Is this the worst BMW of all time? BMW i5 M60 xDrive: when electric fantasy collides with reality

Imagine you are an engineer at BMW and one day while watching “Star Wars” it strikes you: “What if made a car, which would be like a spaceship?” And so, dear readers, he was born BMW i5 M60 – a car apparently designed in a galaxy far, far away. But when we get it onto a regular dirt road, the fun begins. The promised range of 590 km shrinks like a woolen shirt in the washing machine, and the weight of 2.4 tons will convince you that you may have accidentally bought a tank. And the price? €105,000 is just the first stop on a financial horror train that will take you through extras you didn't know you needed until they said you could have them.

In fact, when you step on the gas, you'll feel a force that's truly impressive, but when you have to turn, you'll wish you were on a piloting course, not a car driving course. So, before we delve into everything that this 'ship captain' of a car has to offer (and what it doesn't), get ready for an ironic journey through space and back, where every kilometer counts, every euro counts and every function asks whether we really need all that to get from point A to point B.

Appearance: when design meets the question of meaning

BMW i5 M60 it is undoubtedly an eye-catcher with the aggressive aesthetics typical of modern electric vehicles. The first thing we notice is the futuristic-looking grille, which spreads over the entire front of the vehicle like a shield from a space saga. More for show than function, this grille is emblematic of an electric era in which engines don't need ventilation like their petrol predecessors. It's an interesting design element, but it leads me to the question: Isn't this a little too much? Does a car really need such a dramatic "face" that looks more like something from the movie "Blade Runner" than a practical vehicle?

In addition to the mask, there arelipstick' bezels around the grille which add extra emphasis to the already dramatic front end. Those shiny trims are like an aggressive accent that screams for attention, but sometimes it feels like the design screams a little too loudly. BMW i5 M60 wears this aesthetic with pride, but wouldn't it be better if the design spoke in a slightly quieter but still confident voice?

When let's walk around the vehicle, we are surprised by the wide, low side panels that give the car a low and sporty profile. It gives BMW i5 M60 lineup, which promises speed and performance, and in this respect the BMW does not disappoint. However, when we look further afield – down to the 21-inch wheels wrapped in massive tires – the question arises whether all these sporty touches really serve a practical purpose or are just part of an aesthetic package designed to make an impression on the road.

The rear end of the car completes this futuristic outing with sleek yet sharp taillights that resemble high-tech eyes. Like the front, the rear also screams modernism and style that straddles the line between practical and excessive. The rear spoiler adds a final touch of sportiness, which again seems to strike a balance between form and function.

Overall design BMW i5 M60 it is undoubtedly impressive and charming, but it is not without its dilemmas. While BMW strives to showcase the power and innovation of its EVs, perhaps they should find a more balanced approach that combines dramatic visuals with more subtle, elegant touches that allow the vehicle to stand out without screaming at every turn. .

BMW i5 M60 xDrive has brought many innovations and technological improvements over previous generations of BMW vehicles, but there are some questions regarding aerodynamic efficiency as measured by the coefficient of drag (CV). With the previous generation, especially the 5 Series models, we saw vehicles with more aerodynamically efficient shapes, where drag coefficients were usually around 0.22, which is pretty good by today's standards.

With the new i5 M60 xDrive, however, the focus on a more aggressive and dramatic design seems to be a trifle on the principles of aerodynamic efficiency. This model has a drag coefficient that was estimated at about 0.25 in tests, which means slightly worse aerodynamics compared to the previous generation. This deterioration in CV value by approximately 0.03 means that the i5 M60 is less effective at reducing air resistance while driving, which can affect energy consumption and thus the vehicle's range.

Such degradation may not seem like much at first glance, but in the world of electric vehicles, where every kilometer of range counts, this extra air resistance can make a significant difference, especially at high highway speeds. It's certainly a factor that potential buyers should consider when considering the aerodynamic efficiency and overall energy efficiency of their next electric vehicle.

Interior: digital chaos in the cabin

When we sit in BMW i5 M60, it really feels like we've entered the command center of some futuristic starship. Up front, we are greeted by digital displays that cover almost the entire width of the dashboard, colored cabin lighting that can change colors depending on the selected mood, and innovatively designed seats that adapt to your body and your every movement. But behind all this technological glitz lies one fundamental problem – too much complexity.

Digital interfaces are filled with menus and sub-menus that require more attention than you'd like to give when you're trying to focus on driving. Looking for a button to control the air conditioner? Prepare to travel through a complex touch menu where each click opens a new window with additional options and settings. BMW, do we really need a car that requires as many clicks to select the desired cabin air temperature as a flight to Mars?

Besides, it is BMW in the i5 M60 included a system for personalizing the driving experience, which allows you to adjust almost every aspect of the vehicle's operation - from the responsiveness of the steering wheel to the dynamics of the suspension and the sound effects of the engine. It sounds impressive, but in practice it can quickly become a burden, as the driver can feel more like the operator of a complex device than the driver.

Not to be overlooked is the ambient lighting, which you can adjust according to your mood. While this adds charm and a certain 'wow' factor to the interior, it can sometimes feel overdone and distracting, especially when driving at night when you'd like fewer distractions.

In all this technological sophistication, the question arises as to whether BMW may have crossed the line between innovation and practicality. Drivers want an intuitive, easy interaction with the vehicle that doesn't require navigating through opaque digital menus or using a multifunction interface to perform basic functions such as adjusting the climate control or selecting a radio station. While the technological advancements are undoubtedly impressive, it seems that BMW may need to rethink how these innovations affect everyday usability and driving pleasure.

Ride: the weight you feel in every turn

When we get behind the wheel BMW i5 M60 and we step on the gas, the impressive power of 600 horsepower immediately shows its teeth. The car surges forward with an explosive speed that is truly impressive for an electric vehicle. But soon after that initial excitement, reality sets in - and it's hard. Hard to say the least i5 M60 weighs more than 2.4 tons. This mass is felt in every turn, every maneuver, and suddenly you find yourself fighting the inertia that this enormous weight brings.

This feeling of weight is not something you would expect from a vehicle bearing the BMW brand, especially not from a model that belongs to the M series, known for its agility and sportiness. When you drive BMW i5 M60, it feels like you're maneuvering a tank, not a sports car. The speed is there, no doubt, but the agility and lightness we expect from a sports car is sacrificed at the expense of mass.

In addition, mass affects the overall feel of the ride. When cornering fast, you can feel the weight of the car pulling towards the outside of the corner, requiring more corrections from the driver. The feeling of having to constantly "fight" the car is not something you would expect from a premium electric sedan. And while he has BMW i5 M60 all the advanced driving control systems, such as dynamic stability control and xDrive all-wheel drive, these systems sometimes cannot fully compensate for the physical limitations that come with mass.

Moreover, the weight of the car also affects the wear of the components. More weight means more pressure on the brakes, tires and suspension, which can lead to faster wear and associated additional costs. In electric vehicles, where the mass is already increased by the batteries, this is a particularly important issue.

In the end, despite all the technological wonders that i5 M60 delivers, this weight gives the ride a sense of effort and compromise. For the next models, BMW should think about how to reduce the weight or better balance the driving characteristics in order to really exploit the potential that the electric drive has to offer. Without it, high-tech marvels can quickly become more of a burden than a blessing on the road.

Battery and Range: When Electric Dreams Meet Reality

BMW i5 M60, with its promise of 590km of WLTP range, seems like the electric superhero of the motoring world. But when it comes time to put the theory to the test on the road, that superhero cape quickly turns into a much more down-to-earth cape. In real conditions, especially in the winter months, the promised range quickly shrinks to about 400 km. Consumption is around 20 kw/h per 100 kilometers. Of course, not the highways. You will realistically do about 350 kilometers there, if you are slightly over the speed limit. It is true, however, that the car is surprisingly efficient at highway speeds, where consumption does not rise too drastically.

The problem that affects this reduction in range is somehow its weight. The BMW i5 M60 weighs more than 2.4 tons, which is quite large for an electric vehicle and affects energy consumption. Each additional kilogram requires more energy to move, which means that the greater mass of the car directly affects the reduction of its energy efficiency and thus its range. At the same time, the car has rather wide 21-inch tires, which are here more for looks than for efficiency.

Charging the battery brings an additional challenge. Due to energy conversion losses during charging, which can be compared to pouring water into a punctured bucket, the charging process is less efficient than we would like. At fast charging stations, the BMW i5 M60 promises fast charging from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes, but this is under optimal conditions and does not take into account additional energy losses. The car does not offer 22 kW charging at the home charging station, which would be desirable in this price segment.

So the reality of this car is much more complex than the marketing gloss. If you're looking for a long-haul vehicle and want to reduce your carbon footprint without compromising on utility, then the i5 M60 might not be the best choice. The range it offers, along with charging losses and the need for regular access to fast chargers, calls into question its practicality for longer rides.

For urban use and shorter journeys, the BMW i5 M60 may still be an attractive choice, but as the main vehicle for longer distances or as the only car in the household, its range and charging limitations require additional consideration. More than an impressive technological demonstration, the BMW i5 M60 is a reminder of the challenges the electric vehicle industry still faces. above all, it shows that BMW is a total dinosaur in the field of electro-mobility, and has sometimes even led the way in this field.

Looking at the BMW i5 M60's price tag, which starts at €105,000, it quickly becomes clear that BMW is targeting the high end market. This price, however, is only the beginning of the path of financial expenses. If you want to fit your i5 M60 with all the extras that BMW has to offer to make it a true luxury vehicle, the price goes up exponentially. From advanced driving assistance systems, a premium sound system, to exclusive interior trims – everything comes at a price.

Price: Prestige comes at a price, but why is the 50% too expensive!

BMW apparently believes there are enough buyers in the market willing to pay a premium to be able to drive something that looks more like a spaceship than a traditional car. This "spaceship" brings not only advanced technology and comfort, but also a status symbol that has always had its price in the automotive world.

However, this high initial price and additional costs for the equipment set BMW i5 M60 into a very specific market segment. Consideration of value is key, as potential buyers must ask themselves whether the true value of the vehicle is equal to its price. What exactly do they get for their money? Is the exceptional performance, style and exclusivity of the equipment worth the high financial investment?

In addition to the purchase of the vehicle itself, owners must also consider the long-term costs of ownership. Electric vehicles do promise lower maintenance costs compared to gasoline vehicles, but the high cost of replacement parts, especially batteries, and potentially faster depreciation due to rapid technology development can increase the total cost of ownership. So it's not just a question of how much you're willing to pay initially, but also how much it will cost you over the time you actually use this luxury vehicle.

The price of the BMW i5 M60 is not just a number on the price list, but a reflection of the wider economic logic in the automotive industry, where innovation and luxury always come with a high price. Buyers have to decide if they're willing to take that financial hit for the latest in automotive technology, with all its pros and cons.

Conclusion: BMW i5 M60 xDrive – when technological magic becomes road comedy

BMW i5 M60 xDrive is, without a doubt, a technical gem that shines in the showroom like a diamond in a shop window. But when we exchange the salon for real roads, it seems as if this pearl is quickly turning into an ordinary pebble. Is this really the future of motoring we've been dreaming of? A car that sounds like the "future", but behaves like some kind of complex scientific experiment that escaped from the laboratory.

The BMW i5 M60 promises us to be like Aladdin's magic carpet, fast and quiet, but in reality, when it comes time for long drives, you might be happier with the older version of the carpet - one that's not as sexy, but reliably gets you from the point A to point B. The vehicle combines performance where speed is impressive, but practicality and affordability are like that ice cream that looks fantastic on Instagram but melts before you can actually taste it.

BMW i5 M60 xDrive is an example of how trying to combine two worlds — traditional internal combustion engines and modern electric technology — on a single platform can lead to compromises that may not benefit either. When an automaker like BMW uses the same platform to develop both conventional and electric vehicles, it often happens that neither vehicle lives up to its maximum potential.

In the case of models like the i5 M60, this can mean that despite high technological advances and impressive specifications, electric cars fall short of the level you'd expect from a vehicle built solely with electric drive. Weight, layout and even vehicle aerodynamics are often compromises made at the expense of platform universality, which can lead to less efficiency and worse performance.

Until BMW and similar manufacturers develop specific platforms designed from the ground up for electric vehicles, it will be difficult to expect their electric models to truly stand out or set new standards in the industry. Real progress in electric mobility may require a more focused approach where electric vehicles are developed independently, with technologies and design philosophies that best take advantage of their unique characteristics and needs.

For those looking for an electric vehicle that combines performance with realistic daily needs, without having to sell a kidney to pay the electricity bill, the BMW i5 M60 may not really be the right choice. When the glamor of novelty wears off, the only questions left are – is it worth paying the price of a spaceship for a car that feels more like a complicated cafe on four wheels? And even today, in principle, compared to the Chinese, it is a technological dinosaur.

Thus, the BMW i5 M60, despite all its brilliance, remains shrouded in a veil of questions more worthy of philosophical debate than true automotive pleasure. Perhaps this car is more educational than useful, more about the promise of the future than the solutions of the present. It is definitely the most missed BMW car of the last decade.