Used BMW i3 experiences

KCross · 02-10-2019 11:45AM

krissovo wrote: »

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

Thats true but he still should get a 32A 3ph cable.

32A 1ph wont get him the max rate the car is capable of on a 22kW charger. He needs 32A 3ph cable for that.

earl28 · 02-10-2019 11:49AM

Ok so the 32 AMP 3 phase cable below will cover everything:

https://evconnectors.com/ev-plug-bmw-i3-cable/32-amp-3-phase-plug-cable

Is that what I need to go for or is the 16 AMP 3 phase sufficient if I am limited to charging at 11kw?

KCross · 02-10-2019 11:57AM

earl28 wrote: »

Ok so the 32 AMP 3 phase cable below will cover everything:

https://evconnectors.com/ev-plug-bmw-i3-cable/32-amp-3-phase-plug-cable

Looks right to me.

earl28 wrote: »

Is that what I need to go for or is the 16 AMP 3 phase sufficient if I am limited to charging at 11kw?

Dont buy that. If you do you will get 11kW while on the SCP's but you'll only get 3.6kW when at home which would be a bad move.

earl28 · 02-10-2019 12:00PM

I will go for the 32 AMP 3 phase cable then, cheers for the advice

KCross · 02-10-2019 12:02PM

earl28 wrote: »

I will go for the 32 AMP 3 phase cable then, cheers for the advice

I presume your i3 has a 3ph charger in it? Im not sure if thats standard or not.

i3 owners can confirm.

earl28 · 02-10-2019 12:05PM

KCross wrote: »

I presume your i3 has a 3ph charger in it? Im not sure if thats standard or not.

i3 owners can confirm.

Yes it has the 3ph socket but doesn't come with the cable, just comes with the granny cable

zoom_cool · 02-10-2019 12:25PM

Today my car has hit the 100k Kilometre mark

unkel · 02-10-2019 12:44PM

Do all i3 have 11kW 3 phase AC charging as standard or just the 94Ah and newer models?

zoom_cool · 02-10-2019 12:49PM

unkel wrote: »

Do all i3 have 11kW 3 phase AC charging as standard or just the 94Ah and newer models?

Just the 94Ah and newer

krissovo · 02-10-2019 12:51PM

zoom_cool wrote: »

Today my car has hit the 100k Kilometre mark

I assume it still drives tight and the battery is still has a good SOH? The i3 is first car i have ever owned that i am not worried about putting mega miles on. We are hitting 2000k’s a month at the moment so will not take long.

zoom_cool · 02-10-2019 12:55PM

krissovo wrote: »

I assume it still drives tight and the battery is still has a good SOH? The i3 is first car i have ever owned that i am not worried about putting mega miles on. We are hitting 2000k’s a month at the moment so will not take long.

Still the same as when I got it drives tight and I haven't notice any degrade in the battery.

I charge it from low state of charge to 100% Mon to Friday. I got the car and it had a battery Capacity of 29.8kwh this is from the BMW secret menu and I checked it last week and it had 29.2Kwh so desegregation is very small

unkel · 02-10-2019 01:06PM

I've said it before, I wouldn't be surprised if the i3 battery has the least degradation of them all.

jhegarty · 02-10-2019 01:38PM

unkel wrote: »

I've said it before, I wouldn't be surprised if the i3 battery has the least degradation of them all.

Mine is as good as new @ 88,000 km.

ewj1978 · 02-10-2019 07:41PM

upto 40k/kms on mine since i got it in march (13k/kms)
I've not noticed any degradation at all.

02-10-2019 08:51PM

Yeah the i3 battery seems to be doing very very well, so good in fact that I might just keep it.

Regarding the 3 phase lead, definitely get it, it's great at public charge points and it's great here in work when I need to charge fast.

When I go to the west, south etc and if I can find a convenient charge point it means I spend much less time at fast chargers.

I did get the 16 amp and while it still allows 11 Kw on 3 phase it charges only at 16 amps on single phase , no big deal because my home charge point is only 16 amps, I don't use it much these days so haven't bothered to hack it for 32 amps. The socket is a bit dodgy so I might consider changing it for a more controllable one in the future one I can set timers from the phone.

Anyway, you will still have your supplied blue single phase charge lead if you need 32 amp single phase charging.

I can get from 10-90 % in about 2 hrs 20 mins on 3 phase.

McGiver · 03-10-2019 01:37AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah the i3 battery seems to be doing very very well, so good in fact that I might just keep it.

Regarding the 3 phase lead, definitely get it, it's great at public charge points and it's great here in work when I need to charge fast.

When I go to the west, south etc and if I can find a convenient charge point it means I spend much less time at fast chargers.

I did get the 16 amp and while it still allows 11 Kw on 3 phase it charges only at 16 amps on single phase , no big deal because my home charge point is only 16 amps, I don't use it much these days so haven't bothered to hack it for 32 amps. The socket is a bit dodgy so I might consider changing it for a more controllable one in the future one I can set timers from the phone.

Anyway, you will still have your supplied blue single phase charge lead if you need 32 amp single phase charging.

I can get from 10-90 % in about 2 hrs 20 mins on 3 phase.

I'm eying the 94Ah i3 BEV and thinking to buy. In my opinion the 11kW AC is a big selling point of the i3. Even recent Kona, Niro, E-Soul, L40 can't do it. ID3 45kW won't either.

Getting 40% during a lunch (and for free

) is very handy. And 11kW+ chargers are ubiquitous (in Irish terms).

By the way do you have a sunroof, 19 or 20 wheels?

03-10-2019 05:31AM

McGiver wrote: »

I'm eying the 94Ah i3 BEV and thinking to buy. In my opinion the 11kW AC is a big selling point of the i3. Even recent Kona, Niro, E-Soul, L40 can't do it. ID3 45kW won't either.

Getting 40% during a lunch (and for free ) is very handy. And 11kW+ chargers are ubiquitous (in Irish terms).

By the way do you have a sunroof, 19 or 20 wheels?

The problem with any form of public charging unfortunately is the lack of it, AC points are a lot busier now because the plug ins with their tiny batteries are addicted to charging because their owners strive to run on as much electricity wishing they had bought the BEV lol. Still when I get to charge at an AC point it's usually well away from home and not having to wait at a fast charger is a big Plus, of course I don't need to anyway with the rex but I do like to drive as much on battery as possible. If I didn't have the Rex I'd be even more keen to have faster AC charging.

I don't have the sunroof , I don't care about sunroofs really.

I have the 19" wheels.

unkel · 03-10-2019 11:10AM

McGiver wrote: »

And 11kW+ chargers are ubiquitous (in Irish terms).

I don't know where you are, but you will struggle to find a single one of these available in the Dublin area

Useful though if you have a Tesla with a large battery and you have work charging

My best mate in his Model 3 AWD LR has, on my advice, given up the idea of having a home charger. He has work charging and there are many, many superchargers, ionity and other very fast CCS chargers where he is (Netherlands)

Old diesel · 03-10-2019 11:59AM

unkel wrote: »

McGiver wrote: »

And 11kW+ chargers are ubiquitous (in Irish terms).

I don't know where you are, but you will struggle to find a single one of these available in the Dublin area

Useful though if you have a Tesla with a large battery and you have work charging My best mate in his Model 3 AWD LR has, on my advice, given up the idea of having a home charger. He has work charging and there are many, many superchargers, ionity and other very fast CCS chargers where he is (Netherlands)

The difference the right car and infrastructure makes to more people been able to go EV is underestimated.

Many Irish commentators even those well informed have never seen a top notch infrastructure and it shows.

Model 3 Long range or performance and the Dutch infrastructure is probably as versatile as a petrol or diesel.

03-10-2019 03:48PM

Old diesel wrote: »

Model 3 Long range or performance and the Dutch infrastructure is probably as versatile as a petrol or diesel.

We can only dream !

Still no new chargers since 2015, some updated to triple headed units but not a single new site from the ESB and it is disgraceful.

We'll be lucky to see the first multi charging site by the end of 2020.

On a positive note, the Garage on the M9 near Kilcullen seems nearly finished, ( it only took what, 9 years ? ) but hopefully Ionity will set up there.

The ESB are waiting for the 20 million but the Government won't give it to them, they came under pressure to keep the insulation grant going so they probably took that out of the charger budget.

I don't think the ESB are a poor company so they can well afford to improve the network.

I see more Konas and Teslas at the Carlow charger and I'm just glad I have the Rex for now because even with a 60 + Kwh battery , when you need the infrastructure , it's just not there, I see more 2 and 3 car queues at chargers.

McGiver · 03-10-2019 09:21PM

unkel wrote: »

McGiver wrote: »

And 11kW+ chargers are ubiquitous (in Irish terms).

I don't know where you are, but you will struggle to find a single one of these available in the Dublin area

Useful though if you have a Tesla with a large battery and you have work charging My best mate in his Model 3 AWD LR has, on my advice, given up the idea of having a home charger. He has work charging and there are many, many superchargers, ionity and other very fast CCS chargers where he is (Netherlands)

Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick - just a few DCs but loads of ACs. Many areas have only ACs.

There are about 80 eCars DCs in RoI but 800+ ACs. Ubiquitous, I mean within local context also. DCs are relatively rare.

wetoutside19 · 04-10-2019 06:57AM

Hey all,

in the market for a 12 to 18mth i3 BEV 94ah (non S model), appreciate your thoughts on the following two.

Option 1 - import
w ww.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201909031804413?advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2018&price-to=25000&postcode=hr11lq&model=I3&sort=price-desc&page=1&price-from=20000&radius=1500&make=BMW&year-to=2019&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used (cant post direct links so have but a space between www)
-> ticks all the boxes being a BMW dealer, convenient for flight over and wont need a charge to get to ferry.
-> Considering usual zero dealer discounts and using currency fair could be had for €27,500 plus the usual €500 budget for travel so €28k all in.
-> Dec 18 car so will get the 182 plate

w ww.carzone.ie/used-cars/bmw/i3/fpa/201908080935358 (cant post direct links so have but a space between www)
-> Seems keenly priced compared to other main dealer cars.
-> Would be happy to pay the extra €1k to buy local / know for sure what i am getting and save the day of travel (which while enjoyable can be stressful with early start and worrying if money has settled at dealer, paying UK tax etc etc)
-> Prefer the darker interior in this to what is available in most i3s

Any thoughts?
-> Guess both are demo / garage cars. Should I worry about dealers / public not charging with long term battery longevity in mind?

-> Any noticeable difference in spec?

-> Can you still get the charger grant if you import.

krissovo · 04-10-2019 08:54AM

The Irish car looks bog spec which is nothing that negative on the 2018 as pro navigation is standard and the UK car at least has a couple options like the speaker upgrade and adaptive cruise.

Ask the dealers for the vin so you can run a check of the options or a print out of the full vehicle spec.

- Don’t worry about the battery, these are turning out to be bullet proof, warranty is fully transferable. You do not a get service history with these as such, once you link to connected services it shows up in your app.
- UK car has at least €1/2k of extras more than Irish car
- Yes you still get the charger grant

I brought a 172 in a month or so ago, paid a car buying service (flipping cars)€21.5k for a fully loaded i3 with low mileage so good value in UK cars as they normally have a few extra options.

Nedved85 · 20-01-2020 04:54PM

Hi, I have a Nissan Leaf 30Kwh and all is good with one small exception is that every now and then I make a weekend trip of 140km one way (about 120km of motorway, 20km normal roads) and a Rapid Charge is required along the way. Thats grand really, but I was considering a late swoop for an i3 in the UK before Brexit kicks in at the end of the month.

Would an i3 94 ah cover that distance for me without a charge..?

Few benefits to changing that I can see :

- Increased range - what range do ye get in winter?
- 11kw charging at work
- I can use Ionity on the way if needed (Avoid the use of eCars if full)
- I can go direct to my destination and Rapid Charge at the nearby charger at a time that suits.

How does an i3 do at 110km/h, is it like a Leaf where the % battery drops like s stone

Cheers

unkel · 20-01-2020 04:59PM

i3 has similar drag coefficient as Leaf, not great. But it has a more efficient drive train and the 94Ah has slightly more usable battery capacity, so it will go a bit further on a charge. 140km of which 120km on motorways is not possible in winter though without driving a good bit below 120km/h. Did you consider Ioniq? You would not have to slow down in winter.

And unless you work less than about 4 hours a day, there is no benefit of 11kW work charging over 7kW if you have a car that can only take about 30kWh

Nedved85 · 20-01-2020 05:00PM

unkel wrote: »

i3 has similar drag coefficient as Leaf, not great. But it has a more efficient drive train and the 94Ah has slightly more usable battery capacity, so it will go a bit further on a charge. 140km of which 120km on motorways is not possible in winter though without driving a good bit below 120km/h. Did you consider Ioniq? You would not have to slow down in winter.

I have looked at the Ioniq alright - but there is not much value to be had in the UK I think? Best value seems to be the electric autos one..

unkel · 20-01-2020 05:09PM

Nedved85 wrote: »

I have looked at the Ioniq alright - but there is not much value to be had in the UK I think?

Agreed. But that's the same for pretty much all EVs. Poor value second hand in the UK.

Early 2014 60Ah i3 now start at about GBP12k, they were a good GBP2k cheaper 2 years ago! One at auction in Ireland went for EUR9k last week

The cheapest iMiev are now about GBP5k and an Irish one was for sale here a few weeks ago for EUR3.5k

Same for early Leaf, about GBP6k in the UK and not much more than EUR4.5k here

i3 94Ah might be a bit of an exception, simply because there are very few for sale over here and the ones that are for sale have insane asking prices...

Nedved85 · 20-01-2020 05:13PM

unkel wrote: »

Agreed. But that's the same for pretty much all EVs. Poor value second hand in the UK.

Early 2014 60Ah i3 now start at about GBP12k, they were a good GBP2k cheaper 2 years ago! One at auction in Ireland went for EUR9k last week

The cheapest iMiev are now about GBP5k and an Irish one was for sale here a few weeks ago for EUR3.5k

Same for early Leaf, about GBP6k in the UK and not much more than EUR4.5k here

i3 94Ah might be a bit of an exception, simply because there are very few for sale over here and the ones that are for sale have insane asking prices...

Yup,

I will do some research tonight and see what's available.

TBH having Ionity available along my motorway route would be a big plus even if I had to charge in winter. 4 chargers very unlikely to all be in use ...

gunnerfitzy · 20-01-2020 05:45PM

Nedved85 wrote: »

Yup,

I will do some research tonight and see what's available.

TBH having Ionity available along my motorway route would be a big plus even if I had to charge in winter. 4 chargers very unlikely to all be in use ...

4 chargers very, very, very unlikely to all be in use.

unkel · 20-01-2020 05:49PM

gunnerfitzy wrote: »

4 chargers very, very, very unlikely to all be in use.

That 79c/kWh is for direct customers. See the discussion on the Ionity thread. And get yourself a non-direct card

Used BMW i3 experiences

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