I3 demonstrator price revealed

[subevo]

£27100 for Rex White.std interior.turbine wheels.pro nav.winter package. 4500 miles .

I was hoping it would be a lot cheaper.a new one is around £30000 without pro nav.

According to what car the i3 should depreciate 40% in first year.

I've previously put a deposit on an i3 but there are many reports of faults etc which is causing me concern.

[LordFlathead]

40% depreciation is a lot! Care to enlighten us with your source of information, especially regarding "the faults causing concern"?

[LouD86]

Great to see that BMW are able to make the i3 hold high resale value. If these don't all flood the market at the same time, then there is a real chance those who bought these, and continue to own them, will see great residuals on the PCP

[subevo]

There was a recent article in what car magazine stating predicted depreciation values.
Concerns are lots of owners on Facebook i3 site stating various software issues resulting in dealer visits .others stating range of only 60 miles as weather gets colder.

[clarkey]

Cooper Reading were asking just under £28k for theirs, £35k new (both after £5k rebate). I managed to take a look at an internal email that said they would have taken no less than £25k for it. I would have bought it but just missed out.

[clarkey]

Cooper Reading were asking just under £28k for theirs, £35k new (both after £5k rebate). I managed to take a look at an internal email that said they would have taken no less than £25k for it. I would have bought it but just missed out.

[ChrisW.]

BMW have invested a fortune in this technology.

They have arguably the most complete car enthusiast's electric car model options in the UK, supported by a substantial dealer network.

But this is nascent technology and I believe it is expected by most that there will be some interaction required between early owners and BMW in resolving these issues.

This is the price we pay for new technology of this magnitude. Trying to have fun being green isn't just about paying the cost, it is also about feedback and goodwill.

If you want the car to travel further in very cold weather it is really simple. Dress up warm, keep the heater low, direct the air flow onto the windscreen to keep it clear, and enjoy the peace of a very slightly longer journey time tuned to economy ...

I have a very irritating charging problem --- but we will sort it ---

The other side of this is that these cars cost far more to manufacture than BMW are charging for them, and they are engineering art. Good for BMW maintaining their value --- what a wonderful way for BMW to say thank-you for the cooperation from owners that both BMW and i3 owners need to make the most of their cars.

[DSLiverpool]

I can see why you would buy a Tesla over a I3 but I cannot for the life of me think why you would have an i3 over a Nissan leaf

These are tools to commute or do essential travel, don't kid me your going to do the EVO triangle in an i3 your going to commute, drop the kids off etc.

Now in theory the Leaf is slightly cheaper but the Nissan deals running now make the top spec one £7500 to run for two years, the cheapest i3 deal I can see is £11k for two years - £3500 is a hell of a lot for a commuting tool

I realise REX users have different priorities but can anyone tell give me a rational reason apart from "I wouldn't be seen dead in a Datsun"

[ChrisW.]

And your daily driver is ?

The i3 is an astonishingly competent car against which the Nissan does not in my view bare serious comparison.

Cars are my passions, hence being in the fortunate position where cost is secondary, I don't spend only what I need, I buy what I want.

The i3 is perfect for my local needs but I personally for example would not buy an i8. For this role I have a Cayman R --- a long way from being the most expensive but I believe the most fun at mere mortal speeds --- on the EVO triangle that you quote.

But the i3 also would be fun on the EVO triangle, and yes for that reason I have the Rex version.

And the fast charger --- of which currently there are almost no charging stations !

Somebody has to get the ball rolling ...

[DSLiverpool]

ChrisW. said:

The i3 is an astonishingly competent car against which the Nissan does not in my view bare serious comparison.

Can you elaborate please. For shopping, kid cab, running about and daily tasks remember. Its one thing having to have a state of the art "thing" because you want it but for the life of me after driving both they are not very different in task execution (I found both cars seats a bit uncomfortable)

[Tophatron]

BMW seem to be ferociously attempting to control the stock of used i3s, most likely to protect the used price from having the same fate as other EVs and ruining confidence in the product. I'm sure i remember stories on here about dealers doing everything they can to convince people to lease them rather than outright purchase. That's BMWs right, but it will mean we're unlikely to see "bargain" i3s any time soon.

Image aside, the Nissan and BMW are very similar propositions at the end of the day - although they do have a significant real world price difference.

[Greg_D]

DSLiverpool said:

I can see why you would buy a Tesla over a I3 but I cannot for the life of me think why you would have an i3 over a Nissan leaf

These are tools to commute or do essential travel, don't kid me your going to do the EVO triangle in an i3 your going to commute, drop the kids off etc.

Now in theory the Leaf is slightly cheaper but the Nissan deals running now make the top spec one £7500 to run for two years, the cheapest i3 deal I can see is £11k for two years - £3500 is a hell of a lot for a commuting tool

I realise REX users have different priorities but can anyone tell give me a rational reason apart from "I wouldn't be seen dead in a Datsun"

"I wouldn't be seen dead in a Datsun" is a pretty strong start , but as you ask apart from brand - looks, performance and engineering swung it for me

[Greg_D]

DSLiverpool said:

ChrisW. said:

The i3 is an astonishingly competent car against which the Nissan does not in my view bare serious comparison.

Can you elaborate please. For shopping, kid cab, running about and daily tasks remember. Its one thing having to have a state of the art "thing" because you want it but for the life of me after driving both they are not very different in task execution (I found both cars seats a bit uncomfortable)

you could make that comment about just about anything in life, needs and wants are often very far apart. Were it not the case, everyone would drive a 1.6 diesel ford focus estate!

[ChrisW.]

Design, technology, performance, driving feel, road presence, --- the Leaf does not bare comparison in my view.

BMW even have a different take on EndOfLife recycling where they are seriously considering wrapping a new car around the original carbon chassis and interior ...

Residual value ?

One of these is out of the box thinking, the other's a conventional car tuned to be electric ...

[DSLiverpool]

I can't decide if the BMW marketing guys have hypnotised you all or I am missing a huge point.

You use it to do the shopping, drop kids off then get home and go out in a proper car if it's your want - I can't see why BMWs end of life policy and bamboo door cards would change this experience and the cash saved could be spent on the proper car.

I suspect the i3 is being used as more than white goods hence it arouses passion where I can't see how to be passionate over functional transport.

I have booked a test drive to see if I am missing something.

[Amateurish]

One might say the same about buying an Infiniti over a Nissan. Except that really is just badge engineering.

[RossP]

DSLiverpool said:

I can't decide if the BMW marketing guys have hypnotised you all or I am missing a huge point.

You use it to do the shopping, drop kids off then get home and go out in a proper car if it's your want - I can't see why BMWs end of life policy and bamboo door cards would change this experience and the cash saved could be spent on the proper car.

I suspect the i3 is being used as more than white goods hence it arouses passion where I can't see how to be passionate over functional transport.

I have booked a test drive to see if I am missing something.

Hopefully the test drive will enlighten you!

[DSLiverpool]

Amateurish said:

One might say the same about buying an Infiniti over a Nissan. Except that really is just badge engineering.

Not the same thing as Nissan don't do a V8 SUV and I am not a Nissan fan, I just appreciate a good car but this is MY car not white goods to do the shopping in. I have mainly been German especially after a truly disappointing Jaguar flirtation - test drive on Saturday for the i3 REX (only one they had available)

[Amateurish]

Why do you think the i3 is just "white goods" as you put it? I don't really see where you are coming from to be honest.

[DSLiverpool]

Amateurish said:

Why do you think the i3 is just "white goods" as you put it? I don't really see where you are coming from to be honest.

How I see it is we can use an electric car as a "tool" to go shopping, to drop the kids off and to do chores. We wouldn't go for a hoon in it or take pleasure in ownership as you do in a nice petrol car possibly a sports car but having this electric car enables us to have a more esoteric car to hoon in as such the cheapest thing that does the job is needed.

I just see it as a tool nothing more, I cannot see past this viewpoint with an i3 or equivalent, but a Tesla or i8 is another matter - they are cars for the enthusiast who appreciates cutting edge tech and engineering ability and is rewarded.