i3 or Honda E?
Discussion
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202103170265068...
or
https://usedcars.honda.co.uk/en/used-cars/approved...
(or similar as these might be sold)
the requirement is:
Second car - Lexus ES is main family transport for long trips
Wife's car - my job to keep it charged.
2 children in back - older kids so not too much load lugging required
Daily commute of 2.2 Miles each way - Total 22 miles a week commuting
Weekend max trip without charging - St Albans to Oxford - 48.6 miles each way -total 97.2 miles (2 or 3 times a year)
Weekend max trip with charging from - St Albans to Wakefield -167 miles (2-3 times a year or take the Lexus)
3000-4000 miles in total per year
We would look to keep the car for 8-10 years
Where would your money go?
I love the look of the Honda but my money would go on the BMW, its been around longer and is more established which means niggles should have been sorted through its production life, it will drive better and be quicker and the interior a nicer place to be.
Having said that i would also look at something like the 208 EV or Hyundai version.
Having said that i would also look at something like the 208 EV or Hyundai version.
I'd probably put it into an i3s over i3 but either way that over the E. The Honda seems to be sadly lacking in the battery department and other than looking cute with a virtual fish tank it hasn't got a lot going for it.
The i3 is now a well understood and reliable car too and while the basic design has been around a while, those that own them generally love them.
BMW have dropped all their prices to qualify for the 35k grant again so it might be worth waiting to see what happens to the used market, could be some reductions around the corner or some deals on new ones.
The i3 is now a well understood and reliable car too and while the basic design has been around a while, those that own them generally love them.
BMW have dropped all their prices to qualify for the 35k grant again so it might be worth waiting to see what happens to the used market, could be some reductions around the corner or some deals on new ones.
I really like both. The door arrangement of the i3 is annoying though, particularly with older kids who can get in and out themselves, and the rear windows are fixed too.
Range pretty much irrelevant, the Honda E will do the weekend trips in the worst conditions unless you drive up the M40 like your hair is on fire, and both would need a stop on the Wakefield trip anyway.
I'd take the Honda.
Range pretty much irrelevant, the Honda E will do the weekend trips in the worst conditions unless you drive up the M40 like your hair is on fire, and both would need a stop on the Wakefield trip anyway.
I'd take the Honda.
If 97 miles is the max distance without charging... then you're really not going to want to get a Honda E. In winter there'll mean turning the fans off etc... not my idea of fun for a journey.
For the rest of the time it'd likely be perfect, and a very nice place to be too (esp. if you like the 70's theme).
For the rest of the time it'd likely be perfect, and a very nice place to be too (esp. if you like the 70's theme).
Bomberharris said:
Was looking to buy a new 745LE and got quite friendly with BMW Salesperson asked about also a second hand i3 as a runabout.
He candidly warned against a second hand one........
I’m now have Lexus SUV HX and looking at a Aygo or Fiesta for a runabout
what? Never listen to BMW salesmen, they will tell you any old b*ll*cks!He candidly warned against a second hand one........
I’m now have Lexus SUV HX and looking at a Aygo or Fiesta for a runabout
What you want to avoid is s/h early ReX models. Pure BEVs are fine.
Personally i'd avoid the ReX entirely if you are a two car family. More weight, screws the handling, lots more to go wrong and you'll never use it anyway......
Chaps, many thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.
Some goods points raised, I have printed out both brochures and will present tonight and see what the other half thinks (there is a strong possibility that she will want to keep her Auris!)
Personally, I think I am leaning towards an i3 (maybe an S) - we have a 1979 635CSI in white for high days and holidays, so a black i3 might look the nuts parked next to it - but that is not the most scientific of reasons to choose a car!
Some goods points raised, I have printed out both brochures and will present tonight and see what the other half thinks (there is a strong possibility that she will want to keep her Auris!)
Personally, I think I am leaning towards an i3 (maybe an S) - we have a 1979 635CSI in white for high days and holidays, so a black i3 might look the nuts parked next to it - but that is not the most scientific of reasons to choose a car!
Like the look of the Honda E but the range limitation would grate after a while, especially in the colder months.
We loved our i3 120ah and it would happily do 130+ miles in winter and 180+ in summer. (we did a round trip from Lichfield to Manchester Airport in Sep 19 of 160+ miles with it parked for 7 days and didn't need to charge en-route).
The wife still misses it as moved it on in March of last year when Covid hit and we didn't need 2 cars, this is despite her driving the Tesla most days. Says it all really?
We loved our i3 120ah and it would happily do 130+ miles in winter and 180+ in summer. (we did a round trip from Lichfield to Manchester Airport in Sep 19 of 160+ miles with it parked for 7 days and didn't need to charge en-route).
The wife still misses it as moved it on in March of last year when Covid hit and we didn't need 2 cars, this is despite her driving the Tesla most days. Says it all really?
i3 - but we have one!
To be honest, the i3 is actually a bit of a packaging sweet spot for a city car. Its small and short, has an amazing turning circle and plenty of visibility - so getting around town is a dream. Plenty of power to get up and going and surprisingly roomy in the back when needed. Ok, so the boot is pretty small, but its surprisingly practical in general use. In 93ah form you should see a solid 100+ miles per charge. If you can stretch to the later model, you will get 125+ without too much of a problem.
Spec tends to be pretty good and its well built. BUT, its not worth the brand new price. Second hand though, its a good deal. They drop pretty quickly but then stabilize out, so get a well priced second hand one and it should be a good deal.
We have the Rex and it works well. We get around 100 miles on a charge (down on the pure EV model) and the extended 60 miles does make a difference. Just takes the pressure off (time and charger availability) so you can get home and charge from there. Be cautious on the spec though - in comparison with the newer Honda E, it might look a little 'previous gen'.
To be honest, the i3 is actually a bit of a packaging sweet spot for a city car. Its small and short, has an amazing turning circle and plenty of visibility - so getting around town is a dream. Plenty of power to get up and going and surprisingly roomy in the back when needed. Ok, so the boot is pretty small, but its surprisingly practical in general use. In 93ah form you should see a solid 100+ miles per charge. If you can stretch to the later model, you will get 125+ without too much of a problem.
Spec tends to be pretty good and its well built. BUT, its not worth the brand new price. Second hand though, its a good deal. They drop pretty quickly but then stabilize out, so get a well priced second hand one and it should be a good deal.
We have the Rex and it works well. We get around 100 miles on a charge (down on the pure EV model) and the extended 60 miles does make a difference. Just takes the pressure off (time and charger availability) so you can get home and charge from there. Be cautious on the spec though - in comparison with the newer Honda E, it might look a little 'previous gen'.
I went through this debate with myself in December .
I really loved the look of the e but as has been said above you really , really , really have to love it to overlook the range issue .
I ended up buying an I3s that was in stock , its got every factory option on it ( was destined to be a dealer demo ) and i really like driving it .Its a third car for us so we have other options but it hasnt stopped me using the i3S for the odd 200- 250 mile round day trips ( easily achieved with one rapid charge en route )
Oh and the i3s is quicker if thats important .
I really loved the look of the e but as has been said above you really , really , really have to love it to overlook the range issue .
I ended up buying an I3s that was in stock , its got every factory option on it ( was destined to be a dealer demo ) and i really like driving it .Its a third car for us so we have other options but it hasnt stopped me using the i3S for the odd 200- 250 mile round day trips ( easily achieved with one rapid charge en route )
Oh and the i3s is quicker if thats important .
My wife has an i3S and does the school run regularly. Two 6’+ 16 year olds. I’ve not heard any comments about lack of practicality from her. In fact I’ve been in the back myself and found it plenty roomy enough and I’m 6’6”.
That said, the suicide rear doors are a nuisance if you have to park tight to another car. Look cool though!
That said, the suicide rear doors are a nuisance if you have to park tight to another car. Look cool though!
Cabbage Patch said:
My wife has an i3S and does the school run regularly. Two 6’+ 16 year olds. I’ve not heard any comments about lack of practicality from her. In fact I’ve been in the back myself and found it plenty roomy enough and I’m 6’6”.
That said, the suicide rear doors are a nuisance if you have to park tight to another car. Look cool though!
This.That said, the suicide rear doors are a nuisance if you have to park tight to another car. Look cool though!
Loads of rear space even for taller adults but those doors can be a pain in the arse at times.
I actually like the fact the rear doors can't be opened by kids before the front, it means as a driver i can control how they open the doors without child locks, and means no silly child opening their door into traffic!
You soon get used to simply asking the person up front to open their door a bit to release the back one ime
You soon get used to simply asking the person up front to open their door a bit to release the back one ime
sjg said:
I'd be interested to hear if those advocating the i3 have school-age kids in the back regularly. I'd written off having one because it looks so awkward but I'm willing to have to mind changed!
Good comment and that reminds me of something that might be critical to some - THE REAR WINDOWS DONT GO DOWN!The front windows are big and the car itself is pretty slippery (and frameless too - kind of cool) so you can get good airflow in without a massive amount of buffering, but yeah, the rear ones are a little small and if you have kids that get a little car sick, its worth testing this out first. Also, there are no rear vents for the aircon too - here in California on a summer day, you have to have the fans high and the central vents pointing to the back. Its OK, but far from ideal.
But that said, there is plenty of room and access to the seats themselves are easy. We had an EP3 CTR when our kids were younger and in car seats, and that was a pain. Kids are grown up now and there is plenty of space in the back, so have no experience with car seats, but access is easy. Those doors make a massive difference and I think its easier than say a saloon / sedan or something.
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