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What are the best tech accessories for the BMW i4?

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[#3363]
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I recently took delivery of my BMW i4 M50, and while the iDrive 8.5 system is incredible, I’m looking to round out the experience with some high-quality tech accessories. I want to keep the cabin looking as clean and 'OEM+' as possible, so I'm trying to avoid anything that involves messy dangling wires or cheap-looking plastic.

Specifically, I’ve been struggling with the built-in wireless charger—it seems to make my iPhone run incredibly hot without adding much juice. Has anyone found a sleek MagSafe mount that fits the i4’s interior aesthetic without blocking the vents or the curved display? I’m also looking into dash cams; I’ve seen those integrated units that replace the plastic mirror housing for a factory look, but I’m curious if they actually interfere with any of the driver assistance sensors or the rain sensor.

Lastly, with that massive glass panel spanning the dash, I’m a bit paranoid about glare and fingerprints. Are there any specific matte screen protectors you’d recommend that maintain the touch sensitivity and clarity? I’d love to hear about any other gadgets you've found essential for the i4 that actually feel like they belong in a luxury EV.

What are the absolute must-have tech accessories you’ve added to your i4 so far?


5 Answers
12

Hey, congrats on the M50! It's such a beast. Before I give advice, quick question - are you using a MagSafe case on your iPhone+or+going+naked&linkCode=osi&------123456890?5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">iPhone or going naked? It actually makes a huge difference with the heat issues and how well these mounts hold up during... let's say "spirited" driving. I struggled with that built-in phone toaster too. Tbh I wanted to save some cash after dropping so much on the car lol. I compared two options. The Kenu Airframe MagSafe Wireless Charger is really nice and minimalist, but it's pretty pricey for what it is. On the flip side, I tried the ESR Magnetic Car Phone Mount (HaloLock) which is way more budget-friendly. The ESR has crazy strong magnets which is a huge pro, but it's just a mount, no charging. The Kenu looks a bit more "pro" but the ESR is basically a steal and stays out of the way of the curved display. I went with the ESR because it's lowkey and saved me $30. Lesson learned: you don't always need "luxury" priced gear for an OEM look. Just gotta find the right spot! peace


10

In my experience, that built-in charger is basically a phone toaster lol. For a budget-friendly MagSafe fix, I actually suggest the Lisen MagSafe Car Mount which is usually under $30. It's super low profile and doesn't block that gorgeous curved display or the vents if u position it right. About the dash cam interference—I did some technical digging before buying. Those mirror housing units like the Mercylion Integrated Dash Cam for BMW i4 (about $140) only swap the plastic trim. They don't touch the KAFAS cameras or the rain sensor, so ur driver assistance stuff stays 100% functional. A few other budget-friendly must-haves:
- Aclium Matte Screen Protector for BMW i4 - way cheaper than glass and kills fingerprints for $18.
- Basenor Center Console Organizer Tray - basically a necessity to keep the cabin tidy for like $15.
- Faraday Bag for Key Fob - super cheap way to prevent relay theft for like $10. Basically, you don't need to spend a fortune to get that OEM+ look. Good luck with the new ride! 👍


3

Regarding what #4 said about "Late to the party but honestly, my experience...", I totally agree that reliability should be the priority. Honestly, its just ridiculous that we pay such a massive premium for a luxury EV like the i4 only to have to deal with a wireless charger that basically functions as a microwave for your phone. Its such a scam that these manufacturers include tech that barely works. It drives me crazy how even the high-end brands are dropping the ball lately. When you compare them to the generic stuff, you're often just paying for a fancy logo while the internal components are the same mediocre junk. Quality across the board is going downhill while prices keep climbing. You really have to be careful... make sure to double check everything before you start messing with the sensor housing. I wouldnt want anyone to compromise their driver assistance just for a cleaner look. Most of these companies just dont care about your cars long-term health as long as they get your money.


2

In my experience, that built-in charger is basically a phone heater lol. I added the Fitcamx Dash Cam for BMW i4 for about $160 and it honestly looks totally stock and doesnt mess with my sensors. For the screen, I use Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector Glas.tR Slim Anti-Glare for BMW i4 - it REALLY helps with fingerprints. Also, a MagSafe mount like the Aclium MagSafe BMW i4 Mount is a decent option for keeping wires hidden. gl!


2

Late to the party but honestly, my experience with those integrated dash cams hasn't been as good as expected. I tried a cheaper one initially and it kept throwing interference codes with the driver assistance sensors... super annoying. I just didnt trust it for the long term. Ended up pulling it out and went with a BlackVue DR970X-2CH Plus 4K UHD Dash Cam instead. Its a bit more visible than the mirror housing types but way more reliable in my book and doesn't mess with the tech. Unfortunately, I had similar heat issues with the wireless tray too. Its basically a microwave for your phone. I tried those clip-on vent mounts but they felt flimsy and I was worried about breaking the plastic slats. Finally grabbed a ProClip BMW i4 Center Mount which feels way more solid and doesn't block the air or the screen. Quick tip: If you go for a screen protector, make sure its high quality like the ScreenShield BMW i4 Screen Protector Matte. Cheap ones can make the display look grainy which is a shame for such a nice screen. Just make sure to align it perfectly the first time because those bubbles are a nightmare to get out.


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