BMW i8

[nikaiyo2]

Sooo our local BMW peddler has a couple of i8s at seemingly affordable prices.

Is this going to end up in tears/ Are they a costly maintenance nightmare?

Are they an every day car? Could i use it for a commute through town ?

Is this just complete insanity ?

Edited by nikaiyo2 on Monday 10th March 11:54

[GreatGranny]

Never owned one or could afford one but IMO they are a great design.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[J1990]

The biggest issue I found with the i8 when my FIL had his was that it was an awful lot of money for a car that was good at a lot of things but great at very little. If you're able to get one at a good price then I'm yet to hear significant horror stories of running costs, it's certainly a good looking car (in the right colour combo) and reviews tend to all be rather positive, until you compare it against other cars of a similar RRP (£125k before options for the 2020 car was just a little crazy vs competition).

[nikaiyo2]

I have always loved the design when it first came out it was a really WOW like nothing else. Approved used are less than £40k something like this seems to make a good case compared to a used M2 or almost new M240.

[Panamax]

Batteries will be coming off the end of their 8-year warranty but I've not heard any horror stories. Just some modest loss of range.

[MitchT]

I've heard a lot of positive things from people who own them. My only concern, given the age they are now, would be the battery. How much life is left in it? How much does it cost to replace? How reliant is the car overall on the battery being healthy?

[CRA1G]

Can't believe it but on the 1st of March it was Ten years ago since I picked up my first i8....

[BERNEV]

I8s are inherently reliable. People worry too much about battery life. Look how many Prius are still around. The battery might lose 15% of capacity but rarely more. This doesn’t affect performance in normal use as the car always keeps charge in reserve. You need to remember that this car has a tiny battery. Most of the power comes from the ICE. The battery provides the torque before the engine takes over. So forget battery. Be more interested in the electronics that run the car. Like BEVs this car can suffer critical component damage and write off the car. There is no warning. And it rarely happens but when it does it’s over. Also check the air con compressor doesn’t rattle. Walk away if it does. Other than that it’s pretty good and a much better car than people give it credit for. It can easily be used as a daily but it is useful to have access to domestic electricity.

[vanman1936]

Last time I looked to buy one of these you could add a BMW warranty for not silly money.

Heard nothing but good things from actual owners.

Had a passenger ride in one and fairly rapid.

Distinctive, reliable, quick and “cheap” to run but not the last word in involvement (bot still ok) seems to be a fair strapline. I would look at one of in the market for a 2+2.

[255SNK]

I bought one 4 weeks ago - absolutely sublime.

I've owned many, many cars over the years and have been privileged to drive hundreds of other high-end models and honestly I can't fault it - which coming from someone who has very high expectations and finds fault in most is high praise indeed.

Misunderstood when new in 2014 because looking back it (and the i3) were way ahead of their time and there were a glut of V6,V8 cars for similar money so why would anyone go for a hybrid!?..........roll on 11years and look at what the manufacturers are offering as new models now!

I could type script and verse for hours but the dog is waiting at the front door for a walk

If you are near Devon or find yourself passing by anytime drop me a note, happy to show you around

Cheers,

Chris

[BERNEV]

I am very happy with mine. It feels like a supercar - okay the engine doesn’t sound it but it’s not bad - and I have had mine for six years. Only criticism is it’s too wide. Too large actually but then I favour tiny cars. It dwarfs my NSX. But all new cars are too big. Get one with a warranty.

[Pickle_Rick]

Friend had one several years ago. Spent more time at stratstone being fixed than on the road. It looked better than it drove.

He never said what it cost him in total fixing it over the years but he did show me a bill once for near £4000 when the coolant system failed. He got shot after 3 years or so.

[nunpuncher]

A friend has had one for years. He's not really a car guy, just liked the look of it, doesn't drive it that often but I've never heard him complain about it.

I always s thought they were a pretty safe bet compared to a similarly priced R8 or 911 but I remember seeing one of those lists of "least reliable" (or similar title) cars from one of the warranty companies and the i8 topped the list even beating JLR products.

[jamesbilluk]

I've had 2 of these, and would happily have another as a daily driver, I only sold the last one due to the lack of space and the kids, I was fine with one child, as I was able to pop a child seat in the back seats, and buy a special small pram. Once they do t have big seats, I would love to have another.

Definitely fast enough for me, and never felt like it was half powered by a 3 cylinder, and actually seemed to handle very well die to the weight, although there wasn't much steering feel.

For daily duties I found it great, wing able to completeost of my journeys on electric, also, a spirited drive in sports mode would charge the battery back up again,

I've never owned a car that turns as many heads, and mine were both grey ones.