Volkswagen ID3 - Good or Bad
Discussion
So I am thinking of making the switch to electric, I only do around 3000 miles a year so can make it work
Did think about an BMW I3 but the range is small and size wise is going to be a struggle have also considered a Peugeot E208 but again size wise it is a little small.
Need space as I do put the bike in the back.
So I noticed that ID3's are now around the price point that I can afford (15K)
Any one got any experience of them, from what I understand the early ones had a few glitches, looking at a pro performance with the 55kw battery.
Charger wise am I right in thinking for the mileage I will do no real need for a home charger
Thanks all
Did think about an BMW I3 but the range is small and size wise is going to be a struggle have also considered a Peugeot E208 but again size wise it is a little small.
Need space as I do put the bike in the back.
So I noticed that ID3's are now around the price point that I can afford (15K)
Any one got any experience of them, from what I understand the early ones had a few glitches, looking at a pro performance with the 55kw battery.
Charger wise am I right in thinking for the mileage I will do no real need for a home charger
Thanks all
I owned an ID3 for a bit, it was ok - software is annoyingly slow/bad but to drive they're decent.
For your sort of budget, I'd probably look at an MG4 instead. New ones are £18k at the moment, plus the 7 year warranty means that even if you buy used you should get a decent amount of cover. I've seen a few people with out of warranty ID3s facing big repair bills.
For your sort of budget, I'd probably look at an MG4 instead. New ones are £18k at the moment, plus the 7 year warranty means that even if you buy used you should get a decent amount of cover. I've seen a few people with out of warranty ID3s facing big repair bills.
I'd consider the Kia eNiro as they are a bit bigger than the ID3/Peugeot, it will probably have a few years of warranty left and they are much more efficient.
A plug-in charger would be fine if your electrics are in good condition. It will add about 10 miles of range per hour.
A plug-in charger would be fine if your electrics are in good condition. It will add about 10 miles of range per hour.
Edited by gmaz on Monday 31st March 11:16
We looked at the ID3 before buying the MG4 my wife now has. There's nothing really fundemental wrong with it but it's generally rather shoddy in execution, IMO. The interior is pretty poor (even in comparison to the MG, which itself is decidedly low-rent), the infotainment interface was awful, although they may have improved it with firmware updates which weren't on the one we test drove. Firmware updates wont have got rid of the horrible touch sensitive buttons, though.
The Cupra Born is largely the same car but feels a bit nicer, if it's in budget. We felt that the MG4 was a better car than either though (although it's more marginal between the Born and the MG4). Hyundai/Kia's offerings are also good cars - the Ioniq, Kona, Niro, and Soul.
Regarding the charger, we've been running our MG on a granny charger for seven months now doing about twice your mileage and not really had any issues, although we'll get a 7kW charger installed at some point to allow more charging to happen on cheep overnight tariffs. As above, if you intend to granny charge much, make sure the wiring to your garage is up to it.
The Cupra Born is largely the same car but feels a bit nicer, if it's in budget. We felt that the MG4 was a better car than either though (although it's more marginal between the Born and the MG4). Hyundai/Kia's offerings are also good cars - the Ioniq, Kona, Niro, and Soul.
Regarding the charger, we've been running our MG on a granny charger for seven months now doing about twice your mileage and not really had any issues, although we'll get a 7kW charger installed at some point to allow more charging to happen on cheep overnight tariffs. As above, if you intend to granny charge much, make sure the wiring to your garage is up to it.
Edited by kambites on Monday 31st March 11:01
No need for a charger, you can run it from an outdoor/garage 3 pin plug. Make sure to connect it each night and you'll never be caught short. As for the car itself, you can get an VW ID3 for around £12k and there's other cars available for your budget. Looks are subjective and the main thing is the interior as that is where you will be.
For me they are OK inside but lack any soul at all. They aren't even unique like the Tesla M3 with just 1 screen. If you are just wanting a cheapish BEV that will do the trick then the ID3 will be just fine.
For me they are OK inside but lack any soul at all. They aren't even unique like the Tesla M3 with just 1 screen. If you are just wanting a cheapish BEV that will do the trick then the ID3 will be just fine.
Had one for 6 months as a temporary solution (Life Pro Performance). Of the EV's we've had over the past 6 years (BMW i3, Tesla Model 3, Audi e-tron, VW ID3, Mercedes EQA) it was by some margin the worst.
Poor build quality, cheap interior, rubbish infotainment, not as efficient as you would hope. A very lazt attempt from VW and numerous better alternatives out there in my view.
For around £15k I'd look at 20/21 plate Model 3 SR (if the saloon body works) or potentially a 21 plate EQA 250 as been very impressed with my wife's. Both much nicer cars to drive and own than the ID3.
Poor build quality, cheap interior, rubbish infotainment, not as efficient as you would hope. A very lazt attempt from VW and numerous better alternatives out there in my view.
For around £15k I'd look at 20/21 plate Model 3 SR (if the saloon body works) or potentially a 21 plate EQA 250 as been very impressed with my wife's. Both much nicer cars to drive and own than the ID3.
I’ve had one for 8 months now! Bought 15k vw approved with 2 year warranty! We do 8k a year and so far only granny charged! In contrast I started looking for an mg4 but after test driving found it very poor! Interior really low rent and really annoying “driver aids” I found the id3 felt much better screwed together and frankly it all just works! I barely touch the screen! once it’s all set up the way you want it everything is auto! I’d go as far as saying it’s the best daily driver I’ve had in 30 plus years of driving! The interior fabrics do look a bit 80,s but the packaging is brilliant! Loads and loads of room without having a huge exterior!
My two pence worth
My two pence worth
I've been very happy with mine for the 35k miles we've done it since Sep '23. Had two rear tyres at about 31k miles, and its first service a couple of weeks ago, no problems or issues in between, just plug and go 
However, I'm benchmarking against daily ICE cars I've owned previously, so a pretty easy target for it to beat (E350, A3s, Astra, Focus, etc). I've not owned any other EVs yet...
However, I'm benchmarking against daily ICE cars I've owned previously, so a pretty easy target for it to beat (E350, A3s, Astra, Focus, etc). I've not owned any other EVs yet...
SWoll said:
Had one for 6 months as a temporary solution (Life Pro Performance). Of the EV's we've had over the past 6 years (BMW i3, Tesla Model 3, Audi e-tron, VW ID3, Mercedes EQA) it was by some margin the worst.
Same here but for only three months - utterly unmemorable car and poor 1990's style interior coupled with the awful Fisher Price inspired infotainment system. And I am a big VW fan!Only good thing about it was the £3k profit when I sold it on.
I've just been through a similar process... Started with an i3, and looked at every EV out there all the way upto Enyaqs and EV6s.
We aren't doing loads of miles like yourself and ended up where we began i3s.
It's not in warranty like lots of other new EVs, but it has character and really gets under your skin.
With the 150 mile range, it is plenty for our needs. edit... Other than the boot, the i3 feels bigger inside than the id3, my bicycles easily fit inside with the back seats down.
We aren't doing loads of miles like yourself and ended up where we began i3s.
It's not in warranty like lots of other new EVs, but it has character and really gets under your skin.
With the 150 mile range, it is plenty for our needs. edit... Other than the boot, the i3 feels bigger inside than the id3, my bicycles easily fit inside with the back seats down.
Edited by Dift on Monday 31st March 17:36
Edited by Dift on Monday 31st March 17:37
Got one to do 20K miles a year. I echo the cheapo interior and the awful driver aids (I spent £30 getting the lane assist switched off).
£13K it cost me with 40K miles on. I’d not like to pay any more than that for one.
Mine is grey, which reflects its personality perfectly.
That said it is absolutely pennies to run, and nothing to go wrong.
I’ve a wall charger from Octopus which seems quite good.
£13K it cost me with 40K miles on. I’d not like to pay any more than that for one.
Mine is grey, which reflects its personality perfectly.
That said it is absolutely pennies to run, and nothing to go wrong.
I’ve a wall charger from Octopus which seems quite good.
I’ve had one from new for 15 months via Octopus salary sacrifice scheme (my “other” car is a 993 Carrera just so you know I’m a steely eyed helmsman that likes a dab of oppo at the weekends) and I love it.
It’s the 62kWh version so summer range is 230 whereas winter is 195. Bags of room (can get my bike in the back with the seats folded) and comfortably takes 5 adults,easy to park, nippy in traffic and simple enough to use as a daily.
I charge it at home and a full charge is usually done in about 6 hours…using the Octopus tariffs it’s roughly £4 a fill up.
I’ve got this one for a further two years and I’d have another when the time comes definitely.
It’s the 62kWh version so summer range is 230 whereas winter is 195. Bags of room (can get my bike in the back with the seats folded) and comfortably takes 5 adults,easy to park, nippy in traffic and simple enough to use as a daily.
I charge it at home and a full charge is usually done in about 6 hours…using the Octopus tariffs it’s roughly £4 a fill up.
I’ve got this one for a further two years and I’d have another when the time comes definitely.
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