...and who's getting an i8?
Discussion
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.
I'd still really love to own an i8 though!
Looks really good!! cd of 0.18, 8bhp at 62mph...that's crazy numbers. I wonder how much the Tesla 3 will copy from the XL1. I believe they are aiming for cd of less than 0.2, given the Model S is 0.24, surely enclosed wheels are on the cards. Makes sense from the range point of view, slippery car = more M way range.I'd still really love to own an i8 though!
Edited by AMDBS on Thursday 10th December 17:14
comrie said:
Congratulations........sounds very nice..........did you managed to get the dealer to give you the £4000 BMW contribution that they are advertising at the moment if you use BMW finance?
stv
Yes I did.stv
That and the ending of the government grant is why I rushed the order through before the end of December as I was told the incentive was stopping at the end of the month (I'm sue they all say that ... and then add a new incentive in January!) and the government grant also goes at 31st Dec.
But, saved £9k which is not to be sniffed at.
JonV8V said:
I understood the grant was available at the time of registration not order so they've probably had you on that one. I'd check the small print
Yes I'm sure that is the case,my car was ready the 2nd week in Jan but I decided not to pick it up until the 1st of march (holidays etc) but was warned the grant was on 1st registration and things may change at any time...I'd ask them to clarify. A couple of scenarios spring to mind. One is BMW are underwriting the grant as there is a bit of uncertainty in the market, or two, they're going to ensure you get the car before end of Feb after which the rules change - not sure how you'd feel about picking up a 65 plate car in Feb. I know from speaking to tesla people it gets a bit complicated what the Gov changes are but a Dec deadline is certainly not one I've heard before.
But if I thought a dealer had lied to me to get a sale they'd be losing that order.
But if I thought a dealer had lied to me to get a sale they'd be losing that order.
Sorry for the late reply. I'd like to say I've been busy driving my i8 but the weather has deterred me somewhat, even if it is 4 wheel drive.
Put over a thousand miles on it since collecting it in December. What do I think? Firmly in the "honeymoon phase". Just don't want to stop driving it and wince when I look out the window and the weather is crap. (Shouldn't have bought it in December then).
I've had many cars over my 43 years of driving including the best brands available. The i8 is so very different. If you are looking for a mad out and out sports car that send tingles (and fear!) through you then look away. My Corvette 6.3ltr ZR1 did that and so too I guess did the Audi R8 V10. What neither did give me is what the i8 has to offer. Total dual personality. Added to by space ship looks,(inside and out), an insight to how cars will be in the "future", drifting along in near total silence,(sure I like noisy exhausts but been there, done that), and did I mention 40MPG in sport mode?
I've always consoled myself with the fact that it's my toy and who cares that my petrol propelled monsters only return 8-15mpg. Well, I have almost as much fun with a fraction of the running cost. Driving an i8 quite frankly makes the rest of my fleet look like dinosaurs. A big V8 with a manual gearbox or even my Porker with the latest PDK? Just drives and responds so last century.
Whilst the i8 isn't totally spot on, (I'd love more "insane" acceleration, and don't mention a P85D because I don't need another luxo-barge as brilliant as it is), but the i8 offers so much more - overall.
Do yourself a favour. Go try one for yourself and try and grasp what it is like in all modes of driving that it offers. If you are looking for a balls out nutter machine then don't bother. You have to own those first. If the i8 didn't look as it does, feel as special as it so obviously is then the power, (which lets face it is as quick as my 991 911 C2S, so it's hardly "slow"), may not be quite enough for the £110k price tag. But it does. And every time I slide in to my works for no cost, in silence with people still hanging out of their windows with their cell-phones taking video and people pointing at what they have just seen drive by, I know I'm in something special.
It really is that different to anything else out there. It handles very well (unless you are a track day star I gather), because of the hybrid set up it can get you to where you want to be on the road quicker than most, even faster more exclusive brands.
And when I get out of the car, plug the wall charger in (if it needs it as it charges itself in sport mode and every time you brake) and walk away and look at the design, I just want to get back in it again and drive it.
Put over a thousand miles on it since collecting it in December. What do I think? Firmly in the "honeymoon phase". Just don't want to stop driving it and wince when I look out the window and the weather is crap. (Shouldn't have bought it in December then).
I've had many cars over my 43 years of driving including the best brands available. The i8 is so very different. If you are looking for a mad out and out sports car that send tingles (and fear!) through you then look away. My Corvette 6.3ltr ZR1 did that and so too I guess did the Audi R8 V10. What neither did give me is what the i8 has to offer. Total dual personality. Added to by space ship looks,(inside and out), an insight to how cars will be in the "future", drifting along in near total silence,(sure I like noisy exhausts but been there, done that), and did I mention 40MPG in sport mode?
I've always consoled myself with the fact that it's my toy and who cares that my petrol propelled monsters only return 8-15mpg. Well, I have almost as much fun with a fraction of the running cost. Driving an i8 quite frankly makes the rest of my fleet look like dinosaurs. A big V8 with a manual gearbox or even my Porker with the latest PDK? Just drives and responds so last century.
Whilst the i8 isn't totally spot on, (I'd love more "insane" acceleration, and don't mention a P85D because I don't need another luxo-barge as brilliant as it is), but the i8 offers so much more - overall.
Do yourself a favour. Go try one for yourself and try and grasp what it is like in all modes of driving that it offers. If you are looking for a balls out nutter machine then don't bother. You have to own those first. If the i8 didn't look as it does, feel as special as it so obviously is then the power, (which lets face it is as quick as my 991 911 C2S, so it's hardly "slow"), may not be quite enough for the £110k price tag. But it does. And every time I slide in to my works for no cost, in silence with people still hanging out of their windows with their cell-phones taking video and people pointing at what they have just seen drive by, I know I'm in something special.
It really is that different to anything else out there. It handles very well (unless you are a track day star I gather), because of the hybrid set up it can get you to where you want to be on the road quicker than most, even faster more exclusive brands.
And when I get out of the car, plug the wall charger in (if it needs it as it charges itself in sport mode and every time you brake) and walk away and look at the design, I just want to get back in it again and drive it.
purpleperil said:
11 pages on and finally dropped the hammer - Roll on March 
Well done mate - you won't be disappointed - you will be driving a future classic too. Just to make you even chirpier: http://ukcoty.co.uk/uncategorized/blog/bmw-i8-name...Edited by K2MDL on Thursday 21st January 23:03
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