Mat’s Car of the Day: a used BMW i4 is a quick and luxurious electric car for the same price as a Jaecoo E5

The BMW i4 is a great electric car. It’s quick, comfy, fun to drive and feels posh inside, but the high starting price puts it a bit out of reach for a lot of people.

However, as with many posh EVs, depreciation could be your friend. These days you can get a second-hand i4 for well under £30,000, and at that price I think it’s a really tempting buy.

Here are three reasons I’d buy a used BMW i4 over something new like a Jaecoo E5, and three reasons I wouldn’t.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Three reasons to buy a used BMW i4

1. The interior is really posh

Everything in the BMW i4 feels really solid and plush. You get soft-touch leatherette on the dashboard and doors, and all the switchgear is nicely damped. I also love the infotainment system, which is responsive and easy to use.

2. The boot is a good size

Having a hatchback tailgate, the BMW i4’s boot is really easy to access. There’s also 470 litres of space on offer, which is plenty big enough for the weekly shop, and you get additional storage under the floor for your charging cables.

3. It’s lovely to drive

The BMW i4 is an excellent motorway cruiser. It’s quiet at speed and feels planted, plus the suspension does a great job of soaking up bumps in the road. It’s also good fun to drive when things get twisty thanks to the precise steering and agile handling.

Used BMW i4 deals

The BMW i4 starts from over £50,000 when new, and through Carwow you can save an average of £10,400 at the time of writing. However, you can save even more if you’re willing to forgo that new car smell.

I’ve found a 2023 BMW i4 eDrive 40 M Sport with 31,000 miles on the clock for just £27,990. That’s not only less than half what it would’ve cost when new, it’s also around the same as you’ll pay for something like a Jaecoo E5 or a nicely-specced Renault 5.

Being the M Sport means you have a more aggressive-looking bodykit, larger alloy wheels and heated sports seats inside. This version also strikes the right balance between performance and range, getting up to 370 miles on a charge and doing 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds.

Three reasons not to buy a used BMW i4

1. Rear seat space is so-so

For a relatively large car, the BMW i4 isn’t all that roomy in the back. Headroom is very tight thanks to the sloping roofline, and legroom is average at best. That low roofline also makes fitting a child seat tricky.

2. The warranty has expired

This i4’s three-year warranty is up, and while many used car dealers will offer some sort of coverage it’s rarely as much as a year. That means you’ll be footing the bill for any unexpected repairs, whereas a new Jaecoo E5 will be covered by a seven-year warranty.

3. There’s no front boot

Whereas a Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2 offer storage under the bonnet, the BMW i4 doesn’t. This is thanks to the fact it’s based on the petrol 4 Series Gran Coupe, rather than being a dedicated electric car.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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