BMW i3 is 10 years old but still cuts the mustard with the competition: BMW i3S Review & Road Test

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ธ.ค. 2022
  • The BMW i3 & the i3S are both well worth considering if you’re looking for an electric car that’s easy to drive around town, has a stylish interior and delivers on the functional and practical side.
    Entry level i3's get BMW’s brilliant iDrive with a high-resolution 10-inch infotainment screen, auto sensing rain wipers, led headlights and rear lights plus power folding mirrors and cruise control as well as sat nav as standard, but unfortunately, BMW’s wooden dashboard with leather seats aren’t - they’re only available as part of BMW’s optional Loft, Lodge and Suite interior trim packages.
    But even without one of these upgraded packs, the i3’s cabin still looks plush and there’s plenty of space for you to get comfortable, no matter how tall or short you are. If you want the 20'' Rims like the car we tested, they come as part of the i3S Pro Pack which also includes a Harman Kardon sound system and sun reflective glass for £950. Adaptive LED headlights are also available as an extra for £790.
    Space in the back isn’t quite as generous as up front, however, there’s still enough room for kids to stretch out and the i3’s special rear-hinged back doors mean it’s easy to lift in a bulky child seat.
    The BMW i3S comes as standard with a 42KWH battery and a 135KW electric motor that drives the rear wheels developing around 185bhp with a 0-62mph time of just under 6.9 seconds.
    BMW claims this battery electric motor combination will give you a range of between 170-190 miles between charges, but in real-world conditions, you can expect it to manage closer to 140-160 miles providing you drive in the Eco Plus mode. Charging on a 50KWH rapid charger will take just 42 minutes and a standard 7KWH home charger will take around five hours. On the road its wise to invest in BMW's auxillary cabin heater for £530 extra as this will save 30% battery power when using the aircon or the heater. Reverse camera is more of a luxury than a necessity as the car is quite small and easy to park, however, if you feel the need for one it will set you back an extra £360. Front and rear parking sensors are a necessity in my opinion and will cost an extra £170, however, I think they should be included as standard kit on the i3S.
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ความคิดเห็น • 47

  • @rpvitiello
    @rpvitiello ปีที่แล้ว +24

    It sucks BMW killed this car off instead of redesigning it. A second gen i3 hatch could have been awesome.

    • @rp9674
      @rp9674 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      One more battery upgrade, dual motor ver & 12in 30cm stretch would have been nice

  • @Muushondje
    @Muushondje ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Superb review A.J. ! The I3 is an instant classic.

  • @pilotandthecity8527
    @pilotandthecity8527 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    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!

  • @juiliopi4740
    @juiliopi4740 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    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.

  • @gregp.7148
    @gregp.7148 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Just bought a 2019 i3 42kW, my first EV, and love it! Not a REX, didn’t want a Rex.

    • @DoshindeReus
      @DoshindeReus 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I did the exact same last month. I love everything about this car

  • @michaeldawson6309
    @michaeldawson6309 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Best 2nd hand buy in 2023 ! Get one while you can. There just brill.

  • @jeffgriffith7087
    @jeffgriffith7087 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Bought the 2nd one in Canada. Still driving it today. Love it.

  • @CarlosChaconCR
    @CarlosChaconCR ปีที่แล้ว +4

    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 😉

  • @TheophilusPWildbeest
    @TheophilusPWildbeest ปีที่แล้ว +3

    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.

  • @richardpiper4828
    @richardpiper4828 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    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.

  • @michaelis8263
    @michaelis8263 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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!

  • @roypallister5046
    @roypallister5046 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    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!

  • @bonniedrasco8166
    @bonniedrasco8166 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    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 👍🏽

  • @philipp594
    @philipp594 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    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.

  • @ckspark2
    @ckspark2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    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.

    • @crischerios
      @crischerios ปีที่แล้ว +3

      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 😂😂

    • @TCKingMusic
      @TCKingMusic 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I also have that hydro electricity. .0875 cents a KW just south of the border in WA state. Cheap cheap!

  • @samlj7025
    @samlj7025 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good vid !

  • @andders2477
    @andders2477 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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.

  • @justice4g
    @justice4g 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    nice color

  • @FATBOTB4life
    @FATBOTB4life 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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?

  • @adammilczek1
    @adammilczek1 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    There is no such a thing as run-flat tyres for this size...

    • @davidtaylor595
      @davidtaylor595 หลายเดือนก่อน

      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!

  • @loonymoon1
    @loonymoon1 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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!

  • @LIII446
    @LIII446 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hey AJ great buy

  • @tocor71
    @tocor71 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Mine BMW i3 2015 60ah......the best!!!!!!!

    • @hawedehre
      @hawedehre ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Same here as but with REX, which I am glad to have.

  • @gildardo
    @gildardo 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Two minute intro? What in the TH-cams?

  • @carsokk
    @carsokk ปีที่แล้ว +5

    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?

    • @carsokk
      @carsokk ปีที่แล้ว

      @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?

    • @carsokk
      @carsokk ปีที่แล้ว

      @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!

    • @juiliopi4740
      @juiliopi4740 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      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

    • @chrishyde1216
      @chrishyde1216 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      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.

  • @francescomisuraca6277
    @francescomisuraca6277 ปีที่แล้ว

    👍👍

  • @roodick85
    @roodick85 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    BMW actually made this one second behind the 1 series electric but used the same powertrain to run the I3

    • @StefanSulistyo
      @StefanSulistyo 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The 1 series active E was rather a bit of an experimental conversion platform

  • @whocares264
    @whocares264 หลายเดือนก่อน

    the bmw i3s is not ten years old, why did bmw discontinue this especially the more popular REX...

  • @coalieroller5663
    @coalieroller5663 23 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    this guy doesnt know his shit, you cant ditch the tire repair kit, no run flat available for the i3/s

  • @clasqm
    @clasqm ปีที่แล้ว +1

    How long has this been lying on your hard drive? BMW stopped making these back in July.