i3 buying guides and advice
Discussion
Hey Guys,
Been looking at these but not found any really decent buying guides, just some general stuff with not much detail beyond the main models.
One thing i'd like to know is which year the suspensions was revised and if that is a big improvement in ride? I tried a 2019 car which rode very well but her earlier cars are a bit stiff and bouncy?
Also are there any options that are good to have? Looking for a 94kwh model as need at least 100 miles autonomy but don't want the crappy quad bike extender..
Been looking at these but not found any really decent buying guides, just some general stuff with not much detail beyond the main models.
One thing i'd like to know is which year the suspensions was revised and if that is a big improvement in ride? I tried a 2019 car which rode very well but her earlier cars are a bit stiff and bouncy?
Also are there any options that are good to have? Looking for a 94kwh model as need at least 100 miles autonomy but don't want the crappy quad bike extender..
jackpe said:
Hey Guys,
Been looking at these but not found any really decent buying guides, just some general stuff with not much detail beyond the main models.
One thing i'd like to know is which year the suspensions was revised and if that is a big improvement in ride? I tried a 2019 car which rode very well but her earlier cars are a bit stiff and bouncy?
Also are there any options that are good to have? Looking for a 94kwh model as need at least 100 miles autonomy but don't want the crappy quad bike extender..
I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the i3 and it is one of my favourite cars, not just EVs, but of all cars. I have driven the standard car, and the i3S and I would suggest that the ride quality in the “S” isn’t the best. It’s just a bit fidgety and “jiggly” (for want of a better word) and the standard car rides better. There isn’t much of a trade-off in spec or power to be honest. I haven’t driven a Range Extender car however, so can’t comment on that.Been looking at these but not found any really decent buying guides, just some general stuff with not much detail beyond the main models.
One thing i'd like to know is which year the suspensions was revised and if that is a big improvement in ride? I tried a 2019 car which rode very well but her earlier cars are a bit stiff and bouncy?
Also are there any options that are good to have? Looking for a 94kwh model as need at least 100 miles autonomy but don't want the crappy quad bike extender..
As I have just come back from the PH Naughty step for mentioning my magazine/channel, I can’t direct you to mine I’m afraid, but happy to try and answer any questions on here or via PM.
MrB. said:
I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the i3 and it is one of my favourite cars, not just EVs, but of all cars. I have driven the standard car, and the i3S and I would suggest that the ride quality in the “S” isn’t the best. It’s just a bit fidgety and “jiggly” (for want of a better word) and the standard car rides better. There isn’t much of a trade-off in spec or power to be honest. I haven’t driven a Range Extender car however, so can’t comment on that.
As I have just come back from the PH Naughty step for mentioning my magazine/channel, I can’t direct you to mine I’m afraid, but happy to try and answer any questions on here or via PM.
What year are the i3's you're referring to?As I have just come back from the PH Naughty step for mentioning my magazine/channel, I can’t direct you to mine I’m afraid, but happy to try and answer any questions on here or via PM.
And i feel you on the youtube thing.. happened to me as well when i first started mine.
jackpe said:
One thing i'd like to know is which year the suspensions was revised and if that is a big improvement in ride? I tried a 2019 car which rode very well but her earlier cars are a bit stiff and bouncy?
Mine's a 66 plate on 19in wheels and the ride is fine. Of course it's no S class but it's similar to any other comparable sized hatch. Only thing I will say is that it's a little unnerving in high crosswinds.jackpe said:
Also are there any options that are good to have? Looking for a 94kwh model as need at least 100 miles autonomy but don't want the crappy quad bike extender..
Good luck finding one, I was after a 94 BEV (battery only) but didn't find one in a spec I wanted so ended up with a 94 REx. It still has the petrol in it from when I bought it 5 months ago...Personally, the wide screen nav, LED headlights, suite interior, HK audio, non streamline wheels were must haves. Sunroof and reversing camera are nice but not essential, all IMO.
As mentioned above, “bmw i3 uk” Facebook group is pretty knowledgeable, or you could try speakev website if you don’t like Facebook.
As for the suspension, I wasn’t aware it had changed other than the i3s model getting a sportier setup, but I’m no expert on the intricacies
Moderator edit: no advertising links please.
As for the suspension, I wasn’t aware it had changed other than the i3s model getting a sportier setup, but I’m no expert on the intricacies
Edited by Heres Johnny on Tuesday 10th March 20:57
Moderator edit: no advertising links please.
Edited by jeremyc on Wednesday 11th March 08:20
Hi, I had a 65 plate i3 BEV for two years / 10,000 miles. Range wise, it was the first version so I never got more than 75-80 miles, and in winter it was often 60-70 mile range but honestly only ever got caught on the limit of range about twice. In Scotland there are loads of public chargers (free), so you soon get in the habit of seeking them out and just plugging in while in town / cinema / work etc. I also have a charger on the drive, so every morning it was fully charged.
The ride was bouncy and it was prone to cross winds on the motorway etc with narrow tyres and 19 inch wheels. I recall the original standard headlights were terrible too, but I think the LED's are now standard and are much better.
But, it was great fun so when it went back I waited and got a 68 plate i3s BEV - the 120version - double the capacity of my first one.
Range is easily double. I've seen 175m on the range-o-metre, but even in this cold weather when full its showing 145-150 miles and I have no issues running around with heating up to 20, heated seats on, lights, wipers. In 14 months I've not once got close to range anxiety.
In my view, the lower/wider arrangement of the s version is well worth it. It's still a fairly firm ride on 20 inch and wider wheels (I think I'd rather have 19's to be honest if they'd have had that as an option with the wider tyre) and a bit bouncy, but far far more stable on motorways and general driving around. The software is also much improved, especially the regen braking. On the first one it was seamless in most conditions, but over bumpy ground could get caught out with an alarming sense of the braking backing off if you weren't also on the brake pedal (you quickly get used to one-pedal driving and barely using the brakes in normal driving). The i3s has completely got rid of this sensation as the electronics must be working far faster. They are still a bit twitchy on ice, but no worse than any other rwd car.
I think its brilliant and fully intend keeping mine. Lots of the more recent EV's are either just too big to accommodate a vast battery that, for me, I've found you don't need the extra mass and range for 95% of the time, or are just electrified versions of regular ICE models so dull to look at. Maybe the next few generations of EV's will free up the designers minds around the packaging potential around an EV powertrain, but until them my i3s is a keeper.
The ride was bouncy and it was prone to cross winds on the motorway etc with narrow tyres and 19 inch wheels. I recall the original standard headlights were terrible too, but I think the LED's are now standard and are much better.
But, it was great fun so when it went back I waited and got a 68 plate i3s BEV - the 120version - double the capacity of my first one.
Range is easily double. I've seen 175m on the range-o-metre, but even in this cold weather when full its showing 145-150 miles and I have no issues running around with heating up to 20, heated seats on, lights, wipers. In 14 months I've not once got close to range anxiety.
In my view, the lower/wider arrangement of the s version is well worth it. It's still a fairly firm ride on 20 inch and wider wheels (I think I'd rather have 19's to be honest if they'd have had that as an option with the wider tyre) and a bit bouncy, but far far more stable on motorways and general driving around. The software is also much improved, especially the regen braking. On the first one it was seamless in most conditions, but over bumpy ground could get caught out with an alarming sense of the braking backing off if you weren't also on the brake pedal (you quickly get used to one-pedal driving and barely using the brakes in normal driving). The i3s has completely got rid of this sensation as the electronics must be working far faster. They are still a bit twitchy on ice, but no worse than any other rwd car.
I think its brilliant and fully intend keeping mine. Lots of the more recent EV's are either just too big to accommodate a vast battery that, for me, I've found you don't need the extra mass and range for 95% of the time, or are just electrified versions of regular ICE models so dull to look at. Maybe the next few generations of EV's will free up the designers minds around the packaging potential around an EV powertrain, but until them my i3s is a keeper.
Edited by biggles330d on Wednesday 11th March 09:33
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