Promoted content: Test drive a BMW i3 courtesy of PH

Promoted content: Test drive a BMW i3 courtesy of PH

Author
Discussion

Dirty Sanchez

211 posts

275 months

Friday 25th September 2015
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That's a pretty good turnaround for BMW. I'm presuming that was a factory order and not one from stock?
MagicalTrevor said:
I went to have a look at the i3 on the 15th August with it never having been on the radar before walking into the showroom (to look anything but the i3!). I ordered it on the 22nd and I'm picking it up on Monday.

What's that, 5 weeks?

MagicalTrevor

6,476 posts

228 months

Friday 25th September 2015
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Yep, factory order

REX
Metallic Paint - dark grey, Lauris?
Turbine wheels (the more expensive turbine wheels)
Full leather
Driver assistance pack (I wanted active cruise)
Media Package, Professional
Sunroof
DC Rapid Charge

Got a bit carried away with options wink

Dirty Sanchez

211 posts

275 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
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Sounds nice MagicalTrevor. Hopefully I'll get mine a bit sooner then.

I've purposely reined myself in as the whole idea was to save money.

Couldn't resist a couple of bits and the Rex was the only one I could order which suits. Having looked at a couple of cars I quite liked the standard interior so stuck with it.

Aravanni Grey (solid)
428 Turbine Alloys
Rapid charge
Harman Kardon Audio

Enjoy that new car experience on Monday and let us know how you find it.


Vorix

93 posts

208 months

Saturday 26th September 2015
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I took up on the promotion and did my test drive today from the very new and very bog Cooper dealership in Reading. (They are going to need to sell a lot of cars to pay for it). I'm half interested in the car. In many ways it would make a lot of sense. My typical journey these days is 11 miles to the office or 3 miles the station to go into London. Weekends are usually just local journeys near home. it wouldn't be the only car because there's still the need for something that will do longer journeys on occasion. However, the very fact that most of the journeys are so short just makes it very hard to justify the cost. BMW Finance over 36 months is £4K down and around £350 a month for the REX version with no options, limited to 5K per year. Based on 50mpg from a similar sized regular car that's only 100 gallons, so around £600 a year in fuel vs about £150 in electricity. This is only saving around £40 a month.
I really enjoyed driving it, though, and thought the regenerative braking was fantastic. Also though it was very refined at urban speeds with wind noise the main noise at 70mph but still not excessive. Ride was quite firm though. Not sure about the coach doors - it was a real faff getting in and out of the back in a tight parking spot.
Will think on it some more - if the price were to drop by around 30% then it would be a much more engaging proposition.

JD PH

Original Poster:

2,668 posts

116 months

Sunday 27th September 2015
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Vorix said:
I took up on the promotion and did my test drive today from the very new and very bog Cooper dealership in Reading. (They are going to need to sell a lot of cars to pay for it). I'm half interested in the car. In many ways it would make a lot of sense. My typical journey these days is 11 miles to the office or 3 miles the station to go into London. Weekends are usually just local journeys near home. it wouldn't be the only car because there's still the need for something that will do longer journeys on occasion. However, the very fact that most of the journeys are so short just makes it very hard to justify the cost. BMW Finance over 36 months is £4K down and around £350 a month for the REX version with no options, limited to 5K per year. Based on 50mpg from a similar sized regular car that's only 100 gallons, so around £600 a year in fuel vs about £150 in electricity. This is only saving around £40 a month.
I really enjoyed driving it, though, and thought the regenerative braking was fantastic. Also though it was very refined at urban speeds with wind noise the main noise at 70mph but still not excessive. Ride was quite firm though. Not sure about the coach doors - it was a real faff getting in and out of the back in a tight parking spot.
Will think on it some more - if the price were to drop by around 30% then it would be a much more engaging proposition.
Great post - very well considered! Let us know what you decide to do.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Monday 5th October 2015
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Yes thanks, very informative post - good luck whether you do, or don't!

But £350 a month FFS - I bought a 325ti last November for £2K (with £5 change!).

I have since spent nearly £500 on a cooling system refresh but I could just get another 325ti once/twice a year and still be ahead on those numbers........biglaugh

Impressive as an i3 may be (obviously ignoring it's minger looks) I have to say I would rather drive an N/A straight6 petrol with manual box, but then I'm old so what do I know.............

One day an i3 may make sense, unless (or until?) the taxation regime changes! laugh

lotuselise137

6 posts

101 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
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Test drove an i3 last weekend and was very impressed. I am currently considering pulling the trigger.....has anyone purchased one outright rather than leased?? and if so, did you manage to get any discount/freebies thrown in?

MagicalTrevor

6,476 posts

228 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
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The prices are controlled by BMW and the dealers operate as agents for the sale. You won't (shouldn't) get a discount.

I got a (carbon fibre) free umbrella and it had a full charge

Collectingbrass

2,197 posts

194 months

Tuesday 13th October 2015
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MagicalTrevor said:
The prices are controlled by BMW and the dealers operate as agents for the sale. You won't (shouldn't) get a discount.

I got a (carbon fibre) free umbrella and it had a full charge
You'll know EVs are the new "normal" when dealers will only half charge the batteries...