BMW i3: Why It's Still Our Favourite EV in 2023
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video Martin collects a 2016 BMW i3 with the middle 94Ah battery pack.
While one could say it is quite average on paper with just a couple of optional extras, it is a great reminder why we fell in love with the i3 and how far ahead of the time it was, as it still feels like a modern electric vehicle, even in 2023.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Modern Interior
04:01 Charging at IONITY Stafford
05:38 Future of BMW Lineup
06:42 Fantastic Drivetrain Tuning
10:33 Charging at IONITY Milton Keynes
11:37 Journey Data
12:32 Conclusion - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
As an i3 driver, I'm personally disappointed with BMW for not continuing the groundbreaking engineering and materials used in the i3 with their current line up.
😅
I get you but I think the car was not profitable enough to manufcture especially with cheap competition from China around
The i3 never really met BMW's own standards for NVH, dynamics, etc. It's incredibly loud with so many huge flaws, it's uncomfortable, and its dynamics are poor on top of all that. The F20 1-series...even the E87 1-series is vastly superior in every way.
The i3 is perhaps the best machine I've ever bought, of any kind. If I had to replace it, I'd look for another one!
.e three Even better Wisley should develop a battery replacement program with upgraded range for the future
exactly. probably the best modern car for the common people
I’m happy to read this, this was the comment I needed to justify my upcoming purchase!
The i3 is a no brainer for anyone wanting an EV. Its a supercar at bargain prices at the moment. I paid £24K for mine with 18k miles in 2022 now its approx worth £15K but still has only 23K miles so it will hopefully last 10 years or more. I do not worry about the high voltage battery as I expect it to outlive my use for the car.
I love my I3 even dealing with the range issue. I purchased it for what it was designed for ...
I’ve done over 100k in mind over the last 4 years. It drives like new.
I’m now looking to buy another but low mileage S version.
I've had my 2020 i3 for a year and love it. I decided to buy one based on your reviews and have zero regrets. Well one regret - wish I had bought one a few months after I did because prices have dropped significantly. But that just makes them really good value now,
It's fun to drive. Plenty quick enough. The perfect size for a local car that can also easily handle longer trips. Well built and well equipped. Costs virtually nothing to run. I plan to keep it for a long time and I usually chop and change cars a lot.
In the size range there is still nothing I would rather have
I always enjoy your videos and I've learned a lot from them. I leased an i3s three years ago and have absolutely loved it (most enjoyable car I've ever had). Just got to the end of the lease and bought the car as really didn't want to change to anything else
It's a car you just jump in and drive, no fussing, commanding seating position, great visibility all round, no degree required for use. Feels so cool.. As for the regen well omg, its unbelievable what that puts back on battery always amazes me. And a final point to mention my first BMW , but the build quality is bullet proof, not a single rattle in the year and half I've had mine. Nippy , U turns on a sixpence, ( 5P to you young folks).. Its a great car..
I love my i3 - it’s the perfect size for what I need it for and that’s a lot of motorway and heavy deliveries all over Germany. Its super reliable and frugal with power - and it still looks great in 2024. there is no alternative that I have found from any manufacturer that exceeds the i3 in its super niche role. Very sad bmw haven’t continued this amazing lineup
Driving the i3 for 4 years now, and absolutely love it, just recently upgraded to the 120ah i3s model, and have no intention of ever getting another car .. bmw were crazy to discontinue this model, they should have just kept upgrading and improving the battery .
I totally agree!! My wife and I have owned or leased THREE i3s: 2 REX and 1 BEV. They really are great cars as long as you can live with the range, and my preference would be for the BEV model since the range extender adds complexity. Such a shame that BMW was one of the first with such an innovative premium small EV car, but then failed to continue its investment with meaningful updates. We did see some incremental improvements in battery density, and the addition of the i3s model with available sunroof (!!), but no second generation of what I believe is one of the best BMWs ever! I loved the looks on Camaro/Mustang drivers when I would totally smoke them from a stoplight! And with the low center of gravity it wasn't a bad handler either despite the skinny tires. Our only issues with the car were failure of a 12V battery and stubborn stains on the Giga trim seats, other than that it was a great experience!
You're right to enthuse over the i3, and you demonstate its advantages well. I think BMW missed a trick in not developing a small, light and fun replacement with innovative engineering and fresh styling (like the i3). None of BMW's current designs appeal half as much. I have bought a second ev to replace our larger car, and chose the Ioniq 5, as I felt it offered interesting styling outside, and the closest approach to the i3's lovely interior. What I really wanted was a larger, longer range i3! The Ioniq does a lot of things well, but I'll always go for the i3's keys, given the choice. Thanks for another great video.
It’s called the Electric Mini. Mini is owned by BMW
@@KentBuchla The Mini’s a whole different beast and platform. That one is based on the petrol Mini platform and remained FWD. There’s something appealing about the i3 with its unique RWD layout with skinny tires. It would be a very appealing EV today had they just updated it with newer, denser battery to give it 200+ miles of range.
@@KentBuchla No, that's a different car altogether. Doh!
The i3 is like driving a F1 go cart at times. Such fun
@@KentBuchla Sadly, it misses out on many of teh i3's plus points, (I will say it handles better, tho)
Yes, we know BMW own mini, but it makes no difference.
This is the only car I know that truly demonstrates why we want to switch over to EVs: BMW not only released a car that reduces air pollution but they also built it in a carbon neutral factory (using hydropower) and used a lot of recycled and sustainable materials (plastic bottles for the seats, kenaf for the panels, and carbon fiber). Is there any other car in the market more eco friendly than the i3? For the record, yes, I do own one to and LOVE it!
Yup. Test drove one way back in November 2013 at the Los Angeles Auto Show and loved it. In 2020 I picked up a 94ah REx and just switched out to a 120ah s BEV. Can't believe how much I've enjoyed these little cars and really appreciate the content you guys are putting out about them.
What’s the most expensive repair these might have? I’m thinking of getting one but not sure about maintenance costs.
I totally agree. My first i3 was a 2017 BEV which I bought in 2020. This past summer it was totaled in a crash. I considered getting a pre-owned Tesla as a replacement, but upon reflection there is no car more perfect for my current lifestyle than the i3. The size is just right for city driving and the cabin is a very comfortable place to be. Martin is spot on with how well the design has remained fresh all these years later. I was fortunate to find a pre-owned 2021 BEV in August and I intend to drive it for 4 to 5 years.
I travel 80 miles (round trip) to Manchester, the M60 is not a great motorway, but the i3S does well on it. It’s OK in bad weather, doesn’t especially get blown around in cross winds.
It’s not really right to place it in the same category as a tiny Smart car (I had one!) it’s way, way more capable than that. Much closer to the Golf GTD I had.
I’m a fan.
@@John-FourteenSix Wheel spacers are the single best improvement to the car. Makes a difference for highway stability
Love ours. Never owned a car more than 2 years before and had ours for nearly 6 years and couldn’t think about replacing it with anything other than another i3!
Does everything brilliantly, properly quick off the line, good to drive and even surprisingly big inside when you fold the seats when you want to cart stuff around. In context, I’ve owned everything from a 911, M2, M5, to a 1.6 diesel Skoda estate, and pretty much everything in between so had a lot of experience driving other cars and makes.
I thoroughly enjoy every video Martin does! His ease of going from full on spec reviews and comments, to his little asides, to his ever-so-gentle complaining… very enjoyable and easy to listen to!
I’m thinking an i3 might be a really good fit for my teenage son!
Thank you for another great video!
I have a 2017 94Ah BEV model with quite a few extras but the basic interior (sunroof, front sensors, camera, large screen MMI, heat pump, 20" alloys) which I have owned since new. It's still brilliant and I have no intention of replacing it.
Heat pump?
@@Eatcrowoptional - the standard was a resistive heater
I’ve had mine for three years. It is 7 years old and I hope it lasts forever!
I have an i3S and I love it, even though I’m a petrol head at heart. Use it for all local stuff every day, but for long trips I use my 6 litre petrol beast. Think I have the best of both worlds, and I love your Wiseley videos which show you really know your stuff. Thanks.
I’m keeping my 2020 i3 as long as I possibly can as there is nothing on the market that can replace it. It’s a great drive, looks fantastic, is cheap to run, and most importantly at the moment does not rely in touch screen or touch controls to operate it.
Plus its 99% I think non ferrous and does not suffer car park dents ! OMG a car with no rust ever ! I would have never believed this possible when I got my first car in 1978
What’s the most expensive repair these might have? I’m thinking of getting one but not sure about maintenance costs.
@@tony_lopez not sure really. I have had a service for £140 and 2 new tyres
Kia Ora team. I have a 2015 i3 here in Auckland NZ, bought secondhand with 15000 km on the clock 3 years ago. It is still a superb car and I’m totally satisfied in every way, I don’t think I will ever get rid of it. I like the idea that it was designed on a clean piece of paper from the ground up and not an ICE car modified. Rog
I can only fully agree with that!
Maybe I'm looking at the car through rose-tinted spectacles, but all the things that the i3 can't do as well as current cars aren't important to me.
It's certainly not the right car for someone who drives thousands of kilometres a week. But for all other applications, I think it's perfect.
And for me it is also the perfect car to enable environmentally friendly individual mobility in the distant future.
It has the smallest possible footprint and also forces you to drive with moderation. A car that is the exact opposite of the heavy battleships in which you behave as if you don't care about the problems of the environment.
Even in countries outside EU we still love this EV. The only concern is what to get next 😉. Cheers from Costa Rica Martin!
Jay! Have an i3 as a company car since early 2020 and I've just extended the lease by a year. After that I'm going to buy it, as there's indeed nothing comparable on the market.
And like a fine wine, this car is not for everyone. It really is an acquired taste.
Our i3 is now 7 years old. Never missed a beat, battery seems not to have lost any capacity at all. I think we'll keep it forever.
I started doing Door Dash in my i3, very efficient. Less miles now that it's colder but no problem, I just top off the tank and away I go!
We have had our 2014 BMW i3 for 4 years. We bought it used. We drove from Charlotte to Atlanta to get it. This car is incredibly amazing. I love it so much. I don't see ever trading it. The only upgrade I would like to do is when it's time to replace the battery. I hope that BMW will offer battery replacement with more range. I wish this car had a sunroof, but it's the type of car where it doesn't matter that you don't have. The car is such a joy to drive. I've never had a car that I love to roll the windows down and just listen to the futuristic way. It sounds going through neighborhoods. It's just such a blessing to have
Maybe buy a battery pack from a scrapped car?
I’m looking at one in Atlanta right now - a 2017 BEV (I don’t want Rex) for just $12,500 (60Ah tho). It will be my commuter & errand car, I have an Outback for vacation road trips & if my teens refuse to ride in the BMW 😂, they keep telling me the i3 looks awful but I am obsessed. Hope I’m making a good choice, I keep looking at other used cars (looked at Mach-e, & Lexus NX hybrid, & Venza hybrid). Hard to find those I mentioned under 30k so the i3 really stood out to me. Oh I looked at Mazda MX30 also but it looks a bit plain to me. Anyway any helpful info you have id appreciate it. I have no idea what to ask the dealer but I plan to test drive it Monday🎉
I hope it goes well with getting your i3. We love ours so much as a daily driver. As far as advice on what to ask I would mainly try to get the history of the car to see if it's been in an accident. You need both key fobs, the charge cable/packet to store in the frunk and make sure the display screens have no issues. Also, look into adding a level 2 charger at home because it's worth the investment. Trickle charging works but is super slow. Good luck with your purchase.
do you roll down your rear windows....
My 2021 i3S
Upside:
Fun to drive.
Very Responsive. Quick (from the lights!)
Running costs (Avg 3.9m/kWh@7.5p/kWh= under 2p/mile) Free off Solar in Summer!
Quietness
Comfort
Unique Appearance. Love the 20” Wheels too.
Seats are comfortable (Important to me)
Zero Tax
Proper designed from the ground up EV. No half measures, they did it correctly and it drives like a BMW because it is a BMW!
Purchase price was competitive.
Downside:
Range, but is this a downside? 99% charged at home. It’s probably more like charger anxiety on a long journey, but that turned out OK.
1st Service (in the 2nd year) Cost at BMW Main agent £300+ Not ridiculous, but I’ll be looking for a good independent after 3 years.
Conclusion:
I won’t be returning to an ICE car anytime soon.
Swap it for… Personally there’s nothing good enough yet. Tesla model 2 in 2024? My car ‘gland’ stopped twitching when I bought mine.
I’ve looked everything in my personal price range £25K.
BMW I3s is quick, affordable and fun.
Excellent list mate, I’m saving and buying a 2022 car next year and can’t wait. I’m 64 and it will last me to the end of my driving days I reckon. I’m going to love trying to optimise the economy, I used to do that in my BMW 740 sport believe or not and averaged 23 mpg over 7 years of ownership. Of course, it was a challenge and not an attempt to save money, why bother when you lose £45k in deprecation 😂
I have a 2022 i3S and grabbed one as a last chance before they went out of production. I love them so much. There’s no other BMW I’d consider as they’re all too big for my needs. Here the i3 is great small car with spacious cabin- bespoke EV and NOT an SUV, very few cars tick those boxes . I would consider a mini again in the future ( had a 3 dr one before) but there will be plenty of aspects of the i3 that I really miss. So when the PCP comes to the end next year I fully intend to pay the balloon and keep the car.
I have an i3 and it's a BMW. Compact. Roomy for 2. Luxurious. App. Very happy. I am glad Wisely provide these videos.
I've had two i3:s - one of the first generation with just 120 km range and a second with the 120 Ah battery and close to 300 km range. I've been very satisfied with them, more with the second one as I could easily drive around in the capital region of the country where I live. When I got my new Tesla Model Y LR a month ago I decided to keep the second i3 in the family.
someone who mentions drivetrain tuning - we totally agree! We own many EVs as a carsharing company in switzerland and we didn't find a car that handles starting/stopping as smooth as the bmw i3 (not shure how it works in the new i4)...
We have 71 plate i3 and it’s a fabulous car and great to drive. Generally charged at home and used for city driving. Inspired by Wisely, we took it on a successful road trip to Scottish Highlands Region to get some long journey experience. We’re now totally cured of range anxiety! 😂 It’s had one service since new, next service due in 2025!!
Hi Martin, I regrettably lost my i3s when being made redundant a couple of years ago (hooray!). It was by far the best company car I ever used on an 18 plate with Lodge interior and HK stereo. Absolutely reliable and with the abilitry to plug in overnight and come out to a frost free warmed car such luxury! I've now bought a Tesla LR which is a different beast entirely but I still do look wistfully at blue/black i3s as they pass me on the road. Your website should be a go to for any one thinking of purchasing a used example as most of the issues are relatively and (vs BMW prices) within most budgets.
The i4 M50 was a fantastic place to be when I test-drove it. However, I really enjoy our i3 and see no reason to spend loads of cash just to get a new, shiny toy without a frunk.... Only thing I would love to change on i3 is the ability to disengage regen when I drive on icy roads. The heater is not able to keep temperatures in the cabin comfortable when it drop below -28C (-18F for the weirdos not using the metric system) but the car keeps going without problems even in -33,5C (-27F) while petrol and diesel-cars breaks down along the road.
Another point: as a result of it's body architecture the i3 seems to wear it's miles very very well indeed. My first small battery i3 was just over 6 years old when i traded it in for a i3s, and it looked pretty much like new. The soft plastic panels hung on the carbon / alluminium frame seem to resist stone chips incredibly well, the interior was unmarked, and with a good wash and polish it could have simply been put on an non age related plate and would have looked like a new car in the showroom, especially as, imo, the styling looks modern even today ;-)
I finally bought an i3, and I am very excited about it. It is a Cat N, with side damage, but it only needs the doors and curtain airbag replaced. It’s an easy job for me, and it enabled me to save thousands of pounds.
I still love the i3 and would love to have another one one day - the only thing that worries me is the maintenance/parts costs as they get older - appreciate this is probably the case with any bmw!
Mine has saved me a fortune and I love the immediate acceleration
My 20’ plate i3 is up there with my favourite ever product that I’ve bought.
We have a 2017 i3 REx that I have driven over 30,000 miles in the last two years and absolutely love it. Recently got a 2018 Tesla M3. If I could only choose one, it would be a very difficult decision. The i3 truly is in a class by itself. I had an i4 loaner for a couple of days while the i3 was in the shop having the 12V battery replaced. It's nice, but way too large and heavy for my tastes. I would not consider any of the current BMW EVs. I'll be leaving on a 400 mile round trip in a couple of days and can't decide which car to take, they are both so much fun to drive.
Hello, I bought a new I3 in 2019, and now in 2024 i have driven 160.000km. It still drive like a new care. It is indeed the best care i ever bought
Delighted to have found your Site. I owned a bmwi3 94 AH rex for a year, but i sold it and bought a Kona 64kwh bev which ive had for a couple of years now. What i found good about the i3 was the Spaciousness over the interier, Regen braking, Really quiet cabin, Nice Interior and the Consistent Charging speeds, as you mention it would charge to 95% from 10% while i had a Lunch Stop. I also found it very spacious for carrying my bike with the back seats almost folding down completely flat. The Rex allowed by run the Battery very low without worrying about finding a charger. What i didnt like was it was quite unstable in High winds with Motorway drving, and probably my biggest gripe was how uncomfortable it was driving over Traffic caming Ramps, with it really jarring my back due to the Narrow wheels and hard suspension, and the carriage doors allwasy caused issues getting in and out of for passengers or Cargo in Narrow Shopping Centre Car parks. I got a chance recently to drive a bmw i3s 94ah rex model, and i was really surprised how much more stable this car was, and didnt find it as harsh going over Ramps which was a surprise considering it has a stiffer suspension in some reviews ive watched. I like my kona EV but would certainly consider an i3s in the future
Loving my 2022 i3S. Took a 700 mile trip from London and Sussex to Cornwall for a short break. Great to drive on those country lanes but also on the A road routes. Single charging stop on longest legs using Osprey at HRH’s Town planning concept at Poundbury. Free 22kW chargers at hotel plus use of a couple of other fast chargers around the county. Cost me £70 all in with zero hassle. 4.6 miles per kWh vs 5 during my standard summer driving pattern. One passenger plus some luggage too.
Great quality content, as always. Very assertive and unbiased.
Me and my wife are indecisive between a 94Ah with REx and a 120Ah w/o REx. It will be our first EV and won't be our only car. We have an Aston Martin V8 and a Land Rover Discovery diesel 7 seater that can do 1000km on a tank, and we love it and use it for big adventures. The i3 should serve the purpose of doing short journeys 2-3 times a week of a maximum of 50km, sparing the health of our Land Rover that does not even reach its operating temps on trips to the shops and such daily rides... So, 94Ah with REx or 120Ah without, for a first-time EV owner? Also, we are pretty much decided on the i3 because we value cars that are purposeful and have character :)
Thanks to anyone in advance for the advice.
We have a 2018 i3, which we’ve owned from new. Heat pump, HK stereo, wheels like the one in this review and lounge interior.
My wife absolutely loves it (she was thinking of a Zoe and I suggested the i3), it’s her favourite ever car and she’s never owned a car for so long. She had a Golf before and would have changed it after a week if it wasn’t for the 3 year lease.
As for me, I love the design, especially the barn doors and the interior. The one pedal driving is an amazing feature/driving experience.
As for the rest of it, I’m less keen. I should caveat that by saying my current car is a Volvo XC70, as was my previous car and before that I had a Discovery 4.
From my car choices, you can see that sportiness isn’t a priority for me, so I find the ride harsh and the steering very twitchy and nervous compared with the vagueness that I’m accustomed.
I also find the seats extremely uncomfortable, making the range a blessing and I don’t think I’ve ever owned a car with such a truly awful stereo, I dread to think how bad the standard one would have been (gramophone with a dog sitting next to it).
We never purchased the car with the intention of making journeys that wouldn’t allow us to charge at home and have only miscalculated once requiring a public charge and that was a few weeks ago.
We do both agree that we would never make a journey that would require stops on route due to the time it adds to the trip.
Living in Cornwall and having parents in London, the ability to drive without stopping (if chosen) is invaluable and the return journey can be made on a single tank of diesel.
So in summary, my wife is a massive fan and for the reasons we chose it I feel it’s ideal, but for a long journey I would never entertain using it to the point I would hire a car, or take the train if we had to go to London and we couldn’t use our other car.
Edit: I do feel the i3 has the potential to be a classic car in the future, especially having been designed as an EV from the start and it’s really unique design and build.
As for the comment in the review about what other BMWs would be a consideration, for me, none of them regardless of their propulsion as (IMHO) recent BMW design is awful.
I LOVE this car so so much! No way would I trade it for the boring new ones. It’s so light and fast-like a bullet! Outta here…
Mate, your videos are always on point and so well made - I really enjoy your enthusiasm and love towards the i3 and you’re not alone. Keep them coming. Cheers.
P.S. we have both an i3S and a TM3 and the formal will continue to be a permanent member of the family.
I’ve had mine 2 months and still loving it 👍👍👍
I have had my 2019 i3s for 4.5 years. It is one of the most modified ones in the world. Every option from BMW. AC Schnitzer package. Wheel Spacers, aftermarket steering wheel, custom oak center console. I am on my 3rd suspension setup. Lowered on adjustable BC Racing Coil Overs. Carbon Fiber side skirts and rear diffuser. I replaced my V10 R8 as a daily driver with this car. Been trying to figure out what my next car could be, but I just can't find anything else I enjoy driving more. Granted it has major flaws but it just does some things sooo well. The sunroof is fantastic and with the large windows open it is like driving in a little jeep in the summer. So many cars nowadays have awful aerodynamic buffet with the windows open.
Finally test drove a Taycan Crossturismo 4 yesterday to see if it could be a contender as a replacement. Drove it twice actually because I thought i was being too harsh the first time. Did not enjoy driving it more than the i3s, and certainly NOT for $100k more.
I thought about a Taycan too, until I realized it's as wide as a Range Rover! Definitely not a car that's practical for the city.
@@grrlyrida Yea it is as long as a range rover too. It also has the worlds worst backup and surround view camera making it even worse for parking. Drove a Turbo S variant as well with the all wheel steering, that helps a little bit.
@@grrlyrida The cross turismo is as long as my Hummer H2 with way worse visibility and the worlds worst backup camera. I actually sat in the new Hummer EV SUV after swearing I wouldn't consider another big vehicle but I was so thoroughly impressed I will probably test drive one next. With all the removable roof panels it is like having a convertible for the summer, the practicality of a massive truck and the acceleration of a Taycan Turbo. I am telling myself I would just keep the i3s then if I went that route
WHAT AN INFORMATIVE AND KNOWLEDGABLE REVIEW! THANK YOU.
Great video Martin 👍👍
I do not know of a car with such an affectionate and loyal following. You only have to read the comments to Martin’s video to note that many owners, including petrolheads, can never get the i3 out of their system - to the extent of coming back to the car after drifting off elsewhere or just never being able to part with their drive. I suspect that many dismiss the i3 as an odd ball car based on its quirky looks. It is definitely a car you have to drive and sit in to experience how futuristic and clever the design was 10 years ago and which is still the iconic EV against which new EVs have to be measured. Owners definitely benefit from the € billions that BMW sank into its design and development. Just sad that very little of the innovation was carried forward into other BMW models.
I think it is a bit of a misnomer to describe the i3 as a city car. It was designed as a Mega City car so capable of commuting quite a few miles from the suburbs to city centres. I wonder whether the s variant was developed in response to BMW discovering that the car was being driven longer distances than they originally foresaw and the i3 was being bought by those who were fond of hot hatches. I fear we will never see the like of the i3 again. A pity perhaps that a clever Chinese company did not try to copy the design concept, and build materials but with more range and more up to date tech. Another thing often overlooked is the i3 is probably the easiest and least stressful car to driver ever. Fantastic one pedal driving, great visibility, unbelievable steering and turning circle and the wonderful iDrive system which is far easier to use than a fiddly and often unresponsive touch screen.
Yes, I have a i3 from 2019 120 Ah and I am keeping it 😊
I drove my 2014 i3 120000km and loved it! It was damaged in a small crash, and because of the parts prices, sadly it got wrecked. We also have a 2nd gen Leaf, but i still miss the i3 and prefer it over the Leaf in every aspect.
Honestly you guys need a branch up north - seriously great advice and i wouldn’t hesitate 1 bit to take my i3 to you guys
If I got one it would be a no brainier to take it to Wisely!
After selling our i3 94Ah + Rex 7 months ago, and driving an MG4 since, we gave it back and got a very nice i3S 120Ah. It feels very familiar, yet subtly drives better, with a little more oomph in Sport mode, and a significantly better handling, especially against wind, which is frequent in our regions. We don't really feel the supposedly firmer ride, although we have 20" wheels. A great car that we will keep for the next 3 years.
I've driven an i3 for about 7.5 years now. I haven't found out a model I would like to swap it. It offers lots of space, does not rust and has a very small turning circle.
We feel the same way we left this car and don't really fully understand why BMW ended its production. It is incredible.
Love your videos, Martin and love the i3.
Yes, I'm sure it was bonkers expensive for BMW to manufacture - CFRP tubs aren't cheap... just ask McLaren...!
But, boy what a crackin' efficient, suitably-sized EV - commanding driving position without the oversized, resource-wasteful, aerodynamics-of-a-brick SUV shape.
I've just done a long-weekend-away, 230 mile trip in my 94Ah Rex - got an average of 4.8 miles/kWh on the battery, plus, from what I've calculated, about 45mpg-equivalent on Rex power.
What an incredible piece of kit... 😎
Great road trip , love the i3
Great commentary, Martin. We've had our 2022 i3 for 18 months and we enjoy it greatly, as well as knowing that it's very useful for quick and short journeys. We have yet to do a long journey, though.
Great update, definitly a great car for 2023. BMW were mad not to have a continuation model in this segment, I've suspected that there was a boadroom lurch back to 'big cars make big profits' mentality.
Is anything better than an i3? Yes; 2 x i3’s! We have one each so no arguments about who gets to drive it!
what a well made video, filmed in 4k , can`t improve on that, well explained and easy to follow, well done .
Drove BMW diesel for the last 10 years, the last one a 335D, great car, but expensive to maintain and drive, in the Netherlands we pay about 180 euro tax a month....just because it is a diesel. So changed over to I3, as I am additcted to torque. From the first day on, I like to drive the I3, it has the sportpacket, looks like an I3S, but has the standard 170hp. Black and blue (as my favourite Stones album 😀total costs of ownership has dropped a lot. Next car will be an EV, anyway thanks for all the enthousiastic I3 video´s and information.
Great little car. Perfect size for my needs so will keep it as long a I can. Currently have had it for over 2.5 years. Shame BMW is not making a similar sized EV for now. I like the iX1 but for needs, most of the time the i3 is the perfect size and only occasionally need to fit an elderly relative into the back. I've had enough of parking larger cars over the years.
Martin, I hadn’t realised the i3 was over 10 years. But it is and unlike other vehicles it still looks fresh as you say. I did think BMW had based it on the early Merc A class with its raised Go-cart steering position and raised floor (Merc we’re going to make it lead acid electric). I hadn’t realised that cruise was dumb on the early models. Later models are smart, but using cameras not radar.
Your right, they are hard to find.
I just bought a second hand i3 mostly because of your videos In my situation the car does not leave Milton Keynes its an awesome little car its a 67 plate with 15000 miles an absolute steal and so cheap to run I will never go back to a petrol or diesel car the only thing thats a bit scary is the insurance mine doubled with this car spot on videos keep up the good videos😁😁
I‘m Porsche driver as you can see on my Channel, and i was looking for a City car.
Got a i3 latest model about 3 weeks ago and what can i say: It’s really the best car i ever had for the City! If someone is looking for a Electric car, GET ONE! 👍🏼
Great video . Our 2022 i3s has now covered 16k miles. It’s just so easy, and the quality is superb. It’s the ‘big little car’, swallowing four adults easily, and a reasonable size boot for luggage / shopping.
It does ride on the hard side, and gets caught a little by strong side winds on motorways however, it’s still a gem of a vehicle. Real life, we see 140 - 150 mile range, and I love the fact it charges at full 50kW speed until around 92% so a stop from low battery power normally takes no more than 30 minutes.
For most people, the i3 is probably all the car they need, 95% of the time.
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Yes, it's still great! We will probably buy a 2nd one for the family as we will have another driver soon - our youngest is learning how to drive in January. The only down side is 3G was discontinued here in NA so no more app service & no telematics upgrade available from BMW.
I’m on my second i3, absolutely love the car and driving experience. A colleague test drove one for an extended weekend, when comparing it to his Mercedes, he said “it was like getting out of a spaceship into a tractor “ so he naturally bought one!!
Almost 9 years, over 150k miles and going in my 2015 i3. Still love it and I’ll be replacing it only with a newer year i3 when needed. I don’t plan on changing to another car until I literally can’t only have an i3 (I may still keep one as a secondary grocery getter even in that case). I don’t think it was quite worth the 45k or so original MSRP, but it’s awesome as a used car.
I’ve leased a 2014 BEV, a 2017 REX and now own a 2019 REX. A great car that while ahead of its time in 2014 remains current in today’s crowded marketplace of EV’s. Love this car and since owning have rarely driven my e39 540 which is a shame because that car is also amazing.
Nice video Martin, much appreciate your description of the regen characteristics of the i3, sounds not far adrift from B mode in my (leased) Nissan Leaf which is thankfully pretty predictable in its transition from regen to friction braking, shouldn't be much of a learning curve when I (hopefully) move to an i3 when the Leaf goes back.
As Citroen Ec4 owner, I like this BMW a lot. I like all your I3s guys!
I’m a huge Citroen fan! But I’m in the US. i3 is the next best thing :-)
Just a month ago I picked up my very first EV, a 2019 i3, and love it.
Was looking for the updated version (2018 and onwards) with new turn signals and largest battery (42kWh, 120…).
Do you think it’s worth it to get a 2019 vs a 2017? I’ve found a 2017 BEV 60Ah for $12,500 here in Atlanta. The newer models push toward 20k which is top end of my budget but if it’s worth it to have more reliability I may need to consider?
New i3 driver here, plan to keep my 2019 for at least 10 years. There's no other compact EV with so much versatility! BTW the motor holds you from reversing on hills - the epower indicator will tell you this!
I love my i3. Now on my second one. I will stick with it.
I have 2018 I3s rex and it is great. I love everything about it. Most of my driving is around London so a short car, good turning circle and high driving position suits me. Also i do a school run and the with no tunnel its easy for kids to slide across so either way always exit onto pavement. I like the look of the VW ID3 but If i upgrade it would be a newer I3/s. My one critisism is Occasionally i would like to carry 4 passengers, particularly 3 kids in the back, there would be plenty of room.
The i3 indeed is an awesome EV. I love my 2017 94Ah one. Upgrade to i4/iX you ask? I am not attracted by the current EV-strategy by BMW. I have no plans for another i3, but if, I would look at Tesla.
We are keeping faithful to the i3. There is simply no substitute yet. Maybe the NK later on, but that car will not launch anytime soon. And even then we'll have to see if the NK is worth the investment.
I'm very seriously considering one, an i3s to be precise. I've driven one on a number of occasions, as well as a Hyundai Ionic EV, and it's the only EV I'd actually buy. Was really well thought out, lovely to drive (glad you mentioned regen) as ob the Hyundai you have to turn it on every time you drive the car, and it doesn't bring you to a complete stop. Very surprisingly fast aswell.
If I lived next door to Martin I would buy an i3 in a heartbeat.
My BMW i3, along with a Mazda MX5 I owned until recently, is the best car I’ve ever owned. Fun, nippy and relaxing to drive. Still looks like it came from the future. I have the 120 Ah 2020 edition and during this summer was getting very good range - on a couple of journey’s around the country and villages it managed 205 miles and often over 180 miles. Wish it did the same in winter! It hates motorways so I tend to drive at 66-68mph. Love my i3 ❤️. The i3, like all other EVs, is let down by the dire, second rate infrastructure in this country and extortionate prices per kWh.
Love my i3. If I were to change it I would look at a different manufacturer as current BMW offerings are way out of reach and un-inspiring to me.
My new 2020 i3s is my second i3. Love it. I intend to keep it for a long time (not usual for me), because I can't think of anything with which I would want replace it! It's a shame BMW didn't continue and revise the line.
Very tempted by one of these. I’ve got a 66 plate 320d Msport Touring auto, also a 66 plate Mini Couper S. My Mrs Golf GTI is 2009 and quite leggy (175k) and 2017-18 i3’s are in our budget and radar.
I have had a 2018 REX for over a year now. The trouble is with it is that I get bored and want to change it but I can't justify doing so.
It's that good, especially in 20mph Wales. It's like driving a dodgem.
We've had our i3 for nine years and we still love it. Martin you ask about best replacement- to my mind the only one with engineering innovation to match the i3 is a Tesla. We run the perfect duo of an i3 for short distances and a long range Model 3 Tesla for longer journeys. A perfect combination!
I used your tyre review and went for the Continentals, cheaper than the Bridgestones though still not cheap, but reckon they'll last a whole lot longer. 👍
I agree. It is in s class of its own.
Nice video! Would be nice to have the data in Kms too!
Absolutely loved my i3. I had the range extender version though which whilst useful on longer journeys, I despised whenever it kicked in.
would you rather it just stopped...
I love my I3s because it still looks ultra modern and it's just BMW quality. You love this car or you hate it. I love it!
My i3 94Ah REx is fantastic, with a great combination of electric range without any worry if I can't get on a public charger. For as long as it remains reliable, I intend to keep it. If I ever need to replace it, I would consider an i3, again, as its replacement and my first stop for finding one would be Wisely.
My appreciation for i3 has grown further since I changed mine to Cupra Born a couple weeks back. i3 has near perfect drivetrain (no creeping, superb throttle control and motor braking), ergonomics and controls, great visibility, agility in city, etc. BUT why I simply had to get rid of it was horrifying driving experience in certain winter conditions (though it does great most of time), and stupidly low boot area. Rear doors are a bad experience for family car, but I that I could have tolerated if it was the only problem. Also it is hard to understand why suspension is *this* uncomfortable on bad road conditions, meaning bad condition dirt roads or packed snow.
One small note the i3 does "zero speed hold" not using the friction brakes but using the traction motor, ie it will actively apply torque to the drive motor to prevent it spinning in the opposite direction to the drive direction selected (ie won't roll backwards in D, won't roll fowards in R) Because it isn't using the friction brakes and torque is still being reacted into the motor there is no suspension wind up (dive/squat) so it's very very smooth and can hardly be felt as it does it.
I often wish it would actually have a mode for zero speed hold in both directions, ie be able to come to a halt and hold at zero speed irrespective of drive direction selected. This would make it even more relaxing to drive in traffic when there is a positive (ie forwards) graident, where currently the driver must apply a small amount of brake pressure to prevent the vehicle creaping forwards at very low speed
You are indeed correct! About both the stopping and we also wish it could regen all the way down to 0 and hold down hills (in D) as well.
Liking the video seems insufficient Martin. I’m saving for an i3 and love watching and learning how to road trip with a modest battery with your vids.
Have really enjoyed owning my i3 for the last two years and even better now I have the michelin tyres fitted that i purchased from you guys last year. Car seems to handle much better with these as opposed to the factory fitted bridgestones
Michelin has tires for the I3???? are they the larger ones for the S?
Tyres I got were for the 19 inch wheels. There is a video on the wisely channel where they discuss the different available tyre options, I'm not sure if Michelin had 20 inch options
I love my i3 but my only gripe is the visibility around the A pillar is very thick and a problem for me, although this may be common to a lot of newer cars, you have to move to look either side to see properly. I am always worried I might miss a cyclist or motorbike at junctions.