Tesla or BMW

A 2014 535i Gran Turismo with 3.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder, 24-valve, 300-hp engine BASE MSRP of $60,200 Destination & Handling:$925

Roughly the same price as Tesla S.

I don't know which one will be worth more in five years, but I have to figure the BMW.

Given you have this budget, which would you buy? Parenthetically, which do you think will be worth more in five years.

I would guess the BMW but possibly for different reasons than one might expect. The Tesla model may get some as yet unknown improvements in 5 years. I wouldn't expect as many improvements on a big scale on the bmw.

The exception would be first editions out of factory or rare versions of the main line if any.

BTW, how fast would the Tesla be with a 1320 ft power cord instead of the battery weight? Not sure that would really work.

(1320 is a drag strip)

If your giving me 60 grand, I'll take the BMW 335i GT with plenty of trimmings and the M sport line options (the M3 goes above budget).

But that's being pedantic given the choice, I guess. I'd still prefer the fuel car over the electric motor... despite the high grade finish Tesla offer.

Quote: rxwine

BTW, how fast would the Tesla be with a 1320 ft power cord instead of the battery weight? Not sure that would really work.

(1320 is a drag strip)

I think the battery is over 1000 pounds, but it has a one-speed gear reductions system, so there's a motor RPM limit. I think they are limited to about 130 mph.

You can refuel the BMW in under ten minutes within range of wherever you happen to be.

Quote: Nareed

You can refuel the BMW in under ten minutes within range of wherever you happen to be.

I think the range and refuel time for electric cars vs gasoline cars is well understood.

Frankly if you were concerned about the environment, and your choice is between car #1 or #2 below, you would be better off getting car #2 and then voluntarily agreeing to pay an extra $30 a month for your home electricity if it is generated from a reusable resource like wind or solar.
1) 2013 LEAF® $28,800 • High response 80 kW AC synchronous electric motor• Speeds up to 90 mph Range typically 75 miles
2) 2014 VERSA® SEDAN From $11,990= 109-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder • 31/40 city/hwy mpg (Xtronic CVT® only) Up to 400 miles between fill ups

But if you have a lot of money, and you want a car with horsepower and prestige, then what would you choose? A Tesla doesn't really say that you are worried about the environmental impact of your car.

Quote: Nareed

You can refuel the BMW in under ten minutes within range of wherever you happen to be.

Yeah, maybe one day they'll have cars where you just drive in a garage and one large battery pack will be pushed in pushing out your discharged one in about a minute.

They do have more recharge places for electric cars now than they did 5 years ago. There is actually more of the electric grid everywhere than the underground tanks, just no recharge stations to access it.

Actually, if they had lower side panels on electrics, maybe you could always have a spare charged, then you never wait at all, just need a device to change it out for you.

Quote: Pacomartin

Given you have this budget, which would you buy? Parenthetically, which do you think will be worth more in five years.

Tesla and (Tesla)
There are several reasons that I would take a Tesla over a BMW, not the least of which is that Tesla is made in the USA. Elon Musk has pretty much guaranteed the resale price of the Model S with the lease program announced earlier this year. Tesla will take back the car at the end of the lease with very little depreciation in the retail price. The terms suggest that the resale price of the car will be above the resale value of any similarly priced vehicle. Considering the $ that you save on gas, it makes owning a Tesla quite economical.