i3 in the snow

[ds666]

Any stories so far ?

I found mine ok ( my commute today had badly iced side roads ) but it locks the rear wheels up quite easily on a trailing throttle meaning you have to use the brakes more than I'd like in these conditions . Traction seemed ok but was better in eco than comfort .

[Shilvers]

Any issues with the instant torque of the electric motor?

[mids]

I've got snow tyres on mine and find it pretty sure footed (there was snow for the first part of my commute early this morning). I've not experienced anything to worry about. I think the narrow tyres help here too, similar to how well it copes with standing water.

[Doshy]

Shilvers said:

Any issues with the instant torque of the electric motor?

Just stick it in ECOPRO mode abd that should hold it back. I think there may be a traction control function, discussion here http://www.mybmwi3.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&am...

[edit]

I live in Stockholm. I was looking to buy one last year but was worried about it's ability in hard winter conditions so borrowed one for the weekend. It was -10c and we had plenty of snow. The i3 was pretty impressive on winter tyres and was able to get up the steep hill I live on even with around 8cms of fresh snow. Even when pulling a reckless overtaking in slush the back stepped out a little but was reigned in by the ESP. In my view it was better than most 2wd cars (with snow tyres). I believe this is down to the way the electronic motor can incrementally control the amount of power put down. A combustion engine cannot provide the same level of control over power.

In the end I decided to by a 997 C2S instead.. Despite also sharing the rear engine rear wheel drive format of the i3 it's not as good in the snow, thus proving my theory. 997 looks better though.

[RossP]

I have summer tyres on mine. Took it to the sister-in-laws on Boxing day in the Peak District. It started snowing so we left (it came down rather fast). Got 300 yds down the lane and got stuck!

Abandoned it there for 3 days till the snow cleared...

[Doshy]

RossP said:

I have summer tyres on mine. Took it to the sister-in-laws on Boxing day in the Peak District. It started snowing so we left (it came down rather fast). Got 300 yds down the lane and got stuck!

Abandoned it there for 3 days till the snow cleared...

Yikes!

[RossP]

There is a traction control thing, but (with summer tyres) it just spins the wheels (slowly).

Also it is difficult to know whether the wheels are spinning as there is no engine sound or rev counter!

[scubadude]

edit said:

In the end I decided to by a 997 C2S instead.. Despite also sharing the rear engine rear wheel drive format of the i3 it's not as good in the snow, thus proving my theory. 997 looks better though.

:-) Kudos

[Mr Taxpayer]

RossP said:

I have summer tyres on mine. Took it to the sister-in-laws on Boxing day in the Peak District. It started snowing so we left (it came down rather fast). Got 300 yds down the lane and got stuck!

Abandoned it there for 3 days till the snow cleared...

Apologies to Megan Trainor..

It's about the tyres, 'bout the tyres, winters are no trouble.

Over-run charging, regenerative braking, instant torque, etc are all reliant on the tyres gripping the road. If it's below +7ºC then expect trouble if you don't have winter tyres fitted. Only the power-train has been changed, not the laws of physics!

[RossP]

Yes, I realise winters would be better in the cold weather. Just can't be bothered to fork out the dosh for a few days when the summers don't work.

[TransverseTight]

Three's an option in the menu to turn of the DCS and have improved traction. If you can work out what the menu means - as its in Gerglish. The manual says "You switch off the traction control by switching "Traction Mode On" which offers maximum traction but reduced road holding" or something like that. LOL.

I think the idea is it allows some rear wheel spin to get you moving, but corners might be interesting if the DCS is off.

[Kawasicki]

edit said:

I live in Stockholm. I was looking to buy one last year but was worried about it's ability in hard winter conditions so borrowed one for the weekend. It was -10c and we had plenty of snow. The i3 was pretty impressive on winter tyres

It's like the BMW guys developed the car to be driven by an unskilled driver on snow. It really is. Oh wait, they did.