Used BMW i3 experiences

Rougebladez · 31-07-2020 10:11AM

McGiver wrote: »

What's you Battery Kappa Max in the hidden menu?

Battery Kappa????? What is this?

31-07-2020 10:42AM

Rougebladez wrote: »

Battery Kappa????? What is this?

It's the measurement by the BMS as to the estimates battery capacity.

It was 29.6 Kwh when I got it at 9 months 9,500 Kms and it was 29.5 not long ago when I checked.

31-07-2020 11:00AM

who_ru wrote: »

Is it correct that the i3 does not have a heat pump?

It seems every EV has some issue or other, no heat pump in the i3, no battery cooling in the leaf.

It’s these two I’m looking at in terms of potentially buying one. The leaf has a decent size boot compared to the i3, and I think for some reason the i3 has apple car play but not android auto?

The heat Pump was an option on the BEV and it's not available at all on the Rex but it's not too important on the Rex because if you run low on power you can just fire up the Rex. I'm not sure whether the BEV i3s after 2017 came with the heat pump as standard but the dealer should know and if not you can take a pic of the VIN and put it into a vin decoder and it should tell you the complete spec of the car.

Do think of the Rex though, it's really convenient especially Winter when battery rage drops like it does in all electrics. It's great passing queues at charge points too and it eliminates the issue of Cold battery charging, at the fast charger you could see 25 Kw being pulled from the charger according to the Kw meter on the charger itself, compared to 55 Kw when the battery is around 20 Deg C.

The i3 does have a battery heater but the conditions which activate it are this.
Precondition must be set and a depart timer set a minimum of 4 hrs prior to depart, however, it only heats to 10 deg C which is not enough for maximum power at the charger but it is enough to allow full acceleration and regen, a really cold batter can see sluggish acceleration if the battery is not pre-heated.

The battery heater is very convenient in the following way.

It's a very cold day and you plan to drive long distance, so you have the car charging, precondition set and depart time set, you get into the car, drive off and by the time you need a charge the battery will most likely have reached the temp needed for full charge power at the fast charger.

If you are staying away that night and you intend to drive off the next morning and the battery is cold it will take a lot longer at the fast charger so what you do is when you head down after you reach your destination charge while the battery is up to temp and don't wait until the next morning when the battery is cold

With the Rex of course you don't need to worry about any of that and I'll give you an example, we stayed away in Galway one December last year and it was pretty cold, I went to fast charge and was seeing only around 25 Kw at the charger so I disconnected, drove off fired up the Rex and by the time I got to the next charger the battery was warm enough for Max charger power.

This isn't unique to the i3, all electric cars suffer in Cold weather but the Rex means you don't need to worry. Some electric cars suffer less than others and the Teslas can heat the battery automatically while driving to the next charger so it's warm by the time you get there at the expense of efficiency.

If you can find an AC point to charge then you can get a significant charge in the i3 94 Ah in 2 hrs, 20-90% takes around 2 hrs or a bit less on a 3 phase 22 Kw AC Public charge point but you need to buy a 3 phase charge lead, the i3 94ah has a very handy 11 Kw charger so make use of it when you can.

McGiver · 01-08-2020 09:36AM

who_ru wrote:

Itâ€™s these two Iâ€™m looking at in terms of potentially buying one. The leaf has a decent size boot compared to the i3, and I think for some reason the i3 has apple car play but not android auto?

No android auto.

If you don't mind the small booth then i3 is the winner.

Moving from Leaf 24 kWh to i3 felt like I had become a formula 1 driver. The i3 is just so good, fun to drive, good controls and steering, excellent visibility.

01-08-2020 11:27AM

McGiver wrote: »

No android auto.

If you don't mind the small booth then i3 is the winner.

Moving from Leaf 24 kWh to i3 felt like I had become a formula 1 driver. The i3 is just so good, fun to drive, good controls and steering, excellent visibility.

When I test drove the i3 around the back roads in Galway I was hooked, I knew my next car was going to be the i3.

When I got back into my 2015 Leaf I nearly cried lol, the steering felt absolutely lifeless and so disconnected from the wheels, the handling etc, the giddy rear suspension and of course it had a lot less power so as soon as my PCP was up I started looking and almost immediately found my i3 Rex at a great price, called up the garage, paid a 1K deposit and went up and took a look and bought it. It was a rare stroke of luck.

Still get a buzz driving it after 2 years and 8 months.

Gumbo · 01-08-2020 04:32PM

Deleted User wrote: »

When I test drove the i3 around the back roads in Galway I was hooked, I knew my next car was going to be the i3.

When I got back into my 2015 Leaf I nearly cried lol, the steering felt absolutely lifeless and so disconnected from the wheels, the handling etc, the giddy rear suspension and of course it had a lot less power so as soon as my PCP was up I started looking and almost immediately found my i3 Rex at a great price, called up the garage, paid a 1K deposit and went up and took a look and bought it. It was a rare stroke of luck.

Still get a buzz driving it after 2 years and 8 months.

I can confirm that my i3 was a better handling, better drivers car than my current Performance Model S, in my opinion.

Now the MS is more comfortable but that’s a different conversation.

I do miss the direct steering of the i3, so much point and shoot!

01-08-2020 08:54PM

who_ru wrote: »

Is it correct that the i3 does not have a heat pump?

It seems every EV has some issue or other, no heat pump in the i3, no battery cooling in the leaf.

It’s these two I’m looking at in terms of potentially buying one. The leaf has a decent size boot compared to the i3, and I think for some reason the i3 has apple car play but not android auto?

Not sure what year you intend to get but on the 120 Ah I don't think Apple car play is standard, the 2017 , while doesn't have apple car play it can fully control Spotify and supposed to control tune in radio but I haven't got it to work with tune in in a long time.

So the newer i3s might allow control of Spotify on Androids, I don't know though.

01-08-2020 09:34PM

Gumbo wrote: »

I can confirm that my i3 was a better handling, better drivers car than my current Performance Model S, in my opinion.

Now the MS is more comfortable but that’s a different conversation.

I do miss the direct steering of the i3, so much point and shoot!

Yeah I suppose the Model S is a big heavy tank compared to the i3 which doesn't help the handling.

The m3 I would expect to be better but I must arrange a test drive.

Patser · 01-08-2020 09:51PM

I've a bit of a dilemma brewing now, my i3 was my 1st foray into electrics and I'm completely sold. Loving the car as it meets all the things I want in a car - space, acceleration, fun.

But I'm coming up on 3 years ownership, and my own quirk of wanting to try something new is creeping in again (normally 3 years is max I keep a car before trying something new). But looking at options in electrics, not an i3 is sparse.

For last few months I've fixated on the I Pace, but tried one recently and it met none of my desires. Yes it's a lovely car, but too big, to enclosed and expensive for my tastes.

Now I'm looking at the electric Fiat 500 convertible due out next year - might meet my desire for fun and air but is it - and everything else - going to be a disappointment after the drive in the i3?

01-08-2020 10:20PM

Patser wrote: »

I've a bit of a dilemma brewing now, my i3 was my 1st foray into electrics and I'm completely sold. Loving the car as it meets all the things I want in a car - space, acceleration, fun.

But I'm coming up on 3 years ownership, and my own quirk of wanting to try something new is creeping in again (normally 3 years is max I keep a car before trying something new). But looking at options in electrics, not an i3 is sparse.

For last few months I've fixated on the I Pace, but tried one recently and it met none of my desires. Yes it's a lovely car, but too big, to enclosed and expensive for my tastes.

Now I'm looking at the electric Fiat 500 convertible due out next year - might meet my desire for fun and air but is it - and everything else - going to be a disappointment after the drive in the i3?

I'd say going to a fiat from an i3 would be a mental thing to do to be honest and I bet depreciation would be huge too.

My next EV will have to have much faster charging but I am not keen to get rid of the sheer convenience of the Rex.

I wouldn't change for the sake of changing, If the i3 is still making you smile as it does I then it says a lot about the car to be honest.

Keep it until something just as fun comes out.

Have you thought about the m3 ?

unkel · 02-08-2020 12:05AM

If you can afford an iPace then perhaps a Tesla Model 3 Performance is also within budget? Even if it isn't, go test drive one. And drive it hard preferably over twisty roads you know well.

Patser · 02-08-2020 08:03AM

Thing is I can't really afford an I pace anyway- maybe an import if sterling collapses and I time it just before full brexit. And M3 doesn't appeal as too low.

I do think I'll stick with i3 - maybe upgrade to a 2nd hand i3s next year - but there's something about the new Fiat 500 electric that's appealing - possibly the lovely interior on the launch models or just that there's a convertible option.

What I'd really love in an electric MX5 equivalent, but this is still an achilles heal of EVs - we're only getting to have normal family car options this year, it'll be a while before cheap 2 seater options, cabrios, etc get added to the EV family

02-08-2020 02:05PM

Patser wrote: »

Thing is I can't really afford an I pace anyway- maybe an import if sterling collapses and I time it just before full brexit. And M3 doesn't appeal as too low.

I do think I'll stick with i3 - maybe upgrade to a 2nd hand i3s next year - but there's something about the new Fiat 500 electric that's appealing - possibly the lovely interior on the launch models or just that there's a convertible option.

What I'd really love in an electric MX5 equivalent, but this is still an achilles heal of EVs - we're only getting to have normal family car options this year, it'll be a while before cheap 2 seater options, cabrios, etc get added to the EV family

I'd have the E-Niro before I'd have the 500, at least with the e-niro you get more space a lot more range and a lot more power even if it's FWD.

I think you would regret getting a 500 coming from an i3, the i3 is rwd and a lot faster and the build quality is excellent.

Change for the sake of change isn't good if you ask me

Maybe wait until the ix3 is released, 6.8 seconds basic model, 150 kw charging and no doubt super build quality.

74 Kwh battery but will probably cost a fair chunk of money, probably 60K for the basic.

krissovo · 02-08-2020 10:37PM

Patser wrote: »

What I'd really love in an electric MX5 equivalent, but this is still an achilles heal of EVs - we're only getting to have normal family car options this year, it'll be a while before cheap 2 seater options, cabrios, etc get added to the EV family

Have you seen vintage voltage on TV? For the money you talking about I bet you could do a cracking conversion on a MX5. I have a soft spot for a fiat spider and they are in the range of CHEAP money now. I would love to convert one and give it kick ass performance.

unkel · 02-08-2020 10:44PM

The Tesla Model 3 is too low, yet you really want a Mazda MX-5, which is way lower than the Tesla?

Patser · 03-08-2020 10:48AM

unkel wrote: »

The Tesla Model 3 is too low, yet you really want a Mazda MX-5, which is way lower than the Tesla?

I'm not saying anything I'm thinking makes sense...

Just the car will be a 2nd car in the house, mine for a commute and giggles. So yes the Nero is best EV on road for price, if you want space and practicality, and Tesla M3 competing for that position...

But neither strike me as fun. Tesla may be fast but interior is dark and drab, I Pace is also fast but too big and heavy. i3 is a lovely bright space and great on back roads, and great for fun and commute, so looking at alternatives in that space - fun, airy, 2nd car so doesn't need to practical, not crazy money, small enough to park without needing a Lockhard behind you.

So with those parameters you have i3, maybe e 208 but that's a bit normal too l, and then 500 convertible for airyness... but other than that...? There's still a lack of fun hot hatches, or mid life crisis cars (unless you've €100,000+ and can get Taycan, Tesla roadster etc). Given the performance and size of an electric engine, you'd think hot hatches would be their element. I still think Renault missed a trick not making the Wind an EV - I mean the shape was awful but ideal for hiding batteries and then you'd have a fun 2 seater, convertible/hot hatch EV

unkel · 03-08-2020 04:38PM

If you think Tesla Model 3 Performance is not fun, you need to go take it for a good hard test drive

McGiver · 04-08-2020 12:14AM

Patser wrote:

So with those parameters you have i3, maybe e 208 but that's a bit normal too l, and then 500 convertible for airyness... but other than that...? There's still a lack of fun hot hatches, or mid life crisis cars (unless you've â‚¬100,000+ and can get Taycan, Tesla roadster etc). Given the performance and size of an electric engine, you'd think hot hatches would be their element. I still think Renault missed a trick not making the Wind an EV - I mean the shape was awful but ideal for hiding batteries and then you'd have a fun 2 seater, convertible/hot hatch EV

How about Mini electric?

Patser · 04-08-2020 12:33AM

Sat in one, didn't really fit and by the time I did front seat was almost touching rear seats - felt like Hightower in Police Academy

DrPhilG · 08-08-2020 02:02PM

I may have an out of warranty problem...

Yesterday I charged the i3 for a few hours on the granny cable. I recently got solar PV installed, and a Zappi charger, but the clamps aren't in place yet to enable the Zappi to only use excess so I was soaking up some extra juice via the granny.

Plugged in again a little while later, but then knocked the plug off at the socket in the house as I was called out unexpectedly.

After disconnecting that second charge, the car displayed an "unable to charge" error. It cleared after a few seconds and the car seemed fine.

However overnight the car was plugged in, but didn't charge. I stopped by a rapid this morning and charged on CCS without an issue, but I then tried connecting the fast AC plug, and it wouldn't charge at all.

Any suggestions? Did I trip something when I knocked off the plug at the socket? Anything I can do or am I looking at a potential expensive repair?

Gile_na_gile · 15-08-2021 02:16PM

Resurrecting this thread as wished to know how 2013/14 i3 cars, especially REX, are holding up as local runabouts? How wise to spend 12-15k on an early i3 as a second car (Dublin region visits, kids at sports, very local commute for rainy days etc.) versus a 2016 LEAF 30kWh (we have an E+ Tekna 62kWh which does everything) or a battery-owned 2015/16 Zoe 22kWh both for 10k? Would be looking for 100km range in winter, so 24kWh LEAF doesn't quite cut it.

In favour of the i3 is that it is a better class of car, of course, but I would anticipate more expensive maintainance. Because of its ease of use and nice handling, I suspect the i3 would become the mainstay meaning the LEAF will be sitting around except for longer commutes and trips. Would prefer full BEV but costing 15k plus at moment. 60aH is just about sufficient, but REX makes it more flexible, while 90aH is overkill for a second EV.

unkel · 15-08-2021 02:31PM

Batteries of the early 22kWh i3 or holding up very weill but the car will struggle to deliver 100km range on a bad day in winter

For the high end of your budget you might get an Ioniq 28kWh which will do 100km motorway range at 120k/h on the coldest windiest day of the year with plenty left in the tank

Don't get an i3 REx. Will cost a fortune in maintenance, more expensive to tax and you won't get the 75% M50 toll discount that really is the cherry on the cake for EV owners in Dublin

Gile_na_gile · 15-08-2021 04:02PM

Yeah, might wait until I can get a full BEV or perhaps just an old LEAF or even petrol as backup 2nd car. Did you get an i3 in the end as a second car after the Model S?

Patser · 15-08-2021 04:34PM

I still have my 2014 i3 BEV, still getting about 100km per charge on average - in fact over the 3.5 years ownership I've noticed no real drop in range.

Yes in freezing weather hammering down the motorway to and from work I'm only managing about 80km, but could easily eke that out to 100km by using eco mode.

If you're looking at i3, wood dash, sun roof and harmann karmen speakers (wish I had them as daughter in back complains she can't hear music) are recommended.

Parking assist is useless

Gile_na_gile · 15-08-2021 04:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117758096#Comment_117758096

How are running costs? I know the BEV is less troublesome anyway compared to now almost obselete REX addon, but I read about various expensive repairs in this thread for mechanical parts and electronics.

Patser · 15-08-2021 06:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117758128#Comment_117758128

Can't really comment, I've had nothing to repair.

Tyres are expensive enough (€130 each I think I remember) due to lack of manufacturers making that size. Service at BMW equally pricey enough - just because it's BMW, because nothing needs changing (oil, sparks etc) but that's only every 2 years.

I use it as my daily commute into Dublin (around 70km total) and as general potter around town, and love the drive on it. Monthly electric bill went up about €45 a month. Other than that, cheap as chips

unkel · 15-08-2021 06:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117757966#Comment_117757966

Got a Renault Fluence Z.E. as the second EV. Was a bargain, couldn't resist 😂

Same car underneath as an early Nissan Leaf really. Gets about 60-80km on a charge, so not suitable for you

Gile_na_gile · 16-08-2021 12:12PM

I am going OT but Fluence ZE sounds great as a cheap runabout while investing more in the primary car. Other half not interested in paying more for a "flashy" i3 so am thinking a battery owned Zoe 22kWh 9-10k EUR is enough for our needs since the longer range LEAF will be available most of the time anyway. Also hoping that the BMS system will preserve range better than a similarly aged LEAF, plus advantage of three phase charging and CCS.

Mr.David · 05-10-2021 11:19AM

Hi everyone, great thread have just finished reading through the entire thing and found it quite useful. Considering an i3 myself with the following use case:

2nd car (main car is 5 series)
used Mon-Fri for a ~28km round trip commute into Dublin city centre and back out
some weekend use also but just in the local area, have the 5 series for longer trips
have off street parking

Range isn't a primary issue for me as you can see. I think the 60 would be fine for my needs. Would prefer pure BEV too for same reason but not a deal breaker. Couple of questions:

What is expected battery degredation on say 2016 or 2017 model with for example 60k kms on the clock? Just want to have an idea of what to expect for viewing vehicles
Anything specific to the i3 to check before buying? I imagine any damage to the frame would be a nightmare, any common faults/issues to look out for?
Spec wise I am not too pushed beyond heated seats being a must. Would prefer the wider nav screen, the small one on early cars looks pretty gammy to me. And think the car is quite colour/wheel sensitive
Importing from UK now out of the question due to VAT?

I know a Leaf ticks a lot of the boxes in my case and is a lot cheaper but (no offence) I really hate them and have always liked the i3 so happy to pay up for the i3.

Might go check this one out, anyone got any thoughts specific to this car? BMW warranty is attractive as is the colour combo:

https://naasroad.frankkeanebmw.ie/used-cars/BMW/i3/i3-94Ah/202106013334196/

Any thoughts appreciated.

unkel · 05-10-2021 11:34AM

€24k for a soon to be 4 year old second "city" car seems like a lot of money to me. For a few grand more you could get a brand new 2022 MINI electric, or the ultimate cool city EV: the Honda e

Or just save half of your budget and get an early i3. As you say, more than enough range for your needs and from anecdotal evidence, the BMW battery seems to stand up to time more than any other battery in any other EV. Importing from the UK attracts VAT, but you can avoid that if you buy from NI (provided the car was registered over there before this year). Not an awful lot of EVs up North (they are even further behind than Ireland), but there are some...

Used BMW i3 experiences

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