i3 120AH Real World Experiences
Discussion
Hi, I have an i8 Roadster and that's kind of hooked me on the BMW experience. I'm seriously considering adding an i3, most likely the 120AH version. I've done a quick scroll back and generally, where I found comments, sentiment has been pretty positive.
What do previous and current owners think of the experience? Is the range hitting the 160mile mark in the real world? does the lack of very high speed recharging limit you?
What do previous and current owners think of the experience? Is the range hitting the 160mile mark in the real world? does the lack of very high speed recharging limit you?
We’re four months and 2,000 miles in to our 120Ah i3S and seeing 140-150 miles on a full battery over the winter. Averaging around 3.8 miles/kWh without using ECO PRO or any other economy measures.
We charge at home, on a 3-pin plug; there have been a handful of longer trips where we’ve needed to charge - but 10-15 minutes at 50kW has been enough of a top-up to finish the journey with some headroom.
It needs a wash.
We charge at home, on a 3-pin plug; there have been a handful of longer trips where we’ve needed to charge - but 10-15 minutes at 50kW has been enough of a top-up to finish the journey with some headroom.
It needs a wash.
48k miles from new in an i3 120Ah.
Very positive experience overall. An engaging driving experience and, as I mentioned before on here, faster to 40mph than my E39 M5. Reliabilty has been good apart from a couple of issues. Had a leak of gear oil from the final drive unit which was traced to a corroded washer on the drain plug. We've had several problems with the tyre valve seat on a few rims corroding and air leaking requiring the tyres to be dismounted and the the corrosion rectified.
Best range we've had was 180 miles one summer but it was a painfully slow journey and won't ever be repeated. Worst range was 80 miles when it was -15 but again that is a bit of an outlier. 150 miles do-able on dual carriageways at 60mph but it's a bit of a squeaky bum experience. Desperately trying to find a charger when away from home with only 5 miles range left definitely isn't fun. Most of the time we charge at home and use the car for local stuff. Occasionally take it on 400+ mile journeys but it feels like you're planning some sort of expedition since you have to make several stops to charge and need to have a Plan A, B & C in case the charger you get to isn't working, or is very busy etc.. If the charging network was better and more or less flawless then taking the i3 on long trips would be a much easier and less stressful experience.
The i3 is surprisingly good on frozen roads and in the snow but only when on proper winter tyres.
Very positive experience overall. An engaging driving experience and, as I mentioned before on here, faster to 40mph than my E39 M5. Reliabilty has been good apart from a couple of issues. Had a leak of gear oil from the final drive unit which was traced to a corroded washer on the drain plug. We've had several problems with the tyre valve seat on a few rims corroding and air leaking requiring the tyres to be dismounted and the the corrosion rectified.
Best range we've had was 180 miles one summer but it was a painfully slow journey and won't ever be repeated. Worst range was 80 miles when it was -15 but again that is a bit of an outlier. 150 miles do-able on dual carriageways at 60mph but it's a bit of a squeaky bum experience. Desperately trying to find a charger when away from home with only 5 miles range left definitely isn't fun. Most of the time we charge at home and use the car for local stuff. Occasionally take it on 400+ mile journeys but it feels like you're planning some sort of expedition since you have to make several stops to charge and need to have a Plan A, B & C in case the charger you get to isn't working, or is very busy etc.. If the charging network was better and more or less flawless then taking the i3 on long trips would be a much easier and less stressful experience.
The i3 is surprisingly good on frozen roads and in the snow but only when on proper winter tyres.
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