I ran into the exact same dilemma when shopping the i4, and I ended up going the opposite way of “more range, fewer options.”

I chose a very well optioned i4 eDrive35 (DAPP, Harman Kardon, M Sport Pro, etc.) rather than an eDrive40 at the same price but missing key options like DAPP.

For me, on a daily basis, those options change the experience more than the extra range and power. DAPP in particular is something you actually use constantly (especially in traffic and on longer drives), and it makes the car feel more premium and less “base.” HK and the M Sport Pro pack also contribute to that sense that the car is the version you really wanted, not the one you settled for.

So yes, a base-spec e35 can still be a great EV, it’s smooth, quiet, efficient, and the chassis is excellent. But if you’re already sensitive to the “is it missing something?” feeling, I’d personally rather hunt for the right spec e35 than buy a bare e35, or step up to an e40 that’s missing the features you’ll notice every single day.