RE: BMW launches run-out i8 ahead of production end
Discussion
DonkeyApple said:
jjr1 said:
Nick928 said:
I use mine with two teenage boys. 5'6" 13 year old in the back no problem with 6' 15year old in the front passenger (obv. not driving).
Might be a bit snug as a full four seater but when we leave Mrs S at home and it's just the three of us it's perfectly comfortable.
No problem getting in the back either.
Funnily your description mirrors my use to. I take my two boys out in it and leave the Mrs at home !!! Good job as I am 6'2" and no one is going to have room to sit behind me. At least my i8 is better than my Boxster in which case I have to pick a favourite kid if I go out!Might be a bit snug as a full four seater but when we leave Mrs S at home and it's just the three of us it's perfectly comfortable.
No problem getting in the back either.
If a long legged 6.2 is driving then can children fit in the back or is it pointless like the Aston’s?
eftiem64 said:
As a total BMW nut, I have to say the i8 has really dated and, in sales terms, obviously hasn’t succeeded, no doubt because of the bonkers price. It also doesn’t have the pace of any M car and therefore doesn’t deliver. But if I could afford one and didn’t have kids, I’d have to go for the Porsche, which does do it better. It’s an achievement but, a bit like Concorde, I wonder if BMW, Audi or Mercedes will try anything like it again, anytime soon. Somehow I doubt it.
Odd as the M4 gets to 60 in 4.1 and the i8 in 4.2.So not slow at all and certainly more repeatable in the i8, and would suggest as I have found to be quick enough to see off all M cars so far.
eftiem64 said:
It’s an achievement but, a bit like Concorde, I wonder if BMW, Audi or Mercedes will try anything like it again, anytime soon. Somehow I doubt it.
To the contrary, each of those marques will be doing exactly that - BMW for example https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/first-offic... . The I8 may not have been a huge commercial success for BMW, but as a step on a (learning) journey, it has been essential as the brand looks to grow its EV portfolio.The pics of the run-out somehow conspire to make it look like a different car, although that could just be the usual squishy PH photo presentation.
Unique and great in some ways, looks, CF chassis, 2 plus 2 practicality, reasonable performance, cool doors!!
But totally flawed in others, cost, complexity, weight - despite CF construction, that engine, lack of performance for price.
I understand why some people have bought it, I also totally understand why most people have not!
eftiem64 said:
As a total BMW nut, I have to say the i8 has really dated and, in sales terms, obviously hasn’t succeeded, no doubt because of the bonkers price. It also doesn’t have the pace of any M car and therefore doesn’t deliver. But if I could afford one and didn’t have kids, I’d have to go for the Porsche, which does do it better. It’s an achievement but, a bit like Concorde, I wonder if BMW, Audi or Mercedes will try anything like it again, anytime soon. Somehow I doubt it.
Part of the problem was that it was a bit ahead of its time; electrification of cars is only really starting to gain some traction now.This was never meant to be an M car; it barely slower than an M3/4 but delivers lower running costs as well as looking good (to me, it’s a far better looking car than the M4). Those that buy them love them, I just think too many people were put off by the hybrid thing and missed the point / construction tech.
Court_S said:
Part of the problem was that it was a bit ahead of its time; electrification of cars is only really starting to gain some traction now.
This was never meant to be an M car; it barely slower than an M3/4 but delivers lower running costs as well as looking good (to me, it’s a far better looking car than the M4). Those that buy them love them, I just think too many people were put off by the hybrid thing and missed the point / construction tech.
I’ve a feeling that, as someone alluded to earlier, the i8 could become a modern classic quite quickly. It ticks an awful lot of boxes in that regard. This was never meant to be an M car; it barely slower than an M3/4 but delivers lower running costs as well as looking good (to me, it’s a far better looking car than the M4). Those that buy them love them, I just think too many people were put off by the hybrid thing and missed the point / construction tech.
As for BMW’s EV program, I have another feeling that they will end up partnering with a similar firm that mainly builds premium cars, is at risk more than others to a global consumer slowdown and also needs to develop an EV product for a market that doesn’t need them and doesn’t really want them yet.
I wouldn’t be surprised if BMW extend their working relationship with JLR to share costs on EVs.
PH has, as usual, squashed these images s the car looks oddly proportioned.
There are a couple of these close to me and every time I see them I'm struck by how different and futuristic they look. I genuinely don't know how people are calling them dated?!
Having said that, some elements of the rear I can't quite agree with.
There are a couple of these close to me and every time I see them I'm struck by how different and futuristic they look. I genuinely don't know how people are calling them dated?!
Having said that, some elements of the rear I can't quite agree with.
BigGingerBob said:
PH has, as usual, squashed these images s the car looks oddly proportioned.
There are a couple of these close to me and every time I see them I'm struck by how different and futuristic they look. I genuinely don't know how people are calling them dated?!
Having said that, some elements of the rear I can't quite agree with.
I agree and find them so good looking, even now, however, I would say, so early on in EV development, the dating will most likely be of the 'mechanical' side of car.There are a couple of these close to me and every time I see them I'm struck by how different and futuristic they look. I genuinely don't know how people are calling them dated?!
Having said that, some elements of the rear I can't quite agree with.
Maybe too ahead of its time?
Edited by Firestick on Friday 6th September 09:43
I had one for a while, but has to sell due to a new addition to the family requiring a rear facing seat, which sadly didn't fit...
I would happily have another one though, great looks, very special to drive, and a good occasion, starting with the doors. (That's if someone hasn't parked too close....) I found it always had a positive reaction from the public. I always thought it felt quicker than the numbers suggested, and never felt short changed with the 3 cylinder, it didn't even sound too bad from the outside. It was always quite nice to be able to pop into town and back on a change of electric, then finding a nice but it road, pop it it sports mode to have a but of fun, even tips the battery up again. I never got near the claimed MPG though, usually about 50mpg
I would happily have another one though, great looks, very special to drive, and a good occasion, starting with the doors. (That's if someone hasn't parked too close....) I found it always had a positive reaction from the public. I always thought it felt quicker than the numbers suggested, and never felt short changed with the 3 cylinder, it didn't even sound too bad from the outside. It was always quite nice to be able to pop into town and back on a change of electric, then finding a nice but it road, pop it it sports mode to have a but of fun, even tips the battery up again. I never got near the claimed MPG though, usually about 50mpg
DonkeyApple said:
I wouldn’t be surprised if BMW extend their working relationship with JLR to share costs on EVs.
Yep, that was announced (rather quietly) very recently. Alongside the Electric Drive Units collaboration, JLR is on course to share the FAAR platform at some point in the future too. High Roller said:
You would have to be nuts/very rich to buy a new i8. The looks may have aged well but the performance/VFM hasn't - 18 mile range on electric power and off-a-cliff depreciation (£50K in the first year) make these seriously unappealing.
Nobody will be paying list price for a new one now so it will be nowhere near 50K in depreciation for the first year. I can see a 69 reg roadster with 22 miles on it for less than 100K, it isn't going to be less than 50K next year. High Roller said:
You would have to be nuts/very rich to buy a new i8. The looks may have aged well but the performance/VFM hasn't - 18 mile range on electric power and off-a-cliff depreciation (£50K in the first year) make these seriously unappealing.
Virtually everyone knows that the BMW price list would be listed under "fiction".So you'll probably only lose £30k in the first year instead of £50k?
They just never quite caught on and I don't think that's down to it being ahead of it's time. It was always a confused car. Unlike the first R8 the looks are a bit awkward, haven't aged well and the BMW brand style just didn't translate the same way the Audi's did. It had the price tag to be a supercar but not quite the performance. It's all just very confusing.
They just never quite caught on and I don't think that's down to it being ahead of it's time. It was always a confused car. Unlike the first R8 the looks are a bit awkward, haven't aged well and the BMW brand style just didn't translate the same way the Audi's did. It had the price tag to be a supercar but not quite the performance. It's all just very confusing.
I imagine the depreciation is more to do with the unknown of what it's like to owning a hybrid car like this. A 911 is a safe choice, and doesn't depreciate like regular cars despite being plentiful.
I do still think they look modern and up-to-date. Other than those skinny front tyres, I think they look great and the doors give a sense of occasion you don't get from a 911.
I understand the complication construction involved, but with the cost being passed onto the customer I think it was just a little too expensive for the market.
As others have said, BMW showed innovation with the i3 and i8 yet don't seem to have taken it anywhere. Likewise, someone has said they won't build another Z4 or 8 Series. Is this because the market is really shrinking, or do BMW not realise they are building ugly, average cars that no one wants anymore?
Personally I think BMW needs a kick up the you know what; they have lost their way.
I do still think they look modern and up-to-date. Other than those skinny front tyres, I think they look great and the doors give a sense of occasion you don't get from a 911.
I understand the complication construction involved, but with the cost being passed onto the customer I think it was just a little too expensive for the market.
As others have said, BMW showed innovation with the i3 and i8 yet don't seem to have taken it anywhere. Likewise, someone has said they won't build another Z4 or 8 Series. Is this because the market is really shrinking, or do BMW not realise they are building ugly, average cars that no one wants anymore?
Personally I think BMW needs a kick up the you know what; they have lost their way.
jamesbilluk said:
I had one for a while, but has to sell due to a new addition to the family requiring a rear facing seat, which sadly didn't fit...
I would happily have another one though, great looks, very special to drive, and a good occasion, starting with the doors. (That's if someone hasn't parked too close....) I found it always had a positive reaction from the public. I always thought it felt quicker than the numbers suggested, and never felt short changed with the 3 cylinder, it didn't even sound too bad from the outside. It was always quite nice to be able to pop into town and back on a change of electric, then finding a nice but it road, pop it it sports mode to have a but of fun, even tips the battery up again. I never got near the claimed MPG though, usually about 50mpg
50mpg is still pretty good considering the performance availability. My M140 is hovering around 30mpg and isn’t as quick in a straight line.I would happily have another one though, great looks, very special to drive, and a good occasion, starting with the doors. (That's if someone hasn't parked too close....) I found it always had a positive reaction from the public. I always thought it felt quicker than the numbers suggested, and never felt short changed with the 3 cylinder, it didn't even sound too bad from the outside. It was always quite nice to be able to pop into town and back on a change of electric, then finding a nice but it road, pop it it sports mode to have a but of fun, even tips the battery up again. I never got near the claimed MPG though, usually about 50mpg
It does feel like a missed opportunity from BMW; they made quite a statement with the i3 and i8 but seem to have failed to develop them.
As for the price, BMW prices are a joke these days. Take the finance and there’s big discounts available; look at the M5.
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