Bell tolls for BMW i8 production
Discussion
Bencolem said:
Wooda80 said:
If you can find me a 2015 911 with around 15000 miles ( or even 30000 miles ) for £45k then please let me know!
Similar vintage:https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Olivera said:
I'd say the opposite, that is a very flawed stop gap before equivalent full EVs (e.g. Taycan).
The fact it has a 3 cylinder engine with external speakers playing enhanced engine sounds is just an embarrassment.
But fake engine noises for the interior is okay? The fact it has a 3 cylinder engine with external speakers playing enhanced engine sounds is just an embarrassment.
I'm looking at you Golf R, BMW M5, Ford Mustang...
Even the Audi SQ7 fakes the exhaust noise on the outside.
Embarrassing huh?
I ran a 2014 i8 for a bit, I’ll happily say it’s one of the best cars I’ve had, and would happily purchase again. I loved the looks, and it always got positive attention which I never thought it would (I never got on with the rear view though)
The performance was enough for me, and was always nice to be able to use EV mode when I had the chance, or if it had charge.. The interior still felt very up to date considering it was a 2014 car. Whilst the doors were a party piece, it was a pain not being able to park sometimes as they required a bit more space, and having to limbo under them over the giant carbon sill!
It would have been great to see them develop it into a full EV,
I think I would still have it, but we had a little one on the way, sadly there was no room for prams and other paraphernalia needed! There was not much rear boot space to speak of, or rear seats, amazing bit of kit though!
The performance was enough for me, and was always nice to be able to use EV mode when I had the chance, or if it had charge.. The interior still felt very up to date considering it was a 2014 car. Whilst the doors were a party piece, it was a pain not being able to park sometimes as they required a bit more space, and having to limbo under them over the giant carbon sill!
It would have been great to see them develop it into a full EV,
I think I would still have it, but we had a little one on the way, sadly there was no room for prams and other paraphernalia needed! There was not much rear boot space to speak of, or rear seats, amazing bit of kit though!
RDMcG said:
Q Car said:
The Z8 got a slating when new for it's dodgy handling, but last time I looked the values of those had gone through the roof.
It basically never depreciated at all. High owner loyalty, retro looks unlike anything at the time and am M5 engine. Lots of faults but a very comfortable sports car that looked great.jamesbilluk said:
I ran a 2014 i8 for a bit, I’ll happily say it’s one of the best cars I’ve had, and would happily purchase again. I loved the looks, and it always got positive attention which I never thought it would (I never got on with the rear view though)
The performance was enough for me, and was always nice to be able to use EV mode when I had the chance, or if it had charge.. The interior still felt very up to date considering it was a 2014 car. Whilst the doors were a party piece, it was a pain not being able to park sometimes as they required a bit more space, and having to limbo under them over the giant carbon sill!
I'm running one right now and agree with everything you've said - even 6 years later, it still turns heads and starts conversations with people I'd never otherwise talk to as it's a relatively rare car (around 2100 in the UK).The performance was enough for me, and was always nice to be able to use EV mode when I had the chance, or if it had charge.. The interior still felt very up to date considering it was a 2014 car. Whilst the doors were a party piece, it was a pain not being able to park sometimes as they required a bit more space, and having to limbo under them over the giant carbon sill!
In terms of economy, it does waaaaaaay better on a motorway run than the 640d I had before it. I don't pay road tax, ULEZ or congestion charge (until next year anyway), it costs me £40 to brim the tank from empty and I can charge it as much as I like across the road from my place for £8 a month. I also seem to be able to put more in it that should be reasonably possible (although the boot is an actual joke).
I'm in agreement with those who say it will go the way of the Z8 - this too wasn't appreciated in its time but in retrospect the love for what it represented will, I believe, be realised although I think it's some way off yet!
milu said:
Wonder how a LC500 hybrid stacks up? Similar money, newer. Less of a spaceship but still nice.
Of course I’d go 5.0 v8 but if a hybrid a must
I test drove the LC for a weekend whilst considering whether to purchase that or the i8. It's a lovely, lovely thing - the V8 sounds great (although it never felt that quick), build quality is flawless etc etc but... the infotainment system. Wow. It's absolutely horrible! Also, it's a physically bigger car than the i8 and not quite as 'exotic'.Of course I’d go 5.0 v8 but if a hybrid a must
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
big_rob_sydney said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
big_rob_sydney said:
Never been particularly interested in them; they seem like a halfway house between ICE and EV.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that what a hybrid is?Thank you, Captain Obvious.
"But its got XYZ number of cylinders". Don't care.
"But its green because its got XYZ". Don't care.
For me, the equation is simple:
1. What does it cost to buy
2. What does it cost to run
3. What is its performance envelope
In that order, it's expensive to buy, the stated fuel economy is an outright lie, and it is not particularly quick.
Aside from looking a bit futuristic, it also pumps engine / exhaust noise into the cabin, which I disagree with on all cars that do it. This is a gimmick, pure and simple, and storage is poor, though to be expected from a vehicle looking like a squashed cockroach, packing batteries up the wazoo.
Gameface said:
What's the score with battery life on these? Will the pack need replacing at some point? Doubt that's cheap.
That's what I was curious about too, the general running costs, especially over time. Would assume that the mechanical complexity could result in a money pit somewhere down the line.Also, I know looks are always totally subjective but I always find the i8 to be a fussy design rather than a clean shape, therefore likely to date.
big_rob_sydney said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
big_rob_sydney said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
big_rob_sydney said:
Never been particularly interested in them; they seem like a halfway house between ICE and EV.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that what a hybrid is?Thank you, Captain Obvious.
"But its got XYZ number of cylinders". Don't care.
"But its green because its got XYZ". Don't care.
For me, the equation is simple:
1. What does it cost to buy
2. What does it cost to run
3. What is its performance envelope
In that order, it's expensive to buy, the stated fuel economy is an outright lie, and it is not particularly quick.
Aside from looking a bit futuristic, it also pumps engine / exhaust noise into the cabin, which I disagree with on all cars that do it. This is a gimmick, pure and simple, and storage is poor, though to be expected from a vehicle looking like a squashed cockroach, packing batteries up the wazoo.
I bought my 2016 i8 last year in June and absolutely love it. I replaced my BMW M4 with it and haven't looked back. It is very light feeling and as a result completely different to the M4 which felt very fast but heavy.
The I8 is very economical and costs buttons to run but the fuel tank is far too small. You can run it in normal drive where it makes a fantastic long distance cruiser. Very quiet and relaxed and the perfect gt car. In sport mode it does have fake noise but then so did the M4 and I don't really care. It sounds good and is very fast mid range. Faster than my friends 240i in a straight line from 50mph upwards. It handles really well at high speed and can cover back roads at a pace that you would have to be insane to want to go faster down. It does understeer at slow speeds though so slow in, fast out is the key.
So far I have not felt the need to swap it for anything else. I have had the 911's and they are just great but I prefer my Boxster S to them, so the i8 naturally fills a 'gt' role in my garage.
The I8 is very economical and costs buttons to run but the fuel tank is far too small. You can run it in normal drive where it makes a fantastic long distance cruiser. Very quiet and relaxed and the perfect gt car. In sport mode it does have fake noise but then so did the M4 and I don't really care. It sounds good and is very fast mid range. Faster than my friends 240i in a straight line from 50mph upwards. It handles really well at high speed and can cover back roads at a pace that you would have to be insane to want to go faster down. It does understeer at slow speeds though so slow in, fast out is the key.
So far I have not felt the need to swap it for anything else. I have had the 911's and they are just great but I prefer my Boxster S to them, so the i8 naturally fills a 'gt' role in my garage.
I'll have a late model i8, please.
But maybe some time in 2022 or thereabouts, after someone else has picked up the tab for the massive depreciation.
Dramatic styling & concept from BMW. One of the few mainstream cars to have (part) carbon fibre construction. Christ, it only weighs a fraction over 1500kg.
(I'd have to learn to live with the piped in engine noise though.)
And it doesn't have the massive twin kidney grilles seen on some of BMW's other recent offerings.
But maybe some time in 2022 or thereabouts, after someone else has picked up the tab for the massive depreciation.
Dramatic styling & concept from BMW. One of the few mainstream cars to have (part) carbon fibre construction. Christ, it only weighs a fraction over 1500kg.
(I'd have to learn to live with the piped in engine noise though.)
And it doesn't have the massive twin kidney grilles seen on some of BMW's other recent offerings.
so much misinformation on forums, it's unreal. Never ceases to amaze me what keyboard warriors come up with.
This is a car you appreciate over a period of time.
I have been running one since brand new in 2015, so nearly 5 years.
NO car has stayed this long in my garage: 911 turbo s, aston v12v, gt3's of all sorts, 964rs etc.. these are long gone.
The i8 is still there and for a good reason: it make all others feel like dinosaurs.
It is amazingly soothing, calming even when you want to. It punches way above its weight when you want to drive fast. The torque and instantaneous acceleration never get old.
16-18 miles electric range on gen 1 cars is more than enough to go around where i live. I regularly see 60mpg+ (Aston was sub 15mpg over a long ownership period). I go at least 400 miles on a tank of petrol (40 litres). More if i charge often and regularly drive short distances.
It is extremely well damped and does flow with the road rather than try to hurt your back and your teeth like most other modern 'Nurburgring Enhanced' sportscars.
It costs near nothing to run.
It does understeer a little when you drive it like a complete idiot on the road. It's more than made up by the super smooth damping and rigid chassis.
Contrary to a lot of people here, i love the big diameter wheels with narrow tires, it gives it a new age look. Everyone was recently complaining about cars having too big tires and too much grip. BMW gives people what they want... people complain!
The added bonus is that you get very little rolling noise inside the cabin which ALL modern sportscars suffer from (Porsche are you reading this?).
Just my 2 pence..
This is a car you appreciate over a period of time.
I have been running one since brand new in 2015, so nearly 5 years.
NO car has stayed this long in my garage: 911 turbo s, aston v12v, gt3's of all sorts, 964rs etc.. these are long gone.
The i8 is still there and for a good reason: it make all others feel like dinosaurs.
It is amazingly soothing, calming even when you want to. It punches way above its weight when you want to drive fast. The torque and instantaneous acceleration never get old.
16-18 miles electric range on gen 1 cars is more than enough to go around where i live. I regularly see 60mpg+ (Aston was sub 15mpg over a long ownership period). I go at least 400 miles on a tank of petrol (40 litres). More if i charge often and regularly drive short distances.
It is extremely well damped and does flow with the road rather than try to hurt your back and your teeth like most other modern 'Nurburgring Enhanced' sportscars.
It costs near nothing to run.
It does understeer a little when you drive it like a complete idiot on the road. It's more than made up by the super smooth damping and rigid chassis.
Contrary to a lot of people here, i love the big diameter wheels with narrow tires, it gives it a new age look. Everyone was recently complaining about cars having too big tires and too much grip. BMW gives people what they want... people complain!
The added bonus is that you get very little rolling noise inside the cabin which ALL modern sportscars suffer from (Porsche are you reading this?).
Just my 2 pence..
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