Is the BMW i4 electric sedan a value buy today?

Looking at what the siblings are offering we share some insights.

 The BMW i4 has just been launched and its asking price in Malaysia is RM 389,800 which puts it side by side with its petrol sibling the BMW 5 Series, the 530i M Sport at RM 396,000.

Ok, this is after all a full electric car and with all the necessary bells and whistles that BMW buyers in Malaysia want to have, however, at the tax-free incentive accorded by the Malaysian government to new electric cars for the coming months, this well adjusted tax free selling price seems a little too far away from what this car should be priced at (it's just RM 6,200 lower).

Well, to start the good people at BMW showrooms will tell you that it is NOT a rival or replacement to the 5 Series and instead it should be put side by side with the slightly larger and more expensive BMW 6 GT fastback which priced at RM 430,800 (but this is only RM 41,000 more). 

The 6 GT, despite its good looks and tricked out features, is still not popular due to its asking price in Malaysia.

So, with a price tag of RM 389,800, is the BMW i4 EV too expensive? Well, with electric vehicle demand rising fast in Malaysia (all because of their tax free situation) we are sure as you continue to read this, the bookings are rising and the delivery dates are getting further away.

A global shortage of components for electric cars and their rising demand in European nations, have made electric car ownership in ASEAN nations a rarity and put many enthusiasts to walk away from ownership and return to plug-in hybrid cars or even more logical, a petrol powered, easy to maintain, no headache vehicle.  

Yes, this is a fact. The simple petrol powered car remains an easy to maintain and good resale value option against plug-in hybrid cars which have low resale values after their warranties end and constant technical and technology issues during ownership that starts from the first year of ownership.

 Car manufacturers have been ‘forced’ to look at lower emission cars to remain in business in Europe and North America and this is why plug-in hybrids were developed. Their research and development is ongoing and current customers are scapegoats that pay dearly.

 Meanwhile the electric cars are also in ongoing research and their reliability highly questionable in ASEAN humidity and heat.

 So, shiny new electric cars like the BMW i4 are not completely ready for ASEAN humidity use but since they are tax-free, many unsuspecting and less informed buyers are rushing into ownership.

We suggest looking hard at a petrol powered BMW or any other luxury brand for the next two to three years and not be a scapegoat for new un-confirmed technology.

Also read: New 2023 BMW X7: Key Highlights