InsideEVs author buys out BMW iX after three years of leasing
An InsideEVs author decided to buy out a 2024 BMW iX xDrive50 electric crossover after three years of leasing. During that time, the vehicle covered 29,301 miles, nearly reaching the 30,000-mile limit. The author said there were no serious issues throughout the period, with a punctured tire being the only incident.
Range and battery
According to BMW's onboard system, during moderate weather in New York, the crossover shows more than 300 miles of estimated range at an 80% charge level. With a full charge in summer, the author expects more than 350 miles, exceeding the official EPA rating of 307 miles.
According to BMW's report for this vehicle, the traction battery retained 99 kWh out of the 105 kWh of usable capacity available at the start of operation after three years of use. This amounts to approximately 5% degradation. In the current month, the vehicle's average efficiency was 3.4 miles per kWh, compared with the official figure of 2.9 miles per kWh. In winter, during prolonged temperatures below freezing, it fell to 2.0 miles per kWh in January, before rising to 2.6 miles per kWh in March.
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Tires and drawbacks
Among the drawbacks, the author cited the lack of a pet or camping mode in the BMW iX: the vehicle switches off as soon as the driver leaves the cabin. The rear windows also lower only about halfway.
At the end of 2024, the factory tire set was replaced with all-weather Nokian Remedy WRG5 tires. After approximately 20 months and 20,000 miles, the rear tires had a tread depth of 2/32 of an inch, while the front tires had 4/32 of an inch. During an inspection for BMW's certified pre-owned vehicle program, these tires were found not to meet the requirements. The author purchased a set of Bridgestone Alenza tires for the summer months and plans to select tires with better snow traction for the next winter.
Further plans
After buying out the vehicle, the author plans to use it more often for travel, as there is no longer a risk of exceeding the mileage limit under the lease agreement. The author is also considering installing a tow hitch for a bike rack and a small trailer, and purchasing a NACS adapter in the future.
