i3 options

ewj1978 · 03-12-2018 10:59pm #1

Heading up to the big smoke on Wednesday and was going to go try out this i3: https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-i3-electric-vehicle-with-range-extender/19316

but, and its a pretty big but, I'm fairly sure the 33kwh(94ah) battery didn't come out till end 2016/ early 2017.
If it is the 22kw(60ah) it wouldn't be suitable for my commute. I've messaged them but I'm sure they're wrong.

There's this https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-i3-0-0-94ah-rex-hatchback/20428242 but it reads like a scam to me. You give us €50 and...

There's also this https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2016-bmw-i3-high-speclodge-range-extender-170bhp/20242260
But at that price I'd be now considering going across the water to get one(if I could find one at a decent spec/price ratio)

0lddog · 03-12-2018 11:07pm

ewj1978 wrote: »

...........
But at that price I'd be now considering going across the water to get one(if I could find one at a decent spec/price ratio)

Rough guide : https://tesla-info.com/BMW/inventory.html any help ?

rolion · 04-12-2018 12:04am

Me too looking at my second EV and i see being an i3.

However,i am not convinced about the Rex motor...i cant find too much info except is a box / capsulated engine sitting in the back of the car.
Most dealers will not touch,just replacement from BMW.
In event of fault,huge bill to replace,offseting any saving from the EV side...

What do you have / know about the Rex engine,please !?

ewj1978 · 04-12-2018 1:27am

Its a 670cc motorbike engine. It supposedly needs to be serviced only every 24months and it'll kick in every now and again to keep itself in good nick.
Its something I'm not concerned about tbh, as my travel will 99% be done with pure EV and I'll only use the REX when charge points are out of order or the 3 times a year I travel from Cork to Belfast.
As for servicing it'll have to be done in BMW anyway to keep the battery warranty.

DrPhilG · 04-12-2018 11:21am

Speak to Phil Fitzgerald in Electric Autos. He can source one to your spec/needs and is competitive on price.

I bought one in Scotland last month (had asked Phil but then found this one and pulled the trigger). It's got a year's warranty left and I'll probably extend that by a year just to keep it in warranty until I change again.

bf · 04-12-2018 4:15pm

ewj1978 wrote: »

Heading up to the big smoke on Wednesday and was going to go try out this i3: https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-i3-electric-vehicle-with-range-extender/19316

but, and its a pretty big but, I'm fairly sure the 33kwh(94ah) battery didn't come out till end 2016/ early 2017.
If it is the 22kw(60ah) it wouldn't be suitable for my commute. I've messaged them but I'm sure they're wrong.

There's this https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-i3-0-0-94ah-rex-hatchback/20428242 but it reads like a scam to me. You give us €50 and...

There's also this https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2016-bmw-i3-high-speclodge-range-extender-170bhp/20242260
But at that price I'd be now considering going across the water to get one(if I could find one at a decent spec/price ratio)

That second one isn't a scam - it's an auction buying service in the UK. He has a website and You Tube channel & Chris is excellent to deal with - I have bought 2 cars off him (not EVs) in the last year. I don't think there is huge savings in auction & retail EV cars in the UK at the moment, but like everything do your research

ewj1978 · 04-12-2018 7:27pm

Should edit my first post, as I've actually done a search on the lad and it seems legit.
You basically pay him to get a car at one of the trade auctions.

ewj1978 · 08-12-2018 3:23pm

ewj1978 wrote: »

Heading up to the big smoke on Wednesday and was going to go try out this i3: https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-i3-electric-vehicle-with-range-extender/19316

but, and its a pretty big but, I'm fairly sure the 33kwh(94ah) battery didn't come out till end 2016/ early 2017.
If it is the 22kw(60ah) it wouldn't be suitable for my commute. I've messaged them but I'm sure they're wrong.

And i was right, for once. The dealer came back to me and confirmed that the incorrect data was put on the ad.

peposhi · 08-12-2018 4:00pm

rolion wrote: »

Me too looking at my second EV and i see being an i3.

However,i am not convinced about the Rex motor...i cant find too much info except is a box / capsulated engine sitting in the back of the car.
Most dealers will not touch,just replacement from BMW.
In event of fault,huge bill to replace,offseting any saving from the EV side...

What do you have / know about the Rex engine,please !?

Ask Mad_Lad. He’s the REX bible here.

DrPhilG · 08-12-2018 4:37pm

peposhi wrote: »

Ask Mad_Lad. He’s the REX bible here.

And this is where to find him...

https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057812141/11/#post108819241

I've spoken to quite a few people lately looking into the i3 REx. Sign of the times with the crappy infrastructure I suppose.

rolion · 08-12-2018 6:08pm

Thanks.

I'm keeping on eye on autotrader UK for an i3 94Ah then is 125Ah...why don't use Kwh like everyone !!?
Also, with or without the Rex, very tricky to chose.
Understood they increased the battery size and dropped the Rex.
Also, from UK zero VRT and I can claim the UK VAT zero back there...

My current van lease expires in next summer time have time to make my mind but still confused, too many options and names...but definitively going for one, as a work car replacing my ice van.

Like the lane assist, auto cruise / adaptive cruise.
Guess basic electrical and comfort specs like a Nissan Tekna.
Not too many with leather seats... is there a model type or name that has full options of gadgets that you have and not need !?

unkel · 08-12-2018 6:11pm

DrPhilG wrote: »

I've spoken to quite a few people lately looking into the i3 REx. Sign of the times with the crappy infrastructure I suppose.

Combined with the fact that a REx doesn't seem to cost any more than a BEV i3. The extender is basically a free safeguard. I know it needs a bit of maintenance now and then, the motor tax is a bit more expensive, the tolls not as cheap, but still a very cheap life saver if you regularly drive beyond the electric range of your car.

Big plans for improvements to the public network, but there doesn't seem to be anything happening yet. Ionity is coming, but they're not here yet either. Without either of those two actually happening, I'd be reluctant to rely on public fast charging even the once or twice I do in the year

peposhi · 08-12-2018 6:18pm

rolion wrote: »

Thanks.

I'm keeping on eye on autotrader UK for an i3 94Ah then is 125Ah...why don't use Kwh like everyone !!?
Also, with or without the Rex, very tricky to chose.
Understood they increased the battery size and dropped the Rex.
Also, from UK zero VRT and I can claim the UK VAT zero back there...

My current van lease expires in next summer time have time to make my mind but still confused, too many options and names...but definitively going for one, as a work car replacing my ice van.

Like the lane assist, auto cruise / adaptive cruise.
Guess basic electrical and comfort specs like a Nissan Tekna.
Not too many with leather seats... is there a model type or name that has full options of gadgets that you have and not need !?

Nissan Leaf Tekna is definitely not basic. A Scoda Octavia wih all bells and whistles would cost you new about €5k more.

What is your daily routine distance to cover and your furthest regular journey?

Water John · 08-12-2018 8:37pm

The poor REX got a bit of a swipe from Declan Colley in the Irish Examiner today. But then all EVs got the thumbs down. Says there not suitable for anyone living in the countryside, FFS.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/motoring/motoringreviews/bmw-i3-electric-dream-limited-in-its-capabilities-890663.html

KCross · 08-12-2018 9:13pm

Water John wrote: »

The poor REX got a bit of a swipe from Declan Colley in the Irish Examiner today. But then all EVs got the thumbs down. Says there not suitable for anyone living in the countryside, FFS.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/motoring/motoringreviews/bmw-i3-electric-dream-limited-in-its-capabilities-890663.html

Oooh, that wont go down well here!

The overall verdict: A city car, really

And he clearly doesnt understand what brake regen is with this comment as he concludes its moot because EV's slow down too much when you take your foot off the gas! :rolleyes:

The braking-based energy regeneration system is actually quite cool but, trouble is it’s an electric car and once you take your foot off the gas — there is no gas and you slow dramatically, obviating the need for brakes. So the energy regeneration thing is a bit moot.

He also mentions that the brake lights dont come on with regen.... I thought they did in the i3?

Water John · 08-12-2018 9:20pm

Many years ago an accident assessor puled the hand clutch on the tractor and said the handbrake was weak!!! Declan should be blushing too. At least if you don't know what you're talking about, stay sthum.

peposhi · 08-12-2018 9:22pm

Water John wrote: »

The poor REX got a bit of a swipe from Declan Colley in the Irish Examiner today. But then all EVs got the thumbs down. Says there not suitable for anyone living in the countryside, FFS.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/motoring/motoringreviews/bmw-i3-electric-dream-limited-in-its-capabilities-890663.html

Loads of b......x. I live in the country side with 2EVs... no range extenders whatsoever...
Clearly the EVs are not for everyone as of yet, but the way it’s been presented in the article is just shocking...

Water John · 08-12-2018 9:30pm

He's the Motoring Correspondent!!!

mordeith · 08-12-2018 10:47pm

KCross wrote: »

He also mentions that the brake lights dont come on with regen.... I thought they did in the i3?

Yes they do. At quite slow speeds as well. It's only in you very slowly ease off that they don't.

DrPhilG · 08-12-2018 10:48pm

I live in Donegal and have survived a long time with a Leaf and now an i3.

And I can confirm that the brake lights definitely come with the regen. I've checked.

ewj1978 · 08-12-2018 11:02pm

whats his twitter account? man needs correcting. :P

unkel · 09-12-2018 12:07am

Lazy and unprofessional article. Even "borrowed" the pictures from the internet.

"But no, it still took another multiple of hours to get the thing back up to full capacity. I’m reluctant to say how many in case the landlord ups the rent."

:rolleyes:

liamog · 09-12-2018 4:34pm

unkel wrote: »

Lazy and unprofessional article. Even "borrowed" the pictures from the internet.

"But no, it still took another multiple of hours to get the thing back up to full capacity. I’m reluctant to say how many in case the landlord ups the rent."

:rolleyes:

He's not wrong though, EVs aren't suitable for drivers in the countryside who are looking to charge their car from a USB adapter they got with their Kindle 5 years ago. /s

Of course if you install an actual home charger using the grant (approx €200) you now wake up everyday with a fully charged car with more than enough range, but he's a journalist we shouldn't let facts get in the way of hyperbole.

ewj1978 · 09-12-2018 5:02pm

He's meant to be the motoring Journalist for a national newspaper. He sounds like a dinosaur who only likes V8's and things that make noises when he drives.

peposhi · 10-12-2018 8:01pm

Lads, what is the real world range of a 151 REx? Mad_Lad would get 170-200kms out of his 94Amh one, how is with the older battery?!?

mordeith · 10-12-2018 9:20pm

peposhi wrote: »

Lads, what is the real world range of a 151 REx? Mad_Lad would get 170-200kms out of his 94Amh one, how is with the older battery?!?

I'm not one for calculating these things but we drove 125km to Glengarriff during the year and it made it there on pure EV. Have the Rex so was never worried.

Drove 54km today and there is 56% showing on the GOM translating to 66km so that's a a theoretical total of 120km which is what the GOM suggested this morning. Bear in mind that motorway speeds are only about 10km of that.

80sDiesel · 11-12-2018 3:38pm

Good review. Always enjoyed watching these guys.
https://youtu.be/DMdX-dmLBWs

The fact that the center armrest doesn't extend would be a deal breaker for me. I would have to look for some assesory as I drive like the tall guy in the vid with the seat allll the way back(long legs) and as low to the floor that I can. Think the seat would be too high but it is a city car so no fault of it's own.

rolion · 11-12-2018 10:01pm

Does anyone has a set of specs that can pick ,mix and/or chose from the models or years,please !?
Very hard to get it as confused with the names ...

ewj1978 · 12-12-2018 1:19am

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_i3

60Ah(22kw) with or without REX
94Ah(33kw)with or without REX
120Ah(42kw)no REX

As for specs. This is BMW baby! the worlds your oyster!

i3 options

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