BMW i8 - Outstanding

[MKA29]

JimmyCauty said:

I'd say the only things i'd like to see (rather than actually dislike) - other than those mentioned in my original post - are:

• Windows that go all the way down
• Some sort of protection on the sill that won't scratch so easily. It's so easy to scratch the door sills simply by getting in and out of the car
• The option to engage reverse whilst the engine is in sport mode. As soon as you select reverse, it defaults to e-drive
• Homelink buttons that actually talk to the gate receiver (A Homelink issue rather than BMW though)

Other than these small 'first world problems', I can't really fault the car. I was advised to go for the carbon interior trim by a fellow owner, and am so glad I did. The difference between the one I had for a weekend test drive, and the one I ordered is remarkable. It's a fairly expensive option, but well worth it in my opinion.

Mine is the white one here...

Thanks for that, some very useful info in there!
Your i8 is absolutely stunning!!! I think it's quite similar to the spec I want

Anyone had any troubles with width restrictions/multi storey car parks?

[culminator]

Not had any problems personally and once you get used to it, it's a fairly easy car to navigate through gaps etc. Go for it, you won't regret it's!

[culminator]

First MOT on the I8 yesterday and never had one with less complications. No emissions testing as its a hybrid and very little visual inspection as most components are covered up. Strange, but tester said not much he can inspect if he can't see it...

Will make sure the BMW dealer does a thorough inspection at service time but nice to know the MOT is pretty simple on these...

[iain123]

Had mine for just a week now and what a lovely drive. Still not entirely convinced by the looks – some angles it looks lovely, others butt ugly. I got a silver one as I thought that the more popular grey ones were a bit dull but the amount of attention the silver one gets I’m now regretting this a little. I think after looking at them for so long you get normalised to their appearance, as I’m still surprised by the attention. I find ride quality a bit odd, as sometimes its sublime but others a bit too jiggy and hard. So hard I was expecting speed bumps to be painful however, mine just seems to glide over them – odd? I don’t really like the dash pod much as it looks cheap and confusing. Some of the heating controls are also fiddly and hidden behind the gearshift and the quicklink buttons are a bit of a stretch for me. The seats base also feels too short Like everybody else, I’m shocked at the performance and even more shocked by the fantastic refinement. Is just such a lovely drive.

Talking of MOTs – the i8 I have failed its first one on a leaky rear shock and torn front drive gaiter. Never had a 3 year old car fail a MOT…..unless that reflects the quality of our roads rather than the car?

[Plug Life]

iain123 said:

Still not entirely convinced by the looks – some angles it looks lovely, others butt ugly.

You got it right, the front is nice, the butt is ugly

[LotusJas]

EddieSteadyGo said:

To some degree, but I believe the new 2018 version also has a slightly more powerful electric motor (extra 12hp).

Motor is the same. It develops more power because the bigger batteries can supply more power.


It is possible to easily retrofit, if BMW make the option available. But probably pointless and cost prohibitive. Only worth doing at the end of the battery's life, which will be well over a decade.

[LotusJas]

Plug Life said:

You got it right, the front is nice, the butt is ugly

I find i8 stunning from ALL angles. Unlike my i3, which is ugly from the front.

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

911cck said:

Last picture for now! again showing a ripple in the leather! I know im moaning a lot here guys! But we all work hard, and pay a premuim to enjoy the cars we all own and enjoy. I just dont think its right that a manufacturer takes so little care in doing a pdi on its vehicle, no matter what it is, and what it costs. The manufacturers need to realise us like minded people will report things such as this to one another on forums like this one. Its my honest belief the i8 COULD be a great car! But mine falls well short of my expectation for a car worth well over £100k! I would not buy another BMW after this! And i just want those thinking about a possible i purchase to check the items i have highliged before they purchase one! I do confess! I love ( not that i can remember!! ) the driving experiance! But this is all now tainted by my recent experiences!
I drove the car throughout the winter! Snow and ice! Knowing that come spring i would be able to enjoy this car! But as it has been in the dealership since 1st week of April! Ive not had any chance to enjoy the car! ( Though i am still paying handsomely each month for the car!!!!) . I will keep you all informed as to what happens next! Back to the 320 in the morning!! Yawn!!

Edited by 911cck on Saturday 26th May 00:11

I'm not 100% convinced that that is a fault. Leather, when on an alive cow, is subjected to many things which leave patterns marks or scars. For EG, but not limited to - barb wire, stretch marks, mosquitoe bites, branding etc. Potentially it may be poor hide selection, but I'd need to see it up close. I'm a leather restorer of 6 years btw. Oh, and that could possibly be repaired (flatted then a light pigment touch up)
For EG, we have a Stressless Cinema Suite, £7000 new, it has some natural scars and the like, expensive doesn't always mean they're avoided.

[MKA29]

Just out of interest what is everyone paying for insurance on these?

I've been quoted £4100 for an i8

Yet an Audi RS6 would only cost me £1100

Wtf

[culminator]

That's crazy. I'm paying £550 for a 2015 car with only 1 year ncb due to having a company car.

[FeelingLucky]

Mine went from £800 to £2K in a year no violations/claims, eventually managed to talk them down to £1 after arguing the value down to 1 year old.

Still seems way too high to me, a 997 TurboS was considerably cheaper to insure.

[rix]

Nobody has mentioned the doors and getting in/out?! I love these cars, they are getting semi affordable, but I have the build of a PH director type and am haunted by ‘that’ video of a fat chap trapped in a i8 shaped man-shackle...

Is it a real pain in the arse or a forgoton issue?

[MrOrange]

It’s easy once you get used to it. And remains a great pastime watching first-timers try to get in/out.

[85Carrera]

What’s the real world MPG people are getting on these? Magazine articles I’ve read have suggested is a lot less than the target - is this right?

[MrOrange]

My average is 51mpg. Over 11k miles.

[johnnyreggae]

MKA29 said:

Just out of interest what is everyone paying for insurance on these?:

Friend pays about six hundred quid central london using BMW's own insurance with Allianz

85Carrera said:

What’s the real world MPG people are getting on these? Magazine articles I’ve read have suggested is a lot less than the target - is this right?

All cars fail to meet their EU target - mpg depends on how much electric running & charging you do so unusually cars that do the most commuting tend to have the best consumption - typical average with little commuting & charging is 40 mpg

[MKA29]

culminator said:

That's crazy. I'm paying £550 for a 2015 car with only 1 year ncb due to having a company car.

FeelingLucky said:

Mine went from £800 to £2K in a year no violations/claims, eventually managed to talk them down to £1 after arguing the value down to 1 year old.

Still seems way too high to me, a 997 TurboS was considerably cheaper to insure.

Crazy, they seem to pick numbers out of thin air. Who are you both with if you don't mind me asking

[LotusJas]

MKA29 said:

Just out of interest what is everyone paying for insurance on these?

I've been quoted £4100 for an i8

Wow!!!

I'm paying £435 for my i8

[LotusJas]

rix said:

Nobody has mentioned the doors and getting in/out?! I love these cars, they are getting semi affordable, but I have the build of a PH director type and am haunted by ‘that’ video of a fat chap trapped in a i8 shaped man-shackle...

Is it a real pain in the arse or a forgoton issue?

Easy. A complete non-issue.

Although I am an ex- S1 Exige owner

[culminator]

Agreed, it's a non issue, although I'm an ex Caterham owner... ;-)