So I finally did it and got a 2024 BMW i4 eDrive35 but I'm honestly way out of my depth here. This is the first time I've ever bought a car that wasn't like 10 years old and I'm kind of freaking out about keeping it clean. I've been driving an old Corolla for a decade and it was basically a lost cause but this new car has the Oyster interior - the really light white-greyish one - and I'm already envisioning my kids or even just my own muddy boots from hiking ruining the whole thing in a week. I live up in Oregon so its basically wet and gross for 8 months out of the year and the dirt here is that kind of sticky clay that never comes out of fabric.
I've been trying to research floor mats but I am so confused. Like I go on Amazon and search and there are so many options but I dont even know the difference between a floor mat and a floor liner. Some look like they're just flat pieces of rubber and others look like they have walls on the sides? Is one better for keeping water off the actual carpet? I saw a few people mentioning brands like WeatherTech and TuxMat and something called 3D Maxpider but they all look so different and the prices are all over the place. My budget is probably around $200 at the most because I already spent way more than I planned on the car itself.
I also heard that electric cars have different floor shapes because of the batteries under the seats or something? I dont want to buy something and then it doesnt fit because the hump in the back is different than a gas car. The dealership guy was trying to get me to buy the official BMW ones but they looked kind of thin and were really expensive. I just want something that looks decent but really protects the floor from mud and spilled coffee. If anyone knows which ones are actually the best or easiest to clean for a total beginner please let me know. I'm getting the car delivered in two weeks and I want to have them ready to go the second I drive it home...
I was really disappointed with the BMW All-Weather Floor Mats i4 since they dont cover the sides much. For that Oyster interior, you definitely need liners with high walls. I had issues with leaks until I got TuxMat BMW i4 Custom Fit Floor Mats. Unfortunately, basic rubber mats just wont stop that Oregon clay from staining your carpets. Go for the TuxMats, they're basically buckets for your feet!
Re: "I was really disappointed with the BMW All-Weather..."
Regarding what #2 said about those flat OEM mats, I agree. Over the years, I've found you need: