i8 must haves/things to look out for?
Discussion
Main thing to check is that the AC system has been checked over. Some owners have reported a fault that can lead to engine damage. Apart from that, no real known issues. Warranty is imperative as issues with any of the high-voltage system can be costly. Repairs also as they're pretty much all CFRP apart from the door skins. All come with HUD, elec heated seats, full leather, reversing cam, multi-function sports wheel, etc. Just depends whether you want a special edition or HK, blue safety belts, etc etc. First thing to do when you get one is change the wheels! So much chat about this online. Handling is absolutely transformed and aesthetics are improved 100%. The originals are SO skinny which is inline with the whole ethos of the i8 but no one buys these for the economy! They look ridiculous from behind with the factory wheels on. Stick with 20"s though so you don't compromise the ride.
They're one of the best BMWs we've ever owned and I've had most from M cars to 7 series. Once the purchase is out the way these cost nothing to run. So much fun as well.
Cheeky little punt here, my wife's one has been up for sale on AT since the weekend. Aug 2016 model, 15,400 miles and still has over a year's worth of BMW main dealer warranty that can be transferred to next owner. Two sets of wheels, sophisto grey and immaculate, and within your budget as well with a bit of wiggling
Only reason we're selling it is she hardly ever drives it now.
They're one of the best BMWs we've ever owned and I've had most from M cars to 7 series. Once the purchase is out the way these cost nothing to run. So much fun as well.
Cheeky little punt here, my wife's one has been up for sale on AT since the weekend. Aug 2016 model, 15,400 miles and still has over a year's worth of BMW main dealer warranty that can be transferred to next owner. Two sets of wheels, sophisto grey and immaculate, and within your budget as well with a bit of wiggling
Only reason we're selling it is she hardly ever drives it now. royobannan said:
Thanks for getting back to me! Your car looks great. I was heading towards a protonic blue one but I can be swayed! Thanks
Protonic and Sophisto were her shortlist 
To be honest, the i8 looks great in most colours. The only one I really didn't like was E-Copper. This is hershttps://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103109...
They're all well-specced, with very few options.
There seem to be a fair few i8s around in your price range, so you can afford to be a little picky. Walk away from anything that doesn't have a clean & complete BMW service history. There just isn't a network of i8 trained mechanics outside the dealer network. Getting a coolant change right, for instance, seems to be a task where you absolutely need to follow the service manual.
The i8 is perfectly reliable, but it's also a mid-engined hybrid, so labour charges for anything mechanical will be higher than if the engine was in a Mini. All other things being equal, always take the i8 with a warranty & FBMWSH. (Did I say that already?!)
If the car's software/firmware is up to date, the battery charge icon will look like a stack of batteries; if it's still got the original code, the icon will be a single battery.
If I didn't already have an i8, Pioneer's car ticks all the boxes - including the home charger: some owners only charge while driving in Sport mode, which means the battery will never have been fully charged. BMW designed the car to be charged from the mains! A 3 pin plug is fine for charging at home overnight.
Good luck in your search!
Will
There seem to be a fair few i8s around in your price range, so you can afford to be a little picky. Walk away from anything that doesn't have a clean & complete BMW service history. There just isn't a network of i8 trained mechanics outside the dealer network. Getting a coolant change right, for instance, seems to be a task where you absolutely need to follow the service manual.
The i8 is perfectly reliable, but it's also a mid-engined hybrid, so labour charges for anything mechanical will be higher than if the engine was in a Mini. All other things being equal, always take the i8 with a warranty & FBMWSH. (Did I say that already?!)
If the car's software/firmware is up to date, the battery charge icon will look like a stack of batteries; if it's still got the original code, the icon will be a single battery.
If I didn't already have an i8, Pioneer's car ticks all the boxes - including the home charger: some owners only charge while driving in Sport mode, which means the battery will never have been fully charged. BMW designed the car to be charged from the mains! A 3 pin plug is fine for charging at home overnight.
Good luck in your search!
Will
Pioneer said:
Main thing to check is that the AC system has been checked over. Some owners have reported a fault that can lead to engine damage. Apart from that, no real known issues. Warranty is imperative as issues with any of the high-voltage system can be costly. Repairs also as they're pretty much all CFRP apart from the door skins. All come with HUD, elec heated seats, full leather, reversing cam, multi-function sports wheel, etc. Just depends whether you want a special edition or HK, blue safety belts, etc etc. First thing to do when you get one is change the wheels! So much chat about this online. Handling is absolutely transformed and aesthetics are improved 100%. The originals are SO skinny which is inline with the whole ethos of the i8 but no one buys these for the economy! They look ridiculous from behind with the factory wheels on. Stick with 20"s though so you don't compromise the ride.
They're one of the best BMWs we've ever owned and I've had most from M cars to 7 series. Once the purchase is out the way these cost nothing to run. So much fun as well.
Cheeky little punt here, my wife's one has been up for sale on AT since the weekend. Aug 2016 model, 15,400 miles and still has over a year's worth of BMW main dealer warranty that can be transferred to next owner. Two sets of wheels, sophisto grey and immaculate, and within your budget as well with a bit of wiggling Only reason we're selling it is she hardly ever drives it now.
pioneer, good info here. I am considering one of these, how do you check the AC or is buying an AUC the way to go then you don’t really need to check if you have the warranty. Is the warranty more expensive each year on these than say an Mcar through BMW?They're one of the best BMWs we've ever owned and I've had most from M cars to 7 series. Once the purchase is out the way these cost nothing to run. So much fun as well.
Cheeky little punt here, my wife's one has been up for sale on AT since the weekend. Aug 2016 model, 15,400 miles and still has over a year's worth of BMW main dealer warranty that can be transferred to next owner. Two sets of wheels, sophisto grey and immaculate, and within your budget as well with a bit of wiggling
Only reason we're selling it is she hardly ever drives it now. You mention wheels, I have read changing tyres a lot on line but not seen actual wheels. I assumed they fitted the original wheels and bigger tyres or no? What are the wheels you bought? Where from ?
Finally, is you wife’s car still for sales or now long gone?
Thanks in advance
Look out for a sticky fuel filler cap lock - although this can be fixed in 15seconds with a hacksaw.
Also the heated rear window is prone to fail. Shock rubbers gaiters are paper thin and fall off - so don't be shocked when you look.
Love mine. Mines been very reliable over 3 years and 25Kmiles.(and now running without warranty.....)
Like all hybrids it would be nice to know if the engines been warmed before requested in anger - so chatting with the previous owner would be an advantage but unrealistic. Also consider higher mileage - mine has 60Kmiles although probably only 40Kmiles on petrol. Its a shame the car doesn't appear to record electric only miles.
Also the heated rear window is prone to fail. Shock rubbers gaiters are paper thin and fall off - so don't be shocked when you look.
Love mine. Mines been very reliable over 3 years and 25Kmiles.(and now running without warranty.....)
Like all hybrids it would be nice to know if the engines been warmed before requested in anger - so chatting with the previous owner would be an advantage but unrealistic. Also consider higher mileage - mine has 60Kmiles although probably only 40Kmiles on petrol. Its a shame the car doesn't appear to record electric only miles.
interstellar said:
pioneer, good info here. I am considering one of these, how do you check the AC or is buying an AUC the way to go then you don’t really need to check if you have the warranty. Is the warranty more expensive each year on these than say an Mcar through BMW?
You mention wheels, I have read changing tyres a lot on line but not seen actual wheels. I assumed they fitted the original wheels and bigger tyres or no? What are the wheels you bought? Where from ?
Finally, is you wife’s car still for sales or now long gone?
Thanks in advance
If you hear a clicking coming from the front left it's worth getting the AC checked out. I'd say AUC with an i8 is a decent bet if only for the warranty. Potentially these could be expensive to repair. You mention wheels, I have read changing tyres a lot on line but not seen actual wheels. I assumed they fitted the original wheels and bigger tyres or no? What are the wheels you bought? Where from ?
Finally, is you wife’s car still for sales or now long gone?
Thanks in advance
Car is long gone, she's in a McL 570S Spider now. I actually miss the i8, nothing out there quite like it.
Wheels: Ferrada F8-FR5 Alloy Wheels (Matt Graphite) Front 20/9 Rear 20/10
Tyres: Front 245/35ZR20 Y (95) Rear 275/30ZR20 Y (97)
Wheels came from www.lkperformance.co.uk
Op did you get one of these yet?
I have been going round the houses here as was going to buy a new M3 Competition. I need 5 seats and a boot to get my mountain bike in but want something quick.
I have decided on two cars now instead of one. A Discovery 3 as a shed but an i8 also for work and driving somewhere further than the bike park or round town running my daughter around.
Seems like a better compromise and far less depreciation!
Am on the the AUC locator to see what's about.
I have been going round the houses here as was going to buy a new M3 Competition. I need 5 seats and a boot to get my mountain bike in but want something quick.
I have decided on two cars now instead of one. A Discovery 3 as a shed but an i8 also for work and driving somewhere further than the bike park or round town running my daughter around.
Seems like a better compromise and far less depreciation!
Am on the the AUC locator to see what's about.
I actually chopped my M4 in for one of these a few weeks ago. Brilliant car! As usual you hear mostly the bad things cause most people only discuss the things that go wrong. I find it a much nicer drive than the M4. They all come well spec’d. Mines has the Halo package which doesn’t seem that common adds a few nice bits. Although I do wish they had offered memory seats or even lumber support.
Things to keep in mind that any i series BMW can o my have a BMW warranty until 60k miles. If you’re going to be doing lots of miles and are worried. The major service is a £1200 job as they replace belts and the door struts. I found it ok insurance wise but AXA wouldn’t cover it so had to go elsewhere, luckily the M4 insurance was due anyway. It’s definitely not a car to be in if you don’t want attention. There was quite a few up for sale coming out of lockdown but stock seems to now be moving quickly.
Also as you would expect any car registered before 31/03/2017 will have zero VED and anything from 01/04/2017 is the £480 VED. It’s has a decent pace on it and somehow slightly economical too. Not sure what that witchcraft is all about
Things to keep in mind that any i series BMW can o my have a BMW warranty until 60k miles. If you’re going to be doing lots of miles and are worried. The major service is a £1200 job as they replace belts and the door struts. I found it ok insurance wise but AXA wouldn’t cover it so had to go elsewhere, luckily the M4 insurance was due anyway. It’s definitely not a car to be in if you don’t want attention. There was quite a few up for sale coming out of lockdown but stock seems to now be moving quickly.
Also as you would expect any car registered before 31/03/2017 will have zero VED and anything from 01/04/2017 is the £480 VED. It’s has a decent pace on it and somehow slightly economical too. Not sure what that witchcraft is all about
Edited by MGirl on Saturday 8th May 17:11
MGirl said:
I actually chopped my M4 in for one of these a few weeks ago. Brilliant car! As usual you hear mostly the bad things cause most people only discuss the things that go wrong. I find it a much nicer drive than the M4. They all come well spec’d. Mines has the Halo package which doesn’t seem that common adds a few nice bits. Although I do wish they had offered memory seats or even lumber support.
Things to keep in mind that any i series BMW can o my have a BMW warranty until 60k miles. If you’re going to be doing lots of miles and are worried. The major service is a £1200 job as they replace belts and the door struts. I found it ok insurance wise but AXA wouldn’t cover it so had to go elsewhere, luckily the M4 insurance was due anyway. It’s definitely not a car to be in if you don’t want attention. There was quite a few up for sale coming out of lockdown but stock seems to now be moving quickly.
Also as you would expect any car registered before 31/03/2017 will have zero VED and anything from 01/04/2017 is the £480 VED. It’s has a decent pace on it and somehow slightly economical too. Not sure what that witchcraft is all about
Thanks mate, good info there. The tax is good to know and I am looking for an earlier car as less depreciation. I am hoping to do 15k-20k a year in it too.Things to keep in mind that any i series BMW can o my have a BMW warranty until 60k miles. If you’re going to be doing lots of miles and are worried. The major service is a £1200 job as they replace belts and the door struts. I found it ok insurance wise but AXA wouldn’t cover it so had to go elsewhere, luckily the M4 insurance was due anyway. It’s definitely not a car to be in if you don’t want attention. There was quite a few up for sale coming out of lockdown but stock seems to now be moving quickly.
Also as you would expect any car registered before 31/03/2017 will have zero VED and anything from 01/04/2017 is the £480 VED. It’s has a decent pace on it and somehow slightly economical too. Not sure what that witchcraft is all about
Edited by MGirl on Saturday 8th May 17:11
Completely different to the M4 I know but glad you like it. I had one for a weekend and it’s great but different.
Do they all come with 3 pin charging cables or should do? If it’s missing do they cost much?
That Pats garage on YouTube is a wealth of knowledge.
Edited by interstellar on Sunday 9th May 11:22
interstellar said:
Thanks mate, good info there. The tax is good to know and I am looking for an earlier car as less depreciation. I am hoping to do 15k-20k a year in it too.
Completely different to the M4 I know but glad you like it. I had one for a weekend and it’s great but different.
Do they all come with 3 pin charging cables or should do? If it’s missing do they cost much?
That Pats garage on YouTube is a wealth of knowledge.
They should come with the 3 pin charging cable (yellow) which doesn’t seem that long to be fair. The public charging cable (blue) was an extra. Mines came with both.Completely different to the M4 I know but glad you like it. I had one for a weekend and it’s great but different.
Do they all come with 3 pin charging cables or should do? If it’s missing do they cost much?
That Pats garage on YouTube is a wealth of knowledge.
Edited by interstellar on Sunday 9th May 11:22
All apart from the 2014 come with the ‘smart key’ which looks funky but seems to need charged as often as an iPhone.
Just have a look at the seals. Round inside the door against the tub and the boot seal on the glass seems to be the main issues. Just coming away which can be sorted but if buying main dealer then I’d ask for it to be sorted.
Yeah Pat’s garage is brilliant. He is also on the Facebook page giving advice there. I had already taken the plunge on one 200 miles away when I started to read all the horror stories but after watching quite a lot of videos I was quite assured that it wasn’t as scary as people made out.
Also once you’ve got the car you can also get the servicing pack for £540, covers most of the servicing requirements over 4 years. Belts and struts seem to be missing though.
royobannan said:
Not yet. Decided that I want a post 18 car with the bigger battery so have had to up the budget a bit.
Just be careful when looking for the later model as it is hard to tell the LCI version apart and quite often Autotrader incorrectly lists them.I think the easiest way to tell was a "Coupe" badge on the rear pillar is only on the later models.
Mine is Sophisto grey, 2018 (pre-LCI) and has 5.5k on the clock. Just over £50k with 2 year warranty from BMW dealership in December 2020 if that helps
I test drove an i8 today and I had a bad back within 10 minutes. I had no idea there is no lumbar adjustment in the car so I’m not sure what to do.
I had a word with a trimming company I’ve used before and they seem to think they could take the lumber out at approximately £300 per seat but it really wouldn’t work for me as it is so I need to investigate that idea as it’s a deal breaker and I do suffer with a bit of a bad back.
I never use lumbar and always have it fully dialled out but this was uncomfortable for me
I had a word with a trimming company I’ve used before and they seem to think they could take the lumber out at approximately £300 per seat but it really wouldn’t work for me as it is so I need to investigate that idea as it’s a deal breaker and I do suffer with a bit of a bad back.
I never use lumbar and always have it fully dialled out but this was uncomfortable for me
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