BMW i8......order is in.

[Ali2202]

Hi All,

Well after many years of running old 'classics' and a test-drive of the i8 on Monday morning I've decided to sell up on my 964 C2's next spring and take the plunge on an i8.

I really didn't know what to expect but was absolutely blown away by the sheer event of the thing. Beautiful to look at, beautiful to use and really fking quick!!

Deposit is down and they're quoting delivery in 12 months. I'm still a bit undecided on colour though. Torn between Silver and Blue.

What do you reckon fellas?......

[Ali2202]

zeduffman said:

Blue for me. I don't like the blue accenting, choosing the blue paint would hide them somewhat.

That's going to be the longest 12 months of your life.

Cheers. Know what you mean. The blue accenting switches to a grey colour if you go for blue on the main even. If you know what I mean....

[Ali2202]

White not for me tho.....

[Ali2202]

REALIST123 said:

SimNugget said:

But surely then you are driving a 100k, 1 litre, 3 cylinder super car?

Seems like it to all intents and purposes. But will many of these get driven that much?

I'll be putting a lot of mileage on it hopefully. To/from Italy 3-4 times a year.

I do get the point about the potential compromise when the battery is 'empty' but remember it's constantly regenerating under movement so invariably there is still plenty of additional punch from the electric motor when needed (overtaking etc.) BMW sales-guy says that the range indicator will never read anything less than 9 miles in hybrid mode. Also. don't underestimate the grunt that little turbocharged 3 cylinder engine has. It, in itself is quite spectacular.

I'm now a bit more of a 'James May' type these days anyway so will be concentrating equally if not more on seeing what I can (g)eek out of it on these long trips.

It will be getting caned on many an Alpine pass too.

Edited by Ali2202 on Thursday 31st July 11:40

[Ali2202]

OlberJ said:

Sorry that you're leaving the 964 fold Ali!

Although, with that rear "opening" on the i8 I see you're not leaving 911's altogether

Looking forward to seeing this out and about at a meet or two when you eventually get a hold of it.

I've always poo-pooed water-cooled anyway.

The 964's?....well one will definitely go. The other is to be negotiated with SWMBO at a later date but it'll probably stay.

[Ali2202]

eliotrw said:

Nice choice! I would love one in Valencia orange. Would be like a modern M1!

Nice idea but think it 'shouts' loud enough in blue. Or silver. Still undecided.

[Ali2202]

Sort out your formatting man!!

[Ali2202]

y2blade said:

Fantastic, good on you.
I look forward to hearing your experiences with it.

Such an awesome looking car.

Cheers!

[Ali2202]

REALIST123 said:

Ali2202 said:

Sort out your formatting man!!

Oh dear! Didn't see that, the problems with small screens and bad eyes......

REALIST123 said:

I don't know. £100K still seems a lot for a 230bhp sports car with an electric overtake facility to me. Fuel consumption benefit is made insignificant by the cost of the vehicle and a range of 30 odd miles all electric. It seems to fall between two stools.

It does look good though, the main reason for buying perhaps?

How are they doing with the other hybrid car? I haven't seen any round this way.

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 residuals will be good as long as they are proven reliable. Overall, I'm a bit bored with what I have, the constant upkeep costs and the fact I really only use them once a month at most.

Also, life really is too short. It was originally going to be an SLS but this just intrigued me much much more.

Cheers.

Ali

[Ali2202]

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]

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!)

It's not the petrol, I'm thinking the batteries. Its whether they will stay sufficiently charged over a day or two to give the electric boost when needed. (And yes.. It was a lot of fun

Yes it regens constantly via the hybrid system and via braking. According to BMW it will never show less than 9 miles range from the battery when the engine is factoring. That means the battery is ALWAYS there to add the extra punch to the petrol engine as/when required.

Edited by Ali2202 on Saturday 2nd August 19:47

[Ali2202]

spunko2010 said:

AB said:

The Impulse Pack looks like a no brainer.

Hardly. Why not just hand your dealer a £12k bung to get it earlier? Same difference. People that pay a premium to secure a car earlier to the tune of £12k are hurting everyone in the long run as more and more dealers will start to do it.

Incidentally there is 1 on Autotrader now for £137k that is 'available now'.

I was quoted delivery in June/July.... I wish it was Feb 2015 without this £12k 'pack'!

£137K? That's crazy....but then some fool will pay it!

[Ali2202]

gaz1234 said:

surely this is just the same as a 750i, just economical?

Erm, no.

[Ali2202]

kryten22uk said:

The car is pretty much fully spec'd anyway. The main options Impulse adds are

Halo 2150
Drivers Assist 1490
Harman speakers 895
Alloys 1380
Frozen White 1350

Totals 7265

If you wanted Grey then the total is 5915. That means you're paying about 6 grand for the "Exclusive" extras. Those are:

Pure Impulse Club
Velour floor mats
Logo on calipers
Logo on door sills
Logo on headrests
Leather engine cover
Ceramic gear lever

That would have to be one hell of a Club to warrant the cash. So, no, it's not a "bargain", but each tp their own.

Agree!

[Ali2202]

It wont make me cancel the order but I thought this was really funny.....

[Ali2202]

slippery said:

The car is capable of charging its own batteries, but this is done for a fraction of the cost when plugged in to the mains. I will just leave it plugged in overnight, or when an opportunity arises, but don't plan to become too obsessive about it.

We currently live in a top-floor flat in the UK. Yep, you read that right! There are a few fast charge points within 5 minutes drive which I'll be using from time-to-time but essentially we need a house with a garage in the long-term. This is indeed going to one expensive i8...

[Ali2202]

kryten22uk said:

Ali2202 said:

We currently live in a top-floor flat in the UK. Yep, you read that right! There are a few fast charge points within 5 minutes drive which I'll be using from time-to-time but essentially we need a house with a garage in the long-term. This is indeed going to one expensive i8...

My questions above were sort if aimed at this. I was thinking that if the car regenerates its batteries quickly then theres no urgent need to keep it fully charged at home. The regeneration techniques are also free.

The range in full EV mode will be severely compromised if the batteries are never fully charged but essentially yes it can be run in hybrid mode without ever having to plug in to a wall socket. That's my understanding anyhoo!.....

[Ali2202]

REALIST123 said:

Would there be a real point to the car if you're going to do that though? What would be the fuel economy in that situation?

Circa 30 MPG on the UC from what I've read. I'm not buying the car to save on fuel costs thankfully.

[Ali2202]

REALIST123 said:

Ali2202 said:

REALIST123 said:

Would there be a real point to the car if you're going to do that though? What would be the fuel economy in that situation?

Circa 30 MPG on the UC from what I've read. I'm not buying the car to save on fuel costs thankfully.

OK. So it's more of a technical showpiece than a green machine?

It's a very fast Sports Car with fascinating, highly interactive tech' and drop-dead looks! That in itself was enough for me.

[Ali2202]

slippery said:

LotusJas said:

slippery said:

5to1 said:

slippery said:

Don't don't show her the size of the boot!

Unfortunately one of the first things she'd look at, as fortunately we're expecting a new addition to the family Being a typical man I still think I can justify one if I put my mind to it

I ordered my wife a new car too. It seemed a good distraction tactic.

LOL... I wonder how many of us did that I did the same, although admittedly, my wife was perfectly happy with my i8 purchase. I ordered her an i3.

I didn't get off quite that lightly! FFRR.

Citreon Cactus for me! Think I got off very lightly!