[cpiguy]

I just traded my 2014 i3 Rex for a new 2017 Rex. After filling the tank, I'm getting a reading of 58 mile range, exactly what my 2014 gave me. With the increase tank size to 2.4 gallons, the car is suppose to get 83 miles range from the generator.

What are you guys seeing?

[tommolog]

Give it a little time to adjust to your driving. While the tank is increased from 1.9 gal to 2.4 gal, the MPG on the new model has decreased from 39 mpg to 35 mpg.

That's because the new car is heavier (heavier batteries), and also because BMW modified the REx a little so it now produces more power. That lowered the efficiency a little.

I think once you've driven it a bit you'll se it go up to around 64 to 75 miles. Here's a pic of the best estimated range I managed to see:

[cpiguy]

Originally Posted by tommolog

Give it a little time to adjust to your driving. While the tank is increased from 1.9 gal to 2.4 gal, the MPG on the new model has decreased from 39 mpg to 35 mpg.

That's because the new car is heavier (heavier batteries), and also because BMW modified the REx a little so it now produces more power. That lowered the efficiency a little.

I think once you've driven it a bit you'll se it go up to around 64 to 75 miles. Here's a pic of the best estimated range I managed to see:

I assumed that may be the case. That being said, I'm totally confused by the miles on your display. How did you get to 255 mile range. According to BMW, best case will be around 100 electric and 80 on generator.

[tommolog]

Originally Posted by cpiguy

I assumed that may be the case. That being said, I'm totally confused by the miles on your display. How did you get to 255 mile range. According to BMW, best case will be around 100 electric and 80 on generator.

Even more so than with gas cars, you can really increase or decrease the range by careful driving. I was doing a range test and drove nice and easy, using the regenerative brakes to my advantage whenever possible. There's plenty of people out there that have claimed to get more than 200 miles without needing to charge or refuel with the new 94Ah battery in the 2017 i3s REx. It's all about how you drive it. I wrote about the range of the new i3 REx here.

[cpiguy]

Originally Posted by tommolog

Even more so than with gas cars, you can really increase or decrease the range by careful driving. I was doing a range test and drove nice and easy, using the regenerative brakes to my advantage whenever possible. There's plenty of people out there that have claimed to get more than 200 miles without needing to charge or refuel with the new 94Ah battery in the 2017 i3s REx. It's all about how you drive it. I wrote about the range of the new i3 REx here.

Great write up. Explained many of the things I was curious about. Thank you!

[nicolak]

I experienced the same issue with my 2017. There is a post further down on this site explaining my findings. Long story short mine came programmed with the US software limiting tank size still in effect. Coded, range increased 20-30 miles. Why 2017 US spec cars are arriving with this still in place I don't know.

I think the post referencing my findings was about someone asking how to remove reverse gong sound or something similar.

[cpiguy]

Originally Posted by nicolak

I experienced the same issue with my 2017. There is a post further down on this site explaining my findings. Long story short mine came programmed with the US software limiting tank size still in effect. Coded, range increased 20-30 miles. Why 2017 US spec cars are arriving with this still in place I don't know.

I think the post referencing my findings was about someone asking how to remove reverse gong sound or something similar.

Really? Thats weird. Did the dealer take care of recoding it, or did you have an independent guy do it??

[nicolak]

Originally Posted by cpiguy

Really? Thats weird. Did the dealer take care of recoding it, or did you have an independent guy do it??

I sorted it myself. I am able to add 2.4 US gallons during fueling, previously less than 1.9. Have you noted the amount of fuel you are able to add to your vehicle?

[cpiguy]

Originally Posted by nicolak

I sorted it myself. I am able to add 2.4 US gallons during fueling, previously less than 1.9. Have you noted the amount of fuel you are able to add to your vehicle?

The gas tank came full, and I double checked it by topping it off myself. Have only driven 20 miles. Just dont understnad my 57 mile reading. My 2014 gave 57-62 from the day I got it. Thought this should read over 80.

[nicolak]

Mine had the same fuel range estimate before I changed the parameter for fuel tank size. Indicates in mid 80's now or it did anyway before winter came. Where I am the cold below freezing temps I indicate a mid 60's range.

Ask your dealer to sort it out, I really think the 2017 US model should not have the limited tank size and should be a warranty type claim/repair.

[tommolog]

Originally Posted by nicolak

Mine had the same fuel range estimate before I changed the parameter for fuel tank size. Indicates in mid 80's now or it did anyway before winter came. Where I am the cold below freezing temps I indicate a mid 60's range.

Ask your dealer to sort it out, I really think the 2017 US model should not have the limited tank size and should be a warranty type claim/repair.

A 2017 i3 definitely shouldn't be software limited to a 1.9 gal tank. I'm not sure how that could have even happened. I've never heard of this, and I communicate with dozens of 2017 i3 owners. VERY strange. You shouldn't have to code the car to get the full 2.4 gallons. I'd take it back to the dealer and have them reinstall the software with an IRAP session with BMW HQ. Bizarre.

[Imola.ZHP]

Any change after a few days? I have seen up to 210 on my US coded 2015 REx.

[cpiguy]

Now that I've had the car a few weeks I can confirm that I'm getting around 85 miles to a full charge driving extremely easy, and my gas range says 65 miles with a full tank. Certainly not what I expected.

[tommolog]

Originally Posted by cpiguy

Now that I've had the car a few weeks I can confirm that I'm getting around 85 miles to a full charge driving extremely easy, and my gas range says 65 miles with a full tank. Certainly not what I expected.

What's your consumption? (mi/kWh). That's very low. I couldn't get less than 100 miles per charge even trying to. 2017 BMW i3 REx range test. Can you reset the trip data and drive for a couple days to see the average consumption. Unless you're driving in a very cold area with the heater on all the time I'm very surprised to hear that kind of range.

[tommolog]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

Any change after a few days? I have seen up to 210 on my US coded 2015 REx.

^^ this is more like what I'd expect to hear.

[cpiguy]

Originally Posted by tommolog

What's your consumption? (mi/kWh). That's very low. I couldn't get less than 100 miles per charge even trying to. 2017 BMW i3 REx range test. Can you reset the trip data and drive for a couple days to see the average consumption. Unless you're driving in a very cold area with the heater on all the time I'm very surprised to hear that kind of range.

No idea what my consumption is, but the fact is that I get about 85 miles when I'm run down to 6%. That is running climate control in 55% weather. I have, as a test, turned off all heating and air conditioning systems and it looks like i'll break 100 miles. Obviously unrealistic cause in the summer I run the air and in the winter I run the heat.

[cpiguy]

I just ran a full charge with no heating or air conditioning and babying it as much as I could. I got 98.6 miles at 6% when the gen set kicked on. Cant understand why we'd be seeing such a difference. I think in your summary you said you can't get less than 100 miles no matter what you do. Can you think of any logical explanation?

Dealer has no idea.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by cpiguy

I just ran a full charge with no heating or air conditioning and babying it as much as I could. I got 98.6 miles at 6% when the gen set kicked on. Cant understand why we'd be seeing such a difference. I think in your summary you said you can't get less than 100 miles no matter what you do. Can you think of any logical explanation?

Dealer has no idea.

Driving speeds and style, as well as ambient temps, have HUGE impact on consumption, and thus the range.

Driving at highway speeds will induce ~25% hit on consumption (from higher air resistance), and thus range.
Driving in near freezing temps will have a similar ~25% hit on consumption.
Driving at highway speeds in freezing temps is the words, with (0.75)^2 = 48% reduction in range. BTDT.

w.r.t. temps, when battery pack temperature fall outside of the desired range (I read exact values somewhere, but can't site them now - somewhere in 60-90F range), i3 will start either warming or cooling the battery pack. That occurs independent of whether you are warming or cooling the passenger compartment. That process consumes energy, and is one reason the range decreases in harsh temperatures. The motivation for this is that the chemistry within the batteries is effected when temps wonder outside of the ideal range, and the underlying battery capacity would first start getting impacted, and extreme cases, get permanently degraded.

I consistently get best mileage with ambient temps in 60-80F range.
When temps drop to freezing, I see consumption increase and range decrease by ~25%. Must below freezing (0F), and consumption goes up by ~35%.

YMMV.

Originally Posted by cpiguy

Dealer has no idea.

No surprise there.

a

[tommolog]

Originally Posted by cpiguy

I just ran a full charge with no heating or air conditioning and babying it as much as I could. I got 98.6 miles at 6% when the gen set kicked on. Cant understand why we'd be seeing such a difference. I think in your summary you said you can't get less than 100 miles no matter what you do. Can you think of any logical explanation?

Dealer has no idea.

What afadeev said. Temperature is a huge consideration, as is speed and if you drive up long hills/mountain roads. When I did my road test, the conditions were very favorable (I think I mentioned that in the post) and where I live is very flat so I'm not driving up inclines which use more energy. The i3 REx is, in fact EPA rated at 97 miles per charge, so you pretty much validated that. I still think that the more you drive it, the better you'll get at extending the range. Most EV owners experience that. Let me ask you this, when you completed the 98 mile drive, and recharged, what was the estimated range for all electric and gas. It should have went up a little since you drove it pretty efficiently.

You can also easily add 5 -10 miles by using the regenerative braking as efficiently as possible. Some people assume that means letting the regenerative brakes slow you down when you could otherwise be coasting, and that's not a correct use of them. You always want to coast; it's the most efficient means of driving, but in the times when you do need to stop faster than coasting will provide, you use the regen.

A good thing to do is reset the trip computer every day and look at your efficiency. (mi/kWh) The higher the number the better. If you can get that number up over 3.8 - 4.0, you should be able to do over 100 miles in all-electric mode.

[cpiguy]

Originally Posted by tommolog

What afadeev said. Temperature is a huge consideration, as is speed and if you drive up long hills/mountain roads. When I did my road test, the conditions were very favorable (I think I mentioned that in the post) and where I live is very flat so I'm not driving up inclines which use more energy. The i3 REx is, in fact EPA rated at 97 miles per charge, so you pretty much validated that. I still think that the more you drive it, the better you'll get at extending the range. Most EV owners experience that. Let me ask you this, when you completed the 98 mile drive, and recharged, what was the estimated range for all electric and gas. It should have went up a little since you drove it pretty efficiently.

You can also easily add 5 -10 miles by using the regenerative braking as efficiently as possible. Some people assume that means letting the regenerative brakes slow you down when you could otherwise be coasting, and that's not a correct use of them. You always want to coast; it's the most efficient means of driving, but in the times when you do need to stop faster than coasting will provide, you use the regen.

A good thing to do is reset the trip computer every day and look at your efficiency. (mi/kWh) The higher the number the better. If you can get that number up over 3.8 - 4.0, you should be able to do over 100 miles in all-electric mode.

This is my second i3 REX. I've been using all the tricks to extend my range for over 2 years. When I started her up this morning after a full charge I got a reading of 100 miles on battery and 62 miles of Gen. My partner has the identical car with out a charging station. He only has 110v to charge. His car reads 115 mile battery and 85 gas on a full charge. That with running climate control, which I've had off for the past 2 days. He lives down the street and drives the car harder than I due and 90% freeway.

[bailyhill]

Hello cpiguy

What mode are you in? Comfort, ecopro, ecopro+? It makes a big difference. Just got the i3 back from its annual--they did the updates, and recalls and a full charge.

When I drove off, it was about 58 miles on bat and about the same on Gas. I was driving very easy. That was in Comfort mode.

Went to EcoPro and then EcoPro+ and the range increased to 80 miles and 103 miles respectively. When I check the pics on this post, each of them with 100+ miles have EcoPro+ indicated on the instrument panel. This could be why you are not seeing the 100+ miles.

PS: I am aware of your issue with gas and I will respond to that separately.

Bailyhill

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by nicolak

I sorted it myself. I am able to add 2.4 US gallons during fueling, previously less than 1.9. Have you noted the amount of fuel you are able to add to your vehicle?

The physical size of the gas tank has always been 9 Liters / 2.4 US gallons, it's just that the US fuel pump was coded to cut off when 7.2 Liters 1.9 US Gallons were used, leaving the remainder in the tank, unusable. BMW USA did that to max out valuable ZEV credits in Cali:
http://insideevs.com/u-s-bmw-i3-rex-...o-1-9-gallons/

Originally Posted by cpiguy

The gas tank came full, and I double checked it by topping it off myself. Have only driven 20 miles. Just dont understnad my 57 mile reading. My 2014 gave 57-62 from the day I got it. Thought this should read over 80.

Your mileage observations on MY'14 REX's were based on average driving in all seasons. Right now it's winter - the most unfavorable environment for EV driving range. Even if you don't heat the passenger compartment, the batteries need to be heated to remain within operating temp range, which consumes power.

The REX range estimate is calculated based on the current forecast of battery's range (impacted by ambient temps, the recent driving/consumption history, and car mode: comfy/pro/pro+, etc), and the amount of gas in the tank. In my MY'14 REX, it is usually estimated to be 75-85 miles in the summer (coded to use full 9L tank), but is only 55-65 miles now (still coded for full gas tank), in February.

Originally Posted by cpiguy

I just ran a full charge with no heating or air conditioning and babying it as much as I could. I got 98.6 miles at 6% when the gen set kicked on. Cant understand why we'd be seeing such a difference. I think in your summary you said you can't get less than 100 miles no matter what you do. Can you think of any logical explanation?

Few key questions before we can answer your question:
- at what speeds did you drive while 'babying it'?
- across what roads (flat, hilly, alpine)?
- what driving mode were you in: Comfy / Eco Pro / Eco Pro Plus ?
- what interior comfort setting do you use (prefer tropical interior climate in the winter, or all heaters off + gloves on)?
- lastly, how much regen braking (one pedal driving) do you do vs. relying on physical brakes?
- has you regular commute rout changed from what it was in the past (thus skewing historical comparisons)?

a