Anyone have an I7 eDrive50?

[Streamliner]

I’m a long time MB S Class driver, thinking of going with an I7. I test drove an I7 xDrive60 and was impressed with the ride quality and quiet cabin. I’m an older fellow and I don’t drive fast. I don’t need blistering 0-60 acceleration. I will never drive in the snow and rarely in the rain, so I don’t need AWD. That said, I’m wondering how others feel about the eDrive50 model. If you have one, are you happy with it or do you wish you had popped for the xDrive60? Any compliments, complaints or comparisons? Thanks!

[DroMike]

I own the i7 eDrive50, which I factory ordered in September and picked up at the end of November.

You're very wise to consider this vehicle. I also didn't need track-like high end speed or AWD. Everything else being precisely the same (although the Skylounge Roof is optional), the eDrive50 has the exact same architecture inside and out and of course comfort or luxury level. In fact the entire G70 line is the exact same in this regard.

I actually earlier drove the xDrive60 and all I cared about was the torque, or pulling power. Both the eDrive50 and xDrived60 have 549 ft. lb. of torque, and indeed I noticed no difference between the two vehicles. I LOVE the rocket-like acceleration the car provides which I consider exceedingly more useful and practical than sustaining high speeds (my car can "only" go about 130MPH, haha). Also, at 449 HP, it's 50% more powerful than my last car, a 300HP Chrysler 300. PLENTY of power already. As a little icing on the cake, the eDrive50's range is slightly more than the xDrive60 (of course this also depends on your wheel selection).

Ultimately, the kicker is that the MSRP of the eDrive50 is approximately $20,000 less than the 60 and $60 less than the M70! Probably 90% of the folks on this forum with the EV G70 own an xDrive60, but I'd guess that's because the xDrive has been available since the Fall of 2022, and the eDrive50 wasn't available until a few months ago. The eDrive50 is a spectacular value in comparison to the two other i7s.

I WOULD however, be remiss if I didn't recommend you also look at the PHEV /hybrid G70, the 750e. With that vehicle, you get the best of both worlds for efficient driving (EV around town, ICE for freeway/long trips). It is also very well priced! Personally, since I'd owned ICE vehicles for the last 50 years, I wanted to go all in with an electric vehicle and be part of the solution instead of the problem, and give up gas stations and fluids for good. It's also quite the treat that I can "fuel up" in my own garage when I'm sleeping. Wave goodbye to gas stations!

Here's a quick recap of the main numbers:

CAR................HP........Torque.....Range..... .......MSRP

eDrive50........449.......549.........321 miles.......$105,700
xDrive60........536.......549.........317 miles........$124,200
M70................650.......749.........291 miles........$168,500

Enjoy whichever model you decide on!

[Berliner]

It really depends on where you're coming from, regarding cars and performance.
It seems you come from the S560, which has about the same 0-100 as the i7x60 but the EV car will make you forget that ICE stuff in seconds, because the power is instant.

However, I had an M760Li G11 LCI before which was pretty quick and to be honest, sometimes I miss the power, even in the i7 on the Autobahn and stuff.

I think you'll be perfectly fine in the i7x50 because the changeover will be rather favourable compared to your current car and the lacking power will only be felt on no-speedlimit-autobahns, so shouldn't be a problem in the US.

I wish I had the power of the i7M70 and the brakes, but I can't stand the M package on the G70, so I went with the x60.

In Germany you can get the i7e50 for about 300 less per month in leasing, so I guess the i7e50 could be a real cheap option to get today's best car for a reasonable price and still "enough" power to have fun driving, especially as it seems you're not that interested in the sole 0-60 times.

You'll love the car - and by the way I preferred the full EV WAY over the hybrids, their engines felt a bit clumsy and somehow inappropriate for the car - if you have a home charger, you will not regret going full EV, but don't "buy", rather lease :-)

[Streamliner]

Thank you both for the info. Has anyone noticed any difference in the ride quality of the 50 vs the 60? I have always felt that luxury sedans with RWD had an edge in ride comfort over AWD versions of the same car. I would think that without all the additional weight of the AWD components over the front end, that the 50 model might feel a bit lighter and might have a different “seat of the pants” feel to it. Any thoughts on this?

[DroMike]

Originally Posted by Streamliner

Has anyone noticed any difference in the ride quality of the 50 vs the 60?

Although I drove the cars on separate days as opposed to back-to-back, after relatively brief test drives in both, I didn't notice differences in ANY ride character including the quality of the ride, comfort OR power (I didn't drive either over 70MPH). At least afterward, I know I didn't specifically remark to myself, "Gee, I liked A or B better!" I DID however, specifically remark to myself, "Gee, they're the same car but the eDrive50 costs a lot less!"

If there would be any difference in ride quality, I'd believe it could only be imperceptibly subtle at best, and something you wouldn't be able to fully discern unless you were able to drive both vehicles regularly for a month. And even then, I'd bet it'd be something you'd only be trying to force your mind to believe. It would kind of be like trying to convince yourself which one of two multi-colored butterflies are the most beautiful or fly the best. The ultimate answer is, it's both of them...

[Berliner]

DroMike creates such lovely quotes, I wouldn't argue with any of that :-)

I didn't drive the eDrive50 myself, so I can't add any value to the conversation - I have the feeling that the general tuning of the G70 was done precisely for the i7. All the settings, comfort measures, driving feel, performance and suspension tuning have, in my opinion, been designed precisely for this vehicle (EV variants). The combustion variants are of course also great cars, but I firmly believe that BMW's main focus was precisely on the all-electric i7 variants when developing the car in first place.

The eDrive50 shouldn't differ that much from the xDrive60, even if I personally would have thought that the 60 would have been a bit more finely tuned, but here I trust DroMike completely.

Whether one or the other vehicle would offer an advantage in extreme driving situations is also pure speculation, I love xDrive since a couple of generations.

So if you don't care about the lower V-max, xDrive and "power", it sounds to me like the i7eDrive50 is the perfect car for you - but it's best to take the opportunity to test drive both variants (or even a hybrid in addition). They are certainly all great cars

[DroMike]

Originally Posted by Berliner

..it's best to take the opportunity to test drive both variants (or even a hybrid in addition). They are certainly all great cars

To the OP: Here, here! Berliner's comment above is a huge omission on my comment. DEFINITELY drive both (or others) and compare for yourself -- that's very important. Obviously in the end, it's YOU who must decided on what YOU like -- but we understand and appreciate your seeking others' thoughts. They indeed are all great cars -- you'll unequivocally be happy with any G70! The i7 eDrive50 happened to be my choice for my personal reasons is all. [Separately to Berliner: Thank you for your comments on my post.]

[pcgeek]

Just watch the options list when comparing prices. I think it's more than just the sky lounge that is standard on the 60 but an option on the 50. From a quick look it also includes the adaptive cruise control.

I know the gas 40 doesn't have the multifunction rear seats as standard but the i7 60 does. It looks like it might be standard in all of the i7's but worth verifying.

Doesn't nearly account for the difference in starting prices but does eat away at it a bit if those features are ones you're considering.

[DroMike]

Originally Posted by pcgeek

Just watch the options list when comparing prices. I think it's more than just the sky lounge that is standard on the 60 but an option on the 50. From a quick look it also includes the adaptive cruise control.

Respectfully, it's definitely only the Sky Lounge that is an option in operational features*. Everything else is the exact same option. Adaptive Cruise Control is included in the ZDY Driver Assistance Professional Package for the same price on all i7s. Otherwise, all packages for the 50 and 60 cost the exact same. That's why I say the only real differences are drive-train, HP and most importantly of course, the price. So basically, if one doesn't need an extra 100HP or AWD, why pay the extra $18,500, y'know? Check out the attached 2024 i7 Pricing Guide I first published here last Summer.


*At $995 for the option which only amounts to bunch of colored lines on your roof you'll seldom see (the view is still clear to the sky), I'd pass on this option anyway (regrettably, I didn't).

[seans]

I’ve recently driven the RWD variant as a long-term service loaner.

The primary difference was accelerating with lateral forces (accelerating while turning) and especially accelerating on slippery surfaces. The rear wheel drive variant didn’t perform as reliably while pushing the car to its maximum.
It was a bit slippery and the bum wanted to break free a few times.

Yes. I do drive “spiritedly”, though not aggressively.

Other than that, the two vehicles felt eerily similar.

[Streamliner]

Originally Posted by DroMike

Respectfully, it's definitely only the Sky Lounge that is an option in operational features*. Everything else is the exact same option. Adaptive Cruise Control is included in the ZDY Driver Assistance Professional Package for the same price on all i7s. Otherwise, all packages for the 50 and 60 cost the exact same. That's why I say the only real differences are drive-train, HP and most importantly of course, the price. So basically, if one doesn't need an extra 100HP or AWD, why pay the extra $18,500, y'know? Check out the attached 2024 i7 Pricing Guide I first published here last Summer.


*At $995 for the option which only amounts to bunch of colored lines on your roof you'll seldom see (the view is still clear to the sky), I'd pass on this option anyway (regrettably, I didn't).

Thank you SO much for posting the order guide! I’ve been waiting for the dealer to send it to me and never thought to ask for it here. Much appreciated!

[Streamliner]

This order guide will take some studying to figure it out, but do I read it correctly that both the front & rear massaging seats are ONLY available on the 70 model?

[DroMike]

Originally Posted by Streamliner

This order guide will take some studying to figure it out, but do I read it correctly that both the front & rear massaging seats are ONLY available on the 70 model?

Ha -- with pricing guides, one kind of has to get into the nuance of BMW sales/coding-speak; and also remember that you can do a regular MSWord-like searches in them (on all pdfs). Your word would be "massag." [So it forgives letters that would exclude "massaging."]

Note then in order the following hits, and that you can purchase:

4T6 - Rear Massaging Seats from their inclusion in the ZLU Luxury Rear Seating Package on the 50/60 models for $1,500;

4Tt - Front Massaging Seats from their inclusion in the ZPX Executive Package for all i7s for $3,700; and THEN you come upon

4T6 and 4T7 separately that merely shows they are standard equipment on the M7.

I have front massaging seats on my eDrive50 (only) merely because I ordered the ZLU package. I didn't order the ZPX package.

Accordingly, your answer is "No, you are NOT reading it correctly." You CAN get front and rear massaging seats on ANY i7.

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by Streamliner

Thank you SO much for posting the order guide! I’ve been waiting for the dealer to send it to me and never thought to ask for it here. Much appreciated!

You're welcome. You should have snooped around here a little more thoroughly. As I said, I posted it originally in this specific forum this past Summer -- July 1st to be exact. It was here all the time already. But, better late than never. Enjoy!

[Laguna Beach]

Welcome Streamliner. I feel like I know you having read almost all your S Class posts on the Mercedes forum. You’re one of the reasons I didn’t buy the S580 with all the things that went wrong with that release. I think you’ll love the i7. Very different than the S but in so many great ways. Test drove an S580 with I think 5,000 miles and it felt like 50,000 miles. So many creaks and rattles. Console and fitment didn’t feel as solid in the S as the 7. I still love the S580 looks and elegant lines although pretty similar to the last 2 S models for 10 years now, so maybe getting a little stale. but the i7 is bold, in your face and doesn’t look like anything on the road. One of the best cars I’ve owned and I've owned a lot.

[patchan8984]

I have an i7 e50 as a loaner driver for the weekend and it feels so similar to my x60. I think in 95% of driving applications, it feels the same. Take the savings, for sure, if you don’t need the AWD.