It’s an open secret: used vehicles are at all times the place the bargains are. Whereas that sentence is written primarily with the fanatic automobile market in thoughts, it holds true for EVs, too. So, naturally, an enthusiast-minded EV needs to be the final word cut price, proper? I made a decision to check the idea and do some automobile searching for what, in my view, is already probably the greatest EV values on the planet: the BMW i4 M50. Think about my shock once I realized you can choose up a 500+ horsepower electron-fed monster for lower than the value of a brand new Toyota Camry.
Recap: the BMW i4 M50 at a Look
The 2022 BMW i4 M50 marked a major milestone for BMW, serving because the model’s first absolutely electrical mannequin to put on an M badge. After all, it’s technically an “M Efficiency badge,” however we gained’t maintain that towards it. Positioned on the high of the preliminary i4 vary, the M50 prioritized driving engagement. Not arduous to do, contemplating the moment torque and refinement of an EV powertrain. Talking of: the i4 M50 is powered by a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup producing 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 60 mph takes roughly 3.7 seconds. Efficiency is supported by M-specific chassis tuning, adaptive suspension, and upgraded brakes. The result’s a extra planted and athletic automobile than different i4 variants.
Power is provided by an 83.9-kWh battery, delivering an EPA-estimated vary of as much as 270 miles, relying on wheel alternative and driving situations. DC quick charging functionality of as much as 200 kW permits for fast top-ups on longer journeys. So, certain. It lacks the sound and character of a combustion M automobile, however the acceleration is speedy and easy. And when you won’t end up carving up distant again roads as steadily, that’s merely a trade-off you make for driving electrical. Assuming you’ve made your peace with these caveats, a used i4 M50 reveals itself to be an unbelievable worth.
Used BMW i4 M50 Pricing and Efficiency
On the time of this writing, you possibly can snag an i4 M50 on the secondhand marketplace for below $30,000. The least costly automobile listed on a well-liked automobile shopping for web site is accident free and has round 65,000 miles on the odometer. It’s listed at $28,288. For a little bit perspective, a brand new 2026 Toyota Camry begins at $30,195 in america. In the meantime, the most affordable G80 M3 listed on the identical web site instructions just below $60,000. Maybe predictably — in spite of everything, the i4 M50 was a $70,000 automobile not a number of years in the past — you don’t lose out on any facilities regardless of the i4 being a number of years previous. CarPlay and Android Auto, in-car maps, app integration — all on high of 500+ horsepower — make the i4 M50 a veritable cut price.
After all, there are the “gotchas” that we now have to acknowledge. For one, assuming an above common battery degradation curve (to correlate with the above-average mileage on this particular mannequin) means you’re in all probability seeing nearer to 250 miles per full cost. Even that is likely to be optimistic, which could be limiting should you aren’t charging at house or work. Or, after all, placing the accelerator pedal via the ground at each alternative to take full benefit of that 536 horsepower. Although it’s necessary to notice that for the reason that battery ought to nonetheless below the preliminary guarantee, there’s a little little bit of peace of thoughts there.
Used i4 M50: Cut price or Time Bomb?
It actually makes you assume. A brand new Camry is likely to be cheaper to take care of, however gasoline costs will eat into the financial savings. Possibly the higher illustration for the i4 M50 is a “half-price M3.” As we talked about, a used G80 M3 prices round double what you can snag an i4 M50 for. A minimum of round city, the i4 M50 is actually the higher choose — it’s quieter, extra comfy, and faster than non-xDrive variants. So, should you’re unafraid to drive electrical, it’s not possible to name a used i4 M50 something in need of the efficiency automobile cut price it truly is. Plus, with the latest updates made for the 2026 BMW i4, costs might fall much more!
The downsides are nothing uncommon to an EV. However one additionally should marvel: will the value of an inevitable battery substitute (doubtless very far off) outpace the price of possession for one in all BMW’s fashionable, gas-powered M vehicles? Sadly, I don’t have pockets deep sufficient to seek out out. However you undoubtedly ought to.
