Hi all!
I’m a long time bmw owner. Had everything from an old 320 to M3/M5.
I’m considering buying the i4m50 or the Taycan 4s with performance battery.
My question to you guys, why should I buy the Taycan instead?
There’s a saying: what did you drive before your first Porsche and which BMW was it?
I wish I could say I’ve driven both, but I haven’t. That said, there’s nothing about the BMW that makes it appealing vs a Taycan in my opinion. The I4 is likely right up against a full redesign also, since it is just a gas car that they converted to electric. That’s why it is so heavy and lacks the extra storage space an EV typically provides. I would find a certified pre owned Taycan 4/4s and go for it.
@Avery
I currently own a BMW I4 and test drove everything from a Taycan 1st gen RWD to a 2025 GT.
About the storage space comparison you’re making: The Taycan is a larger, heavier, from the ground up EV and still doesn’t improve on the interior space compared to the I4. Even the wagon version has less boot space.
Actually I think the Gen1 Taycan is a worse EV, due to noisy electro motors, weird gearbox, bad efficiency/range, no physical buttons, worse exterior cameras, no keyless close, weird brake feel, no one pedal driving, no adaptive breaking, worse self driving.
The Taycan looks better, charges faster and steers better.
So I don’t think the Taycan is 100% a better EV. I hope Porsche improves the interior and tech.
@Avery
I’ve never heard that saying, but… I have a Macan EV 4S on order… And a BMW M240i in the driveway.
Honestly Taycan is a purchase best made with your heart and not your head. Either you look at it, drive it and fall in love or she’s not The One. There is stuff Tesla, BMW, etc do better. But they don’t make me happy like the Taycan does 
The Taycan will have 10-20% more performance and range, at a cost of course. That’s about it, plus the badge of course.
I will say though, the Taycan is a fairly big and wide car. If I lived in Spain or Japan or something I might prefer the i4.
@Mateo
Doesn’t the Taycan 4s have 501hp? The i4m50 has 536.
I live in Norway, so size isn’t really a problem. We only have an insane amount of speedbumps etc. But with the air suspension I don’t think it should be an issue.
@Reese
2025 4S with performance battery and overboost is 598 hp.
If you live in a cold climate double and triple check that whatever you end up buying has a heat pump, otherwise your range will be crap in the winter.
@Mateo
Good advice! It get’s to around -4 fahrenheit and more around here🥶
@Reese
m50 is 200lbs heavier than the 4S, not sure what that calculates to in real world usage though
Wilder said:
@Reese
m50 is 200lbs heavier than the 4S, not sure what that calculates to in real world usage though
It’s around a person +/-. Not sure if it makes that much of a difference. Maybe if you’re always driving with a full car?
@Reese
fwiw i’ve had an m50 since 3/23 and and looking to replace with a Taycan CT 
Wilder said:
@Reese
fwiw i’ve had an m50 since 3/23 and and looking to replace with a Taycan CT
What made you want to change it out?
Wilder said:
@Reese
fwiw i’ve had an m50 since 3/23 and and looking to replace with a Taycan CT
What made you want to change it out?
i think the CT is just very attractive, and i’ve had many BMW’s but never a Porsche. So want to see if the premium is real and worth it i suppose.
@Wilder
Kind of the same as what I am thinking then!
Reese said:
@Wilder
Kind of the same as what I am thinking then!
do it my friend, let me know
how it goes 
@Reese
I test-drove a Taycan the other week, and had previously been looking seriously at an i4 M50. I think the weight difference is closer to about 300lbs, but it was definitely noticeable in the BMW.
I liked the steering feel and seats of the Taycan better. Interior quality was a little nicer than the BMW, but the tech is basically the same. Didn’t like the climate control on that little in-dash tablet, door was a little bit of a tight fit. But neither is a bad car, they’re both fantastic with great build quality.
As far as value, you get about 90% of the car for 1/2 the price with the i4 M50. The Taycan feels better to drive, but after mulling it over, I don’t think a used $85k Taycan 4s beats a used $45k i4 M50, but I’m not looking to spend that kind of money right now, either. If money wasn’t a concern, I’d get the Taycan.
One thing to consider if you plan on road tripping, the Taycan charges a lot faster than most EV’s (not sure about the BMW) with its 800-volt system as opposed to most EV’s which are 400-volt…
I’ve heard from people coming from a much higher range (but lower volt) EV to the Taycan taking the same road trip and it taking hours less because of this…
YMMV…
@Pierce
Out of spec did a cross country (US) race and the Taycan won because of this reason
@Pierce
This I didn’t know! Great point for the Taycan.