BMW I3s

80sDiesel

Spotted a gleaming new I3S ( in melbourne red ) in Cork today. Must have just have been picked up. Looked fantastic!

Wonder if someone here is the new lucky owner.

Patser

What's the plural of i3s?

Just asking as I clicked on this thread thinking it'd be a general query about i3s, it in a fact its a very specific thread about a particular i3s, not just the i3s in general; or indeed any other older i3s owners here might have.

80sDiesel

Patser wrote: »

infact its a very specific thread about a particular i3s,.

Yes you made the same mistake as me.

Its the new
I3S

It was like this but with tinted rear windows

The i3 is a fantastic car already the S should be even more fun.

If anyone hasn't driven one then it's well worth a test drive , take it to the back roads and I guarantee you'll love it.

The i3 makes a Leaf, Zoe, Ioniq feel unbelievable dull and boring but they are not meant to be fun cars just ICE replacements and they do the job fine, i3 is a different beast, it's designed to be fun and it is, lots , the S could even by my next EV in BEV only if the charging network improves a lot I shouldn't need the Rex. Perhaps by then they will have over 200 Hp.

Soarer

Doors!

cros13

Yeah... I'm actually torn between the 44kWh i3S and Model 3.

The i3 has a way better turning circle, it's got better visibility, it's 1 meter shorter and it's a more practical hatchback with a flat load area.
That makes it a way better car than the model 3 in the city. And the i3S fixes some of the issues like high speed stability on the motorway and a more compliant suspension.

rizzee

Think I spotted that on the moon in the news a while ago

Shefwedfan

Still looks like it has pram wheels on it.....

80sDiesel

cros13 wrote: »

Yeah... I'm actually torn between the 44kWh i3S and Model 3.

The i3 has a way better turning circle, it's got better visibility, it's 1 meter shorter and it's a more practical hatchback with a flat load area.
That makes it a way better car than the model 3 in the city. And the i3S fixes some of the issues like high speed stability on the motorway and a more compliant suspension.

They improved the traction control as well so it doesn't turn off regen if you hit a bump.
Good reviews
https://www.google.ie/amp/s/insideevs.com/bmw-i3-sport-one-month-review/amp/

Y2K86

[Deleted User] wrote: »

The i3 is a fantastic car already the S should be even more fun.

If anyone hasn't driven one then it's well worth a test drive , take it to the back roads and I guarantee you'll love it.

The i3 makes a Leaf, Zoe, Ioniq feel unbelievable dull and boring but they are not meant to be fun cars just ICE replacements and they do the job fine, i3 is a different beast, it's designed to be fun and it is, lots , the S could even by my next EV in BEV only if the charging network improves a lot I shouldn't need the Rex. Perhaps by then they will have over 200 Hp.

Drive the new Leaf

Its as fast as your i3

Yeah it's annoying when the regen cuts out over bumps so it will be good to have that issue resolved.

I'm seriously thinking that that could be my next car in 2019 that or Model S but Model S will likely have much higher mileage.

If I can manage to get the BEV only then it will be a bit faster again but even with 44 Kwh there will be limitations with the current charging infrastructure so it would depend on whether the ESB get the finger out or not but I think the most they will do is only replace the ChaDeMo chargers in 2018 and perhaps start rolling out new chargers in 2019.

+ depending on weight if the 0-100 stays the same , hopefully they'll give it a power boost, 250 Hp would be nice, the larger battery should be able to provide more power.

I3 is really a lot of fun on the back roads and yes the suspension is a bit bouncy but well controlled and suits our broken roads well and I think that I might just about prefer the current setup but I'd still like a day with the S to find out.

The problem now is that it would be very hard to go back to a Leaf or even into a Kona, good electrics but not so nice inside and won't drive nearly as good and they're FWD the RWD makes a big difference.

If BMW can manage to get the 44 Kwh to charge at 100 Kw it would be great but the power density would have to improve because the current 33 Kwh is actually charging over the recommended rate at 50 Kw as it is but on the + side the cells are rated at 3,200 cycles at 80% DOD to 80% capacity + you will rarely arrive home with a discharged battery anyway so that should improve things a lot but the i3 33 Kwh has serious potential to last 500,000 Kms to 90% if the specs prove correct so we will see how time effects it.

If it's rated at 3,200 cacles at 80% DOD cycles to 80% and 160 odd kms per charge ( even though you can really get 180 in the Rex and more in the BEV) then that would be 512,000 Kms to 80% Capacity.

IF the 44 Kwh could charge at 100 Kw then it would be a lot easier to live with it and BEV over the Rex but the issue remains , we need a lot more chargers.

Also to work in in it's favour is the thermally controlled battery, highest temp I saw From Killarney to Carlow was 33 Deg C including a 5-90% Fast charge and 120 Km/h Blast on the M8 to Ballacolla then to Carlow.

Y2K86

Y2K86 wrote: »

Drive the new Leaf

Its as fast as your i3

Is it ?

Will it be as fun to drive ? have as much grip as the RWD provides, the 24 Kwh would loose seconds on a 0-100 sprint due to lack of grip at times, same with the ioniq and was sometimes a pain in the arse pulling out at junctions and roundabouts.

i3 also has a much better suspension/steering , the leaf is a bit too giddy at the rear for my liking.

I did hear someone say the steering had better feel on the new leaf .

I plan on test driving it but I can imagine all the negativity if I don't post anything other than it's brilliant.

I've a few tests done on the i3 Rex and best I managed was 7.6 seconds 0-100 sat speed, monitored with the EOBD-Facile app, worst was 8.2 but if I remember correctly the battery was cold and not pre heated.

0-100 doesn't tell the full story anyway.

The S has a faster top speed too.

Y2K86

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Is it ?

Will it be as fun to drive ? have as much grip as the RWD provides, the 24 Kwh would loose seconds on a 0-100 sprint due to lack of grip at times, same with the ioniq and was sometimes a pain in the arse pulling out at junctions and roundabouts.

i3 also has a much better suspension/steering , the leaf is a bit too giddy at the rear for my liking.

I did hear someone say the steering had better feel on the new leaf .

I plan on test driving it but I can imagine all the negativity if I don't post anything other than it's brilliant.

15.9 sec 1/4 mile for both, Leaf with higher trap speed, i3 slightly quicker to 100

Tested by Motortrend

Very accurate testing

Y2K86

cros13 wrote: »

Yeah... I'm actually torn between the 44kWh i3S and Model 3.

The i3 has a way better turning circle, it's got better visibility, it's 1 meter shorter and it's a more practical hatchback with a flat load area.
That makes it a way better car than the model 3 in the city. And the i3S fixes some of the issues like high speed stability on the motorway and a more compliant suspension.

44kWh?

Thought no change to battery size?

Y2K86

Y2K86 wrote: »

15.9 sec 1/4 mile for both, Leaf with higher trap speed, i3 slightly quicker to 100

Tested by Motortrend

Very accurate testing

Cool, post the link, interesting reading no doubt.

I'll be interested to see how the Leaf handles, steering etc, I've seen youtube videos of traction engaging slowing the leaf this is why I would not like to go back to FWD, it was a pain in the old leaf with 109 HP.

In fact, I'll try arrange a test drive for next week, there's some hilly twisty routes I can blast down.

Done, booked Leaf 40 for Tuesday , Flynns Carlow, 10-11 am , should be plenty to have a blast around and test the Autopilot on the M9.

Not interested in range tests or efficiency , I'm only interested in the fun factor at this point in time.

beauf

https://youtu.be/yLfRPT5sEEI

Fun is relative. You'd image there are ice cheaper that are more fun.

beauf

beauf wrote: »

https://youtu.be/yLfRPT5sEEI

Fun is relative. You'd image there are ice cheaper that are more fun.

Perhaps but the issue there is fuel costs at my yearly Kms + I drive the i3 like I stole it.

I didn't pay 50 K for mine though so it was absolutely worth it for the fun I have in it for what I will pay which will only be 6.5 ish K more than the 24 Kwh Leaf.

They pay a lot less for cars in the U.S and fuel is dirt cheap.

cros13

Y2K86 wrote: »

44kWh?

Thought no change to battery size?

Samsung SDI (the OEM for the i3's cells) has 120Ah cells in sampling since 2016.
I learned about them a few months after I learned of the 94Ah cells hitting sampling (which was a year before the 34kWh (94Ah) was released).

The reason for the delay in BMW rolling out the 120Ah cells is that they'll be coming off the line in Samsung SDI's new factory in Hungary (rather than shipping from South Korea) which isn't fully up to speed yet.

We should see an announcement in the summer and production of the 44kWh i3 by November.

Y2K86

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Cool, post the link, interesting reading no doubt.

I'll be interested to see how the Leaf handles, steering etc, I've seen youtube videos of traction engaging slowing the leaf this is why I would not like to go back to FWD, it was a pain in the old leaf with 109 HP.

In fact, I'll try arrange a test drive for next week, there's some hilly twisty routes I can blast down.

https://www.google.ie/amp/www.motortrend.com/news/nissan-leaf-2018-car-of-the-year-contender/amp/

https://www.google.ie/amp/www.motortrend.com/cars/bmw/i3/2017/2017-bmw-i3-range-extender-first-test-review/amp/

80sDiesel

cros13 wrote: »

Samsung SDI (the OEM for the i3's cells) has 120Ah cells in sampling since 2016.
I learned about them a few months after I learned of the 94Ah cells hitting sampling (which was a year before the 34kWh (94Ah) was released).

The reason for the delay in BMW rolling out the 120Ah cells is that they'll be coming off the line in Samsung SDI's new factory in Hungary (rather than shipping from South Korea) which isn't fully up to speed yet.

We should see an announcement in the summer and production of the 44kWh i3 by November.

What motorway range would you think the 120Ah could do?

Y2K86

Y2K86 wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/amp/www.motortrend.com/news/nissan-leaf-2018-car-of-the-year-contender/amp/

https://www.google.ie/amp/www.motortrend.com/cars/bmw/i3/2017/2017-bmw-i3-range-extender-first-test-review/amp/

Oh man, that was some bullsh1t reading. Thanks for the links anyway.

beauf

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Oh man, that was some bullsh1t reading. Thanks for the links anyway.

Hear no evil. ...

Y2K86

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Oh man, that was some bullsh1t reading. Thanks for the links anyway.

What was bull****?

Y2K86

Y2K86 wrote: »

What was bull****?

They talk a lot of sh1t but they're not alone, other car review sites are just as bad. You'd have to take it with a pinch of salt really.

I certainly would not base my decision to buy a car based on a review from the likes of these jackasses.

beauf

You realise he didn't answer your question.

Mad lad answer to every question is an i3 because he bought one. Hence that's his answer to everything.

beauf

beauf wrote: »

You realise he didn't answer your question.

Mad lad answer to every question is an i3 because he bought one. Hence that's his answer to everything.

Grow up !

beauf

Its unfair not to disclose your extreme bias to people who are not aware of it. Most people want to hear the pro's and con's.


Theres a ton of reviews on the i3 and i3s on the web.
https://www.google.ie/search?q=Long+Term+i3s+Review&rlz=1C1CHBF_enIE761IE761&oq=Long+Term+i3s+Review&aqs=chrome..69i57.5475j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

The main issues with the i3 seem to be price, strict 4 seater, the usability issues with the doors, harsh ride (not simply sporty) and price again. I don't think its any different for the i3S. Otherwise everyone loves them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF3lPSsHfy4

beauf

beauf wrote: »

Its unfair not to disclose your extreme bias to people who are not aware of it. Most people want to hear the pro's and con's.


Theres a ton of reviews on the i3 and i3s on the web.
https://www.google.ie/search?q=Long+Term+i3s+Review&rlz=1C1CHBF_enIE761IE761&oq=Long+Term+i3s+Review&aqs=chrome..69i57.5475j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

The main issues with the i3 seem to be price, strict 4 seater, the usability issues with the doors, harsh ride (not simply sporty) and price again. I don't think its any different for the i3S. Otherwise everyone loves them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF3lPSsHfy4

"disclose your extreme bias to people who are not aware of it."

Funny Man

The i3 does have a bit harsh ride at slow speeds on broken town roads due to the 19 inch tyres, on the open road it's much much much better rather than read some crap reviews why don't you drive it before you criticise an actual owner ?

The doors are unusual and can be awkward in tight spots however I manage quiet fine with 2 small Children that can't quiet let themselves in and out yet so it's no problem for me.

And just so you know and Cros13 can back me up here, I was highly critical of the i3 for a long time, then last July I took it for a 600 odd Km test drive over 2 days from Dublin to Galway and then I decided the i3 is going to be my next car , it was just so much fun to drive.

I criticised it for it's small boot, weird doors and for having a Generator and I guarantee Cros13 can back me up on that.

I can fit a small buggy and a suitcase and some other smaller bags and have gone off for a weekend and drives with the family of which we are 4 no problems.

The Rex has proved itself on several occasions due to the poor charger situation in Ireland, it has not improved since I got the leaf in 2015 so this is my reason for choosing the Rex.

I also got a cracking good deal on the i3 which made it even better value considering it will cost only 6.5 K more than what I paid for the new leaf at the time for what I consider to be a much much better car.

And it's all well and good listening to U.S complaints about cost because you can get a car in the U.S dirt cheap with twice the power as the i3 and more and a lot of them are crap quality from what I hear but it's power that sells them and that's fine if that's what someone wants.

And when you talk about the cost of the i3, a new Golf 2.0L 184 Hp DSG costs 42 K the i3 costs less......

A3 dsg costs 37K 2.0L 150 hp.

An i3 starts at 37,500 , more premium badge but I don't think it's over priced, yes it's a 4 seater but it's not aimed at families but we're a family of 4 and manage fine if we need more room we can take the Outlander but have managed fine in it since last November.

I was well aware of the doors, boot, 4 seater before I test drove it, didn't like it, spent 2 days in it and fell in love with it.

I am in a good position to say the i3 is much, much better car than the previous Gen leaf after owning it for 3 years and over 80,000 Kms and I have a test drive tomorrow in the New leaf which I will report back on. I'm not saying the old leaf was a bad car, it was not but it didn't give me nearly the satisfaction or Buzz the i3 does, the i3 is not perfect but to me it's close.

The i3 is what it is, you like it or you don't but most i3 owners seem to absolutely love it so it can't be a bad car at all, in fact a car so criticised by so called auto journalists is absolutely loved by it's owners, go figure lol !

what surprised me the most was my initial criticisms of the i3 were completely unfair and the 2 day 600 km test drive completely changed my mind, what I thought was also an over priced toy that looked weird is now the best car I ever owned !

beauf

When reading Amazon reviews the most useful are not the 5 star reviews or the 1 star reviews it's the ones in the middle. They are vastly more likely to be balanced.

It's the same watching an review on you tube on diesel or electric by Clarkson or fully charged, you won't get a balanced review.

I would be very disappointed if a BMW wasn't better than a Nissan in the same class.

I don't need to drive 2 seater convertible to know it won't fit my needs of a 7 seater MPV.

You seem to take these things as a personal criticisms when they are simply facts. All people are asking is for you to tone it down an notch.

The i3s is a niche car in very small sector of the market. It's great but it's only going to suit that niche.

People are not asking anything mate you are and you seem to be having issues with the fact I promote the i3, so what, get over it, get a life and put your efforts into something more constructive.

When I was promoting the leaf as much in the beginning I got as much abuse so I can't win either way lol, kinda makes me realise posting here sometimes is a complete and utter waste of time.

beauf

If you always leave out pretty major issues someone is always going to point them out on a forum. You keep doing it, hence it keeps happening. Its a forum, not everyone is going to agree with everyone else. Bit futile expecting anything else. The thread is more balanced now so job done.

Will be interesting to know how many i3s they will sell in Ireland this year.

http://www.irishevowners.ie/irish-ev-sales-march-2018/

Y2K86

beauf wrote: »

If you always leave out pretty major issues someone is always going to point them out on a forum. You keep doing it, hence it keeps happening. Its a forum, not everyone is going to agree with everyone else. Bit futile expecting anything else. The thread is more balanced now so job done.

Will be interesting to know how many i3s they will sell in Ireland this year.

http://www.irishevowners.ie/irish-ev-sales-march-2018/

What major issues does an i3 have?

Its a top class EV, built from the ground up, its carbon fibre ffs, its most advanced EV out there excluding Teslas

You can get 172 demo miles in the UK for under 30k landed here

I would take a 30k 172 i3 rex over a new 30k Leaf 40 or nearly 30k Ioniq, everytime

Hell of a car for 30k

beauf

Already answered that. Read up. If you disagree fine.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

...get over it, get a life and put your efforts into something more constructive.. ..

...https://youtu.be/TKOrr4XRbg8

beauf

beauf wrote: »

If you always leave out pretty major issues someone is always going to point them out on a forum. You keep doing it, hence it keeps happening. Its a forum, not everyone is going to agree with everyone else. Bit futile expecting anything else. The thread is more balanced now so job done.

Will be interesting to know how many i3s they will sell in Ireland this year.

http://www.irishevowners.ie/irish-ev-sales-march-2018/

Exactly, it has no major issues, as I explained earlier , in the beginning I was highly critical of the i3 until I got the test drive , then it made me buy it and it is now the best car I've ever owned.

So it just proves you shouldn't care too much about reviews and go see for yourself.

If you consider it a "major issue" to be a 4 seater or find the doors too difficult then no one is asking you to buy it simple as that.

I'm not telling people they should like the i3 or buy it, I'm giving my own personal experiences. I never said it's perfect, no car is.

beauf

All the reviews are pretty consistent with the issues they point out.

Just shows people should read multiple opinions and reviews because some leave things out, because it not an issue for them personally.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-bmw-i3s-first-drive-review
https://insideevs.com/comprehensive-review-800-miles-2018-bmw-i3s-rex/
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/bmw/bmw-i3-s-2018-review/

Who cares, you're trolling now, just because some auto journalists don't like it that doesn't mean anything to me whatsoever nor I imagine to most i3 owners.

Soarer

Deleted User wrote: »

Who cares, you're trolling now, just because some auto journalists don't like it that doesn't mean anything to me whatsoever nor I imagine to most i3 owners.

Conversely, you going on about the i3 doesn't mean anything to me whatsoever nor I imagine to most other ev owners.

beauf

Deleted User wrote: »

Who cares, you're trolling now, just because some auto journalists don't like it that doesn't mean anything to me whatsoever nor I imagine to most i3 owners.

Most say they like it. So I don't see how I'm trolling by pointing out that its a strict 4 seater and other such hard facts. With links to back it up. These reviews and long terms tests are very consistent.

..It’s hard not to love the i3S – range extended or not. It’s that good.

Whereas..

Soarer

Soarer wrote: »

Conversely, you going on about the i3 doesn't mean anything to me whatsoever nor I imagine to most other ev owners.

Going on, lol , so should I talk about how great the Ioniq is instead ? oh wait, Unkel already does that........:D

redlead

The problem with the i3 is that it is shocking expensive for what you get. I'm sure it is nicer than the leaf and ioniq etc but it would want to be. It looks a bit crap in my opinion but not leaf crap. Very little car for the money. Same with the e golf which is way overpriced. You have to hand it to Nissan, Renault and Hyundai for not taking the mick with their pricing.

80sDiesel

In the latest video from Fully Charged , they are standing in front of my current favourite EV. A BMW I3S Plus in imperial blue. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I25nI9G40M0

Lovely colour alright. I must arrange a test drive in the S ! I'll probably want one lol.

ewj1978

ok.. whats the actual differences between an i3 and an i3s?

range improvements? or just faster to 0-60.

Patser

It's available in Red. Red cars are faster.

80sDiesel

ewj1978 wrote: »

ok.. whats the actual differences between an i3 and an i3s?

range improvements? or just faster to 0-60.

Lower. Better suspension , improved traction control and yes, faster.

Patser

Less range though.

Heres Johnny

I had an i3 for 3 days last week. Loved it on the test drive in the dealers but just didn't love it enough owning for 3 days to make me want to own it full time.
I had the option of a company car and no way am I paying BIK so I looked at the i3.
In the end I just decided to forego the company car and continue to use my own e60 and expense it.
Completely different proposition and the comfort and refinement of the big 5 is just missing from the i3.
Great great fun though but too many limitations.
Fast charger near me was broken while I had it too.
I'll be the first to jump into an electric 3 series or 5 series when they are available though and the charging network is sorted.

80sDiesel

Future classic according to future charges.

https://youtu.be/8NGeM_rdeSU