I bought this very car 2 weeks ago on the way down to Dorset on holiday. Really good customer service and very friendly staff at Drive Green. Only just come across this video and surprised to see my car being reviewed. Amazing to drive and so pleased I took the step into owning an EV.
We’re driving both, an i3 and an i3s. Yes, the i3s is slightly quicker, slightly more stable (due to wider tires), slightly harder on the road and slightly hungrier when driven sporty. But the difference is marginal. Both are excellent cars, and it’s painful BMW wants to stop the production of this icon.
Agreed, the i3 should be able to evolve slowly over time. With Europe hemorrhaging for gas, BMW keeps pushing petrol cars. BMW instead should focus on extending the dismal range by upgrading their battery technology so the i3 could get 400 miles between charges. If this happened, on my side of the pond, the i3 would sell like hotcakes.
So I am one for a sporty car and this may not make much sense to you, but I’m currently torn between an i3s and a Porsche Taycan cross Turismo. Present we own a standard i3 with range extender, and contrary to your recommendation, our range extender has saved us many times. That said your comments around this option have caused me to think again. Turning to the Porsche Taycan, yes it’s a much much bigger car but they have dropped so much value that it’s a bargain buy. We live in Italy and have solar panels and a charging point at home. Our standard i3 looks lovely and consistently turns heads and triggers discussions amongst public onlookers ♥️🇮🇹
Going to test drive a i3s tomorrow, currently driving a 2018 Audi Q2 S-line, but fell in love with this car after searching months for another electric options. Amazing video!
One of the big improvements with S is the new traction control system. It is 50x faster to respond than the base i3 and the first BMW to have the traction control calculations to happen right in the motor and not out at a separate controller. The traction control is seamless, you can hammer it in the rain and you are not feeling any intervention, or just the very slightest amount. Nothing remotely close to how the original i3 behaved.
My wife has had a new i3s last month and it’s as you describe. It’s such a clever car . I know manufacturers are chucking out new electric models all the time but the beemer is so good even if the design is a few years old. I can’t help feeling when I drive it my petrol car feels so old school and I’m a petrol head through and through
I’ve watched this video so many times now - as well as informative, it’s a gorgeous i3s in a brilliant colour combination. So happy I’ve been able to pick the exact twin of this car up from you guys today! Many thanks Reece and Ed!
I just got Ine in this Color. Used a fishing Line to remove the chrome list on the back lid. Gives it a better look fast. Gonna blackout the grille soon and the blue ring around front and rear logo\emblem. Ast lowering springs going on in May when my guarantee Runs out :)
The i3 range needs another battery bump to keep it competitive. 200miles/320km range is the new minimum. BTW the range extender option is still available in some markets with longer distances and fewer public chargers.
To appeal to people needing 200 miles plus we’d agree. However for a great deal of peoples use cases, the range is actually not an issue from our experience. Not that we would say no to a higher ranged i3 however 😉
No more battery upgrades, the REx handles any extended range needs in the USA. For those that want an electric BMW, this is it until the i4 arrives.. I don't think BMW expected the i3 to be competitive in the marketplace otherwise they would have simply did an electric variant of the 3 and 4 Series.
@@DriveGreen I would agree with David. I drive a 180 mile trip once every 2 months or so while the rest of the time I don't even travel 100miles a week. The i3 even in winter should get 140 miles so its still fine as I have a 7Kw charger at the destination and in less than 3 hours I have more than enough to get home again. Most of the time I charge maybe once a week from 40% to full overnight on a 13amp socket. It all works out just fine. I am seeing on average about 150 miles but with less heating I guess I could push it to around 160 in winter.
I just bought a 2014 i3 Rex and found your videos really helpful. One thing I agree with it this car is polarizing. I’m the only one in my family who likes it! Thanks for the great videos.
I bought a I3 Rex which was registered on 31 Mar 17 so missed all those tax implications and still has the reassurance of the back up if needed. However in two years I've used the Rex twice so I would 100% agree on buying the bigger battery BEV which is what I will do when I replace my Rex.
I bought mine back in October. Second hand with around 30 000 km. No Rex because I don’t need it. The car looks really nice (blue/black). I felt Sport mode was sufficient while I gave that Range Rover Sport a run for his money last week. I gonna change that small lcd display by a wider screen that I have found on aliexpress.
This car is awesome I really hope they bring this back as the i2 as I suspect one reason they discontinued it was to make an electric 3 series some day
They make the i4 which is more traditional. I suspect that manufacturing cost and sticker price were too high to compete with more affordable and longer range selections currently available. Given all of that I just bought a very low mileage i3S 2 weeks ago and I have NO regrets .
I am on my 2nd , love these cars . I had an 60ah first , it was great!! I now have an 94ah (both are non REX) It is everything the first car was but more, I don't know why everyone doesn't have one.
@@whocares264 what? the ride is pretty damn comfortable. have you ever even driven one? Also, says the guy with Tesla in his name haha. Dude, the 2018 model x i had was most definitely less value than the i3 i bought used. the x seemed to me like it would cost around 30k new from any other brand.
@@hazardeur I own a BMW I3 .... Yes the ride is poor, it handles fine but only on smooth roads, it suffer from bump steer even in a straight line... i also leased a tesla Model 3 which was superior in all respects, sadly i had to let the tesla go for financial reasons so i have to put up with the poorly equipped slow uncomfortable BMW...
Love my S. Looks much better than my previous “regular” i3. It’s subtle, but noticeable. And in the US, I love my REX, despite it getting used maybe twice a year.
Really cool and thorough review! I see you tested the Peugeot e-208. How do they compare. Peugeot has more range and 100kw charging and I3s is quicker, premium quality, less range and 50kw charging speed. I drive mainly short distance (a 175 mile trip maybe 1-2times a year) and can charge at work or in front of our flat. Looking for a second car to add to the large family ice car. I actually have cheaper leasing offers for the BMW which is the reason why I can't decide. I like nippy sporty cars. Your choice, thoughts? Can the bmw i3s keep up in 2021 from a technological / charging pout of view?
We adore both cars so it is a difficult one. However if you like the look of both and are getting better figures on the I3, it certainly is a car that meets your other criteria. Truth be told the i3 is probably our out and out favourite EV!
The i3 was and is a great car; a great pity BMW haven't developed it over the intervening seven years instead of now playing catch-up and electrifying their clumsy-looking ice slabs. For us its just too compromised luggage wise - a slightly larger version on the same platform may have tempted us... great videos btw.
Ahh nice! One of our Sales team just got a new Ioniq actually and has been over the moon with it. We don’t hve any ID3’s in at the moment but if you did fancy test driving the Ioniq we would be very happy to have you down.
@@DriveGreen - thanks - we have tried an older model Ionic and we’re really impressed, but will go for a later model; it’s a toss-up between the two and will be a few weeks before we actually commit so we shall keep an eye on your stock, I think we would be very happy to do business with you.
I love everything about the i3. It’s so incredibly innovative and practical in its design and manufacturing process. It’s a shame it’s practically impossible to find one in America. That could push me towards an alternative from another brand, which to be fair may not necessarily be bad news as much of the competition has 100+ miles of additional electric range and even quicker performance.
@@DriveGreen The Volkswagen ID.4 and Hyundai Kona are easy to find on dealer lots. They both have about 100 additional miles of electric range compared to the i3s and surprisingly similar performance. I do prefer the i3s for its unique design and quirkiness, but I’m in a small niche. There are certainly better options available at a lower cost. Tesla as well of course, but they seem to be the most affected by production shortages due to incredibly high demand.
@@longlivetheclash It’s common in California for sure. I’d be like a kid in a candy shop at one of the California dealers that stock 10-20+ i3’s. However, inventory on the East Coast is incredibly limited and even production on a factory order isn’t guaranteed.
@@DriveGreen I managed to find one of the final 180 production slots! Unfortunately the i3 is being discontinued in North America next month, and possibly globally in 2022.
I couldn’t agree with you more 👍 I got my i3s in December 2020 I’m 5,000 miles in now and love every mile. It did come with AppleCarPlay as standard but still no Android Auto. I bought the camera and sensors but nothing else. I’ve made it my own with BimmerCode app adding rear daytime running lights, folding door mirrors with locking, default in sport mode, Rolls Royce chimes instead of Boings. etc. Oh and I’ve just purchased a private number plate. LLS I3S Update now 6,000 miles and I’ve swapped the registration number again.. ARD I3S
Sounds like some great customisations! Particularly the rear lights with daytime running, one of our guys done the same with their BMW, so many people rely on the auto lights these days and so often it is bright but reduced visibility and the car only shows the front drls. Can be a little dangerous.
I have always been a petrol head. when I saw I could get a fully loaded I3s for under £24K it was a no-brainer. I don't miss my gas-guzzling sports cars one bit. With a bit of free charging thrown in it is an incredibly cheap car to run. Running to work in 30 mph zones I am achieving 5.3 miles per kWh. This would give a range of 200 miles. To go with this it is as quick off of the line as a BMW M3 !
Great to hear you both made the move, and that you aren’t looking back! Having peteolheads make the switch is probably one of the biggest challenges in this space, but we find the i3 and i3S both offer some real driving thrill still along with all the other benefits. Huge congratulations on the transition! 🙂
Thanks for commenting, it is slightly stiffer but the ride is nice and compliant. We would welcome you to the forecourt to try them both out side by side if you are in the market for either 🙂
BMW i3s BEST CITY CAR ON EARTH GOING green is FUN 🌏💚 Brilliant and FUN I trayed the competition VW id3 Kia ev both bit good but we traided our 2018 33kw BMW i3 for a i3s 42kw it's great its much better than standard i3 also love the green construction too 😀👍😉 A A.W.D BMW i3M🤯 cool car #buzzofftoxic
In the US, the range extender is still an option. You also don’t have any federal surcharge or tax because of having the range extender or REx unit. I have an early 2014 REx and adore it!
i have just purchased a BMW i3 REX 2018 £140 per year road tax ,,,, If you can put up with the terrible awful ride and road noise and bump steer , silly doors ,no opening rear windows , expensive, poor standard audio, this could be the car for you...
2 года назад
I love how the acceleration behavior changes when you switch from comfort to sport. Unfortunately, that's the only thing that changes. I would have liked the steering to be smoother in Comfort mode and the chassis to be significantly softer, so that the car was just as noticeably more comfortable and easy to handle as the acceleration behavior changed. So the vehicle is always in "sport mode" and very hard, bumpy, stiff (when parking) and uncomfortable on the usually broken city streets. Too bad, BMW could have made more of it.
I own the normal I3 2022. I look a bit envious to more power of S Version. And better curve performance on quick rides. But on the other hand, suspension is more comftable. Yes....the S Version should have had adjustable suspension analog to the modes.
I want the I3S with a range extender...I don't believe we pay additional taxes with the range extender in the US. Ps. The I3S will justified my ownership of a 2010 V10 M6!
I wish BMW would give it a slight facelift and then keep producing it. My wish list for it contains camera rear view mirrors like the Honda E. The BMW i3 is such a compact nimble vehicle and it’s a bit of a shame that such big and ungainly rear mirrors make it 35 centimeters wider than it needs to be (the 35 cm is purely my estimate, it might be more it might be less).
Carbon fiber, natural material, yes... How to better it? Get a liquid piston engine instead of the Rex engine, that directly drives the wheels instead of operates as a generator. In usa the generator is necessary, so the i3s won't be released here. 170 miles range is barely enough to last through half a day doing Uber or a day doing doordash, or about half a week for normal people.
I think a simple turbo for the range extender would make it perfect. It would actualy increase the efficiency and power at the same time while not taking up too much more room and even making it quieter. win win win if you think about it. Only negatives would obviously be more failure points and a little bit more space being taken up and tiny bit of extra weight.
The i3 should be able to evolve slowly over time. With Europe hemorrhaging for gas, BMW keeps pushing petrol cars. BMW instead should focus on extending the dismal range by upgrading their battery technology so the i3 could get 400 miles between charges. If this happened, on my side of the pond, the i3 would sell like hotcakes.
It really depends. I have a 94ah size i3, live in New Hampshire and work in Boston, never have to use the Rex, and the car works great. I have travelled with it all over without any issues. Not sure why people in the USA think they need 1000 miles range when all the studies stated the average miles driven a day by Americans is no more that 40 miles. Besides, 99% of all people who buy this have a second car and is either ice or hybrid, or long range ev. The car works great for what it was intended to be, a city car.
Have a 2021 i3s. Love it. Stormtrooper white and black with the diamond cut wheels, leather, Harmond Kardon sound and the most important blue seat belts. Worked for bmw in 2015 selling these iPerformance cars. Loved them then and still do. Gutted they didn't move the i3 on in terms of life and development. Who else this side of McLaren can say they have a carbon chassis? 🤔
I just don't get fast speed!.. how fast do you want to drive? 30 in a 20 zone , 40 in a 30 zone ,80 in a 70 zone ? ..if you want to drive fast get on a track! how about some thought for older people / kids crossing the road how about considering wild animals in the country side . It's just ridiculous to talk about how a car handles and how fast it can go :( ....The "real" beauty and importance of the BMW i3 is it's carbon footprint and efficiency!...Please don't use it as a racing car.
I enjoy my i3 on my daily commute, it makes the journey a joy and not a chaw. The problem for me is what have BMW been doing since the i3 was released, or rather not doing. We should now have an i4 and i5, but nothing! As we all know, putting a motor and batteries into a combustion design is a poor solution, so the 330e and iX3 are a complete compromise. BMW have been asleep at the wheel for a decade now, they will pay a huge price for this, like many, my next car is likely to be a Tesla.
I had an i3 rex in 2015, then i3s in 2018. Both were great cars to have (lease). I did prefer the i3s. As mentioned I did lose a little range relative to the i3, but the car felt much more planted, less affected by wind/road conditions. Very noticeably so. Lovely and nippy to drive (Just replaced though for Model 3 which is a different level of performance)
Trouble is bmw are ceasing production of this car which is a real shame it's far too expensive and obviously the demand is too low pity it's the 1st and best
@@DriveGreen agreed but why stop producing a vehicle which does what it says on the tin which is proven very well made etc the list goes on stopping production is a huge negative ev's are supposed to be about making sure we have vehicles that are none polluting why keep bringing new models out its totally against what the mantra is supposed to be which makes folk like me wonder if this ev stuff is just hype
I'm sorry but those rear doors were a real deal breaker for me. I did consider it when I changed to driving an BEV powered car but as I say those rear doors nah. Not for me
But what do you do or did when you drove a 2 door four seater car? In such cases, the driver and or front passenger must unbuckle and open their doors in order for rear passengers to get in and out. Same thing with the i3, but its a bet easier on the rear passengers..
I bought this very car 2 weeks ago on the way down to Dorset on holiday. Really good customer service and very friendly staff at Drive Green. Only just come across this video and surprised to see my car being reviewed. Amazing to drive and so pleased I took the step into owning an EV.
Huge congratulations on the purchase Jamie, this was our absolute favourite spec I3S we have had in to date 🙂
Have owned a 2019 I3s since demo miles from dealer, still have it today and it’s a brilliant car.
I love driving my I3S REX, it makes me smile every time I drive…
They are fantastic cars 🙂
Or are just gritting your teeth
We’re driving both, an i3 and an i3s.
Yes, the i3s is slightly quicker, slightly more stable (due to wider tires), slightly harder on the road and slightly hungrier when driven sporty. But the difference is marginal.
Both are excellent cars, and it’s painful BMW wants to stop the production of this icon.
Wow, when are they stopping production?
Agreed!
What years are you driving?
i3: 2019 (120Ah)
i3s: 2020 (120Ah)
Agreed, the i3 should be able to evolve slowly over time. With Europe hemorrhaging for gas, BMW keeps pushing petrol cars. BMW instead should focus on extending the dismal range by upgrading their battery technology so the i3 could get 400 miles between charges. If this happened, on my side of the pond, the i3 would sell like hotcakes.
Just bought my second hand 2019 model today. Can't wait for delivery!
My head says Ioniq but my heart says i3s. I drove an i3s over a couple of days and really loved it, and this review captures it's appeal very well.
Thanks for watching and we get your dilemma. Both very good cars that excel in slightly different areas!
Go for the butter car
I3s all the way
@@buzzofftoxicblog791 or margarine.....
So I am one for a sporty car and this may not make much sense to you, but I’m currently torn between an i3s and a Porsche Taycan cross Turismo. Present we own a standard i3 with range extender, and contrary to your recommendation, our range extender has saved us many times. That said your comments around this option have caused me to think again. Turning to the Porsche Taycan, yes it’s a much much bigger car but they have dropped so much value that it’s a bargain buy. We live in Italy and have solar panels and a charging point at home. Our standard i3 looks lovely and consistently turns heads and triggers discussions amongst public onlookers ♥️🇮🇹
Going to test drive a i3s tomorrow, currently driving a 2018 Audi Q2 S-line, but fell in love with this car after searching months for another electric options. Amazing video!
I've owned an I3s for half a year, the best car I've ever owned
Whatever happened to it if you don't mind me asking? I'm cross shopping for one now and would love to hear from someone who's owned it
@@mike_t_007No problems,just charging
Very nice video and perfect filming, love this car...Thank You
Thank you for the kind words 🙂
One of the big improvements with S is the new traction control system. It is 50x faster to respond than the base i3 and the first BMW to have the traction control calculations to happen right in the motor and not out at a separate controller. The traction control is seamless, you can hammer it in the rain and you are not feeling any intervention, or just the very slightest amount. Nothing remotely close to how the original i3 behaved.
Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Both models beginning 2018 have this new traction control. official bmw announcement
My wife has had a new i3s last month and it’s as you describe. It’s such a clever car . I know manufacturers are chucking out new electric models all the time but the beemer is so good even if the design is a few years old. I can’t help feeling when I drive it my petrol car feels so old school and I’m a petrol head through and through
Congratulations on the i3, it really is a superb car 👌🏻
great review, love my 2019 120ah i3s!
Thank you 🙂
I’ve watched this video so many times now - as well as informative, it’s a gorgeous i3s in a brilliant colour combination. So happy I’ve been able to pick the exact twin of this car up from you guys today! Many thanks Reece and Ed!
So glad you enjoyed the video and congratulations again on your I3. Still the best colour combination we think!
I just got Ine in this Color. Used a fishing Line to remove the chrome list on the back lid. Gives it a better look fast. Gonna blackout the grille soon and the blue ring around front and rear logo\emblem. Ast lowering springs going on in May when my guarantee Runs out :)
Wonderful review! Thank you.
The i3 range needs another battery bump to keep it competitive. 200miles/320km range is the new minimum. BTW the range extender option is still available in some markets with longer distances and fewer public chargers.
To appeal to people needing 200 miles plus we’d agree. However for a great deal of peoples use cases, the range is actually not an issue from our experience.
Not that we would say no to a higher ranged i3 however 😉
No more battery upgrades, the REx handles any extended range needs in the USA. For those that want an electric BMW, this is it until the i4 arrives.. I don't think BMW expected the i3 to be competitive in the marketplace otherwise they would have simply did an electric variant of the 3 and 4 Series.
@@mamadouaziza2536 i4 plays in a completely different market segment, though. Likely to be priced against the I-Pace.
@@DriveGreen I would agree with David. I drive a 180 mile trip once every 2 months or so while the rest of the time I don't even travel 100miles a week.
The i3 even in winter should get 140 miles so its still fine as I have a 7Kw charger at the destination and in less than 3 hours I have more than enough to get home again. Most of the time I charge maybe once a week from 40% to full overnight on a 13amp socket. It all works out just fine. I am seeing on average about 150 miles but with less heating I guess I could push it to around 160 in winter.
what are y'all talking about? i have the 120 i3 and it can do 300km without problem, provided you drive it smoothly
Not all the i3 REx models pay road tax. I have a 2017 i3 REx and the road tax is zero.
I just bought a 2014 i3 Rex and found your videos really helpful. One thing I agree with it this car is polarizing. I’m the only one in my family who likes it! Thanks for the great videos.
Congratulations on the purchase and thank you for watching 🙂
I know what you mean I own one and nobody likes it including me...remember this guy is a EV salesman...
I already have the i3 and now looking for the i3s. I wonder if this car will be an EV classic of the future?
I drive a BMW i3 with the REX and I confirm in the UK I do not pay any road tax.
I bought a I3 Rex which was registered on 31 Mar 17 so missed all those tax implications and still has the reassurance of the back up if needed. However in two years I've used the Rex twice so I would 100% agree on buying the bigger battery BEV which is what I will do when I replace my Rex.
Glad to hear you are enjoying your i3, and even more so you are already deciding on the next one 🙂
I bought mine back in October. Second hand with around 30 000 km. No Rex because I don’t need it. The car looks really nice (blue/black). I felt Sport mode was sufficient while I gave that Range Rover Sport a run for his money last week. I gonna change that small lcd display by a wider screen that I have found on aliexpress.
Congratulations on the i3 🙂
What a great review, it looks like a film/movie. What camera was used?
Thank you Mamadou for the kind words, our production team use a range of Sony cameras for our videos including the Sony A7SIII, A7III and ZV1. 🙂
@@DriveGreen
Oh wow! Thanks. The production value is exceptional on this review.
Keep up the beautiful work!!
Wait Carplay isn't standard past 2018 models?
This car is awesome I really hope they bring this back as the i2 as I suspect one reason they discontinued it was to make an electric 3 series some day
They make the i4 which is more traditional. I suspect that manufacturing cost and sticker price were too high to compete with more affordable and longer range selections currently available. Given all of that I just bought a very low mileage i3S 2 weeks ago and I have NO regrets .
they are comming with the "neue classe" with a lot looking back to i3 and 2002 think it will be in 2026
I am on my 2nd , love these cars . I had an 60ah first , it was great!! I now have an 94ah (both are non REX) It is everything the first car was but more, I don't know why everyone doesn't have one.
Glad you are enjoying it! 🙂
Probably because they want some comfort..
@@whocares264 what? the ride is pretty damn comfortable. have you ever even driven one?
Also, says the guy with Tesla in his name haha. Dude, the 2018 model x i had was most definitely less value than the i3 i bought used. the x seemed to me like it would cost around 30k new from any other brand.
@@hazardeur I own a BMW I3 .... Yes the ride is poor, it handles fine but only on smooth roads, it suffer from bump steer even in a straight line... i also leased a tesla Model 3 which was superior in all respects, sadly i had to let the tesla go for financial reasons so i have to put up with the poorly equipped slow uncomfortable BMW...
@@whocares264 not sure where you drive. my ride is awesome in the i3. rarely had that smooth of a feeling when driving
they're actually the same motor and you can code the I3 to have sports mode for that power increase
Not the same thing, the S has an improved chassis with larger wheel arches.
@@PierreDybman I know it's lower and wider but you sure it has a different chassis?
Love my S. Looks much better than my previous “regular” i3. It’s subtle, but noticeable. And in the US, I love my REX, despite it getting used maybe twice a year.
Really cool and thorough review! I see you tested the Peugeot e-208. How do they compare. Peugeot has more range and 100kw charging and I3s is quicker, premium quality, less range and 50kw charging speed. I drive mainly short distance (a 175 mile trip maybe 1-2times a year) and can charge at work or in front of our flat. Looking for a second car to add to the large family ice car. I actually have cheaper leasing offers for the BMW which is the reason why I can't decide. I like nippy sporty cars. Your choice, thoughts? Can the bmw i3s keep up in 2021 from a technological / charging pout of view?
We adore both cars so it is a difficult one. However if you like the look of both and are getting better figures on the I3, it certainly is a car that meets your other criteria. Truth be told the i3 is probably our out and out favourite EV!
The i3 was and is a great car; a great pity BMW haven't developed it over the intervening seven years instead of now playing catch-up and electrifying their clumsy-looking ice slabs. For us its just too compromised luggage wise - a slightly larger version on the same platform may have tempted us... great videos btw.
Thank you for the kind words and also good to hear your thoughts on the i3 too. Have you found an ev that is more suitable for your needs?
@@DriveGreen - we like the Ionic that you have but we’re trying a id.3 later this week; all on hold till we sell our Campervan!
Ahh nice! One of our Sales team just got a new Ioniq actually and has been over the moon with it. We don’t hve any ID3’s in at the moment but if you did fancy test driving the Ioniq we would be very happy to have you down.
@@DriveGreen - thanks - we have tried an older model Ionic and we’re really impressed, but will go for a later model; it’s a toss-up between the two and will be a few weeks before we actually commit so we shall keep an eye on your stock, I think we would be very happy to do business with you.
Ahh brilliant! Well honestly if there is anything we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
I love everything about the i3. It’s so incredibly innovative and practical in its design and manufacturing process. It’s a shame it’s practically impossible to find one in America. That could push me towards an alternative from another brand, which to be fair may not necessarily be bad news as much of the competition has 100+ miles of additional electric range and even quicker performance.
Shame to hear they are few and far between in America, what EVs are more easily obtainable over there (apart from Tesla)?
@@DriveGreen The Volkswagen ID.4 and Hyundai Kona are easy to find on dealer lots. They both have about 100 additional miles of electric range compared to the i3s and surprisingly similar performance. I do prefer the i3s for its unique design and quirkiness, but I’m in a small niche. There are certainly better options available at a lower cost. Tesla as well of course, but they seem to be the most affected by production shortages due to incredibly high demand.
I live in San Francisco, CA and the i3 is very common.
@@longlivetheclash It’s common in California for sure. I’d be like a kid in a candy shop at one of the California dealers that stock 10-20+ i3’s. However, inventory on the East Coast is incredibly limited and even production on a factory order isn’t guaranteed.
@@DriveGreen I managed to find one of the final 180 production slots! Unfortunately the i3 is being discontinued in North America next month, and possibly globally in 2022.
I couldn’t agree with you more 👍 I got my i3s in December 2020 I’m 5,000 miles in now and love every mile. It did come with AppleCarPlay as standard but still no Android Auto. I bought the camera and sensors but nothing else. I’ve made it my own with BimmerCode app adding rear daytime running lights, folding door mirrors with locking, default in sport mode, Rolls Royce chimes instead of Boings. etc. Oh and I’ve just purchased a private number plate. LLS I3S
Update now 6,000 miles and I’ve swapped the registration number again.. ARD I3S
Sounds like some great customisations! Particularly the rear lights with daytime running, one of our guys done the same with their BMW, so many people rely on the auto lights these days and so often it is bright but reduced visibility and the car only shows the front drls. Can be a little dangerous.
How does it drive in wet/icy/ snowy conditions?
Love this review I’m considering going green 💚
Thanks for the kind words and do give us a call if if you want to discuss the move further 🙂
I have always been a petrol head. when I saw I could get a fully loaded I3s for under £24K it was a no-brainer. I don't miss my gas-guzzling sports cars one bit. With a bit of free charging thrown in it is an incredibly cheap car to run. Running to work in 30 mph zones I am achieving 5.3 miles per kWh. This would give a range of 200 miles. To go with this it is as quick off of the line as a BMW M3 !
Great to hear you both made the move, and that you aren’t looking back! Having peteolheads make the switch is probably one of the biggest challenges in this space, but we find the i3 and i3S both offer some real driving thrill still along with all the other benefits. Huge congratulations on the transition! 🙂
@@newbeginnings8566 It was a used car.
It was fun keeping up with a toxic old nosy M5 😂😂😂😂😂🌏
@@newbeginnings8566 got ours 29k worth every penny💚😂🌏
Thank you for this rewiew. But is the I3 s much more harder than the I3?
Thanks for commenting, it is slightly stiffer but the ride is nice and compliant. We would welcome you to the forecourt to try them both out side by side if you are in the market for either 🙂
@@DriveGreen I ´m sorry. I would like to come, but it is too far. I live in Berlin, Germany.
Ahh just a little bit too far then!! 😂 If you are ever visiting though, you are always very welcome 🙂
@@DriveGreen Thank you.
Is the i3s ride quality good, or is it harsh compared to the non-S model?
The i3 ride is harsh compared with a go kart.
BMW i3s BEST CITY CAR ON EARTH GOING green is FUN 🌏💚
Brilliant and FUN I trayed the competition VW id3 Kia ev both bit good but we traided our 2018 33kw BMW i3 for a i3s 42kw it's great its much better than standard i3 also love the green construction too 😀👍😉 A A.W.D BMW i3M🤯 cool car #buzzofftoxic
Nice review!
I have already ordered my BME i3 days ago...😩
I've got the budget, so do you think I should cancel and get the i3s instead?
I would certainly try one and see what you think if you have the chance 👍🏻
Save up for a tesla model 3....
In the US, the range extender is still an option. You also don’t have any federal surcharge or tax because of having the range extender or REx unit. I have an early 2014 REx and adore it!
Ahh brilliant, yeah not the case in the UK for us anymore.
i have just purchased a BMW i3 REX 2018 £140 per year road tax ,,,,
If you can put up with the terrible awful ride and road noise and bump steer , silly doors ,no opening rear windows , expensive, poor standard audio, this could be the car for you...
I love how the acceleration behavior changes when you switch from comfort to sport.
Unfortunately, that's the only thing that changes. I would have liked the steering to be smoother in Comfort mode and the chassis to be significantly softer, so that the car was just as noticeably more comfortable and easy to handle as the acceleration behavior changed. So the vehicle is always in "sport mode" and very hard, bumpy, stiff (when parking) and uncomfortable on the usually broken city streets.
Too bad, BMW could have made more of it.
I own the normal I3 2022. I look a bit envious to more power of S Version. And better curve performance on quick rides. But on the other hand, suspension is more comftable. Yes....the S Version should have had adjustable suspension analog to the modes.
I love the BMW i3S but only 150 miles of range is painful.
My absolute favourite too!
Good choice 🙂
I want the I3S with a range extender...I don't believe we pay additional taxes with the range extender in the US. Ps. The I3S will justified my ownership of a 2010 V10 M6!
a man of culture. i own a vette myself and i always think it's such a schizo thing to do to have that car and on the other hand an I3 haha
I wish BMW would give it a slight facelift and then keep producing it. My wish list for it contains camera rear view mirrors like the Honda E. The BMW i3 is such a compact nimble vehicle and it’s a bit of a shame that such big and ungainly rear mirrors make it 35 centimeters wider than it needs to be (the 35 cm is purely my estimate, it might be more it might be less).
Is it hybrid or 100% electric car?
100% electric 🙂
Carbon fiber, natural material, yes...
How to better it? Get a liquid piston engine instead of the Rex engine, that directly drives the wheels instead of operates as a generator.
In usa the generator is necessary, so the i3s won't be released here. 170 miles range is barely enough to last through half a day doing Uber or a day doing doordash, or about half a week for normal people.
I have an i3 120 and I love it.
Brilliant car 🙂
I think a simple turbo for the range extender would make it perfect. It would actualy increase the efficiency and power at the same time while not taking up too much more room and even making it quieter. win win win if you think about it. Only negatives would obviously be more failure points and a little bit more space being taken up and tiny bit of extra weight.
Interesting idea!
Turbos on electric generators. Interesting idea indeed 😉
I am quite surprised by all these references in miles instead of kilometres
We are based in the UK and we still use miles!
The i3 should be able to evolve slowly over time. With Europe hemorrhaging for gas, BMW keeps pushing petrol cars. BMW instead should focus on extending the dismal range by upgrading their battery technology so the i3 could get 400 miles between charges. If this happened, on my side of the pond, the i3 would sell like hotcakes.
170 mile range might be impressive in Europe but for the States it is inadequate and half as much as the Tesla Model 3 (which is cheaper by the way)!
Yeah that makes sense for the States.
It really depends. I have a 94ah size i3, live in New Hampshire and work in Boston, never have to use the Rex, and the car works great. I have travelled with it all over without any issues. Not sure why people in the USA think they need 1000 miles range when all the studies stated the average miles driven a day by Americans is no more that 40 miles. Besides, 99% of all people who buy this have a second car and is either ice or hybrid, or long range ev. The car works great for what it was intended to be, a city car.
Have a 2021 i3s. Love it. Stormtrooper white and black with the diamond cut wheels, leather, Harmond Kardon sound and the most important blue seat belts.
Worked for bmw in 2015 selling these iPerformance cars. Loved them then and still do. Gutted they didn't move the i3 on in terms of life and development. Who else this side of McLaren can say they have a carbon chassis? 🤔
So true!
alfa 4c :)
I just don't get fast speed!.. how fast do you want to drive? 30 in a 20 zone , 40 in a 30 zone ,80 in a 70 zone ? ..if you want to drive fast get on a track! how about some thought for older people / kids crossing the road how about considering wild animals in the country side . It's just ridiculous to talk about how a car handles and how fast it can go :( ....The "real" beauty and importance of the BMW i3 is it's carbon footprint and efficiency!...Please don't use it as a racing car.
I enjoy my i3 on my daily commute, it makes the journey a joy and not a chaw. The problem for me is what have BMW been doing since the i3 was released, or rather not doing. We should now have an i4 and i5, but nothing! As we all know, putting a motor and batteries into a combustion design is a poor solution, so the 330e and iX3 are a complete compromise. BMW have been asleep at the wheel for a decade now, they will pay a huge price for this, like many, my next car is likely to be a Tesla.
Check out our latest video Simon, we had a look around the BMW stands at Festival of Speed and they had the i4 and iX on show.
I had an i3 rex in 2015, then i3s in 2018. Both were great cars to have (lease). I did prefer the i3s. As mentioned I did lose a little range relative to the i3, but the car felt much more planted, less affected by wind/road conditions. Very noticeably so. Lovely and nippy to drive (Just replaced though for Model 3 which is a different level of performance)
Great to hear your experience Nigel and congratulations on the model 3 too! 🙂
Question: what size tires did your i3 2015 have compared to the i3s 2018?
Congratulations on getting a model 3.....
Travesty this car is out of production.
Trouble is bmw are ceasing production of this car which is a real shame it's far too expensive and obviously the demand is too low pity it's the 1st and best
It’s a huge shame but we look forward to seeing what other models they come up with moving forwards 🙂
@@DriveGreen agreed but why stop producing a vehicle which does what it says on the tin which is proven very well made etc the list goes on stopping production is a huge negative ev's are supposed to be about making sure we have vehicles that are none polluting why keep bringing new models out its totally against what the mantra is supposed to be which makes folk like me wonder if this ev stuff is just hype
Model s
Non S cars look goofy. They badly need the wider stance of the S.
I have an S which I prefer but I wouldn't say the non S is goofy. The differences are subtle to most people.
I'm sorry but those rear doors were a real deal breaker for me. I did consider it when I changed to driving an BEV powered car but as I say those rear doors nah. Not for me
They certainly are a little fiddly!
I would be interested to know what you did buy, I like to think it would have been the Kona or Soul.
Both solid choices!
@@12alocin I opted for the Renault Zoe ZE50 GT line
But what do you do or did when you drove a 2 door four seater car?
In such cases, the driver and or front passenger must unbuckle and open their doors in order for rear passengers to get in and out.
Same thing with the i3, but its a bet easier on the rear passengers..
4:56 143 miles on a full charge!!! Not for me.