2024 BMW i4 M50 Looks Stunning in Individual Colors, but I Wouldn't Buy One Now

But can an all-electric BMW enable you to have the same intricate feelings? Can a zero-tailpipe emission vehicle be "the ultimate driving machine?" Well, that's up to you. No one else can answer that question because saying "yes" or "no" is a five- or even a six-figure challenge.

However, let's look at one of BMW's most interesting battery-electric rides – the i4 M50. I once said that this EV has no place in BMW M's portfolio, even though the high-performance division presented it as its first-ever zero-tailpipe emission model. I haven't changed my mind, but I do understand now that an M-badged ride doesn't have to be a full-on race car for the road. That designation isn't exclusive to motorsport-derived rides. It hasn't been for quite some time, to be honest.

Was I wrong? Well, as it turns out, yes. The masterminds behind BMW's sales strategy knew what they were doing. At the end of 2022, the M-ified BMW i4 M50 became the high-performance division's best-selling vehicle. Yes, the most popular BMW M unit was all-electric two years ago. Talking about a premiere, right?

Well, here we are. It's 2024, the i4 M50 is still here, and very soon it will get the few cosmetic upgrades that its other siblings already have.

An honest try

When writing, BMW is still selling the model year 2024 version. The starting price is $69,700. That's quite a pretty penny the Bavarians ask for, but you do get an impressive all-wheel-drive vehicle.

The coupe-ified four-door sedan boasts two motors that enable it to achieve a maximum power output (in Sport mode) of 536 hp (528 ps) and 586 lb-ft (790 Nm) of torque. With the battery charged to an acceptable amount, you shouldn't be looking at more than 3.3 seconds for a zero to 60 mph sprint. It's pretty quick, considering that it has a curb weight of a bit over 5,000 lb (2,268 kg).

Inside, you'll find the typical BMW look. Everything makes sense and is laid out intuitively. You won't feel like a stranger, even if the iDrive 8 or 8.5 isn't as good as having physical controls. The seats are wide enough, comfy, and adjustable, which means they will fit almost anyone. The adjustable side bolsters provide that extra level of confidence that's needed when the road is curvy and the foot heavy.

A California-based dealer offers us a good look at a few i4 M50s finished in amazing Individual colors that also have laser headlights, not fancy taillights. Daytona Beach Blue (formerly known as Mexico Blue), Barbera Red, Mauritius Blue, Goodwood Green, Voodoo Blue, and Laguna Green (my favorite by far) are the ones you can admire in the photo gallery. It's only a glimpse of what the Individual range has to offer. You can choose from over 160 more paint colors if one of these isn't to your liking.

Not for those who treat pennies like manhole covers

As expected, you'll have to pay more to have your BMW look different. It'll cost you $4,500 to make other owners wonder why they settled for the basic paint options. In a world where wraps are available in virtually every small city, one could ponder if the extra expense is worth it and wouldn't be wrong to question buying a pricier ride. But it could help with the resale value, which brings us to why I wouldn't spend money on a non-LCI i4 M50.

First, most of those units finished in special colors aren't customer orders. Dealership employees get to customize a few models to make the showroom floor look good to attract people or to suggest to prospective customers that spending a little bit of extra money could get them something cooler than what their friends or neighbors have.

Granted, salespeople won't order fully loaded cars just for the sake of it. They don't want something sitting on the floor for too long because it translates into wasted commissions and profits. That's especially true for EVs. Nowadays, they don't sell very well, even though the i4 M50 was a champ for BMW M two years ago.

Second, there's the price of i4 M50s on the used car market. You can buy one with around 40,000 miles on the clock for under $50,000. You won't get the used federal EV tax credit, but you'll get a CPO unit for that money. That's poised to get some worries off your chest.

Because it's relatively new, it hasn't depreciated very much. True, percentage-wise, that's around a 40% decrease. But one thing you must take into account is the MSRP of most i4 M50s because these cars weren't bought at the price shown online. Most have thousands of dollars in options on them.

The few special models shown to us courtesy of BMW Mountain View Geniuses all cost around $80,000. So, one could argue that the i4 M50 has lost around half of its value since its launch in 2021.

A future filled with excitement and changes

Don't think about it too much, though. That's the BMW way. If you're a fan of this brand but can't believe how bad it has gotten, try talking with someone who is keen on having a Porsche-only household. They'll make you feel like BMW's cutting you a deal.

Also, keep in mind that many BMW M customers eventually end up behind the wheel of a Porsche. It's not a coincidence that Porsche North America's CEO is Timo Resch, BMW M's former Vice President. Before joining the go-fast division, he oversaw the development of the X7, new 7 Series, and 8 Series. The extra-posh version of the upcoming three-row Audi Q9 should be quite the ride!

Oh, and don't forget that Consumer Reports – an organization that can't be accused of blatant favoritism – said that BMW makes the best cars. Only Subaru and Porsche come close to what the Bavarians are giving people living in North America who are willing to spend close to a six-figure sum on their next posh commuter.

Third, there's the issue of progress. BMW's next generation of EVs will be more efficient and lighter, have better high-voltage batteries, come with Tesla's charging port (commonly known as the North American Charging Standard – NACS), and boast all sorts of nifty solutions that were previewed with the i Vision concepts. Knowing BMW, it'll put out some amazing zero-tailpipe emission rides.

Fourth, there's the EPA-rated range: 270 miles (435 kilometers) with 19-inch wheels and 227 miles (365 kilometers) with 20-inch wheels. That's good, but not great. The 80-kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery is prone to accelerated degradation if constantly charged to 100 percent. So, if you're using it to commute and want to preserve the 430V pack, you'll have to charge to 80 percent tops.

So, you're losing some range from the get-go without accounting for heavy A/C use or low temperatures that are known to impact the go ability of EVs negatively.

But this car's biggest problem is the existence of Tesla's Model 3 Performance. The refreshed sedan costs $54,990, which qualifies it for the EV tax credit. So, if you're eligible, it'll set you back $47,490. The sedan has 510 hp, a zero to 60 mph (97 kph) time of 2.9 seconds, a top speed of 163 mph (262 kph), and can cover a little over 300 miles (483 kilometers) on a single charge. Besides all that, it has native access to the reliable Supercharger network. So, it does nearly everything better than the i4 M50. What it doesn't have is stalks and a head-up display. That's it.

In conclusion, while pretty and fast, the 2024 i4 M50 (or the refreshed version with laser taillights) isn't worth your hard-earned money. That's, of course, true only if you buy it outright or finance the ride. Leasing unlocks the federal EV tax credit and makes the vehicle more attractive for a two- or three-year period. That's how you could avoid the pains of depreciation and driving a Tesla. Come to think of it, maybe the effort is worth it.

After all, BMW makes better cars than the world's most valuable automaker. It's not just us saying so! Don't forget about Consumer Reports.