Goodbye i3 production, it's been emotional.

[Beaver]

Big Nanas said:

Has it been officially confirmed that production is ending?
All I can find is a slightly older rumour that it will continue in production units 2024, but other reports suggest this summer will see its demise.

I've had my (from new) i3s for nearly a year, and absolutely adore it. Nothing has gone wrong, and it makes me smile whenever I drive it.

I was hoping to get another new one after my three year lease ends in 2023 (with more equipment this time)...

My I3S (what a great car) lease expires in April, but can still order a new one for October delivery so producton not ended yet.
It's been briliant and I haven't found a better alternative for my needs, nearly went for an ID3 but the interior is spectacularly poor.

Only other alternative is the Cupra Born (yes I know it's an ID3 base).

I3S is my work chariot and it's been supremely practical and reliable.

[Ultuous]

I got handed one to use the for the day when I took my car in for MOT last month - have to say I was half intrigued, half disappointed when they pointed me to it - didn't think it was my type of car at all but was seriously impressed by it, particularly with the drive train!

Edited by Ultuous on Saturday 29th January 12:47

[Fusion777]

These remind me a bit of a modern Audi A2. Quirky, above-average levels of engineering R&D to develop and produce, probably not very profitable and seen by the manufacturers as more of a statement than a genuine intent to conquer a sector and make lots of money.

Both good cars for their relative sectors that ticked lots of boxes, but ultimately were never smash hits, and ahead of their time. The biggest shame is that BMW didn't capitalise on the early lead they had in the electric sector. I don't think it will harm them too much in the long run, but we should have had the electric 3/4/5 series years ago.

[jwilco]

PH User said:

Yeah I also look like an ugly little car.

What an odd choice of come back. Maybe stick with the "if you were a car enthusiast" ones.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Confirmed by bmw yesterday-production ends in July.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2022/01/28/bmw-i3-producti...

[kambites]

Funny isn't it, to think that there was a time when BMW were something of a pioneer in EVs.

[Jonny_]

One of a very small number of modern BMWs that I find interesting. Shame the bloody things hold their value so well!

[anonymous-user]

What is the replacement for this going to be, I've never been in the market for an i3 but have always found them to be interesting little things. Its not being replaced by a crossover is it?

[ChocolateFrog]

I've admired them from afar. They've definitely got a place in automotive history.

There was a sweet spot about 5 years ago where you could buy virtually new ones for about 15k because no one wanted them.

They're still that price now with 50000+ more miles on.

[ChocolateFrog]

MonkeyMatt said:

What is the replacement for this going to be, I've never been in the market for an i3 but have always found them to be interesting little things. Its not being replaced by a crossover is it?

The horrendously mainstream iX3 and iX4 I think

[anonymous-user]

ChocolateFrog said:

MonkeyMatt said:

What is the replacement for this going to be, I've never been in the market for an i3 but have always found them to be interesting little things. Its not being replaced by a crossover is it?

The horrendously mainstream iX3 and iX4 I think

Thought that might be that case, its a shame when quirky cars don't get replaced, a bit like with the Skoda Yeti

[ChocolateFrog]

MonkeyMatt said:

ChocolateFrog said:

MonkeyMatt said:

What is the replacement for this going to be, I've never been in the market for an i3 but have always found them to be interesting little things. Its not being replaced by a crossover is it?

The horrendously mainstream iX3 and iX4 I think

Thought that might be that case, its a shame when quirky cars don't get replaced, a bit like with the Skoda Yeti

Yes there's lots of examples, the A2 already mentioned, mk1 Honda Insight.

[anonymous-user]

Some of my favourite cars

[CanAm]

Jonny_ said:

One of a very small number of modern BMWs that I find interesting. Shame the bloody things hold their value so well!

Just had a look in the PH Classifieds. Cheapest from £14k upwards for cars coming up to 8 years old. What is the likely battery life, and how much is a replacement?

[SWoll]

CanAm said:

Jonny_ said:

One of a very small number of modern BMWs that I find interesting. Shame the bloody things hold their value so well!

Just had a look in the PH Classifieds. Cheapest from £14k upwards for cars coming up to 8 years old. What is the likely battery life, and how much is a replacement?

Life will vary hugely by usage. Regular 50kW or 0-100% charging will reduce life significantly compared to a car of higher mileage that has been charged on a granny or 7kW charger every night from 30-80%.

No idea on cost, but considering the 120ah cars have a range of 150-180 miles when new plenty of people could cope with 50% degradation without any issues anyway for a city car? I can count on one hand the number of times ours had to do a trip further than 75 miles in the 12 months we had it.

[DonkeyApple]

ChocolateFrog said:

I've admired them from afar. They've definitely got a place in automotive history.

There was a sweet spot about 5 years ago where you could buy virtually new ones for about 15k because no one wanted them.

They're still that price now with 50000+ more miles on.

Plenty around the £20k mark coming off their first lease, like those £15k ones though. Arguably the 2018 cars are much better vehicles than those coming off leases 5 years ago. Plus, given how much the printers have devalued the GBP over the last 5 years they're arguably cheaper today at 3 years old than back then. And you e got the current chip shortage inflation being applied.

I think the only thing to consider with these would be the likely cost of battery updating at some point 5-10 years from used purchase as these cars should last decades.

I'm looking at them as my local hack but in 7/8 years time being the car the kids use. They aren't going to rust and are a hoot to drive without the performance issue of sending a new driver into a tree etc.

[SWoll]

DonkeyApple said:

ChocolateFrog said:

I've admired them from afar. They've definitely got a place in automotive history.

There was a sweet spot about 5 years ago where you could buy virtually new ones for about 15k because no one wanted them.

They're still that price now with 50000+ more miles on.

Plenty around the £20k mark coming off their first lease, like those £15k ones though. Arguably the 2018 cars are much better vehicles than those coming off leases 5 years ago. Plus, given how much the printers have devalued the GBP over the last 5 years they're arguably cheaper today at 3 years old than back then. And you e got the current chip shortage inflation being applied.

I think the only thing to consider with these would be the likely cost of battery updating at some point 5-10 years from used purchase as these cars should last decades.

I'm looking at them as my local hack but in 7/8 years time being the car the kids use. They aren't going to rust and are a hoot to drive without the performance issue of sending a new driver into a tree etc.

They're nippier than the numbers would suggest as do run out of puff fairly quickly above 50 but are exceptionally easy to drive so great for a youngster. I'm of exactly he same mind, buy one lightly used and should get a pain free decade out of it with care taken over charging.

[DonkeyApple]

SWoll said:

They're nippier than the numbers would suggest as do run out of puff fairly quickly above 50 but are exceptionally easy to drive so great for a youngster. I'm of exactly he same mind, buy one lightly used and should get a pain free decade out of it with care taken over charging.

I'm just undecided as to whether to go Rex or full EV. In theory, it wouldn't be the car chosen for any journey that would require stopping for a charge or changing one's driving style but I enjoyed driving it enough to consider the Rex version so it could be used for the fortnightly London commute without any hassles.

[PH User]

jwilco said:

PH User said:

Yeah I also look like an ugly little car.

What an odd choice of come back. Maybe stick with the "if you were a car enthusiast" ones.

Thanks, but I prefer an odd come back.

[SWoll]

DonkeyApple said:

SWoll said:

They're nippier than the numbers would suggest as do run out of puff fairly quickly above 50 but are exceptionally easy to drive so great for a youngster. I'm of exactly he same mind, buy one lightly used and should get a pain free decade out of it with care taken over charging.

I'm just undecided as to whether to go Rex or full EV. In theory, it wouldn't be the car chosen for any journey that would require stopping for a charge or changing one's driving style but I enjoyed driving it enough to consider the Rex version so it could be used for the fortnightly London commute without any hassles.

Depends on your budget and how many longer trips you undertake. The newer 120ah BEV models will do 150-180 miles dependent on the time of year and although they will only accept 50kW the charge speeds aren't too bad as have a decent charge curve and are very efficient so each kW goes a long way.

As a long term ownership proposition I'd avoid the Rex personally. More maintenance, more complexity, more weight, worse to drive and worse battery only efficiency.

PH User said:

jwilco said:

PH User said:

Yeah I also look like an ugly little car.

What an odd choice of come back. Maybe stick with the "if you were a car enthusiast" ones.

Thanks, but I prefer an odd come back.

Has there ever been a thread where you contributions added value to the discussion?