EV life : 2500 mile 3 month BMW i3S review
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- čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
- A walk around, geeky tech talk, short country drive, and some (bad) drifts. In case it's not completely obvious, I like this thing a lot 😎
0:00 intro
0:30 walk-around, build, tech
10:13 drive
20:20 drift 😂
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Music: www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic
Disclaimer;
Some footage in this video may be edited and/or sped up for cinematic effect.
Some footage was also filmed on private land. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Great review. I have had in i3 rex since 2016. I agree that the design was driven by a need to keep weight down to enable usable range. What a shame that those vital factors are no longer thought to be important. They are making fat cars now, a representation of Moore’s law translated in to power to weight. It’s a mistake. Imagine they kept reducing weight whilst also increasing battery tech.
There should be a massive tax on batteries, based on kWh. That would move things in the right direction (completely away from EVs, and the EVs still sold would be far better lightweight ones with sane battery sizes).
I had the opportunity to do a parade lap at our local road course recently. Not at full speed of course. I'm accustomed to driving a race prep Miata. And I would say the i3 is very comparable.
My experiency with the i3 (not s):
1. You can get something called the trunk extender giving you about 35 litres additional trunk. I have that.
2. The usual sunday Porsche driver will not be able to keep up on a twisty country road.
3. Brake regen is variablle by how much you lift your foot. Very useful in cornering.
Can you imagine a few years from now when battery tech is very well advanced meaning high density and smaller footprint. A retrofit battery in this would give two benefits. Massive range and or power as it could either be longer range and similar weight or same range and even lighter and quicker ! Wow this is a car to have for the long term as I am sure it will evolve even though its no longer produced. I like them.
I've driven i3 for 8 years now, 5 in an early little battery BEV, now have a i3s BEV. The traction control simply isnt' worth turning off ime, unless in snow ice where some tyre slip cleans the treads. IME the system is so fast and powerful it absolutely maximises traction. Yes the car could actually use a proper limited slip diff, but you really only notice this pulling out hard from very tight or bumpy junctions. The system works amazingly over things like white lines and manhole covers and is really very fast to put the torque back on again, certainly so compared to any laggy, high inertia DSC on an ICE vehicle.
One thing with the i3 is that because of it's fundamental physical layout (wheel at each corner, very low CofG, and 50:50 mass distribution, it has incredible yaw athourity, ie it turns in very very well indeed and keeps on tightening it's line as you add more handwheel input. Combined with the fast steering ratio and the soft suspension (particularly in the non-s model) a lot of drivers are simply too rough and jerky with their inputs and as a result unsettle the car, then complain "it doesn't handle very well". IME a well driven i3s is a match for anything in the bends because it's balance is so fundamentally good. Ok the brakes let things down (spongy pedal feel and over heating if you really use them hard esp with left foot braking which works perfectly in these cars) but i've not yet found anything on the road that can "get away from" my i3s under reasonably sensible limits (100 mph is of course the top speed, so the fast stuff does get away on dual carriageways etc, but only once travelling at a speed that would result in a ban in the uk).
So, drive your i3s smoothly, poor it into the bends, gently in, then get back on the power and keep turning the handwheel and the thing just grips and goes, and then finds massive traction on the way out. This is, imo, what makes it such a fun car to drive, the fact you actually have to drive this car, unlike the vast majority of modern cars that pretty much let you do anything as a driver and the car drives itself .
I recently bought a used BMW i3, I love it, very futuristic!, Truly an educational tech riding experience.
Couldn't agree more!
Great video. Love my i3S 42kWh - it’s a unique driving experience and such fun. Planning to keep mine a long time if at all possible.
You plan on keeping an EV outside of warranty? Brave...
Me too
We bought the i3 for my wife to putt back and forth to work in since our C230S was approaching high milage. And I also own a SUV and a truck. But what we quickly found is that we drive the i3 about 95% of the time. We take it to dine out because it's easy to park. We take it to the big box stores because it can haul most things that we need. We take it on road trips because it's a great touring car, and travels 200miles on about $5 of electricity. It's a 2017 that's had nothing but routine maintenance. Which is very little . And BTW, it's a hoot to drive.
This is, by far, the most complete in depth detailed review that I’ve seen so far for this car. You mentioned so many stuff that know one even scratch to think about it. Thank you very much. Best of luck
I have my used 2014 BMW i3 for a year now and I’m quite pleased. I have a range extender so no fear of range. I’m looking to buy a later version and I’m content on making my choice of ev a permanent
Best i3S video on YT but a country mile. Super informative.
Thanks 4 the video Mr Cup
Really enjoyable review, thanks!
Wow Mark. I used to watch you when you had the Clio Cup and then the Red Fiesta ST and it was because of YOU I bought my Fiesta ST3 5 door in May 2016 and I still have it and it's been trouble free. I also have a Zoe GT, love both cars. CZcams has decided to show me your videos again. 👍🏻
Hi Mark, 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 👍🏽
As always Mark very interesting.
Lovely choice in vehicles. I just moved on from a 94ah i3 REx to a 120ah i3s BEV and love it. I also have a 987.2 Porsche Boxster - perfect two car garage!
Do you do any longer trips with the bev? Why would you choose the bev over the rex?
Been using an i3 range extender for six years now and only have one gripe. I find the steering feels dead and too direct in the straight ahead position ie there is no wiggle room.
Steering is perfect otherwise but trying to keep the car straight like on motorways is tedious. Would like to have seen a sort of variable ratio in that straight ahead position allowing for improved feedback for the driver.
You mention regen not being worth using....have to disagree, I live in hilly country and find I rarely use the friction brakes relying on regen instead.
I also use the "coast mode" between accelerating and regen which is indicated on the speedo. These two methods add range and save brakes for overall efficiency.
Having personally owned and experienced over 150 cars this i3 is a keeper, that's how much I love it!
super helpful thank you
Great, thoughtful video. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
that's a marvellous looking i3. Thank you for a useful review.
Love ❤️ your review I am waiting my i3
Finally! About time.
Thank you very much for this great Review. I have an i3 in the same colour since February this year and i am very happy with it. All the the things you said about this car are true. I saw a lot of Reviews about the i3, but yours is the best. You hit the point! Especially the door concept: The two doors in the back are a benefit. If you see it that way, the concept make sense. Great car, great Review.
Greetings from Germany
Christian
Agree with everything you say. I'm glad to find someone else who appreciates the dynamics of the i3 as much as I do.
Just bought an i3s and can’t wait to pick it up next week. Super review of an excellent,and still very relevant EV.
I found your video interesting and informative, presented in a well-organized and engaging way. My wife and I have each had an i3 for the past five years, and have enjoyed them immensely. I have a Volvo C40 on order to replace my i3. I'll miss it, though we'll still have one in the family, probably for many more years.
Appreciate your enthusiasm for this great design, a wonderful car that still looks super futuristic
A straight-forward appraisal from a new-to-the-concept driver. Thanks.
You're welcome!
We love our i3. Seats and driving position is super comfy on long journeys
That colours gorgeous
Could possibly be a modern classic as one of the first EVs and one that’s still today unbeatable in many ways. I do really thing the i3s could be a keeper.
So true ! I wonder ( maybe a wish ) if BMW will bring back the i3 in the near future when more people realize they don’t need huge cars anymore 😂
My wife and I each had a 2017 i3 Rex, absolutely loved them, mine was the Terra, which was really nice. Great around town cars, but CA really screwed them up for the rest of the US as far as a road tripper. When we decided we only needed one car, we took advantage of the crazy market for used cars and sold both of the i3s for a Tesla Model 3 LR, so we could easily do road trips. We're very happy with the Tesla, but both of us also miss my i3, it was just so much fun to drive locally. BMW totally blew it with the i3, letting it wither on the vine like they did. If they had just put updated tech and a usable battery in that car, it would have been perfect. Hell, even a Bolt has a 230 mile range!
Color is beautiful! Thinking of getting one.
Great video. I've had my 2014 rex for almost 4 years now which is the longest I've ever had a commuter/personal car. I tend to get tired of my cars and move to something else within a couple of years. I have no desire to replace this car. Super fun to drive and extremely comfortable. Only thing I would like to do is replace the battery for a larger unit so I can extend my driving fun! 😁
Interesting as we have both had similar changes in cars over the last few years. I took delivery of my magnetic grey focus RS from dinnages in July 17’. Now own a cayman and have an electric car for a daily! Like you, it’s totally different but I love the acceleration and how chilled they are to drive. On another note I saw you at Goodwood revival and was going to say hi, but was queuing for food and was near the front so didn’t want to lose my spot😂
I have a 2016 REx 94Ah. It's the heaviest and slowest variant of the i3 but, at times, it still shocks me how much torque is available, particularly when "punching it" from 20mph. I still love the car, having purchased it outright in 2018. In fact, an i3 has been my main driver for the last nearly nine years and 130 k miles, as I got my first one in early 2014, soon after it launched.
I was thinking of picking a used one. Any repair cost issues?
@@chunckyfreshnut. My 2014 i3 did give some trouble with its REx but this was fixed under warranty. My current 2016 one had a minor issue with the fuel flap release fixed under warranty but, since then, no other major issues in 94,000 miles.
I'm looking at a 2017+ year REX think they are great with a total range of 200miles which is exactly what I need.
Great video, I never heard of a 3 door+, great explanation you nail it. My i3 is a fun little car🚘Cheers from California🙏
Just picked up my first EV, a 2019 i3 in the same colour scheme and am loving it.
Great video and review. BMW i3 is the only EV which makes you 'smiles per gallon'. I enjoy driving cars, but I think the i3 is a kind of combination of the quietness, design and of course speedy.
"Function over Form"😊👍
Great analysis of the car & reasons behind the CFRP & wheel diameter v width.
I wish every auto engineer could spend a few weeks driving one to spur more creativity.
Ours is a 2017 REx in the Western US, and we use it for both commuting & long trips.
We keep expecting BMW reliability issues, but 72k miles later, none yet.
I drive a Tekna 40 leaf but always wanted a go in an i3 . Good review 👍
Excellent review!
I have the standard i3 and love it. Slightly more compliant ride helps where I live in the UK but I do prefer the look of the S. Maybe I
It's a shame BMW were forced to down spec the media unit on the last ones made due to chip shortages - but that's not a huge issue.
What an interesting point about the advantages of RHD with motore back left.
Plan to keep it for a long time - unless I relent and change it for an S !
So glad you see it that way - I also see it as a 3 door car… 99% of the time it’s just me or my partner, but the back seats are a plus and there’s plenty of leg rooms
Excellent Review (I own I3S)
I recently moved out of London to the countryside, and I needed a second car for the school runs. I bought a second-hand one yesterday, a 2019 model with under 15k miles. I'm pretty pleased with it and can't wait for the delivery. I feel that I will likely keep it as long as the battery lasts. One thing I noticed though is that your main screen has a massive bezel. The regular i3 I drove last week also had a bigger screen, and that was a 2014 model.
What a great review ! Love the i3 , thinking in buying an used one now going dramatically down in price
Great choice in color/wheel combo 👍 On my 2nd i3sRex Imperial blue/ black wheels. Also on my 2nd set of rear tires in 12 months. Fun pocket rocket 😁
I hit twelve months at the end of June and my rears are just about done too 👍
Some years ago nr Godalming in Munstead...a (v v posh area)I was wizzing aling in my 435i and one of these pulled out in front of me, before I could brake/curse, they had built up speed and were going faster than me. Was a bit surprised😮
If there's a 2x i3 sized gap approaching, I'm going in it 🤣 its sprightly 0-40 has its advantages and disadvantages though, routinely I have to avoid drivers on roundabouts that just have no appreciation that one can cover that ground so quickly!
I too have an I3s rex that is a 2018 and just love the car, all of my charging is done at home with I believe a class 2 charger that puts out 40 amps @ 240 vac, the car has the 650cc onboard charger that is hard to tell when it is running. the first time I knew it was running was when I pulled into the garage got out and heard a faint sound like a fan running, which was the charger and shortly later it shut off. The one thing that I feel is not right is that I have to pay an extra $200. for my yearly plates because I don't pay road tax on gasoline which I have probably used less than 5 gallons since I owned this car.
That sound of the fan running was just the fan running the rex is noisy but you can only just hear it in the car as it is burried under the floor in the back..
I have a i3 rex it only costs me 2p per mile in fuel (off peak) home electricity)yes by far the most sensible car i have owned.
Why has bmw dumped it.....greed , more money to be made in big vehicles...
I have the same model and colour - registered 1st April this year (also a lease) and I noticed that the screen on your car was the older 6” screen rather than the larger one (think it’s 9”) that I have. While my car has Suite trim, they all had the same sized a screen when I ordered mine. Having had a Google, it’s seems that BMW were forced to fit an older screen due to supply issues with standard one - which is a bit of a shame. But I love mine too - for all the reasons you cite.
Drove an i3s about 3 years ago. I loved it, though a bit impractical in the back for my 90 year old parents in law so we bought a Leaf. I've recently driven a Tesla Model 3 and it reminded me of the i3 with it's strong regenerative braking and direct steering and handling. I consider the i3 relevant and modern as it still has characteristics that no other car offers. Note VW copied the gear selector for the ID.3 & 4. Must try one again, but I'd suggest the rear wheel drive Model 3 is the successor.
I had one for 6 months. Liked it except the the suicide doors were incredibly inconvenient because at the time i was taking 3 or 4 people around and those in the back seat felt trapped, and from a practical point, say you gave someone a lift and they were in the back, you had to get out so they could open their doors . For one or two people, otherwise than the short range, it was really good to drive and practical with the back seats folded down. It certainly makes a good second car or shorter range car when you also have a longer range car available.
I find the suicide door more convenient as I'm going to open it and throw a shopping bag in there a lot more often than a passenger and it's easier than a regular door or boot for that.
Hi. Great video! When can we expect the video about brake regeneration?
Thanks.
My non-S 2019 i3 44kW feels quick and the instant torque is amazing.
You can turn off most of the traction control in the hidden menus if you like. Its very fun in the winter ⛄️
You 100% need to do this to drive it in the snow. The 2019 and newer models have a traction control system that is 50x faster and happens right in the motor. Without setting the car in traction mode I find I can't go anywhere in the snow as it bogs down immediately
Had one of these for 6 years and still enjoy driving it. It’s not perfect and does not suit every use but no car does.
My wife and I have an i3 each so we don't fight over who gets to drive it!
Yes mine is fast on back roads too.
My BMW garage recently rang me to ask if I was thinking of changing my i3. My answer was a very definite "NO"! I'll be keeping my i3 (3yrs old, top specced) as long as I possibly can - it's such a fun car to drive.
Whereas we like our 2yr old EQC, but will likely change that in a year for an EV with more range. The EQC is more luxurious & comfortable, but can't beat the sheer fun of owning/driving an i3.
BTW, the i3S rides lower, and has much firmer suspension - it was too firm for me.
Thanks for the video Mark. I've had my i3 for four years now, and have been considering changing it for something newer and have looked at the current choices. To be honest nothing comes close to the i3 from practicality to drivability. What a brilliant car, shame they don't still make it, looks like I'll be keeping mine for the time being.
The material you were talking about in the interior is actually sourced from recycled water bottles. This car was designed with eco friendliness in mind as well. The i3s that have the eucalyptus dash claim to have sourced the wood responsibly as well
I'm looking to maybe buy a 2nd hand one of these, so thanks for the positive review. I've always liked quirky cars, had 3 Smarts, love them but sadly the range with Battery ones isn't enough.
Hi Mark, greetings from Oxford. As an i3 owner, I was surprised to see your centre screen bing so small. In the facelift of this car (2018?) the centre screen was bigger as standard- I think it was called the ‘pro’ version. My i3 is not the S, and a 2019 model, same base interior trim. I love it! I was so anxious about committing to buying my first EV, but it will be 4 years in September 2023 and I have absolutely no regrets. Running costs are peanuts, fun to drive, smooth delicious torque, comfortable - though the suspension is a bit too harsh.
Hey Simon 👍 The small screen thing was a pandemic driven supply shortage on the run out models. Mine was meant to have the bigger screen, but they simply weren't available so BMW made cars with the smaller screen and shipped them instead. Still loving mine, rapidly approaching my 365 day/1 year ownership point so I'm looking forward to looking back at my first foray into EV life.
@@MarkCup70 Mine is 71 plate i3s and came with the bigger screen, same trim as the one in the video. I also had a 68 plate i3 which also had the bigger screen. Think I would be very disappointed with the small screen.
that's just details isn't it @@1308George . It's still the same great BMW i3. But maybe it's details that are important for you.
Great video, the first I have watched of your content but found the “drive focus” informative and interesting. Thank you and where did you get the blue sweater from? 👌🏻
I've always liked the idea of this little hothatch ! Still a little bit expensive for me at the moment
its looks very much like a prototype. I have a I3 rex 33 kWh and it is very nice to drive, not as good for roadtrips but i sometimes do day trips up to 250km each way.
I have a Cayman 987 2.7 here in New Zealand. I really wanted an i3 as my daily car, I think the engineering is amazing, especially the heated and cooled battery pack, why are new EV’s so heavy, that Ford 150 lightning is a monstrosity.
Sadly the Wife hates the look of the i3 😔
After my lease ended , i got me self one. 3 years with the lease and 2 with the one i bought just kike the one you have in the video. Man it kooks better tham my previws one and is just superb. anyhwre i go, it is a superstar car. Almost everyone ask about it.
Love them
My budget would only stretch to a 2016 ish range extender, only negative I have read (rear doors aside) is the noise the engine makes while generating electricity.
I just love the styling and almost art deco interior.
Only thing I think it needs is the pro nav for the bigger screen.
I have a 2016 rex. I hardly use the rex but if I do it’s only audible at standing traffic. Not a problem.
@@edsilvester
Thank you👍
@@edsilvester i have the 94 rex 2017 and it stops the rex when the car stops. hard to hear if its on inside.
thing is even when BMW stopped producing the i3 it is one of the most popular PHEVs in the used market and that is with that curiously small fuel tank! imagine if it had a larger fuel tank!
Not a phev
Design classic
Why did BMW give up the idea of mass producing carbon fibre monocoque cars is my question. The I3 pioneered this idea and now they just gave it up!?
Guessing the answer will be less profit? The general public doesn't understand the benefit of a chassis 300 Kg's lighter.
For the i3, is was a new concept/modern/line so they have to do something great to push it to the public. It has proven to be successful but bmw wanted to have an ev version of all their existing cars to max profit. Their EV modern is more expensive than the combustion moderns and it doesn’t cost them much to use the same chassis and body.
I Have the I3 rex. Because it's so smooth and quiet I find it so relaxing to drive. It's strange to see you squealing the tyres.
Not sure if it is the same as my 335d but if you do traction off first then sport mode it actually downgrades the traction control back to just sport, so I have to do sport mode then hold traction control for it to be fully disabled ?
Reminds me of a. modern audi A2. It has same running gear as a mini
Very good video. Covers all the reasons why us owners love our i3’s. A surprising number of whom are “petrolheads”. A bit quirky and marmite but the i3 is without doubt a future classic. Just a pity that the run out cars have the old smaller Infotainment screen’s. Definitely look a bit baff as these screens disappeared 5 years ago.
Possibly not as fun to drive as the MINI Electric but more practical.
Great to hear your thoughts! Will your family members switch to EVs per chance?
I’m off to eBay to see what i3 s go for .
Very interesting mate it’s just won’t replace the petrol head in me
Nor me, thankfully I've got the Cayman for that.
Same ownership scenario, cayman 987 and i3, now in the market for second i3 this time S model. Scrapped idea of Taycan cross Turismo due to price instability
The Taycan is on my watch list as a potential replacement when the i3 goes back in 18 months, but yeah the price does make it a hard sell. Kia and Volvo are currently in my sights. I'm genuinely gutted they don't still make the i3!
@@MarkCup70 I bet you keep it :-) That's what I did with my 2019 i3. I have another, all wheel drive, car but I always prefer to take the i3 and keep the other just for long distance drives and towing. As prices have dropped there's no point in getting rid of the i3 when I enjoy driving it so much.
Why do you turn traction control off? You mentioned it scrabbled on acceleration but you'd expect it to with traction off wouldn't you?
My heater went out after 10k miles no Warrenty very expensive repair. Owell
Nice different slant on i3 ownership.... On a side issue.. - I don't know if you cycle? The reason I ask is I fancy an i3s as a 2nd car and I would like to be able to take my bike (with front wheel off) and rear seats folded... The question is could that be done in an i3?
Tow bar or roof rack is not something for an i3 of course...
I have heard that 'Roller Mode' totally turns off the traction control. Be careful!
I’m seeing on the screen at 10:50 3.3mi/kWh. That seems surprisingly low efficiency. Perhaps you were putting it through its paces on the previous trip?
Regen braking improves range and reduces friction brake wear, you seemed to imply something different in the video.
I don't disagree with that, but I am saying there's a more efficient way to drive which will get you even further.
Once the 8 year warranty expires or reaching 100,000 miles surely the resale value of the car plummets? As the cost of a new battery and fitting would be more than the car is worth. Is that correct?
It is an enormously cleverer design than the tragic ICE converted *massively* expensive current range.
I have a bmw i3 rex the rex is the good bit , a proper ev with no downside, but the ride is rough ....trouble is i had a tesla model 3 which rather spoilt me, it was better than the bmw in all respects....
Love these BMW i3s. Was going to buy one. Looked into the battery life and the cost to replace them. £16k. With a life span of 10 to 20 years according to the temperature of the weather. I was looking at an i3 with 9k miles 4 years old for £21500. Have been put off.
Geeez, were you planning to own one for 10 or 20 years? My seven year old model is still giving the same range as when new!
The boot is pretty small, the fact that only two people can sit in the back is not great and I find the suicide doors annoying - BUT, it is the most fun I've had driving a car. I drove one for 20 meters before I knew I had to have one. I've never been much of a petrolhead because I never had much money to get anything fun. Now that I am more financially secure I will no longer purchase an internal combustion engine car - I have got too used to the instant torque, the low maintenance and the quiet drive.
I have i3 base. Can you keep charged at 100
I was still in love with my electric car like you after 3 months. 7 years 1 month later, battery degradation, range loss, charging logistical problems, high rapid charger electricity prices and massive falls in value on the used car market have completely changed my mind. They are just not fit for purpose and I personally will not be buying another one.
Thanks for sharing. I'm in a slightly different boat as this is leased so those worries won't impact me thankfully. As a thing to drive though, I don't think I'll ever tire of it.
As your car seems to be a recent model, it is odd that it only has the small centre screen rather than the larger screen.
It should have come with the larger screen Ian, but as the run-out end of line models were produced they switched to the smaller screen because of supply chain issues.
@@MarkCup70 that’s disappointing
My dad has an i3, totally bizarre how it can keep an M3 honest up to 50mph with bicycle tyres fitted!
Is the sheer instant power and torques from an EV. Anything after that speed, the car performance doesn’t get any faster compare to a combustion engine car.
Looks like max regen braking = significant braking force. At what level of retardation are the brake lights activated to alert following vehicles?
Even old bmw 5 series had wipes like that
I never knew that! Which generation 5-series?
@@MarkCup70 I remember the e39 pretty sure had light weight design like that.
Its strange with all the weight saving attention to detail, they went with a glass tailgate.
I just ordered a used 2021 i3 120ah that only did 4k miles. I didn’t test drive or seen it in person. Hope it gonna be good. Is from bmw dealer.
Have you taken delivery yet? How are you finding it?
@@MarkCup70 My car is getting deliver on Wednesday after a huge saga with a bmw dealer not willing to accept my own finance. Long story short, after a few complaints the deal gone through and hopefully the car is good.
@@MarkCup70 Got the car yesterday and the feeling is weird in a good way. Exterior and interior it doesn’t feel like a bmw but when driving the car, that familiar feeling is their. Cabin space feel a lot bigger than it looks and the ride is nice and smooth. The regen brake is aggressive but smooth and i like it. Overall i’m happy with the car. Just the carplay has split screen which is not good ….
That's good to hear 👍