The snow is starting to give way to the promise of spring here in upstate New York, and let me tell you, after what felt like an eternity of winter, it’s a breath of fresh air. With the longer days and warmer temperatures on the horizon, we can’t help but dream about adventures waiting to be had. Our trusty companion on these outings? The 2024 BMW iX, which has become a beloved member of our family over the past 18 months.
In our time together, we’ve racked up 16,523 miles and navigated through two winter seasons, achieving an impressive average efficiency of 3.0 miles per kilowatt-hour. That’s actually better than the official EPA rating of 2.9 miles per kWh, although, during the worst of the cold snaps, our efficiency dipped down to 2.3 miles per kWh—the moment the temperature hit a staggering eight degrees below zero Fahrenheit (-17 C). It might sound daunting, but that didn’t deter us from embracing the winter wonderland outside.
Yet, our winter escapades have become a little more unpredictable lately, all thanks to an unexpected bug that appeared in one of our software updates. This is where things got a bit interesting.
You see, like many EVs, the iX comes equipped with a handy feature that allows you to start charging right away when plugged in. You also have the option to set a maximum charge percentage—ours is usually around 90% to help keep the battery healthy over the long haul. But if you opt for scheduled charging (what BMW charmingly calls “time slot mode”), you can set it to only pull energy during specific hours, like when electricity rates are lower overnight. It sounds perfect in theory—like saving money while you sleep.
However, here’s the catch: despite never enabling this feature, our iX mysteriously keeps defaulting back to that 10 PM start time for charging. It’s like a bad horror movie—no matter how many times we disable it, it keeps returning, just like a zombie! We plug the car in, confidently thinking it’s charging, only to be bamboozled the next morning when we find it barely charged, leaving us in a tighten-our-belts sort of position for our range. Trust me, waking up to a half-full battery is not the ideal way to start a morning.
In January, this caught me off guard just before a trip to Vermont. I plugged in the night before, expecting to jump into a fully charged iX for the drive, only to find myself scrambling to fire up our Subaru instead. My wife faced a similar fate a few weeks later when she had a morning event planned deep within the beautiful, snowy landscapes of the Adirondack Park, requiring a 320-mile round trip. She had to scramble for a stop at a charger, worried about making it to her meeting on time. It was a stressful scramble that could’ve easily been avoided.
Yet, paradoxically, these hiccups have strangely bolstered our faith in the iX. Through it all, my wife’s experience at the wheel was impressive. She couldn’t stop marveling at the car’s range estimation capabilities—something that’s been consistently accurate, providing peace of mind on those chilly, icy drives. In her own words, “This is the only car I’ve driven where the range prediction actually reduces my range anxiety.” She’s absolutely right. Unlike other vehicles that leave you second-guessing if you’ll make it to your destination, the iX has been delightfully reliable in this department.
Equipped with a robust navigation system, the iX maps your outings with precision, giving you a clear picture of your journey, which is a massive relief when you’re navigating tricky routes, especially during peak traffic times. Although I still often rely on Google Maps through Android Auto for everyday drives, I’ve learned to trust the iX’s integrated navigation for longer outings. The layout is user-friendly and covers everything I need to call upon while on the road.
And when it comes to charging, I genuinely wish we could confidently enter the plug-and-charge era, where all EV charging behaves seamlessly. Unfortunately, I still find myself holding my breath at stations, waiting to see if the iX will recognize the charger and start automatically. Thankfully, we had a positive experience during a recent pit stop at an Electrify America station—my wife plugged in and it recognized our car without any hiccups. It couldn’t have been smoother, and I breathed a sigh of relief when she texted about the free charging session starting without any fuss.
That moment solidified just how crucial reliable infrastructure is for a smooth charging experience. The session was excellent, delivering almost 70 kWh of energy in just 28 minutes, even on a brisk day. It’s moments like these when you feel reassured about the future of EV technology.
However, we’ve learned to be vigilant. Now, before any adventures that require a full charge, I make a habit of checking the My BMW app to ensure charging has squared away on its own. And wouldn’t you know it? Just last night, that pesky “time slot mode” made a surprise comeback, like an unwelcome ghost. It seems we are not alone; many other iX owners are encountering similar frustrations. Thankfully, a new software update is on the horizon, and I’m hoping it resolves this recurring issue that has been our bane.
Frustrations like these often lead us to appreciate the good fortunes we have elsewhere, and despite the challenges, the journey with the iX continues to be mostly positive. Driving the iX is an evolving adventure, and so far, it has been one worth embarking on.
As I share these experiences, I hope it resonates with fellow travelers and EV enthusiasts navigating similar paths. Whether we’re fighting software bugs or basking in smooth rides, we’re all just trying to create memorable experiences on the road—together.
Image Source: BMW.com
