i8 as daily driver for 17k miles a year, bad idea?

i8 as daily driver for 17k miles a year, bad idea?

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interstellar

Original Poster:

3,316 posts

147 months

Saturday 2nd December 2017
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I have a hunger for a semi supercar (cant afford a proper one)!!

Was considering a R8 Special Edition at £58k below. love the combo and the look but the lack of 4 seats and petrol costs being high puts me off a bit. ( I know cars like this arent supposed to have 4 seats) but It will be my daily driver and wont be that practical for 17k per year.

https://www.caffyns.co.uk/audi/used-car-details/us...


In light of this I should probably keep my 340i Touring but I really want something a bit special on the drive which leads me to the i8. Very different, running costs good and I think its looks awesome..... and it has 4 seats which helps me out as we have a mini interstellar who is 9.

Am I mad, can I live with it doing that many miles? I love the technology too so can forgive its quirks and maybe you cant compare it to anything I don’t know.

Anyone use one for big miles? I am considering this one.

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201710029881867?...

Before anyone says buy a 911 I have been there before, this is more about whether I can do 17k in a i8 for a couple of years.

Thanks in advance.

interstellar

Original Poster:

3,316 posts

147 months

Saturday 2nd December 2017
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wilwak said:
I have one and it eats up the miles no problem at all. Very comfy.

Some folk have problems getting in and out depending on agility and build. I’m a medium build 6ft 3ins and have no problems.

The boot is tiny.

It’s like driving a car from the future!
sounds positive. what actual mpg do you get?

interstellar

Original Poster:

3,316 posts

147 months

Sunday 3rd December 2017
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hajaba123 said:
Have you driven both yet?

I had a day in an I8 and 20 minute test drive in a very similar R8 to the one you looked at. I enjoyed the R8 but missed the tech of a modern BMW and I'd also be frustrated that it's not the top pf the range (but thats probably just me)

I'm trying to make the man maths work for the I8.
Good man,keep going. I can’t buy the r8, it doesn’t work for me although I love the look. I haven’t driven the i8 yet but will do in a week or so as currently away.

Edited by interstellar on Sunday 3rd December 11:32

interstellar

Original Poster:

3,316 posts

147 months

Sunday 3rd December 2017
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
Test driving an I8 next week to see if there is any danger of one replacing my Evora as a daily driver.

I do find the I8 styling a bit fussy, but I am interested to see what the performance is actually like and how it handles especially on the Cotswolds B roads which Re my stomping ground.
I think you will be disappointed although I haven't drive it. From what I have watched and read it wont drive like your Lotus on B roads but if you like the tech that's what might sway you.

Chris Harris review here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5I6xuhNgVg

interstellar

Original Poster:

3,316 posts

147 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
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garyhun said:
Although I really enjoyed the i8, as posted above, I really would put my money into a lovely big ICE over an electric right now.

I had a V8 R8 for a year and the noise was addictive.
I dont disagree but the mileage I need to do and the fact it has two extra seats makes it a no brainer for me.

I say that without driving it yet but as usual both the dealers I have contacted havent come back to me after the first contact - they really are rubbish at sales these dealers!

interstellar

Original Poster:

3,316 posts

147 months

Thursday 7th December 2017
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24 hour test drive in the i8 booked for the 23rd December, looking forward to it.

interstellar

Original Poster:

3,316 posts

147 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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So, my test drive wasnt exactly what I expected.

For a manufacturer who wants to show off the tech I was disappointed to pick it up with zero miles on the electric range (the sales guy said he had just driven it in, he could have at least driven it in sport mode and charged it). I was also given this large chunky bmw key which on researching on the internet I found out its a smart key and has loads of info on a small screen.

I couldnt work it out as yep you guessed it the battery was flat. This is of course more of a reflection on the dealer not the car but it was annoying none the less.

The car looks stunning and drives well. I liked the doors and the engine is clever but it wasnt for me. For real world driving the range is at best poor. I was expecting 20-25 miles on electric but I never got it above 11. This seems a bit pointless as you cant really go very far without driving it in sports mode to keep it topped up.

For now its not for me, I have heard the next gen i8 will have a 200 mile range which makes it a much better prospect.

For now I am back looking at R8’s. Torn between a later 2012 special edition car (link above) or a earlier V10, budget. 55k max.

Edited by interstellar on Thursday 28th December 20:05

interstellar

Original Poster:

3,316 posts

147 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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Even more so if the rumours are true and the car is finishing production in 2020.

interstellar

Original Poster:

3,316 posts

147 months

Friday 29th December 2017
quotequote all
garyhun said:
interstellar said:
Even more so if the rumours are true and the car is finishing production in 2020.
Supposedly the focus will be to have electric variants across the BMW range rather than having specific electric models.

Shame in a way as I still think the i8 is a stonking car that’s unique.
Sorry if not clear, I meant the R8 is rumoured at finishing production. The i8 is here to stay with a new 200 mile range one on the way.


https://www.motor1.com/news/225252/audi-r8-discont...

interstellar

Original Poster:

3,316 posts

147 months

Friday 29th December 2017
quotequote all
garyhun said:
interstellar said:
garyhun said:
interstellar said:
Even more so if the rumours are true and the car is finishing production in 2020.
Supposedly the focus will be to have electric variants across the BMW range rather than having specific electric models.

Shame in a way as I still think the i8 is a stonking car that’s unique.
Sorry if not clear, I meant the R8 is rumoured at finishing production. The i8 is here to stay with a new 200 mile range one on the way.


https://www.motor1.com/news/225252/audi-r8-discont...
Interesting. Looks like the end for both as I also read that the new i8 will be the last from BMW.
Oh that’s not good either. Lovely looking machine.

interstellar

Original Poster:

3,316 posts

147 months

Sunday 7th January 2018
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fakenews said:
Sorry to thread hijack but I had assumed the i8 was tax free, Parkers seems to think otherwise - what is the situation?

https://www.parkers.co.uk/bmw/i8/coupe-2014/car-ta...

I realise VED on a Supercar isn't much in the scheme of things but I'm surprised by Parkers figures.
A used one registered before 1st April is free I believe but now they are taxed for being over £40k which is £310 anyway plus it’s not pure electric so may qualify for a bit more.