[wjbender]

Looks like I'm in the market for a new car. I'm considering the 45e because my daily drive is not more than 30 - 50 miles. Car will be charged in garage every evening. My concern is degraded handling due to the 600lbs of extra weight. For those of you who own or considered the 45e what is your impression of the handling difference?

[jad03060]

It lowers the center of gravity, and personally, I think it handles fine. The extra torque at standstill is nice, and running in EV mode is quiet. Many people won't be able to tell when the ICE turns on unless you're being aggressive, and then, it's still subtle in sound. It's faster than the 40i.

[nZtiZia]

i haven't driven the 40i, so i can't compare with my 45e, which i think handles great for the way i drive, where i drive. i wouldn't take it to a track nor expect it to perform like the X5M if i did. for me, its electric performance for my commute wins hands down over any handling deficiencies one may perceive between the two models, though minor IMO.

[Grogu]

Originally Posted by jad03060

It's faster than the 40i.

Barely, and definitely not if those batteries are flat…

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by wjbender

Looks like I'm in the market for a new car. I'm considering the 45e because my daily drive is not more than 30 - 50 miles. Car will be charged in garage every evening. My concern is degraded handling due to the 600lbs of extra weight. For those of you who own or considered the 45e what is your impression of the handling difference?

Faster, more comfortable and cheaper to own and run. Looks like a no brainer to me. 100% of people who drove one and compared to a 40i I know ended up with the 45e - that is 2 people in my circle. LOL.

[Dwillbimmer]

How is the 45e faster than the 40i? BMW lists the same 5.3 second time for both.

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by Dwillbimmer

How is the 45e faster than the 40i? BMW lists the same 5.3 second time for both.

It depends on which test you look at. In the technical data document at the top of the forum, it lists the 40i 0-60 at 5.5seconds and the 45e at 5.3seconds...

The extra power and torque seem to be able to overcome the extra weight. Now, the latest version with the e-assist, they may be closer.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by jad03060

It depends on which test you look at. In the technical data document at the top of the forum, it lists the 40i 0-60 at 5.5seconds and the 45e at 5.3seconds...

The extra power and torque seem to be able to overcome the extra weight. Now, the latest version with the e-assist, they may be closer.

I also think BMW was conservative in the e45 settings and with over the air updates there might be further improvements in performance and range like Tesla has been able to do. The value of the e45 with the air suspension, full Fed rebate and basically requiring close to no gas if you commute 30-40 miles a day is pretty compelling compared to the 40i. On the down side 45e are harder to find on the lots….

[Auricom]

Information here and on BMW isn't consistent as BMW conservatively rates vehicle performances. The B58B30M1 is under-rated and last time I converted xDrive40i technical specs of 0-100kmh of 5.5 secs = 0-60mph 5.3secs.



And BMW re-rated 0-100kmh for MY21 45e 5.6 secs = 0-60mph 5.4secs.



The 45e 0-60mph advantage isn't substantial. There's inconsistent information here and on the internet to stroke everyone's 0-60 e-penis.

[jad03060]

Some of the differences may be between pre-certification, post, and European specs versus US specs...the tests are different, and pre-certification, all can produce slightly different results as can the weather condition of the day the test is performed.

The higher power and torque of the 45e would seem to be able to produce a bit better acceleration even with the greater weight.

Regardless, how often do you utilize maximum acceleration? The differences are in the noise.

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by Dwillbimmer

How is the 45e faster than the 40i? BMW lists the same 5.3 second time for both.

They're both relatively equal in acceleration.

(0-100kmh 5.5 secs = 0-60mph 5.3secs)

CD test both 40i and 45e with acceleration figures of 0-60mph 4.8 and 4.7 respectively.

MT has both at 5.0 secs.

BMW under-rates performance figures hence the variances.

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by wjbender

Looks like I'm in the market for a new car. I'm considering the 45e because my daily drive is not more than 30 - 50 miles. Car will be charged in garage every evening. My concern is degraded handling due to the 600lbs of extra weight. For those of you who own or considered the 45e what is your impression of the handling difference?

Not a significant difference in handling even with the added battery weight between the two with an equivalent 40i is equipped with 2VR 2-axle air suspension.

One of the benefits of 45e over 40i as others did not mention is it's the way to order a X5 with air suspension since it's standard and required for 45e, whereas it's optional on 40i and M50i.

Due to semiconductor and parts shortages, air suspension is prioritized for 45e models and unavailable at this time for the other two models until semiconductor and parts production are at normal levels.

[FastMarkA]

I had a 40i and now I'm in a 45e.

Both had/have air suspension.

Handling is identical between the two. The only time I really notice the 600lbs of chunk in the 45e is when going over a speed bump (or regular road imperfection for that matter); it drops down a little harder and faster.

Acceleration is identical, although from a dead stop, the 45e at least feels noticeably quicker because mashing the pedal is instant.

I have ~270 miles on my 45e and I'm still at a 95% full fuel tank -- the one that came from the dealer.

Bottom line: I wouldn't let any perceptions of handling characteristics sway a decision for 40i or 45e. The more important decision is if you'll benefit from ~30 miles/day using electric power.

[1230vani]

If 40i is available with the DHP I would say it would handle way better. I dont know if they changed smthg but drove one 45 e m sports package with 22 inch wheels and it felt kind of boaty in turns. Other than that the car was awesome and driving in full electric mode was great.

[brave-heart]

45e has 200 lb-ft torque that is instantly available, even if rpm < 1000. This makes a huge difference, when you start from a red light. I have a X3 F25 35i which is supposed to handle better than x5. But 45e actually feels quicker/nimble, thanks to the instant torque and lower center of gravity. No turbo lag at all.

[MaxRange]

0-60. 5 secs.

[X5 45e]

Originally Posted by jad03060

It lowers the center of gravity, and personally, I think it handles fine. The extra torque at standstill is nice, and running in EV mode is quiet. Many people won't be able to tell when the ICE turns on unless you're being aggressive, and then, it's still subtle in sound. It's faster than the 40i.

It's actually 0.1 sec slower than the 40i. It has more power but it is much heavier too.

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by X5 45e

It's actually 0.1 sec slower than the 40i. It has more power but it is much heavier too.

It really depends on the day and the weather and the actual vehicle. IOW, they are very close and most people won't notice. The PHEV feels faster because of the instant torque from the EV motor. There can easily be that much difference between one fresh from the factory and one with a few thousand miles on it as things wear in a bit.

[viperdoc]

I had a 2019 40i and now a 2021 45e. I don't care much about 0-60 times but I can say the 45e feels significantly faster than the 40i from a stop, esp in sport mode. And that acceleration is the same regardless of what the electric range says. I had a long drive recently where I no electric range left, and popped it into sport mode. Accelerated exactly the same.

Handling is as good if not better than the 40i IMO. And I loved my 40i. My 40i also did not have air suspension. I liked the base suspension but the air is more luxury feel. For my needs the 45e is a far better vehicle, and more luxurious. And averaging 70-80mpg is just a bonus. I like being less dependent on gas stations

[FastMarkA]

Originally Posted by viperdoc

I had a 2019 40i and now a 2021 45e. I don't care much about 0-60 times but I can say the 45e feels significantly faster than the 40i from a stop, esp in sport mode. And that acceleration is the same regardless of what the electric range says. I had a long drive recently where I no electric range left, and popped it into sport mode. Accelerated exactly the same.

Handling is as good if not better than the 40i IMO. And I loved my 40i. My 40i also did not have air suspension. I liked the base suspension but the air is more luxury feel. For my needs the 45e is a far better vehicle, and more luxurious. And averaging 70-80mpg is just a bonus. I like being less dependent on gas stations

Couldn't agree more, and am in the same situation (2020 40i and 2021 45e).

When the parts shortage started to really rear its ugly head, I started to consider another 40i on a lot (with HK primarily), but I'm so glad to have the 45e.

I also was late for a dentist appointment this morning, so I had the opportunity to take some exit ramps at speed, and the 45e is very much a joy to drive.

[tastes jigga]

The 45e corners well due to the location of the extra weight. Your experience will depend on how you drive and the quality of the roads. As someone mentioned above, you will notice the extra weight going over certain bumps. This is partially due to the fact the rear tires require a higher PSI to compensate for the additional weight. I've had both the 45e and 40i as loaners and that was my only criticism of the 45e. Otherwise, I much preferred the 45e over the 40i.

[Luminor513]

I don't have a 45e, but my take on it is that 600lbs is 600lbs, big engineering challenge to overcome, however BMW are the masters at hiding weight and still maintaining great handling so I wouldn't be surprised if 45e handles well despite the weight disadvantage over a 40i.