Future rival? BMW M3 EV gets Quad Motors, Simulated Gear Changes

[Gkwan]

I've owned an M5, 540 Sport (6-speed manual), and drove an i4 for 15 months before purchasing my 2025 Taycan. Personally, I'd take a Porsche all day vs. the BMW. The driving experience and build quality of the Porsche is simply superior IMO.

Admittedly, both the i4 and the Taycan have UI issues - they are both extremely non-intuitive. Tesla (I've owned 4 in the last 12 years), and my wife's Rivian R1S have far better on-board interfaces.

I thought I would learn to like the i4 design after I bought it. I was wrong.

absolutely agree, also my Xpeng G9P MY25 had a really great UI, fast, intuitive, shitload of options that come at you very easily, slightly better than Tesla IMHO (drove my GF's model 3 from time to time), and self driving also very good (not perfect but was getting always better through several major OTAs in 1 year)
I did like the i4 and i5 I drove, but only 1/2 day each, so I didn't really have time to experience any software problems - not as good as Tesla/Xpeng software wise, and not as good driving XP as my Taycan Turbo for sure, but I could have considered it if I had to compromise

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[Gkwan]

Anyone following development of the BMW M3 EV? Just confirmed with Quad Motors. Having a motor controlling each wheel independently should allow for good handling.

Official: M3 Electric EV gets quad motors, simulated gear changes and sounds

https://g50.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2224298

wellllllllllll, I know they're hiding stuff, but if I'm not mistaken, the shape of the car will not change, right ?
If so, it doesn't look at all like a sports car, way way far from the good looks of the Taycan.
That should help with our cars' depreciation !

 

[Zcd1]

Boy I sure hope it looks like this. It should help with the Taycan’s depreciation.

If anything, it's likely to steepen the Taycan's depreciation curve, since it should feature Taycan Turbo/Turbo GT performance and European pedigree for 50% less $$$.

 

[Jonathan S.]

I thought I would learn to like the i4 design after I bought it. I was wrong.

Interesting that you have that reaction to the i4.

Whenever I drive my wife's i4, I prefer the UI, along with the lack of mysterious fleeting error messages (no, my right charging port flap is NOT open!), out-of-place calendar appointments, recall visits (although my Taycan has been relatively good at only three, over the span of almost 63k miles), what would have been an expensive camera repair (but for how it ended up being rolled into a collision repair), and more range.

But the Taycan still wins overall for astounding driving dynamics (even though the i4 is so very good), with bonus points for seating position, seats (14-way), adjustable height suspension (for unplowed backcountry trailheads), and option to switch off lift-off regen entirely.

 

[Flying ace]

I came from BMW M cars (M3, M6). I'll say a car developed by M division would rival the driving feel of a Taycan GTS. Now whether the size of the cars matchup is a different story. BMW could develop separate compact and full size sedans to offer both segments of the market.

All this is very promising as it will increase the competition for Porsche.

I've driven the iX, i4 M50. They are great cars.

 

[RAHRCR]

My view is that BMW has lagged behind Porsche in driving dynamics for decades. It’s optimistic to believe that they will close the gap here but if there is anywhere that BMW would have a chance, it would be in the EV space….where both companies are still early in their journeys.

 

[d00d]

I sold an F90 M5 when I ordered the Taycan.
Didn't like how the M5 handled on the highway, seemed tippy like a Tiguan.

 

[Flying ace]

My view is that BMW has lagged behind Porsche in driving dynamics for decades. It’s optimistic to believe that they will close the gap here but if there is anywhere that BMW would have a chance, it would be in the EV space….where both companies are still early in their journeys.

BMW cars are passenger cars. All M cars has to fit around a passenger car body and suspension design.

Porsche has the advantage of designing a sports car in the cayman/boxster/911 bodies. They are optimized as sports cars, so it's not comparable to a M2/M3/M5/M8 which is based off sedan bodies. For passenger cars, I don't think Panamera GTS/Turbo driving dynamics is superior to that of a M5. Personally for me, I would opt for a M car/SUV over a Panamera, Cayenne and Macan GTS/Turbo, but I definitely would not choose a M2/M3/M4 over any GT 911/boxter/cayman.

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