anyone gone i3 - i3s ??
Discussion
We bought our i3 just over two years ago, and it's been brilliant. Cost buttons to run, and has actually appreciated over those two years. As a result, our diesel car just isn't being driven. So, i'm looking at three options:
1) replace derv and i3 with probably a Tesla. Obviously a different league in terms of perf and range compared to i3. but a bit, er, boring....
2) replace derv with a "toy car" for the weekends, and replace i3 with a big battery model (current i3 is BeV with smallest battery)
Option 2 is looking the most interesting, so i was wondering if it is worth the (significant) extra cash to step up to the i3s? Has anyone gone this way, from i3 to i3s and what did you find?
(One far field option is to modify the current i3, with afternarket wheels / suspension, and fit the bigger battery from a crashed big battery i3. This would actually not be that expensive, and i'd probably keep the existing i3 battery to power the house.......)
1) replace derv and i3 with probably a Tesla. Obviously a different league in terms of perf and range compared to i3. but a bit, er, boring....
2) replace derv with a "toy car" for the weekends, and replace i3 with a big battery model (current i3 is BeV with smallest battery)
Option 2 is looking the most interesting, so i was wondering if it is worth the (significant) extra cash to step up to the i3s? Has anyone gone this way, from i3 to i3s and what did you find?
(One far field option is to modify the current i3, with afternarket wheels / suspension, and fit the bigger battery from a crashed big battery i3. This would actually not be that expensive, and i'd probably keep the existing i3 battery to power the house.......)
Buy anything new in the i3 world and you're into not insignificant VED.
One option you've not listed is to get a 94 or 94Rex from late 2016/early 2017 which are as low as 18k to fix your range and tweak the spec now you know more. Buying the right REX could be a long term winner as the new ones are BEV only.
I'm thinking of changing but I just can't get excited about anything since early 2017 wasn't around in late 2016. Funny how a few hundred quid can turn you off something as expensive as a new car.
One option you've not listed is to get a 94 or 94Rex from late 2016/early 2017 which are as low as 18k to fix your range and tweak the spec now you know more. Buying the right REX could be a long term winner as the new ones are BEV only.
I'm thinking of changing but I just can't get excited about anything since early 2017 wasn't around in late 2016. Funny how a few hundred quid can turn you off something as expensive as a new car.
yep went from 60Ah REX to 94Ah i3S REX
There's a significant difference in handling , the S is far more stable, rolls less and it's far more fun. It's quicker, especially 50mph+ . Traction is also much much better - I've never had a regen issue on bumpy surfaces. New iDrive nicer , really like the Deezer streaming service built in. No regrets. 10K miles since July , still not filled up the petrol yet.
There's a significant difference in handling , the S is far more stable, rolls less and it's far more fun. It's quicker, especially 50mph+ . Traction is also much much better - I've never had a regen issue on bumpy surfaces. New iDrive nicer , really like the Deezer streaming service built in. No regrets. 10K miles since July , still not filled up the petrol yet.
2Btoo said:
Heres Johnny said:
Buy anything new in the i3 world and you're into not insignificant VED.
Got any more details please? Whilst the base price of an i3 is below this threshold, once you add a few bits and pieces you quite easily get to over £40k, and so the extra VED tax is payable.
A salient point someone raised elsewhere is what does the value of putting in the battery do for the vehicle?
Most early REX/BEV book price will mean any major damage and they'll get written off - £9k for a newer battery pack isn't it from the manufacturers - any ideas how much they are on the second hand market?
Most early REX/BEV book price will mean any major damage and they'll get written off - £9k for a newer battery pack isn't it from the manufacturers - any ideas how much they are on the second hand market?
EddieSteadyGo said:
2Btoo said:
Heres Johnny said:
Buy anything new in the i3 world and you're into not insignificant VED.
Got any more details please? Whilst the base price of an i3 is below this threshold, once you add a few bits and pieces you quite easily get to over £40k, and so the extra VED tax is payable.
I'm sticking with my March 18 94 REX. £0 VED!
Yes. I had a 2015 model 60 Ah i3 BEV until last Christmas and collected a 120 Ah i3s BEV on Christmas Eve (there is no REX on the 120 Ah version).
The first i3 I had proved to me that for 95% of the time, the range isn't an issue. Having double the range of the i3s has quashed any anxiety completely.
Observations in the first 40 miles -
1) Suite interior is far nicer than the standard one in my old i3.
2) iDrive improvements are great
3) I like the s model looks - a wider stance and a bit lower.
4) Stability on the motorway is loads better than before. My old one was quite nervous and prone to crosswinds, the new one feels solid in comparison, still tall but much more stable.
5) Steering on the new one is notably heavier. I remember the old on being really light. It still doesn't self-center very much though so takes a while to get used to.
6) Sport mode does make it very sensitive to the throttle
7) Traction control and regen are far better. Regen on the original version was great but easily upset with bumpy roads - fine when you got used to the regen backing off as you went over a hump and the alarming sense of runaway (which was only brief, but pretty noticeable). The new one is imperceptible and far more confidence inspiring.
8) Range obviously far better. Collected it with 175 miles showing on the range, but this was with everything off. Heating on and it was about 140 miles and so far not dipped below 100 miles and that's at below zero temperatures. The previous one barely touched 100 miles at absolute full charge and in hot summer weather. For me, that range covers 99% of the journey's I'll make. Any proper long distance trips and we'll take the other car.
The first i3 I had proved to me that for 95% of the time, the range isn't an issue. Having double the range of the i3s has quashed any anxiety completely.
Observations in the first 40 miles -
1) Suite interior is far nicer than the standard one in my old i3.
2) iDrive improvements are great
3) I like the s model looks - a wider stance and a bit lower.
4) Stability on the motorway is loads better than before. My old one was quite nervous and prone to crosswinds, the new one feels solid in comparison, still tall but much more stable.
5) Steering on the new one is notably heavier. I remember the old on being really light. It still doesn't self-center very much though so takes a while to get used to.
6) Sport mode does make it very sensitive to the throttle
7) Traction control and regen are far better. Regen on the original version was great but easily upset with bumpy roads - fine when you got used to the regen backing off as you went over a hump and the alarming sense of runaway (which was only brief, but pretty noticeable). The new one is imperceptible and far more confidence inspiring.
8) Range obviously far better. Collected it with 175 miles showing on the range, but this was with everything off. Heating on and it was about 140 miles and so far not dipped below 100 miles and that's at below zero temperatures. The previous one barely touched 100 miles at absolute full charge and in hot summer weather. For me, that range covers 99% of the journey's I'll make. Any proper long distance trips and we'll take the other car.
biggles330d said:
Yes. I had a 2015 model 60 Ah i3 BEV until last Christmas and collected a 120 Ah i3s BEV on Christmas Eve (there is no REX on the 120 Ah version).
Interesting stuff. You must be one of the first people in the UK with the 120ah version. I'd be interested to know how the performance compares with your older version?
Possibly, I didn't get the 94 Ah earlier in the year as there were plenty of rumors that a greater capacity one was on its way so I was hanging on until it was announced and ordered it at the end of October. Unfortunately, 24 hours after DfT pulled the rug under the £4500 grant and reduced it to £3500.
EddieSteadyGo said:
biggles330d said:
Yes. I had a 2015 model 60 Ah i3 BEV until last Christmas and collected a 120 Ah i3s BEV on Christmas Eve (there is no REX on the 120 Ah version).
Interesting stuff. You must be one of the first people in the UK with the 120ah version. I'd be interested to know how the performance compares with your older version?
Max_Torque said:
Does the 120aH have battery modules under the rear floor? My BeV has a huge gap where the ReX would fit, and i think you could probably get 2 or maybe even 3 modules in that space!
I think the space may be used for the BEV cabin heater option. It did on the previous models. Ilovejapcrap said:
whats REX and whats BEV ?
Rex - Range Extender: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_i3#Range_extende...BEV - Battety Electric Vehicle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_electric_veh...
(i.e. a 'pure' electric car with no ICE/hybrid aspect at all)
...and that's just the tip of the iceberg:
https://driveev.net/2015/11/10/glossary-of-ev-term...
Max_Torque said:
We bought our i3 just over two years ago, and it's been brilliant. Cost buttons to run, and has actually appreciated over those two years. As a result, our diesel car just isn't being driven. So, i'm looking at three options:
1) replace derv and i3 with probably a Tesla. Obviously a different league in terms of perf and range compared to i3. but a bit, er, boring....
2) replace derv with a "toy car" for the weekends, and replace i3 with a big battery model (current i3 is BeV with smallest battery)
Option 2 is looking the most interesting, so i was wondering if it is worth the (significant) extra cash to step up to the i3s? Has anyone gone this way, from i3 to i3s and what did you find?
(One far field option is to modify the current i3, with afternarket wheels / suspension, and fit the bigger battery from a crashed big battery i3. This would actually not be that expensive, and i'd probably keep the existing i3 battery to power the house.......)
I've not changed from the i3 to i3s but have recently bought an i3s. I'm not sure where you're based but the EV Experience Centre in Milton Keynes will hire you an i3s for either 4 or 7 days for £50 and £75 respectively.1) replace derv and i3 with probably a Tesla. Obviously a different league in terms of perf and range compared to i3. but a bit, er, boring....
2) replace derv with a "toy car" for the weekends, and replace i3 with a big battery model (current i3 is BeV with smallest battery)
Option 2 is looking the most interesting, so i was wondering if it is worth the (significant) extra cash to step up to the i3s? Has anyone gone this way, from i3 to i3s and what did you find?
(One far field option is to modify the current i3, with afternarket wheels / suspension, and fit the bigger battery from a crashed big battery i3. This would actually not be that expensive, and i'd probably keep the existing i3 battery to power the house.......)
Prior to purchasing I hired an i3 BEV for 4 days and was really impressed. I then took an i3s Rex out for a 48 hour test drive. I think an i3s BEV would be much better (both weight and handling wise) but the Rex was noticably more composed. Not that the i3 is bad by any stretch but it just feels more planted and stable round bends. The i3 is no slouch but the increase in acceleration is noticable and I'd imagine the BEV is more noticable still.
Other things I noticed was that the 2017 i3 had the old headlights whereas the new model has LED's, which are a massive improvement IMO. The larger SAT nav screen is also standard now so is a nice touch.
I really wanted the 120Ah BEV but opted for one of the run out i3s Rex's due to my work requiring relatively frequent long journeys.
Re: the far field option I'm hoping Lion Smart hurry up with their battery development as I too would like to rip out the old batteries and power the house. The TESLA solution is very appealing but is currently so expensive it'd take forever to recoup the cost.
Anyway, good luck with the decision. Nice problem to have but personally I'd miss the i3 it's such a cracking little car.
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