330e or i3?

[Greg_D]

thanks for the reply.

just to complete my useless knowledge, what are the losses when fast charging?

[anonymous-user]

On a different note, one thing i3 owners/drivers need to be aware of is that the car is VERY sensitive to tyre pressure variations, and because it has such small volume tyres, small leaks can really quickly drop those pressures ime.

I run 2.85barg at the front and 3.2barg at the back, for my "driver only" BEV setting, which is above what BMW recommend. Those higher pressures undoubtedly reduce absolute grip by a small amount (i'd guess at 5%) but definitely make the car feel a lot more stable, especially at high speed. It also makes the secondary ride feel more brittle, but makes the primary ride (body control) significantly more damped in-extremis

[Herbs]

OP here!

I hate threads that never have updates so thought I'd better do so.

I have an extended test drive for this weekend so I can check how well one will integrate into my life.

In addition, I am in negotiations with a dealer for a car with the following spec which seems to my uneducated eyes as having pretty much the entire option list ticked but is there anything of importance missing?

L812A 
National version England / Ireland
P5DUA 
Parking Assistant Package
P7KZA 
BMW i interior design ''Suite''
P7RSA 
Package Comfort
S230A 
Extra package, EU-specific
S249A 
Multifunction f steering wheel
S2G5A 
BMW LA wheel, Turbine Styling 428
S2PAA 
Wheel bolt retainer
S2VBA 
Tire pressure display
S2VCA 
Tire repair kit
S302A 
Alarm system
S322A 
Comfort access
S3AGA 
Reversing camera
S423A 
Floor mats, velours
S428A 
Warning triangle and first aid kit
S430A 
Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S442A 
Cup holder
S473A 
Armrest front
S493A 
Storage compartment package
S494A 
Seat heating driver/passenger
S4U7A 
Rapid charging, direct current
S4U8A 
Rapid charging, alternating current
S508A 
Park Distance Control (PDC)
S521A 
Rain sensor
S534A 
Automatic air conditioning
S544A 
Cruise control with brake function
S570A 
Reinforced power supply
S5A2A 
LED headlight
S5ARA 
Traffic congestion assistant
S5ATA 
Driving Assistant Plus
S5DAA 
Passenger airbag deactivation
S5DPA 
Park Assistent
S609A 
Navigation system Professional
S654A 
DAB tuner
S674A 
Hi-Fi System Harman Kardon
S6ACA 
Intelligent emergency SOS call
S6AEA 
Teleservices
S6AKA 
Connected Drive Services
S6AMA 
Real-Time Traffic Information
S6ANA 
Concierge Services
S6APA 
Remote Services
S6ARA 
Internet
S7AQA 
Battery Certificate
S853A 
Language version English
S880A 
On-board vehicle literature English
S8KZA 
Oil service interval 24 months
S8R9A 
Refrigerant R1234yf
S8S2A 
Coding alarm signal
S8S3A 
Automatic locking when driving off
S8SMA 
Car ident. number visible from outside
S8TGA 
Thiefproofing device

[caseys]

You are basically ordering what I am! If it's in Metallic Grey we'd be identical.

I am undecided about the sunroof, as it's not a cheap option and it's kinda like a T-Bar layout internally.

Enhanced USB bluetooth might be worthwhile?

[Greg_D]

sounds good, be aware that if the RRP is more than £40k, then you will have to pay more 'premium' tax.

it's worth considering... i think it's another £300/yr

[Herbs]

caseys said:

You are basically ordering what I am! If it's in Metallic Grey we'd be identical.

I am undecided about the sunroof, as it's not a cheap option and it's kinda like a T-Bar layout internally.

Enhanced USB bluetooth might be worthwhile?

It's a used one rather than new.

I believe enhanced bluetooth can be coded at a later date so hoping I can do this.

[Herbs]

As a follow up - I hope to be putting a deposit down on one tomorrow so will update you as soon as I have done so

[Herbs]

Deposit paid, delivery tomorrow

[Luke.]

So.... how you liking it?

[caseys]

Loving mine, done 4000 miles on it in about 10 weeks. Don't miss the 330e at all.

Only gripe is remembering to leave space for the rear doors to open when in a car park!

[Herbs]

Absolutely fantastic and wish I had done it sooner to be honest. Apart from it being at the dealers for the last month of course....

Edited by Herbs on Wednesday 24th July 15:39

[Herbs]

Nearly 4 months later and I have my car back...... at last!

[Daaaveee]

Herbs said:

Nearly 4 months later and I have my car back...... at last!

4 months! What was the problem?

[Herbs]

Daaaveee said:

Herbs said:

Nearly 4 months later and I have my car back...... at last!

4 months! What was the problem?

Nothing that couldn't have been fixed within a few days if the warranty company hadn't tried to wriggle out of paying....

[Blue Oval84]

Well timed thread resurrection as I'm currently researching what sort of EV may be suitable for my sister-in-law.

Her commute is a 30 mile trip each way, charging at home is no problem but charging at work is patchy and definitely not guaranteed.

The older 60Ah models seem to be just about within price range, and they have a stated range of 118 miles, so I was thinking this would be more than adequate even in winter to comfortably get her home from work without needing to charge, but reading this thread makes me think I may be wrong?

Leaf 30KW is also in budget, but the forums seem to be awash with tales of battery degradation so I'm not sure if I trust them.

[mcm87]

The 60Ah will no way achieve that range. Even a 94Ah would struggle in the colder months.

60miles should be doable, if careful in winter. Fine in summer. But don’t expect anywhere near 100+.

[Herbs]

mcm87 said:

The 60Ah will no way achieve that range. Even a 94Ah would struggle in the colder months.

60miles should be doable, if careful in winter. Fine in summer. But don’t expect anywhere near 100+.

Mine is a 60 rex and haven't had the joys of driving it in summer yet (;)) but in winter I was getting approx 55 miles and have a 55 mile round trip each day. Its very rare I need to use the rex (I've spent £9 on fuel since October and still have half a tank left) but I wouldn't want to do that distance with the safetynet of the rex.

With one it's a piece of cake and they are much more fun to drive than a Leaf.

I've had a great time today and forgotten just how nippy they are.

[SOL111]

mcm87 said:

The 60Ah will no way achieve that range. Even a 94Ah would struggle in the colder months.

60miles should be doable, if careful in winter. Fine in summer. But don’t expect anywhere near 100+.

Are you serious? I've got an identical distance commute and my 94Ah i3 is fine. I bought mine in December and at worst, would give me 100 miles a day. As long as you don't max out the heating she'll be fine.

Note, I set off at 6:00am so was driving in < 0°C often.

This week, in the warm weather I was getting this.



ETA. Ok I just thought. If you drive with the heat set at 28°C and drive at 80mph constantly then I could see how you might struggle in a 94Ah i3 in winter.

Personally I'd precondition so not much heating needed on the way to work anyway. That would leave me at least 60-70 miles for a 30 mile drive home.

Edited by SOL111 on Wednesday 24th July 22:49

[oop north]

Blue Oval84 said:

Well timed thread resurrection as I'm currently researching what sort of EV may be suitable for my sister-in-law.

Her commute is a 30 mile trip each way, charging at home is no problem but charging at work is patchy and definitely not guaranteed.

The older 60Ah models seem to be just about within price range, and they have a stated range of 118 miles, so I was thinking this would be more than adequate even in winter to comfortably get her home from work without needing to charge, but reading this thread makes me think I may be wrong?

I had an 80-mile round trip that I did regularly in a 60ah Rex. Couldn’t manage that on battery only on the coldest days of winter (even with no heat and eco+) but usually managed 60+. The killer is leaving the car to cool down completely on a v cold day - I could get to the office (40 miles from home) and have more than 50% left but when I got in at going home time warming the battery as I drove home used too much up. A 94 would very easily manage 60 miles on the coldest of days or a 60 Rex. But 60 Bev cutting it too fine. Although to be fair that might depend on the roads - I was 50-odd miles (25 each way) motorway and drove at 60 so it the 30 miles each way are slower than that that would help

[Blue Oval84]

Thanks for the advice guys.

It's a shame it sounds as though the ones she can afford will be just a little bit too tight in the winter. She's totally fine with the idea of having an EV, in fact her commute is more or less ideal for one, but I can imagine her enthusiasm drying up very quickly if she had to sit with no heating on in winter etc.

It's a shame that even with C. £15K to spend on a used car, there doesn't appear to be a single full BEV on the market that will do a 60 mile round trip with a stop in the middle, reliably, without having to go to extremes like driving at 60mph and having the heating off!

May suggest an Ampera. It'll do all the way there, and some of the way back on electricity only from what I can see.