So who's getting an i3?

Author
Discussion

skilly1

2,702 posts

196 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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You need to work on your anticipation !


TransverseTight

753 posts

146 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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Lol! Is not just me that finds almost free fuel a bit addictive on the right foot. Especially as the left foot has nothing to do must of the time.

I was thinking of retraining my left foot to do braking, but I've still got an Xtrail and swapping between the cars could be disastrous. I still find myself trying to make gear changes with a stick that isn't there and going to take keys out the stalk that aren't there. So pressing a brake pedal like a clutch. ... you can see quite a few situations where that might not be a good idea.

Doshy

825 posts

218 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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TransverseTight said:
Lol! Is not just me that finds almost free fuel a bit addictive on the right foot. Especially as the left foot has nothing to do must of the time.

I was thinking of retraining my left foot to do braking, but I've still got an Xtrail and swapping between the cars could be disastrous. I still find myself trying to make gear changes with a stick that isn't there and going to take keys out the stalk that aren't there. So pressing a brake pedal like a clutch. ... you can see quite a few situations where that might not be a good idea.
Yes, I'm doing a lot of reaching for a gear lever that isn't there. I too am enjoying not driving efficiently in the i3, it's too much fun (especially the Audi baiting at traffic lights)

shoestring7

6,138 posts

247 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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TransverseTight said:
Lol! Is not just me that finds almost free fuel a bit addictive on the right foot. Especially as the left foot has nothing to do must of the time.

I was thinking of retraining my left foot to do braking, but I've still got an Xtrail and swapping between the cars could be disastrous. I still find myself trying to make gear changes with a stick that isn't there and going to take keys out the stalk that aren't there. So pressing a brake pedal like a clutch. ... you can see quite a few situations where that might not be a good idea.
One tip for starting to use the LF on the brake; remember to squeeeeeeze, not push. I use both feet on my DSG VW, drive a manual lhd classic and often drive regular rhd manuals; you pretty quickly learn to dial in to the controls of each car, although I'll admit to opening the passenger door at petrol stations a few times...

SS7

RossP

Original Poster:

2,523 posts

284 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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No driving for economy in my i3! Well not unless I need the range...

Still unbeaten from the lights!

AndyDubbya

948 posts

285 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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Nor me - but it did mean I did only 32 miles today, with 10 left according to the display. Even in 2 degree weather and a lead foot, 42 miles isn't very impressive, is it?

IN51GHT

8,782 posts

211 months

Thursday 5th February 2015
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AndyDubbya said:
Nor me - but it did mean I did only 32 miles today, with 10 left according to the display. Even in 2 degree weather and a lead foot, 42 miles isn't very impressive, is it?
Bloody hell, lowest I've had in my Zoe is 76 miles.

TransverseTight

753 posts

146 months

Thursday 5th February 2015
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RossP said:
No driving for economy in my i3! Well not unless I need the range...

Still unbeaten from the lights!
I wsa shocked to find just how fast off the line it is in "normal" day to day use. Like most other people are just commuting, Unclicking the hand brake, rising the revs, let up the clutch to the biting point, and getting it rolling. By that time I'm already 50 yards down the exit slip off the roundabout with the traction control having a bit of a squirm.

Today I tried a different approach. Used the EcoPro+ for the first time which sounds like a caffeine stimulant to keep you awake but is the opposite. Limits speed to 56 and turns off the heating - which I didn't miss as I had a coat on anyway, and just stuck my hat and leather driving gloves on. 52.5 miles later I got to work in 1 degree weather with 37 miles remaining on the guess-o-meter. At one point I almost thought I might be able to make the 107 mile round trip on one charge and no REX. That's pretty epic. Were talking 0.21kWh/mile. The most efficient vehicle on the planet(other than a battery only i3) :-) It cost Me £1.56 at peak rate electric vs £10 on he train. Though that does include the not so small matter of monthly finance payments ;-)

If I had done a bit more slipstreaming and not caned it down a dual carriageway to get past a road crane, and stuck the eco pro+ on when I left home instead of 10 miles later... hmmmn.


squirejo

794 posts

244 months

Monday 9th March 2015
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As I was driving to work in London in my Zoe, as I have been doing for 9mths, I saw an i3. Nothing unusual in that but I also saw it take off from the traffic lights down Park Lane like a SCALDED CAT. My smugness about the joy of EV and the Q car status conferred upon it by the torques within instantly evaporated and, being a man, the size of my willy shrivelled. In order for me to rectify this, without the help of my wife, I now have to get an i3. Probably a Rex.

Can any owners, who do a similar urban commute- stop/ start 6 miles each way - let me know what real world range you are getting in, say, Eco pro with heated seat and headlights on at this time of year?

Thanking you.

McWigglebum4th

32,414 posts

205 months

Monday 9th March 2015
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TransverseTight said:
Used the EcoPro+ for the first time which sounds like a caffeine stimulant to keep you awake but is the opposite. Limits speed to 56 and turns off the heating -
Sounds like landrover series mode

Top speed of 56mph and no heating


anonymous-user

55 months

Monday 9th March 2015
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McWigglebum4th said:
TransverseTight said:
Used the EcoPro+ for the first time which sounds like a caffeine stimulant to keep you awake but is the opposite. Limits speed to 56 and turns off the heating -
Sounds like landrover series mode

Top speed of 56mph and no heating
Only if it also disconnects the handwheel from the front wheels, forcing you to "tack" along the crown of the road........ ;-)

AOK

2,297 posts

167 months

Tuesday 10th March 2015
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squirejo said:
My smugness about the joy of EV and the Q car status conferred upon it by the torques within instantly evaporated and, being a man, the size of my willy shrivelled. In order for me to rectify this, without the help of my wife, I now have to get an i3. Probably a Rex.
A great example of the powers of persuasion!

PS do you come in over Lambeth bridge? I used to see one of those things zipping through traffic almost every morning and looked like awesome fun!

squirejo

794 posts

244 months

Tuesday 10th March 2015
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squirejo said:
As I was driving to work in London in my Zoe, as I have been doing for 9mths, I saw an i3. Nothing unusual in that but I also saw it take off from the traffic lights down Park Lane like a SCALDED CAT. My smugness about the joy of EV and the Q car status conferred upon it by the torques within instantly evaporated and, being a man, the size of my willy shrivelled. In order for me to rectify this, without the help of my wife, I now have to get an i3. Probably a Rex.

Can any owners, who do a similar urban commute- stop/ start 6 miles each way - let me know what real world range you are getting in, say, Eco pro with heated seat and headlights on at this time of year?

Thanking you.
Come on 64pages of excitement, SELL IT TO ME. (You might do a better job than BMW i Park Lane who never bothered to follow up with the details of their second hand stock and a test drive. Usual dealer proactivity really)

TransverseTight

753 posts

146 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
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squirejo said:
As I was driving to work in London in my Zoe, as I have been doing for 9mths, I saw an i3. Nothing unusual in that but I also saw it take off from the traffic lights down Park Lane like a SCALDED CAT. My smugness about the joy of EV and the Q car status conferred upon it by the torques within instantly evaporated and, being a man, the size of my willy shrivelled. In order for me to rectify this, without the help of my wife, I now have to get an i3. Probably a Rex.

Can any owners, who do a similar urban commute- stop/ start 6 miles each way - let me know what real world range you are getting in, say, Eco pro with heated seat and headlights on at this time of year?

Thanking you.
I'm doing 120 miles a day A5/M1. Worst range 70 miles best 90. I've since found EcoPro+ 56 limit can be overriden by 75% press of the pedal, or driving with active cruise. If you are doing stop start traffic that is a no brainer. Drives the car for you up to 35mph. Still have to keep your hands on the wheel but I'm investing a work around for that. I have some driving gloves which have "smart phone pads" on them. These let the wheel know your hands are there whereas the leather doesnt. So if i can get som material wrapped around the steering wheel I might be able to have a sleep on the M1.Or at least catch up with emails wink

That and have a look at this... shows the gimmick. Never used it myself yet, the turning circle is so tight and the car so short you can fit in anywhere.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WGoeIjSuJzo

Self parking cars is nothing new, but bizarre when theres no driver!

IN51GHT

8,782 posts

211 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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Had an i3 as a loan car recently whilst the Mini was in having some bodywork done.

When I first drove one 18months back I really wanted one, but now, after my latest encounter, having had the Zoe since December, I find myself asking "is it really worth £20k more than the Zoe?

For me the answer is no, that £20 would have me halfway to being mortgage free.

bp1000

873 posts

180 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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Why be mortgage free?

It will be the cheapest most flexible long term long you will ever get. Freeing up your cash for fun things.

IN51GHT

8,782 posts

211 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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bp1000 said:
Why be mortgage free?

It will be the cheapest most flexible long term long you will ever get. Freeing up your cash for fun things.
Because we want to be debt free.

Mermaid

21,492 posts

172 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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Mr Bean has one now.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

199 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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IN51GHT said:
Because we want to be debt free.
Still worth holding £1 in the mortgage and let it run out its full term which means if you ever need a quick cheap loan you've got it. Silly not to really

MarshPhantom

9,658 posts

138 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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bp1000 said:
Why be mortgage free?

It will be the cheapest most flexible long term long you will ever get. Freeing up your cash for fun things.
No brand new car will ever be the cheapest way to do anything.

Given the lack of demand for the i3 what are residuals going to be like?

Edited by MarshPhantom on Friday 24th July 10:21