[classyfast]

Originally Posted by evanevery

Um, again, "no"...

In order for the i8 to garner mass appeal they would have to make it a practical car. The i8 is in no way a practical car. If they tried to make it practical, it simply wouldn't be an i8. Maybe more like an i3.

I wouldn't want an i8 if it had the practicality required for mass market appeal. There are other vehicles which already meet this requirement. My ModelX is MUCH more practical than any EV BMW makes... I don't need ANOTHER practical EV (which the i8 certainly ISN'T). If I wanted mass market practicality at a reasonable price I'ld buy a Model3

Ahhh I understand what you're saying now....great example with the modelX. I got you man, makes sense.

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by evanevery

Um, again, "no"...

In order for the i8 to garner mass appeal they would have to make it a practical car. The i8 is in no way a practical car. If they tried to make it practical, it simply wouldn't be an i8. Maybe more like an i3.

I wouldn't want an i8 if it had the practicality required for mass market appeal. There are other vehicles which already meet this requirement. My ModelX is MUCH more practical than any EV BMW makes... I don't need ANOTHER practical EV (which the i8 certainly ISN'T). If I wanted mass market practicality at a reasonable price I'ld buy a Model3

And yet, as a car "not made for the masses" it underwhelms in all areas aside from aesthetics...kinda like a 320i..wait a sec, maybe it was built for the masses!!

[Longboarder]

Guys this is still an absolutely amazing car and a terrific value at market pricing (whatever that is). I'm very fortunately that I get to drive lots of new stuff. Got a few loaner toys this weekend. I love automotive motorsports and am a participant. I love all cars that inspire one way or another. This car is still the car I would drive everyday - I don't need 500hp to drive on the streets to work. I'm not racing anyone on the street. That is stupid. 130 hp battery only driving in silence is fine for 99% of the time. It's got gobs of torque instantaneously is u ever need to pass.

The i8 is rarely someone's only car. I mean you could if you didn't have kids or the need to carry anything. BMW built it to demonstrate the future of battery/ICE integration (among other tech and design innovations) as someone's second or third or fourth car. I have driven battery only cars and other ICE/battery integrated cars. BMW nailed it with the i8. Still to this day best of the best (i will exclude the P1, LaFerrari and 918 from this analysis as these are now mostly museum cars).

BMW at some point likely made an error in judgment when their was significant initial success for this car and then shifted production to make too many in 2015, leaving a glut on the market in 2016 dramatically reducing its value and never recovered. That's all you need to keep in mind. If you want one it is now very attainable to the enthusiast. Again you likely need another car from a practicality standpoint and obviously this is not the car you would likely ever want to take to a HPDE but the design is still absolutely unique and inspiring and the drive on the street is still perfect in my opinion. And even if i had all the money in the world it is still the car I would drive around in everyday.

[drlonline]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Guys this is still an absolutely amazing car and a terrific value at market pricing (whatever that is). I'm very fortunately that I get to drive lots of new stuff. Got a few loaner toys this weekend. I love automotive motorsports and am a participant. I love all cars that inspire one way or another. This car is still the car I would drive everyday - I don't need 500hp to drive on the streets to work. I'm not racing anyone on the street. That is stupid. 130 hp battery only driving in silence is fine for 99% of the time. It's got gobs of torque instantaneously is u ever need to pass.

The i8 is rarely someone's only car. I mean you could if you didn't have kids or the need to carry anything. BMW built it to demonstrate the future of battery/ICE integration (among other tech and design innovations) as someone's second or third or fourth car. I have driven battery only cars and other ICE/battery integrated cars. BMW nailed it with the i8. Still to this day best of the best (i will exclude the P1, LaFerrari and 918 from this analysis as these are now mostly museum cars).

BMW at some point likely made an error in judgment when their was significant initial success for this car and then shifted production to make too many in 2015, leaving a glut on the market in 2016 dramatically reducing its value and never recovered. That's all you need to keep in mind. If you want one it is now very attainable to the enthusiast. Again you likely need another car from a practicality standpoint and obviously this is not the car you would likely ever want to take to a HPDE but the design is still absolutely unique and inspiring and the drive on the street is still perfect in my opinion. And even if i had all the money in the world it is still the car I would drive around in everyday.

Very well stated . You listed most of the reasons why I am super excited about getting the 2019 coupe that I have on order.

[avex8]

Why pay so much for slow car.

[iamdabest1]

Originally Posted by ACZakka325i

All the negative sentiment, on a BMW FORUM no less, is all that needs to be told....

If BMW made it a legit performer, it would have been a much cooler car. I see it as a beach cruiser.

OP, more power to you. No hate. I guess I just have a firmer grip on my cash...

Gotta agree , this car certainly looks like a 150k car but doesn't perform like one . I had an i8 , I did love the car , but it's missing about 200 hp.
When I drove an NSX , I thought to myself this is what the i8 should have been like .

[ericsi]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Guys this is still an absolutely amazing car and a terrific value at market pricing (whatever that is). I'm very fortunately that I get to drive lots of new stuff. Got a few loaner toys this weekend. I love automotive motorsports and am a participant. I love all cars that inspire one way or another. This car is still the car I would drive everyday - I don't need 500hp to drive on the streets to work. I'm not racing anyone on the street. That is stupid. 130 hp battery only driving in silence is fine for 99% of the time. It's got gobs of torque instantaneously is u ever need to pass.

The i8 is rarely someone's only car. I mean you could if you didn't have kids or the need to carry anything. BMW built it to demonstrate the future of battery/ICE integration (among other tech and design innovations) as someone's second or third or fourth car. I have driven battery only cars and other ICE/battery integrated cars. BMW nailed it with the i8. Still to this day best of the best (i will exclude the P1, LaFerrari and 918 from this analysis as these are now mostly museum cars).

BMW at some point likely made an error in judgment when their was significant initial success for this car and then shifted production to make too many in 2015, leaving a glut on the market in 2016 dramatically reducing its value and never recovered. That's all you need to keep in mind. If you want one it is now very attainable to the enthusiast. Again you likely need another car from a practicality standpoint and obviously this is not the car you would likely ever want to take to a HPDE but the design is still absolutely unique and inspiring and the drive on the street is still perfect in my opinion. And even if i had all the money in the world it is still the car I would drive around in everyday.

It's all there. Spot on.

[Madvillain]

Originally Posted by avex8

Why pay so much for slow car.

everything eventually becomes slow depends on your idea of whats fast and what isnt. to some people a stock i8 is plenty fast while others will say a tuned m5 is slow. i8 is plenty fast in a straight line imo. it sets same 1/4 mile times as e92 m3(from a roll who knows the m3 is prob faster). anyways ya the price u pay for the performance isnt really worth it but the thing is def best lookin car for its price. very efficient and looks insane (just needs meaty tires to make it drive better) would really get that with anything else. a tesla p85 will pre as fast but youll have a shit interior and very basic styling inside and out.

[MalibuBimmer]

Originally Posted by avex8

Why pay so much for slow car.

While there's a lot to criticize about the i8, it's got more power and speed than any person could possibly legally need in any of the United States. It's not a track car, so its use is on the public streets. For that it is plenty powerful and plenty fast. Unless you want to race pink slips on Brand Boulevard in Glendale at 2:00 a.m. on weekends.

[evanevery]

Originally Posted by avex8

Why pay so much for slow car.

Really? Speed is the ONLY thing?

My Timex keeps better time than my Breitling... Not really the point is it?

Guess you won't be buying any classic cars either....

If you want speed, why don't you just strap a rocket to some roller skates ala Wile E. Coyote...

Pretty myopic I think...

[evanevery]

Originally Posted by Kankles

And yet, as a car "not made for the masses" it underwhelms in all areas aside from aesthetics...kinda like a 320i..wait a sec, maybe it was built for the masses!!

...and yet, I very much enjoyed driving it on the track. We have one as a Fleet Car at the Autobahn Country Club.

[evanevery]

Originally Posted by classyfast

Ahhh I understand what you're saying now....great example with the modelX. I got you man, makes sense.

(Wow! That's got to be an Internet first!)

[Coastali8]

I keep seeing people put down the i8 because it isn’t fast enough for a $150k vehicle.

I’ve driven a few cars that are not as fast but cost a lot more, and I’ve driven a few cars that are faster that cost a lot less. I’ve also driven cars that were much faster and cost a whole lot more. And cars that were slower and cost a lot less. If speed and price is your only criteria for what makes a car great, you have a lot to learn about cars.

Just because you pay a lot of money for a car doesn’t make it a great car. Sometimes it makes you look like a “sucker”. And just because your car is fast, also doesn’t make it a great car... instead it can make you look like an idiot when you see red lights in your mirror.

There is much more to being great car than either one of those traits.

[drlonline]

Originally Posted by Coastal i8

I keep seeing people put down the i8 because it isn’t fast enough for a $150k vehicle.

I’ve driven a few cars that are not as fast but cost a lot more, and I’ve driven a few cars that are faster that cost a lot less. I’ve also driven cars that were much faster and cost a whole lot more. And cars that were slower and cost a lot less. If speed and price is your only criteria for what makes a car great, you have a lot to learn about cars.

Just because you pay a lot of money for a car doesn’t make it a great car. Sometimes it makes you look like a “sucker”. And just because your car is fast, also doesn’t make it a great car... instead it can make you look like an idiot when you see red lights in your mirror.

There is much more to being great car than either one of those traits.

That's 8 hooyahs!

[evanevery]

Originally Posted by Coastal i8

I keep seeing people put down the i8 because it isn’t fast enough for a $150k vehicle.

I’ve driven a few cars that are not as fast but cost a lot more, and I’ve driven a few cars that are faster that cost a lot less. I’ve also driven cars that were much faster and cost a whole lot more. And cars that were slower and cost a lot less. If speed and price is your only criteria for what makes a car great, you have a lot to learn about cars.

Just because you pay a lot of money for a car doesn’t make it a great car. Sometimes it makes you look like a “sucker”. And just because your car is fast, also doesn’t make it a great car... instead it can make you look like an idiot when you see red lights in your mirror.

There is much more to being great car than either one of those traits.

I've seen some gussied up F150 Pickup trucks that had to have north of 150K in chrome and mudflaps alone! Those are the same folks that typically tell you you paid too much for your car...

[raysspl]

Congrats! Can't wait to get my coupe

[moviebumm]

Build your own finally on www.bmwusa.com

[drlonline]

Originally Posted by moviebumm

Build your own finally on www.bmwusa.com

Glad to see they finally got this up on the BMWUSA site. I ordered mine (Crystal White coupe, Tera World, Radial spoke bi-color wheels) about 3 weeks ago but used the pricing guide issued February 1 to make my selections. Car completed production yesterday and is expected to arrive in Ca. early April.

[evanevery]

Thanks for pointing out the configurator!

April! That's pretty quick. Is it a Roadster or Coupe?

My Roadster has a week 27 production date (July 1)...

[F5506m]

I have had my i8 for over a year.....except for getting in/out of the car it has been the best compromise between comfort and sport for a daily driver. I think BMW nailed it for what the car is supposed to be a sporty GT.

[drlonline]

Originally Posted by evanevery

Thanks for pointing out the configurator!

April! That's pretty quick. Is it a Roadster or Coupe?

My Roadster has a week 27 production date (July 1)...

Mine's a coupe. I apparently caught a break with one of the earliest production slots for U.S. cars.

[drlonline]

Interesting to note that the configurator only appears to be up for the BMWUSA site. I checked both the U.K. and Germany BMW sites, and it isn't up for them yet. I wonder if the U.S. is the only market where one can actually order the car at this time.