Looking to buy BMW i3 REX 2015-2018
Discussion
Im looking to buy an I3 as my first EV and a model in around 2015 to 2018 but specs and prices are all over the place.
In an ideal world id be like to find a 2016 94ah REX with LED headlights, HK, Widescreen, 19" Turbines and lodge or loft interior.
I would appreciate any help from anyone with experience of them as there are not very many to view here in N Ireland....
-Much real world difference in the 60ah and 94ah REX models?
-What other options or packs are essential? or not really essential?
-Is the ride as bad as the motoring press reviews stated?
-Is the REX as troublesome as the internet would have you believe? was the REX really changed in around 2017?
In an ideal world id be like to find a 2016 94ah REX with LED headlights, HK, Widescreen, 19" Turbines and lodge or loft interior.
I would appreciate any help from anyone with experience of them as there are not very many to view here in N Ireland....
-Much real world difference in the 60ah and 94ah REX models?
-What other options or packs are essential? or not really essential?
-Is the ride as bad as the motoring press reviews stated?
-Is the REX as troublesome as the internet would have you believe? was the REX really changed in around 2017?
Paddymcc said:
-Much real world difference in the 60ah and 94ah REX models?
30% extra electric range? That’s the big one. I believe it’s the same size battery pack, just more modern packaging and batteries, hence the bigger capacity. But that just gives you a longer range and makes it more usable. It’s really worth it though, go for the bigger battery as it makes the car much more usable. Paddymcc said:
-What other options or packs are essential? or not really essential?
Think you have it covered there. It’s personal preference from there. BMW features are standard across the range, so nothing different here. Wide screen is a must though, HK stereo? Probably very useful. Paddymcc said:
-Is the ride as bad as the motoring press reviews stated?
Nah, it’s not bad at all. It’s stiffer than many cars, but it’s nibble, zippy and feels great to drive. Ride won’t be great, but it’s far from bad. So no, no way as bad as some in the press have said. Paddymcc said:
-Is the REX as troublesome as the internet would have you believe? was the REX really changed in around 2017?
Yeah no, it’s fine. Just make sure you use it! Ok, not all of the time, but every couple of weeks to make sure you are using the fuel and running the engine. I think they updated it for 2017, which mine is. But you might find it will run every month anyway, just to keep it running ok. Servicing is cheap and it’s a great safety net. And it’s useful when you know that you don’t have full speed charging where you are getting to! Nice to have the backup plan. Be aware though, that extra weight at the back does affect the ride and handling a little. It feels tail heavy and you can get a pitching motion over regular bumps, when compared to the battery only model. That’s ok though as it’s not designed as a sports car. But it’s certainly not bad and handling is surefooted though.
I had a 2016 60Ah Rex and was commuting 100 miles/day round trip.
In the summer the Rex would kick in around 1 to 2 miles from home so a very good 95+ miles on battery.
In the winter more like 70 miles before the Rex kicked in.
With that, I didn't consider the 90Ah with Rex to be so much better and so didn't feel that 'up grade' to be necessary.
In 2019 I bought a 120Ah i3S and so was able to make the commute battery only, summer or winter.
With the 7kW charger, it was recharged over night with the Octopus 5p/kWh rate.
My first impressions of the i3 Rex was that it was fun to drive and quite acceptable/comfortable for the commute.
I did occasionally notice a rear end reaction when hitting a bump on a curve, but no big issue.
It was also noticeable going over speed bumps where I felt a secondary reaction. I guessed it was the Rex engine reacting to the bump on its own rubber engine mounts. Again, no big issue.
The acceleration/fun factor was great and you also don't see any drop of this performance when the Rex kicks in which was a little bit of a surprise to me.
The i3S ride is maybe a little firmer but otherwise, still, for me, perfectly fine for the commute.
It is even madder as far as acceleration/fun.
The secondary reaction I mentioned with regard the Rex, of course, doesn't exist so feels a little more refined.
I've read on here that the wider tyres of the i3S model reduce the ride quality but my driving skills are not so refined as to notice.
Bigger screen is a must for me.
I had leatherette in the first car. In the i3S I have cloth and in the first week spilled coffee right between my legs and so leaving an embarrassing stain in the cloth.
As I'm working from home over 12 months now, the i3S does all the shopping runs etc.
My wife's diesel is hardly ever used as with my TVR.
It feels like free motoring and fun with it.
Good luck.
In the summer the Rex would kick in around 1 to 2 miles from home so a very good 95+ miles on battery.
In the winter more like 70 miles before the Rex kicked in.
With that, I didn't consider the 90Ah with Rex to be so much better and so didn't feel that 'up grade' to be necessary.
In 2019 I bought a 120Ah i3S and so was able to make the commute battery only, summer or winter.
With the 7kW charger, it was recharged over night with the Octopus 5p/kWh rate.
My first impressions of the i3 Rex was that it was fun to drive and quite acceptable/comfortable for the commute.
I did occasionally notice a rear end reaction when hitting a bump on a curve, but no big issue.
It was also noticeable going over speed bumps where I felt a secondary reaction. I guessed it was the Rex engine reacting to the bump on its own rubber engine mounts. Again, no big issue.
The acceleration/fun factor was great and you also don't see any drop of this performance when the Rex kicks in which was a little bit of a surprise to me.
The i3S ride is maybe a little firmer but otherwise, still, for me, perfectly fine for the commute.
It is even madder as far as acceleration/fun.
The secondary reaction I mentioned with regard the Rex, of course, doesn't exist so feels a little more refined.
I've read on here that the wider tyres of the i3S model reduce the ride quality but my driving skills are not so refined as to notice.
Bigger screen is a must for me.
I had leatherette in the first car. In the i3S I have cloth and in the first week spilled coffee right between my legs and so leaving an embarrassing stain in the cloth.
As I'm working from home over 12 months now, the i3S does all the shopping runs etc.
My wife's diesel is hardly ever used as with my TVR.
It feels like free motoring and fun with it.
Good luck.
https://tesla-info.com/evs/ev-for-sale.php aggregates ads from all over the place, and separates the different models properly.
If it's an earlier one then make sure it has DC rapid charging if you want it, it was an option for a while but standard later.
If it's an earlier one then make sure it has DC rapid charging if you want it, it was an option for a while but standard later.
Just to add to the range thing - California owner here and I have been seeing a consistent 95-100 miles range on battery only, during spring. Weather is nice, most days dont need AC and just driving around the local area its been very good on the miles per KWh. Thats great. Summer, where we can have a week of 100 degree weather, the range drops a lot! Its the aircon and it will eat the battery. Large windows dont help of course, but we were seeing around 70-75 miles on a full charge. It can improve if you are careful with the pre-cooling if you arent stopping long, but it is an impact. Winters arent bad here, but when its around 5 degrees during the day, again the range drops pretty much the same due to heating requirements. Though I was tipped on the use of the seat heaters rather than heater as its more efficient.
UK weather is a little more consistent and certainly not as hot, so you should get closer to the 95-100 miles more of the time, which if that fits, great. But the Rex does get lower range (due to the weight) than the BEV model, so if that works for you, get the BEV. The BEV is the nicer drive, lighter and quite efficient, but if you need to do the upper end of the range per day and dont have a charger, maybe the Rex is the way forward. Personally, I am around 25 miles to the nearest big town / city and on a hot day, I am hitting the limits of the BEV if I was to use it without charging. And being the US, we only get the standard 110v charging, so stuff takes an age to charge.
If it works for you, the BEV is the better one, but the Rex is a nice compromise if you need it for only a few small changes. Oh, and not sure about the UK, but we had ours in for a service a couple of months ago - $145 for the full service including the range extender engine. Needs a 'brake service' now and being connected we keep getting notifications on the app, letters through the post and messages on the screen.....
UK weather is a little more consistent and certainly not as hot, so you should get closer to the 95-100 miles more of the time, which if that fits, great. But the Rex does get lower range (due to the weight) than the BEV model, so if that works for you, get the BEV. The BEV is the nicer drive, lighter and quite efficient, but if you need to do the upper end of the range per day and dont have a charger, maybe the Rex is the way forward. Personally, I am around 25 miles to the nearest big town / city and on a hot day, I am hitting the limits of the BEV if I was to use it without charging. And being the US, we only get the standard 110v charging, so stuff takes an age to charge.
If it works for you, the BEV is the better one, but the Rex is a nice compromise if you need it for only a few small changes. Oh, and not sure about the UK, but we had ours in for a service a couple of months ago - $145 for the full service including the range extender engine. Needs a 'brake service' now and being connected we keep getting notifications on the app, letters through the post and messages on the screen.....
Go for a 94ah.....you’ll get the upgrades over the early models then, ours is a 94REX and has been faultless (apart from a broken return spring on the drivers door internal handle), must have for us were LED headlamps (the lower main beam units can be converted with LED bulbs which make a huge difference as well), the pro Nav with the wide screen and the leather seating (easy to keep clean) which means you get the higher trim as well, nice leather stitched instrument panel, I wouldn’t put a lot of importance in the auto parking pack (it’s pretty useless, not very accurate) but the rear camera is brilliant.
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