So who's getting an i3?
Discussion
AnotherClarkey said:
While I agree that the Tesla model S is massive, the official UK pricing starts from £49,900, which seems rather good....
According to Auto Express it starts at £82,400 - that's a fair chunk of change difference. Where did you see £49,900?http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/model-s/65600/t...
Holywow said:
If you can charge it when you get there for the day then it'll work. With Rex.
Realistically the non Rex are for a commute of 1/2 the full range so a 50 mile round trip anything more and the range will be an issue in cold weather , heavy traffic or motorway.
Rex might sort that to a degree but you'll be filling up with petrol every other day.
DC charge of 30 mins would also help but doing that every day will kill the battery in no time.
With that commute better off buying a 1 series diesel. IMO
Why only 50 miles?Realistically the non Rex are for a commute of 1/2 the full range so a 50 mile round trip anything more and the range will be an issue in cold weather , heavy traffic or motorway.
Rex might sort that to a degree but you'll be filling up with petrol every other day.
DC charge of 30 mins would also help but doing that every day will kill the battery in no time.
With that commute better off buying a 1 series diesel. IMO
If it can be charged at work I would think a 120 mile round trip would be fine.
Why will heavy traffic reduce the range significantly?
ikarl said:
If your commute is more than 25 miles a day (motorway or not) get the REX version!
Why do people try to make it more complicated than it is?!
In my office, there are 64 people, I'm in charge of business continuity so I know where everyone lives. A quick GeoMap shows that 78% of people live within 12 miles of the office.
Why would you want to get the Rex version if your commute was more than 25 miles? It's got a range of 80-100 miles!Why do people try to make it more complicated than it is?!
In my office, there are 64 people, I'm in charge of business continuity so I know where everyone lives. A quick GeoMap shows that 78% of people live within 12 miles of the office.
The Rex reduces BEV range, is £3k and incurs 5% BIK on the whole vehicle.
covmutley said:
Wills2 said:
covmutley said:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/car-manufactur...
This suggests 65 mile range at motorway speeds. Not sure I agree with tone of the article though, they tried to run it flat and achieved it. I bet they could run a petrol car dry too if they really tried!
Of course they could but thankfully there are thousands of places you can fill it back up again in around 5 minutes and then carry on your way. This suggests 65 mile range at motorway speeds. Not sure I agree with tone of the article though, they tried to run it flat and achieved it. I bet they could run a petrol car dry too if they really tried!
It is obvious this car not the solution for anyone, im just not sure why they needed to base a whole review around a journey that they knew they couldnt make when they set off!
ikarl said:
Sorry Ross, you've slightly misinterpreted my post
I was relating to the stupid ass quote above mine referring to 60 mile range after 3 years.
I was trying to (admittedly, not very well) trying to demonstrate that the i3 either fully electric or REX was a car that a lot of people could use successfully regardless of all the naysayers saying that it will run out every journey,... obvioulsy because they commute 80 miles each way and in 3 years the battery will only hold x% of it's power and other rubbish etc etc
I see! Yes, completely misinterpreted what you were saying.I was relating to the stupid ass quote above mine referring to 60 mile range after 3 years.
I was trying to (admittedly, not very well) trying to demonstrate that the i3 either fully electric or REX was a car that a lot of people could use successfully regardless of all the naysayers saying that it will run out every journey,... obvioulsy because they commute 80 miles each way and in 3 years the battery will only hold x% of it's power and other rubbish etc etc
CHN said:
Terminator X said:
Spends £30k on a new car and saves money, amazing 
TX.
Thats it exactly. So many friends and family have said to me "I'm getting a new car, it does 60mpg so I'll save a fortune on fuel"TX.
Well yes, but for the amount of money you've now lost on your current car and the fact that you're spending another £10,000, you could probably drive to the moon and back several times in your current car and still be better off. They'll then change their car for a newer model every couple of years anyway so its a completely false economy.
With the tax advantages of running the i3 as a company car and the minimal charging costs, I will DEFINITELY be saving money.
Terminator X said:
Afaik company car tax is zero at present for leccy cars but starts to jack up in 2015 with nothing stated after that. If you're benefiting it will only be for a short while? Likewise your cost to charge up is low today but surely you can see that at some point it will cost the same as a petrol fill up as the Govt need their tax income regardless of what powers our cars.
TX.
It's on a 3 year lease. I will benefiting for the term of the lease. After that, time to reevaluate!TX.
MarshPhantom said:
One of the main benefits of a company car is having free fuel for private use. If it only costs £3 to charge you aren't making much of a saving and it will be on charge at evenings/weekends when you want use it privately.
Will you have another car for private use?
Actually that's nonsense, there is no such thing as free private fuel. The benefit in kind just for private fuel for my current car would be £7,385 a year which I would be taxed on.Will you have another car for private use?
Yes, I am keeping my M3, so will also save on tyres, servicing etc.
MarshPhantom said:
Not nonsense, if you use more in fuel than you pay in tax that is free fuel. It seems unlikely you will be doing loads of private miles in your i3. The last company car I had (2.0 Mondeo) cost around £120 quid a month all in with all the fuel you could ever need.
Actually it is nonsense as you said private fuel is free which it isn't. It's a taxable benefit. On a 2.0 diesel Mondeo, the fuel would cost you £77 a month on a 20% tax rate or £155 at 40%. That's not very free is it?Edited by MarshPhantom on Sunday 24th November 17:35
All of my commuting is private mileage. The rest of my mileage will be ferrying the kids around and shopping trips. In reality there will be virtually no company mileage in the i3 as my customers are too far away.
You make a lot of statements based on no information!
Edited by RossP on Sunday 24th November 18:41
Edited by RossP on Sunday 24th November 18:41
TimJMS said:
If you lease it, DC charging though 500 odd quid to the cash buyer works out as a zero cost extra. I guess Beemer are looking 3 years down the line.
That's very interesting. Got my dealer checking this now. If it is free then I will get it added. Any other leasing bargains you are aware of?TimJMS said:
Atommad said:
I thought there were no DC fast charging stations yet? That's what I was told by the BMW dealer, so the DC charge option is a gamble on the future. Is this correct?
If you lease it, DC charging though 500 odd quid to the cash buyer works out as a zero cost extra. I guess Beemer are looking 3 years down the line.
Amateurish said:
I think you've underestimated the draw of the electric heater. On a Nissan Leaf, the heater can draw between 1.5-4.5kW and seriously reduce range. So in fact with the heater on and stationary, you would probably drain your entire battery in less than 10 hours (not including lights, radio etc).
BMW offer a heat pump as an option, which will reduce draw.
I haven't ordered a heat pump for mine because I don't really understand what it is. My limited understanding is that it can be used to heat the car while it's still connected to the mains. What I don't understand is why the normal heater can't do that - or can it?BMW offer a heat pump as an option, which will reduce draw.
I have ordered the 'winter pack' which provides heated seats and battery pre-warming.
Very interested if anybody can shed more light on this.
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