So who's getting an i3?
Discussion
TransverseTight said:
That's some infrastructure cost - cough, profit, they are hoping to recover.
Yeah, the Chargemaster prices haven't gone down well and it's a common topic of heated discussion on the EV forums (which I try and keep out of). Although the CM prices seem steep the other networks are more reasonable and at least we're moving towards a realistic business model and it stops the doubters from claiming that EV's only exist because they're subsidised. It also should reduce the queuing (at least short term) as nobody is going to be charging unless they really need to.The backlash seems to be focused on pointing out that there's no incentive for EV's if it costs the same as petrol to recharge but that argument only makes sense to me if you do all of your charging from a rapid charge-point (which nobody in their right mind would be doing). So long as you do the majority of your charging from home an EV is still going to offer big fuel savings.
TransverseTight said:
Think I might just delete the fast charge option and put the money towards fuel. I'll be happy to leave it on a 32A charger if parking up for the day / going shopping etc.
That's what I think too (and put the money towards the DAP because adaptive cruise is freakin' awesome 
) but I'm sure they'll be others on here who'll say otherwise. It depends how happy you are to sit for 30 mins whilst the car charges. I felt that might be ok when on my own but I wouldn't really want to be doing it too regularly with friends/family and if the charge is costing close to the cost of the REx petrol then it's not much of a decision IMO.TransverseTight said:
Here's what they need - essential when we go to Le Mans, And a roll of gaffa tape...
http://www.mdnsupplies.co.uk/shop/16amp-240v-blue-...
Though I think a Tesla and 2 Leafs charging at the same time would melt it unless they all drop back to 13 amp mode. Maybe the Telsa onwer should get a trailer with a genny on it ;-)
I used one of those this week! It enabled me to blag a charge off a friends pitch somewhere up Scarborough way with no inconvenience to her motorhome. Gave me about 10% per hour from this pitch according to the app.http://www.mdnsupplies.co.uk/shop/16amp-240v-blue-...
Though I think a Tesla and 2 Leafs charging at the same time would melt it unless they all drop back to 13 amp mode. Maybe the Telsa onwer should get a trailer with a genny on it ;-)
mids said:
.....
Not sure I understand the jerry can idea with so many petrol stations dotted around everywhere. The satnav does a good job of pointing you to the nearest one and you're never more than a few miles away. Unless I'm missing a trick?
No mystery here. Ive always got plenty of cans kicking about, I like to keep the REx tank full in case of the unexpected, and Im rarely adding more than 3 or 4 litres. Seems daft to actually go to the trouble of detouring to a filling station when such paltry amounts are involved.Not sure I understand the jerry can idea with so many petrol stations dotted around everywhere. The satnav does a good job of pointing you to the nearest one and you're never more than a few miles away. Unless I'm missing a trick?
How cheap is the insurance and service costs for these? Is there any really expensive wear and tear items like clutches etc that could go wrong within the warranty of the battery?
I drove one today and was very impressed apart from the driving position which I guess is the normal BMW style, I prefer to see the bonnet corners in my peripheral vision. The way it goes and stops though, feels amazing.
I drove one today and was very impressed apart from the driving position which I guess is the normal BMW style, I prefer to see the bonnet corners in my peripheral vision. The way it goes and stops though, feels amazing.
Yippee, mine arrived today. Loving it so far.
A few quick questions to the learned group.. Does the car come with a charging cable for public charge points? If not, what do I need to get and from where? The car has the DC? I think it is fast charge added to it.
Which network should I subscribe to, ie Chargemaster, and if so is it better to do that direct rather than through a BMW package?
I'm moving back to a Blackberry phone (I cant type on touchscreens) does anyone know if the BMW i app will work on it? Through the Amazon store?
With off rate charging, do I need to talk to my electricity supplier or is it "just there" ?
When I plug my car into the charger it asks me what type of charger it is. That seems a bit complicated. For the BMW wall charger, what should it be set to? And for home with the supplied charger in the front of the car?
Apologies for all the stupid newbie questions..!
A few quick questions to the learned group.. Does the car come with a charging cable for public charge points? If not, what do I need to get and from where? The car has the DC? I think it is fast charge added to it.
Which network should I subscribe to, ie Chargemaster, and if so is it better to do that direct rather than through a BMW package?
I'm moving back to a Blackberry phone (I cant type on touchscreens) does anyone know if the BMW i app will work on it? Through the Amazon store?
With off rate charging, do I need to talk to my electricity supplier or is it "just there" ?
When I plug my car into the charger it asks me what type of charger it is. That seems a bit complicated. For the BMW wall charger, what should it be set to? And for home with the supplied charger in the front of the car?
Apologies for all the stupid newbie questions..!
Lagerlout said:
Yippee, mine arrived today. Loving it so far.
A few quick questions to the learned group.. Does the car come with a charging cable for public charge points? If not, what do I need to get and from where? The car has the DC? I think it is fast charge added to it.
Which network should I subscribe to, ie Chargemaster, and if so is it better to do that direct rather than through a BMW package?
I'm moving back to a Blackberry phone (I cant type on touchscreens) does anyone know if the BMW i app will work on it? Through the Amazon store?
With off rate charging, do I need to talk to my electricity supplier or is it "just there" ?
When I plug my car into the charger it asks me what type of charger it is. That seems a bit complicated. For the BMW wall charger, what should it be set to? And for home with the supplied charger in the front of the car?
Apologies for all the stupid newbie questions..!
I'll answer what I can. A few quick questions to the learned group.. Does the car come with a charging cable for public charge points? If not, what do I need to get and from where? The car has the DC? I think it is fast charge added to it.
Which network should I subscribe to, ie Chargemaster, and if so is it better to do that direct rather than through a BMW package?
I'm moving back to a Blackberry phone (I cant type on touchscreens) does anyone know if the BMW i app will work on it? Through the Amazon store?
With off rate charging, do I need to talk to my electricity supplier or is it "just there" ?
When I plug my car into the charger it asks me what type of charger it is. That seems a bit complicated. For the BMW wall charger, what should it be set to? And for home with the supplied charger in the front of the car?
Apologies for all the stupid newbie questions..!
Your car is not supplied with a public charge cable. You can buy this from your BMW dealer for about £150. This is a "type 2" cable which is good for 7kw.
If you want to use rapid DC charging (50kw, also known as CCS) then you do not need a cable since the charge stations have tethered cables.
Definitely join ecotricity. It's free (for now) and they have plenty of rapid DC chargers in motorway service stations. Chargemaster is also a good shout - they have a PAYG scheme where you have to deposit £20 to join. They have good coverage in the UK. Finally, I joined Source East which was £10, although I haven't yet used it.
I believe you need to ask to be put onto Economy 7.
My i3 has never asked what kind of charger it is plugged into!
To answer the question in the thread title probably not me.
However I did have a go of a friend's i3 over in California last week and was very impressed. Key things for me were:
i) very nice quality of interior
ii) space for me to drive at 6'6"
iii) 0-30 acceleration
A few of my CA based mates are getting i3s because they allow you to use LA's car pool lanes with out the inconvenience of having a passenger, this is worth thousands per year to them and having plenty of experience of the LA traffic I can see why.
Ben
However I did have a go of a friend's i3 over in California last week and was very impressed. Key things for me were:
i) very nice quality of interior
ii) space for me to drive at 6'6"
iii) 0-30 acceleration
A few of my CA based mates are getting i3s because they allow you to use LA's car pool lanes with out the inconvenience of having a passenger, this is worth thousands per year to them and having plenty of experience of the LA traffic I can see why.
Ben
Any REx owners had the spline shaft update yet ? My dealer was waiting on tooling (to be able to drop the REx out from underneath) but they're all set now so it's booked in for next week. 3 day job apparently, not too sure what problem it's fixing and not heard much about it online so presuming it must just be for the early builds.
mids said:
Any REx owners had the spline shaft update yet ? My dealer was waiting on tooling (to be able to drop the REx out from underneath) but they're all set now so it's booked in for next week. 3 day job apparently, not too sure what problem it's fixing and not heard much about it online so presuming it must just be for the early builds.
When did you get yours ?The i3 just came second in autocars selection of the best 50 cars on sale. Wow! Just beaten by the Golf-R but ahead of the 911 GT3. If you look at what's lower down the list is beaten some serious drivers cars. Audi R8 for example.
I think its the uniqueness of the drive that won them over. I bet it gets boring driving sports cars day in day out - so something quiet, nippy and different pickup response is what did it. Bear in mind journos dont pay for fuel either, so running costs, although a factor wont bother them as much as me or you.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/top-50-...
I think its the uniqueness of the drive that won them over. I bet it gets boring driving sports cars day in day out - so something quiet, nippy and different pickup response is what did it. Bear in mind journos dont pay for fuel either, so running costs, although a factor wont bother them as much as me or you.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/top-50-...
Out of the zillion i3 reviews I've read over the last year or so I think that's best summed up why I bought one.
For several years my commute has been a boring 17 mile trip around the outskirts of a city, all dual carriageway and motorway. The alternative is to go straight through the city which is ok for traffic (I travel very early) but lots of junctions and traffic lights. With my i3 I've actually changed my commute from the motorway to the town centre option just because of how much fun it is to drive in that type of route. Don't think I've owned a car before where I look forward to the commute but the i3 is a hoot. Still waiting to get bored of it, not happening !
For several years my commute has been a boring 17 mile trip around the outskirts of a city, all dual carriageway and motorway. The alternative is to go straight through the city which is ok for traffic (I travel very early) but lots of junctions and traffic lights. With my i3 I've actually changed my commute from the motorway to the town centre option just because of how much fun it is to drive in that type of route. Don't think I've owned a car before where I look forward to the commute but the i3 is a hoot. Still waiting to get bored of it, not happening !
Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff