The BMW i3 Is So Cheap BMW Is Basically Giving It Away | Full Review
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- Опубликовано: 21 окт 2024
- With #BMW basically giving away the Certified Pre-Owned #i3 for pennies on the dollar, HotCars contributor Michael Van Runkle tested out this electric city car to see whether the low prices can outweigh such strange styling.
Built using carbon fiber and sustainable materials including hemp and eucalyptus, the i3 has plenty of room, a peppy drive, and a price tag that's too good to pass up.
But without the optional range extender, can it really compete with Tesla's base Model 3?
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Bought a used 2015 with the Rex. One of the best purchases for a vehicle ever. Car is a BMW and drives like one. The Rex is a life saver, when you can’t get it charged. Pays to recode the vehicle to “Hold TO Charge’.” European setup, the way the car was designed. Get BimmerCode and get the plug. Big savings driving by the gas stations while other complain about fuel costs.
The turn signal stalk is a two-stage toggle. Pushed to the first detent, it triggers a 3-flash signal that self cancels without turning. Pushing to the second detent sets it as normal. Pushing it the same direction again cancels it, so there is no reason to push it the opposite direction.
well, there wasn't really a reason to reinvent the stalk everyone enjoys. This isn't a motorcycle, the flasher control doesn't need to return to center.
@@fred_e It's kooky for sure.
@@ksnax mmmmm. . . cookie
The i3 came out in 2013/2014, it's 7 years old so of course the depreciation is going to be low now. The car originally started at $42k and with options was $48k, some were $50k. Include the federal and state tax credits of $10k, we are looking at $32k or $40k for the i3 in 2014..
Now a fully loaded 2014 i3 is averaging $15k on the used market. 2017 i3's with the bigger battery are about $17k on the used market. 2019 i3s are about $30k on the used market.
considering an I3 for ride share, i saw a 2018 i3s with the drive assist+park assist for around 30k. Park assist is prob more for if family borrows it etc. But the drive assist seems nice for ride share/an added safety measure. At that price it seems like a hard bargain. Saw a 2019 for around 32,000 but its just a regular i3 not an s also with same options added. im leaning towards the i3S. For the added "power" for when im not working that added fun factor has my attention....or the pulling out of spots to make room for passenger entry etc...with the park assist seems convenient if the option isnt too much
Tips from an owner:
-Spend to get 2017 or newer (50% bigger battery)
-Get the REX (limitless range: you'll never have to resort to your ICE car on day trips).
We average 20k miles per year, and the REX has only been on 4% of the time (but it's invaluable on long day trips). It's virtually silent when you're in the car.
Not perfect for all needs, but if you use a level 2 charger each night, and commute less than 120 miles/day, it's a peach.
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But the REX adds weight, cost and complexity. As a result of the latter, the REX has also proven to be less reliable.
@@chrishyde1216 for a small amount of people it has been unreliable. Most have had no problems. Just needs and oil change every few years. I couldn't manage without it.
@@swavye Thanks for the reply. It's a very tempting choice, so that's the answer I was hoping for.
@@swavye how is the Rex?
@@doThatGWalk trouble free so far
I had a 2018 i3 BEV base model which I bought off a lease in January 2021. As this was before we were coming out of the pandemic, I got a stellar deal on the vehicle about 40% of the MSRP. This car has a 94Ah battery. During the summer months, I would get about 120 miles on the vehicle if I watched the speed. The range is really dependent upon the speed that you drive more than anything. There is a noticeable and dramatic reduction in range between driving at 55 mph and 70 mph. Personally, I find that use of the climate control really doesn't affect range that much. I took this car on a cross-country trip from Seattle to Portland, which is about 180 miles. I felt that I needed to charge twice along the route and it probably took me 50% more time than if I used an ICE. It takes about 30 minutes on a DC fast charger to charge to a usable battery percentage, ~90%. In June, I was involved in an accident which totaled the car (rear ended on the freeway). I have upgraded to a 2019 i3 BEV to replace it with a cost of less than 60% of the MSRP for a two year old vehicle at a time when used cars are expensive. This car has the 120Ah battery and I'm seeing ranges of 170 miles or more in the summer months. With the experience that I have had driving cross-country on my previous i3, I'd have no qualms about range anxiety with this car. There are certainly trips that I can't make with this car but I can reasonably take a trip 50-60 miles away and not worry about getting back home. One criticism about this video is that one really needs to have access to a 220v outlet at home or a home charger so that the car can be fully charged over night. Trying to get by with a 110v charger only makes life really difficult.
brake pedal first, then press start. And you are supposed to use your thumb. Not twist your arm to use your pointer.
Why would you want a mechanical gear shift on a electric car? It’s electric and doesn’t have a need for a mechanical gear selector.
Of course you don’t need a gear shifter on an electric car - it’s not even possible. But I totally agree that a great manual gearbox adds so much soul to a car, it’s like night and day. No matter the power or other attributes of any car, only a manual gives one the feeling of almost merging with the machine, of really controlling it with your hands. After I finally got an ICE automatic after years with a CRX si manual, it felt (and still feels) like I’m just riding, not driving. It’s soulless - for me - so I understand wishing for the (currently) impossible - an EV with a manual of some kind (controlling what, I don’t know).
You were very lucky to get the "Lodge" interior in your i3, very good natural materials with reduced chemacial treatment. You really should have bought it, because the interior is top and also a lot of extras are in that i3.
There was a battery upgrade programme by BMW to bring the 60Ah models to 94Ah in some countries.
The tires have very low rolling restance and low moving mass which is both good for your range.
Absolutely, at these used car prices you kinda can't pass up on them. I am thinking about getting rid of mine, I just posted a video about that, but mostly because of how good other evs are getting. My long term concern is the range, mid 200 mile range is kind of the standard already and as time goes on 250-350 seem like it might be the minimum which will kill value of ev's in this 100 mile range. As good as it works for me in LA, I'm not sure 100-200 miles range works great in more rural areas.
Great video. I considered buying a used i3 but I ended up buying a 2017 Chevy Volt a few months ago. I work from home so no commute but I have been finding that I use the entire 52ish miles electric range on the Volt a fair amount living in the Atlanta area and have to burn some gas. When you consider that 52 miles of range is really 26 miles each way, a trip to another town for my kid's soccer game eats up that range pretty quickly and I usually have to use the gas generator a bit. I like the styling of the BMW but my last car was a Fiat and I am a little gun shy about European cars because the Fiat was very expensive to repair when the warranty was over.
The prices on a lot of these used cars are fantastic. I paid around 13500 for my Volt. I was looking at i3s, Nissan Leafs, and Chevy Bolt EVs and there were many under $20,000. Chevy has even discounted brand new Bolts so you can get one new for around 25000.
Man, I remember when I could sell my car for less than I can now
I have had my “Litl’ Blue” 2017 BMW i3 BEV 33Kw 94Ah since 01/25/2021. I bought it in showroom condition from an original owner with 24k on the odometer. I’m 75, drive it about 30-100 miles a month mostly to pick up online ordered groceries and to visit the VA clinic.
I use a 240V, 16A (3.84Kw) Level 2 charger in my carport routed inside as an alternate device to my dryer outlet. I gain 13.5 miles per hour of charging up to 124 to 137 miles, and from home my electric cost is $0.031 per Mile which at an average gas price of $4.00 per gallon equates to 129 MPG.
If there is a more perfect EV out there, I simply don’t want it. I don’t need more range, acceleration, styling, features, reliability, comfort, handling, or value. Litl’ Blue is obviously my Forever Car. Paid $16,500 but was offered $22,400 by Edmunds/CarMax 4 months ago which tickled my worn out ego. You may name yours too.🚙
3:42. you’re doing it wrong.
7:46. “fast, even with narrow tires”? I’m wondering why this age old misconception is still floating around that a sporty car needs wide tires. Narrow tires are equally sporty and even provide better grip in snow.
So true! But people don't get it...
First of all, you need to instal a lvl 2 charger at home (220v), and range anxiety is not an issue if you plan your trips around fast charging stations. I do hate the skinny wheels, but you could get wider wheels. It has plenty of power in comfort mode.
wider wheels, less range
It’s torque limited from the start to preserve the engine mounts, watching the earliest cars were plastic and broke from the torque.
If the shifter really is your biggest hangup, this is a win. It is a totally different vehicle made at a time before any of this stuff was standard. This vehicle is a maverick EV with a nice REX for areas like mine that are not yet prevalent.
I checked my local dealer and they did not have any used ones for sale. Like everywhere having product on the lot is difficult.
Did you try autotrader?
Kijiji?
I’ve picked up a 120Ah BEV and the 150 mile range is perfect for my needs.
The reason the car doesn't "punch" right off the line is because it has been held back by software, get the earliest models and they pull right from the start. Unfortunately, the power was too much for some mountings though. Hence, the throttling of power.
Having borrowed one for a day, I really like the i3. Great fun to drive due to the good power to weight ratio and BMW DNA, and I love the unusual looks and beautiful cabin. But despite the expensive or compromised design features such as carbon fibre, skinny tyres and compact design, they are not as efficient or practical as the (apparently) more conventional Hyundai Ioniq.
Ya but its a BMW haha
2013 vs. 2017. Will you be comparing i4 to Ioniq?
Funny, in lots of countries you can't find a second hand one on the market for very long. They sell quickly.
Unicorns very active.
Is it possible to adda larger battery and gas tank?
Love the review. Looks like I will get a REX i3 maybe an S version here in the UK Driven one with that interior, cool to look at and so well built!
I got the 120Ah version in the UK. Can't get it with the Rex any more. Can't say I really need it with 150 mile range even in sub zero weather with no battery preconditioning. It would just be dead weight.
@Orangeman I agree that most EVs from legacy automakers are quite flabby. As in, they are still steel monocoques. But, I do wonder whether the i3 is pushing it a bit far with the weight saving measures using carbon body. E.g. the Renault Zoe does broadly the same thing for only 100kg penalty. I love the composite body, but maybe it pushes the price excessively high for little gain.
@@charlesbridgford254 So, not a cheap BMW? Legacy automakers flabby? Not as lithe as 3 ton Model S? Which I usually see stuck in gridlock carrying 1 person? How very Green!
14:20 Model 3 driver says "yeah na get back in your place"
We’re prices really that low in January? Heck I offered 25 OTD (out the door) on a max’ed out i3 REX ‘18 WITH A CARFAX ACCIDENT and the dealer told me to get the fuck outta there. Not even a counter offer.
Does the navigation system have turn by turn directions in text or is it voice only?
I think you started at a very low range because it’s calculated based on recent driving averages. Overtime if you don’t do Jack rabbit starts and stops, your average should be very close to advertised maximums. Using the AC and heater definitely affects range.
What was the temperature outside? That will limit your usable battery.
you know what's funny… these I3 skyrocketed up again by $5k. Too bad they stop making it now
Great review. Thanks.
in:bmw i3 year 2020+
out:prius,leaf
Not giving them away outside of the USA...
Also the 2 stroke REX means extra big taxes (outside the USA)...
Unfortunately the game has moved on... The range, even on the 120Ah battery, and the outdated tech mean it's better to look elsewhere..
Still it could have been so much more. That's what happens for the early EVs..
The I3 is a very great car. 👍🏼
I have one. It sucks. I'm trading it in as soon as it will start driving again.
Great car until the EMC or anything with the charging system goes out just a few weeks after warranty is gone. The reason they are so cheap today is that they break down and cost a ton to fix.......you will hate it once BMW wants to charge you $12K to fix it!! Lost a ton of money on that fancy piece of junk....... range is terrible......oh, and those tires wear out after 15k and are very expensive.
@@LawJones413 Sucks why?
@@BLecure Leasing.
bmw i3 rex is a proper ev the petrol engine does not drive the wheels and range is never a problem as you can just pop in a couple of gallons of gas, no hunt the charger and wait to charge,no having to plan your journey, you drive to suit you not suit the car.. sad bmw have discontinued this to go with ice car conversion evs, yes bmw are going backwards.
shame they aren't cheap here yet, pretty much the same price as a new EV except for the first couple of years
You are not getting the business model for the I3 yet. BMW don't want that you buy it, nobody is going to pay 55K for that car... They want you lease it for 3 years, they get 14K and then they sell it for 23-27K (3 y.o) ...so they technically are getting almost 40K for a car that should be 30K or less brand new.
In 3 years you are buying a car in theory paying 50% of the " retail " price... And buyer think... What a deal!!.
I would buy a Tesla not just because it’s faster and higher tech!!!
I’ve had plenty of BMW products and they’re not the most reliable lot of electrical problems I don’t care what kind of warranty house if it’s gonna be in the shop and you’re not driving it then what’s the point of having the warranty !!! Buy a Tesla!!!!🤠
Bolt > i3
You should do a review of the refreshed Bolts if you can, or an older Bolt if you can't. :)
Better range yes, better car..... maybe
Note: May be you should consider replacing the battery with a new one with twice as much capacity:
See the video: BMW i3 120Ah battery upgrade - How to?
ruclips.net/video/EH02scyrCaE/видео.html&ab_channel=Daniel%C3%96ster
In the market for an i3 so good video. I own a Tesla and when I bought it I thought I was getting a really efficient and cheap to operate commuter and I could not have been more wrong. A Model 3 is more car than most luxury cars once you own one. I kept a luxury gas car for a year thinking I would rather drive it when not commuting and I never drove it again.
Sorry, I'm a bit confused by your comment. Are you disappointed with the Model 3 or the opposite?
It would be a good idea to live with the car before reviewing it. FFS this car has been on the market for 8 years. U had time and U failed miserably
That is my sentiment. Did he do any homework.
You spend 95% time of this video to complain about the limited range of this 1995 i3 !!!
Really useless car, with 60 miles ranges at 100% of SoC in Eco++ mode, I would even don't consider the i3 as a second car.
Get a non compromise car with a descent range, or get a motorcycle if this is what you can only afford.
If you cannot drive all the way to San Diego or Santa Barbara, just rent a car for the weekend and take the bus during the week.
That turn signal stick is actually the straw that broke my desire for this car. Thank you for helping me make the good decision to keep my current car.