 and i3, but the i4 is still a car we thoroughly recommend.
What’s the real-world range of a used BMW i4?
The i4 was launched with just one battery pack, with a capacity of just over 80kWh. The eDrive40 could claim between 347 and 365 miles on a full charge according to the official figures. The sportier i4 M50 posted figures of between 258 and 318 miles, depending on wheel sizes and other options.
In late 2023 the entry-level eDrive35 joined the range, with a smaller 67kWh battery and a range of 299 miles.
Winter motorway driving can reduce these figures significantly, while careful summer driving can improve them, even when the car is a few years old. Feedback from owners online suggests the eDrive40 should get around 4.0-4.4 miles/kWh in good weather and road conditions, but put your foot down in cold weather and it will dip to around 3.0 miles.
How long will the battery on the BMW i4 last?
Like all EVs, the batteries in an i4 will lose some capacity over years simply due to the natural wear and tear on the internal chemicals. This will increase according to the number of charge cycles and vary according to the way the car has been driven, stored and charged.
You can’t tell this just by looking at it of course, but many dealers will now give you peace of mind with a battery state-of-health check using independent tests that can’t be fudged.
We scanned the adverts for i4s and they seem to be one of the hardier cars out there with no alarming issues. The highest mileage we could find was 84,000 and this had a score of 93%, meaning it would still have a theoretical range of 340 miles. Another with 36,000 miles showed 96% and a 54,000 miler was at 94%.
Oddly, a two year old car with just 6,000 miles was at 97%, suggesting that regular - but careful - use is more important than miles, and you need to be careful about storage. Batteries don’t like being left for a long time while very full or empty.
BMW covers the battery with an 8-year/100,000-mile high-voltage battery degradation warranty, but this only means it will repair the pack if the SOH falls below 70% within that period.
How reliable is a used BMW i4 and what are the common problems?
Overall the i4 has an excellent reputation for reliability and there is nothing serious that drivers find to main about online. There has been the occasional glitch in the infotainment systems, but these seem to have been sorted through software updates. You might want to check that the CarPlay works if you are an Apple user though, as BMW had a falling out with the phone giant and it did get resolved until after the i4 was launched.
There have also been several recalls affecting early i4s, for the battery crash protection, battery modules, charging electronics, circuit boards and what was described as “chassis issues”. This was because a longitudinal chassis member may have been manufactured with cracks.
All should have been fixed by now (for free) but confirm that all recall work has been completed by a BMW dealer.
Which is the best version to buy?
Compared to many rivals, the BMW i4 range is delightfully simple and easy to understand.
The eDrive35 has rear-wheel drive with a 282hp motor. While the cheapest it is still a strong performer, giving a 0-62mph time of 5.8 seconds.
The eDrive40 is also rear-wheel drive with a 340hp motor and 5.7sec 0-62mph time. Then there’s the sportiest i4 M50, with dual motors for a 544hp peak –and a supercar-esque 3.9sec sprint to 62mph.
Mid-2024 brought a Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) – which is better known as a facelift. It brought redesigned headlights, slightly revised front and rear styling, a reshaped steering wheel and infotainment improvements.
The sweet spot in the range would seem to be the eDrive40 M-Sport. It has been around for longer so there is plenty of choice and it offers the longest range combined which a sub six second 0-62 time. It’s also more comfortable and cheaper to run than the M50.
Don’t dismiss the eDrive35 though if you don’t need the longer range. The price saving is substantial.
My only other advice is to think carefully about the wheel choices. While the bling 19-inch and 20-inch wheels look fantastic, and improive steering feel, they reduce the ride comfort, lower real-world range and are expensive to replace. Many buyers actually seek out cars with the 18-inch wheels.
How long is the warranty?
The BMW i4 is covered by a three-year unlimited mileage warranty which is fine but it seems a bit light compared to some rival electric car makers. Kia, for instance, offers a seven-year warranty on its EV6.
There’s also an 8-year/100,000-mile high-voltage battery degradation warranty with the BMW.
What are the ownership and running costs of an BMW i4?
Compared to a petrol or diesel, the costs of running an i4 will be minuscule – so long as you can charge at home on the cheapest rates. Plugging in at public points won’t be nearly so cost effective.
You’ll be able to claw back even more at service time too, and there are no oils and other nasties to change, and most of the cost is labour to check the car over and update software.
Unlike most cars, the BMW will monitor the way the car is being driven and the conditions and inform you when it wants to see a dealer. This is called Condition Based Servicing and should happen every couple of years. A BMW Service Inclusive package can save a few quid if offered by the seller as it pays for the maintenance up front. Otherwise budget £150 to £250 per visit.
Insurance is in groups 35 -43, which is steep but lower than Teslas and comparable to BMWs with engines and similar performance.
Look out for worn tyres and alloy wheel damage too – both can be pricey to fix.
What other cars should I consider?
Although there are a few SUV shaped rivals from BMW’s arch enemies from Audi and Mercedes, there’s no A4 or A5 EV and the C-Class electric has only been launched in 2026. That means the big rivals for the i4 are the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2. You might also want to take a look at the BYD Seal – it can really hold its own in this company.
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