BMWi3 electric vehicle: Your news and views please: 2018 models announced

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › BMWi3 electric vehicle: Your news and views please: 2018 models announced

frednz

1467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 429
Inactive user

#223473 1-Oct-2017 14:35

I thought it might be useful to have a thread that deals with your news and views about this great little electric vehicle (EV). Firstly, here is a brief summary of some important facts about the i3:

The range of the BMW i3 as listed in the New Zealand Electric Car Guide is as follows:

Generation 1 pure electric model: 130km from a 22kWh 60Ah battery

Generation 2 pure electric model: 183km from a 33kWh 94Ah battery

BMW manufactures the i3 in two different models, the “pure electric” as referred to above, and the range extender model which also includes a small petrol engine that has a capacity of 9 litres. This motor is only used to charge the battery of the i3 (while driving the car) because the i3 always runs on its electric battery.

The range extender model (REX) gives an additional range of about 116km, so the combined range of the i3 REX model is:

Generation 1: 246km

Generation 2: 299km

The current basic NZ-New price of the Generation 2 i3 (ex the NZ BMW web site) is:

Pure electric model 94Ah = $75,700

Range extender model 94Ah = $86,900

The Generation 1 i3 has been on sale in New Zealand since 2014, and the Generation 2 i3 since 2017.

Please post here any news, views, and first-hand experiences you have about the i3.

At present, TradeMe Motors has a good selection of used i3s and the prices of the Generation 1 model have dropped quite significantly in recent months, with several Gen 1 vehicles listed between $35,000 and $40,000 (mainly pure electric models). So, perhaps it’s a good time to buy a second-hand Generation 1 model?

And now 2018 BMWi3 models have been announced, what do you think of these updates?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

13684 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10018

#1875575 1-Oct-2017 18:14

Many of the comments on the 2018 model are summed up by this pearler:

If this thing was a puppy even the mother dog would gnaw off its face.

Surely the marketing folks at BMW realise this - and that the "polarising" looks will absolutely limit sales. Perhaps that's the strategy - they don't want it to sell well - more just use it to campaign along the lines of "but we made a really good technically competent EV at a relatively affordable price - and nobody wanted to buy it - but they absolutely love our V12 X7"

networkn

Networkn
32862 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15453

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1875658 1-Oct-2017 20:06

86K is a hefty price tag.

networkn

Networkn
32862 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15453

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1875660 1-Oct-2017 20:07

Fred99:

Many of the comments on the 2018 model are summed up by this pearler:

If this thing was a puppy even the mother dog would gnaw off its face.

Surely the marketing folks at BMW realise this - and that the "polarising" looks will absolutely limit sales. Perhaps that's the strategy - they don't want it to sell well - more just use it to campaign along the lines of "but we made a really good technically competent EV at a relatively affordable price - and nobody wanted to buy it - but they absolutely love our V12 X7"

I have yet to see any mass market EV that looked "nice". Considering BMW's strategy going forward will be electric 80% I doubt what you have said is likely true.

jarledb

Webhead
3319 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1983

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1875677 1-Oct-2017 20:23

networkn:

I have yet to see any mass market EV that looked "nice". Considering BMW's strategy going forward will be electric 80% I doubt what you have said is likely true.

So you don´t consider Tesla a mass market EV? Or don´t think either of the models (S, 3 or X) look nice? I think all of them are nice looking cars.

Do you like the look of a VW Golf? Thats available as an EV too...

Jarle Dahl Bergersen | Referral Links: Want $50 off when you join Octopus Energy? Use this referral code
Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by making a donation or subscribing.

gzt

18679 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7809

Lifetime subscriber

#1875683 1-Oct-2017 20:25

networkn:
86K is a hefty price tag.

Not so bad if you buy one at the same time as an V12 X7 : ).

networkn

Networkn
32862 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15453

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1875685 1-Oct-2017 20:26

jarledb:

networkn:

I have yet to see any mass market EV that looked "nice". Considering BMW's strategy going forward will be electric 80% I doubt what you have said is likely true.

So you don´t consider Tesla a mass market EV? Or don´t think either of the models (S, 3 or X) look nice? I think all of them are nice looking cars.

Do you like the look of a VW Golf? Thats available as an EV too...

I wasn't aware of the Golf. The GTI is the only Golf I like.

The Tesla S is passable, but I don't consider it mass market given it's price. The X is OK as well. Again hardly mass affordable. The 3 is ugly as sin.

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

davidcole

6099 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1465

Trusted

#1875694 1-Oct-2017 20:31

Golf gte. But unsure if you can actually buy here. Mini do a phev as well I believe.

Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight

frednz

1467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 429
Inactive user

#1875726 1-Oct-2017 21:11

https://www.whatcar.com/news/bmw-i3s/

Here's an extract from the above article about the BMW i3 2018 models:

"Styling changes over the current i3 are relatively minor, including black roof pillars and black roof lines, a new range of paint finishes and updated front and rear bumpers designed to make the car appear wider and more sporty.

The sporty i3s, meanwhile, features lowered suspension, large 20in alloy wheels with wider tyres, a more aggressive front bumper with large air intakes, gently flared wheel arches and more space between its rear wheels to improve agility."

What's a bit of a surprise to me is that BMW hasn't produced a higher capacity battery in its 2018 models than its current 33kWh 94Ah battery in the 2017 model which gives a range of about 183km.

Perhaps this indicates that range isn't everything and that BMW is confident it can compete with new 2018 EVs that have greater range, such as the 240km range of the 40kWh 2018 Nissan Leaf.

networkn

Networkn
32862 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15453

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1875727 1-Oct-2017 21:17

The S isn't bad looking really, though it's about 2s too slow to 100 to be called sporty.

If it had adaptive suspension and steering it would be a winner.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1306
Inactive user

#1875757 1-Oct-2017 22:12

My over-the-road neighbours relatives (mum?) have last years i3 and in person, I think it's better than pictures make it look. I'd have one.

They also have a 2012 1 series which looks pretty awesome for a little car.

Looks like BMW street when they visit and my place has 2 X5s and an e38 740iL. :D

I'm not a fan of the Telsas really. The S looks pretty boring outside, for its price.

jarledb

Webhead
3319 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1983

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1876435 3-Oct-2017 00:21

networkn:

The S isn't bad looking really, though it's about 2s too slow to 100 to be called sporty.

If it had adaptive suspension and steering it would be a winner.

Uhm, you might want to check some specs on the Tesla Model S....

Model S P100D does 0-100 KM/H in 2,7 seconds. You want it at 0,7 seconds?! :D

The model has smart air suspension that remember your settings based on GPS positions, so can increase its hight in areas where you drive with sleeping policemen, and getting into your garage etc.

Steering? You should read up on the enhanced autopilot and even full self driving capability and safety features of the Tesla..

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Linuxluver

5833 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1639

Trusted

Subscriber

#1876478 3-Oct-2017 08:00

I've driven the BMW i3. I'd buy one. I wouldn't bother with the range extender. It's battery-only range is easily good enough for NZ roads. It charges fast. Virtually all the non-Tesla fast chargers in NZ now support the CCS Combo 2 used by the latest i3 cars.

The price would be mitigated somewhat by no petrol and no RUC. If you drive a lot, that's thousands of dollars per year....and we haven't talked about savings in servicing yet.

My only niggle would be the rear doors opening backward. But I've tried it and it actually works, though you have to open the front door at the same time.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

Geektastic

18009 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8465

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1876602 3-Oct-2017 12:06

I know someone who runs the earlier version, had it imported from Japan I think.

He likes it, but only does urban Auckland driving.

frednz

1467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 429
Inactive user

#1876819 3-Oct-2017 19:22

Linuxluver: I've driven the BMW i3. I'd buy one. I wouldn't bother with the range extender. It's battery-only range is easily good enough for NZ roads. It charges fast. Virtually all the non-Tesla fast chargers in NZ now support the CCS Combo 2 used by the latest i3 cars.

The price would be mitigated somewhat by no petrol and no RUC. If you drive a lot, that's thousands of dollars per year....and we haven't talked about savings in servicing yet.

My only niggle would be the rear doors opening backward. But I've tried it and it actually works, though you have to open the front door at the same time.

This NZTA article about charging point connectors and socket outlets may be useful for people buying BMW i3s. Apparently, not all used BMW i3s have fast charging and some dealers have said it was an optional extra.

So, if a used i3 doesn't have fast charging, can this be installed at a later date? I guess it would pay to be clear on this point before buying.

Here's an extract from an advertisement on Trade Me for a BMW i3 which specifically mentions DC rapid charging:

"2015 BMW i3 Renge Extender model and High Spec with a lot of extra options. One of very important option is this i3 is capable of DC rapid Charging which means in most charging locations the i3 can be charged to 80% within 30mins. this is a great feather that makes the i3 capeable for long distence cruise. A lot of I3 doesnt has this option."

ilovemusic

1469 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 307

#1879126 7-Oct-2017 16:18

i like the look of the early i3.

nice size, drives like a real car.

not too badly prices used.

range extender is the pick if you ever escape city boundaries.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6