John Challen reports back on six months with our BMW i5 long-termer.

BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro

P11d (BIK): £77,050 (2%) RANGE: 357 miles ON FLEET: 325 miles EFFICIENCY: 3.3mpkWh

Final report:

It is, more often a sad day, when a long-term vehicle leaves Challen Towers, regardless of what replaces it. So saying goodbye to the i5 was difficult, even though I’d already driven its replacement – the Volkswagen ID.7 – and found it was a more-than-capable replacement.

The i5 – like almost every other BMW I’ve driven – is a very impressive vehicle. I’ve mentioned the price tag in these missives before – and stated that arguably it should be for the money – but there are other equally expensive vehicles that fall short of the things that the BMW does so well. I’m taking about comfort, interior space, infotainment controls and performance.

The big battery powered Bavarian beast is impressively smooth and yet also offers a load of power just when you need it to. It’s a good sign when you can’t think of anything else you would want from a car – and that was my overriding thought about YC73 WNU.

Over the course of the thousands of miles we covered, the electric powertrain didn’t miss a beat. There were the previously mentioned connectivity issues, but they are certainly not unique to this car. (My theory is that, in lots of cases, cars are sometimes a bit too clever, more presumptive, for their own good, but that’s another story.) Whether it was a long cross-country trip or a short hop along the road, the i5 was a willing and able companion, and the fact that I’m seeing more and more on the roads recently makes me think that other people have come to the same conclusion.

On a more sombre note, it was fitting that the BMW’s last trip was taking Bruno the cockerpoo – who occasionally popped up in our long-term reports – for HIS final journey. The recurrence of a back injury meant he had to go to the big dog park in the sky and the i5, once again, stepped up when required. On a happier note, like the BMW, there is a new addition – Flo the Cavapoo – so look out for her making her debut in these pages soon!

My final thought on the i5 would be that it is an excellent addition to BMW’s i range and a fitting futuristic successor to the all-conquering 5 Series, which has dominated the premium executive sector for generations.

The remote boot nearly caught me out too – once while charging (an otherwise pain-free experience throughout four months with the car) where I reversed into a charging bay due to the port being on the OSR, opened the remote boot, only for it to miss a metal bar section of the multi-storey car park construction above by no more than 3mm.

The other occasion was a similar scenario due to paranoia about incident one, when I pressed the boot release to close again in panic, only to nearly get wedged underneath. Anyone watching would obviously have been astonished that I had the IQ to charge the car in the first place. And indeed the aptitude to drive it.

Report 7:

In the case of the i5, there is almost nothing but praise from all of them – the odd gripe about the manual adjuster for the seat’s fore and aft movement is about as bad as it gets. Such is the love affair that, when the time comes to hand back the keys to YC73 WNU, there will be more than a hint of sadness from Mrs Challen and the juniors.

Top marks from them go to the space available in the BMW, front and rear, the infotainment display (they haven’t had to endure the intermittent Android Auto connectivity issue) and the overall high levels of quality throughout the cabin. Yes, the i5 is pushing £100k, so you would expect pretty much everything, but I’ve experienced cars for half the price that have been less than half the quality of this BMW.

The company is big on sustainability through the use of its materials, for example, but there’s no drop-off in the feel of the surfaces. Apart from a slight early hiccup with the glove compartment not closing (which was quickly fixed), everything inside has been fault-free over the past six or so months.

The same can be said in other departments. On the road, the i5 continues to impress with its performance – the boost paddle might have been used sparingly, but it’s a good weapon to have in your armoury when the situation requires it. Even without using that surge of extra oomph, there is ample acceleration and power available from what is a big (and heavy) car. That weight doesn’t affect the body control either. Dynamically, you can tell that it’s a BMW – and a very good one at that.

The other thing that a sustained period with the i5 has shown how easy the shift to EV can be. I’ve got an Ohme home charger, which helps, but during a recent stay away there were Tesla-branded units, which I optimised to top up the miles. I’m not sure if some drivers might be put off because the charger adorned the name of a different brand, but the connectivity was seamless.

A special mention must also go to the BMW app, which I find myself consulting more and more often. Again, it connects with the car every time in an instant – and delivers a wealth of information about energy use, previous trips and general information.

Report 6:

Summer’s here, which, in EV terms, means more miles from the battery. Having got used to seeing around 300 miles from a full charge in the i5 during springtime, I was amazed – but pleasantly surprised to see 356 miles available to me the other warm and sunny morning. I always try and rebuff suggestions of ‘range anxiety’ in EVs but, with more than 350 miles in one hit, the numbers speak for themselves. In fact, it’s just one mile short of the car’s official WLTP claimed figure! Granted, it’s not always the case – and some EV’s range readouts have a nasty habit of swinging wildly in each direction, but I’m willing to take the extra distance all the time I can. So, for many reasons, here’s hoping the sun keeps his hat on for the foreseeable.

Meanwhile, one gremlin remains in the infotainment system, which seems to have a love-hate relationship with Android Auto. Having got into the i5 just this morning for a trip to the Cotswolds, there was no problem establishing a connection with my phone, but nothing else. I’ve nothing against the built-in navigation (or radio), but it would be nice to at least have the option of alternative maps and access to my Spotify account.

But all that is a bit ‘first-world problems’. In reality, the i5 hasn’t missed a beat and continues to deal with anything that throws life at it. Despite the big battery in the boot, there was even enough room – just – for the family luggage for a two-week break and then, more recently, a whole load of plants for continuation of the Challen garden makeover.

Report 5:

Life with the i5 continues to be a breeze and proof, if it was needed (and, judging by some stories online), that living with an EV doesn’t have to be a complete inconvenience or a negative experience.

Twice in recent weeks I’ve made the round trip to the NEC from the south coast. In total, it’s around 300 miles, which could be just enough on a single charge in the big BMW, but there are often bumps in the road (and I’m not talking about the growing network of potholes.) I’m a bit risk averse, so I made use of the relatively new BP Pulse rapid charging hub near one of the main car parks (but not the onsite Starbucks – I’m a Costa man).

Both times, around 20 minutes of charging was enough to comfortably give me more than enough miles in the battery to make it back to Challen Towers without a hint of range anxiety. No compensating by turning the A/C off or creeping home under the speed limit in the ‘slow’ lane on the way home for ME. It’s not cheap, though hence why I didn’t go the whole hog to the suggested 80%, but the convenience box gets a big tick. The charging speed was even reading (albeit briefly) above 150kW at some stages!

My biggest gripe, if you can even call it that (because plenty of cars have it) is the ride quality, which showed itself up when I jumped back into the i5 having been in something smaller and more compliant – ride-wise – for a few days. It certainly doesn’t ruin the overall experience, but it was noticeable having not driven the car for a little while.

Another thing that isn’t a complaint, more an observation – or lack of one initially (I’m a bloke, so I don’t refer to instructions!). Trying to find something attached to the rear seats to drop them down flat, I realised there was a handy lever accessible from the boot that does the job for you!

Report 4:

A combination of some warmer weather and a few long trips – including one to Milton Keynes and back for the Great British Fleet Event (and Awards) – has meant that the i5’s available range has rocketed. One morning – having charged the car overnight after one of the aforementioned cross-country jaunts – I was delighted and, admittedly, a little surprised to see 325 miles on the range indicator. This was a good 30 or so miles above what it had been on the previous charge and is enough to make the difference between having to stop to charge and eking out the power in order to make it back to Challen Towers in one hit.

As previously noted, the i5 is pretty faultless, although the ride quality could be a little more supple at times. However, there are enough other positives about the performance, comfort and general capabilities of the car to make allowances. Longer journeys, even on motorways, are less of a chore than they have been in previous cars I’ve run. For example, a late-night departure from MK for the south coast was less gruelling than I’d anticipated (even after a long day) and the two and a bit hours home flew by. Conscious that a round trip on one charge might be pushing it, I took things steady, which probably helped me feel pretty good on arrival.

There’s one minor issue I’m having – and that’s with the connectivity, specifically when it comes to Spotify, managed through Android Auto. Sometimes, when starting up, it will automatically kick in and other times it won’t. I don’t expect it to be a mind reader to know what I want to listen to but, when I try to cancel it, it keeps defaulting to playing music or a podcast. There’s also the odd occasion where the Android Auto tab doesn’t show at all, but the phone is clearly connected – and no amount of restarting and trying it again will fix it. Just like the ride, it’s not enough of an issue to get overworked about, but confusing nonetheless.

On a more positive note, a subjective highlight for me is the colour of this thing. When the sun decides to makes a rare appearance – and the car is clean – there is a stunning blue hue that comes from the ‘carbon black metallic’ exterior paint. I’m not normally one to go overboard about colours, but it’s a beautiful shade that makes it stand out from the plethora of actual black cars around. Long may that – and the sunshine – continue!

Report 3:

It’s very rare that a new car these days doesn’t come with a raft of new technologies designed to help drivers get more from their journeys. In truth, it’s often a bit like a fancy new smartphone, which is loaded with apps, functions and tools but, in reality, only a select few get used.

However, unlike a mobile phone, everything is so intuitive in the i5 – and cars in general. It knows, for example when I need to park somewhere and, before I know it, is almost begging me to take over and turn into some kind of valet driver. So I’ve put my hands in the life of the car recently and I have to say it works perfectly. But I was a bit concerned – to the point of chasing after a passing traffic warden – that where the i5 had parked itself was slightly out of the white lines of the space. A good thing in many respects, especially when it comes to protecting the eye-catching 20-inch multispoke alloys. Turns out the warden had scarpered so I couldn’t check, but no ticket either.

The experience taught me that this semi-autonomous driving business can be useful and effective. I’m not ready to put my hands in the life of it at high speeds surrounded by a load of traffic, but parking outside the house – or on a quiet street – is just fine with me.

The rest of the time in the i5, when I’ve been in full control, have continued to impress. The warmer weather has nudged the range up to 298 miles on occasion and whether in town or on the motorway, it doesn’t miss a beat.

Report 2:

The i5 was recently voted the best executive car on the market at the UK Car of the Year Awards, which are headed up by yours truly, alongside my fellow co-chairman – and also part of the Fleet World family – Alisdair Suttie.

And it’s very easy to see why the panel of 30 judges came to the conclusion that the electric 5 Series is at the top of its game. For one thing – and this might seem like an obvious thing to say – it’s JUST like a 5 Series, already a legendary model. I’ve spoken before about how BMW has arguably played it safe by converting the products it already had to EV, as opposed to more daring departures from the likes of the Korean manufacturers. And the i5 is a perfect example of how this pays dividends.

The interior layout, ride, driving experience (apart from the engine noise, obvs) is instantly recognisable. On the move, the i5 is quiet and comfortable, but also very competent. Should you wish to floor it – as you might have been tempted to in your ICE-powered ‘5’ – you can. There is plenty of power there – and plenty of miles in the battery, too. The most recent charge provided 261 miles, but another one the other week nudged that total closer to 300 miles. Either way, it’s more than adequate for a round-trip to Essex, from where I’m writing these words.

Even the ride quality stands up to scrutiny, with the i5’s 20-inch wheels coping well with some pretty horrendous road surfaces all over the country. It’s firm, sure, but not to the point of being uncomfortable. Mrs Challen is always a good benchmark of how a car rides – if she’s happy and doesn’t pass comment, then it must be pretty good.

In the end, the BMW didn’t claim the big prize at the UK Car of the Year Awards – that accolade went to the Kia EV9 – but it won over a lot of fans on the panel and will surely do so in the wider world, too.

Report 1:

We don’t tend to get a lot of snow on the south coast of England, but the recent arrival of the cold white stuff coincided with the day the latest Fleet World long-termer rocked up at Challen Towers. However, the adverse weather conditions (it’s all relative) did little to dampen my enthusiasm for the electrified 5 Series.

First things first, the styling of the i5 at the front is a bit Marmite – that much was made clear to me, during one of my first trips out in the car, by an acquaintance from a rival manufacturer. The biggest issue that people seem to have is with the ‘grille’, which these days houses a wealth of ADAS sensors, neatly hidden behind a cover. Not really much BMW could’ve done about that, but it has got recent previous with unconventional front ends, so maybe the opposition is understandable. Overall, I think the i5 looks great, especially in ‘Carbon Black’ metallic paint (a £900 option), which actually has hints of blue in it. Red calipers and 20-inch multi-spoke alloys complete the imposing exterior look.

Inside, the ‘Burgundy Veganza’ upholstery is a no-cost option, unlike the panoramic glass sunroof (£1,600), sun protection glass (£470), Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system (£1,250) M Carbon exterior styling (£1,750) and more. Chuck in the Technology Plus and Comfort packs and the total on the road cost for YC73 WNU, with options, is £89,075.

For that money, though, there is almost everything you can wish for. Heated seats and steering wheel, lumbar support, adaptive LED headlights, wireless charging and much much more. The M Sport touches are obvious but, at the same time, subtle – you can’t escape those calipers but the coloured stitching on the seat belts is a nice example of attention to detail.

There’ll be a lot more to say about the driving experience but, safe to say, the i5 is very capable, comfortable and confidence-inspiring.

John Challen