...and who's getting an i8?

Author
Discussion

AMDBS

70 posts

183 months

Thursday 10th December 2015
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I really wanted a BMW i8 for all the obvious reasons that everyone else wants one - but I also wanted a VW XL1. They were the same price and I had to choose one or the other. I bought the XL1, which I've enjoyed for 5 months now. In hindsight it was easily the right decision for me. I don't need outright speed - I already have (and have had many) other cars for that. And obviously I didn't buy an XL1 for it's fuel economy (do the maths). I bought it for its extreme design, rarity (only 250 made), and because I knew it would be an incredibly fun car to use on the road. Entered it at Salon Prive (see pics) and it got second place in class - the three TV presenter judges (Tiff Needell, Jason Barlow and Vicky Butler-H) loved it for all the same reasons I do.

I'd still really love to own an i8 though!








Edited by AMDBS on Thursday 10th December 17:14

modeller

445 posts

167 months

Thursday 10th December 2015
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AMDBS said:
I really wanted a BMW i8 for all the obvious reasons that everyone else wants one - but I also wanted a VW XL1. They were the same price and I had to choose one or the other. I bought the XL1, which I've enjoyed for 5 months now. In hindsight it was easily the right decision for me. I don't need outright speed - I already have (and have had many) other cars for that. And obviously I didn't buy an XL1 for it's fuel economy (do the maths). I bought it for its extreme design, rarity (only 250 made), and because I knew it would be an incredibly fun car to use on the road. Entered it at Salon Prive (see pics) and it got second place in class - the three TV presenter judges (Tiff Needell, Jason Barlow and Vicky Butler-H) loved it for all the same reasons I do.

Edited by AMDBS on Thursday 10th December 17:14
Thanks for the info, what an amazing car! I see many parallels with the i3 REX with it's 'different' looks, carbon plastic construction, novel lightweight engineering .. the latter does seem a bargain however in comparison.

comrie

287 posts

200 months

Thursday 10th December 2015
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Thanks for sharing these photos.....lovely, unusual car......although price and depreciation are a factor in most of our car purchases, i think you hit the nail on the head when you quoted.......

[quote=AMDBS]"""" because I knew it would be an incredibly fun car to use on the road. """"

its the most important aspect in the end as you never know what the future will bring....enjoy the moment


cheers stv


AMDBS

70 posts

183 months

Friday 11th December 2015
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comrie said:
i think you hit the nail on the head when you quoted.......
"because I knew it would be an incredibly fun car to use on the road."

its the most important aspect in the end as you never know what the future will bring....enjoy the moment
"Its the most important aspect in the end as you never know what the future will bring....enjoy the moment" - now that REALLY is the point! And the XL1 has certainly delivered in that regard! The driving experience is great fun in itself, and the reactions of others are just amazing - always extreme and always really positive and enthusiastic.

RossP

2,523 posts

284 months

Friday 11th December 2015
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AMDBS

70 posts

183 months

Friday 11th December 2015
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modeller said:
I see many parallels with the i3 REX with it's 'different' looks, carbon plastic construction, novel lightweight engineering .. the latter does seem a bargain however in comparison.
The BMW i3 is another car I'd love to own. It's a lot less expensive than and XL1, yes, but from my perspective not a bargain in comparison. It wouldn't give me anything like ownership experience I get from the XL1. For me, how much I'm prepared to pay for a 'special' car depends mostly on what I need to get out of owning it. How it will make me feel. What memories I will create with it. The i3 promises a lot in that regard but the XL1 goes way, way further.

AMDBS

70 posts

183 months

Friday 11th December 2015
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RossP said:
That is incredible. I assume it's not his car. Mind you he'd lose weight just from always burning so much energy getting out of it. I can tell you now that if he got (or should I say fell) into my XL1 he would need serious help to get out, and the carbon fibre sill would be a scratched up mess afterwards.

mr_tony

6,328 posts

270 months

Friday 11th December 2015
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Had a good long drive for the first time in the i8 this week. Wow - sport mode is a revelation (been pottering around in Eco pro and max edrive up til now. On the twisties I met a golf R and he just didn't have the power out of the tight corners to keep up, the combination of turbo 3 cylinder and the electric drive is quite formidable at getting the power down early. The chassis balance is great too - no real compromises here - it really is a proper sorted sports car...


propaganda

407 posts

248 months

Wednesday 16th December 2015
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How long do current owners intend to keep their i8?

K2MDL

2,673 posts

220 months

Wednesday 16th December 2015
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Ask me in a year....

mr_tony

6,328 posts

270 months

Thursday 17th December 2015
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It's eithe going to be 18 months or it will be a keeper because of the design.

K2MDL

2,673 posts

220 months

Thursday 17th December 2015
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Or until the officially announce the i8S.....

mr_tony

6,328 posts

270 months

Friday 18th December 2015
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K2MDL said:
Or until the officially announce the i8S.....
Anyone believe that will actually happen?

CRA1G

6,545 posts

196 months

Friday 18th December 2015
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mr_tony said:
K2MDL said:
Or until the officially announce the i8S.....
Anyone believe that will actually happen?
I'm sure they will introduce a tweaked version with a few more £'s added... But i'v not had any thing sent to me other than the roadster...

mr_tony

6,328 posts

270 months

Friday 18th December 2015
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I"m thinking the roadster will be it for at least a couple of years..

Ali2202

3,815 posts

205 months

Friday 18th December 2015
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Wonder if they'll tweak the 911-crimp-look in the next version? hehe

Amateurish

7,755 posts

223 months

Friday 18th December 2015
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AMDBS said:
I really wanted a BMW i8 for all the obvious reasons that everyone else wants one - but I also wanted a VW XL1.
That car is fantastic. How are values holding up?

mr_tony

6,328 posts

270 months

Friday 18th December 2015
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Amateurish said:
AMDBS said:
I really wanted a BMW i8 for all the obvious reasons that everyone else wants one - but I also wanted a VW XL1.
That car is fantastic. How are values holding up?
IF anyone can see a second hand one around I'd be interested. Not found one with google though..

johnhealy1956

4 posts

141 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2015
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Just take a look at Cars for Sale on Pistonheads. There are 36 of them and looks like a £20k hit for anything under 4,000 miles on the clock.

anonymous-user

55 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2015
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johnhealy1956 said:
Just take a look at Cars for Sale on Pistonheads. There are 36 of them and looks like a £20k hit for anything under 4,000 miles on the clock.

I think they're talking about the VW; are you?