2017 BMW i3 vs 2018 i3 vs i3S?

2017 BMW i3 vs 2018 i3 vs i3S?

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bernie_eccle

Original Poster:

291 posts

245 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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I had my first drive of a 2017 i3 a few weeks ago and have become quite smitten. I was surprised how compliant the ride was as I was expecting it to be harsh in a way BMWs can be sometimes. I did however notice that crosswinds did try to move it about a little.

A couple of weeks later I tried a 2018 i3S. I really enjoyed that too but the ride less so as it had a harshness I associate with my other half's 1 series M Sport.

What I am not sure of is whether the ride of a standard 2018 i3 has been improved over the earlier version? Is it worth me aiming for a 2018 over a 2017 on improved stability alone, if the stability has indeed been improved? Or does that stability bring with it the harshness I experienced in the i3S?

My budget is probably about £20k but I am determined to have quite a few options, the main on being Traffic Jam Assist, with Active Cruise, for no other reason than I would really miss the speed sign recognition. I would also prefer suite interior (leather) or just not the grey cloth. I would also want the larger screen, Media Pro? and a rear camera. Sun roof would be nice but not essential. I have realised that it is difficult to find a really well spec'd i3. Oh, I would rather avoid a black car, as whilst they look great when clean, they don't stay that way long around here.

I am looking at a 94ah Rex, as I do have to do the odd 120-130 mile journey and I would rather not have to rely on public charging. The car would be garaged at home and charged overnight.

I have sold my own car and will be a cash buyer but right now I am not really needing a car but expect to do so again at some point next year so am in a good position to sit it out and wait for the right car. From watching the market for the past 2-3 months, some of the cars are slow to sell although, like all cars, I think the better spec'd ones do shift but only if they are keenly priced.

I am interested in your experiences between the model years. I think I have made up my mind that I don't want the S but then I see an ad for one and think that they look the best. Probably out of my budget just now anyway, but might not come the New Year?

I really do now feel that electric is the future and I am loathed to buy another ICE car if I can. My budget does however rather restrict my options as I don't like the Leaf, Zoe or MG, etc.

Goatex

164 posts

146 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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I have had my i3 94Ah REx for coming on 4 years and 67k miles now. Love the car but agree with you re the side winds. I’ve recently had Eibach Pro springs and 12mm AC Schnitzer i3 specific spacers fitted which has vastly improved matters with no noticeable loss in ride comfort...mine is on 19 inch wheels. Budget just over a grand for parts and labour. Not aware of any changes to the later cars but note that if you want the free road tax then you need to look for a pre April 17 car as the REx no longer qualified post that date when the rules changed. This will mean a pre facelift car.
Just in case you weren’t aware the adaptive cruise is camera based so doesn’t like bright sun or mist/spray therefore doesn’t always engage but, even so, glad mine has it. It can be overridden to be ‘normal’ cruise control when that happens.
Another thing to note is that the pre face lift cars with led headlights are for the low beams only.
Hope that helps.

Heres Johnny

7,175 posts

123 months

Wednesday 28th October 2020
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The i3s has a sports/firmer suspension so I expect the difference you’ve found is down to the model and not a result of it being a later car. You’ll struggle to get a i3s Rex for 20k, the cheapest are just shy of 24k. I know you’re after a few option but for your budget you might be better looking for a facelift car (the fog lights are dash shaped not round) and they come better spec’d anyway.

If you check out the Tesla info website they have the whole uk market of i3 cars including those listed by Bmw and the pistonheads listings plus others and you can search easily, plus price histories etc. There’s also an email service so you can see when new cars get added or there’s been a price change.

bernie_eccle

Original Poster:

291 posts

245 months

Wednesday 28th October 2020
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Goatex said:
I have had my i3 94Ah REx for coming on 4 years and 67k miles now. Love the car but agree with you re the side winds. I’ve recently had Eibach Pro springs and 12mm AC Schnitzer i3 specific spacers fitted which has vastly improved matters with no noticeable loss in ride comfort...mine is on 19 inch wheels. Budget just over a grand for parts and labour. Not aware of any changes to the later cars but note that if you want the free road tax then you need to look for a pre April 17 car as the REx no longer qualified post that date when the rules changed. This will mean a pre facelift car.
Just in case you weren’t aware the adaptive cruise is camera based so doesn’t like bright sun or mist/spray therefore doesn’t always engage but, even so, glad mine has it. It can be overridden to be ‘normal’ cruise control when that happens.
Another thing to note is that the pre face lift cars with led headlights are for the low beams only.
Hope that helps.
Thanks I had picked up on the nuances of road tax which includes keeping newer rexs below £40k. I had also read about the active cruise being camera based. For me it's more about having the speed limit sign pop up on the dash. Had it in my previous car and became very reliant on it and now wouldn't want to be without it.
I didn't realise that about the led headlamps so will be a bit of compromise.

I am pleased to hear that spacers and springs have improved stability but don't think I would want the additional expense or hassle.

Heres Johnny said:
The i3s has a sports/firmer suspension so I expect the difference you’ve found is down to the model and not a result of it being a later car. You’ll struggle to get a i3s Rex for 20k, the cheapest are just shy of 24k. I know you’re after a few option but for your budget you might be better looking for a facelift car (the fog lights are dash shaped not round) and they come better spec’d anyway.

If you check out the Tesla info website they have the whole uk market of i3 cars including those listed by Bmw and the pistonheads listings plus others and you can search easily, plus price histories etc. There’s also an email service so you can see when new cars get added or there’s been a price change.
Thank you I had already read on here about https://tesla-info.com/index.html which is a tremendous resource. I think it would be great to hold out for a 2018 model and may be possible if I wait until next year.

b11ocx

239 posts

263 months

Wednesday 28th October 2020
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Just ordered an i3S with an auxiliary heater.... will give you my views once I get it next week

so called

9,074 posts

208 months

Wednesday 28th October 2020
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I changed my 2016 i3 Rex last year for a 2019 i3S.
I didn't think that the S was that much firmer and am quite happy with it.
I also thought that the cross wind issue was a little less in the S.

One thing that I noticed in the Rex was that when you go over one of those small speed humps, there was a 'secondary' reaction from the rear end which I didn't like.
I assumed it was to do with the Rex engine mounts.
The S doesn't do this and gives me more confidence in the rear end.
Funny though is that a few weeks ago I dumped 3 bags of sand and a bag of cement in the boot.
I found that the rear end really digs in now when accelerating out of curves. smile
Before that, the rear end had kicked out a couple of times when accelerating off roundabouts.
The sports mode reminds me of Wile E Coyote sat on an ACME rocket

I thing that both are terrific cars which ever way you go.

bernie_eccle

Original Poster:

291 posts

245 months

Wednesday 28th October 2020
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Thanks So Called, those are some great first hand views. You obviously like i3s given that you have gone for a second one.

I really do prefer the look of the S. I guess I really need to try them back to back.

I'll keep an eye on tesla-info for a bargain.

off_again

12,252 posts

233 months

Wednesday 28th October 2020
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Its a small thing, but the pre-2018 models had infotainment screens that can be easily replaced. If you get one with the smaller screen, its $300 from Aliexpress to replace it with the larger one (and get the additional features etc) and $50 for the OBD reader and software to code it. Post-2018 they changed the screen maker and you cant get them easily and its super expensive ($3000 from BMW).

I know its small thing, but if you want the larger screen and it has the smaller one - get a 2017 or earlier, or just get one with the bigger screen anyway. And if you want to add Android Auto or Carplay, its easier with the 2018 models, but wasnt available on the 2017 or earlier. Though again, adding it to a 2017 or earlier is a $300 add on and simple install.

Small things, but we got a 2017 Rex and done the screen already - its a 15 minute job.

mattcov

721 posts

225 months

Wednesday 28th October 2020
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I3S Rex here. Planted enough on motorways, sidewinds don't get it like I hear people go on about earlier models. Ride isn't soft, but its nothing like the typical BMW run flat harshness. You do get a bit of a resonance sound though, especially noticeable if you are comparing it to very quiet cars.

SWoll

18,206 posts

257 months

Wednesday 28th October 2020
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We had an i3 120ah for 12 months up until earlier this year and it was a great little city car. Drove the S and whilst it did feel more planted I thought the ride became too crashy around town (the standard car not exactly comfortable as it is).

Looking pricey new nowadays when compared to something like an ID3?.


danp

1,603 posts

261 months

Wednesday 28th October 2020
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I’ve not tried one but have read that the ride and handling is *much* improved with the 2018 facelift model.

bernie_eccle

Original Poster:

291 posts

245 months

Thursday 29th October 2020
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mattcov said:
I3S Rex here. Planted enough on motorways, sidewinds don't get it like I hear people go on about earlier models. Ride isn't soft, but its nothing like the typical BMW run flat harshness. You do get a bit of a resonance sound though, especially noticeable if you are comparing it to very quiet cars.
That is a perfect summary of my short test drive in the i3s. At one point there was quite a bit of drumming road noise that then went away when the road surface changed.

I was also sure that I had read that ride quality had been improved on the standard 2018 model - a bit more research required.

My budget is circa £20k so I'm afraid that the ID3 is not of interest to me at this time, it might be in a couple of years time.

With regards to upgrading the infotainment I had already come across that information and it does appeal to me as I am an android user.

so called

9,074 posts

208 months

Thursday 29th October 2020
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Just to add, until this Covid and WFH, I was commuting 100 miles/day 5 days/week.
In the Rex it would cost me 22kWh@18p/kWh = £4,00/day plus a little petrol.
Summer fuel approx 50p.
Winter approx £ 2,00 to £4.00 depending which way the wind blows

With the i3S it was 30 to 35kWh @5p/kWh so £1.50 to £1.75/day
(Note! 5p/day/kWh because I changed to Octopus Go with Smart meters).

Comparing that with the previous commuting car, a TVR Cerbera, @ £25/day I was laughing and the £400/month saved paid for the i3S.
Going from the Cerbera to the i3/i3S also meant that I found them to be VERY quiet. laugh

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 30th October 2020
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I've had my 2015 i3 now for coming up to 5 years.


The ride is fine, yes it's firm, but the primary ride (body control) is actually pretty good but the secondary ride can occasionally suffer from cabin resonance as a result of the ultra stiff body passing higher frequency noise from the tyres through into the cabin. Some types of surface at certain speeds (seems to be worst at about 40mph ime) can be really "thrummy" but generally i'm more than happy with the NVH.

Regarding crosswinds and even truck ruts at higher speeds (> 60mph ish) yes, the car is indeed sensitive to these external perturbations, but ime, as long as you don't fight the car, all is fine. This is because the car is on tall narrow tyres and is tracked rather "straight" in order to minimise rolling resistance, meaning the tyre carcass can shift around a fair bit, leading to that squirmy feeling occasionally. As the early cars had VERY aggressive steering rates (the only other road car i've driven that turns into a turn like an early BEV i3 is a lotus elise!) clumsy drivers tend to fight the car as it moves, and as a result make it move more, which they then fight......... If you just relax, the car goes straight, and there is no problem

Personnally i love feeling the car move and slide around on it's narrow tyres, it's especially brilliant in the wet, it's a return to cars where you can actually feel what it's doing at the tyre/road interface, unlike most modern cars that are completely aloof in this respect. Unlike most BMW's you can't turn the DSC off completely (other than by going into "rollers" cheat mode.....), and this is probably a good thing, as it does get pretty lively in-extremis at high speed (>80 mph)


I had an i3s on trial for a couple of days, and actually, didn't really like it. Yes, it's a better handling car for the masses, but it's more aloof, more tied down, frankly, more boring. Sure, it'll grip harder and be much less of a handful, but i'm happy to throw my none s around and when you do that the car is very, very good fun to drive indeed. 5 years in, and i still have a massive smile every time i drive this little car, it's genuinely fun, something that few modern cars, even nominally very sporting ones, manage to achieve these days as the quest for ultimate grip and performance is dominant.


ReX's deffinately handle significantly worse with the extra weight in the back as mentioned by others.......

Darinz

126 posts

60 months

Friday 30th October 2020
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Seems you have had most things answered...

All facelift cars come with the "pro" nav (large centre screen and full iDrive controller) so that's not a worry at least :-)

With regards black cars, due to the glass tailgate and bumper design no matter what colour you get most of the back is black... so winter driving you will end up dirty looking!!

off_again

12,252 posts

233 months

Friday 30th October 2020
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I would also comment that the ride is a little harsh, but in comparison to my C63S, its positively smooth! Certainly not something that I would complain about. Also the handling (even the Rex model) is actually very good. Its a genuine surprise to its ability and performance, even on those skinny tires! Its a little tall and you do sit a little high for my liking, but its pretty easy to shame other cars to its turn of speed and capabilities.

But I really need to get a high speed charger - the 120v standard one takes way too long to charge, but need to figure out what I am doing here (might move) and dont want to drop $500 on a L2 charger if I am. Oh, and the range jumps a lot in cooler weather. Hot 35-40 degree weather saps the range due to the aircon. Now its nicer at 24 degrees, range is up a good 15%-20%! I expect it to drop a little on cooler winter temps, but it goes into the garage so will be less impacted for sure.

bernie_eccle

Original Poster:

291 posts

245 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
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Max_Torque said:
I've had my 2015 i3 now for coming up to 5 years.

The ride is fine, yes it's firm, but the primary ride (body control) is actually pretty good but the secondary ride can occasionally suffer from cabin resonance as a result of the ultra stiff body passing higher frequency noise from the tyres through into the cabin. Some types of surface at certain speeds (seems to be worst at about 40mph ime) can be really "thrummy" but generally i'm more than happy with the NVH.

Regarding crosswinds and even truck ruts at higher speeds (> 60mph ish) yes, the car is indeed sensitive to these external perturbations, but ime, as long as you don't fight the car, all is fine. This is because the car is on tall narrow tyres and is tracked rather "straight" in order to minimise rolling resistance, meaning the tyre carcass can shift around a fair bit, leading to that squirmy feeling occasionally. As the early cars had VERY aggressive steering rates (the only other road car i've driven that turns into a turn like an early BEV i3 is a lotus elise!) clumsy drivers tend to fight the car as it moves, and as a result make it move more, which they then fight......... If you just relax, the car goes straight, and there is no problem

Personnally i love feeling the car move and slide around on it's narrow tyres, it's especially brilliant in the wet, it's a return to cars where you can actually feel what it's doing at the tyre/road interface, unlike most modern cars that are completely aloof in this respect. Unlike most BMW's you can't turn the DSC off completely (other than by going into "rollers" cheat mode.....), and this is probably a good thing, as it does get pretty lively in-extremis at high speed (>80 mph)


I had an i3s on trial for a couple of days, and actually, didn't really like it. Yes, it's a better handling car for the masses, but it's more aloof, more tied down, frankly, more boring. Sure, it'll grip harder and be much less of a handful, but i'm happy to throw my none s around and when you do that the car is very, very good fun to drive indeed. 5 years in, and i still have a massive smile every time i drive this little car, it's genuinely fun, something that few modern cars, even nominally very sporting ones, manage to achieve these days as the quest for ultimate grip and performance is dominant.


ReX's deffinately handle significantly worse with the extra weight in the back as mentioned by others.......
Max_T many thanks for taking the time to give such a detailed and reasoned response. So much of what you have said mirrors my limited experience in driving both versions so far.

When I started reading about i3s I was very interested in the ethos of car and the manufacturing process. In my mind it in someway was similar to the lotus elise. Having owned elises/exiges there were some similarities that you have already mentioned and that too broadened the appeal for me.

Since my first post I have seen a 2017 in almost ideal spec but in black and in London, more than 400 miles away. They don't deliver this far and, under the current circumstances, I am not keen on making the trip via public transport. Also, the dealer has confirmed that the road tax is £465. That really stings but I suspect will be hard to avoid if I want to go with a well spec'd rex, taking it over the £40k original price band for luxury car tax.

Alternatively there is a 2018 i3s for sale privately locally at similar money to the dealer 2017 car. I keep telling myself the private i3s (which has suite/leather interior) would be the better buy, if I am content with the harsher ride. It has 6 month manufacturer warranty remaining.

Thanks again for your response, I am sure it will prove very useful to others researching real life experiences of the i3.

uknick

880 posts

183 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
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A couple of months ago I moved from a pretty high spec (leather, sunroof, reversing camera, driver assistance pack [auto cruise control, on screen speed limit notification]) 64 plate 60ah to a fully specced 18 plate 94ah i3S. Both cars with REX. I think the i3S was originally a demo car as it has every option I think was available in December 2017 when it was ordered, including smokers pack and pedestrian warning system.

To my mind the difference between the two is chalk and cheese with regard to handling. Yes, the latest car runs on 20" wheels and is a firmer ride than the 19" on the previous car. But, the handling is far far superior. No longer does it feel like its skipping over bumps on corners and in cross winds on the motorway I'm not worried it's going to be blown sideways. It never was, but it did feel like it.

With the REX I have to pay the £465 annual tax; pure BEV no longer have any tax to pay. With regard to the tax, I look at it like this. The £325 luxury car tax element only last 4 years and if bought second hand is more than offset by the savings on the new price. Plus, why deprive yourself of some nice to have options such as full leather.

What annoys me is the £140 per year hybrid tax. Yes, it is a hybrid in the strictest sense but not like all those hybrids that can only do about 30 miles on electric and send most of their life driving along on the petrol engine. My neighbour's Focus diesel pays no tax for goodness sake. But, them's the rules.


Slop

476 posts

220 months

Saturday 21st November 2020
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Very interesting to read this, I think we've just decided to ditch the idea of a newer Mini Cooper and go for a used i3. The Zoe and the Leaf don't seem right in comparison, although seem quite a bit cheaper.

Possibly a 2017 Range extender 94Ah looks about right price wise, I'm not really too bothered about the handling as the car will mostly be used locally. We can charge overnight at home

I'd be interested in peoples thoughts, please let me know if I'm missing a trick here ?

Thanks in advance
S

MOBB

3,575 posts

126 months

Saturday 21st November 2020
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We have a 2019 i3s and I wouldn’t call the ride harsh, I’d say it’s choppy/pogo-ey

Like trying to hold on to an angry kangaroo I’d say

Good fun to drive though