BMW i8......order is in.
Discussion
Ali2202 said:
In answer to your comments. Yes, £100K is indeed a lot for ANY car but having driven the i8 I was just gobsmacked at what it could do. It does indeed look fabulous as well and that did figure to some extent in me committing to purchase. It really is seriously fast enough for me too. I live in the city mostly so the E-only mode is relevant.
I think how you are likely to use it is key. I've a car in this price bracket, use it at weekends and trips away with other owners. Recent trip involved a 100 mike drive there, 200 files around welsh roads in a day then drove back the following day. I wonder what the range is like when driving hard? I'm sure an hour or so test drive is fine but an enthusiastic days driving? 
Jon1967x said:
I think how you are likely to use it is key. I've a car in this price bracket, use it at weekends and trips away with other owners. Recent trip involved a 100 mike drive there, 200 files around welsh roads in a day then drove back the following day. I wonder what the range is like when driving hard? I'm sure an hour or so test drive is fine but an enthusiastic days driving?
Hi. I expect the i8 to return 200-250 miles on a tank when driven hard. I'll rarely be anywhere there isn't a petrol station within that range so don't feel it's an issue particularly. Did you have to refill during your 400 miles? (sounded like fun!)Ali2202 said:
Jon1967x said:
I think how you are likely to use it is key. I've a car in this price bracket, use it at weekends and trips away with other owners. Recent trip involved a 100 mike drive there, 200 files around welsh roads in a day then drove back the following day. I wonder what the range is like when driving hard? I'm sure an hour or so test drive is fine but an enthusiastic days driving?
Hi. I expect the i8 to return 200-250 miles on a tank when driven hard. I'll rarely be anywhere there isn't a petrol station within that range so don't feel it's an issue particularly. Did you have to refill during your 400 miles? (sounded like fun!)
Jon1967x said:
Ali2202 said:
Jon1967x said:
I think how you are likely to use it is key. I've a car in this price bracket, use it at weekends and trips away with other owners. Recent trip involved a 100 mike drive there, 200 files around welsh roads in a day then drove back the following day. I wonder what the range is like when driving hard? I'm sure an hour or so test drive is fine but an enthusiastic days driving?
Hi. I expect the i8 to return 200-250 miles on a tank when driven hard. I'll rarely be anywhere there isn't a petrol station within that range so don't feel it's an issue particularly. Did you have to refill during your 400 miles? (sounded like fun!)Edited by Ali2202 on Saturday 2nd August 19:47
I ordered a Sophisto Grey with Frozen Grey accents this week. I was a bit torn, as I know the blue accents are a bit of a signature of the I range, but to me it looked better how I ordered it. A really lovely thing to drive and I had to work my Chimaera 500 very hard to keep up with it accelerating up to 130, so it's quick enough for me.
I ordered a Sophisto Grey with Frozen Grey accents this week. I was a bit torn, as I know the blue accents are a bit of a signature of the I range, but to me it looked better how I ordered it. I really lovely thing to drive and I had to work my Chimaera 500 very hard to keep up with it accelerating up to 130, so it's quick enough for me.
I went for the turbine 625s as above. It's a strange one actually, because when I looked at the wheels off the car, I preferred the W spoke 470 wheels, but on the car I preferred the ones I chose. Agreed on the originals and the dealership I bought from told me that the other seven they had sold were all specced with upgraded alloys.
On Saturday I managed to get myself behind the wheel of a BMW i8. A car that I have been much intrigued about. It is an intriguing proposition, do you spend the £100K GBP on the established contenders, which are all well proven and worthy of the price tag - Or do you plump for the newcomer composite tech-fest powered by electrickery and a blown 3-pot?
Anyway, having owned the usual suspects over the last dozen years or so and have been overjoyed with them I was really keen to see what the story is with the i8.
So lets start with probably the main feature - and it is a hugely subjective one. The looks. I love it. It looks like nothing else on the road in a good way and almost everyone that you pass by whether they are old age pensioners or children do a double take as you go past them. It is the first car I have had on my driveway where within the space of 15 minutes I had received a positive comment from a passer-by ...
Getting in and out - well not quite as tricky as getting into an Exige but for someone of my build it was not the most graceful of ingress and egress - no doubt it is something I could perfect with practice the plus side of this is I think you will be saved your blushes at the petrol station as I don't expect you will have to visit many of them or that frequently at least anyway, such is the economical nature of this car.
The drive. It is comfy, very comfy. It feels very big but light. The steering wheel does not have any detectable feedback that my 'amateur' hands could detect - but it is very precise. It is a special place to sit. The car is very fast - think a well pedalled 991 Carrera S - the car feels that sort of performance and the performance is very easy to tap into.
The dash instrumentation tells you everything you need to know at a glance but also loads of extra data with regards to energy flow and so on. This i8 was fitted with all the options that BMW offer across most of the range with regards to proximity of other cars etc - and it is very nicely integrated.
The car changes direction very easily - and soaks up road imperfections very well. It does have a strange almost pitch and roll type effect going on that sounds worse than it really is - but it does feel a little different.
As for it being 4wd and the way the power is distributed across both axles by electrickery and conventional blown 3-pot it is a marvel. The integration done by BMW on this is completely seamless - and even the brake pedal feels completely normal. I like this car a great deal.
Internal space. I think this car is marginally bigger than the interior of a 991 Coupe - On the drive I had we had two up front and an adult in the rear who had no complaints about the comfort or the space. Boot space is almost non-existent really. However - the back seats if not being used provides adequate space for a pair of overnight bags and some other stuff very easily.
The engine note - strange one this - it sounds fantastic - I have no idea what is going on to create the noise - but the net effect is it sounds great - the car going up the road sounds unique and distinctive again in a nice way. In electric mode the car is, as you would expect, virtually silent. The super stiff, lightweight construction and the quality materials used ensures there are no rattles or vibrations. Again all positive to report from me here.
Conclusion - A lot of very valid remarks have been made about where this car sits amongst its peers at this price point. I know some doubters have both mentioned their respective doubts about this car and I kind of sit in their camp with regards to being able to purchase some really good machinery at this price. Now I have had a go, on my roads where I live - I have no doubt in my mind - this car is better than a 991 in terms of 'Occasion' 'Presence and kerb-appeal'
I would have no hesitation to point the car towards France and just keep going - it makes you think it would be a very good place to spend 10-12 hours behind the wheel.
Will I buy one - Yes I think I will. The man maths are made far simpler due to the nature of how you can buy this car through your own company to take off some of the impact of the £100k price tag - using this approach I do think that there is nothing around at that Net Cost that even comes close to the i8.
I think I will put a dipper down at my dealer - and perhaps ask for the Spider Version that has been rumoured - it will add another enjoyable dimension to this great car.
All the doubters should at least try one - I am a dyed in the wool Porsche enthusiast and serial purchaser - but I think I would rather have this than a new 991 Carrera S with some toys.
Anyway, having owned the usual suspects over the last dozen years or so and have been overjoyed with them I was really keen to see what the story is with the i8.
So lets start with probably the main feature - and it is a hugely subjective one. The looks. I love it. It looks like nothing else on the road in a good way and almost everyone that you pass by whether they are old age pensioners or children do a double take as you go past them. It is the first car I have had on my driveway where within the space of 15 minutes I had received a positive comment from a passer-by ...
Getting in and out - well not quite as tricky as getting into an Exige but for someone of my build it was not the most graceful of ingress and egress - no doubt it is something I could perfect with practice the plus side of this is I think you will be saved your blushes at the petrol station as I don't expect you will have to visit many of them or that frequently at least anyway, such is the economical nature of this car.
The drive. It is comfy, very comfy. It feels very big but light. The steering wheel does not have any detectable feedback that my 'amateur' hands could detect - but it is very precise. It is a special place to sit. The car is very fast - think a well pedalled 991 Carrera S - the car feels that sort of performance and the performance is very easy to tap into.
The dash instrumentation tells you everything you need to know at a glance but also loads of extra data with regards to energy flow and so on. This i8 was fitted with all the options that BMW offer across most of the range with regards to proximity of other cars etc - and it is very nicely integrated.
The car changes direction very easily - and soaks up road imperfections very well. It does have a strange almost pitch and roll type effect going on that sounds worse than it really is - but it does feel a little different.
As for it being 4wd and the way the power is distributed across both axles by electrickery and conventional blown 3-pot it is a marvel. The integration done by BMW on this is completely seamless - and even the brake pedal feels completely normal. I like this car a great deal.
Internal space. I think this car is marginally bigger than the interior of a 991 Coupe - On the drive I had we had two up front and an adult in the rear who had no complaints about the comfort or the space. Boot space is almost non-existent really. However - the back seats if not being used provides adequate space for a pair of overnight bags and some other stuff very easily.
The engine note - strange one this - it sounds fantastic - I have no idea what is going on to create the noise - but the net effect is it sounds great - the car going up the road sounds unique and distinctive again in a nice way. In electric mode the car is, as you would expect, virtually silent. The super stiff, lightweight construction and the quality materials used ensures there are no rattles or vibrations. Again all positive to report from me here.
Conclusion - A lot of very valid remarks have been made about where this car sits amongst its peers at this price point. I know some doubters have both mentioned their respective doubts about this car and I kind of sit in their camp with regards to being able to purchase some really good machinery at this price. Now I have had a go, on my roads where I live - I have no doubt in my mind - this car is better than a 991 in terms of 'Occasion' 'Presence and kerb-appeal'
I would have no hesitation to point the car towards France and just keep going - it makes you think it would be a very good place to spend 10-12 hours behind the wheel.
Will I buy one - Yes I think I will. The man maths are made far simpler due to the nature of how you can buy this car through your own company to take off some of the impact of the £100k price tag - using this approach I do think that there is nothing around at that Net Cost that even comes close to the i8.
I think I will put a dipper down at my dealer - and perhaps ask for the Spider Version that has been rumoured - it will add another enjoyable dimension to this great car.
All the doubters should at least try one - I am a dyed in the wool Porsche enthusiast and serial purchaser - but I think I would rather have this than a new 991 Carrera S with some toys.
nbetts said:
On Saturday I managed to get myself behind the wheel of a BMW i8. A car that I have been much intrigued about. It is an intriguing proposition, do you spend the £100K GBP on the established contenders, which are all well proven and worthy of the price tag - Or do you plump for the newcomer composite tech-fest powered by electrickery and a blown 3-pot?
Anyway, having owned the usual suspects over the last dozen years or so and have been overjoyed with them I was really keen to see what the story is with the i8.
So lets start with probably the main feature - and it is a hugely subjective one. The looks. I love it. It looks like nothing else on the road in a good way and almost everyone that you pass by whether they are old age pensioners or children do a double take as you go past them. It is the first car I have had on my driveway where within the space of 15 minutes I had received a positive comment from a passer-by ...
Getting in and out - well not quite as tricky as getting into an Exige but for someone of my build it was not the most graceful of ingress and egress - no doubt it is something I could perfect with practice the plus side of this is I think you will be saved your blushes at the petrol station as I don't expect you will have to visit many of them or that frequently at least anyway, such is the economical nature of this car.
The drive. It is comfy, very comfy. It feels very big but light. The steering wheel does not have any detectable feedback that my 'amateur' hands could detect - but it is very precise. It is a special place to sit. The car is very fast - think a well pedalled 991 Carrera S - the car feels that sort of performance and the performance is very easy to tap into.
The dash instrumentation tells you everything you need to know at a glance but also loads of extra data with regards to energy flow and so on. This i8 was fitted with all the options that BMW offer across most of the range with regards to proximity of other cars etc - and it is very nicely integrated.
The car changes direction very easily - and soaks up road imperfections very well. It does have a strange almost pitch and roll type effect going on that sounds worse than it really is - but it does feel a little different.
As for it being 4wd and the way the power is distributed across both axles by electrickery and conventional blown 3-pot it is a marvel. The integration done by BMW on this is completely seamless - and even the brake pedal feels completely normal. I like this car a great deal.
Internal space. I think this car is marginally bigger than the interior of a 991 Coupe - On the drive I had we had two up front and an adult in the rear who had no complaints about the comfort or the space. Boot space is almost non-existent really. However - the back seats if not being used provides adequate space for a pair of overnight bags and some other stuff very easily.
The engine note - strange one this - it sounds fantastic - I have no idea what is going on to create the noise - but the net effect is it sounds great - the car going up the road sounds unique and distinctive again in a nice way. In electric mode the car is, as you would expect, virtually silent. The super stiff, lightweight construction and the quality materials used ensures there are no rattles or vibrations. Again all positive to report from me here.
Conclusion - A lot of very valid remarks have been made about where this car sits amongst its peers at this price point. I know some doubters have both mentioned their respective doubts about this car and I kind of sit in their camp with regards to being able to purchase some really good machinery at this price. Now I have had a go, on my roads where I live - I have no doubt in my mind - this car is better than a 991 in terms of 'Occasion' 'Presence and kerb-appeal'
I would have no hesitation to point the car towards France and just keep going - it makes you think it would be a very good place to spend 10-12 hours behind the wheel.
Will I buy one - Yes I think I will. The man maths are made far simpler due to the nature of how you can buy this car through your own company to take off some of the impact of the £100k price tag - using this approach I do think that there is nothing around at that Net Cost that even comes close to the i8.
I think I will put a dipper down at my dealer - and perhaps ask for the Spider Version that has been rumoured - it will add another enjoyable dimension to this great car.
All the doubters should at least try one - I am a dyed in the wool Porsche enthusiast and serial purchaser - but I think I would rather have this than a new 991 Carrera S with some toys.
Thanks really good review enjoyed reading that and its getting me more excited for receiving ours!Anyway, having owned the usual suspects over the last dozen years or so and have been overjoyed with them I was really keen to see what the story is with the i8.
So lets start with probably the main feature - and it is a hugely subjective one. The looks. I love it. It looks like nothing else on the road in a good way and almost everyone that you pass by whether they are old age pensioners or children do a double take as you go past them. It is the first car I have had on my driveway where within the space of 15 minutes I had received a positive comment from a passer-by ...
Getting in and out - well not quite as tricky as getting into an Exige but for someone of my build it was not the most graceful of ingress and egress - no doubt it is something I could perfect with practice the plus side of this is I think you will be saved your blushes at the petrol station as I don't expect you will have to visit many of them or that frequently at least anyway, such is the economical nature of this car.
The drive. It is comfy, very comfy. It feels very big but light. The steering wheel does not have any detectable feedback that my 'amateur' hands could detect - but it is very precise. It is a special place to sit. The car is very fast - think a well pedalled 991 Carrera S - the car feels that sort of performance and the performance is very easy to tap into.
The dash instrumentation tells you everything you need to know at a glance but also loads of extra data with regards to energy flow and so on. This i8 was fitted with all the options that BMW offer across most of the range with regards to proximity of other cars etc - and it is very nicely integrated.
The car changes direction very easily - and soaks up road imperfections very well. It does have a strange almost pitch and roll type effect going on that sounds worse than it really is - but it does feel a little different.
As for it being 4wd and the way the power is distributed across both axles by electrickery and conventional blown 3-pot it is a marvel. The integration done by BMW on this is completely seamless - and even the brake pedal feels completely normal. I like this car a great deal.
Internal space. I think this car is marginally bigger than the interior of a 991 Coupe - On the drive I had we had two up front and an adult in the rear who had no complaints about the comfort or the space. Boot space is almost non-existent really. However - the back seats if not being used provides adequate space for a pair of overnight bags and some other stuff very easily.
The engine note - strange one this - it sounds fantastic - I have no idea what is going on to create the noise - but the net effect is it sounds great - the car going up the road sounds unique and distinctive again in a nice way. In electric mode the car is, as you would expect, virtually silent. The super stiff, lightweight construction and the quality materials used ensures there are no rattles or vibrations. Again all positive to report from me here.
Conclusion - A lot of very valid remarks have been made about where this car sits amongst its peers at this price point. I know some doubters have both mentioned their respective doubts about this car and I kind of sit in their camp with regards to being able to purchase some really good machinery at this price. Now I have had a go, on my roads where I live - I have no doubt in my mind - this car is better than a 991 in terms of 'Occasion' 'Presence and kerb-appeal'
I would have no hesitation to point the car towards France and just keep going - it makes you think it would be a very good place to spend 10-12 hours behind the wheel.
Will I buy one - Yes I think I will. The man maths are made far simpler due to the nature of how you can buy this car through your own company to take off some of the impact of the £100k price tag - using this approach I do think that there is nothing around at that Net Cost that even comes close to the i8.
I think I will put a dipper down at my dealer - and perhaps ask for the Spider Version that has been rumoured - it will add another enjoyable dimension to this great car.
All the doubters should at least try one - I am a dyed in the wool Porsche enthusiast and serial purchaser - but I think I would rather have this than a new 991 Carrera S with some toys.
official delivery date of November 8th
CRA1G said:
tobybmw535i said:
Thanks really good review enjoyed reading that and its getting me more excited for receiving ours!
official delivery date of November 8th
When did you order yours..? Have you gone for the £12k impulse package..? official delivery date of November 8th
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