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?
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!
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
Also been looking at the latest Mini e.
This appears to have the engine from the i3S and some tests show it hitting 60 in 6.6 secs and doing 170 miles on a charge (though not at the same time). This is the LCI 2022 car.
Doesn't have the cool design of the i3S mind, and the early cars looked a bit pants, though I do like the 3 pin alloys.
On balance a i3S still seems a better bet, but interesting.
This appears to have the engine from the i3S and some tests show it hitting 60 in 6.6 secs and doing 170 miles on a charge (though not at the same time). This is the LCI 2022 car.
Doesn't have the cool design of the i3S mind, and the early cars looked a bit pants, though I do like the 3 pin alloys.
On balance a i3S still seems a better bet, but interesting.
HelldogBE said:
Canon_Fodder said:
More like 100 - 130 mile range for the Mini e.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mini/mini/352323/new...
Don't think the Mini E ever got the 40kWh battery (it's 30kWh, same as the 94Ah middle of the range I3).https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mini/mini/352323/new...
It also suffers from the classic design setup, so FWD instead of RWD as well as steel monocoque & panels instead of carbon tub with aluminium subframes and plastic body panels which bring the I3 to a 300-400kg weight advantage).
Can't find it now.
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