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Used BMW i3 experiences

1…457910…25

Comments

  • #182
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    Johnnyhpipe wrote: »
    I would consider buying an i3 if they could make it look totally different! Why does it have to look so ugly?!

    Same goes for all EV’s in my opinion. They all have good points and bad points but the general buyers EV all ha e weird lines in places. Kona, Ioniq, leaf, niro etc

    Even Tesla design, while being good has a few areas where it’s let down. It’s the nature of efficiency and coefficient of drag I suppose.


  • #183
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    MM3 wrote: »
    I think if it’s a 94ah you’d want this type https://www.speakev.com/threads/3phase-32a-5m-type-2-charging-cable.134728/

    Thanks. I’ll get searching then.


  • #184
    Johnnyhpipe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 743 ✭✭✭Johnnyhpipe


    kceire wrote: »
    Same goes for all EV’s in my opinion. They all have good points and bad points but the general buyers EV all ha e weird lines in places. Kona, Ioniq, leaf, niro etc

    Even Tesla design, while being good has a few areas where it’s let down. It’s the nature of efficiency and coefficient of drag I suppose.

    Yes, we have a leaf and I just hate how it looks! Maybe some day ev aesthetics will improve.


  • #185
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    Johnnyhpipe wrote: »
    Yes, we have a leaf and I just hate how it looks! Maybe some day ev aesthetics will improve.

    The funny thing about the leaf is that from some angles it looks like a hot hatch, look at it from the rear at an angle where you can’t see the front frog eyes for example.


  • #186
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 12,708 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Johnnyhpipe wrote: »
    I would consider buying an i3 if they could make it look totally different! Why does it have to look so ugly?!

    I thought that at first, then I drove it on the back roads in Galway and loved it immediately. The looks were completely forgotten about, I sit in it and don't look at it. I'm not one for parking the car outside the conservatory so I can sit down and look at it all the time when I'm home.

    Go test drive one and take it to the back roads, it is really good to drive or better again take the S version which is supposed to be even more fun.


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  • #187
    mordeith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,125 ✭✭✭mordeith


    Johnnyhpipe wrote: »
    I would consider buying an i3 if they could make it look totally different! Why does it have to look so ugly?!

    You get used to it and it's better looking close up. It's really nice inside. Of course taste is all relative anyway.


  • #188
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 12,708 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Funny thing is I actually like it now.


  • #189
    TheOracle77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15 ✭TheOracle77


    Well everybody I picked her up this morning so I wanted to thank you for best wishes and update for anyone that considering a used ev.

    First impressions are really positive.

    I like the looks or I wouldn't have bought it. It's least favourable angle is straight on from the front but I really like the side profile. The interior is great and really spacious. Anyone considering one needs to sit in one.

    It is an ideal town car. Once you get the hang of the regenerative braking which takes five minutes, it's a really relaxing way to potter around in slow moving or stop start traffic. And it's so quiet.

    Range anxiety! I left the dealership which is 5kms away with a range of 104kms and arrived home with 105kms! I put this down to how useful the regenerative charging is? My feeling is with lots of really short trips in urban traffic, you'd get a decent contribution to your range.

    Obviously opening the car up on a main road does drain the battery quickly and you find yourself constantly checking the range. I'm guessing you relax more as time goes on but I'd be happy to do 80 or 90 kms round trips in it no problem. So you have plenty of opportunities for Sunday afternoon outings etc.

    It's enjoyable to drive. It does feel a bit skittish at 70mph when motorway cruising but really engaging on B roads.

    The famous instant electric torque is great craic having driven 1 litre petrols and 1.6 litre diesels all my life but it's the easy efficient way it pulls off from roundabouts or junctions that really impresses.

    It's trickle charging on the drive now as friends and family were getting their first taste of ev motoring and quoting 114kms (10 degrees C) when fully charged. I'm happy with that for a 3 year old 60A version.

    BMW often marketed the early i3 it as city car ideal for San Francisco or New York but it's also really well adapted to an Irish Provincial town.

    As early used evs with limited range come on the used market. I think anyone who like me has a really short commute or does lots of short hops should consider one. I hope I don't eat my words in the next few weeks or months.

    Next thing is the home charger. Go for the Zappi?


  • #190
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    Best of luck.
    Can’t wait to get mine


  • #191
    MM3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 98 ✭✭MM3


    TheOracle77 wrote: »
    Well everybody I picked her up this morning so I wanted to thank you for best wishes and update for anyone that considering a used ev.

    First impressions are really positive.

    I like the looks or I wouldn't have bought it. It's least favourable angle is straight on from the front but I really like the side profile. The interior is great and really spacious. Anyone considering one needs to sit in one.

    It is an ideal town car. Once you get the hang of the regenerative braking which takes five minutes, it's a really relaxing way to potter around in slow moving or stop start traffic. And it's so quiet.

    Range anxiety! I left the dealership which is 5kms away with a range of 104kms and arrived home with 105kms! I put this down to how useful the regenerative charging is? My feeling is with lots of really short trips in urban traffic, you'd get a decent contribution to your range.

    Obviously opening the car up on a main road does drain the battery quickly and you find yourself constantly checking the range. I'm guessing you relax more as time goes on but I'd be happy to do 80 or 90 kms round trips in it no problem. So you have plenty of opportunities for Sunday afternoon outings etc.

    It's enjoyable to drive. It does feel a bit skittish at 70mph when motorway cruising but really engaging on B roads.

    The famous instant electric torque is great craic having driven 1 litre petrols and 1.6 litre diesels all my life but it's the easy efficient way it pulls off from roundabouts or junctions that really impresses.

    It's trickle charging on the drive now as friends and family were getting their first taste of ev motoring and quoting 114kms (10 degrees C) when fully charged. I'm happy with that for a 3 year old 60A version.

    BMW often marketed the early i3 it as city car ideal for San Francisco or New York but it's also really well adapted to an Irish Provincial town.

    As early used evs with limited range come on the used market. I think anyone who like me has a really short commute or does lots of short hops should consider one. I hope I don't eat my words in the next few weeks or months.

    Next thing is the home charger. Go for the Zappi?

    Enjoy it - had ours for a few days and have to say I'm really impressed, goes like you know what off a shovel in comfort mode but I've coded it now to start in eco pro which is a nice compromise. Handles nicely and the ride isn't as harsh as I'd expected. All the tech seems good and I finally got the Zappi installed yesterday and that's working as expected. All in all a great decision so far!


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  • #192
    TheOracle77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15 ✭TheOracle77


    Thanks lads. The best of luck with yours.

    This might be of interest. You may have seen it.

    https://electrek.co/2018/09/07/bmw-i3-100-kwh-battery-pack-lion-smart/


  • #193
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 12,708 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Welcome to the i3 club lads, the i3 is a great car and it still makes me smile a lot after 1 year 3 months.

    Once the ESB start installing chargers rather than upgrading old ones things should be a lot better and just might convince me to go BEV next time.

    I'm hoping BMW have a new model or at least a serious face life in the next year or two, originally the i3 was to be discontinued in 2020 but thankfully they decided to keep the i3 in production and keep developing it so if I was to change I'd wait for a 2nd hand one of the newer generation and hang on to the Rex a while longer.


  • #194
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 12,708 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    TheOracle77 wrote: »

    It's enjoyable to drive. It does feel a bit skittish at 70mph when motorway cruising but really engaging on B roads.

    The famous instant electric torque is great craic having driven 1 litre petrols and 1.6 litre diesels all my life but it's the easy efficient way it pulls off from roundabouts or junctions that really impresses.

    High speeds and wind can make it feel light alright, I think it's more down to the very sharp steering, it certainly turns when you move the wheel. In fact when I got back in to my 2015 Leaf after a long test drive in the i3 I nearly crashed it because the steering had no feel at all compared to the i3, it felt when I was turning the wheel nothing was happening lol and when I drive the Outlander Diesel it feels the same, a bit better than the Leaf but it has a lot less feedback compared to the i3.

    Back roads are a lot of fun and makes you want to avoid motorways. :D

    The Rear wheel drive is what really gives the i3 the edge at junctions and roundabouts there is tonnes of grip even in the wet compared to a Leaf or Ioniq especially the 40 kwh leaf which is a complete joke in the wet. What the Kona is like with 200 Hp I don't know.

    After 1 year 3 months I have to say that I still enjoy driving the i3 as much as my first drive from Dublin all around Galway and back on my 2 day test drive and that alone says a lot for the i3.


  • #195
    Patser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,955 ✭✭✭Patser


    You wait all year for a new 60ah i3 owner to come along, and 2 come together. Typical!!


    Ones of us! Ones of us! Ones of us!


  • #196
    TheOracle77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15 ✭TheOracle77


    Folks,

    Couple of quick questions.

    Got approved for the charge point grant today. As said going for the Zappi, probably with the Harvi box. It states a CT clamp is included with the Zappi. Can anyone confirm this so I don't order one?

    Waiting on VLC but applied online for the ecars card. I didn't get email confirmation. Is this normal or do you just get the card once you send on the documents? And what's accepted as Proof of Ownership? Can you charge in the meantime without it? Don't laugh but there seems to be references to people activating them with LEAP or other RFID cards???

    Anyway, the i3 is going great so far. It's a brilliant little car.

    And on the topic of charging, I got videos playing in it this evening. My six year old was very impressed as was his Dad. Even in this age of smart devices, there is something cool about watching a telly in your car. With the music coming through the speakers, it felt like the cinema as we reclined in the chairs whilst sitting on the drive in the drive, watching Wreck it Ralph. A bloody classic! It has the 10inch screen. I converted some vids to 1280 *480 resolution MP4s using Handbrake and connected a hard drive via the centre console usb point. The above resolution fills the screen. Might pass the time or entertain the kids if you're waiting around or having a coffee whilst charging?


  • #197
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 60,763 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    TheOracle77 wrote: »
    Can you charge in the meantime without it? Don't laugh but there seems to be references to people activating them with LEAP or other RFID cards???

    Yes you can charge without the card. There is a phone number on all the chargers that you ring (24/7/365) and they will start the charge for you remotely. No questions asked

    And indeed some of the fast chargers start if you use any RFID card like a bank card or a leap card. But I don't think you are supposed to do this :D

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



  • #198
    MM3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 98 ✭✭MM3


    TheOracle77 wrote: »
    Folks,

    Couple of quick questions.

    Got approved for the charge point grant today. As said going for the Zappi, probably with the Harvi box. It states a CT clamp is included with the Zappi. Can anyone confirm this so I don't order one?

    Waiting on VLC but applied online for the ecars card. I didn't get email confirmation. Is this normal or do you just get the card once you send on the documents? And what's accepted as Proof of Ownership? Can you charge in the meantime without it? Don't laugh but there seems to be references to people activating them with LEAP or other RFID cards???

    Anyway, the i3 is going great so far. It's a brilliant little car.

    And on the topic of charging, I got videos playing in it this evening. My six year old was very impressed as was his Dad. Even in this age of smart devices, there is something cool about watching a telly in your car. With the music coming through the speakers, it felt like the cinema as we reclined in the chairs whilst sitting on the drive in the drive, watching Wreck it Ralph. A bloody classic! It has the 10inch screen. I converted some vids to 1280 *480 resolution MP4s using Handbrake and connected a hard drive via the centre console usb point. The above resolution fills the screen. Might pass the time or entertain the kids if you're waiting around or having a coffee whilst charging?

    Enjoy the new car! To answer your question re the Zappi , yes it does come with the clamp


  • #199
    TheOracle77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15 ✭TheOracle77


    Cool,

    I will be going legit but that will tide me over. My wife is growing tired of a cable hanging out our ground floor front facing bedroom window.

    Cheers.


  • #200
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    TheOracle77 wrote: »
    Folks,

    Couple of quick questions.

    Got approved for the charge point grant today. As said going for the Zappi, probably with the Harvi box. It states a CT clamp is included with the Zappi. Can anyone confirm this so I don't order one?

    Waiting on VLC but applied online for the ecars card. I didn't get email confirmation. Is this normal or do you just get the card once you send on the documents? And what's accepted as Proof of Ownership? Can you charge in the meantime without it? Don't laugh but there seems to be references to people activating them with LEAP or other RFID cards???

    Anyway, the i3 is going great so far. It's a brilliant little car.

    And on the topic of charging, I got videos playing in it this evening. My six year old was very impressed as was his Dad. Even in this age of smart devices, there is something cool about watching a telly in your car. With the music coming through the speakers, it felt like the cinema as we reclined in the chairs whilst sitting on the drive in the drive, watching Wreck it Ralph. A bloody classic! It has the 10inch screen. I converted some vids to 1280 *480 resolution MP4s using Handbrake and connected a hard drive via the centre console usb point. The above resolution fills the screen. Might pass the time or entertain the kids if you're waiting around or having a coffee whilst charging?

    I can enable video in motion if you need it ;)

    Is there a particular format that the car likes?
    I can also enable it to accept all formats but I haven’t tried it yet.


  • #201
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 60,763 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    I used to watch the RTE news in my '96 BMW on my way home from work :D

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



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  • #202
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    unkel wrote: »
    I used to watch the RTE news in my '96 BMW on my way home from work :D

    Same here, in my V8 X5.
    That was in 2006!

    That was before iPhones and the like though!

    PS. Found the details on the ABL flashing.
    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=104149055&postcount=171

    Can you remember exactly what driver and cooltherm program is needed?


  • #203
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 60,763 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    Pretty sure I didn't need to install any USB driver. And I don't think the version of Coolterm makes any difference. It's just a simple terminal program. I'll look for my charger keys tomorrow!

    Did you get the 2015 Irish i3 REx?

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



  • #204
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    unkel wrote: »
    Pretty sure I didn't need to install any USB driver. And I don't think the version of Coolterm makes any difference. It's just a simple terminal program. I'll look for my charger keys tomorrow!

    Did you get the 2015 Irish i3 REx?

    No, ended up with a 162 94ah BEV.
    15k miles
    Fluid black
    20” wheels
    Adaptive LED headlight
    Park assist
    Pro nav
    Privacy glass
    Front and rear PDC with reverse camera
    Sunroof
    Leather (suite world interior pack)
    Heated seats
    Cruise control with brake function
    Harmon Kardon surround sound system
    Rapid charge (although that’s standard on the 94ah)
    Being collected from the UK on Thursday please god.


  • #205
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 60,763 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    Better value than the Irish one :D

    Well wear! I know you are going to love it.

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



  • #206
    ewj1978
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,596 ✭✭✭ewj1978


    kceire wrote: »
    No, ended up with a 162 94ah BEV.
    ...
    Being collected from the UK on Thursday please god.

    Great spec.
    What was the final cost incl VRT?
    Did you get it from a BMW dealer over?


  • #207
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    ewj1978 wrote: »
    Great spec.
    What was the final cost incl VRT?
    Did you get it from a BMW dealer over?

    No VRT on the BEV model.
    Bought privately.


  • #208
    ewj1978
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,596 ✭✭✭ewj1978


    Ah! miss read it. Thought it had the REx. Well wear bud.


  • #209
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    ewj1978 wrote: »
    Ah! miss read it. Thought it had the REx. Well wear bud.

    Cheers.
    I was actively looking for a BEV model but nothing with the spec I wanted appeared until this week.


  • #210
    micks_address
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,789 ✭✭✭micks_address


    i was watching some video reviews on the car last night and it does look great apart from the back doors.. are they as awkward as they look for anyone that regularly has backseat passengers?

    Its essentially a 2 door really, with the back doors opening for wider access... not sure i could convince the missus it would work as a family car. As a second car absolutely. Thats probably where need to switch our current cars, i drive the octavia to work every day and she has a honda jazz for local drops, drive to work when raining as its walking distance etc.. we could have a ev as the 'smaller' car and id commute in it and then use a bigger ice car for longer journeys and doing the shopping at the weekend etc.. hmm food for thought.. also watched a video review of the kona and it really is a lot smaller than i thought..even though the range does seem like a game changer


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  • #211
    Mickeroo
    Administrators, Computer Games Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 32,900 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Mickeroo


    micks_address wrote: »
    i was watching some video reviews on the car last night and it does look great apart from the back doors.. are they as awkward as they look for anyone that regularly has backseat passengers?

    Its essentially a 2 door really, with the back doors opening for wider access... not sure i could convince the missus it would work as a family car. As a second car absolutely. Thats probably where need to switch our current cars, i drive the octavia to work every day and she has a honda jazz for local drops, drive to work when raining as its walking distance etc.. we could have a ev as the 'smaller' car and id commute in it and then use a bigger ice car for longer journeys and doing the shopping at the weekend etc.. hmm food for thought.. also watched a video review of the kona and it really is a lot smaller than i thought..even though the range does seem like a game changer

    I'd say i3, Ioniq and Leaf are all more spacious inside than the Kona.


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