Used BMW i3 experiences

unkel · 22-05-2019 08:23PM

Yes but you blamed the Irish importer for the BMW not having a type 2 cable. My point is that the UK spec is the same. So they also don't have a type 2 cable.

KCross · 23-05-2019 02:41PM

unkel wrote: »

Yes but you blamed the Irish importer for the BMW not having a type 2 cable.

I dont get your point. Who made the decision to not have the two cables in Ireland?

Was it BMW HQ in Germany, BMW UK or BMW Ireland?
I'm saying its BMW Ireland made that decision in the very same way that Nissan Ireland decided to provide no granny cable for the Leaf and Hyundai Ireland decided to not provide the higher spec Ioniq. The local importer decides.

Whether BMW UK made the same decision or not isnt relevant. I presume, maybe wrongly, that if BMW Ireland wanted to provide both cables they could spec it that way if they wanted to. Unless BMW HQ dictate spec for each country... thats possible too?

Gumbo · 23-05-2019 03:40PM

KCross wrote: »

I dont get your point. Who made the decision to not have the two cables in Ireland?

Was it BMW HQ in Germany, BMW UK or BMW Ireland?
I'm saying its BMW Ireland made that decision in the very same way that Nissan Ireland decided to provide no granny cable for the Leaf and Hyundai Ireland decided to not provide the higher spec Ioniq. The local importer decides.

Whether BMW UK made the same decision or not isnt relevant. I presume, maybe wrongly, that if BMW Ireland wanted to provide both cables they could spec it that way if they wanted to. Unless BMW HQ dictate spec for each country... thats possible too?

From my experience, BMW Ireland is a sub branch of BMW UK. What they get, we get.

unkel · 23-05-2019 04:15PM

BMW bought back the distributorship from Frank Keane about 20 years ago. Since then the specs for UK / Ireland is one and the same, set by BMW. There is no such thing as "BMW Ireland" making any decisions on specs

For some reason some people still go on about paddy spec Irish BMWs. That ended 20 years ago lads

Gumbo · 23-05-2019 04:31PM

unkel wrote: »

BMW bought back the distributorship from Frank Keane about 20 years ago. Since then the specs for UK / Ireland is one and the same, set by BMW. There is no such thing as "BMW Ireland" making any decisions on specs

For some reason some people still go on about paddy spec Irish BMWs. That ended 20 years ago lads

I think i'm agreeing with you in the post above.

KCross · 23-05-2019 07:26PM

kceire wrote: »

From my experience, BMW Ireland is a sub branch of BMW UK. What they get, we get.

Well that explains why they are the same for BMW.

The UK importer decides the spec for both countries in the case of BMW but its still the importer decides, not the manufacturer... thats all I was saying.

KCross · 23-05-2019 08:23PM

unkel wrote: »

BMW bought back the distributorship from Frank Keane about 20 years ago.

Who owns BMW UK? Is it independent or owned in turn by BMW in Germany?

Gumbo · 24-05-2019 03:55PM

94Ah BEV
More unscientific testing today with the warmer temps.

Left city at 100%.
Drove 29.5km using 10%.

City to baldoyle and back.

ewj1978 · 25-05-2019 11:44AM

warmer weather report. Drove 100km on the N25. Used 38%.

28-05-2019 10:24PM

I drove the Outlander diesel today to Ikea, OMG did I wish I had the i3, gears, crap steering and horribly sluggish acceleration , barge like handling, I nearly cried.

But It's a lot more refined at speed, at 140 Km/h you would think you're doing 100-110 in the i3, the i3 feels the road a lot more and gives the impression of driving a lot faster and the Outlander soaks up the bumps much better but I love the i3 , great steering and much better handling and acceleration, instant power no lag. Diesels are depressing really.

It was a U.K car so it's in Miles and MPG was 37.5 MPG, 7.53 L/100 Km , it's a thirsty car but it's a big lump.

That would require, over a 4 day/night shift week for 568 Kms 48.80 Litres of diesel @ 1.39 ? costing 53.93 Euros , I work 14 shifts a month, 4 nights, 4 days, and one week I do 3 days 3 nights back to back.

Anyway, currently my commute is free, or at worst might cost me a few Euro's if I put the boot down in winter.

One think I really notice is when I get into another car how much I appreciate the i3, after driving it for so long I don't really notice what I have until I don't have it but getting back into the i3 this evening was a reminder of how much I really still love the i3 after 1.5 years !

blobert · 03-06-2019 08:47PM

Hi Guys,

I was thinking of buying a used i3 as a second car. As it would be just used for short range driving I was planning on getting the pure electric model as opposed to the ReX as it's cheaper/less VRT etc and we'd never need the extender.

I've had a couple of Leafs before which were utterly reliable and I'd assumed as an electric car the i3 would be the same.

That said a bit of reading online seems to suggest a lot of issues with this car. Granted more of these seem to be related to ReX versions of the car but I'm just wondering what the general reliability of the all electric model is like. I'd be looking to buy at the cheaper end of things high spec 2014/15 version so out of warranty.

This car would be to replace a Yaris Hybrid which again has been utterly reliable so I'm wary of swapping to somthing that might be less reliable than what we have already, I hate the idea of paying for any repairs/maintenance in general, it's' one of the things I like about electric cars in general.

Thanks

05-06-2019 12:02AM

blobert wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I was thinking of buying a used i3 as a second car. As it would be just used for short range driving I was planning on getting the pure electric model as opposed to the ReX as it's cheaper/less VRT etc and we'd never need the extender.

I've had a couple of Leafs before which were utterly reliable and I'd assumed as an electric car the i3 would be the same.

That said a bit of reading online seems to suggest a lot of issues with this car. Granted more of these seem to be related to ReX versions of the car but I'm just wondering what the general reliability of the all electric model is like. I'd be looking to buy at the cheaper end of things high spec 2014/15 version so out of warranty.

This car would be to replace a Yaris Hybrid which again has been utterly reliable so I'm wary of swapping to somthing that might be less reliable than what we have already, I hate the idea of paying for any repairs/maintenance in general, it's' one of the things I like about electric cars in general.

Thanks

I'm not aware of any current issues with the i3, I believe most of the issues were sorted under warranty on older cars.

My rex version hasn't has a single issue in it's 2.5 years and 57,346 Kms.

My leaf 2015 was reliable but the rear tyre wear was a pain in the ass form a dodgy axle not accepted or fixed under warranty a common issue. " I must have hit something "

Effects · 05-06-2019 03:45PM

I’m looking for some advice on the i3 60Ah I’ve been looking at.
I have to make a final decision on it this week.
I’ve been trying to work a few things out.
For most of my usage, the 60Ah model will work fine.

My only concern is that I travel to Mayo, on average, 14 times a year.
The journey is 208km door to door. I’ve been trying to work out the best way of making that journey, and had been hoping I would get away with a single charge on the route but I’m not sure if that’s going to work.

I’ve checked the ESB charging points on the route I take.
If I get 100km from a charge then that would get me as far as Balinalack at 97.4km. There’s a 50kw and a 22kw charging point there. The 50kw was showing as out of service recently though.

If I got a full charge there then that would take me to Ballagh, a further 94.6km, and I could do a quick top up to travel the remaining 16km where I can then connect to a slow charger.

Another option would be stop at Enfield, 55km and charge again in Longford, at 130km into my journey, and this would allow me to continue without stopping at Ballagh.

Am I pushing the range too far for these stops? I know I haven’t allowed for the rapid charger only charging to 80%.
Also not allowing for the rapid chargers to be out of service or already being used.

I believe the fast chargers will charge from 0-80% in about 20 minutes. I’m unsure of the charge time for the 22kw chargers.

My partners job also sometimes requires her to travel down the country, often at short notice. About four times per year.

After having two cars for a good few years we’ve been using just one for the past year and it’s worked out fine.

Our plan would be to get rid of the current diesel car after we worked out the travel arrangements with the i3.
I’d rather not have to deal with the running costs of both cars.

I know it’s a long post but any advice would be much appreciated!

05-06-2019 03:55PM

Effects wrote: »

I’m looking for some advice on the i3 60Ah I’ve been looking at.
I have to make a final decision on it this week.
I’ve been trying to work a few things out.
For most of my usage, the 60Ah model will work fine.

My only concern is that I travel to Mayo, on average, 14 times a year.
The journey is 208km door to door. I’ve been trying to work out the best way of making that journey, and had been hoping I would get away with a single charge on the route but I’m not sure if that’s going to work.

I’ve checked the ESB charging points on the route I take.
If I get 100km from a charge then that would get me as far as Balinalack at 97.4km. There’s a 50kw and a 22kw charging point there. The 50kw was showing as out of service recently though.

If I got a full charge there then that would take me to Ballagh, a further 94.6km, and I could do a quick top up to travel the remaining 16km where I can then connect to a slow charger.

Another option would be stop at Enfield, 55km and charge again in Longford, at 130km into my journey, and this would allow me to continue without stopping at Ballagh.

Am I pushing the range too far for these stops? I know I haven’t allowed for the rapid charger only charging to 80%.
Also not allowing for the rapid chargers to be out of service or already being used.

I believe the fast chargers will charge from 0-80% in about 20 minutes. I’m unsure of the charge time for the 22kw chargers.

My partners job also sometimes requires her to travel down the country, often at short notice. About four times per year.

After having two cars for a good few years we’ve been using just one for the past year and it’s worked out fine.

Our plan would be to get rid of the current diesel car after we worked out the travel arrangements with the i3.
I’d rather not have to deal with the running costs of both cars.

I know it’s a long post but any advice would be much appreciated!

It's a lot for the 60 Ah i3, 100-120 km range probably max by now and that's probably in warmer weather including battery degradation.

The rex would be the best option, as long as you have petrol in the tank you can drive. I wouldn't be without it even in the 94 Ah given the current charging infrastructure.

If you're against the Rex just because it burns petrol fair enough and if you're willing to spend god knows how long charging or waiting for a charge then fair enough but from being a fully BEV driver for 3 years and 85,000 Kms I wouldn't do it again in a hurry.

Rex for me has been a Godsend.

The infrastructure will improve in the next couple of years but for now the 60 Ah or any ev with 100-120 Km range or more is going to be a pain on long trips I guarantee it.

DrPhilG · 05-06-2019 04:07PM

I wouldn't buy an EV if I needed to rely on the infrastructure.

In a few years maybe, depending on whether things have improved.

I do 25k km a year, couldn't rely on the infrastructure and the e-Niro is too far away so I bought a 162 i3 REx.

slave1 · 05-06-2019 04:10PM

DrPhilG wrote: »

I wouldn't buy an EV if I needed to rely on the infrastructure.

+1

05-06-2019 04:13PM

Even teslas need the network, Passed by Carlow Charger yesterday, Tesla there and a leaf waiting 45 mins later Tesla still there Leaf driver left.

Rex means go anywhere any time. On long trips use the rex and keep the battery for slow roads and town and then back to rex for the Motorway.

unkel · 05-06-2019 04:18PM

Don't do it Effects. Not as your only car. Wait until at least there are Ionity chargers up and running on your route and / or there is charging for charging and there are signs that you can rely on the public charging network (ESB)

05-06-2019 04:25PM

Rex is even more attractive especially when charges are common for charging. Complete independence from the network and completely eliminates waiting around at chargers and also cold battery charging which can add 15+ mins to a charge so you also need to think about that Rex is a really really brilliant option.

Battery for most of your driving and then Rex for the rest a perfect solution at this time.

unkel · 05-06-2019 04:29PM

Yes if there ever was a case to be made for a REx, is that it would suit Effects perfectly

He would still need one charge on his public trip though, but he would have a lot more flexibility, could just fill up with petrol instead of charging

Effects · 05-06-2019 04:30PM

The actual car I’m looking at is my brother in laws, so that’s why I was kind of tied to the non Rex. It’s their second family car and they are moving country. That’s what got me interested in the first place.

Maybe if we go for it then keeping the Golf tdi for longer trips is the answer, at least for a year or two until the charging network improves.

He has mentioned we could use his one as part exchange for a Rex and he’d help us source one in UK.

05-06-2019 04:33PM

Rex gives much more flexibility a BEV does not, for sure ,I wouldn't recommend BEV as someone who went through it for 3 years I would go mad if I had to do it again especially now that chargers are a lot busier.

unkel · 05-06-2019 04:34PM

Effects wrote: »

The actual car I’m looking at is my brother in laws, so that’s why I was kind of tied to the non Rex. It’s their second family car and they are moving country. That’s what got me interested in the first place.

Maybe if we go for it then keeping the Golf tdi for longer trips is the answer, at least for a year or two until the charging network improves.

He has mentioned we could use his one as part exchange for a Rex and he’d help us source one in UK.

You're probably getting it for a good price then, I'd say go for it, keep the diesel for while, the network is almost certainly going to improve shortly (but this could be next month, it also could be well into next year). Once it does, just get rid of the diesel.

05-06-2019 04:35PM

Effects wrote: »

The actual car I’m looking at is my brother in laws, so that’s why I was kind of tied to the non Rex. It’s their second family car and they are moving country. That’s what got me interested in the first place.

Maybe if we go for it then keeping the Golf tdi for longer trips is the answer, at least for a year or two until the charging network improves.

He has mentioned we could use his one as part exchange for a Rex and he’d help us source one in UK.

Keeping the TDI is an option but it didn't work out so well for me when I had the Leaf because on a lot of occasions my Partner needed it for work. But when going away together it was fine.

Whatever works for you so if you need 2 cars then if that works then do it but if you keep the 2nd car just for the sake of the few long trips then I would say sell that and the BEV i3 and get a rex.

DrPhilG · 05-06-2019 05:20PM

Effects wrote: »

He has mentioned we could use his one as part exchange for a Rex and he’d help us source one in UK.

Speak to Phil Fitzgerald in Electric Autos, Kildare. He can source a REx in the UK and also give you a good price on trade.

Patser · 05-06-2019 08:37PM

Effects, I've a 60ah Bev and love it.

Would I consider a 97km run to rely on a charger being free in Winter, not a hope. That said putting it in eco plus mode you'd get a range of about 130km - but that's at a limited speed of 90kmh with bugger all heating or aircon.

You'd be a lot better served waiting a little while longer to get 94ah with Rex

earl28 · 02-10-2019 11:10AM

Buying a BMW i3 this weekend, 2016 94ah and just wanted to double check if the below cable is the correct cable I need to buy for the public chargers, or should I be getting a cable that supports 22kw charging?

32 AMP - Type 2(m) to Type 2(f) charging cable supports 3.6kw OR 7.2KW (not 22kw charging, single phase only)

zoom_cool · 02-10-2019 11:24AM

earl28 wrote: »

Buying a BMW i3 this weekend, 2016 94ah and just wanted to double check if the below cable is the correct cable I need to buy for the public chargers, or should I be getting a cable that supports 22kw charging?

32 AMP - Type 2(m) to Type 2(f) charging cable supports 3.6kw OR 7.2KW (not 22kw charging, single phase only)

If I was you I would get the 11Kw charging lead. Make sure it will do 32Amp 7.4Kw single Phase as well with cable below for home use.

https://evconnectors.com/ev-charging-plug-bmw-94ah-3rex-cable/16-amp-3-phase-plug-cable

KCross · 02-10-2019 11:39AM

earl28 wrote: »

Buying a BMW i3 this weekend, 2016 94ah and just wanted to double check if the below cable is the correct cable I need to buy for the public chargers, or should I be getting a cable that supports 22kw charging?

32 AMP - Type 2(m) to Type 2(f) charging cable supports 3.6kw OR 7.2KW (not 22kw charging, single phase only)

+1 to what zoom_cool said... get a 32A 3ph cable since the i3 supports that.
That gives you the best of all worlds... 7kW at home and 11kW on the SCP's.

krissovo · 02-10-2019 11:43AM

earl28 wrote: »

Buying a BMW i3 this weekend, 2016 94ah and just wanted to double check if the below cable is the correct cable I need to buy for the public chargers, or should I be getting a cable that supports 22kw charging?

32 AMP - Type 2(m) to Type 2(f) charging cable supports 3.6kw OR 7.2KW (not 22kw charging, single phase only)

It will only charge at 11kw anyway so anything else is over kill.

Used BMW i3 experiences

Comments