I've had a M3 2020 LR company lease car for 13 months. All in all an excellent experience.
Apart for some paint issues on delivery, the only issues I've had over 12,000 miles were a misted rear light cluster and the side of the drivers seat coming adrift.
So, knowing I needed to hand the car back this week (left the company) I was thinking about buying one myself. The government forced my hand with the removal of the EV grant, so I ordered a stock M3 2021 which I picked up last week.
So...how do they compare?
Note that this is not a detailed technical evaluation, just a view after driving both for a week.
Of the new features, the electric tailgate is marginally useful, heated rear seats will be useful, but the expected heated steering wheel hasn't materialised. This seems to be a common issue, I only hope that it doesn't require a trip to a service centre.
Generally, I would say that the build quality of the 2021 MIC does feel better, paintwork, regular panel gaps, etc, and the interior does look/feel better, although, for me, the wood inserts on the doors don't really work. I know this is a minor point, but the inside edges of the cup holders sharp, and not as good as the 2020.
Noise - much worse. With everything switched off, the 2020 was silent. The 2021 has a very loud hum (and occasional vibration) from the frunk (presumably the heat pump?). I know you don't really hear it when driving, but it is quite loud! I also think that the motor whine is worse, particularly around 40, but not a major issue.
Range - Now this is where I am disappointed. I know I will be told look at the % not the miles, or it depends on driving etc, but these are 2 cars, in teh same place, driven in the same manner! At 100% charged I could expect a range of 319 ish form the 2020. Given that I was expecting around 10% better, I was very disappointed only to get a 100% charge range of 325.
I could have bought the lease car for around £41k, so was it worth an extra £7k for a M3 2021.....probably, but only time will tell!
Moderator comment - changed MY (Model Year) to M3 to avoid confusion
Apart for some paint issues on delivery, the only issues I've had over 12,000 miles were a misted rear light cluster and the side of the drivers seat coming adrift.
So, knowing I needed to hand the car back this week (left the company) I was thinking about buying one myself. The government forced my hand with the removal of the EV grant, so I ordered a stock M3 2021 which I picked up last week.
So...how do they compare?
Note that this is not a detailed technical evaluation, just a view after driving both for a week.
Of the new features, the electric tailgate is marginally useful, heated rear seats will be useful, but the expected heated steering wheel hasn't materialised. This seems to be a common issue, I only hope that it doesn't require a trip to a service centre.
Generally, I would say that the build quality of the 2021 MIC does feel better, paintwork, regular panel gaps, etc, and the interior does look/feel better, although, for me, the wood inserts on the doors don't really work. I know this is a minor point, but the inside edges of the cup holders sharp, and not as good as the 2020.
Noise - much worse. With everything switched off, the 2020 was silent. The 2021 has a very loud hum (and occasional vibration) from the frunk (presumably the heat pump?). I know you don't really hear it when driving, but it is quite loud! I also think that the motor whine is worse, particularly around 40, but not a major issue.
Range - Now this is where I am disappointed. I know I will be told look at the % not the miles, or it depends on driving etc, but these are 2 cars, in teh same place, driven in the same manner! At 100% charged I could expect a range of 319 ish form the 2020. Given that I was expecting around 10% better, I was very disappointed only to get a 100% charge range of 325.
I could have bought the lease car for around £41k, so was it worth an extra £7k for a M3 2021.....probably, but only time will tell!
Moderator comment - changed MY (Model Year) to M3 to avoid confusion
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