[nhammer]

I picked up this ID.4 FE from Brunswick Auto Mart on Monday. Here are my initial impressions:

• I was not a fan of the touch sensitive buttons at first. They were difficult to use and I often made mistakes with them, but it was a bit of a learning curve. Now I quite enjoy them.
• This thing turns heads everywhere.
• The ride is extremely comfortable and I LOVE the seats. The massaging function is excellent.
• I am not one to drive aggressively, so I find the acceleration more than adequate. The handling is awesome with almost no body lean in tight turning.
• The UI is a bit slow, however I think based on the hardware specs this can be cleaned up with updates. Let's hope VW prioritizes this because other EVs have a much smoother UI.
• I wish there were more tools to judge efficiency. Like Ford's efficiency coach that provides a score based on how you drive. This should be available via OTA.
• The build quality is quite good. No squeaks or rattles to speak of and I have not been able to find any paint defects.
• I am not a fan of sunroofs, but I enjoy this one. I really like the open and close controls, definitely feels futuristic.
• I am a HUGE fan of the lighting on this vehicle.
• The range has exceeded my expectations so far. I find that the more that I drive it, the less I am concerned with Range Anxiety.
• I have not found a way to have the dash display the tire pressures. I would appreciate that.

All and all, I would give the car a 8.5 out of 10. I do not regret my purchase and I think VW has a hit on its hands. I originally wanted a Mach-E but found that the ID.4 was better suited to my needs, and also loved that VW Credit passed along the $7500 credit on the lease. Ford does not do that.

If anyone is looking for an awesome deal, Call Brunswick VW in Brunswick, OH. They have several FEs and Pros instock. They treated me awesome with no games.

 

[Lxtruong]

View attachment 3546

I picked up this ID.4 FE from Brunswick Auto Mart on Monday. Here are my initial impressions:

• I was not a fan of the touch sensitive buttons at first. They were difficult to use and I often made mistakes with them, but it was a bit of a learning curve. Now I quite enjoy them.
• This thing turns heads everywhere.
• The ride is extremely comfortable and I LOVE the seats. The massaging function is excellent.
• I am not one to drive aggressively, so I find the acceleration more than adequate. The handling is awesome with almost no body lean in tight turning.
• The UI is a bit slow, however I think based on the hardware specs this can be cleaned up with updates. Let's hope VW prioritizes this because other EVs have a much smoother UI.
• I wish there were more tools to judge efficiency. Like Ford's efficiency coach that provides a score based on how you drive. This should be available via OTA.
• The build quality is quite good. No squeaks or rattles to speak of and I have not been able to find any paint defects.
• I am not a fan of sunroofs, but I enjoy this one. I really like the open and close controls, definitely feels futuristic.
• I am a HUGE fan of the lighting on this vehicle.
• The range has exceeded my expectations so far. I find that the more that I drive it, the less I am concerned with Range Anxiety.
• I have not found a way to have the dash display the tire pressures. I would appreciate that.

All and all, I would give the car a 8.5 out of 10. I do not regret my purchase and I think VW has a hit on its hands. I originally wanted a Mach-E but found that the ID.4 was better suited to my needs, and also loved that VW Credit passed along the $7500 credit on the lease. Ford does not do that.

If anyone is looking for an awesome deal, Call Brunswick VW in Brunswick, OH. They have several FEs and Pros instock. They treated me awesome with no games.

Ford is pocketing the $7500 on leases? Why would anyone ever lease a Mach-E that's crazy.

 

[nhammer]

Ford is pocketing the $7500 on leases? Why would anyone ever lease a Mach-E that's crazy.

They do a balloon product that mimics a lease but allows the owner to retain the $7500 credit when they file their taxes. VW does it as a Traditional lease and passes the $7500 to the consumer instantly. Each plan has its advantages and disadvantages.

For me, I purchased a Pacifica Hybrid earlier this year, so I would not have the tax liability to support two $7500 credits this year, so it made more sense in my case to lease the VW as I could realize that $7500 now while retaining my eligibility to collect on the Pacifica Hybrid when I file my 2021 taxes.

 

[Fahrer]

Congratulations on purchase and best of luck with your new car.

Actually, I will not be purchasing a new car soon as I picked up a new 2019 Alltrack S last year. My wife's car is a 2016 Audi A6 Quattro. Perhaps the latter will get replaced soon?

I keep researching info on the ID.4 as it seems the best option for us when we do pull the trigger.

I do have some questions/comments;

1. The sunroof is fixed so that should prevent any leaks or creaks that come too often with panoramic sunroofs. How effective is the sunshade? My concern is that there would be too much heat coming into he car during the summer. If so, it could reduce battery range with A/C working harder. On the other hand, more sunlight coming into the car in the winter could extend the range. I am not a big fan of sunroofs as I prefer not to have the sun in my eyes when driving. Hopefully the sunshade is relatively opaque?

2. Many complain that the UI is slow. Perhaps this can be improved with a software update but I doubt it. VW probably needs to use a more powerful processor. Is it always slow or just when "sweeping" through screens?

3. VW generally has good build quality. How does it compare with other VWs? This is something really lacking with Teslas.

4. I am not sure about the ID.4 but my Alltrack has a Think Blue trainer in the car menu to help reduce fuel consumption.

5. If your car can report actual PSI for each tire, it means you have TP sensors in each wheel. Generally, I prefer the ABS based systems that look for a wheel that is spinning slightly faster than the rest to look for leaks. Normally one needs to/ should replace the sensors each time the tires are placed. My exception to the rules is for cars with no spare like my 911. I always drive with the tire pressures being displayed.

 

[Astros]

1. The sunroof is fixed so that should prevent any leaks or creaks that come too often with panoramic sunroofs. How effective is the sunshade? My concern is that there would be too much heat coming into he car during the summer. If so, it could reduce battery range with A/C working harder. On the other hand, more sunlight coming into the car in the winter could extend the range. I am not a big fan of sunroofs as I prefer not to have the sun in my eyes when driving. Hopefully the sunshade is relatively opaque?

2. Many complain that the UI is slow. Perhaps this can be improved with a software update but I doubt it. VW probably needs to use a more powerful processor. Is it always slow or just when "sweeping" through screens?

3. VW generally has good build quality. How does it compare with other VWs? This is something really lacking with Teslas.

4. I am not sure about the ID.4 but my Alltrack has a Think Blue trainer in the car menu to help reduce fuel consumption.

5. If your car can report actual PSI for each tire, it means you have TP sensors in each wheel. Generally, I prefer the ABS based systems that look for a wheel that is spinning slightly faster than the rest to look for leaks. Normally one needs to/ should replace the sensors each time the tires are placed. My exception to the rules is for cars with no spare like my 911. I always drive with the tire pressures being displayed.

A couple answers to your questions:

1: The sunroof is more transparent than e.g. a Mach-e or a Tesla. However, the sunshade does a better job of blocking heat and light than the tinting of those cars. The base Pro trim comes with a steel roof, if you want that.

2: The UI lag is noticeable in the first few minutes after the car starts, and when swiping between screens showing a map. The screens are customizable, so if you remove the screen that shows a map in a window along with other information to the right, everything is much faster.

3: I owned a Golf TDI in the past, and the build quality is comparable.

4: There is no "trainer" menu to help you learn how to drive more efficiently. There is a consumption gauge that is fairly accurate, but nothing as informative as the Mach-e has.

5: The TP sensor does not report the PSI in each tire. You can set it when you have manually checked the pressure, and it will display an alert when it drops below some threshold.

 

[Lxtruong]

2: The UI lag is noticeable in the first few minutes after the car starts, and when swiping between screens showing a map. The screens are customizable, so if you remove the screen that shows a map in a window along with other information to the right, everything is much faster.

I found today that disabling wifi searching made the UI faster too, btw.

 

[DitchingTheTiguanLol]

Ford is pocketing the $7500 on leases? Why would anyone ever lease a Mach-E that's crazy.

While that may be true, consider that the Mach E has a residual value that can reach 58%.
What VW is doing is cleverly "giving" you the 7500 while quietly screwing you over with a 48% RV.

That's not 10 percent worse, that's 32% worse !!!!!!

 

[TT97]

While that may be true, consider that the Mach E has a residual value that can reach 58%.
What VW is doing is cleverly "giving" you the 7500 while quietly screwing you over with a 48% RV.

That's not 10 percent worse, that's 32% worse !!!!!!

How did you get 32% worse and which one do you consider worse? Where did you find the 58% RV?

All I was able to find is the Ford Option plan that was 45% RV after 3 years.

But assuming your RVs and using $45k for both cars. 58% on $45k would be $26,100 so $18,900 depreciation. 48% on $45k is $21,600 with $23,400 depreciation less $7,500 credit or $15,900 effective depreciation. $3,000 better than the Ford lease.

The problem with the Ford Option is that I would be responsible for sales tax on all $45k which in L.A. is $4,275. On a true lease, I just pay sales tax on the payments.

 

[nhammer]

While that may be true, consider that the Mach E has a residual value that can reach 58%.
What VW is doing is cleverly "giving" you the 7500 while quietly screwing you over with a 48% RV.

That's not 10 percent worse, that's 32% worse !!!!!!
[/QUOTE

While that may be true, consider that the Mach E has a residual value that can reach 58%.
What VW is doing is cleverly "giving" you the 7500 while quietly screwing you over with a 48% RV.

That's not 10 percent worse, that's 32% worse !!!!!!

Higher residuals do not automatically equal better deals. Ford may be using the 7500 to prop up the residual. This works out to Ford's benefit if the vehicle comes in off lease and loses less than $7500 at the auction. In VW's case, if the vehicle is worth more than the stated residual, the customer can buy the vehicle and sell it for the higher value. In this case it is Ford that is doing the screwing.

 

[GTI_Convert]

Congratulations on purchase and best of luck with your new car.

Actually, I will not be purchasing a new car soon as I picked up a new 2019 Alltrack S last year. My wife's car is a 2016 Audi A6 Quattro. Perhaps the latter will get replaced soon?

I keep researching info on the ID.4 as it seems the best option for us when we do pull the trigger.

I do have some questions/comments;

1. The sunroof is fixed so that should prevent any leaks or creaks that come too often with panoramic sunroofs. How effective is the sunshade? My concern is that there would be too much heat coming into he car during the summer. If so, it could reduce battery range with A/C working harder. On the other hand, more sunlight coming into the car in the winter could extend the range. I am not a big fan of sunroofs as I prefer not to have the sun in my eyes when driving. Hopefully the sunshade is relatively opaque?

2. Many complain that the UI is slow. Perhaps this can be improved with a software update but I doubt it. VW probably needs to use a more powerful processor. Is it always slow or just when "sweeping" through screens?

3. VW generally has good build quality. How does it compare with other VWs? This is something really lacking with Teslas.

4. I am not sure about the ID.4 but my Alltrack has a Think Blue trainer in the car menu to help reduce fuel consumption.

5. If your car can report actual PSI for each tire, it means you have TP sensors in each wheel. Generally, I prefer the ABS based systems that look for a wheel that is spinning slightly faster than the rest to look for leaks. Normally one needs to/ should replace the sensors each time the tires are placed. My exception to the rules is for cars with no spare like my 911. I always drive with the tire pressures being displayed.

I can help with a couple of those!

2.) I imagine this will get improved with OTA updates.
3.) The build quality of the early FE ID.4 I test drove at the dealership was excellent. On par with my current VW. Zero paint defects door misalignments, or panel misalignments.
5.) VW seems to prefer using the ABS Speed Sensor type of tire pressure monitoring. My GTI won't give me instant tire pressures, and I know other VW products are the same.

 

[FredT]

I found today that disabling wifi searching made the UI faster too, btw.

Where is that setting. For future reference, I don't have a car yet.

 

[FredT]

How did you get 32% worse and which one do you consider worse? Where did you find the 58% RV?

All I was able to find is the Ford Option plan that was 45% RV after 3 years.

But assuming your RVs and using $45k for both cars. 58% on $45k would be $26,100 so $18,900 depreciation. 48% on $45k is $21,600 with $23,400 depreciation less $7,500 credit or $15,900 effective depreciation. $3,000 better than the Ford lease.

The problem with the Ford Option is that I would be responsible for sales tax on all $45k which in L.A. is $4,275. On a true lease, I just pay sales tax on the payments.

Ford is indeed boosting the residual on a lease, so it is higher than on Options. When I compared the actual payment, accounting for the $7500 fed credit on Options, the cost of Options was still less than lease. And yes you have to pay the full sales tax up front with Options, but Ford mitigates that with a $2500 sweetener. My rough calculations were that Ford Options on a Premium LR RWD Mach e is about $150/month more than a Pro S (non gradient) ID.4. Lease on the Ford about $200 more.

 

[Geo]

The range has exceeded my expectations so far. I find that the more that I drive it, the less I am concerned with Range Anxiety.

I agree. I came to the ID.4 from a 100+ mile RAV4 EV, which I had to plug in nightly just to have enough for the next day. With that car, I got good at calculating range estimates in my head.

Now I don't think much about it at all. I plug in maybe once or twice per week and always have plenty of range. Kind of liberating.

 

[nhammer]

Ford is indeed boosting the residual on a lease, so it is higher than on Options. When I compared the actual payment, accounting for the $7500 fed credit on Options, the cost of Options was still less than lease. And yes you have to pay the full sales tax up front with Options, but Ford mitigates that with a $2500 sweetener. My rough calculations were that Ford Options on a Premium LR RWD Mach e is about $150/month more than a Pro S (non gradient) ID.4. Lease on the Ford about $200 more.

This is my experience as well, although in my state you get a tax reduction on trade ins only on new retail so if you have a trade that’s worth a lot that can be a sizeable swing.