Just bought an i8. Thank you Pistonheads,

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I was recently invited by PH to spend a day with Bmw test driving their i8 and M models. I am a total petrol head and like my engines to be big and noisy and have been lucky enough to own a wide variety. Thanks to my test drive I have just decided to swap my beloved C63 for an i8. I was gobsmacked by how capable it was - and how much fun to drive. With free servicing, no road tax, a warranty, double the fuel economy of the Mercedes and 1.8% finance, it even makes financial sense! Does anyone know of a good i8 forum? I strongly recommend test driving one, you will be impressed...

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Good to hear from a fellow owner. Do you have any advice about getting the best from the car? Do you have a home charger? Thanks

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trickywoo said:

notax said:

it even makes financial sense!

Great car, I'd have one if I could but with the monumental depreciation they suffer they really don't make any kind of financial sense.

The depreciation is no worse than for similar value cars - in fact it can be significantly better depending on how much you pay for one. I have opted for a PCP, so no depreciation worries - I can hand it back and walk away in 4 years if it is worth less than £38k...

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335d said:

notax said:

I was recently invited by PH to spend a day with Bmw test driving their i8 and M models.

How did this invitation work - was it a case of go to a dealer and test drive cars that you're interested in (something we don't need an invitation for) or was this something different?

It was a special invitation only event arranged by Bmw in conjunction with PH. Very well organized, opportunity to drive an i8 and M cars, followed by a dinner hosted by Jodie Kidd (a fellow i8 owner)

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garyhun said:

Hi Notax - were you the guy to the left of the BMW lady?

I was on the left of the other younger BMW lady - so across the table from you if that was you.

I have to agree that the i8 blew me away too - never expected that. I'm waiting to hear back from them for a weekend loan as I'm seriously considering one too!

What spec did you opt for?

Hi Gary, yes that was me! It will be my daily driver, not sure what clients will make of me turning up in a car with Supercar doors... most were ok with an Aston Vantage so hopefully it'll be ok. Because of the above I've opted for a subtle one and chosen one of ten Protonic Dark Silver special editions coming to the U.K. I had no intention of getting an i8 before that event and the timing is a bit crazy as I am collecting another car with fancy doors the following day! I've just sold my Aston V12S roadster and agreed to swap it for a McLaren

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Yes, identical - although I may get the kidneys and lower side skirt wrapped in frosted blue to make slightly less incognito!

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Derek 111S said:

This must be the season for it. I collect my Protonic Red i8 next week, and while I shall miss the Vantage, I'm really excited about the i8.

Literally just sold my Vantage too - it was my third (4.3 coupe daily driver, V8S roadster fun car and finally V12S roadster which I had from new and only drove 700 miles in a year! Someone else will benefit from my financial pain) C63 being replaced by an i8 and Vantage by a McLaren - should be a good week

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wilwak said:

This is mine.

I also bought on PCP.

A good discount, 0% over 3 years.

Very happy with the monthly payment to 'rent' such a car.

I also got a free wall charger installed.

It's not my favourite car to drive but it's a lot better than I ever expected.

0%?! Damn, I should have negotiated harder!!! Well done and great looking car

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julian64 said:

You will have to give a road review.

I for one don't understand the philosophy of these cars. You have a 23 mile electric range which is pitiful.

So the car is basically a small engine augmented, but how long can 23 miles actually augment when you are hooning? And more importantly when you have used that up the little engine now turns into a charging platform making it even less of an enjoyment.

I suspect the car has a very limited ability to hoon but relies on the fact that although we all like to talk about hooning there is very little scope for it on todays roads. So I8's are a calculated attempt at providing want we need for the odd blip, rather than what we want. dressed up in a pretty package.

Its certainly the future

Hi Julian, I would strongly recommend arranging a decent test drive in an i8. I have been fortunate enough to own a large number of high end 'driver's cars' and am also a very enthusiastic driver. As anyone in my hoons will testify, there is still plenty of scope to hoon, you just have to choose your time and location carefully.

I recently swapped my daily driver (a C36 AMG coupe) for an i8 and am really enjoying it. It is obviously very different, but the handling is incredible, it is as fast as the C63, looks better and is a far more relaxing drive when you want it to be. I do miss the C63 start up rumble, but the i8 even sounds good if you stick it in sport mode. A couple of other benefits of the i8, no road tax and I'm currently averaging 45mpg versus 21mpg in the C63...

Although the quoted electric range is only 23 miles (and in my experience you get even less than that) the car does recharge itself as you drive - quite dramatically if you are in sport mode - meaning that when pushing on you don't run out of battery power. The fact the car is charging itself doesn't detract from the experience at all, in fact it enhances it in my view! The car is the best dual purpose hoon/daily driver I have ever owned and that list includes Astons, AMGs, M3, XKRs, TVRs etc

If you are in the market for an i8 or equivalent then please get in touch and I will help arrange a decent test drive for you - this offer is also open to others who are in the position to buy one if they like it!

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garyhun said:

Well I just handed back 'my' i8 - Protonic Blue - after a 4 day loan from BMW.

What a wonderful car! Relaxing when you want, a bit raucous when you don't, immensely easy to drive and very comfortable on the 4 hour drive I did to the coast. Everyone had very positive reactions to it AND, once you master ingress and egress, the doors are just wonderful theatre. Driving away on electric first thing in the morning is also quite a lovely experience, and then you put it into sport and it's a totally different car.

All in all it's definitely on my list for my next car.

Well done BMW!

Hi Gary,

Glad you liked it too! After 2,500 miles in six weeks I'm still very pleased with mine as my above post describes. When you are ready to buy, let me know and I'll see if I can get you a deal

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mark2705 said:

Hi

I'm currently seriously thinking of taking the step into an i8. I'm waiting for an 'extended' test drive from my dealership as my mate who works there strongly recommends living with it (especially the doors) before buying.

My wife has owned an i3 for the last three years and the car has been fantastic.

My one concern however is that I will be coming out of a m4 if I do decide to jump. Anyone here made a similar jump that can share their experience ?

Hi Mark, please see my post a few above - I came out of a C63 AMG daily driver which I loved (so much that I bought it at the end of the 3 year lease) I test drove an M4 and have previously owned and driven various M3s. Needless to say, I much prefer the i8. It is a very different car, but one with huge feelgood factor in my view - from the handling and ride, to the looks, people's reactions and even fuel economy. I even prefer the sound of it to the M4 (and the steering wheel is in a different league!)

It sounds as though you already have access to an extended test drive, but if you have any problems please get in touch - I have a contact at the top of BMW who has kindly helped out various others

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This is about as close as you can get! Big enough for most spaces...