Is the i8 a ticking time bomb?
Discussion
Hey guys,
First time on the BMW forum as I don't have one, but recently I have been quite tempted by the i8. Was looking for a bit of a steer...
My reasoning is that:
- Obviously quite desirable
- Cheap to run (efficiency, tax, congestion charge etc.)
- If you buy one that's already dropped off the depreciation cliff (i.e. £40-50k) I think it's likely to hold its value much better than other efficient vehicles being an "exotic"
However this reasoning would fall apart if the technology was going to become quickly defunct, or if there is some looming battery replacement cost, etc. etc. Always the risk with something electric: doesn't feel at this stage that they have the "timeless" quality of a petrol car; you worry they'll be worthless in 5 years time.
So my question is:
1- Does anyone know of any reason (other than the mooted 2035 hybrid ban!) that i8s might become "unusable" to some degree in the short term?
2- During the production run of the i8 were there any must-have updates which mean that it would be better to buy a car from x year rather than y year?
3- And while I'm here any other things to look out for.
Fingers crossed nobody can think of any spanners in the works, because emotionally I'm very keen!
First time on the BMW forum as I don't have one, but recently I have been quite tempted by the i8. Was looking for a bit of a steer...
My reasoning is that:
- Obviously quite desirable
- Cheap to run (efficiency, tax, congestion charge etc.)
- If you buy one that's already dropped off the depreciation cliff (i.e. £40-50k) I think it's likely to hold its value much better than other efficient vehicles being an "exotic"
However this reasoning would fall apart if the technology was going to become quickly defunct, or if there is some looming battery replacement cost, etc. etc. Always the risk with something electric: doesn't feel at this stage that they have the "timeless" quality of a petrol car; you worry they'll be worthless in 5 years time.
So my question is:
1- Does anyone know of any reason (other than the mooted 2035 hybrid ban!) that i8s might become "unusable" to some degree in the short term?
2- During the production run of the i8 were there any must-have updates which mean that it would be better to buy a car from x year rather than y year?
3- And while I'm here any other things to look out for.
Fingers crossed nobody can think of any spanners in the works, because emotionally I'm very keen!
The 2035 ICE ban is nothing to do with cars already sold (yet), it's just a ban on new vehicles.
I think the i8 will be an interesting one - on one hand it's a very clever piece of engineering, and done well, but as a 2nd-gen hybrid it's going to look a bit out of date in a few years.
I'd buy one without worrying about the battery pack or anything specific though.
I think the i8 will be an interesting one - on one hand it's a very clever piece of engineering, and done well, but as a 2nd-gen hybrid it's going to look a bit out of date in a few years.
I'd buy one without worrying about the battery pack or anything specific though.
wyldstalyns said:
However this reasoning would fall apart if the technology was going to become quickly defunct, or if there is some looming battery replacement cost, etc. etc. Always the risk with something electric...
I haven't heard of a single case of anyone having to replace a battery pack on any hybrid car yet. Sure, they get more inefficient as time goes on, but complete failure (unless damaged)? Rare. The tech will always get more efficient as time goes on, but it's not going to get defunct any time soon.Have you driven an i8? I'd recommend you start there. They are an entertaining drive, and well made. I did a track day where you get to drive 5 cars; unfortunately I drove the i8 first, and only the Ferrari 360 impressed me more!
BFleming said:
I haven't heard of a single case of anyone having to replace a battery pack on any hybrid car yet. Sure, they get more inefficient as time goes on, but complete failure (unless damaged)? Rare. The tech will always get more efficient as time goes on, but it's not going to get defunct any time soon.
Have you driven an i8? I'd recommend you start there. They are an entertaining drive, and well made. I did a track day where you get to drive 5 cars; unfortunately I drove the i8 first, and only the Ferrari 360 impressed me more!
Fair point - I'm not so much worried about the battery failing as I am about whether a 2015 i8 is still considered current / impressive tech (as I don't really have my ear to the ground on hybrid developments).Have you driven an i8? I'd recommend you start there. They are an entertaining drive, and well made. I did a track day where you get to drive 5 cars; unfortunately I drove the i8 first, and only the Ferrari 360 impressed me more!
If it's already old hat then that may undermine the depreciation theory, but if it was sufficiently ahead of its time that it's still considered a great example of hybrid tech even today then that would give it more legs.
No car will ever stay cutting edge forever, so eventually the I8 will of course become old hat. But not before anything else other than a pure high performance EV has.
I have an I8 and went through all the scenarios that you probably have. It was a toss up between an Aston and a 911. I have no regrets, it's an amazing and very impressive car. Go for it, they're a bargain at the moment and prices will probably start to firm up as they become MORE fashionable.
I have an I8 and went through all the scenarios that you probably have. It was a toss up between an Aston and a 911. I have no regrets, it's an amazing and very impressive car. Go for it, they're a bargain at the moment and prices will probably start to firm up as they become MORE fashionable.
I just picked up a 2019 i8 Roadster and remain impressed. A real 40-45mpg on long trips, yet it's both an EV in town and a credible (if very digital) sports car out of it. The 2018-on cars have a larger battery, so they have significantly more EV range (about 30-odd miles in summer) and go a bit faster. Brake feel (in reality, transition from regen to actual braking) isn't as well resolved as some PHEVs, but it does stop well once you get used to that.
My only gripe is that they are physically so large. It gives a great platform for a sports GT, but makes them both less "threadable" and less parkable than, say, a 911. I had to bin all the shelving from the end of my garage and move a whole lot of stuff into storage to get the car to fit - it's a good 50cm longer than a 964, for instance. I can get the door fully open in my 2.4m wide single garage, but do need to get very close to the LH wall to do it, so anything narrower would be awkward.
My only gripe is that they are physically so large. It gives a great platform for a sports GT, but makes them both less "threadable" and less parkable than, say, a 911. I had to bin all the shelving from the end of my garage and move a whole lot of stuff into storage to get the car to fit - it's a good 50cm longer than a 964, for instance. I can get the door fully open in my 2.4m wide single garage, but do need to get very close to the LH wall to do it, so anything narrower would be awkward.
My wife replaced her '17 plate M4CP conv last summer with an i8 coupe. We both love it, even though I was convinced I wouldn't. It's a real fun car to drive with uber low running costs. Far better than her old M4. Whatever car we take, I normally drive except for this one. She's straight in the driver's seat when the i8 keys come out.
The main hv battery comes with a 6yr warranty if that puts you at ease. If you get a AUC I would extend the warranty to the max. Apparently renewals are expensive if you can get one. Think mileage and/or age restrict what you can do. Like most things, the older these get the more indies and after-market fixes appear that will be able to deal with most major issues. Once out the BMW network they seem to take quite a hit. Maybe a bargain to be had? No problems with ours so far except for rodent damage to some cables! £100 at BMW to repair. It's a great looking hybrid with BMW build quality. Shame they couldn't put the Tesla tech in it, however at least it will prep. you for the vision m when it's launched
The main hv battery comes with a 6yr warranty if that puts you at ease. If you get a AUC I would extend the warranty to the max. Apparently renewals are expensive if you can get one. Think mileage and/or age restrict what you can do. Like most things, the older these get the more indies and after-market fixes appear that will be able to deal with most major issues. Once out the BMW network they seem to take quite a hit. Maybe a bargain to be had? No problems with ours so far except for rodent damage to some cables! £100 at BMW to repair. It's a great looking hybrid with BMW build quality. Shame they couldn't put the Tesla tech in it, however at least it will prep. you for the vision m when it's launched
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