BMW i4 M Sport at €590/month on lease thanks to the ecological bonus

While listed at €61,650 in the catalog, the BMW i4 eDrive35 is now eligible for the ecological bonus if you choose a long-term rental (LLD).

Well, it is concerning to see that the ecological bonus is “abused” through the trickery of manufacturers. In this case, we see that the new BMW i4 eDrive35, a true competitor of the Tesla Model 3, benefits from the ecological bonus only on the condition that it is not purchased, but leased through a long-term rental (LLD). In summary, BMW is essentially selling its i4 at the price it wants (under €47,000 instead of €61,650 at the catalog price), just to resell it at full price at the end of the lease. In principle, this is quite questionable. Should the ecological bonus be contingent on maintaining a price equity between LLD, LOA, and direct purchase? It is up to the government to think about it.

In the meantime, BMW is taking advantage of a legal loophole and is offering its new electric sedan, with performance comparable to that of a Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive, for much less. Yes, indeed!

Thus, until September 30, 2024, this large sedan in M Sport trim will cost you 39 payments of €590, after deducting the €4,000 ecological bonus from the first payment. Additionally, BMW includes an unlimited charging card for the Ionity network, which is significant, as it means you’ll be able to drive for free for one-third of the lease duration.

The mileage is set at 30,000 kilometers, which is relatively low for a duration of 3 years and 3 months. This means less than 10,000 kilometers per year. But the price is crucial: over the duration, the rental cost will therefore be limited to €23,010, with no concerns about depreciation, obsolescence, resale, and therefore no expensive fuel payments to make.

Better than a Tesla Model 3?

On paper, this BMW i4 eDrive35 with its exterior body kit and enhanced interior features is a sort of perfect sporty combo. Too bad Tesla doesn’t offer the more dynamic body style of the Model 3 Performance on less powerful versions. That is the gamble BMW has made, which does slightly degrade energy efficiency with a slight decrease in mileage.

Furthermore, the Tesla Model 3 wins in terms of the combined space of its two trunks, a plus when going on vacation. But for everything else, it’s neck and neck, and the BMW allows for a bit of differentiation while providing much better quality interior materials.

Lastly, of course, there’s the price question: and on that point, it’s no contest! Without a down payment, the BMW costs about €140 less per month than the Tesla Model 3 under the same starting constraints, with the American car having recently raised its price to €41,490 since July 2024 due to its Chinese production. The German has changed the game!

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