BMW I3 donor car
Discussion
Just wondering if the I3 would be a good base vehicle for a relatively straightforward electric kit car base as it appears to have a separate chassis that the bodywork sits on.
I want to to embrace the electric car as a donor but fear I will probably be too old if I wait for prices of current electric convertion kits to come down in price. The single donor route would ensure that all parts worked together and maybe one could be picked up cheaply if it had damage to the carbon fibre bits?
I want to to embrace the electric car as a donor but fear I will probably be too old if I wait for prices of current electric convertion kits to come down in price. The single donor route would ensure that all parts worked together and maybe one could be picked up cheaply if it had damage to the carbon fibre bits?
A relative has an i3 and given his engineering history, I bought him a copy of the Munro & Associates analysis of the i3.....so I just had a quick look at it.
The chassis is very flimsy and relies on the considerable strength of the CF monocoque tub that comprises the body of the car. Any kit based on that chassis would need to provide that missing strength. Hard to manage how it could do that any lighter than the OEM tub, so you'd be looking at a weaker or heavier (and probably both) end product. I won't argue it probably wouldn't be prettier though!! The i3 looks great....from the inside.
Interesting idea, but a significant challenge I think. Not sure how you'd navigate the whole IVA minefield with it either. They will only test EVs with type approval at the moment, unless they are less than 50V motive power batteries. That 'might' allow for type approved EV systems put in a different body, but you'd want to make darn sure before you started.
p.s. If you are serious, grab copy of that report, it goes into the most exquisite (or perhaps excruciating) details of every single part of the car. Don;t know if it's still on offer, but they were selling it off cheap a while back. $10 I think it was.
The chassis is very flimsy and relies on the considerable strength of the CF monocoque tub that comprises the body of the car. Any kit based on that chassis would need to provide that missing strength. Hard to manage how it could do that any lighter than the OEM tub, so you'd be looking at a weaker or heavier (and probably both) end product. I won't argue it probably wouldn't be prettier though!! The i3 looks great....from the inside.
Interesting idea, but a significant challenge I think. Not sure how you'd navigate the whole IVA minefield with it either. They will only test EVs with type approval at the moment, unless they are less than 50V motive power batteries. That 'might' allow for type approved EV systems put in a different body, but you'd want to make darn sure before you started.
p.s. If you are serious, grab copy of that report, it goes into the most exquisite (or perhaps excruciating) details of every single part of the car. Don;t know if it's still on offer, but they were selling it off cheap a while back. $10 I think it was.
That approach sounds good, and please don’t think I’m trying to discourage you from giving it a go! Fascinating idea….but way more daunting/challenging than the MEV approach given the horrendous complexity of an i3 compared to an NA MX5!
The Munro report was one of their usual costing analysis type of things, not a ‘workshop manual’, but does contain masses of general information on the car. If you can get a copy at the $10 I paid, it’s well worth it just for the pictures.
The Munro report was one of their usual costing analysis type of things, not a ‘workshop manual’, but does contain masses of general information on the car. If you can get a copy at the $10 I paid, it’s well worth it just for the pictures.
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