EV drag race - BMW i4 M50 vs. Tesla Model 3 Performance

[Sticky]

Expect to see more EV on EV action this year. BMW is pushing their 'i' brand hard and the i4 M50 is one of their newest entries. The i4 M50 offers 544 horsepower courtesy of two electric motors one of which feeds the front wheels and the other the rear wheels.

You know the Tesla Model 3 Performance well by now. It's pretty quick running 11.6 @ 115 in the 1/4 mile with a curb weight just over 4000 pounds which undercuts the BMW.

So which is faster? The BMW. It shows the stronger top end in the drag race pulling away. This is more clear in the second run where the Tesla gets the better start yet the i4 M50 pulls past.

These two are pretty close and close enough that reaction time is a major factor.

Oddly, from a roll the Tesla opens a lead and it takes triple digits for the BMW to pass.

Again, close but the BMW simply offers the stronger top end.

[Eleventeen]

Not too bad, BMW. Hopefully they’ll target the Model S next. However, that grille is more unnecessary than ever, since this is an electric car. $#@!s…

[Sticky]

Hopefully they’ll target the Model S next.

The next gen M5 with 1000+ hp will.

[richpike]

Not too bad, BMW. Hopefully they’ll target the Model S next. However, that grille is more unnecessary than ever, since this is an electric car. $#@!s…

Oddly, I don’t mind it on the i4. Not sure why. I really like this car. Great price too. Might have to take a look at instead of the M3P while waiting on my R1S.

-Rich

[I6+TT=FTW]

Finally an electric car that looks like a normal car instead of something "revolutionary". They'll probably sell the $#@! out of these.

[Stevenh]

Finally an electric car that looks like a normal car instead of something "revolutionary". They'll probably sell the $#@! out of these.

How am I supposed to virtue signal if people can't tell my car is electric at first glance!?

[I6+TT=FTW]

How am I supposed to virtue signal if people can't tell my car is electric at first glance!?

HAHA exactly.

[richpike]

How am I supposed to virtue signal if people can't tell my car is electric at first glance!?

LOL.

-Rich

[Blown6]

Finally, a direct competitor to the model 3 perf with better build quality . Might have to look at one of these lol

[spool twice]

Anyone notice that in one of the shots, it showed the BMW @ 125mph after he let off after the finish line (in other words, coasting a split second before showing that video clip)

Based on how well it pulled away from the Tesla after 100mph, guesses on trap speed? I really think even given the 2mph error on modern BMW's that this thing will be a 123-125mph trapper...

Not bad for what's considered an M-performance model.

Also the wait list is almost a year on this car...ask me how I know. I have one on order, no production # yet but the dealer is hopeful for a Q3-Q4 2022 delivery.

All MY2022's are allocated, so mine will likely be a June 2022+ build as a 2023 model. It's far exceeded BMW's expectations for demand where they added extra shifts to accomodate for it...and surprisingly the even stranger looking iX.

[spool twice]

The beaver tooths are actually shaped differently and the inserts have a more rounded curve from a side view to them than the 4 series

Took me a bit to figure out why, but to me they are more pleasing to view even though yeah they are still big.

4 series top, i4 bottom

[Sticky]

The beaver tooths are actually shaped differently and the inserts have a more rounded curve from a side view to them than the 4 series

Took me a bit to figure out why, but to me they are more pleasing to view even though yeah they are still big.

4 series top, i4 bottom

Interesting.

I honestly don't like either.

[richpike]

Also the wait list is almost a year on this car...ask me how I know. I have one on order, no production # yet but the dealer is hopeful for a Q3-Q4 2022 delivery.

All MY2022's are allocated, so mine will likely be a June 2022+ build as a 2023 model. It's far exceeded BMW's expectations for demand where they added extra shifts to accomodate for it...and surprisingly the even stranger looking iX.

Yeah - I went and talked to my dealer this past weekend on it. Basically said the same thing - since I don’t have a pre-order in, I’m sort of screwed. First deliveries in March-ish followed by a second wave in June. Then basically nothing until H1 of 2023. They were happy to take a deposit should one come in that the person backs out on, but with that window, I’ll just keep my Rivian reservation. It’s a better fit for me anyway. But I do like this!

-Rich

[spool twice]

Another data point to highlight the top-end acceleration of the M50:

1000 meters takes 23 seconds for both the M50 and Tesla M3P.

BUT, the M50 reaches its electronically limited top speed of 225kph at around 625-650 meters (based on simulators).

In a nutshell, the M50 is ahead to 225kph, cruises at 225kph, and it takes the Tesla 350-375 meters to finally catch up

For us Empirical folks.... the M50 takes about .38 of a mile it reaches top speed, it takes the Tesla another approx .29 of a mile to catch up to the M50.

[I6+TT=FTW]

I saw something about an M60 trim coming out as well?

[Sticky]

I saw something about an M60 trim coming out as well?

Yes, that was just announced.

[spool twice]

The iX is the M60, however with that being said, the latest BMW motors are practically the same BMW 5th generation, 6-phase units both front/rear so in theory you should be able to get 483HP out of each motor on the i4 M50 depending on other variables and still be within the motor's factory OE-warranty limitations that BMW set for the iX M60 even though you would void the warranty, but technically it would be deemed "safe."

Aftermarkets would have to keep up such as Manhart who already offers a 543HP package on a Tesla Model 3 performance with a piggyback unit.

[bmwsport]

Anyone notice that in one of the shots, it showed the BMW @ 125mph after he let off after the finish line (in other words, coasting a split second before showing that video clip)

Based on how well it pulled away from the Tesla after 100mph, guesses on trap speed? I really think even given the 2mph error on modern BMW's that this thing will be a 123-125mph trapper...

Not bad for what's considered an M-performance model.

Also the wait list is almost a year on this car...ask me how I know. I have one on order, no production # yet but the dealer is hopeful for a Q3-Q4 2022 delivery.

All MY2022's are allocated, so mine will likely be a June 2022+ build as a 2023 model. It's far exceeded BMW's expectations for demand where they added extra shifts to accomodate for it...and surprisingly the even stranger looking iX.

I pre-ordered last June. M50, $77k. It still hasn't even been scheduled for production! So anxious to get mine. Yes, if this can trap over 120 mph, that will be pretty good for a nearly 5000lb car. With a 1000lb weight advantage and only about a 60hp disadvantage, the Tesla should pull away. So probably conservative specs on the BMW.

[spool twice]

Brock from Dragtimes did a quick Dragy video:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYcx2s9J5va/

My notes:

My notes from the video:

Cool video!

He let off before the end of the 1/4 mile if you look at the 1000ft trap of 113mph vs the 1/4mile trap of 108mph. He also was going uphill around the 330ft mark all the way until he let off the GO pedal.

Still an incredible time nonetheless considering this is the very 1st timed draggy run that we know of.

Cliff notes according to his commentary:

-With a 1ft rollout 0-60 is 3.1 (3.39 is without a roll out)

He states that he did let off before the 1/4 mile and says it is likely a 11.4x car

Who know's when he left off? Before the 1,000ft? after the 1,000ft marker?

Just comparing 1,000ft traps between 2 Tesla models for reference based on videos on youtubed and Dragy App:

1000ft
Model 3 Performance 107-108mph
Model S P100D Ludicrous 115-116mph
i4 M50 113.70mph

I'm only using the above as a reference point for myself to gauge what the i4 M50 would trap at. Acceleration beyond the 1/8th mile and where it lands at with its 1000ft trap speed comparison above would tell me it would be within 1-2 mph off of a P100D Ludicrous which traps at 124-125mph.

I'm happy with that, looks to be a 123-124 or maybe even a 125 mph trap vehicle considering that the 1000ft trap is inline with my S5's time when it was trapping 125mph.

I personally think this car will run neck/neck with an X-drive M3/M4 stock for stock.

[Sticky]

He let off before the end of the 1/4 mile if you look at the 1000ft trap of 113mph vs the 1/4mile trap of 108mph. He also was going uphill around the 330ft mark all the way until he let off the GO pedal.

He definitely let's off so this thing is a mid-11 second car or so? Not sure on the trap but but obviously higher than 113. Need a full run...

[spool twice]

Based on that 1000ft trap, the vehicle has an 11.0-11.2 second in it with the right launch surface prep in my opinion.

It would be hard to do anything different with how to launch this car, also note that it wasn't above 90% SoC, which is what pretty much all Tesla's need for peak performance.

[spool twice]

^^ I say 11.0 based on Taycan Turbo on Dragy and finding a happy medium between two data points of 1,000ft traps where one ran 10.8@128mph, with a 115.83 mph 1,000ft, another ran 11.4@117mph, with a 112.90 mph 1,000ft but curiously let off before the 1/4 mile so I would imagine it was closer to 11.1 - 11.2)