Just want to see if anyone on here owns an i3, and if so, what their opinions are on it.
I've seen some great reviews out there about them (including these two here:
BMW i3 review | What Car?,
What makes the BMWi3 the best electric car?), and even some people who aren't fans of electric cars seem to be swayed.
I'm really considering one myself, but before I make that decision I just want to get some opinions from owners of them first. Also, I'd appreciate anyone telling me how likely my chances are of actually getting one currently, are they sold out to a certain date?
Hi Mike,
Like knoxie says, the first deliveries in the UK have just started for the BEV version with the first REx's expected to arrive towards the end of February. The current waiting list seems to be about 5 months and although you might expect that wait to reduce now that the Euro order books have been open for several months the US order books are just opening this month so maybe not ?
I'd really recommend going for a test drive. There are quite a lot of negative comments about the car online regarding styling, cost, range etc but I don't think I've seen anyone complain about how it drives. It really is very convincing once you've experienced it from the drivers seat.
Some people have been put off by the interior because BMW have used a kenaf fibre material for the door panels and forward dash so it doesn't look as luxurious as you might expect. Personally, I'm ok with that because it's inline with the lightweight design ethos and I think the rest of the minamalist interior is great, especially if you spec the large pro-nav screen.
The BEV i3 carbon fibre construction means that it's 300kg lighter than the LEAF/Zoe and BMW have used that weight saving to improve the dynamics (it's effectively double the power to weight ratio). I've seen it argued that they should have used the weight saving to increase battery size and therefore give a range advantage. It all depends on how important these things are to you as to which is the best choice. I can easily see why the LEAF and Zoe appeal to a lot of people.
If your driving occasionally takes you further than the battery range then the REx offers a solution which is pretty convenient and which isn't available in the LEAF/Zoe but there are obviously numerous compromises to having an ICE engine in the back. The Ampera is in the mix here too but one important advantage i3 had over the Ampera for me was that I can do my commute fully using battery whereas I couldn't with the Ampera.
It's a complicated process trying to decide which EV is best for your own circumstances. There is so much to consider but I think BMW have designed the i3 to offer enough advantages to justify the increased price over the competition and for me it was the first car that made me want to buy an EV which says quite a lot !
