Great Review! I used to have an i3, late 2018 model and sold it for a VW ID4 first edition. After a few months I realised that I loved the I3 more then I realised before. Last month I bought an 2020 I3S. Full options and ... I love it to drive one again. It'll never leave me again. Range is not the best, but this car is one of a kind. Nothing like this. The fun of driving it, is incomparable with the ID4. Apparently the fun is really outside the comfort zone;) I would always advise to get one with a heat pump and... "moonroof " The car can get easily damp at the inside. With a little opened roof, it's gone in a minute.... and,.. it makes the car very light, even with the luxury dark interior. Great car, and a future classic! Thanks for the positive, honest review!
I own the last version, a I3S from December 2020. This car is a jewel. So compact outside and huge and practucal inside. I use it daily with city, autobahn. This is fast, fast and fast in the city. Basically no one can compete.
Great video AJ! Thanks for sharing. I do believe the i3 is one of the best used car you can get. Nimble, fast, minimum maintenance, and still have a great looking in 2023 😉
I've got a two year old i3s (same colour as the one in the video), putting it in eco mode does tone down the aggressive throttle response but it also tones down the heater, which is bad news in our recent cold weather, so I put it back into comfort mode.
Rear parking sensors come as standard the £170 option is for additional front sensors. Initially the front sensors were bundled with the rear view camera and the Park Assist function but after the midlife update the camera and front sensors were able to be ordered separately. With my second i3 I just went for the rear view camera as the front sensors are IMHO unnecessary and the bleeping an annoyance. Park Assist also unnecessary.
Very interesting. I had a few time ago a I3 with Leather and Sunroof in electric blue. Now i want a I3 S. So i watched your video, It was really good. Thank you! Best wishes from Austria!
Like your style AJ, I think you’re an absolute great motoring journalist, stumbled across your channel as I was looking for reviews on the i3s and I’m very impressed, very honest, cool and natural presentation! 💯% fully subscribed and looking forward to going through your archives and all your future content and will definitely share with my petrolhead mates 👍🏽
The front seats fold forwards if you use the handle near the head rest. It gives you lots more room, you made it look really difficult to get in the back!
Why does no one reviewing this car show that the front seat fold for getting in ... don't spec the sunroof, you are giving up the carbon fiber roof for that, not worth it. The real cost benefit of electical cars is lack of maintainance.
I also have the I3 and love it, but please don`t suggest that it will save you on running cost, not anymore it isn`t. At 3.6m/kwh at the standard electricity rate of 0.34p/kw it is equivalent to a petrol car doing 71MPG and if you have to rely on rapid charging at 0.65p/kw then its equivalent to petrol car only doing 37MPG. Yes, as you mentioned, you can get a tariff that allows a slightly cheaper rate for around 4 hours in the night but then the tariff for the rest of day is much more expensive. Also don`t mention the fact that the range drops by 20% as soon as you put the cabin heater on. The I3 is one most economical EVs and it only just breaks even, people are deluded if they think they are going to save money with an EV.
In Canada i pay 0.04p/kw so it worth the price..and on high voltage 50Kwh...its 3,50 pounds an hour, calculated by seconds...Cheap cheap Hydro electricity 😂😂
how much maintenance can one expect. it is a BMW, is it expensive for maintenance? Has it ever left you stranding because of no start or electrical issues?
the safest way to park is to back in, therefore the charge port are in the rigth place. if you fold the seats forward its easier to get in to the back seat.
Ooh I have an i3S - one of the last special editions, currently nearing the end of it's PCP and i'm going to pay the balloon as it's a truely brilliant little car and though there's lots of other EV's out there, there still isnt' anythign quite like it - but I guess that's because there never ever will be lol!
I was considering purchasing a used BMW i3 for a low maintenance around town runabout car. However, after reading posts on the internet, it came to my attention that this car's tires are unique. They are only used by the i3 and have to be replaced every 10,000 to 15,000 according to some posts. Plus, the cost of the tires are just over $1,000 (U.S. dollars) plus installation costs. That is a lot to pay for a set of tires plus the frequency of replacing them is prohibitive. And, there are few tire places that keep the tires in stock. Now that BMW has discontinued the model, the tire availability may be even more restrictive and expensive in the future. Do you agree with my assessment. Will there be any other cars that use this tire size in the future? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Maybe I should get a Fiat 500e instead?
@gerhard goedhart First of all, thanks for the very direct reply. So, based on your experience is the info I've read elsewhere incorrect? How many miles (or kilometers) have your tires tended to last? Also, do you know if any other cars use the size of tire that the i3 uses?
@gerhard goedhart Thank you for the great info & insight! Please continue pontificating on anything else relative to the i3 or electric cars in general. I will eagerly read it!
you re right, this is my only issue with this super car. The price for summer tires. I change it after 20 000 kms but I have a dynamic driving (). For the winter tires, we have some possibilities with the 10 inches Nokian. Unfortunately for the summer tires in 20 inches (I3S version) they are expensive as hell. But the car is no nice, I will keep it
The Electric Mini is related, as it is has BMW dna, has the same motor and is also fun to drive. But has a smaller battery and less range, so that might be an issue. An older Tesla Model 3 is another option, as they also have quick steering, strong brake regeneration and a chassis set up for sporty handling, but with widely available conventional tyres. But it's a bigger car and not a hatchback. You could just conclude that, as the i3 is so unique, the tyres are worth the compromise. Wisely in London specialise in used i3s and I'm sure they could advise.
Great Review! I used to have an i3, late 2018 model and sold it for a VW ID4 first edition. After a few months I realised that I loved the I3 more then I realised before. Last month I bought an 2020 I3S. Full options and ... I love it to drive one again. It'll never leave me again. Range is not the best, but this car is one of a kind. Nothing like this. The fun of driving it, is incomparable with the ID4. Apparently the fun is really outside the comfort zone;)
I would always advise to get one with a heat pump and... "moonroof " The car can get easily damp at the inside. With a little opened roof, it's gone in a minute.... and,.. it makes the car very light, even with the luxury dark interior. Great car, and a future classic! Thanks for the positive, honest review!
Great comment thanks
I own the last version, a I3S from December 2020. This car is a jewel. So compact outside and huge and practucal inside. I use it daily with city, autobahn. This is fast, fast and fast in the city. Basically no one can compete.
It sucks BMW killed this car off instead of redesigning it. A second gen i3 hatch could have been awesome.
One more battery upgrade, dual motor ver & 12in 30cm stretch would have been nice
Superb review A.J. ! The I3 is an instant classic.
One can bend the front seats when stepping in the back ;)
Thanks for the comment
Catch behind headrest.
Just bought a 2019 i3 42kW, my first EV, and love it! Not a REX, didn’t want a Rex.
I did the exact same last month. I love everything about this car
Best 2nd hand buy in 2023 ! Get one while you can. There just brill.
Bought the 2nd one in Canada. Still driving it today. Love it.
Great video AJ! Thanks for sharing. I do believe the i3 is one of the best used car you can get. Nimble, fast, minimum maintenance, and still have a great looking in 2023 😉
I've got a two year old i3s (same colour as the one in the video), putting it in eco mode does tone down the aggressive throttle response but it also tones down the heater, which is bad news in our recent cold weather, so I put it back into comfort mode.
Rear parking sensors come as standard the £170 option is for additional front sensors. Initially the front sensors were bundled with the rear view camera and the Park Assist function but after the midlife update the camera and front sensors were able to be ordered separately. With my second i3 I just went for the rear view camera as the front sensors are IMHO unnecessary and the bleeping an annoyance. Park Assist also unnecessary.
Very interesting. I had a few time ago a I3 with Leather and Sunroof in electric blue. Now i want a I3 S. So i watched your video, It was really good. Thank you! Best wishes from Austria!
Like your style AJ, I think you’re an absolute great motoring journalist, stumbled across your channel as I was looking for reviews on the i3s and I’m very impressed, very honest, cool and natural presentation! 💯% fully subscribed and looking forward to going through your archives and all your future content and will definitely share with my petrolhead mates 👍🏽
Fantastic thanks for the comment
The front seats fold forwards if you use the handle near the head rest. It gives you lots more room, you made it look really difficult to get in the back!
Why does no one reviewing this car show that the front seat fold for getting in ... don't spec the sunroof, you are giving up the carbon fiber roof for that, not worth it. The real cost benefit of electical cars is lack of maintainance.
Good vid !
I also have the I3 and love it, but please don`t suggest that it will save you on running cost, not anymore it isn`t. At 3.6m/kwh at the standard electricity rate of 0.34p/kw it is equivalent to a petrol car doing 71MPG and if you have to rely on rapid charging at 0.65p/kw then its equivalent to petrol car only doing 37MPG. Yes, as you mentioned, you can get a tariff that allows a slightly cheaper rate for around 4 hours in the night but then the tariff for the rest of day is much more expensive. Also don`t mention the fact that the range drops by 20% as soon as you put the cabin heater on. The I3 is one most economical EVs and it only just breaks even, people are deluded if they think they are going to save money with an EV.
In Canada i pay 0.04p/kw so it worth the price..and on high voltage 50Kwh...its 3,50 pounds an hour, calculated by seconds...Cheap cheap Hydro electricity 😂😂
I also have that hydro electricity. .0875 cents a KW just south of the border in WA state. Cheap cheap!
how much maintenance can one expect. it is a BMW, is it expensive for maintenance? Has it ever left you stranding because of no start or electrical issues?
nice color
the safest way to park is to back in, therefore the charge port are in the rigth place. if you fold the seats forward its easier to get in to the back seat.
Hey AJ great buy
the bmw i3s is not ten years old, why did bmw discontinue this especially the more popular REX...
There is no such a thing as run-flat tyres for this size...
And the normal tyres are unique to this car and very expensive… almost $2000 a set of 4. Being an electric .. they churn thru them!
Two minute intro? What in the CZcamss?
Mine BMW i3 2015 60ah......the best!!!!!!!
Same here as but with REX, which I am glad to have.
Ooh I have an i3S - one of the last special editions, currently nearing the end of it's PCP and i'm going to pay the balloon as it's a truely brilliant little car and though there's lots of other EV's out there, there still isnt' anythign quite like it - but I guess that's because there never ever will be lol!
I was considering purchasing a used BMW i3 for a low maintenance around town runabout car. However, after reading posts on the internet, it came to my attention that this car's tires are unique. They are only used by the i3 and have to be replaced every 10,000 to 15,000 according to some posts. Plus, the cost of the tires are just over $1,000 (U.S. dollars) plus installation costs. That is a lot to pay for a set of tires plus the frequency of replacing them is prohibitive. And, there are few tire places that keep the tires in stock. Now that BMW has discontinued the model, the tire availability may be even more restrictive and expensive in the future. Do you agree with my assessment. Will there be any other cars that use this tire size in the future? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Maybe I should get a Fiat 500e instead?
@gerhard goedhart First of all, thanks for the very direct reply. So, based on your experience is the info I've read elsewhere incorrect? How many miles (or kilometers) have your tires tended to last? Also, do you know if any other cars use the size of tire that the i3 uses?
@gerhard goedhart Thank you for the great info & insight! Please continue pontificating on anything else relative to the i3 or electric cars in general. I will eagerly read it!
you re right, this is my only issue with this super car. The price for summer tires. I change it after 20 000 kms but I have a dynamic driving (). For the winter tires, we have some possibilities with the 10 inches Nokian. Unfortunately for the summer tires in 20 inches (I3S version) they are expensive as hell. But the car is no nice, I will keep it
The Electric Mini is related, as it is has BMW dna, has the same motor and is also fun to drive. But has a smaller battery and less range, so that might be an issue. An older Tesla Model 3 is another option, as they also have quick steering, strong brake regeneration and a chassis set up for sporty handling, but with widely available conventional tyres. But it's a bigger car and not a hatchback. You could just conclude that, as the i3 is so unique, the tyres are worth the compromise. Wisely in London specialise in used i3s and I'm sure they could advise.
👍👍
BMW actually made this one second behind the 1 series electric but used the same powertrain to run the I3
The 1 series active E was rather a bit of an experimental conversion platform
How long has this been lying on your hard drive? BMW stopped making these back in July.
Future classic
this guy doesnt know his shit, you cant ditch the tire repair kit, no run flat available for the i3/s