Used BMW i4 Buying Guide
The BMW i4 (2021 on) is the electric car for people who like BMWs: a sleek Gran Coupe based on the 4 Series with a proper driving position, a hatchback boot and handling that shames most EV rivals. Built alongside combustion cars rather than on a bespoke EV platform, it feels reassuringly normal inside and out. It suits drivers switching from a 3 or 4 Series who want electric running costs without giving up the way their car drives, and unlike taller electric SUVs it keeps a low centre of gravity that pays off on every roundabout and slip road.
Engines and trims
Three main versions matter. The eDrive40 is the core car: single rear motor, around 335bhp, and the biggest battery (roughly 80kWh gross) giving the longest official range - well over 300 miles on paper, sensibly less in real UK use. The later eDrive35 uses a smaller battery and less power, making it the value entry point for shorter-range needs. The M50 adds a front motor for all-wheel drive and around 536bhp - genuinely rapid, at some cost to range. Trims run Sport and M Sport, with M Sport Pro packs adding styling and brake upgrades. Desirable options include the heat pump-equipped climate setup, Driving Assistant Professional, harman/kardon audio and a towbar (the i4 can tow modestly). The hatchback boot is a practical advantage over saloon EV rivals, though the transmission-tunnel-style hump means the middle rear seat is occasional-use only.
What to check before buying
Start with battery evidence: a BMW battery health certificate or independent state-of-health report, and a full-charge range check against the version’s official figure. The high-voltage battery warranty is typically eight years or 100,000 miles from first registration, so confirm the date and transfer of remaining cover. Test AC charging and a DC rapid session if possible - the i4 peaks around 200kW - and make sure both cables and any wallbox paperwork are present.
Mechanically, check for uneven or rapid tyre wear (weight plus instant torque), kerb damage on large alloys, and surface corrosion on lightly used brakes. Software glitches with iDrive 8 were reported on early cars, so confirm updates are applied and everything from cameras to phone connectivity works. Accident history checks matter as always; underfloor battery protection should be inspected after any serious impact. As with the iX3, many i4s arrived via salary-sacrifice schemes, so single-owner cars with full digital history are plentiful - use that to be picky.
Running costs
Home charging makes the i4 dramatically cheaper per mile than an equivalent 4 Series; frequent public rapid charging erodes much of that advantage. Insurance is upper-group, particularly for the M50. Servicing is light - inspections, fluids, filters - and independent EV-capable specialists are increasingly common. Budget seriously for premium tyres, the i4’s main consumable, and remember residual values have already absorbed the steep early-EV depreciation, which is exactly why used examples look such strong value.
Verdict
The i4 is arguably the most convincing car-shaped EV of its era: brilliant to drive, genuinely practical and pleasingly discreet. An eDrive40 M Sport with a clean battery report and warranty remaining is the smart everyday buy; the M50 is there for those who miss six-cylinder urgency and want it replaced with something even fiercer.
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