The BMW i4 is among the best fully electric midsize sedans. It is better than the Polestar 2 but competes favorably with the Tesla Model 3. Nonetheless, it is quite bigger than its competitors, but it has a smaller range compared to the Tesla Model 3. But what are some of the common problems with the BMW i4?
Like most BMWs, the BMW i4 also comes with a share of its problems. However, the problems are not as many as their ICE counterparts. And since the BMW i4 is still new in the market, many users haven’t discovered most of its problems. Regardless, it comes with several issues that have been pinpointed.
The common BMW i4 problems are the lack of battery crash pads, lack of charging infrastructure, and an overly complex infotainment system. Note that the lack of battery crash pads is on some cars and not all of them. However, the other two issues are faced by all BMW i4 owners.
What are some of the common problems with the BMW i4?
Lack of battery crash pads
The BMW i4 may be a new car on the market, but it already has a major issue that interested buyers should be worried about. Some BMW i4s lack battery crash pads, which are very vital. If your i4 lacks a battery crash pad, it can cause a real threat for those inside the electric sedan in case of an accident.
Therefore, if your i4 is involved in an accident, the danger of a short circuit is greatly increased. This could also cause the car to catch fire and harm the people inside. However, the number of BMW i4s without battery crash pads is not known.
But according to the European Commission’s Safety Gate, it stated that several BMW i4s in different countries lack battery crash pads. Some of the cars discovered were in Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Sweden. Most of the affected cars were projected to have been built between September 15 and November 30, 2021.
Note that the work of the battery crash pads on an electric car is to protect passenger seats, in case of a collision as a result of an accident. The crash pads are normally utilized as an interior material setup in front of the driver and passenger seats.
Lack of charging infrastructure
Apart from some BMW i4s lacking battery crash pads, BMW doesn’t have a good charging infrastructure like Tesla. Even though this issue does not affect the car directly, it impacts how the car is used. So, if you intend to travel far away, you may run out of power and the lack of well-spread charging stations may affect your journey.
Additionally, there aren’t many public CCS charging points in Europe and the rest of the world to deliver much power to the BMW i4. For this reason, Tesla Model 3 is far better for people who want to travel long distances and recharge their cars along the highways.
The overly complex infotainment system
Another problem that BMW i4 users should be ready to face is the overly complex infotainment system. Infotainment systems are utilized by drivers to view, and set different car parameters, navigate climate control, operate their smartphones, and even play media.
However, if the infotainment system is overly advanced or complicated, such as the one in the BMW i4, it can be very dangerous to the driver and passenger. This is because most drivers take their eyes off the road for extended periods when using a complicated infotainment system. According to AAA, several drivers have been involved in an accident because of this.
FAQ
Is the BMW i4 a reliable car?
Yes, the BMW i4 is more reliable than most gas-powered BMWs and some of its competitors. With that said, the BMW i4 hasn’t been on the market for long to know how reliable it is over a span of 5 years, 10 years, or even 15 years.
Is it expensive to maintain a BMW i4?
No, it is cheaper to maintain a BMW i4. However, when you compared the cost of maintaining a BMW i4 and that of its competitors, such as the Polestar 2, you will find that it is still quite costly to maintain. This is because the cost of acquiring spare parts and service are way more expensive than that of its competitors.
How much horsepower does the BMW i4 produce?
The BMW i4 has two trim options with different horsepower. The base trim, which is the BMW i4 eDrive40 model comes with a single rear-mounted electric motor that produces 335 horsepower. On the other hand, the BMW i4 M50 trim comes with an extra motor upfront that helps to generate at least 536 horsepower.
So, if you want more power, the BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe is the better option. However, it also uses more power, meaning that it will have a shorter range than the base model.
Are BMW electric cars reliable?
Yes, BMW electric cars are reliable. Unlike their ICE counterpart, BMW electric cars have fewer moving parts, meaning that a few things can go wrong. Besides, BMW electric cars are made with quality parts unlike most of their ICE cars which feature a lot of plastic parts. With proper care and maintenance, the BMW i4 can last for several years.
Is the BMW i4 self-driving?
No, it is not. However, the BMW i4 comes with a suite of BMW advanced driver assist systems, which features an optional Driving Assistant Professional feature that combines an advanced lane-keeping assistant with active cruise control with Stop and Go. So, instead of having a self-driving function, the BMW i4 has an SAE level 2 driver-assist system.
Summary
The BMW i4 is an elegant, powerful, comfortable, and high-performance electric midsize sedan, with lots of advanced features. But like most BMWs, it also comes with a few shortcomings that interested buyers should know about. Some of the issues that the BMW i4 has are a complicated infotainment system and a lack of battery crash pads on some units.
Overall, the BMW i4 is more reliable than the traditional BMW 4-Series. This is because it comes with a few moving parts compared to its gas-powered sibling. Besides, it is also cheaper to maintain but the initial cost is quite high.
