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What do you think about dealer knowledge of the i3 ?

  • They have no idea

    Votes: 4 40.0%
  • They dont understand anything you dont put copious amounts of petrol or diesel in.

    Votes: 4 40.0%
  • I have always had excellent anenthusiastic advice on the i3 , no matter how whacky the question.

    Votes: 2 20.0%

A peach of a dealer

4K views 18 replies 9 participants last post by  bobster635 
#1 ·
I am looking for an EV and love the i3 . Told a dealer that 90% of the time it would be fine as is but occasionally I would be driving 100miles + on Motorways and fast roads. He replied that he could not guarantee an i3 (this was a 12 month old 120 amp) doing over 100 miles on fast roads . Clearly has no clue and sees it as a (very expensive and stylish) shopping trolley.
I also mentioned that I had seen roof rack solutions (HandiRack Car Guide (Europe) | HandiWorld: Roof Racks | Roof Bars | Inflatable Roof Rack) and asked for his opinion as sometimes I would be 4 up with luggage . He seemed to have some kind of seizure t this idea.
The tone of his response was that he did not think people wanting to do such things should be allowed to buy an i3 . Love the car he has but not going to buy from that dealer - he was given my details by a colleague as apparently he is the i3 specialist !
Anyone else share his views ?
 
#3 ·
I am looking for an EV and love the i3 . Told a dealer that 90% of the time it would be fine as is but occasionally I would be driving 100miles + on Motorways and fast roads. He replied that he could not guarantee an i3 (this was a 12 month old 120 amp) doing over 100 miles on fast roads . Clearly has no clue and sees it as a (very expensive and stylish) shopping trolley.
I also mentioned that I had seen roof rack solutions (HandiRack Car Guide (Europe) | HandiWorld: Roof Racks | Roof Bars | Inflatable Roof Rack) and asked for his opinion as sometimes I would be 4 up with luggage . He seemed to have some kind of seizure t this idea.
The tone of his response was that he did not think people wanting to do such things should be allowed to buy an i3 . Love the car he has but not going to buy from that dealer - he was given my details by a colleague as apparently he is the i3 specialist !
Anyone else share his views ?
I think the dealer is being honest. In the worse circumstances, on a cold winter day doing 70mph on a motorway you might not get above 100 mile range even in a 120ah although the WLTP range of 160 should be achievable in most circumstances if you drive reasonably carefully. The i3 is not very aerodynamic so range falls off quite sharply over 60mph. BMW do not offer or recommend fitting a roof rack as there are no roof rails or fixings to plastic or cfrp roof. Some people do however use Seasuckers as attachments.
 
#4 ·
Agree with all of the above. Just to add that putting on a roof box will make everything significantly worse.
EVs are capable but not of operation so far outside of their design window as that. Sadly a 320d or 330e will be more suited to your needs on those rare occasions.
I have a similar dilemma and opted to rent a car for them and own a less capable EV for the majority of the time. If you want one EV to do it all then an M3 is the best solution but at a much higher price point.
 
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#5 ·
I share the dealer's views, he's absolutely right. When did you ever see an i3 with a roof box? I never have either.

The i3 is a fun city run-about car and for short hops, long distance trips were stressful, uncomfortable and required careful planning. Getting there was a mission, and getting back was another - even with the ReX.
 
#6 ·
Agree with the dealer. What you've got there is someone being brutally honest not lacking in knowledge. You won't guarantee getting 100 miles out of an i3 thrashing it on the motorway fully loaded especially in adverse weather with a house brick cello-taped on top :eek:

uncomfortable
One thing I never found it was uncomfortable even after driving to Scotland for 12 hours
 
#9 ·
Buy the 94ah with REX
Simple as .

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
The REx will not maintain 70 MPH with a roof box - the traction battery will go flat although it depends how far the OP wants to travel. Of course he may well prefer not to have to use the REx regularly as will be required if he gets close to the limits of of the 120Ah.
 
#12 ·
Yes, without a roof box an i3 REx will just about maintain a true 70 mph, but the battery will be running down. With a roof box - it'll deplete the battery very quickly.
Bottom line - the dealer was being honest. If the dealer had said "Yes, No problem" I'm sure we'd be behind the OP in the lynch mob when he was pursuing the dealer after he had been stranded alongside the Motorway.
 
#18 ·
Bit harsh, I do a motorway 90 mile commute in my 120ah i3s and worst case range in depth of winter was 120 miles and I was driving like it was stollen . I have interaction with three dealers, they have never BSed me, but have had the response they don’t know and will have to phone someone with more knowledge.
 
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