It’s an open secret: There are always bargains on used cars. While this sentence was written primarily for the collector car market, it also applies to electric vehicles. So of course an enthusiast electric vehicle should be the ultimate bargain, right? I decided to test the theory and buy a car that, in my opinion, is already one of the best electric vehicles in the world: the BMW i4 M50. Imagine my surprise when I realized you could get an electron-powered monster with more than 500 horsepower for less than the price of a new Toyota Camry.
Review: The BMW i4 M50 at a glance
The 2022 BMW i4 M50 marked a significant milestone for BMW, becoming the brand’s first all-electric model to wear an M badge. Of course, it’s technically an “M Performance badge,” but we can’t blame you for that. The M50 was positioned at the top of the original i4 range and placed a strong emphasis on driving engagement. Given the instant torque and sophistication of an electric powertrain, that’s not hard. Speaking of which, the i4 M50 is powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drive system that produces 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 60 mph takes about 3.7 seconds. Performance is supported by M-specific suspension tuning, adaptive suspension and improved brakes. The result is a flatter and more athletic car than other i4 variants.
Power is provided by an 83.9 kWh battery, providing an EPA-estimated range of up to 270 miles, depending on bike choice and driving conditions. DC fast charging capability of up to 200kW allows for quick charging on longer journeys. So sure. It lacks the sound and character of an M combustion car, but acceleration is immediate and effortless. And while you may not need to drive on remote back roads as often, that’s simply a trade-off you make for electric car driving. Assuming you’ve come to terms with these limitations, a used i4 M50 will prove to be incredibly valuable.
Price and performance of the used BMW i4 M50
At the time of writing, you can snag an i4 M50 on the used market for under $30,000. The cheapest car listed on a popular car buying website is accident-free and has around 65,000 miles on the clock. The price is $28,288. To illustrate, a new 2026 Toyota Camry starts at $30,195 in the United States. Meanwhile, the cheapest G80 M3 listed on the same website costs just under $60,000. Perhaps it was predictable – after all, the i4 M50 was a $70,000 car just a few years ago – that you don’t have to miss out on any amenities, even though the i4 is already a few years old. CarPlay and Android Auto, in-car maps, app integration – and all of this with more than 500 hp – make the i4 M50 a real bargain.
Of course, there are pitfalls that we must acknowledge. For one thing, assuming an above-average battery degradation curve (to correlate with this particular model’s above-average mileage), that means you’re probably getting closer to 250 miles per full charge. This could also be optimistic, which can be limiting if you don’t charge at home or at work. Or, of course, press the accelerator pedal at every opportunity to make full use of the 536 hp. However, it is important to note that the battery should have some peace of mind as it should still be under the original warranty.
Used i4 M50: Bargain or time bomb?
It’s definitely thought-provoking. A new Camry may be cheaper to run, but gas prices will eat into the savings. Perhaps the better representation of the i4 M50 is an “M3 at half the price”. As mentioned, a used G80 M3 costs about twice as much as an i4 M50. At least in the city, the i4 M50 is certainly the better choice – it is quieter, more comfortable and faster than variants without xDrive. So unless you’re afraid of going electric, it’s impossible to call a used i4 M50 anything less than the performance car bargain it really is. Plus, with recent updates to the 2026 BMW i4, prices could drop even further!
The disadvantages are nothing unusual with an electric vehicle. But you also have to ask yourself: Will the price of an inevitable battery change (likely) increase? very far) exceed the running costs of one of BMW’s modern, petrol-powered M cars? Unfortunately I don’t have enough money to find out. But you should definitely do that.
