So who's getting an i3?
Discussion
OK, I'm also on my second i3. First one was a BEV now have a 94REx. Done about 34,000 i3 miles altogether over the past 34 months.
I have never managed to overheat the battery. This includes driving at sustained high speed and even driving it around a sprint circuit with lots of hard acceleration.
The only time I have ever had reduced power is when it has been REALLY cold overnight and I haven't charged or preconditioned the car.
I find the handling perfectly acceptable and VERY "chuckable". When it's cold and and damp it can spin up a back wheel and slide momentarily but its never a problem.
Brakes aren't fantastic but certainly adequate - they just need a firm shove if pressing on. Most of the time in my daily commute I don't use them at all.
I have never managed to overheat the battery. This includes driving at sustained high speed and even driving it around a sprint circuit with lots of hard acceleration.
The only time I have ever had reduced power is when it has been REALLY cold overnight and I haven't charged or preconditioned the car.
I find the handling perfectly acceptable and VERY "chuckable". When it's cold and and damp it can spin up a back wheel and slide momentarily but its never a problem.
Brakes aren't fantastic but certainly adequate - they just need a firm shove if pressing on. Most of the time in my daily commute I don't use them at all.
TallTony said:
Surely steering is an adjective used to describe the motion of someone decisively moving a vehicle, with the movement being made by a person rather than a car, hence the steering wheel is just that (as the instrument of steering) and the front wheels being the 'steered wheels'? Or just the 'front wheels'. It's too late for this, a flawed argument no doubt on my part, but if BMW etc etc call it a steering wheel (which they do, as indeed do driving standards) then I thinks it's confusing to call it anything different.
Anyway, I think it's a great car. It's definitely not a sports car and therefore not the best drive but I enjoy the experience. Max_Torque has it right in the way described, I would add that it's failing is on bumpy roads. Due to the way the power is delivered, the moment the tyres loose contact then they spin up making for a jolty ride as the car skips around when they make contact again.The steering is good and you can use the tyre sidewalks to 'load up' into a corner. It's generally very predictable unless right on the limit. Loosing the tail is borderline scary, it feels like the tyres judder around instead of sliding.
Anyway, I think it's a great car. It's definitely not a sports car and therefore not the best drive but I enjoy the experience. Max_Torque has it right in the way described, I would add that it's failing is on bumpy roads. Due to the way the power is delivered, the moment the tyres loose contact then they spin up making for a jolty ride as the car skips around when they make contact again.The steering is good and you can use the tyre sidewalks to 'load up' into a corner. It's generally very predictable unless right on the limit. Loosing the tail is borderline scary, it feels like the tyres judder around instead of sliding.
JumboBeef said:
Another question if I may. ..
Apart from cloth, half leather and full leather plus a different coloured steering wheel, are there any other differences between the Atelier, Loft, Lodge and Suite interiors?
I've had leather in my cars for.....ever.....and wonder how much I'd miss it. Also, I have 4x yucky and sticky grandchildren I would have to transport sometimes and wonder how the seats would stand up to the general mayhem that small children can cause if they were not full leather.
The basic interior doesn't include the extended interior LED lighting. Apart from cloth, half leather and full leather plus a different coloured steering wheel, are there any other differences between the Atelier, Loft, Lodge and Suite interiors?
I've had leather in my cars for.....ever.....and wonder how much I'd miss it. Also, I have 4x yucky and sticky grandchildren I would have to transport sometimes and wonder how the seats would stand up to the general mayhem that small children can cause if they were not full leather.
Max_Torque said:
If i'd brought one new, i might have been tempted to tick the full leather interior option. But you know what, i don't miss it at all. In fact, i'd go as far as saying i think the cloth interior actually suits the car better, and is warmer to sit on in winter too! It's feels pretty good quality too, so i'd be surprised if it wasn't quite hard wearing as well.
I had std trim first time around and was very hard wearing and I like the blue bits. But I went loft this time for a change and I wanted the better interior lights. The blue interior when you unlock it is cool!TallTony said:
RossP said:
There's an i3 meet at Yorkshire Sculpture Park on the 7th May if anyone is interested.
Hi Ross, do you have any more details?Amateurish said:
modeller said:
Amateurish said:
Took a test drive in a new i3 this week (I used to have one as company car). Took it on some local roads and mainly motorway, travelling at normal motorway speeds i.e. not drafting lorries which most EV owners seem to do. Got a range of 84 miles - not all that great. And that was after pre-heating.
A 94Ah? That seems low if so. Reset the range history. Luke. said:
RossP said:
Amateurish said:
modeller said:
Amateurish said:
Took a test drive in a new i3 this week (I used to have one as company car). Took it on some local roads and mainly motorway, travelling at normal motorway speeds i.e. not drafting lorries which most EV owners seem to do. Got a range of 84 miles - not all that great. And that was after pre-heating.
A 94Ah? That seems low if so. Reset the range history. Max_Torque said:
So, about 3000 miles into i3 ownership a couple of observations from me:
1) The blind spot due to the width / position of the A pillars is massive! Twice now they have completely blanked a car on a roundabout (which double looking luckily showed up, followed by a panic brake application (only times i've used the brakes pretty much)
2) On certain road surfaces, at certain speed, the cabin boom is horrible. Guess the carbon space frame has a node close to certain road frequencies (seems to be about 30 to 40mph on rough, but not bumpy surfaces)
3) I hate the massive pedal mapping change between normal and eco pro mode. Why the pedal is so soggy in eco pro i have no idea. If i want to accelerate more gently, i shall just press the pedal less.
4) Everything else is brilliant! ;-)
Agree on point 1 but common problem on modern cars.1) The blind spot due to the width / position of the A pillars is massive! Twice now they have completely blanked a car on a roundabout (which double looking luckily showed up, followed by a panic brake application (only times i've used the brakes pretty much)
2) On certain road surfaces, at certain speed, the cabin boom is horrible. Guess the carbon space frame has a node close to certain road frequencies (seems to be about 30 to 40mph on rough, but not bumpy surfaces)
3) I hate the massive pedal mapping change between normal and eco pro mode. Why the pedal is so soggy in eco pro i have no idea. If i want to accelerate more gently, i shall just press the pedal less.
4) Everything else is brilliant! ;-)
On 3 that's sort of the point and is the same as ICE beemers too.
Have you checked out http://bmwi3owners.uk ?
Just to confirm, I wouldn't count on being able to do a 140 mile commute on all electric without recharging.
You could just about do it if the weather was warm and you had no heating / ac and you are cautious with your acceleration / speed.
However, you would probably only need to use the REx for about 20 miles or so, so only a small amount of fuel consumed. The 9 litre tank would last 3-4 days.
You could just about do it if the weather was warm and you had no heating / ac and you are cautious with your acceleration / speed.
However, you would probably only need to use the REx for about 20 miles or so, so only a small amount of fuel consumed. The 9 litre tank would last 3-4 days.
AOK said:
Thanks all! Bought and will see how it copes with the mammoth commute.
I have signed up to POLAR so that I can charge in London.
Quick question for the uninitiated though - how does one go about 30-min top up charging at motorway services (where available)? Is this pay as you go or do I need yet another card? If so, which one?
The motorway chargers are provided by ecotricity. You need the app to initiate a charge.I have signed up to POLAR so that I can charge in London.
Quick question for the uninitiated though - how does one go about 30-min top up charging at motorway services (where available)? Is this pay as you go or do I need yet another card? If so, which one?
Loads of info for a new i3 owner on the i3 UK Facebook group. We are also having a big i3 meet at BMW HQ in September.
BishBosh said:
Thanks RossP. I have searched and copied your link but get the following....
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