So who's getting an i3?
Discussion
Did you see the Tesla news? Don't worry nothing to put you off buying an i3, but when the warranty / lease finishes there will be more options...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
An article explaining why the app has been a bit flakey as of late
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/07/24/bmw_connec...
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/07/24/bmw_connec...
Hi all... Been looking into what the charging points are around the country on my long trip I do alternate weeks - Southampton up to Brum on Friday and back on Sunday.
Been looking at this map.... https://www.zap-map.com/live/#y=52.1168/x=-1.46912...
There's quite a few EV stations on the way down now - notably some with 43kW/63Amp 3 phase AC Type 2 charging.
Does the i3 come with this AC fast charging built in via the type 2? I know it supports up to 7kW/32A but can't find any info on 43kW. You can spec an optional 50kW DC charger (think this is the CCS) so wondered if fast AC is a standard feature available at public points. Note this isn't the 50kw/125A DC CHAdeMO or CCS Points. (All 3 fast chargers available at Chievely on the M4/A34 junction).
Kind of making me think a stop for coffee and nappy scrape might save me using any unleaded. Though probably not on the way back on a Friday - I'm pushed for time leaving at 3pm as it is.
Been looking at this map.... https://www.zap-map.com/live/#y=52.1168/x=-1.46912...
There's quite a few EV stations on the way down now - notably some with 43kW/63Amp 3 phase AC Type 2 charging.
Does the i3 come with this AC fast charging built in via the type 2? I know it supports up to 7kW/32A but can't find any info on 43kW. You can spec an optional 50kW DC charger (think this is the CCS) so wondered if fast AC is a standard feature available at public points. Note this isn't the 50kw/125A DC CHAdeMO or CCS Points. (All 3 fast chargers available at Chievely on the M4/A34 junction).
Kind of making me think a stop for coffee and nappy scrape might save me using any unleaded. Though probably not on the way back on a Friday - I'm pushed for time leaving at 3pm as it is.
That map doesn't even show my most local Ecotricity DC CCS enabled rapid charge point just off the A1 at Gonerby Hill Foot, Grantham.
I think 7KW AC is your limit with the i3, but Ecotricity are really getting their fingers out and are busy converting the AC side of their charge points to DC CCS. Hats off to them!
I think 7KW AC is your limit with the i3, but Ecotricity are really getting their fingers out and are busy converting the AC side of their charge points to DC CCS. Hats off to them!
Well, I've finally made a decision. Went for a test drive today and I'm going back tomorrow to stick on a deposit. It really is that different (and better) than anything else I've ever driven. I can see this is how all cars will be in future. No gear changes to feel, single pedal acceleration and deceleration, NVH is history. Well maye a bit of noise to keep you awake! Best of all it goes. the instant torque is what sold me. Whether it's 30-70 pulling onto a motorway, or being at the front of the lights and leaving cars behind in your dust (as there's no smoke). LOL. I can see this attachment we have to NOISE = POWER = good will soon go. I love the sound of a V8 becuase of what it represents, esepcially the Astons at Le Mans, but I think once people start to drive EVs the days of going to gas stations will be numbered.
One thing I have worked out - the DC Fast charge option is silly if you have REX. It would be nice to think I could have a fast top up on a 200 mile drive, but the reaility is I know I'd prefer to sitck another 5 litres of unleaded in for the time being, rather than wait 1/2 hour. Well unless it's food time and there's a KFC next door. LOL. Better spending the money on tech.
Question - is the sat nav upgrade worth the extra? Considering my phone has a 5.5" screen and has intelligent routing, spending another several hundred on built in seems a lot!
Sadly you can't get the reversing camera without the park assist. I have one a camera on my current car and it's 10x better than parking sensors. Would really miss it but £700 to have the car park itself is a bit excessive when I am perectly capable of turning the wheel! Still, might be wow factor when family / friends come for a drive.
I've now got to navigate the mightmare that in first year capital allowances and leasing vs buying etc.
One thing I have worked out - the DC Fast charge option is silly if you have REX. It would be nice to think I could have a fast top up on a 200 mile drive, but the reaility is I know I'd prefer to sitck another 5 litres of unleaded in for the time being, rather than wait 1/2 hour. Well unless it's food time and there's a KFC next door. LOL. Better spending the money on tech.
Question - is the sat nav upgrade worth the extra? Considering my phone has a 5.5" screen and has intelligent routing, spending another several hundred on built in seems a lot!
Sadly you can't get the reversing camera without the park assist. I have one a camera on my current car and it's 10x better than parking sensors. Would really miss it but £700 to have the car park itself is a bit excessive when I am perectly capable of turning the wheel! Still, might be wow factor when family / friends come for a drive.
I've now got to navigate the mightmare that in first year capital allowances and leasing vs buying etc.
Thing with the sat nag is that all the early cars came with the prof nag as a free upgrade so if you didn't go for it it will be a very rare car for not having it if you see what I mean - that might be good but I guess it'll probably be bad! The reality is you won't get back what you pay for it so it's not worth worrying about re-sale.
A question to all the EV owners - its great that more and more charging points are appearing in the networks.
However my understanding is they can take 30-60mins to charge - no problem now as you can nip in to refresh and have a drink, what happens if you pull in low on juice and there is a queue like we experience at petrol stations you could be waiting hours to get juice before you can move on.
Thoughts?
Also what if there is a broken charger - just like petrol out of order pumps we see all the time it means waiting time to recharge is in the hours at a service station.
What is the workaround/solution especially as more and more EVs appear on our roads it is a problem which will become more and more of an issue.
However my understanding is they can take 30-60mins to charge - no problem now as you can nip in to refresh and have a drink, what happens if you pull in low on juice and there is a queue like we experience at petrol stations you could be waiting hours to get juice before you can move on.
Thoughts?
Also what if there is a broken charger - just like petrol out of order pumps we see all the time it means waiting time to recharge is in the hours at a service station.
What is the workaround/solution especially as more and more EVs appear on our roads it is a problem which will become more and more of an issue.
TransverseTight said:
One thing I have worked out - the DC Fast charge option is silly if you have REX. It would be nice to think I could have a fast top up on a 200 mile drive, but the reaility is I know I'd prefer to sitck another 5 litres of unleaded in for the time being, rather than wait 1/2 hour. Well unless it's food time and there's a KFC next door. LOL. Better spending the money on tech.
DC becomes a no cost option with the lease. Yes its nice to be able to go on longer journeys with the REx, but its even nicer not to have to use it, and instead grab a 20 minute fill up of free electricity. After 3,100 miles my REx has still not been to a filling station.I occasionally top it up from a Jerry can at home!
TimJMS said:
DC becomes a no cost option with the lease. Yes its nice to be able to go on longer journeys with the REx, but its even nicer not to have to use it, and instead grab a 20 minute fill up of free electricity. After 3,100 miles my REx has still not been to a filling station.
I occasionally top it up from a Jerry can at home!
I'm in the jerry can club as well! Not sure what the neighbours think - probably that I'm mad.I occasionally top it up from a Jerry can at home!
TimJMS said:
DC becomes a no cost option with the lease. Yes its nice to be able to go on longer journeys with the REx, but its even nicer not to have to use it, and instead grab a 20 minute fill up of free electricity. After 3,100 miles my REx has still not been to a filling station.
I occasionally top it up from a Jerry can at home!
Lol you will have stale fuel and gunk in the fuel pipes just like a lawn mower left over winter. Also your valve springs some will be have been held open for months while others fully closed. Oil all in the sump so when it does start up there will be high wear for a few seconds as the guilds circulate. I occasionally top it up from a Jerry can at home!
Welshbeef said:
A question to all the EV owners - its great that more and more charging points are appearing in the networks.
However my understanding is they can take 30-60mins to charge - no problem now as you can nip in to refresh and have a drink, what happens if you pull in low on juice and there is a queue like we experience at petrol stations you could be waiting hours to get juice before you can move on.
Thoughts?
Also what if there is a broken charger - just like petrol out of order pumps we see all the time it means waiting time to recharge is in the hours at a service station.
What is the workaround/solution especially as more and more EVs appear on our roads it is a problem which will become more and more of an issue.
Its a difficult one. Early adopters will get pissed off, and I hate to say this but EV's will revert back from whence they came : charge at home vehicles. Probably with larger and / or more efficient electricity storage packs.However my understanding is they can take 30-60mins to charge - no problem now as you can nip in to refresh and have a drink, what happens if you pull in low on juice and there is a queue like we experience at petrol stations you could be waiting hours to get juice before you can move on.
Thoughts?
Also what if there is a broken charger - just like petrol out of order pumps we see all the time it means waiting time to recharge is in the hours at a service station.
What is the workaround/solution especially as more and more EVs appear on our roads it is a problem which will become more and more of an issue.
TimJMS said:
Its a difficult one. Early adopters will get pissed off, and I hate to say this but EV's will revert back from whence they came : charge at home vehicles. Probably with larger and / or more efficient electricity storage packs.
What I was thinking - for now its fine but even as early as next year could see a significant number of EVs in a line waiting to charge. Also the charging points at Hotels or car parks or office car parks may not be ample so suddenly there will have to be organised car rotation during the office say to ensure all EVs are charged so that staff can get home.
Broken EV charge points will be the big pain - imagine the scenario hotel for the night plug in but come morning some issue overnight means its not charged you miss the morning meeting OR you arrive at hotel late only one charge spot left but its out of order sorry sir engineer has been notified but its 48 hour call out service agreement
Hi TT, good decision although didn't I see you making some negative comments about the i3 not that long ago? (or maybe that someone else?).
Very much agree about your comment about the DC charging. I made the same decision and don't regret it. Put the £560 towards the driver assist pack is my advice.
As well as the bigger screen & improved satnav the Pro-Nav pack also comes with 3D/satellite view, USB port to upload media to a 20Gb HDD, splitscreen funtion (which is actually very useful) and an improved iDrive controller. I think it's worth the cost.
With the parking pack, one of the main benefits is the sensors in the front. The standard car comes with reversing sensors but nothing at the front.
Very much agree about your comment about the DC charging. I made the same decision and don't regret it. Put the £560 towards the driver assist pack is my advice.
As well as the bigger screen & improved satnav the Pro-Nav pack also comes with 3D/satellite view, USB port to upload media to a 20Gb HDD, splitscreen funtion (which is actually very useful) and an improved iDrive controller. I think it's worth the cost.
With the parking pack, one of the main benefits is the sensors in the front. The standard car comes with reversing sensors but nothing at the front.
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