New BMW i3: Why spending an additional €5,500 might be the smart choice
- Published on 30/09/2026 9:25
- Modified on 30/09/2026 9:25
At €65,400, the BMW i3 50 xDrive justifies its premium by offering superior range and charging capabilities, while the gasoline Series 3 struggles to compete on performance.
Choosing the new base BMW i3 seems logical for keeping costs down. However, the pricing structure encourages looking higher up. Between the 40 xDrive at €59,900 and the 50 xDrive at €65,400, the premium is 9.2%. The technical capabilities increase significantly more.
BMW i3 50 xDrive: up to 912 km of range
The battery capacity increases from 82.8 to 108.7 kWh, representing a 31% increase. The announced range reaches 814 to 912 km WLTP for the 50 xDrive, compared to 631 to 710 km for the 40. When comparing maximum values, the gain is 202 km.
These homologated distances do not guarantee real-world range, especially on highways. However, they promise an additional margin for extending stops.
Both versions benefit from an 800 V architecture, but the 50 accepts up to 400 kW during charging, compared to 300 kW. BMW claims up to 423 km can be recovered in ten minutes, compared to 337 km, under suitable conditions. The charging time from 10% to 80% is yet to be specified.
A large battery rather than sporty trim?
The upgrade also adds 95 hp: 469 hp compared to 374 hp. The 0 to 100 km/h drops from 5.4 to 4.7 seconds, with all-wheel drive in both cases.
Moreover, an i3 40 xDrive M Sport costs €63,900, just €1,500 less than a base 50. In M Sport Pro trim, it reaches €66,600, which is an additional €1,200! For regular travel, prioritizing the superior battery over sporting features seems wise, provided that their specifications are compared accurately.
BMW 320 gasoline: a cruel comparison
At €55,450, the BMW 320 will find its clientele, particularly among drivers lacking convenient charging or who prefer gasoline. However, its pricing advantage comes with a considerable gap in performance.
For an additional €4,450, or about 8%, the i3 40 xDrive offers 374 hp compared to 211 hp, all-wheel drive, and a shortened 0 to 100 km/h time of two seconds: 5.4 seconds versus 7.4.
Even without considering fuel prices, the combustion model suffers significantly in the performance-to-price ratio. The i3 40 is already a compelling alternative; the 50 pushes the advantage further for long trips. The promises behind the wheel remain to be confirmed.
Prices and specifications as of 30/09/2026
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| Technical Data | BMW i3 40 xDrive | BMW i3 50 xDrive | BMW 320 | BMW M350 xDrive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | €59,900 | €65,400 | €55,450 | €78,250 |
| Powertrain | Electric, 2 motors | Electric, 2 motors | Gasoline 4-cylinder 2.0 L, 48 V hybrid | Gasoline 6-cylinder 3.0 L, 48 V hybrid |
| Power | 374 hp | 469 hp | 211 hp | 443 hp |
| Torque | 520 Nm | 645 Nm | 330 Nm | 580 Nm |
| Transmission | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 5.4 s | 4.7 s | 7.4 s | 4.1 s |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 200 km/h | 240 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Usable Battery | 82.8 kWh | 108.7 kWh | — | — |
| WLTP Range | 631 to 710 km | 814 to 912 km | Not specified | Not specified |
| WLTP Consumption | 14.3 to 16.1 kWh/100 km | 13.4 to 16.2 kWh/100 km | 6.5 to 6.8 l/100 km | 7.5 to 7.7 l/100 km |
| Max Fast Charging | 300 kW | 400 kW | — | — |
| Range Recovered in 10 min* | Up to 337 km | Up to 423 km | — | — |
| Trunk Volume | 420 L | 420 L | 450 L | 450 L |
| Front Storage | 31 L | 31 L | — | — |
ALSO READ: What is the real significance of electric cars for BMW?
This page is translated from the original post "Nouvelle BMW i3 : pourquoi dépenser 5 500 € de plus peut être le bon calcul" in French.
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