Compare two new cars by price, estimated monthly payment, fuel economy, and other specifications. Data comes from the CarPayCheck.com catalog and uses your selected financing terms.
| S e-tron | i4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Audi | BMW |
| Starting price | — | — |
| Monthly payment | — | — |
| Fuel type | Electricity | Electricity |
| Fuel economy | 38.1 kWh/100 mi | 33.4 kWh/100 mi |
| CO₂ emissions | — | — |
| Annual maintenance cost | — | — |
The LG E61V battery cell modules can develop voltage losses, causing reduced range, power limitation, and in extreme cases thermal runaway or fire. Audi issued recalls 93U9/93V2 and NHTSA 23V867 covering 2018-2022 model years, with interim guidance to limit charging to 80%. The repair is free under recall, but out-of-coverage module replacement would be far more expensive.
The front electric drive unit can develop a coolant leak, leaving fluid traces under the front of the vehicle and potentially triggering drivetrain warnings. If left unaddressed, the leak can damage drive-motor seals and shorten service life. No repair cost estimate was provided in the research, so treat it as a pre-purchase inspection item.
The MMI infotainment system can crash, show a blue screen, reboot unexpectedly, and sometimes lock out settings and climate touch controls. This affects 2020-2023 e-tron S and other GE e-tron variants. The fix is usually a dealer MMI software or data-pack update, or MMI module replacement in persistent cases; no cost range was stated in the research.
The 12-volt auxiliary battery is a typical weakness on 2020-2023 e-tron S models and is not covered by the main high-voltage battery warranty. A failing 12-volt battery can prevent the car from waking or unlocking, show low-voltage warnings, and leave the EV appearing totally dead because the HV contactors cannot activate. The research did not provide a specific replacement cost.
When using the portable compact charging system with an industrial 220-240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home outlets cannot handle the current and the outlet or cable can overheat. This recall covers 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro and 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, including 2020-2022 e-tron S models. The correction is performed free under recall.
A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying, violating FMVSS No. 111 Rear Visibility. Audi's December 2025 recall 25V500 covers many 2019-2026 model-year vehicles, including the first-generation e-tron S and the S6 e-tron series. The fix is an OTA or dealer software update at no cost to the owner.
Common-issue data is not available yet.
Audi S e-tron and BMW i4 suit different driving needs. The main differences below cover price, monthly payment, fuel economy, and running costs.
Both models use Electricity. Fuel economy is S e-tron — 38.1 kWh/100 mi; i4 — 33.4 kWh/100 mi. i4 uses less energy in everyday driving.
The final choice is about more than numbers: annual distance, city or highway use, and the space your household needs all matter. Use the CarPayCheck.com calculator to apply your financing terms and evaluate both cars in your situation.
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