High mileage/old BMW i3
Discussion
I didn’t really take to these when new but now they seem quite appealing for a commute, plus there are loads 12-20k price bracket.
Any experience or horrors?
The batteries will not be “as new” and perhaps down to 85-90% - but I’m also seeing they have plenty of life and not about to need replacement - plus the main capacity degradation occurs from new them slows.
A black i3s looks quite tempting (I realise these are newer)
Any experience or horrors?
The batteries will not be “as new” and perhaps down to 85-90% - but I’m also seeing they have plenty of life and not about to need replacement - plus the main capacity degradation occurs from new them slows.
A black i3s looks quite tempting (I realise these are newer)
I originally thought that “I wish they’d do a proper eg electric fast 3er touring replacement” (which I would still like to see), but given the (a bit disappointing) reality of the i4 it has made me look at the quirky i3 in a new light.
Could do with a guide to the different models - I think there was a range extender with an engine. I’d probably only need the pure battery version, the engine version just more to
go wrong?
Could do with a guide to the different models - I think there was a range extender with an engine. I’d probably only need the pure battery version, the engine version just more to
go wrong?
BMW labour rates are high as you’d expect - so a good HEVRA independent would be a prudent way to keep costs down.
The range extender engine is the most common source of problems so if you don’t need it to make the shorter range BEVs viable, don’t bother.
If the air conditioning doesn’t work, walk away. It’s an important part of the battery cooling system and shouldn’t be ignored like you might with other used cars that are getting on a bit. It can be repaired (usually a rotten condenser) but you’ve no idea how long it’s been broken for etc.
The range extender engine is the most common source of problems so if you don’t need it to make the shorter range BEVs viable, don’t bother.
If the air conditioning doesn’t work, walk away. It’s an important part of the battery cooling system and shouldn’t be ignored like you might with other used cars that are getting on a bit. It can be repaired (usually a rotten condenser) but you’ve no idea how long it’s been broken for etc.
You have not really said what your daily use would be. While funky can be lovely things like doors and kids may not be. If it meets your needs and your looking for something different then the battery has an 8years warranty. If you allow for winter battery size, and old age (the car that is) then all good should be good.
There is a comprehensive set of info here
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JfI1KKCo5w...
I always regarded the I3 as being a bit too weird until i tried one, I then went straight out and bought an I3S. You largely get what you pay for as the later bigger battery cars have significant improvements over the early ones. The big decision is whether to go for the pure battery BEV or the range extender REX. Many people like the REX for the lack of anxiety but it introduces a whole set of potential failures. As with any sophisticated car a major failure outside warranty can be hugely expensive but they seem to last well and there are plenty old and newer ones over 100k miles.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JfI1KKCo5w...
I always regarded the I3 as being a bit too weird until i tried one, I then went straight out and bought an I3S. You largely get what you pay for as the later bigger battery cars have significant improvements over the early ones. The big decision is whether to go for the pure battery BEV or the range extender REX. Many people like the REX for the lack of anxiety but it introduces a whole set of potential failures. As with any sophisticated car a major failure outside warranty can be hugely expensive but they seem to last well and there are plenty old and newer ones over 100k miles.
ashenfie said:
You have not really said what your daily use would be. While funky can be lovely things like doors and kids may not be. If it meets your needs and your looking for something different then the battery has an 8years warranty. If you allow for winter battery size, and old age (the car that is) then all good should be good.
This would really be for a 3-5 day/week daily commute of 15miles (30 miles there and back). I'd keep the current petrol wagon for longer journeys. Also have a (diesel) campervan that can be used for bigger loads. I also have an old classic garage queen which can be called upon when required.
Perhaps in time I could swap both the i3s and petrol wagon for a Taycan sport cross turismo but it will be a while before they are in budget, sadly.
With a I3S I'd save about £1000 in fuel costs commuting if I charged it at 7.5p. I've just realised Bulb are offering a similar EV tariff - 9.3p for 4 hrs, whilst the day rate is only 32p.
I need to get a home battery really - running the house on that 9.3p rate for the day via a 9kWh battery (i.e. charge it up every night at 9.3p) would save me nearly £800/year. Batteries are not cheap but payback still only 5-6 years (or less if elec day rates go mad).
For me it is not so much about saving money, more the need to cut energy use and start to migrate towards efficient electricity use - also linked to better home insulation, ~10kWh solar, underfloor/heat pump and leaving gas altogether. That size of solar array would charge the home battery for 8-9 months of the year too (roof is almost perfectly south facing, luckily) - so for maybe 4-6 months of the year the house and the car are charged for free. I think. On snag is now can't get anyone to supply/fit it!
I've had an I3S from new, 3 years old just hit 52000 miles. No issues with range or reliability.
Performance is rather nice, range (and mines the one with the longest range 160 miles or so) isn't quite enough for me.
Fuel costs are minimal (Octopus Go at current overnight rate =£2.10 for a full charge). Obviously I am aware it will not be like this for ever.....
I'm changing mine for something a little bigger and with longer range but the I3 has absolutely converted me to Evs.
If you can charge at home and your trips are usually within the cars daily range then its a real positive experience.
Check the different models the original ones have small batteries and cannot rapid charge (which may or may not be an issue).
Bestoluck
Performance is rather nice, range (and mines the one with the longest range 160 miles or so) isn't quite enough for me.
Fuel costs are minimal (Octopus Go at current overnight rate =£2.10 for a full charge). Obviously I am aware it will not be like this for ever.....
I'm changing mine for something a little bigger and with longer range but the I3 has absolutely converted me to Evs.
If you can charge at home and your trips are usually within the cars daily range then its a real positive experience.
Check the different models the original ones have small batteries and cannot rapid charge (which may or may not be an issue).
Bestoluck
rugbyleague said:
just read to the bottom of your post about solar,
I have solar but its quite difficult to have the car available and the sun producing enough energy to regularly charge using panels.
For me charge your car cheaply overnight and power your batteries.
I was wondering about the excess generation for the sunnier months. I have solar but its quite difficult to have the car available and the sun producing enough energy to regularly charge using panels.
For me charge your car cheaply overnight and power your batteries.
A 30 mile trip in an i3S uses what - about 7-8kWh?
The house load will be approx 8kWh (ex heating), so the overall daily need might be 15kWh - for the days I commute. This might only be 3-4 days/7, hence averaging at may 12-13kWh day need. A big enough home battery might cover this for maybe 6 months of the year? I don’t need to top up the car everyday and when it is sat at home all day should get a good dose of solar.
Need to do some more maths perhaps!
Edited by TDK-C60 on Sunday 11th September 13:42
TDK-C60 said:
rugbyleague said:
just read to the bottom of your post about solar,
I have solar but its quite difficult to have the car available and the sun producing enough energy to regularly charge using panels.
For me charge your car cheaply overnight and power your batteries.
I was wondering about the excess generation for the sunnier months. I have solar but its quite difficult to have the car available and the sun producing enough energy to regularly charge using panels.
For me charge your car cheaply overnight and power your batteries.
A 30 mile trip in an i3S uses what - about 7-8kWh?
The house load will be approx 8kWh (ex heating), so the overall daily need might be 15kWh - for the days I commute. This might only be 3-4 days/7, hence averaging at may 12-13kWh day need. A big enough home battery might cover this for maybe 6 months of the year? I don’t need to top up the car everyday and when it is sat at home all day should get a good dose of solar.
Need to do some more maths perhaps!
Edited by TDK-C60 on Sunday 11th September 13:42
The home battery & inverter will last 10 years or less as it's running a lot more intensely (24/7) compared to your car battery or solar inverter.
Hope the low night tariffs last, as many are getting their spreadsheet profit calculations for buying an EV turn to shreds in EU countries at this time.
I have today bought a second hand i3 60Ah REX (15 plate). It has 36k miles on it, and seems a neat and tidy example.
It was well specced
- sunroof
- Heated Leather Interior
- Front and rear sensors (camera and self parking)
- pro nav (larger screen + previous owner fitted a CarPlay box)
- Cruise Control
- DC rapid charging
I paid £14900 including the CarPlay box being left in.
My 115 mile journey home through Bristol and home up the M5 went well. The car was fully charged and fuelled when I left. I drove at normal motor way speeds (mainly sat at 70mph on cruise) and arrived home with 52 miles of range left (20 petrol 30 battery).
I wasn’t hanging about, and was interested to see how I got on (silly really, as I’d already bought the thing).
The regen braking meant in the a roads I had actually gained range (was managing 5.5m/kw on sweeping B road driving). Motorway at 70 (and above) saw the range drop fairly consistently (ended up with an average of 4.2 kw/h).
Didn’t feel tired driving it, didn’t seem too skittish on the motorway as reviews have noted (I had normally been driving a golf gti, not a large lux barge).
Was impressed with it, and hope it saves me some money on my stop start commute (electricity from Octopus cheap evening tariff). I do a 30 mile per day commute 6 days per week
Not sure I’d have one without heated seats and rapid charging. Long journeys makes rapid charge useful (0-80% in half an hour vs 3 1/2 hours), and heating the cabin in winter can kill range
HTH
It was well specced
- sunroof
- Heated Leather Interior
- Front and rear sensors (camera and self parking)
- pro nav (larger screen + previous owner fitted a CarPlay box)
- Cruise Control
- DC rapid charging
I paid £14900 including the CarPlay box being left in.
My 115 mile journey home through Bristol and home up the M5 went well. The car was fully charged and fuelled when I left. I drove at normal motor way speeds (mainly sat at 70mph on cruise) and arrived home with 52 miles of range left (20 petrol 30 battery).
I wasn’t hanging about, and was interested to see how I got on (silly really, as I’d already bought the thing).
The regen braking meant in the a roads I had actually gained range (was managing 5.5m/kw on sweeping B road driving). Motorway at 70 (and above) saw the range drop fairly consistently (ended up with an average of 4.2 kw/h).
Didn’t feel tired driving it, didn’t seem too skittish on the motorway as reviews have noted (I had normally been driving a golf gti, not a large lux barge).
Was impressed with it, and hope it saves me some money on my stop start commute (electricity from Octopus cheap evening tariff). I do a 30 mile per day commute 6 days per week
Not sure I’d have one without heated seats and rapid charging. Long journeys makes rapid charge useful (0-80% in half an hour vs 3 1/2 hours), and heating the cabin in winter can kill range
HTH
Maracus said:
iirc 18, 27 & 38 kWh usable batteries. (named 60, 94 & 120Ah). Assume ~4 miles/kW.
Thank you indeed.I note that the figures obtained by the poster above of 5.5 and 4.2 are prety good going
It was pretty difficult to get my Leaf to stay above 4 and i'm not sure i ever saw 5 average.M1C said:
Maracus said:
iirc 18, 27 & 38 kWh usable batteries. (named 60, 94 & 120Ah). Assume ~4 miles/kW.
Thank you indeed.I note that the figures obtained by the poster above of 5.5 and 4.2 are prety good going
It was pretty difficult to get my Leaf to stay above 4 and i'm not sure i ever saw 5 average.Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff