BMW i3 Range Extender 2015

BMW i3 Range Extender 2015

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Discussion

Dog Biscuit

Original Poster:

350 posts

4 months

Saturday 17th August
quotequote all
Any thoughts on the 2015 i3 with REX as a used buy?

Sub £8k buys a nice low miler that would tick the box for the many short trips we make.

Are they a good used buy or a potential wallet opener?

Anything to look out for?

Thanks in advance! smile

eth2190

74 posts

8 months

Sunday 18th August
quotequote all
Have a look at Wisely Automotive's Youtube back catalogue. There's a lot of valuable information in there. The owners groups on facebook are also a good place to look.

I bought my 2015 REX in April and have put almost 5000 miles on it so far. It's been brilliant. Yes a 120ah model would've been better, but that would come at double the price (I paid £6500 for mine).

Dog Biscuit

Original Poster:

350 posts

4 months

Monday 19th August
quotequote all
Great, thanks for the reply

I'll get researching!


Truckosaurus

12,047 posts

291 months

Tuesday 20th August
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I looked at these a while back, they seemed to be neither one thing nor the other.

If you are just doing city journeys then the electric version would be good enough.

The petrol engine has a tiny tank so you can't do big miles in one stint either, it is more to just get you to the next charger once the battery runs low.

(I loved the styling and overall concept of the car though.)

eth2190

74 posts

8 months

Tuesday 20th August
quotequote all
The range extender needs to be looked at in the context of the age and prices of these older 60ah models. Having the range extender gives so much more versatility to an older EV that would be pretty limited without it.

The caveat being if you really don't need the extra mileage then don't get the REX, because having the engine sitting there gathering dust is no good for it.

I get through a tenner of petrol about once a month purely because I have the freedom to do longer trips at the weekend. The rest of my miles are covered by overnight granny charging.




Edited by eth2190 on Tuesday 20th August 15:04

Pickled Piper

6,387 posts

242 months

Tuesday 20th August
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We ran one of these when they were new. Superb town runabout and for relatively short journeys. Quick 0 to 40mph. The rear door configuration is a pain if you have to regularly pick up and let out rear seat passengers.

The REX gives you some peace of mind in terms of range anxiety. However, it is quite noisy when it kicks in.

The ride is quite firm. The range depletes very quickly at motorway speeds. It also starts to run out of puff.

Paddymcc

1,011 posts

198 months

Tuesday 20th August
quotequote all
Had one of these a few years ago and while the range extender was handy as a backup I think I only ever had to use it out of necessity once on the return journey from Dublin airport.

Was quite impressed that it only kicked in about 15miles from home on a 110 mile journey at motorway speeds.