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My weird choice for EV

  • 06-06-2025 12:54PM
    #1
    steamdave
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 203 ✭✭


    I'm looking to change from a diesel BMW SUV to an EV due to downsizing house and car and moving into town.

    The two vehicles I'm considering are a 2022 BMW i3S Unique Forever (or equivalent spec) or a 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric Signature. Dates used are for comparative purposes.

    Main considerations are ease of entry/exit for 2 front people (rear seats unlikely to be used, so suicide doors not an issue with the i3). I don't like saloon cars that I need to stoop down to get in/out of. Driving comfort and ergonomics, premium materials (I like the bells and whistles!) Range is NOT an issue as it will only be used for local driving with a total mileage of about 8000kms pa. Reliability will also be a key consideration.
    I am used to and like the BMW ergonomics and am tending towards the BMW, but the fact that it is now discontinued I'm wondering about spare parts in the future. I know about the unusual tyre sizes and the probable difference in insurance costs are not a detriment as total running costs for either will still be cheaper than my present car.

    So what's not to like about the BMW and make the Kona the vehicle for me? I realise that personal preferences have a big bearing on any vehicle choice but I would value others thoughts. I tend to keep my cars for many years and this will probably be the last vehicle that I buy as age races up on me.

    Dave



Comments

  • #2
    soverybored1878
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 299 ✭✭soverybored1878


    I'd be going with the Kona all day long. But that is just me, I like bigger cars as I like the space and practicality. Throw my golf clubs in the boot and off I go sort-of-thing.

    You're right in what you say about spare parts etc. Much more likely to have a problem with a now discontinued car (which was also a limited run in the first place). I also think repair costs would be cheaper with a Kona if the worst was to happen.

    At the end of the day, it's subjective and situation dependent. If all your driving is in town and you like the i3 then go for it as it'll be a much easier and convenient to drive around in a city/town.



  • #3
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 41,554 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058415178/my-weird-choice-for-ev

    Ive had both. One much longer than the other.
    The only thing that would have me in a Kona over an i3 would be if I needed the 5 seats. The i3 is a cracking little car. Kona has more power on paper , 204 V 180’ish but the i3 handles like it’s on rails.

    The i3 is really a city car with small motorway runs, it’s not a cross country car as it gets threw about a bit with cross winds.

    Post edited by Gumbo on


  • #4
    ELM327
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 19,508 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    If you don't like getting into saloons that are low, have you tried actually testing ingress/egress in an i3?



  • #5
    steamdave
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 203 ✭✭steamdave


    I don't envisage needing lots of boot space - just shopping bags and I limit the wife's spending! If I did need to put a suitcase in, then I could drop the rear seats down. The kids have flown the nest so it will only be for the two of us.

    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123520524#Comment_123520524

    No, I haven't, but I have been alongside one in the showroom a few years ago. About the same height as my present car and the wife's mini countryman. Doors about the same size as well.

    Which brings me onto the i3 ride… Reviews say it is harsh, but it can't be any worse than the Mini Countryman (11 reg). I didn't know you could get square wheels until she bought it!

    Dave



  • #6
    zg3409
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 7,311 ✭✭✭zg3409


    You need to physically sit in and drive each vehicle to access comfort and seating position and visibility etc. Kona with 64kWh battery is far more practical with a range of at least 150km from home charger or 300 km round trip. No need to ever public charge or worry about finding a public charger. The bells and whistles can be basic on Kona and boot very small. Bring a few airport bags to test fit.



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  • #7
    MarkN
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,549 ✭✭✭MarkN


    BMW for me. Ahead of its time type of car. Looks so sharp in black with the splashes of blue. Strong enough money on them however. 4/5 year old ones are still hovering around low 20s!



  • #8
    80sDiesel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,221 ✭✭✭80sDiesel


    Will probably have to go the UK route for a Unique forever edition which will drive the price up. An alternative would be a Mazda MX 30. Woeful range but values are depressed and in the right colour can look unique.

    A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.



  • #9
    Dayor Knight
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 768 ✭✭✭Dayor Knight


    Personally, if I didn't need the longer range I would go for the I3 all day long. A little beauty.



  • #10
    yermanthere
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 160 ✭✭yermanthere


    Another vote for the BMW, if you still like it after a test drive. It has character. Kona is just a tool for getting the job done.



  • #11
    steamdave
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 203 ✭✭steamdave


    I've made my decision - the i3s.

    Found a 2022 black/white one at Colm Quinn in Galway. Traded in my X4 and even got a decent amount of money back.

    I've now had it for a month and wish I had made the decision much earlier. For 2 people, it is ideal as a short / medium range car. Enough range, enough boot space enhanced with the rear seats down, very comfortable seating. And when I want to, it goes like sh!t off a shovel. Now that that novelty has worn off, I drive it sensibly! The ride is better than the wife's Mini Countryman but that wouldn't be hard to beat.

    Dave

    p.s. I wouldn't recommend that Galway crowd. It wasn't very well prepared - not even charged for my 250kms trip home.



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  • #12
    MojoMaker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,617 ✭✭✭MojoMaker


    Great choice, and not weird at all. A fabulous sleeper EV that will be gone from our roads in time - grabbing one now makes a lot of sense, especially in high spec sport trim.

    Pics pls.



  • #13
    steamdave
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 203 ✭✭steamdave


    First job was to load it up to the brim with personal effects as I moved house. I was amazed at what I could pack in.

    Have since added the Wokeby kit for a little more carrying capacity.

    Dave



  • #14
    ...Ghost...
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,256 ✭✭✭...Ghost...


    You chose well. I still have an eye for the i3. I will get one at some stage. Had planned to pick one up next year as an extra car for the house, but ended up in a lovely 2015 Leaf for the OH for now and the Daughter when she passes her test. Unfortunately next year is going to be expensive, so it won't be an i3 year.

    Stay Free



  • #15
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 41,554 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124030134#Comment_124030134

    Great choice.
    While my old i3 was not the “best” EV I’ve owned, it certainly was my favourite!



  • #16
    evftw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭evftw


    We currently have just the high spec i3 94Ah as the family car while waiting for a new main car to be delivered. It swallowed an assembled IKEA 2-seater sofa and the driving position is nice an high. It's one of those forever second cars and I would really struggle to replace it with anything but another one for local/medium use. It won't rust and battery cells are rated for 4000 cycles. It's quirky and interesting with reliable mechanicals.



  • #17
    MojoMaker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,617 ✭✭✭MojoMaker


    Do you think the i3 could be a viable replacement for something like an ID4/MGZS/BZ4X for a small family?

    They give range of about 350kms real world - would the 120ah i3 get anywhere near it?



  • #18
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 41,554 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124032523#Comment_124032523

    Not if you need 5 seats.
    Not if you need boot space.



  • #19
    Flinty997
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,834 ✭✭✭✭Flinty997


    Check out Wisely Automotive and Martin Karel on you tube. They specialise in i3 and have some good videos on them..



  • #20
    SweetSand
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 155 ✭✭SweetSand


    OP, I am so glad you went with i3, my favorite car, love everything about it. Got one in 2020, it was 5 years old, and was perfect for me driving small distances. It’s so nippy and smart and well built. Got id4 this year, brand new as needed bigger range. It’s grand but doesn’t give me excitement i3 gave. Kept i3 as wasn’t worth much in trade in, hoping it will be my daughters 1st car.



  • #21
    MojoMaker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,617 ✭✭✭MojoMaker


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124032531#Comment_124032531

    5 seats not required. But boot space for two border collies would be important.

    No parcel shelf required!!



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  • #22
    evftw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭evftw


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124032860#Comment_124032860

    We had one border collie in the boot, and he was happy enough, but two of them would be too much.



  • #23
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 41,554 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124032860#Comment_124032860

    …

    IMG_3427.jpeg


  • #24
    MojoMaker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,617 ✭✭✭MojoMaker


    See, to me that looks absolutely fine for two border collies.

    Granted the photo might be deceptive, but they are only 15kgs dogs.



  • #25
    Red Silurian
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭✭Red Silurian


    I would suggest the Kona is the better buy in this case purely from the repairs cost perspective. Many of the spare parts will also be shared with ICE models so another advantage



  • #26
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 41,554 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124033027#Comment_124033027

    I have no clue about dogs but when I put my little box with site boots, separate box with PPE etc, there wasn’t any boot space left.

    Weekly shopping trips involved the use of all the seats 😂



  • #27
    MojoMaker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,617 ✭✭✭MojoMaker


    I must bring them over to @unkel's to check 😅



  • #28
    MojoMaker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,617 ✭✭✭MojoMaker


    Reading that the summer range of the i3 120ah (42.2kwh battery) is around 220 kms, winter range around 180kms.

    Have a Zoe 41kwh that has 280/220 in comparison.

    Before I confirm my disappointment, has anyone seen differently?



  • #29
    Oscar_Madison
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,888 ✭✭✭✭Oscar_Madison
    #MEGA MAKE EUROPE GREAT AGAIN


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124033894#Comment_124033894

    I thought the 120ah was more like 224-288 range from what I’ve researched online



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