[socialpro1]

In a dilemma lately over all the versions 40,50 and 45e. Head is already spinning and I'm trying to make a decision shortly .

I've test driven 40i (with the 20' wheels) and m50i and like them both. 50i (with the 22' wheels), FELT heavier (by a wide margin), but was more FUN on the go pedal and looks sweet. 40i V6 is really smooth, and punchy as well. I like that the '22 50's come with the Harman Kardon still.

I've been looking for a 40i but a decent deal popped up on a pre owned 22 m50i speccd close to my liking.

Side note also - for the next year I will be working from home (so gas mileage OR wear and tear is not that much of a concern) - and this car will probably overall see its miles short trips around town and probably 70-80% of its use on family road trips (hence the reason for getting an X5). After the next 12 months, I might be driving to the office again, and can switch out the car again if I need to.

I hope the V8 won't be a waste as primary use is road trips - but on the OTHER hand, when I do take short trips around town - it will be more of a blast. Overall in the next 12 months I'm forecasting it might not see more than 4-5K miles TOPS on it.

Obviously price difference is ~20K between 40 and 50.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Do any 50i owners wish they got the 40?

I currently do not have a 'fun toy', so other thinking is 50i will take place of awesome DD and road trip space for the fam.

I was trying to stay away from the 22' sized wheels from the angle of road trips (and more tire noise and less cushion), but maybe they are fine as well.

Probably just overthinking all of this, and will be happy with any of the versions.

Thanks for the input.

[eelnoraa]

From practical point of view, 70-80% shot trip in town point directly to 45e.

Btw, bmw doesn’t make V6. 40i and 45e has in-line 6, which is probably the big reason for its smoothness.

[c5ride]

Hell no. I’m extremely happy with my ‘22 M50i, my only regret is not going full M Competition. Next time! Get what makes you happy, and for me, that was definitely a twin turbo V8. At the end of the day, these are wonderful vehicles in any trim.

[socialpro1]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

From practical point of view, 70-80% shot trip in town point directly to 45e.

Btw, bmw doesn’t make V6. 40i and 45e has in-line 6, which is probably the big reason for its smoothness.

Yes my bad, that's what I meant!!

It's 70-80% road trip mileage (not around town). And yes - practicality wise 45e probably makes 'ultimate' sense. I would also take one of those, and would def not be bad with that option!

[socialpro1]

Originally Posted by c5ride

Hell no. I’m extremely happy with my ‘22 M50i, my only regret is not going full M Competition. Next time! Get what makes you happy, and for me, that was definitely a twin turbo V8. At the end of the day, these are wonderful vehicles in any trim.

OK great thanks for the feedback. I'm sure I wouldn't regret it as well, I just thought maybe it's overkill for what I'd use the car for (esp if it's just cruising on freeway at 70mph for family trips).

I've typically gone the 'sportier', 'bigger engine' route on cars - but not sure if it's my age now or the 40i is just that great, it seemed like 'enough' haha.

[c5ride]

Originally Posted by socialpro1

OK great thanks for the feedback. I'm sure I wouldn't regret it as well, I just thought maybe it's overkill for what I'd use the car for (esp if it's just cruising on freeway at 70mph for family trips).

I've typically gone the 'sportier', 'bigger engine' route on cars - but not sure if it's my age now or the 40i is just that great, it seemed like 'enough' haha.

The in-line 6 in the 40i is a beast of an engine as well. If V8 didn’t exist in these cars, I think I would have been very happy with it.

[eelnoraa]

Then it is really comes down $. 50i is all around a more expensive vehicle to buy and to own. Hot Vee turbo V8 will be expansive to maintain by design. No one will regret getting V8 for the first couple of a year. After warranty is where the complain will come.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by socialpro1

In a dilemma lately over all the versions 40,50 and 45e. Head is already spinning and I'm trying to make a decision shortly .

I've test driven 40i (with the 20' wheels) and m50i and like them both. 50i (with the 22' wheels), FELT heavier (by a wide margin), but was more FUN on the go pedal and looks sweet. 40i V6 is really smooth, and punchy as well. I like that the '22 50's come with the Harman Kardon still.

I've been looking for a 40i but a decent deal popped up on a pre owned 22 m50i speccd close to my liking.

Side note also - for the next year I will be working from home (so gas mileage OR wear and tear is not that much of a concern) - and this car will probably overall see its miles short trips around town and probably 70-80% of its use on family road trips (hence the reason for getting an X5). After the next 12 months, I might be driving to the office again, and can switch out the car again if I need to.

I hope the V8 won't be a waste as primary use is road trips - but on the OTHER hand, when I do take short trips around town - it will be more of a blast. Overall in the next 12 months I'm forecasting it might not see more than 4-5K miles TOPS on it.

Obviously price difference is ~20K between 40 and 50.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Do any 50i owners wish they got the 40?

I currently do not have a 'fun toy', so other thinking is 50i will take place of awesome DD and road trip space for the fam.

I was trying to stay away from the 22' sized wheels from the angle of road trips (and more tire noise and less cushion), but maybe they are fine as well.

Probably just overthinking all of this, and will be happy with any of the versions.

Thanks for the input.

TBH, get the highest trim level you feel comfortable with financially. You will always regret if you did not get the top of the line - in which case it is the 50i that is within your budget. Unless you are in the group that is going to pay cash, when you are leasing or borrowing, it's all down to monthly payments and over 3-6 years the monthly payments are not that different. I don't think anyone 'needs' a 50i or 5M, these are all indulgence for most people…which means go for what you can afford to pay, in terms of cash or monthly payments. My 2 cents worth.

[Chuck W.]

If money is not now nor will ever be an issue, get the 50I or the X5MC. Great cars. If an extra $1,000 or $2,000 in gas a year is an issue look at the 45E. A good middle ground is the 40I. We bought a loaded 40I in December and took delivery in February. It is an extra car used for road trips and is amazing. Darn comfortable, handles great and satisfying performance. On a recent road trip we got nearly 30 MPG.

[bmwauug]

I actually regretted it as I ended up trading it for an X5M. The M50i is excellent. You will not have regrets unless you want an M (and that’s a big forum debate). For me the M was not avail to drive when I scooped up the M50i. Again you will have no regrets ! Do it !

[americanroy]

Like the others above, no regrets with my M50i!! I absolutely love this thing. Personally, it's the perfect balance between power and performance for some brutal LA streets. I would have loved to have gone full M Competition but at the end of the day, most of my use is driving in the city, or with kids in the car.

I have the 22's on mine as well and absolutely love the look. No regrets, even with 13 MPG

[PittsDriver]

From a practical point of view it's hard to justify any of them. When you get your on personal "use by" date someday hopefully far in the future do you want your memories to be of how you made all the practical choices?

It's obviously a big nut the price difference between the 40i, 50i and X5M. For the price of an X5M you could own the 40i another pretty cool car for fun. My rationale for buying the M50i was, if not now, when? With all the attention going in to EVs I just felt like if I was going to own a BMW hotrod now is the time. We only took delivery a few weeks ago but we haven't regretted it for a moment. For us it was never a question of "could we?" but rather "should we?" with the market in the toilet, gas prices out of sight, and an uncertain future. Ultimately, the gas prices are no factor at all for us (retired, no commute) and hey, tomorrow is not assured to any of us. We're happy we jumped in to the M50i and perfectly happy we didn't go for the X5M which for us, well, our ego was just not that big. In fact, I'm thinking of debadging the M50i to down play that my wife is driving a $100K car.

[Bolt1949]

I have a different take on your thoughts about road trip vs. local, or least the road trip segments. The V8 is a GREAT engine on those longer road trips. You will likely get about 15-20% less fuel economy (I have driven both the B58/40i and N63/50i on identical road trips and that is what out I saw: 23mpg with the V8 versus 27mpg with the I6). Around town, the V8 gets understandably poor mileage (I average 12mpg-ish), but you are spot-on that the joy in having the considerably more powerful V8 engine and mSport suspension far outweigh the fuel penalty, IMHO.

[-Vanguard-]

Get the full M

[Gwong27]

That’s exactly what I did. Lol

[ksavostin]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

From practical point of view, 70-80% shot trip in town point directly to 45e

Keep in mind that 45e electric driving is not even close to V8 driving even for short trip. If the "fun factor" is more important than "#save on fuel", than get V8.

[Dhillon63]

Will it be thirstier than a 40i? Yeah. Will it put a smile on your face everytime you drive it? Yeah. Life is short if you can afford it go M50i. I love mine

[goobies818]

My only regret is that I didn't pull the trigger earlier to get a deletion free 2021 model than my early 2022 production year version that came with a slightly higher base and less standard features

Otherwise…I totally love this ride

[BMPHIL]

I had a loaner X5M for a week whilst they were replacing a tyre for me, great car but wouldn't want it as a daily drive, for me 40i is great all around car and does all I want in comfort even with the 22" wheels.

[647TTA]

No regrets on our M50i. It puts a smile on my face every time I get in it. It is not only fun to drive, but I can take it just about anywhere. My Z06 is fun to drive too, but I am limited where I can take it. Not the best for going to Costco, Lowes, getting yard supplies etc. Plus I don't have to contort my body trying to get in and out of the X5.

[Chas8283]

I'm a bit on two extremes: 40i or full M (admittedly I've never driven the PHEV). I think it's really interesting you described the m50 as heavy. That's exactly what we thought when we test drove one when we were planning to move up to the m50 from the 40i. I know I'm in the minority on this but I prefer the i6 to the V8 in the m50 - buttery smooth, plenty of power, nice noise when pushed (although a bit quiet), great MPG. What we didn't like about the 40i was it wasn't fun on tight, twisty roads. Felt heavy. For us, the m50 didn't add much. But sounds like you like the V8 so what might be the best option for you is seeing if you can find an m50 with DHP. That apparently transforms the truck so you'd get, I think, the V8 you like and the DHP would address the heavy feeling you might feel in turns (plus gives you rear wheel steering). On MPG, I don't think I'd worry too much as long as you don't drive like an idiot (and if you do, then the price at the pump is the price of having fun). Can't speak personally to the m50 but on the 40i over nearly 3 yrs our average was 24.5 and in the M we are averaging a little over 19 in mixed driving. Presumably the m50 would be somewhere between the two.

[Russ103]

Originally Posted by PittsDriver

In fact, I'm thinking of debadging the M50i to down play that my wife is driving a $100K car.

I would like to de-badge my wife's M50i as well, but she won't hear of it. She says that all the X5's she sees are X40i's (which is true) so she likes being a woman driving a 523hp V8 grocery getter. I prefer the under the radar look of no badges.