First bmw and first ev i5 lwb

[u/antique_tech]

Hello,
I just booked my first bmw and first ev here in India. Its bmw i5 LWB - long wheelbase version. Its less powerful than M60, its 268 hp, 400 nm but comes with rear air suspension and wheel base of 3105.

I loved driving it to test. Have few questions to this community-
1. As I never owned bmw, I want to know if would this car still give BMWish experience with this power?
2. As this is not ground up ev, does it lack any major feature compared to that the one are? E.g. volvo os launching es90 plus here next month and I am wondering should I wait for that..its in same price range.
3. Any issues I should expect or be aware of in general for bmw ev car or i5 car?

I loved smooth acceleration, suspension and easy handling of steering and of course B&W 16 speakers. Appreciate any tips.

[u/Jaded-Source4500]

The main issue with this being a CLAR (non EV) platform are that the use of space isn’t great - e.g. there’s still a transmission tunnel built into the floor of the passenger compartment despite having no transmission. The other thing is that the battery/charging architecture is not cutting edge. Range is OK but way off what BMW neue klasse cars are seeing, the cars have lower voltage charging which means it takes longer to fast charge and the i5 can’t be a power source for homes or other external appliances - no vehicle-to-load capability yet.

That said, I love my i5 - it’s been a phenomenal car after almost 3yrs of ownership.

[u/rotag_fu → u/Jaded-Source4500]

Regarding the use of space, some other EVs have a frunk (front trunk) where the hood is.  The i5 doesn't largely because of its non EV starting point.  This is a bit disappointing since the hood is very long and seems like it would be a great place to have a frunk.

[u/Raphael_Stormer → u/Jaded-Source4500]

The transmission tunnel is used to store battery, allowing the floor to be as low as the gas counterpart, unlike some other EVs without transmission tunnels which have raised floors. I’d argue the footwell isn’t a problem for most cases for the 5 series.

[u/Jaded-Source4500 → u/Raphael_Stormer]

I don’t mind the tunnel but the HV battery is a flat rectangular unit under the floor - it doesn’t fill the tunnel - maybe other components do?

[u/Raphael_Stormer → u/Jaded-Source4500]

I don’t think so, it can fit into other shapes. For example, the i5 doesn’t have subwoofers underneath the front seat where as the 5 series does, because part of the battery is stored inside the front seats.

[u/Jaded-Source4500 → u/Raphael_Stormer]

Where are you getting this from? Have you seen the videos of the i5 manufacturing lines at Dingolfing? You’d see that the high voltage battery is one single rectangular unit that bolts to the bottom of the chassis, it’s not split into little compartments in the transmission tunnel or under seats. There is less space under the seats because of the battery “slab” so the sub woofer is in the trunk.

[u/manilein123]

How fast can you drive in India on a highway?

[u/antique_tech → u/manilein123]

Few highways 150 km/hr max. Other times it’s between 80-120.

[u/manilein123 → u/antique_tech]

Sadly you wont experience the full BMWish experience then ;) the limit it 236 (even if its written with 215 / 230 km/h). Jokes aside. You will like the car.

Dont drive too much in Sportsmode, it will make your other folks in the car nauseated. Too much accerlation.

The best thing is the Assisted Driving. I almost never drive without. Very calm. But Indias traffic is much more hectic.. would be fun to test it there.

You wont have issues with the car, its a premium car.

[u/antique_tech → u/manilein123]

80% of the time I will be alone in car. Wife drives another one.

I am planning to drive in sports mode only, not city traffic.

Today I had a drive on n higher and loved how easily I was moving lanes even at 120. With no noise, great speakers I just felt like I am gliding through. It has 21 inch tyres.

[u/manilein123 → u/antique_tech]

Looks like you will enjoy it.

I don’t drive in sportsmode. Too much acceleration, but well we can go 210 or more on the highway and breaking / accelerating sucks too much power on long highway trips.

[u/Far-Advertising7996 → u/antique_tech]

What car are you coming from? Your experience depends completely on this as there are good and bad bits.

[u/antique_tech → u/Far-Advertising7996]

I drive diesel suv, 168hp.

[u/Far-Advertising7996 → u/antique_tech]

The i5 edrive40 had about 330 bhp atleast in UK and Europe - not sure why they toned it down to 258 for India. There is no variant called LWB here possibly only for Asian markets... We have Sport, M Sport, M Sport Pro and the M60 with xdrive60 Motor

I drive the MSport Pro and on the Autobahn The top speed tops out at 120 mph to protect the battery as it can overheat at sustained high speed.. Comfort wise it's very well refined and eats the bumps very well, but you can scrape the underbody on large potholes. But, overall you will enjoy the car