This will probably be my last post (unless I get a lot of criticism --which probably I will LOL). I was actually one of the first to take delivery of the BMW IX 50 in the US. I received the car about 5 days after it was legal to sell in the US (March 27 2022). For anybody that has read my old posts, I was part of the early battery recall. As a result, I decided to Lemon Law (LL) the car. My previous posts describe the entire process and events leading up to the LL. I surrendered the car and completed the process on December 12th 2023. I originally was planning to get another BMW IX 50, however they don't come with air suspension any longer and I really did not want a IX 60. Additionally, during the LL process, I noticed that the price of the Tesla Model X had dropped considerably,,,Enough so that I decided to switch and purchase a Model X. I have had the car 1 month now and wanted to share my experience so far comparing the two cars:
1) Charging network--obviously this is one of the biggest pluses. I live in a high rise and don't have access to traditional overnight charging. I do live close to EA charging stations. Actually two different ones. Durning my ownership, both stations constantly had broken chargers. Even after they were upgraded to hyper chargers. I constantly had to wait to charge. The data between the phone app and the cars built in app never matched and both were inaccurate (in terms of broken chargers and available chargers). I found this to be more than a local problem, as I had taken the car on a 3,000 mile road trip (Oct 2023) and had consistent availability and reliability issue during the whole trip. I realize that everybody is eventually going to switch to NACS, but its going to take awhile and I don't want to wait.
2) Build quality--This was a big one,,,and I went it with my eye wide open and low expectations (on the Tesla). The BMW by far has better build quality,,,fit and finish. I had realized that going in to this and would have never even considered looking at this car when it was almost $140K. It does not have have build quality of a $140K. Heck, even at $79K its still a stretch,,,however, its a little easier to deal with at this price point.
3) Ride quality- This was the biggest issue for me by far! I test drove the car several times. Going into this I had the expectation and awareness that ride quality would,,,well,,,,suck. It's not great, but far better than I set my expectations. I having the car sound insulated to help with some issues. The real issues for me are when driving over 65 MPH. To my surprise, the Tesla (at least not yet) does not squeak or rattle. However, you can tell driving it that the fit and finish is not even close to the BMW,,,but I can live with it,,,,so far. I really do miss the complete silence when driving at high speeds on the freeway, however, local around town driving is just as quiet.
4) Technology- Easy one here. The Tesla app is light years ahead of BMW. Without getting into all the details, what always surprised me the most is that BMW literally had nearly ten years to evaluate and copy some of the best tech features of the Tesla and didn't. Things like dog mode, auto closing windows when you walk away. Remembering seat position and easy entry....Even simple things like Screen Clean Mode and Car Wash Mode....I just don't get why they didn't implement these things. The IX was supposed to be built to be able to be software upgraded,,,,Since my IX (fully loaded at delivery), was considered an earlier model,,,I was unable to upgrade to park assist --despite have all the necessary prerequisites for it. I was told the "head unit was too old LOL....This is a brand new car from the ground up!!! That's laughable.
5) Design and minimalism---Im getting used to it. We also own a model 3 (for 1 year) and have had not issues so far. Having a display in front of you really helps out, but having to either use the touch screen or voice command does take some getting used to. Even things like opening up the glove box requires either a voice command or the touch screen. However, that still beats trying to located the BMW glove box button at night constantly pressing and guessing where it might be. I do love the location of the cup holders and wireless charging in the Model X...Its seems so normal and natural. The IX has such an awkward location and orientation for these things that I never got used to or even understood. Storage is much better on the X. The center console has so many options and room,,,as well as having the frunk (which really comes in handy when you pick up Chinese food and don't want is stinking up the car!)
6) Lack of stalks. Not to crazy about this one. Im slowing getting used to it but would still prefer the old way. I do hate the fact that the horn is not in the traditional location. This has already been an issue twice with me as I was unable to find and press it quick enough,.
7) Self driving- I didn't make my decision based on this however, both systems have their advantages and disadvantages. I do miss being able to correct the auto pilot steering without disengaging it though.
8) Service--No experience yet, however, I live less than 3 miles from a dealership and my Model 3 has been fine for the last year.
Anyway, So far I feel good about my decision,,,maybe not as time goes by, but we already own a model 3 for a year so I kind of know what to expect. I really do miss the highway ride quality but the other features really balance things out for me....Im sure NomoTesla has got some comments for me LOL, but we all have to make our own decisions. I wish to bid farewell to all the BMW IX owners and Happy New Year as I now sign up for the Tesla Forums.
1) Charging network--obviously this is one of the biggest pluses. I live in a high rise and don't have access to traditional overnight charging. I do live close to EA charging stations. Actually two different ones. Durning my ownership, both stations constantly had broken chargers. Even after they were upgraded to hyper chargers. I constantly had to wait to charge. The data between the phone app and the cars built in app never matched and both were inaccurate (in terms of broken chargers and available chargers). I found this to be more than a local problem, as I had taken the car on a 3,000 mile road trip (Oct 2023) and had consistent availability and reliability issue during the whole trip. I realize that everybody is eventually going to switch to NACS, but its going to take awhile and I don't want to wait.
2) Build quality--This was a big one,,,and I went it with my eye wide open and low expectations (on the Tesla). The BMW by far has better build quality,,,fit and finish. I had realized that going in to this and would have never even considered looking at this car when it was almost $140K. It does not have have build quality of a $140K. Heck, even at $79K its still a stretch,,,however, its a little easier to deal with at this price point.
3) Ride quality- This was the biggest issue for me by far! I test drove the car several times. Going into this I had the expectation and awareness that ride quality would,,,well,,,,suck. It's not great, but far better than I set my expectations. I having the car sound insulated to help with some issues. The real issues for me are when driving over 65 MPH. To my surprise, the Tesla (at least not yet) does not squeak or rattle. However, you can tell driving it that the fit and finish is not even close to the BMW,,,but I can live with it,,,,so far. I really do miss the complete silence when driving at high speeds on the freeway, however, local around town driving is just as quiet.
4) Technology- Easy one here. The Tesla app is light years ahead of BMW. Without getting into all the details, what always surprised me the most is that BMW literally had nearly ten years to evaluate and copy some of the best tech features of the Tesla and didn't. Things like dog mode, auto closing windows when you walk away. Remembering seat position and easy entry....Even simple things like Screen Clean Mode and Car Wash Mode....I just don't get why they didn't implement these things. The IX was supposed to be built to be able to be software upgraded,,,,Since my IX (fully loaded at delivery), was considered an earlier model,,,I was unable to upgrade to park assist --despite have all the necessary prerequisites for it. I was told the "head unit was too old LOL....This is a brand new car from the ground up!!! That's laughable.
5) Design and minimalism---Im getting used to it. We also own a model 3 (for 1 year) and have had not issues so far. Having a display in front of you really helps out, but having to either use the touch screen or voice command does take some getting used to. Even things like opening up the glove box requires either a voice command or the touch screen. However, that still beats trying to located the BMW glove box button at night constantly pressing and guessing where it might be. I do love the location of the cup holders and wireless charging in the Model X...Its seems so normal and natural. The IX has such an awkward location and orientation for these things that I never got used to or even understood. Storage is much better on the X. The center console has so many options and room,,,as well as having the frunk (which really comes in handy when you pick up Chinese food and don't want is stinking up the car!)
6) Lack of stalks. Not to crazy about this one. Im slowing getting used to it but would still prefer the old way. I do hate the fact that the horn is not in the traditional location. This has already been an issue twice with me as I was unable to find and press it quick enough,.
7) Self driving- I didn't make my decision based on this however, both systems have their advantages and disadvantages. I do miss being able to correct the auto pilot steering without disengaging it though.
8) Service--No experience yet, however, I live less than 3 miles from a dealership and my Model 3 has been fine for the last year.
Anyway, So far I feel good about my decision,,,maybe not as time goes by, but we already own a model 3 for a year so I kind of know what to expect. I really do miss the highway ride quality but the other features really balance things out for me....Im sure NomoTesla has got some comments for me LOL, but we all have to make our own decisions. I wish to bid farewell to all the BMW IX owners and Happy New Year as I now sign up for the Tesla Forums.
