would you swap your 430 for a bmw i8?
Discussion
I should just add, that putting all of the financial benefits to one side for a moment, the i8 is also a bloody good car, which stands on its own two feet. In my opinion, it's not a Ferrari rival. It's more usable as a daily driver, as it's more refined GT than supercar, but I'm the first to admit it's not got the raw fun element of a Ferrari. In that respect it's not even close and I don't think it tries to be. To me it felt like a space age take on the 8 Series, in a good way, with sharper handling and a firmer ride. Rather than try to categorise it, I'm going to enjoy it for what it is, as there really isn't anything else like it. Don't swap your Ferrari for it as a Sunday car though, because you'll miss the rawness of it in the same way as I would miss my TVR, if I sold that expecting to get my kicks from the i8. Chalk and cheese.
T4NG0 said:
But don't you write off depreciation on a normal company car in same manner anyway ? Agree re bik benefits though.
You are only allowed to write off a small percentage of the purchase price each year until you actually dispose of it. Again, I'm not an accountant I'm afraid (or perhaps not! 
), so I'm not really the best person to answer that. I fancied the i8 when I saw it and the financials were the icing on the cake. 
slippery said:
I should just add, that putting all of the financial benefits to one side for a moment, the i8 is also a bloody good car, which stands on its own two feet. In my opinion, it's not a Ferrari rival. It's more usable as a daily driver, as it's more refined GT than supercar, but I'm the first to admit it's not got the raw fun element of a Ferrari. In that respect it's not even close and I don't think it tries to be. To me it felt like a space age take on the 8 Series, in a good way, with sharper handling and a firmer ride. Rather than try to categorise it, I'm going to enjoy it for what it is, as there really isn't anything else like it. Don't swap your Ferrari for it as a Sunday car though, because you'll miss the rawness of it in the same way as I would miss my TVR, if I sold that expecting to get my kicks from the i8. Chalk and cheese.
Exactly my view. The i8 does not need the financial benefits to hold on its 2 (well 4) feet. Anyone who has driven it will know what am on about. Just like you, keeping 993 c2s for raw thrills.Something so new and groundbreaking like an i8 is intriguing but come on, the F430 will put a smile on your face for the years to come. I would like to own an i8 but as a daily car. I'd like to cross the city traffic without flushing lots of fuel and then attack the best short stretch of road you may encounter.
matsoc said:
Something so new and groundbreaking like an i8 is intriguing but come on, the F430 will put a smile on your face for the years to come. I would like to own an i8 but as a daily car. I'd like to cross the city traffic without flushing lots of fuel and then attack the best short stretch of road you may encounter.
I've bought mine as a daily. I wouldn't swap a Ferrari for one as a toy.Couldn't say for sure I'm afraid, a combination of making sure my wife was looking where I was pointing, the car going in the opposite direction and bright running lights, but possibly a light blue two tone. The image that sticks in my head though again it was a quick glimpse was a similarity to the old M1 but so much more faceted.
Seen a lot round my way, partly because my local Exotic car garage- Romans have sold a load. I've had a deposit down for the rumoured spider but no official announcement of it actually being built.
Enjoyed a decent test drive but was a little shocked at the fuel consumption dropping as fast as my Ferrari. 458..... Was expecting ideally double that of my 458 but from that test drive, maybe only 10% more. I
t's a great car but obviously concerned about the lack of charging points in the UK, of course more will appear, then the residual, as the 6 series drops like a rock.... 35-40% in year 1....... This will be better, hopefully a lot better
Enjoyed a decent test drive but was a little shocked at the fuel consumption dropping as fast as my Ferrari. 458..... Was expecting ideally double that of my 458 but from that test drive, maybe only 10% more. I
t's a great car but obviously concerned about the lack of charging points in the UK, of course more will appear, then the residual, as the 6 series drops like a rock.... 35-40% in year 1....... This will be better, hopefully a lot better
According to the i8 Specialist you might get 2-3% charge whilst driving the car but yes it has to be plugged in. It cannot run on petrol only so has to have the batteries charged too. I believe the range on electric only is only 20 miles.
I think 99% of i8 owners will charge at home which is the easiest & cheapest option.
Was pleasantly surprised at how good the White looked! The blue is very loud but my favourite colour is the dark grey/ black.
I think 99% of i8 owners will charge at home which is the easiest & cheapest option.
Was pleasantly surprised at how good the White looked! The blue is very loud but my favourite colour is the dark grey/ black.
slippery said:
You don't have to charge it up if you don't want to. It charges itself if necessary.
Different dealer different story - mine agrees with slippery It also makes more sense for an intelligent hybrid to work this way which is why there's no need for a home charging point but the car includes a mains cable and equally the lack of charging network is irrelevant
johnnyreggae said:
slippery said:
You don't have to charge it up if you don't want to. It charges itself if necessary.
Different dealer different story - mine agrees with slippery It also makes more sense for an intelligent hybrid to work this way which is why there's no need for a home charging point but the car includes a mains cable and equally the lack of charging network is irrelevant
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