BMW I3s + alternatives
Discussion
In the market for new car, as current car likely to be declared a “total loss” in the next few days.
Current car was/is Volvo v40 d4 diesel, and I wasn’t thinking of changing currently - but events will force my hand.
New car would be mainly used for commuting - which (total round trip) is 36miles motorway, 25 miles a road (NSL), 15 miles a road (30mph).
Own another (petrol) car, which is for family transport/weekends.
Wondering about making the switch to BEV.
Happened upon a BMW I3s, in which I had an (enjoyable) test drive (just under 4 years old, £17k ish).
Have had a few back problems, so the slightly higher seating position seemed a good thing.
Anyone familiar with them? Is there anything particular to look out for?
Or any other suggestions?
(With my sensible head on I did wonder about a Corolla estate (hybrid)…)
Budget up to around 20kish, but less preferred!
Current car was/is Volvo v40 d4 diesel, and I wasn’t thinking of changing currently - but events will force my hand.
New car would be mainly used for commuting - which (total round trip) is 36miles motorway, 25 miles a road (NSL), 15 miles a road (30mph).
Own another (petrol) car, which is for family transport/weekends.
Wondering about making the switch to BEV.
Happened upon a BMW I3s, in which I had an (enjoyable) test drive (just under 4 years old, £17k ish).
Have had a few back problems, so the slightly higher seating position seemed a good thing.
Anyone familiar with them? Is there anything particular to look out for?
Or any other suggestions?
(With my sensible head on I did wonder about a Corolla estate (hybrid)…)
Budget up to around 20kish, but less preferred!
Assuming you have a driveway/garage you can park and plug in, an EV will be a lot cheaper to run over a daily 76 mile round trip commute (like about a fifth the fuel cost).
The i3(S) is generally the drivers' choice among relatively smaller/cheaper EVs. There are many others that would do the range, but probably less entertaining. The Honda E might be another option to consider, in a similar price range and also rwd.
I guess you could also consider stretching to a base Renault 5 at £23k, on the grounds it'd be brand new with warranty.
There are various pricey issues with the i3 but they mainly seem to affect the earlier cars and/or the hybrids I think, the 2019-on 42 kWh cars don't seem too bad.
The i3(S) is generally the drivers' choice among relatively smaller/cheaper EVs. There are many others that would do the range, but probably less entertaining. The Honda E might be another option to consider, in a similar price range and also rwd.
I guess you could also consider stretching to a base Renault 5 at £23k, on the grounds it'd be brand new with warranty.
There are various pricey issues with the i3 but they mainly seem to affect the earlier cars and/or the hybrids I think, the 2019-on 42 kWh cars don't seem too bad.
CG2020UK said:
£20k gets you into Tesla Model 3 territory which is a lot of car for the money and realistically comfortably the best EV on the market.
Seats are the best I’ve had in any car.
Recommend the Long Range model.
Maybe just me but I didn’t get on at all with the early M3/Y seats, one of the main reasons we bought a Model S instead.Seats are the best I’ve had in any car.
Recommend the Long Range model.
Toyota hybrids are the best there is and you get a ten year warranty. If you’re thinking of electric and i3 maybe check out Kia Niro and Hyundai Ioniq/Kona EVs too. We have a Honda E and the seats are good with a decent driving height but the range isn’t great if it’s an only car.
An i3 with one of the higher spec interior packs is a very nice place to be, it will feel a lot more premium than other EVs in your price range. 76 mile commute will be no sweat for the 42kWh version which is the one you're presumably looking at.
Model 3s are very cheap now and would prob make your other ICE car redundant, but they're just not for me personally.
Model 3s are very cheap now and would prob make your other ICE car redundant, but they're just not for me personally.
I like the latest BEV i3s and if I needed an EV it'd be the one I'd look at.
Another to consider is the 64kwh Kona. Its raised up so should be good for your bad back. Pretty conventional looking and they do seem to be good value. Range looks decent on paper so you'd maybe only need to charge a couple of times a week.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024121172...
With your mileage an EV does make sense. The only other option would be to get another cheap diesel.
Another to consider is the 64kwh Kona. Its raised up so should be good for your bad back. Pretty conventional looking and they do seem to be good value. Range looks decent on paper so you'd maybe only need to charge a couple of times a week.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024121172...
With your mileage an EV does make sense. The only other option would be to get another cheap diesel.
Before going down the BEV route, do you have a driveway at home with access to a 3-pin socket? Better still, will you be considering a 7 kw wall charger on your driveway/garage? If so, game on. If not, step back from the precipice as public charging is hit-and-miss and very expensive.
I had an I3S for 2 years and 20k miles. I loved it. Options that I'd be looking for are Harmon Kardon and Carplay/Android Auto. The thing was lightning fast to 30/40 mph, so much so that I'd back it against almost anything on the road. Highlights for me were the quality of the fittings and the handling.
Oh, and one-pedal motoring is a thing. After 20k miles of driving the disks and pads were barely 10% worn.
I've driven a few EVs in my time - not a Tesla mind. I'd rate the I3s second only to the Polestar II.
I had an I3S for 2 years and 20k miles. I loved it. Options that I'd be looking for are Harmon Kardon and Carplay/Android Auto. The thing was lightning fast to 30/40 mph, so much so that I'd back it against almost anything on the road. Highlights for me were the quality of the fittings and the handling.
Oh, and one-pedal motoring is a thing. After 20k miles of driving the disks and pads were barely 10% worn.
I've driven a few EVs in my time - not a Tesla mind. I'd rate the I3s second only to the Polestar II.
Yes - have access to a driveway and 3 pin socket - though would look to have a wall charger installed in due course.
Car I’m looking at has decent spec, including the HK sound system, and Apple car play.
Looks to be about due for a service.
-ves would be about 4 years old, and therefore only 4 years of the battery warranty left…
Car I’m looking at has decent spec, including the HK sound system, and Apple car play.
Looks to be about due for a service.
-ves would be about 4 years old, and therefore only 4 years of the battery warranty left…
Have been thinking along similar lines - my take:
If you have closer to £10k, get a post 2019 i3 42kwh. The i3 has longer range and a more tolerable ride than the i3s.
If you have closer to £20k get a Tesla M3 LR/Perf.
Inclined to opt for the i3, and spend the spare £10k or so on something more occasional that qualifies for classic insurance e.g. x350 XJR, C(LK)55 AMG.
If you have closer to £10k, get a post 2019 i3 42kwh. The i3 has longer range and a more tolerable ride than the i3s.
If you have closer to £20k get a Tesla M3 LR/Perf.
Inclined to opt for the i3, and spend the spare £10k or so on something more occasional that qualifies for classic insurance e.g. x350 XJR, C(LK)55 AMG.
I was just browsing EVs and came across the GWM Ora. Now I'm guessing there's a very serious reason why nobody in their right mind would buy one??
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024112266...
List price is £32k
I thought it must be just that particular car but no, that's how much they are being sold for.
What gives?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024112266...
List price is £32k
I thought it must be just that particular car but no, that's how much they are being sold for.
What gives?
Investigated the Tesla 3 option, but don’t think the boot will work. Our dog could fit in the i3 boot (due to the height) for shorter journeys, whereas it would be a no go in the Tesla boot.
Renault 5 - like it - but need a new car in the next 10 days really.
The only other thing I’d thought was to rent a car for a couple of months whilst deciding what to do long term. But short term hire costs were pricey, unless any of knowledgeable folks know of some good option?
At the minute the I3 is the front runner.
May have to have a look at a Corolla hybrid tomorrow.
Renault 5 - like it - but need a new car in the next 10 days really.
The only other thing I’d thought was to rent a car for a couple of months whilst deciding what to do long term. But short term hire costs were pricey, unless any of knowledgeable folks know of some good option?
At the minute the I3 is the front runner.
May have to have a look at a Corolla hybrid tomorrow.
About 14 months ago I was going to buy an i3. Then I started looking at the Kia e-Niro as it gave more range and a more practical exterior for similar money. I ended up buying a four year-old i-Pace with 40k on the clock from a main dealer as age for age, mileage for mileage it was cheaper than buying e-Niro from an independent dealer. No regrets yet ..... it is a great car for my 90-mile a day round-trip commute.
Things are very different today - there is a huge amount of choice in the £15k-£20k used EV market.
Things are very different today - there is a huge amount of choice in the £15k-£20k used EV market.
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