i3

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Discussion

Discombobulate

Original Poster:

5,005 posts

191 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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After 3 happy years it's time for the i3 to go and we have bought .... an i3s. One of the last off the line.

Test drove a number of newer alternatives but nothing was as much fun to drive. Still an odd looking fish - albeit better in S guide - but such a good little car if you don't need to do more than 150 miles in a day, and can charge at home.

Our old one has been faultless too.

Edited by Discombobulate on Monday 1st January 00:40

bernie_eccle

296 posts

251 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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Well done. I will have had my i3s 94ah Rex for 3 years come March and getting itchy feet for a change. I would like something with a bit more range and comfort.

Have fun in Sport mode.

Dav72D

122 posts

173 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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What is the ride quality like in the S ?

Nomme de Plum

5,724 posts

21 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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It's a bit jiggly.

It really is a fun car to drive though and I love the quirky looks.

I think at some point I will change the springs and dampers. It feels underdamped and maybe oversprung. Could be a bit lower too.

Zero Fuchs

1,254 posts

23 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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Dav72D said:
What is the ride quality like in the S ?
Firmer but I don't mind it. Ride quality is much improved with less body roll and also high speed stability. I drove them back to back and the wider tyres help but found it rode over poor surfaces better, for me anyway.

Personally, it was worth the extra. The car still leans but I've found the car responds best to smooth inputs

Brilliant car and can't seem to part with it.


iDrive

427 posts

118 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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2018 i3S Rex 94Ah here - Great Car!

Typically cover less than 120miles/day and charge home on Octopus Intelligent - Works out at 2ppm - 2.5ppm

Having always bought Michelin tyres in the past, no option on the i3S, tried Bridgestone on the rear and found they didn't last too long. Hesitantly bought Tracmax (no, really) at £100 each on the rear and other than a slight tendency to tramline on road markings, they have been surprisingly good.

Bought a pair of BMW i3 mudflaps, which state they will not fit the i3S (because of the arch extensions) and found that 2mins with a sharp knife and you cut a tiny corner of the flap, they fit - Glad that I did, we have i3 without flaps at work and they get noticeably more dirty up the sides and rear.

The Octopus App took a few days to get used to - once connected with the BMW App and MyEnergi Charger, you ignore the BMW Charging times etc and the Octopus App takes over - all works well.

I bought a car with all the extras bar a HeatPump - Leaving for work early in a morning, the car heats up whilst still connected to the Charger and at 7.5p/kWh, which is nice.

Local garage does an oil change on the Rex annually (I must look at the data, but I'd guess we have done 500 miles on Rex this year)

I can see us keeping ours for a *long* time - currently 65k+ miles and costing less than the £6k Diesel Volvo it replaced, even allowing for a loan to cover the £15k difference in price to change.

Sierra Mike

880 posts

200 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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The i3 is a brilliant car which will be sorely missed now it's no longer in production. I currently have two, and looking to buy a third for my downtown home in the US. It's a fantastic EV for urban use.

I'm a member of an i3 Facebook group and someone posted about tyres a few weeks ago. I plan to try this myself at some point but thought I would share on PH.


Facebook post:

A week since changing my tyres to 195/55/R20 Goodyear EfficientGrip performance, I thought I’d share some feedback:

I had previously reported a droning hum from the original front Ecopias on certain tarmac. That has completely gone! It’s like a limo inside.

The car doesn’t skip and jiggle on poor surfaces anymore, instead it’s well planted and sure footed. The speedo does over read by 1 mph at 30mph, but I’ll cope.

I have researched tyre pressure and got an accurate set of new pressures to use. 29-32 on the front, 39-40 on the rear. This is significantly less than the standard and most likely contributing to the new smooth ride.They look epic, fill the arches and further protect the rims from kerb rash.

Honestly the best thing I’ve done to improve a car in years.

Hopefully, that's helpful for anyone looking to improve the ride quality.