It seems like only yesterday when I opened my 1/24 BMW M1 Pro Car model kit. 15 years later, I’d test-drive a new E46 M3 and a decade later, I’d fall in love with what remains one of my top 10 best driving experiences when I attended the launch of the BMW 1M at Monticello Motor Club in New York State.
More than any other premium brand, I was exposed to BMW as a young man, and I quickly came to understand what made Bimmers so unique – the above cars were soul-stirring symbols of the automaker’s dedication to driving pleasure. From behind the wheel of the 2024 BMW i5 M60, I found myself reflecting on the evolution of the brand, the M badge, and its latest incarnation as an electric vehicle.
The BMW i5 M60 is a power monster. Its dual electric motor setup generaes a staggering 593 horsepower and 605 lb-ft of torque, propelling it from 0-100 km/h in a blistering 3.8 seconds. Feeding the motors is an 84.3 kWh lithium-ion battery offering a maximum estimated range of 412 km.
2022 BMW i4 M50 Review: BMW’s Not Messing About
Yet, despite these impressive credentials, something was amiss. For all its speed and sophistication, the i5 M60 felt hollow the second I drove off with it. It lacked that intangible BMW aura, that soul that made its predecessors legendary. In contrast, when I drove the i4 in the past, I did not experience this same “emptiness” from behind the wheel. Is it the absence of the visceral roar of a petrol engine? Nope. Is it the fact that it shares its platform with the conventional 5 Series rather than a dedicated EV architecture? This would be a massive stretch. Perhaps it’s the artificial driving sounds crafted by Hans Zimmer that left me yearning for something else? Doubt it as my first few days with the car, the sound was off.
I’m sure performance enthusiasts will appreciate the i5 M60’s blistering acceleration, precise handling, and innovative features. But for those of us who grew up with the E21, E28, E30, E34, E36, and so on, the i5 might not stir the senses as it should, or like the i4 did.
Why You Should Buy a 2024 BMW i5 M60:
- Scorching Performance: With a dual-motor setup churning out all that crushing power, the i5 M60 is an absolute rocket. It will leave most petrol-powered sports cars in the dust.
- Good Driving Dynamics: BMW has always been known for its exceptional driving dynamics. Despite its considerable heft, the i5 M60 handles admirably well thanks to its rear-wheel steering, adaptive suspension, and a low centre of gravity. It will carve through corners with precision but it’s far from agile.
- Luxurious and Well-Appointed Interior: Step inside the i5 M60, and you’ll be greeted by a cabin that oozes luxury. The interior is essentially carried over from the petrol-powered 5 Series, which is a good thing. Premium materials abound, the seats are supremely comfortable, and you’ll find all the latest tech features, including a stunning curved display and a crisp digital instrument cluster.
- Decent Range and Fast Charging: With an estimated range of 412 km, the i5 M60 is capable of longer trips without inducing range anxiety. When you do need to top up the battery, it can charge from 10-80% in just 30 minutes using a DC fast charger.
- Competitive Pricing: Starting at around $95,000 CAD, or the the i5 M60 is priced competitively against rivals like the Tesla Model S and Mercedes EQE AMG. Considering its performance capabilities and luxurious appointments, it represents a persuasive value proposition (I know it sounds crazy at this price point) in the premium electric sedan segment.
Why You Should Not Buy a 2024 BMW i5 M60:
- Hefty Curb Weight: Tipping the scales at 2,380 kg (5,236 lbs), the i5 M60 is no lightweight. This extra mass impact efficiency and range. And despite the good on-road manners, the car isn’t as sprightly and energetic as the last M5 I drove.
- Artificial Driving Sounds: BMW enlisted the help of renowned composer Hans Zimmer to create artificial driving sounds for the i5 M60. While some may find these synthesized tones appealing, others (me included) may consider them gimmicky and prefer the sound of tires against the pavement and the wind.
- Missing That Special Something: As much as I wanted to love the i5 M60, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it lacked the soul or aura that I’ve come to expect from BMW cars. It’s undeniably quick and capable, but it felt opportunistic on the automakers and not authentic. Again, the i4 left me wanting more of the drive experience.
- Early Quality Concerns: The press car I tested had just over 10,000 km on the odometer, but already there were some concerning signs of wear. The paint was peeling on the kidney grille, and I encountered a few electronic hiccups during my time with the car.
Conclusion:
The 2024 BMW i5 M60 is a car that left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, it delivers the blistering performance, impeccable handling, and luxurious accommodations that we’ve come to expect from the Bavarian automaker. However, and ultimately, I think my expectations for the i5 M60, based on the i4 M50, were set too high. I expected a BMW driving experience when all it could deliver was a generic large heavy super-powerful premium sedan encounter. For the vast majority though, this will work.
