WARNING: Contains milk floatery: BMW i3
Discussion
SWMBO has owned her Mini for 15 years, but as it's getting on a bit and I hate the darned thing and detest working on it I decided that as she now only does about 1,000 miles per annum now would be a good time to go milk-floatery.
She wanted something small which in today's bloated car market is a tall order. I decided after a lot of research a VW E-Up would be a safe bet and last week we went to Motorpoint to view one. The entire experience of Motorpoint was a huge disappointment to say the least and I do wonder how they survive in business. When I came out SWMBO told me she didn't like the E-Up so I suggested we went and looked at an i3 I had seen advertised privately. I couldn't believe it when she told me she liked the car and I bought it and drove it home.
It was filthy and required a lot of detailing to remove tree sap and leaves after spending the last two years parked under a tree in the driveway. It needs a set of tyres, wiper bladed and a few other items addressed and along with a thorough check over to ensure everything is safe and sound.
My drive home was uneventful. I left the vendors house with 54 miles, drove 20 miles in heavy traffic and still had 49 miles of charge left. I recon with the small mileage SWMBO does it will only require charging every few weeks so I'm not even going to install a home charger.
A few dirty pics to start the thread off...
She wanted something small which in today's bloated car market is a tall order. I decided after a lot of research a VW E-Up would be a safe bet and last week we went to Motorpoint to view one. The entire experience of Motorpoint was a huge disappointment to say the least and I do wonder how they survive in business. When I came out SWMBO told me she didn't like the E-Up so I suggested we went and looked at an i3 I had seen advertised privately. I couldn't believe it when she told me she liked the car and I bought it and drove it home.
It was filthy and required a lot of detailing to remove tree sap and leaves after spending the last two years parked under a tree in the driveway. It needs a set of tyres, wiper bladed and a few other items addressed and along with a thorough check over to ensure everything is safe and sound.
My drive home was uneventful. I left the vendors house with 54 miles, drove 20 miles in heavy traffic and still had 49 miles of charge left. I recon with the small mileage SWMBO does it will only require charging every few weeks so I'm not even going to install a home charger.
A few dirty pics to start the thread off...
It'll be a great car. I had a base one from 2015 to 2017, and an i3s from 2018 and still have it 50k+ miles later. Cheap as chips to run (apart from tyres on the s), really really practical if you fold the rear seats down, it's the go-to car for probaby 85% of journeys. Plastic panels means it doesn't rust or get dinged in car parks, carbon chassis means it won't rust. No notable degradation in battery performance on either car. If it's an earlier car, you might need to watch it in the ice as the regen is a bit slow-witted, but actually its really good in snow if you have appropriate tyres on it.
I've thought about changing the current car for several years now but there's nothing else available that is so distinctive or comparable, including in size - as you say - so many EV's are huge, which isn't what I want. The only thing that tempts me is the new R5, but the i3s remains so good I'm not convinced that having a google interface is worth the £20k it would cost to change. Brilliant little cars.
I've thought about changing the current car for several years now but there's nothing else available that is so distinctive or comparable, including in size - as you say - so many EV's are huge, which isn't what I want. The only thing that tempts me is the new R5, but the i3s remains so good I'm not convinced that having a google interface is worth the £20k it would cost to change. Brilliant little cars.
Thanks biggles330d and spaceship.
I gave George (seen below sucking up to Kära my V70) the task of vacuuming the car interior. The car hasn't been abused, but it's not been cared for either, I think the previous owner just thought of it as a mode of transport for getting to and from his work. If it ain't broken then why fix it sort of mentality!!!
I have to admit Volvo carpets are 1 million times superior to the crap BMW puts in their cars
I gave George (seen below sucking up to Kära my V70) the task of vacuuming the car interior. The car hasn't been abused, but it's not been cared for either, I think the previous owner just thought of it as a mode of transport for getting to and from his work. If it ain't broken then why fix it sort of mentality!!!
I have to admit Volvo carpets are 1 million times superior to the crap BMW puts in their cars
That looks exactly like the one I had 2016-2018 right down to the leaf accumulation.
I rented one when they were £300 a month. My regular car was a Landcruiser which doubled commuting with dog and shooting duties and man maths told me the savings in fuel would (almost) cover the rental.
I loved it. There's a lot to admire in the design and engineering properly nippy in traffic with one footed driving. They really get under your skin. I would have kept it on or rented a new one but BMW wanted >£300 to keep it or >£400 for a new one so it went back
I rented one when they were £300 a month. My regular car was a Landcruiser which doubled commuting with dog and shooting duties and man maths told me the savings in fuel would (almost) cover the rental.
I loved it. There's a lot to admire in the design and engineering properly nippy in traffic with one footed driving. They really get under your skin. I would have kept it on or rented a new one but BMW wanted >£300 to keep it or >£400 for a new one so it went back
Pica-Pica said:
Hookyman said:
It’s a crying shame the cancelled it rather than continuing developing it. Today’s market seems to be crying out for something similar.
Absolutely.Thanks for everyones replies, seems the i3 is an odd choice but seems to be liked by many.
Front seat in position for me which gives me around 4 inches between my knees and the back of the seat when in the rear seat
Front seat all the way back which gives me enough room that my knees miss the back of the seat by around half an inch
shirt said:
Another fan here. Don’t own one but want one as a city car. I like seeing them on the road, when I mention this on any car WhatsApp group I’m on they think I’m mad.
Just do it, 0-60 in 7.2 seconds is a hoot in something this size...PaulV said:
I quite like these too.
If you wouldn't mind me asking, what would you say rear access is like for aged parents with poor mobility?
Cill height / step down inside / knee roomThanks
My wife has mobility issues and she can get in/out easily enough. The sill height is a bit higher than 'normal cars' but nothing as high as Range Rovers etc. Plenty leg room in the back unless the driver is 6'3" and has the seat right back, there is still room but might be cramped for adults in the rearIf you wouldn't mind me asking, what would you say rear access is like for aged parents with poor mobility?
Cill height / step down inside / knee roomThanks
Front seat in position for me which gives me around 4 inches between my knees and the back of the seat when in the rear seat
Front seat all the way back which gives me enough room that my knees miss the back of the seat by around half an inch
Edited by 47p2 on Wednesday 21st May 12:43
we ran one of these a few years back. We had the range extender version with the petrol powered generator.
It was a great second car. Superb round town, but would run out of puff after 60 mph.
I did find the ride quite harsh and it was always a faff opening the front doors in order to let the kids out of the back.
It was a great second car. Superb round town, but would run out of puff after 60 mph.
I did find the ride quite harsh and it was always a faff opening the front doors in order to let the kids out of the back.
47p2 said:
My wife has mobility issues and she can get in/out easily enough. The sill height is a bit higher than 'normal cars' but nothing as high as Range Rovers etc. Plenty leg room in the back unless the driver is 6'3" and has the seat right back, there is still room but might be cramped for adults in the rear
Front seat in position for me which gives me around 4 inches between my knees and the back of the seat when in the rear seat
Front seat all the way back which gives me enough room that my knees miss the back of the seat by around half an inch
Thanks for that, I will have a look around and see what is available.Front seat in position for me which gives me around 4 inches between my knees and the back of the seat when in the rear seat
Front seat all the way back which gives me enough room that my knees miss the back of the seat by around half an inch
Edited by 47p2 on Wednesday 21st May 12:43
One of, if not the best cars we've ever owned. It must be over 55k miles now, we bought the pure electric S in the then new company car directors tax dodge and barring it totally s
tting itself electrically we'll run it into the ground.
We don't even service it any more, a good hours going over by by mechanic come MOT time and it's right as rain, still on original discs and pads (though certainly not it's og tyres!) and we drive it like we stole it.
In ten or fifteen years they'll be thought of like the Audi A2-the connoisseurs choice that no one cares about! Engineering on another level.
tting itself electrically we'll run it into the ground.We don't even service it any more, a good hours going over by by mechanic come MOT time and it's right as rain, still on original discs and pads (though certainly not it's og tyres!) and we drive it like we stole it.
In ten or fifteen years they'll be thought of like the Audi A2-the connoisseurs choice that no one cares about! Engineering on another level.
I’ve had 3 of them. One of the original cars when they first came out, then one with the motorcycle engine, the an I3s.
Each one has been an amazing experience. I loved them, fun to drive, quirky, and cheap as chips to run.
I actually sold my I8 as I preferred driving the i3 I found it more gocart like.
Enjoy the car it will last long in to being a classic !
Each one has been an amazing experience. I loved them, fun to drive, quirky, and cheap as chips to run.
I actually sold my I8 as I preferred driving the i3 I found it more gocart like.
Enjoy the car it will last long in to being a classic !
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