BMW i3 94Ah Rex Owners Review after 4 years & 60,000 miles.

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 มิ.ย. 2024
  • BMW i3 94Ah Rex Owner’s Review. After 4+ years & 60,000 miles.
    End of Term Report.

ความคิดเห็น • 103

  • @hansschweikert9153
    @hansschweikert9153 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Thank you immensely for adding to the community's knowledge base. This type of thing drives progress forward.

  • @uniqueforeveri3s22
    @uniqueforeveri3s22 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Nice video the i3 is a very special car. Totally agree with you on the lightweight construction, I think it is one of the things that makes the i3 so much fun to drive it has great power to weight ratio compared to other EV and they get round it by shoving in mega power but I think it just feels different to drive a lighter weight car more nimble which is exactly what a city car is supposed to be

  • @colintwyning9614
    @colintwyning9614 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    good review. i now have i3. thank you

  • @ivarsmatisons
    @ivarsmatisons 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Paldies par informaciju

  • @MrPalmersong
    @MrPalmersong ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Really good review, well delivered. I really enjoy mine, and will likely look for another one for my next car. They are great.

  • @ericfriend
    @ericfriend 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Excellent review Mark. I am just about to buy a February 2017 i3 from a friend as he like you needs a larger car, not for distance but to accommodate his newly acquired family.
    I noticed that you were struggling to get the rear parcel shelf out. I have been told that if you lift it slightly and keep it level, it slides out easily.
    As Michael Caine would say, "Not a lot of people know that!"
    Many thanks.

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Never knew that. It was pretty rare I had to take it out so never “learnt” an efficient way of doing it. Will tell the new owner who is a family member! MM

  • @donswier
    @donswier 2 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Great review.
    US owner here (used 2017 REx).
    Buyers' attention spans are too short to understand the benefit of this "modest battery + small ICE" setup.
    We drove 24k miles last year, and still needed only 21 gallons of gasoline, total.
    In the US, it seems you need to fall into an extremist camp:
    A) 15mpg V8 pickup militant
    B) irrational BEV- only militant.
    The REx is a brilliant solution, not a compromise.
    I'd never considered a modern BMW before (too much "baggage"), but a truly impressed by ours (at 49k miles now, with ZERO issues).
    I hope other mfrs copy this concept someday.

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Just a massive shame BMW themselves are killing the i3 off. Way ahead of its time. BMW are now reverting to type by bringing out huge and heavy EVs once again. Profit margins are greater. And I guess that is what everybody wants nowadays. Keep your eye on my next EV review and unfortunately this is very different from the i3 in so many ways! Longer, wider, heavier and less efficient than the i3, but in other ways is state of the art in design and technology. It definitely represents the next step in EV development. MM.

    • @theinstitute1324
      @theinstitute1324 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@markymarkreviews Part of me wishes that VW would take Lamborghini's 'Forged Composite' CF technology, the Polo's quirky-cute design, and mishmash together to make a car that'll indirectly succeed this and compete with the Honda e.

    • @joshgworks
      @joshgworks ปีที่แล้ว

      It didn't help that it was neutered and most people drove the car pre hack or never knew about the hacks.

    • @tw1919
      @tw1919 ปีที่แล้ว

      That’s me V8 pickup and BMW i3 BEV.

    • @donswier
      @donswier ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@tw1919 perfect combination👍

  • @christopherhunter2892
    @christopherhunter2892 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I have always really liked the i3. It is such an interesting car and has BMW’s best interior by far. I think though that BMW will not replace it which is sad.

    • @rogerhudson9732
      @rogerhudson9732 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      BMW seem to have gone back to the old petrol/diesel style design language, they will lose out to newer non-legacy companies.
      Was there a boardroom revolt after the i3 came out?

    • @Cloudrak
      @Cloudrak 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@rogerhudson9732 Well they lost most of the i team to other companies

    • @Robbie-mw5uu
      @Robbie-mw5uu 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      bmw has already announced they will release a new i3 in 2077
      they are reapproaching the car so it is more cost-effective and fixing issues

  • @leewaggers4733
    @leewaggers4733 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video, thanks very much 👍

  • @fmulleady
    @fmulleady ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice review and veet helpful thanks!

  • @stevecballard
    @stevecballard 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    really great review many thanks

  • @whocares264
    @whocares264 หลายเดือนก่อน

    great review, i have one , i wish i had the roof and audio option

  • @carlosguzman-md2mt
    @carlosguzman-md2mt ปีที่แล้ว

    I like seat heaters especially above 28 degrees

  • @ewaszymanska9410
    @ewaszymanska9410 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Best review ever thanks for sharing

  • @russellfreestone8580
    @russellfreestone8580 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That was an interesting and informative video. Although i dont own one, they are an extremely attractive purchase. 🎉🎉

  • @norwegianzound
    @norwegianzound 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Shame the wheel spokes on one side are "pointing" backwards.

  • @johnnyzee383
    @johnnyzee383 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    If you drive the car as efficient as possible, you can get the comfort mode EQUAL to the eco pro mode. In fact at 90 KPH in the summer there is no difference. After all, physics is physics...the car at 90 kph suddenly wont use less energy to keep itself going using eco mode, it uses the exact same. The difference between the 2 modes is the amount of regen and this is greater in eco mode than comfort.

  • @klausbochristensen4826
    @klausbochristensen4826 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Regarding condensation in camera. there are heating elements in the camera. Turn on the rear window heat which also tends to heat in the camera,

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Never used to clear that quickly though. And you were meant to turn on the A/C to aid de-misting which would cost you a few % in battery charge/range! Not ideal. MM

    • @margaretclancy1129
      @margaretclancy1129 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@markymarkreviews I’m

  • @dlittlester
    @dlittlester 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    A friend let me drive hers. It was a 2014 with REX. Probably the nicest car I've ever driven. She bought it used and with an extended warranty / service contract. When she found out it was going to be discontinued, she went to the BMW dealer and traded for a brand new one!

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Great feedback. It is a massive shame that BMW decided to cancel this model instead of fitting a slightly bigger or more energy dense battery in it. Is/was so ahead of its time. BMW have just reverted to huge,heavy,bloated (and inefficient) EVs now. I hope your friend has many years of enjoyable motoring from her i3. MM

  • @ViewBothSides
    @ViewBothSides 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is a good review, and people that like the i3 will like this video, but the most useful content of a '4+ year review' is the stuff that would not appear in a new car review and I'd have liked to have seen a bit more of that. E.g. the 'check drive train' message sounds like a big deal to me but it seemed you glossed over it as if it's normal, and a bunch of stuff ceasing to function because the camera was fogged up doesn't seem normal to me either, but maybe it is on an i3? Clearly a good quality TH-cam content though, thanks for posting.

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I think that you make a very valid point. In hindsight I did gloss over the issues I had but they were very minor. The DriveTrain error I had 3 times. Twice it cleared by itself. 1st time was failure of the A/C compressor after just a few months of ownership. But that was a BMW thing and not an i3 thing. The front camera misting over was an annoyance as thankfully very rare. Just depended on a unique set of weather conditions and time it took for in cabin de-misting to clear it. BMW dealers or at least my BMW dealer was average to poor overall. And that seems to be a BMW thing as well! Lexus/Toyota they are not! The actual car though remains quite brilliant and I really do miss it, as the new EV is very different! This was all to keep the video short. Ideally under 20 minutes which I struggled to do. Thanks for the constructive criticism. MM.

    • @soimun9089
      @soimun9089 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@markymarkreviews Hi Mark, great video, do you know if the battery range over time degredated much?
      I'm considering a late 2016, early 2017, low mileage i3 Rex, with the 33kWh battery. (Pre 2017 April it's no Road Tax atm)
      I can't charge at home, so Rex feels like a must, but can charge for free at work, which is about 50 (mainly motorway) miles away, so a 100-110 mile round trip, idealy, I would rarely need to fill up with petrol for the commute, just charge at work each day (for free!).

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@soimun9089 No degradation. Even with owners who have older cars or covered more miles have not noticed any degradation. It may degrade by 1-2% who knows? No different from a petrol engine. But this is something that has not come to fruition with EVs apart from perhaps 1st gen. Nissan Leafs which were not liquid cooled batteries! MM.

    • @soimun9089
      @soimun9089 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@markymarkreviews Excellent reply thank you. The cost benefit of free charging and 100 miles roughly daily commute makes buying one of these a no brainer for me and my use case. Thanks for the help. I look forward to getting my first i3 :D

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  ปีที่แล้ว

      @@soimun9089 No problem. Don’t know if you have test driven one. RWD, light & agile etc. So many EV owners who have moved on to other EVs really miss the i3 as do I. Just a massive shame BMW did not improve and continue with it but instead kept on with massive & inefficient SUVs!

  • @atms001
    @atms001 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I am so considering this particular Rex model . but quite concerned about the repair/replacement costs when things go wrong. there are so many electronic switches and parts ( a video reported £800 for a wing mirror ). Has there been expensive repairs to any part since ownership ? thanks

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thankfully none. The expensive repairs are in part due to main BMW prices and their labour rates. At this stage you would be better off having a repair from an independent if possible. Don’t think there would be much difference in prices to replace a wing mirror from Mercedes or Audi either. MM

  • @steveclayton9390
    @steveclayton9390 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks for this Video.
    One question. With the range extender engine how far could you travel, is there a limit?

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  หลายเดือนก่อน

      You are only limited by the amount of fuel you put in. The small 9 litre tank gave about 80-100 miles of extra range when used on a motorway. On measuring, it gave around 45-50mpg

  • @country-road-driver
    @country-road-driver ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for a good rewuie 😊

  • @Jasesaint
    @Jasesaint 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Excellent review. Had this model for a month. Bought the pre April 2017 model to get free road tax.
    Did you need to change discs pads in your 4 years? I'm upto 40k now...
    Thanks

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Nope. Still had 6mm left on pads all round at service in February’21. Done almost 56,000 miles at that stage. Think they are 8-9mm brand new and the car will advise a change once below 3mm depth remaining. Yet another advantage of an EV over ICE and a car with strong re-gen. You barely have to touch/use the brakes! Saves you even more money in the long run. MM

  • @nlpnt
    @nlpnt ปีที่แล้ว

    David Tracy's latest purchase sending i3 vids up the algorithm?

  • @justice4g
    @justice4g หลายเดือนก่อน

    I ended up buying the same spec, could have just about bought a new MG EV for the same price but pure EVs and regular hybrids just don't work for me.

  • @norwegianzound
    @norwegianzound 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The good legroom in the rear is beacause the boot is tiny. The car is only quiet at low speeds. Above 60mph it is very very loud. Skips all over the road as well. Needs lots of concentration so very tiring on a long journey.

    • @RB-es1vx
      @RB-es1vx 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree with you.
      I heard the i3s doesn't skip and is a much better in higher speeds.
      Wonder if that's true?

    • @Fernandwinnie
      @Fernandwinnie 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It’s a horrible car all round.

    • @Robbie-mw5uu
      @Robbie-mw5uu 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      it is quiet no matter the speed but the range extender is VERY loud it's almost funny
      if you are hearing noise, check your door gaskets because it really should be quite quiet

  • @industryexposed6243
    @industryexposed6243 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Is it reliable any maintenance I’m thinking of getting one of these

    • @Robbie-mw5uu
      @Robbie-mw5uu 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      range extender version has the tiny motorcycle engine which will need oil changes
      windshield washer fluid refills
      cabin air filter is very easy to replace, just remove a torx 20 screw in passenger foot area and pull them out
      for range extender, always fill with premium gasoline high octane because it sits around a long time it takes 2 gallons max
      not sure what else

  • @willwong1234
    @willwong1234 ปีที่แล้ว

    I wouldn't be surprised if BMW would bring back the i3 as a cheaper version of the i4, i7 and iX series, just like Honda bringing back the reincarnation of the the CR-X and renaming it as CR-Z, because the i3, with shorter wheelbase, is much funner to drive than its longer counterparts.

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Let’s hope so. As things stand, there is no, nor ever will be an EV like the i3 (carbon fibre safety cell, making it very light). It was loads of fun to drive because of that lightness and the fact it was RWD. Excellent steering feel as well. Unlike any modern day EV. MM

  • @CandycaneBeyond
    @CandycaneBeyond ปีที่แล้ว

    Would stiffer springs make it less bouncy? On certain roads I almost get carsick.

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  ปีที่แล้ว

      That is a shame to hear. It may depend on what you are used to. It is quite firm riding but I loved it. Check your tyre pressures of you have not already. Other than that it would be difficult for me to advise any further. The quality of some roads are much worse than they used to be, which does not help either.MM

  • @linjanet6265
    @linjanet6265 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi Mark, do you have the range figures in winter? Many thanks!

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      On electric power only. Minimum of 80 miles. Max 110miles. In summer, 110 to 155 miles.
      If you use the Rex also, then 160 miles in the winter and 220 miles in the summer.
      Hope that helps. MM

    • @Robbie-mw5uu
      @Robbie-mw5uu 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      my 2014 bmw i3 Rex gets 40 gas/ 40 battery range in winter with heater on, no conditioning
      60 gas/ 60 battery range without heater on, no conditioning
      70 gas/70 battery (full range) without heater on, conditioning car before leaving the house
      always condition the car because the battery needs to keep itself cold during summer and warm during winter

  • @tw1919
    @tw1919 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    i3 BEx fan.

  • @justice4g
    @justice4g 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    do you think it'd be hard for the elderly to get in and old of with that wide sill?

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Will depend on the individual person. You have to step up slightly and in to an i3. The sills are not “that” wide. You may have to take the people intended to an i3 to see how easy or difficult it is. MM

  • @okeribok
    @okeribok 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    0:56 BMW chose to go with Ah instead of KWh because they want you to check the range and not be stopped by a small battery; these cars go far on a small battery because they weigh only 70% of a "normal" EV.

  • @kcguy8864
    @kcguy8864 ปีที่แล้ว

    I really like my 2017 i3 REx but ive had 2 flat tires in the first 30 days of owning it...🤦‍♂️, If u buy this car definitely buy the tire & wheel coverage from an official BMW dealership

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  ปีที่แล้ว

      Did your i3 come with the optional 20” wheels? They seem to be very puncture prone. I had one puncture with the standard 19” wheels. Big screw through the centre. Just required a standard tyre repair. MM

  • @richardpiper4828
    @richardpiper4828 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    As your end of term report does this mean the i3 will be leaving you shortly? Is another following or does the 120ah not give you the range that you really need?

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi Richard. i3 sold to my brother-in-law. His first EV. He is loving it! Would have loved to continue with another i3 but I do a regular 185 mile motorway journey and the 120Ah will not be able to do that without a stop. Public EV charging infrastructure not reliable or plentiful enough. Yet. Will be getting a larger battery EV soon.

    • @richardpiper4828
      @richardpiper4828 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@markymarkreviews as someone who has a 94ah REx - which I chose to order just before 120ah build was just about to commence - I share your frustration that the latest i3 doesn’t have a range of 200 miles - although I pay the penalty in VED. Rumours of a further i3 battery upgrade have gone quiet so I think my i3 will be a forever car. Now planning to keep and buy another EV in 18 months time as I don’t want to keep piling on too many miles.

    • @RB-es1vx
      @RB-es1vx 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@markymarkreviews should've tried the Chevy Volt?

    • @RB-es1vx
      @RB-es1vx 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@markymarkreviews I thought the i3 120h Rex would easily give you 200 plus miles without stopping?

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@RB-es1vx The Chevy Bolt is not available in the UK.

  • @TuanNguyen-pp4uo
    @TuanNguyen-pp4uo 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    How does it handle driving in snow?

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Surprisingly well. Then thin tyres help out here. And the rear motor/Rex in my case helped RWD traction. But it was important to drive in a mode to lessen the regenerative braking effect which could unsettle the balance of the car when slowing down. MM.

  • @Kaal5218
    @Kaal5218 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    How much miles can you go with REX motor in total after motor failing?

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The Rex engine gives between 80-100 miles depending on temperature. It tends to “turn over” at a steady rate/revs per minute as it is an onboard generator. It would not be wise to run the battery down to zero and in the Rex version of the i3, the petrol engine cuts in automatically when you have about 6.5% battery remaining to stop it running down to 0% in any case. MM

    • @Kaal5218
      @Kaal5218 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@markymarkreviews Thank you for your answer.what is the service life of the engine? from your experience, from what number of miles can it come to problems such as engine damage and how much does a new REX cost? Are there any things you can check if the motor is in good condition?

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Kaal5218 The Rex engine is normally a BMW scooter petrol engine. 2 cylinder. Basic. The servicing interval for the car/engine in the UK is once every 2 years or 30,000 miles but I think there is no longer a mileage limit now. All it needs is an oil change and spark plugs if that. Should be reliable. Obviously it is more intricate than if it was just the EV and no engine as it adds weight and complexity. The Rex version is no longer available to buy new in the UK but is still available in other markets. MM

    • @Kaal5218
      @Kaal5218 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@markymarkreviews I currently looking for an i3 Rex since I love the i3s from our company.
      However Im not sure if its ok to buy a used one with nearly 70k miles on it.

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Kaal5218 As long as it is built after 2017 and comes with some sort of warranty and been well looked after it should be fine. MM

  • @jameswhitbread7173
    @jameswhitbread7173 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Would this be a good learner car?

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes. I don’t see why not. It is obviously not a manual/stick shift car. But all round visibility is excellent and turning circle superb. My only query would be that you may be “spoiling” the learner, learning in such a lovely car. Their real next car owned may not be quite as nice! 😊 MM

    • @jameswhitbread7173
      @jameswhitbread7173 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@markymarkreviews I only teach manual one of my students has an i3 we went out in it fir a lesson I I think with r engine it would be superb

  • @jonatanrullman
    @jonatanrullman 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    The "after 4 years" part starts at about @20:30 for anyone not interested in hearing the tech specs read out very slowly.

  • @stevewalsh-balshaw1727
    @stevewalsh-balshaw1727 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I like the i3 the best of ev's however wayyyy wayyyy far too expensive for ordinary working folk come on get real most people run ice cars in the north of UK earning 20k a year tops. also the huge elephant in the room to make it feasible it relies on good old petrol. Let's get real ice cars are here to stay a long time we need proper discussion on way forward for instance not buying junk from overseas and throwing it away we need to make do with what we have that includes ice cars n be sensible how we use things

    • @Robbie-mw5uu
      @Robbie-mw5uu 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      it cost $8000 USD
      most people buy SUVs in that same price range and spend more on gasoline

  • @sesisesi2027
    @sesisesi2027 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    13:10 its Newtonmeters...

  • @norwegianzound
    @norwegianzound 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had a 2015 60ah Rex. Sold it after a year. Never missed it ever. Have a Kona. Far better EV for same price.

    • @RB-es1vx
      @RB-es1vx 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      What didn't you like about the i3?

    • @Robbie-mw5uu
      @Robbie-mw5uu 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@RB-es1vx they probably saw the price of the proprietary tires which are $300 USD/tire

  • @gordanpopovic8334
    @gordanpopovic8334 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The title of the video should be changed - you are basically introducing the car and not talking about its condition after four years and your impressions about using this car for four years...

  • @jayuddin9590
    @jayuddin9590 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hi Mark - how is the servicing on the i3s? Can a local garage be able to carry out the motor service? Thanks great vidoe

    • @markymarkreviews
      @markymarkreviews  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Depends where you live? UK? And the individual service centre. Some do not like EVs at all as consider them dangerous to work on. I would advise you to contact a local BMW independent specialist. I no longer have the i3. My family member who now owns it took it to his local independent specialist to sort a problem out with the heater. But an oil change etc is straightforward. I only ever used a BMW main dealer. Car almost 7 years old now. MM

  • @Steve211Ucdhihifvshi
    @Steve211Ucdhihifvshi ปีที่แล้ว

    But i wouldnt buy one unless Toyota built it to be honest. Bmw are garbage in Australia, constant problems.