Goodbye i3 production, it's been emotional.
Discussion
SWoll said:
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. 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.
2019 120Ah here, The skinny tyres flat easily, the rear doors are a pain in a car park and require a kissing-gate style egress for the children in the back. The Bluetooth connection never seems to work properly when I start the car and requires a lot of fiddling to get my podcasts going and there is a lot of wind noise above 50mph thanks to the reduced sound deadening to keep the weight down.
But, it is one of the best cars I've owned. I hated the styling when they were first launched, but I really enjoy driving it in a way that I haven't with many other ICE cars we've had. I agree it will be remembered as an iconic design as time goes on, a real concept car which accidentally made production. It is my first, and judging by their current /near-future offerings, probably the only BMW I will own.
We are currently considering changing it as the children are now on a school bus so it is rarely used, but I really fancy just sticking it in my barn and leaving it as a future classic. Not sure how the batteries would hold up to long-term storage though.
But, it is one of the best cars I've owned. I hated the styling when they were first launched, but I really enjoy driving it in a way that I haven't with many other ICE cars we've had. I agree it will be remembered as an iconic design as time goes on, a real concept car which accidentally made production. It is my first, and judging by their current /near-future offerings, probably the only BMW I will own.
We are currently considering changing it as the children are now on a school bus so it is rarely used, but I really fancy just sticking it in my barn and leaving it as a future classic. Not sure how the batteries would hold up to long-term storage though.
DonkeyApple said:
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.
I had the same debate at one point but then decided the REX was a compromise on the car to try and head off range anxiety. As it happens where I live every journey will include doing 60 on country roads and the car seems much more suited to more urban settings, speeds up to 50 (the car can easily go faster but it’s moving out of its sweet spot) and better roads so I opted against getting one, but it’s a car that still catches my eye whenever I see one. SWoll said:
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. 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.
Maintenance? Mmm, a little harsh. In nearly 2 years of ownership it’s been marginal. We had the yearly engine service a couple of months ago and it was $125 in total. Yes, there can be some additional costs, but it’s really not that much.
Where we are, there are no charging stations for 30 miles. Shouldn’t matter as we can charge at home, but it does extend its usable range nicely and makes it a little more usable. But the important thing to note is that it doesn’t just extend the range how you might think. Depending on what driving you will be doing, it will maintain the charge status. Drive at over 70 consistently though, and the range will drop, even with the Rex on. So you can just use the battery and then go further on the Rex, but it makes more sense to keep the charge higher with the Rex and then fill up when needed. A little different, but once you get it, it makes sense. The Rex adds around 60-70 miles in the real world by the way.
If your use case fits into the Rex, great. But it’s a specific couple of situations. If you can, go for the 120ah version, but they do have a premium. But steer clear of the 60ah version as it’s really limited on range.
off_again said:
92ah Rex owner here and I would agree on the points here. It really comes down to your use case. The Rex does change the balance slightly and the ride is a little different. But for most of the time driving it, you won’t notice - I.e. city driving.
Maintenance? Mmm, a little harsh. In nearly 2 years of ownership it’s been marginal. We had the yearly engine service a couple of months ago and it was $125 in total. Yes, there can be some additional costs, but it’s really not that much.
Where we are, there are no charging stations for 30 miles. Shouldn’t matter as we can charge at home, but it does extend its usable range nicely and makes it a little more usable. But the important thing to note is that it doesn’t just extend the range how you might think. Depending on what driving you will be doing, it will maintain the charge status. Drive at over 70 consistently though, and the range will drop, even with the Rex on. So you can just use the battery and then go further on the Rex, but it makes more sense to keep the charge higher with the Rex and then fill up when needed. A little different, but once you get it, it makes sense. The Rex adds around 60-70 miles in the real world by the way.
If your use case fits into the Rex, great. But it’s a specific couple of situations. If you can, go for the 120ah version, but they do have a premium. But steer clear of the 60ah version as it’s really limited on range.
My comment was more as a long term prospect. Over 10 years l I'd expect the Rex to be considerably more problematic/expensive to run than the BEV?Maintenance? Mmm, a little harsh. In nearly 2 years of ownership it’s been marginal. We had the yearly engine service a couple of months ago and it was $125 in total. Yes, there can be some additional costs, but it’s really not that much.
Where we are, there are no charging stations for 30 miles. Shouldn’t matter as we can charge at home, but it does extend its usable range nicely and makes it a little more usable. But the important thing to note is that it doesn’t just extend the range how you might think. Depending on what driving you will be doing, it will maintain the charge status. Drive at over 70 consistently though, and the range will drop, even with the Rex on. So you can just use the battery and then go further on the Rex, but it makes more sense to keep the charge higher with the Rex and then fill up when needed. A little different, but once you get it, it makes sense. The Rex adds around 60-70 miles in the real world by the way.
If your use case fits into the Rex, great. But it’s a specific couple of situations. If you can, go for the 120ah version, but they do have a premium. But steer clear of the 60ah version as it’s really limited on range.
Heres Johnny said:
I had the same debate at one point but then decided the REX was a compromise on the car to try and head off range anxiety. As it happens where I live every journey will include doing 60 on country roads and the car seems much more suited to more urban settings, speeds up to 50 (the car can easily go faster but it’s moving out of its sweet spot) and better roads so I opted against getting one, but it’s a car that still catches my eye whenever I see one.
Yup. It's not range anxiety as I wouldn't ever put myself in the position to care one iota about that. It's hassle anxiety. I don't like hassle, or more relevantly, don't tolerate hassle. Nor do I see any sane logic in paying £20k to join the middle lane M40 hypermiling club which seems to require grey hair or a beard anyway. My driving is highly predictable in that it's either local stuff that a later i3 can easily cover with the pedal buried in the carpet or the 80 mile run to London. It's the latter which would be beneficial to do with an EV due to the freedom of movement that gives you inside London. The issue is that to use an i3 would require a bit of pre-planning as to where you'd park when there to get a chunk of charge. Conversely, the later Rex would just require a splash and dash on the way back having used the tank on the way there.
Pure EV makes a lot more sense on all fronts other than that run into Town.
DonkeyApple said:
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.
BEV is a better drive. The 120ah BEV would manage your 160 mile commute for most of the year without requring a charge. We did an airport trip in ours in September 2019. 160 mile trip with the car stationary for 7 days in the long stay car park. Managed it with about 15 miles remaining.
TBH I'm not sure you'll want to be driving on the motorway with the pedal buried in the i3 anyway. High speed stability, especially if there's a crosswind, is "interesting".
TBH I'm not sure you'll want to be driving on the motorway with the pedal buried in the i3 anyway. High speed stability, especially if there's a crosswind, is "interesting".
SWoll said:
The 120ah BEV would manage your 160 mile commute for most of the year without requring a charge. We did an airport trip in ours in September 2019. 160 mile trip with the car stationary for 7 days in the long stay car park. Managed it with about 15 miles remaining.
TBH I'm not sure you'll want to be driving on the motorway with the pedal buried in the i3 anyway. High speed stability, especially if there's a crosswind, is "interesting".
I took one down the M40 at Rangie Classic speeds and by comparison it seemed remarkably docile. TBH I'm not sure you'll want to be driving on the motorway with the pedal buried in the i3 anyway. High speed stability, especially if there's a crosswind, is "interesting".
160 is only achievable by allowing the car to dictate terms and still leaves nothing for random detours on a whim or moving around in Town etc so it's not something I would do.
The likely scenario is that I wouldn't use it for that drive unless refuelling was easily done while there. Having been keeping an eye on NCP chargers in Mayfair and Finsbury Sq I'm not convinced that's the case and I've not yet stumbled across a charging service where I can prebook and be guaranteed a zero issue event. By opting for the Rex I take back control by eliminating any form of reliance on random punters. Zero concern due petrol pumps being reliable.
This is where a Tesla's range scores really well but what makes the i3 desirable to me is also what makes the M3 undesirable. The i3 is happy to be thick as mince and doesn't cause any hassle wanting to talk to my house or fanny about with any gadgetry. It's weird how the i3 seems to be the closest thing to a classic car not just in the way it handles but in its near zero gadget interior and the fact that it isn't trying to guess anything but just sits there as the stupid lump that a car is.
Edited by DonkeyApple on Saturday 29th January 20:09
DonkeyApple said:
SWoll said:
The 120ah BEV would manage your 160 mile commute for most of the year without requring a charge. We did an airport trip in ours in September 2019. 160 mile trip with the car stationary for 7 days in the long stay car park. Managed it with about 15 miles remaining.
TBH I'm not sure you'll want to be driving on the motorway with the pedal buried in the i3 anyway. High speed stability, especially if there's a crosswind, is "interesting".
I took one down the M40 at Rangie Classic speeds and by comparison it seemed remarkably docile. TBH I'm not sure you'll want to be driving on the motorway with the pedal buried in the i3 anyway. High speed stability, especially if there's a crosswind, is "interesting".
160 is only achievable by allowing the car to dictate terms and still leaves nothing for random detours on a whim or moving around in Town etc so it's not something I would do.
The likely scenario is that I wouldn't use it for that drive unless refuelling was easily done while there. Having been keeping an eye on NCP chargers in Mayfair and Finsbury Sq I'm not convinced that's the case and I've not yet stumbled across a charging service where I can prebook and be guaranteed a zero issue event. By opting for the Rex I take back control by eliminating any form of reliance on random punters. Zero concern due petrol pumps being reliable.
This is where a Tesla's range scores really well but what makes the i3 desirable to me is also what makes the M3 undesirable. The i3 is happy to be thick as mince and doesn't cause any hassle wanting to talk to my house or fanny about with any gadgetry. It's weird how the i3 seems to be the closest thing to a classic car not just in the way it handles but in its near zero gadget interior and the fact that it isn't trying to guess anything but just sits there as the stupid lump that a car is.
Edited by DonkeyApple on Saturday 29th January 20:09
ETA - The 160 in the i3 was driving normally. I rarely travel above 75 on the motorway and during our time with it covered 15k miles so have a decent feel for it's range abilities. Almost 20k covered in the Model 3 also BTW, so feel qualified to comment.
Edited by SWoll on Saturday 29th January 21:37
SWoll said:
Having had both the i3 and Model 3, the Tesla is also incredibly easy to operate assuming you don't feel the urge to constantly fiddle with things whilst driving. Not sure what your comments about it talking to your house or fannying about with gadgetry refer to TBH. Stick your favorite radio station on, choose you destination on the sat nav, stick it in drive and go. As with most things in life it's as complicated as you allow it to be.
Not the ones I've tried. They trigger my deep seated annoyances. I spend all working day with tech. When I step away from the office I want nothing to do with the kind of tech that I find intrusive. I found the Tesla stuff to be akin to' Microsoft's paper clip. It just irritated me. The charm of the i3 was that it seems to have all the advantages of an electric drivetrain but without the crippling disease of fannying gadgetry. I love tech but tech that you don't even realise is there, the stuff that leaps at you like some self indulgent twerp at a media convention is best left elsewhere. I just found the Tesla stuff childish and needy.
DonkeyApple said:
SWoll said:
Having had both the i3 and Model 3, the Tesla is also incredibly easy to operate assuming you don't feel the urge to constantly fiddle with things whilst driving. Not sure what your comments about it talking to your house or fannying about with gadgetry refer to TBH. Stick your favorite radio station on, choose you destination on the sat nav, stick it in drive and go. As with most things in life it's as complicated as you allow it to be.
Not the ones I've tried. They trigger my deep seated annoyances. I spend all working day with tech. When I step away from the office I want nothing to do with the kind of tech that I find intrusive. I found the Tesla stuff to be akin to' Microsoft's paper clip. It just irritated me. The charm of the i3 was that it seems to have all the advantages of an electric drivetrain but without the crippling disease of fannying gadgetry. I love tech but tech that you don't even realise is there, the stuff that leaps at you like some self indulgent twerp at a media convention is best left elsewhere. I just found the Tesla stuff childish and needy.
We bought a i3 in 2017 as the wife liked its 'cute' looks. I wasn't keen at all but it was primarily the wife's car went along with it. Over the three years we had it, it never put a foot wrong and if either of us went out we both prefer to take the i3. I don't a better city car has ever been built, put a smile on my face everytime I used it, and often embarrassed much faster cars off the lights.
We finally sold it as we thought we wanted something bigger but after 6 months decided we wanted another i3. Then Covid hit and prices rocketed so we are still looking. As much as we love them, the prices at the moment are bonkers and will probably continue to be so following this news
We finally sold it as we thought we wanted something bigger but after 6 months decided we wanted another i3. Then Covid hit and prices rocketed so we are still looking. As much as we love them, the prices at the moment are bonkers and will probably continue to be so following this news
DonkeyApple said:
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.
I had a full electric one for just over 3 years and for 95% of my use it was probably the best car i've ever had.got a nail in a tyre once and had to put windscreen washer in it. That was it.
But the very occasions i used it for a long run the experience was crap.
A rex would help that as you could just splash and dash.
SWoll said:
You get past that very quickly IME and realise there is very little you actually need to fiddle with on anything like a regular basis. Funnily enough, having to mess about in the iDrive menus of the i3 was more annoying long term I thought. Nowhere near as intuitive as the Tesla setup, especially for techie.
I'm sure but I don't actually recall using the idrive in previous BMWs. I've just bought them and used them as cars without programming anything. It's the one thing I can't stand. I found the Tesla's highly irritating as you'd did have to interact with a TV in order to use a car. On each occasion that I've used an i3, I simply sat behind the wheel, adjusted the mirrors and drive off. It's what I found so appealing, that someone still made a car that was a car not a device. And unlike other modern cars, it also didn't pull the wheel or make silly noises when driving along. It was remarkably unpatronising. SWoll said:
My comment was more as a long term prospect. Over 10 years l I'd expect the Rex to be considerably more problematic/expensive to run than the BEV?
That’s fair. I really dont know what the long term costs are. I think it should, and with a BMW thats up for debate, be ok. The engine is a Kymco unit so should be reliable and its also not running all of the time. Theory says that it should be fine….. but BMW doesn’t necessarily have the best reputation when it comes to unusual engines and configurations..
Wan't there a post to find the most degraded battery on the (excellent) facebook i3 owners group? I think the worst in the country was down at 93% for an old one with starship mileage.
I'm not an expert but it seems the way mostly unique way the i3 manages it's batteries means they last much longer-I know my local BMW dealership hadn't yet replaced a battery pack when I was buying mine in 2021.
I'm not an expert but it seems the way mostly unique way the i3 manages it's batteries means they last much longer-I know my local BMW dealership hadn't yet replaced a battery pack when I was buying mine in 2021.
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