RE: Finally - a BMW i8 Roadster worth talking about
Discussion
Numpty with honours said:
mikey P 500 said:
It amazes me used I8's in general are worth so much money. We recently bought a mini countryman SE which is basically the same tech (think it has very similar engine, a smaller motor and battery), however these are less desirable than the regular mini's and reflected in the fact they are the cheapest model you could buy, as the tech is considered out dated. Most think it the worst of both EV and ICE, I would have guessed these have little appeal in the current market, not appealing to the electric car or ICE buyers.
I bought mine (non roadster) as an ex demo paying list in March 2015, within 12 months and 10k miles it was circa £65k and within 3 years around £40k ie by about 2018 with I would guess 40k miles . From then on its depreciation became a lot more dignified . There is solid demand for them, they have a very good reliability, tyres a bit expensive as they are an unusual size, servicing costs ok . The key thing is that its all about efficiency . 0 - 60 in 4.4 sec top speed around 150 yet in eco pro on a long run driving sedately 45mpg is possible. I have done around 96k and I like it. Mine is worth around £22.5K I enjoy driving it, I am so familiar with all the controls, its not super precious its like a comfortable pair of old shoes . In sport mode it moves !Still think from the side, it still one of the best looking cars, a bit too much going on when looking at the rear and the relatively thin tyres ( for efficiency) do not give it gravitas and the front a tad dated now - but then the car is almost 10 yrs old
It looks so futuristic. Can’t see how it could be considered dated from the outside at all.
My colleague had one of the first non convertibles in the UK in white. Amazing car, even though it had the standard fake noise coming out of the speakers...
He then bought a convertible. Reading through this article, he must have been gutted at the depreciation
From a design point of view, the side and front are spot on, but the rear was awful. BMW could have done a much better job.
He then bought a convertible. Reading through this article, he must have been gutted at the depreciation
From a design point of view, the side and front are spot on, but the rear was awful. BMW could have done a much better job.
Corkys said:
Never liked these, front end lovely, rear half awful. And they put the wrong engine in it. It should have been a more impressive one than the 3 pot 1.5ltr.
Then the skinny tyres for economy, it’s a sports car!! Such a mixed bag of a car.
Not for me.
I couldn't believe it was a 1.5 ltrThen the skinny tyres for economy, it’s a sports car!! Such a mixed bag of a car.
Not for me.
The i8’s are very beautiful cars and I did think of buying one a few years ago. The issues of the batteries and with difficulty insuring that type of vehicle would defiantly put me off. However, I did look through the piston heads market place looking for one, they are still very beautiful in my opinion but not worth the gamble on values.
Best car I have ever owned and still have it. 2015 from new, and far better than the regurgitated nonsense some of these hacks come out with.
A couple of minor issues during the 9 years of ownership. Needed the fuel tank pressure sensor replaced, all early cars needed this. Door weather strips on body needed replacing for slightly wider ones with better adhesive. Water coolant sensor needed a firmware update.
Battery warranty is 8years mine run out last year. Had the battery tested before the end and it's still 99% capacity. It's always plugged in when at home.
Not all dealers are equal my local Milton Keynes dealer has two an i3 and i8 specialist who have been excellent.
A couple of minor issues during the 9 years of ownership. Needed the fuel tank pressure sensor replaced, all early cars needed this. Door weather strips on body needed replacing for slightly wider ones with better adhesive. Water coolant sensor needed a firmware update.
Battery warranty is 8years mine run out last year. Had the battery tested before the end and it's still 99% capacity. It's always plugged in when at home.
Not all dealers are equal my local Milton Keynes dealer has two an i3 and i8 specialist who have been excellent.
I still think they look great, and the unusual drivetrain is part of the appeal.
It’s a shame they never did a higher powered version with the 2.0 litre engine. If that could produce 300bhp in a Mini then with a bit more development plus a bigger electric motor it would have been a hoot.
It’s a shame they never did a higher powered version with the 2.0 litre engine. If that could produce 300bhp in a Mini then with a bit more development plus a bigger electric motor it would have been a hoot.
mikey P 500 said:
It amazes me used I8's in general are worth so much money. We recently bought a mini countryman SE which is basically the same tech (think it has very similar engine, a smaller motor and battery), however these are less desirable than the regular mini's and reflected in the fact they are the cheapest model you could buy, as the tech is considered out dated. Most think it the worst of both EV and ICE, I would have guessed these have little appeal in the current market, not appealing to the electric car or ICE buyers.
Nothing the same at all. Different engine, electric motor and battery.3 cylinder is hand built in the UK for the i8 and puts out 240bhp, the electric motor is 120bhp providing a combined 360bhp.
Listening to Andrew frankle talking about living with one of these long term has kept my interest in them, ev range would get me to work and I have a soft spot for 3 pot noise- I don’t like overly wide tyres anyway but I would need to see how playful these can be with 4wd and iffy assists
Still think they look great and the i3 i8 generation of bmw will be fondly remembered
Still think they look great and the i3 i8 generation of bmw will be fondly remembered
Corkys said:
Never liked these, front end lovely, rear half awful. And they put the wrong engine in it. It should have been a more impressive one than the 3 pot 1.5ltr.
Then the skinny tyres for economy, it’s a sports car!! Such a mixed bag of a car.
Not for me.
Need to rethink the combined power and especially torque make these extremely quick. Up to 100mph my friends GT3RS can't keep up. So the boring rhetoric of engine size is nonsense.Then the skinny tyres for economy, it’s a sports car!! Such a mixed bag of a car.
Not for me.
I have no affiliation to Automotive Addiction but they do put the wrench time in, in terms of detailing on the cars they sell. Proper strip down clean, polish, wax, ceramic coat etc all documented on insta. Reflected in the price mind you. I was in the market for an Rs3 at one point and you'd buy from them with more confidence than most
LMA37 said:
Corkys said:
Never liked these, front end lovely, rear half awful. And they put the wrong engine in it. It should have been a more impressive one than the 3 pot 1.5ltr.
Then the skinny tyres for economy, it’s a sports car!! Such a mixed bag of a car.
Not for me.
Need to rethink the combined power and especially torque make these extremely quick. Up to 100mph my friends GT3RS can't keep up. So the boring rhetoric of engine size is nonsense.Then the skinny tyres for economy, it’s a sports car!! Such a mixed bag of a car.
Not for me.
CG2020UK said:
Love the look but it’s a bit damp to drive.
Just buy an M2, M3, M4 or M5 they are just better in every way.
Innovative and brave from BMW but not really a drivers car and ultimately not really good at anything.
Rerelease it as full EV and it would be brilliant.
In what way are they all better then? Just buy an M2, M3, M4 or M5 they are just better in every way.
Innovative and brave from BMW but not really a drivers car and ultimately not really good at anything.
Rerelease it as full EV and it would be brilliant.
Having owned an M4 and currently an i8 there is literally no comparison in special feeling and how it generally feels to drive hence paying double the price at new. The M4 I had was hideously unreliable leaving me to sell it at 17k miles on the clock. x2 diff seal leaks, headlights full of water, idrive crashes, engine cut out leaving me stranded at traffic lights twice.
I've had no such issues with my i8. It's not just get one because it has better performance it's look at what suits you life style why's. For me the i8 is a 2nd/3rd car I use on the weekend and days off. It has something special about it where as M cars are still based on the original 4 series, 2 series etc. I8 is unique in its own right.
cerb4.5lee said:
NA engines aren't much use below 100mph in fairness...well the NA S65 V8 4.0 in my old E92 M3 wasn't anyway. If you care about engines, then a 3 cylinder 1.5 engine isn't going to get your juices flowing for me.
Is it the number of cylinders or the cubic capacity you don't like.Presumably you don't like cars like the GR Yaris either.
How about a 1.6 F1 engine.
I like engineering excellence in whatever form.
Edited by Nomme de Plum on Thursday 18th April 08:24
Edited by Nomme de Plum on Thursday 18th April 08:26
I had an i8 coupe until 2 years ago. Bought with 6k on the clock, ran for one year. it had a huge failure - electrical - BMW were excellent and gave me my money back as we couldnt find an equivalent car. It followed a 911, and was replaced by my current Ftype.
For me, it was head and shoulders the best car. Massively out drove the 911 in my view - so much more planted. A real sense of occasion when you drive it, felt truly special. I really miss it tbh, and had thought of a roadster to get back into one.
Drivetrain is exceptional. Performance very strong, quicker point to point than my 911s. The problem now is finding a good one - they are too cheap for what they are so many not being adequately maintained.
My only fear was batteries out of warranty. I think i was unlucky - BMW UK said my car was only the second example known with the fault I had.
For me, it was head and shoulders the best car. Massively out drove the 911 in my view - so much more planted. A real sense of occasion when you drive it, felt truly special. I really miss it tbh, and had thought of a roadster to get back into one.
Drivetrain is exceptional. Performance very strong, quicker point to point than my 911s. The problem now is finding a good one - they are too cheap for what they are so many not being adequately maintained.
My only fear was batteries out of warranty. I think i was unlucky - BMW UK said my car was only the second example known with the fault I had.
Very bold design and using a carbon fibre tub to under pin it as well, seems to put it in Z1 & Z8 territory.
Normally BMW sports coupe's are pretty underwhelming, see current Z4 for details but this promised so much. Up close they are really beautiful but seems the drivetrain technology lagged behind the design and chassis ambition. Much like the CX-75, if BMW had gone conventional from the start (turbo 4, straight 6 or V8 reckon it would now be iconic & pricey.
That Gabura is all vey well but "that means Gabura have hacked up a perfectly serviceable M6 as well as the i8" which is just stupid.
What might have been.
Normally BMW sports coupe's are pretty underwhelming, see current Z4 for details but this promised so much. Up close they are really beautiful but seems the drivetrain technology lagged behind the design and chassis ambition. Much like the CX-75, if BMW had gone conventional from the start (turbo 4, straight 6 or V8 reckon it would now be iconic & pricey.
That Gabura is all vey well but "that means Gabura have hacked up a perfectly serviceable M6 as well as the i8" which is just stupid.
What might have been.
These always have and continue to look stunning. The design was so futuristic and still looks so today. As a package it nailed the brief of being a fast, efficient and good looking. Whether it nailed the brief of being a drivers car is a bit more subjective.
The big but for for me is the depreciation compared to other cars costing £125K new in 2015. These were always a very niche product to start with which has not helped residuals.
As a used £35K+ purchase it is competing with a lot of more manly ICE cars with more in the trouser department.
The big but for for me is the depreciation compared to other cars costing £125K new in 2015. These were always a very niche product to start with which has not helped residuals.
As a used £35K+ purchase it is competing with a lot of more manly ICE cars with more in the trouser department.
Nomme de Plum said:
cerb4.5lee said:
NA engines aren't much use below 100mph in fairness...well the NA S65 V8 4.0 in my old E92 M3 wasn't anyway. If you care about engines, then a 3 cylinder 1.5 engine isn't going to get your juices flowing for me.
Is it the number of cylinders or the cubic capacity you don't like.Presumably you don't like cars like the GR Yaris either.
How about a 1.6 F1 engine.
I like engineering excellence in whatever form.
Edited by Nomme de Plum on Thursday 18th April 08:24
Edited by Nomme de Plum on Thursday 18th April 08:26
I've used the 3 cylinder 1.5 B38 Mini engine in a few cars now(Mini Clubman/BMW X2/BMW 118i), and I didn't reckon much to it to use in fairness. I'm a fussy sod when it comes to engines though.
In saying that, I do think that the i8 is a properly sexy looking thing though for sure. However for me personally, I'd want either a straight 6 or a V8 engine in it.
I think these cars will be fondly remembered, maybe not for the hybrid tech or the engine, more the way they looked and the way they were constructed. I've only ever driven one once, it felt nice, seemed quite brisk as well. The engine isn't exciting in terms of theatre but then I suppose that was never really the brief, it was the halo for the i range and I think it nailed that perfectly. I still think the level of detail and the construction tech they used on both the i3 and i8 make them very appealing cars. This coming from a time when the various "sub brands" (standard cars, i range, M) in the BMW range had defining qualities that weren't pushed on to the other cars diluting their identity as it were.
I've had a couple of Coupes before, and daily drive them, certainly my favourite car I've owned before. A nice mix of being cheap to run, looks great, and handles well (we won't talk about practicality 
) And something different
It always felt faster than the official numbers suggested, and being a 3 cylinders never worried me, it all added to the brilliant fuel economy.
The ones I had were grey, I've never owned a car that turns as many heads, but seemed to be liked as well.
I never got caught out by the doors, but it was always a bit of a worry if someone was going to park next to you/not being able to open them! Although I did nearly knock my self out a couple of times, much to the amusement of people around me.
I would happily have another one, when we need less stuff for the 1 and 4 year old!
) And something differentIt always felt faster than the official numbers suggested, and being a 3 cylinders never worried me, it all added to the brilliant fuel economy.
The ones I had were grey, I've never owned a car that turns as many heads, but seemed to be liked as well.
I never got caught out by the doors, but it was always a bit of a worry if someone was going to park next to you/not being able to open them! Although I did nearly knock my self out a couple of times, much to the amusement of people around me.
I would happily have another one, when we need less stuff for the 1 and 4 year old!
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