Lucid air vs my m5

[c_lenczyklucid]

I’ve had my lucid air now for 6.5 months. I’ve put over 7,000 miles on it already. At first I loved the car. Now I like it, but I don’t love it.

Why? My other cars all bmws. I have an f10 m5 with manual transmission. After not driving that car for a while, I took it out again. What I realized is that the lucid is boring. It’s fast, handles ok and is comfy. It’s more of a luxury cruiser. Compared to the m5, it’s just a totally different experience. The sound of the v8, the shifts, the noises it makes on downshifts with the manual, the stability at speeds over 100 and handling at that speed simply can’t be matched by the air. I don’t look forward to driving the air anymore. It’s become boring in just over 6 months. I’ve had the m5 for 12 years and every time I get it, I still can’t wait to start it up and drive it. I lost that feeling with the lucid after just 6 months.

I don’t think it’s an air thing, it’s more of an EV thing. The driving experience is more suited to luxury and comfort than raw sportiness. The air is a great car and for those wanting an efficient and economical EV, it’s hard to beat. I just realized I don’t enjoy driving EVs.

Handling wise, the air is ok at speeds above 100. But try to do a fast maneuver at those speeds, and the suspension becomes frizzled. It may be the skinny tires. Whatever the case, the m5 behaves way better at those speeds when you arw forced to do quick maneuvers or apply brakes hard at that speed. It’s really no comparison.

At this point, I’m actually looking forward to my lease expiring. I’ll be giving the car back for sure. I also won’t be buying another EV until I’m forced too!

Again, the air is a great car. I simply prefer ice cars with fantastic engines over EVs and now that I know just how much more I prefer ice cars with strong engines, I’m not going to EV until I absolutely must.

The suspension on the Air is nearly identical to your BMW. In fact it was inspired by the old E39 multi link rear. The rear on the air is an integral link. You have a projected axis double wishbone suspension with active dampers in the front. Obviously a vehicle weighing 5K lbs will not handle like something a thousand pounds lighter. did you get one with a glass canopy? There's a big difference compared to a metal roof. Trust me.

 

[Cosmo Cruz]

I did not read past the part where he compares the M5 to a car with snow tires.

 

[c_lenczyklucid]

I can get behind on what you are feeling. Manuals are a blast to drive and gives you control in a way nothing else can. Providing you are not stuck in bumper to bumper for hours..... That drives me nuts and makes me want to have a Falling Down Moment(I know he is not driving a manual, but the whole I am done here and walking off). I also hate dealing with any sort of lines so maybe its a personal problem..... Its a whole different driving experience though. I love my air, but I'm coming from a MDX so the jump is a little different then yours.... Got my wife a little Integra a while back for all the reason you are stating, so I feel you. I also, feel that manuals are slowly diapering and the younger generation increasingly can't drive them. Can't remember the last time anyone told me they learned to drive in a manual.... Maybe I am dead wrong about this, but I say enjoy it while you can.

I learned in a manual RX7. even took my drivers test the day I turned 16 in it. We only had manual cars in my house growing up. I guess anyone over 45 years old more likely grew up around manual transmissions. No? Kids these days don't even care to get a license to drive... different times.

 

[c_lenczyklucid]

I have had my Lucid Air Pure for a week now. From what I have heard, the Air is meant to replicate the Mercedes S Class experience. NOT the BMW experience. So the Air, for an EV, has quite slow and smooth acceleration and looks/handles more like a Mercedes than a Bimmer. Before you give up on EVs let me suggest to try driving the BMW i4 or i5. I used to own an i4 and it was much faster than an Air and handled better. I've been driving EVs for years now and find virtually all ICE cars too slow. Quick EV acceleration is fun for accelerating real fast, but is also quite handy in passing slower cars, and also bikes, on streets and highway. Makes passing a breeze. I also have a BMW iX and it is sportier than the Lucid Air and handles fairly good.

S-Class? I've never heard that. The Air wheel base is 116.5. S class is 126 or more. Those are two very different chassis. I think you are confusing the interior space comparison with the S class, in which case you would be correct.

 

[CCIVKing]

The suspension on the Air is nearly identical to your BMW. In fact it was inspired by the old E39 multi link rear. The rear on the air is an integral link. You have a projected axis double wishbone suspension with active dampers in the front. Obviously a vehicle weighing 5K lbs will not handle like something a thousand pounds lighter. did you get one with a glass canopy? There's a big difference compared to a metal roof. Trust me.

Can you elaborate? What do you mean by having glass canopy vs metal roof?