Great review. I have had in i3 rex since 2016. I agree that the design was driven by a need to keep weight down to enable usable range. What a shame that those vital factors are no longer thought to be important. They are making fat cars now, a representation of Moore’s law translated in to power to weight. It’s a mistake. Imagine they kept reducing weight whilst also increasing battery tech.
There should be a massive tax on batteries, based on kWh. That would move things in the right direction (completely away from EVs, and the EVs still sold would be far better lightweight ones with sane battery sizes).
I had the opportunity to do a parade lap at our local road course recently. Not at full speed of course. I'm accustomed to driving a race prep Miata. And I would say the i3 is very comparable.
We bought the i3 for my wife to putt back and forth to work in since our C230S was approaching high milage. And I also own a SUV and a truck. But what we quickly found is that we drive the i3 about 95% of the time. We take it to dine out because it's easy to park. We take it to the big box stores because it can haul most things that we need. We take it on road trips because it's a great touring car, and travels 200miles on about $5 of electricity. It's a 2017 that's had nothing but routine maintenance. Which is very little . And BTW, it's a hoot to drive.
My experiency with the i3 (not s): 1. You can get something called the trunk extender giving you about 35 litres additional trunk. I have that. 2. The usual sunday Porsche driver will not be able to keep up on a twisty country road. 3. Brake regen is variablle by how much you lift your foot. Very useful in cornering.
I've driven i3 for 8 years now, 5 in an early little battery BEV, now have a i3s BEV. The traction control simply isnt' worth turning off ime, unless in snow ice where some tyre slip cleans the treads. IME the system is so fast and powerful it absolutely maximises traction. Yes the car could actually use a proper limited slip diff, but you really only notice this pulling out hard from very tight or bumpy junctions. The system works amazingly over things like white lines and manhole covers and is really very fast to put the torque back on again, certainly so compared to any laggy, high inertia DSC on an ICE vehicle. One thing with the i3 is that because of it's fundamental physical layout (wheel at each corner, very low CofG, and 50:50 mass distribution, it has incredible yaw athourity, ie it turns in very very well indeed and keeps on tightening it's line as you add more handwheel input. Combined with the fast steering ratio and the soft suspension (particularly in the non-s model) a lot of drivers are simply too rough and jerky with their inputs and as a result unsettle the car, then complain "it doesn't handle very well". IME a well driven i3s is a match for anything in the bends because it's balance is so fundamentally good. Ok the brakes let things down (spongy pedal feel and over heating if you really use them hard esp with left foot braking which works perfectly in these cars) but i've not yet found anything on the road that can "get away from" my i3s under reasonably sensible limits (100 mph is of course the top speed, so the fast stuff does get away on dual carriageways etc, but only once travelling at a speed that would result in a ban in the uk). So, drive your i3s smoothly, poor it into the bends, gently in, then get back on the power and keep turning the handwheel and the thing just grips and goes, and then finds massive traction on the way out. This is, imo, what makes it such a fun car to drive, the fact you actually have to drive this car, unlike the vast majority of modern cars that pretty much let you do anything as a driver and the car drives itself .
This is, by far, the most complete in depth detailed review that I’ve seen so far for this car. You mentioned so many stuff that know one even scratch to think about it. Thank you very much. Best of luck
I too have an I3s rex that is a 2018 and just love the car, all of my charging is done at home with I believe a class 2 charger that puts out 40 amps @ 240 vac, the car has the 650cc onboard charger that is hard to tell when it is running. the first time I knew it was running was when I pulled into the garage got out and heard a faint sound like a fan running, which was the charger and shortly later it shut off. The one thing that I feel is not right is that I have to pay an extra $200. for my yearly plates because I don't pay road tax on gasoline which I have probably used less than 5 gallons since I owned this car.
That sound of the fan running was just the fan running the rex is noisy but you can only just hear it in the car as it is burried under the floor in the back.. I have a i3 rex it only costs me 2p per mile in fuel (off peak) home electricity)yes by far the most sensible car i have owned. Why has bmw dumped it.....greed , more money to be made in big vehicles...
Lovely choice in vehicles. I just moved on from a 94ah i3 REx to a 120ah i3s BEV and love it. I also have a 987.2 Porsche Boxster - perfect two car garage!
I have my used 2014 BMW i3 for a year now and I’m quite pleased. I have a range extender so no fear of range. I’m looking to buy a later version and I’m content on making my choice of ev a permanent
Ich habe 5 Jahre lang ein "vernünftiges" Elektroauto gesucht. All die neuen Modelle aus China haben meine Ansprüche nicht erfüllt. Da ich nun eine ehrliche Berechnung meiner gefahrenen Reichweite gemacht habe und festgestellt habe dass ich an 29 Tagen im Monat nicht mehr als 100 km fahre musste ich feststellen, dass die Reichweite und auch die Ladegeschwindigkeit des i3S absolut genügt. 1 mal im Monat fahre ich 450 km. Dafür benötige ich 2x 30 Minuten Laden. Diese Pausen habe ich meistens auch mit meinem Verbrenner gemacht. Der BMW i3S ist in meinen Augen nach wie vor eines der besten EV welcher erhältlich ist. Auch die Preise auf dem Gebrauchtmarkt sind nun so tief, dass sich jedermann dieses Auto leisten kann. Super Video by the way.
Could possibly be a modern classic as one of the first EVs and one that’s still today unbeatable in many ways. I do really thing the i3s could be a keeper.
Wow Mark. I used to watch you when you had the Clio Cup and then the Red Fiesta ST and it was because of YOU I bought my Fiesta ST3 5 door in May 2016 and I still have it and it's been trouble free. I also have a Zoe GT, love both cars. RU-vid has decided to show me your videos again. 👍🏻
Been using an i3 range extender for six years now and only have one gripe. I find the steering feels dead and too direct in the straight ahead position ie there is no wiggle room. Steering is perfect otherwise but trying to keep the car straight like on motorways is tedious. Would like to have seen a sort of variable ratio in that straight ahead position allowing for improved feedback for the driver. You mention regen not being worth using....have to disagree, I live in hilly country and find I rarely use the friction brakes relying on regen instead. I also use the "coast mode" between accelerating and regen which is indicated on the speedo. These two methods add range and save brakes for overall efficiency. Having personally owned and experienced over 150 cars this i3 is a keeper, that's how much I love it!
Hi Mark, 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 👍🏽
Great video. I've had my 2014 rex for almost 4 years now which is the longest I've ever had a commuter/personal car. I tend to get tired of my cars and move to something else within a couple of years. I have no desire to replace this car. Super fun to drive and extremely comfortable. Only thing I would like to do is replace the battery for a larger unit so I can extend my driving fun! 😁
Can you imagine a few years from now when battery tech is very well advanced meaning high density and smaller footprint. A retrofit battery in this would give two benefits. Massive range and or power as it could either be longer range and similar weight or same range and even lighter and quicker ! Wow this is a car to have for the long term as I am sure it will evolve even though its no longer produced. I like them.
You won't be able to retrofit as BMW will ensure the electronics/CPU won't recognise a non BMW battery. The amount of work will make it unrealistic financially. Nothing in it for BMW, so it won't happen.
Thank you very much for this great Review. I have an i3 in the same colour since February this year and i am very happy with it. All the the things you said about this car are true. I saw a lot of Reviews about the i3, but yours is the best. You hit the point! Especially the door concept: The two doors in the back are a benefit. If you see it that way, the concept make sense. Great car, great Review. Greetings from Germany Christian
My wife and I each had a 2017 i3 Rex, absolutely loved them, mine was the Terra, which was really nice. Great around town cars, but CA really screwed them up for the rest of the US as far as a road tripper. When we decided we only needed one car, we took advantage of the crazy market for used cars and sold both of the i3s for a Tesla Model 3 LR, so we could easily do road trips. We're very happy with the Tesla, but both of us also miss my i3, it was just so much fun to drive locally. BMW totally blew it with the i3, letting it wither on the vine like they did. If they had just put updated tech and a usable battery in that car, it would have been perfect. Hell, even a Bolt has a 230 mile range!
I have a 2016 REx 94Ah. It's the heaviest and slowest variant of the i3 but, at times, it still shocks me how much torque is available, particularly when "punching it" from 20mph. I still love the car, having purchased it outright in 2018. In fact, an i3 has been my main driver for the last nearly nine years and 130 k miles, as I got my first one in early 2014, soon after it launched.
@@chunckyfreshnut. My 2014 i3 did give some trouble with its REx but this was fixed under warranty. My current 2016 one had a minor issue with the fuel flap release fixed under warranty but, since then, no other major issues in 94,000 miles.
Great video and review. BMW i3 is the only EV which makes you 'smiles per gallon'. I enjoy driving cars, but I think the i3 is a kind of combination of the quietness, design and of course speedy.
I found your video interesting and informative, presented in a well-organized and engaging way. My wife and I have each had an i3 for the past five years, and have enjoyed them immensely. I have a Volvo C40 on order to replace my i3. I'll miss it, though we'll still have one in the family, probably for many more years.
Excellent review! I have the standard i3 and love it. Slightly more compliant ride helps where I live in the UK but I do prefer the look of the S. Maybe I It's a shame BMW were forced to down spec the media unit on the last ones made due to chip shortages - but that's not a huge issue. What an interesting point about the advantages of RHD with motore back left. Plan to keep it for a long time - unless I relent and change it for an S !
You 100% need to do this to drive it in the snow. The 2019 and newer models have a traction control system that is 50x faster and happens right in the motor. Without setting the car in traction mode I find I can't go anywhere in the snow as it bogs down immediately
Really great video. Funfact though, you said the car isn’t the fastest of the bunch. But every single I3, is the fastest car BMW has ever made from 0/30/40 mph😊.
Drove an i3s about 3 years ago. I loved it, though a bit impractical in the back for my 90 year old parents in law so we bought a Leaf. I've recently driven a Tesla Model 3 and it reminded me of the i3 with it's strong regenerative braking and direct steering and handling. I consider the i3 relevant and modern as it still has characteristics that no other car offers. Note VW copied the gear selector for the ID.3 & 4. Must try one again, but I'd suggest the rear wheel drive Model 3 is the successor.
My BMW garage recently rang me to ask if I was thinking of changing my i3. My answer was a very definite "NO"! I'll be keeping my i3 (3yrs old, top specced) as long as I possibly can - it's such a fun car to drive. Whereas we like our 2yr old EQC, but will likely change that in a year for an EV with more range. The EQC is more luxurious & comfortable, but can't beat the sheer fun of owning/driving an i3. BTW, the i3S rides lower, and has much firmer suspension - it was too firm for me.
"Function over Form"😊👍 Great analysis of the car & reasons behind the CFRP & wheel diameter v width. I wish every auto engineer could spend a few weeks driving one to spur more creativity. Ours is a 2017 REx in the Western US, and we use it for both commuting & long trips. We keep expecting BMW reliability issues, but 72k miles later, none yet.
Hi Mark, greetings from Oxford. As an i3 owner, I was surprised to see your centre screen bing so small. In the facelift of this car (2018?) the centre screen was bigger as standard- I think it was called the ‘pro’ version. My i3 is not the S, and a 2019 model, same base interior trim. I love it! I was so anxious about committing to buying my first EV, but it will be 4 years in September 2023 and I have absolutely no regrets. Running costs are peanuts, fun to drive, smooth delicious torque, comfortable - though the suspension is a bit too harsh.
Hey Simon 👍 The small screen thing was a pandemic driven supply shortage on the run out models. Mine was meant to have the bigger screen, but they simply weren't available so BMW made cars with the smaller screen and shipped them instead. Still loving mine, rapidly approaching my 365 day/1 year ownership point so I'm looking forward to looking back at my first foray into EV life.
@@MarkCup70 Mine is 71 plate i3s and came with the bigger screen, same trim as the one in the video. I also had a 68 plate i3 which also had the bigger screen. Think I would be very disappointed with the small screen.
The material you were talking about in the interior is actually sourced from recycled water bottles. This car was designed with eco friendliness in mind as well. The i3s that have the eucalyptus dash claim to have sourced the wood responsibly as well
Some years ago nr Godalming in Munstead...a (v v posh area)I was wizzing aling in my 435i and one of these pulled out in front of me, before I could brake/curse, they had built up speed and were going faster than me. Was a bit surprised😮
If there's a 2x i3 sized gap approaching, I'm going in it 🤣 its sprightly 0-40 has its advantages and disadvantages though, routinely I have to avoid drivers on roundabouts that just have no appreciation that one can cover that ground so quickly!
I recently moved out of London to the countryside, and I needed a second car for the school runs. I bought a second-hand one yesterday, a 2019 model with under 15k miles. I'm pretty pleased with it and can't wait for the delivery. I feel that I will likely keep it as long as the battery lasts. One thing I noticed though is that your main screen has a massive bezel. The regular i3 I drove last week also had a bigger screen, and that was a 2014 model.
So glad you see it that way - I also see it as a 3 door car… 99% of the time it’s just me or my partner, but the back seats are a plus and there’s plenty of leg rooms
I have a Cayman 987 2.7 here in New Zealand. I really wanted an i3 as my daily car, I think the engineering is amazing, especially the heated and cooled battery pack, why are new EV’s so heavy, that Ford 150 lightning is a monstrosity. Sadly the Wife hates the look of the i3 😔
Interesting as we have both had similar changes in cars over the last few years. I took delivery of my magnetic grey focus RS from dinnages in July 17’. Now own a cayman and have an electric car for a daily! Like you, it’s totally different but I love the acceleration and how chilled they are to drive. On another note I saw you at Goodwood revival and was going to say hi, but was queuing for food and was near the front so didn’t want to lose my spot😂
Thanks for the video Mark. I've had my i3 for four years now, and have been considering changing it for something newer and have looked at the current choices. To be honest nothing comes close to the i3 from practicality to drivability. What a brilliant car, shame they don't still make it, looks like I'll be keeping mine for the time being.
I had one for 6 months. Liked it except the the suicide doors were incredibly inconvenient because at the time i was taking 3 or 4 people around and those in the back seat felt trapped, and from a practical point, say you gave someone a lift and they were in the back, you had to get out so they could open their doors . For one or two people, otherwise than the short range, it was really good to drive and practical with the back seats folded down. It certainly makes a good second car or shorter range car when you also have a longer range car available.
Why did BMW give up the idea of mass producing carbon fibre monocoque cars is my question. The I3 pioneered this idea and now they just gave it up!? Guessing the answer will be less profit? The general public doesn't understand the benefit of a chassis 300 Kg's lighter.
For the i3, is was a new concept/modern/line so they have to do something great to push it to the public. It has proven to be successful but bmw wanted to have an ev version of all their existing cars to max profit. Their EV modern is more expensive than the combustion moderns and it doesn’t cost them much to use the same chassis and body.
Very good video. Covers all the reasons why us owners love our i3’s. A surprising number of whom are “petrolheads”. A bit quirky and marmite but the i3 is without doubt a future classic. Just a pity that the run out cars have the old smaller Infotainment screen’s. Definitely look a bit baff as these screens disappeared 5 years ago. Possibly not as fun to drive as the MINI Electric but more practical.
I find the suicide door more convenient as I'm going to open it and throw a shopping bag in there a lot more often than a passenger and it's easier than a regular door or boot for that.
After my lease ended , i got me self one. 3 years with the lease and 2 with the one i bought just kike the one you have in the video. Man it kooks better tham my previws one and is just superb. anyhwre i go, it is a superstar car. Almost everyone ask about it.
I have the same model and colour - registered 1st April this year (also a lease) and I noticed that the screen on your car was the older 6” screen rather than the larger one (think it’s 9”) that I have. While my car has Suite trim, they all had the same sized a screen when I ordered mine. Having had a Google, it’s seems that BMW were forced to fit an older screen due to supply issues with standard one - which is a bit of a shame. But I love mine too - for all the reasons you cite.
its looks very much like a prototype. I have a I3 rex 33 kWh and it is very nice to drive, not as good for roadtrips but i sometimes do day trips up to 250km each way.
Love them My budget would only stretch to a 2016 ish range extender, only negative I have read (rear doors aside) is the noise the engine makes while generating electricity. I just love the styling and almost art deco interior. Only thing I think it needs is the pro nav for the bigger screen.
thing is even when BMW stopped producing the i3 it is one of the most popular PHEVs in the used market and that is with that curiously small fuel tank! imagine if it had a larger fuel tank!
I’m seeing on the screen at 10:50 3.3mi/kWh. That seems surprisingly low efficiency. Perhaps you were putting it through its paces on the previous trip?
I'm looking to maybe buy a 2nd hand one of these, so thanks for the positive review. I've always liked quirky cars, had 3 Smarts, love them but sadly the range with Battery ones isn't enough.
Great video, the first I have watched of your content but found the “drive focus” informative and interesting. Thank you and where did you get the blue sweater from? 👌🏻
I was still in love with my electric car like you after 3 months. 7 years 1 month later, battery degradation, range loss, charging logistical problems, high rapid charger electricity prices and massive falls in value on the used car market have completely changed my mind. They are just not fit for purpose and I personally will not be buying another one.
Thanks for sharing. I'm in a slightly different boat as this is leased so those worries won't impact me thankfully. As a thing to drive though, I don't think I'll ever tire of it.
I have a bmw i3 rex the rex is the good bit , a proper ev with no downside, but the ride is rough ....trouble is i had a tesla model 3 which rather spoilt me, it was better than the bmw in all respects....
Same ownership scenario, cayman 987 and i3, now in the market for second i3 this time S model. Scrapped idea of Taycan cross Turismo due to price instability
The Taycan is on my watch list as a potential replacement when the i3 goes back in 18 months, but yeah the price does make it a hard sell. Kia and Volvo are currently in my sights. I'm genuinely gutted they don't still make the i3!
@@MarkCup70 I bet you keep it :-) That's what I did with my 2019 i3. I have another, all wheel drive, car but I always prefer to take the i3 and keep the other just for long distance drives and towing. As prices have dropped there's no point in getting rid of the i3 when I enjoy driving it so much.
Love these BMW i3s. Was going to buy one. Looked into the battery life and the cost to replace them. £16k. With a life span of 10 to 20 years according to the temperature of the weather. I was looking at an i3 with 9k miles 4 years old for £21500. Have been put off.
The boot is pretty small, the fact that only two people can sit in the back is not great and I find the suicide doors annoying - BUT, it is the most fun I've had driving a car. I drove one for 20 meters before I knew I had to have one. I've never been much of a petrolhead because I never had much money to get anything fun. Now that I am more financially secure I will no longer purchase an internal combustion engine car - I have got too used to the instant torque, the low maintenance and the quiet drive.
On my 2020 i3 you can gain 15+ for every 100 driven on brake regeneration in comfort mode. Must be different on the S if I you’re not getting any back, maybe you have a problem with your regen system ?
