[clubsport]

They are roomy inside. I'm 6'7" and fit great. That's the reason I chose it. Both Volt versions are like sitting inside a clam shell.

Originally Posted by eleniki

Honestly, i've never pictured BMW so small. It's not bad, just the size doesn't match my expectations for a BMW car.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by eleniki

Honestly, i've never pictured BMW so small. It's not bad, just the size doesn't match my expectations for a BMW car.
[IMG]https://www.auto-data.net/images/f25/bmw-i3s.jpg[/IMG]

BMW started out with small cars.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by baldyloxx

They depreciate so much for the same reason that other 'Electronics/Gadgets' depreciate.

As soon as a Computer/TV/SmartPhone is released, its already obsolete... unfortunately.

No. They depreciate because:

a) There is no $7,500 tax rebate on second-hand purchases of EVs
b) The i3 sucks as far as range
c) It's really ugly

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

Seriously? You must be new to the brand?

Until maybe 20 years ago, BMW was only known for producing small, fast, and precise cars with powerful engines.

The i3 looks more BMW than most of the whale cruisers they sale today.

I think you should review what you said. For example the 7-Series E23 was introduced in 1977.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by jmg

BMW started out with small cars.

That's not BMW's first car. The Isetta was licensed copy of an Italian car from ISO SpA. Several manufacturers built it in the 1950s. Pre-WWII, BMW built large cars (retaliative to the time period).

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by jmg

Depreciation is much more than lease RFs. Leases are the better deal than even a used i3.

So, I have a great update to share that on yesterday, I ordered a Melbourne Red BMW i3s! Tera World, Tech, Parking/Driver Asst packs. This will be my 3rd lease among the BMWs I've owned.

Should be around 7 weeks to take delivery, which isn't a problem. Found a buyer last week for my 428i and will finalize the sale and hand over towards the end of March.

So excited to try something new and different with the i3s and feel the time is right for the switch.

Decided to go with the BEV (I think it's called), as I had no tolerance for the range extender and it's maintenance needs, plus, the 115 miles of range or so should allow me to go 3-4 days between charges with my small commute.

Going to install a wall charger in the garage and have quote requests out now.

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I think you should review what you said. For example the 7-Series E23 was introduced in 1977.

Well aware of what I said; been driving or riding in Bimmers (as a child) for over 40 years.

Never said they didn't make big cars, only that BMW was/is known for their smaller cars such as the 2002 and 3 series.

[clubsport]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

So, I have a great update to share that on yesterday, I ordered a Melbourne Red BMW i3s! Tera World, Tech, Parking/Driver Asst packs. This will be my 3rd lease among the BMWs I've owned.

Should be around 7 weeks to take delivery, which isn't a problem. Found a buyer last week for my 428i and will finalize the sale and hand over towards the end of March.

So excited to try something new and different with the i3s and feel the time is right for the switch.

Decided to go with the BEV (I think it's called), as I had no tolerance for the range extender and it's maintenance needs, plus, the 115 miles of range or so should allow me to go 3-4 days between charges with my small commute.

Going to install a wall charger in the garage and have quote requests out now.

Melbourne Red is a great color on any BMW, especially the I3. Like someone said years ago...Passing fuel stations is liberating!! Congrats.

[eleniki]

Originally Posted by jmg

BMW started out with small cars.

ah, the Isetta! I love her - she's so adorable, small but classy. the i3s miss those qualities. but that's just personal opinion.

[blloydtbird]

I leased an i3 BEV last fall as a second vehicle to compliment my F80 M3. Fast forward 6 months, I just ordered another i3 BEV, the “S” variant, to replace my M3 upon lease return. The BEV is an incredible machine and it was a pretty easy choice for me.

Range - My 2017 BEV gets about 130 miles per charge on a good day, 100 on a bad day. My commute is 50 miles round trip, thus the car has more than enough range for my daily needs. On weekends, I tend to do drive less. Still, I never have a range issue. Once every 6 months or so I take a longer trip and in those cases I take the M3. Not because I have to, many malls and shopping plazas have charging stations but I don’t like the idea of relying fully on them just yet.

Charge time - My car fully charges in about 3.5 hours, quick enough for most I imagine

Size - The i3 has a pretty spacious interior. Much more so than most would imagine. The exterior may seem small but it is certainly not a small car, just not a beast as many cars have become. While the trunk is not large, there is ample room, especially when lowering the rear seats.

Performance - Don’t let the stated 0-60 time fool you. The car is damn quick, dare I say fast. I’ve embarrassed many a folk from light to light, had them reconsidering their choices in life for sure. The car doesn’t look fast, it actually is. I can’t wait for the even quicker S variant to arrive. I drive the car hard and still get great mileage out of the battery.

Design - The interior design is actually quite nice. Simplicity coupled with natural materials and a forward thinking design. I love the interior. The exterior does, at first glance, look rather strange to say the least. Bubbly but boxy, tall and awkward. But, having looked at the overall body extensively over the last couple of months, I’ve come to appreciate the design. The i3s looks better, no question about it. But, the i3 doesn’t look terrible to me.

Driveability - The car drives with so much ease, it’s wonderful for daily commutes. Very responsive, extensive turning radius, solid brake system and so quiet.

Pricing - I will only lease these cars given the depreciation of EVs as a whole. Start with the 7500 EV Credit, 2000 loyalty, 500 fleet and I’m already st 10000 off of MSRP. I also have negotiated 11% off of MSRP on both deals, ending up with a CAP cost on a lease some 15000 below MSRP. Lease payments per month with zero down are less than what I spend on Starbucks!

I will buy an M car again, I just didn’t want to pay more for the same car as my current M3 lease expires. Will wait for the next gen M3 or maybe an M8. In the interim, two i3s will serve me (us really) well. Happy with my choice.

I am looking forward to he i4 though!

Cheers

[wrightbenz]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

It's too expensive, range isn't very good, and for me there is almost no aftermarket for it at all (wheels, suspension, etc). Otherwise I'd probably have one in my garage.

Everyone talks about the range and I get it I guess.
This isn’t the car you take on trips it’s the car you drive to work and run errands in. It works great for this purpose super easy to drive. Which most haven’t even done so you really can’t know this. I drive 50 to 75 miles a day withbit and range really isn’t an issue. Plus many have he Rex which most will never engage because you will not need to.
The car really is very good at what it was intended. No vehicle fills every need.
Sometimes you need an suv maybe. Sometimes maybe room for 7 who knows but I find it generally requires more than one car in the garage.
Drive an i3 for a few days and most will love it. Not ever paying for gas is a good feeling even for those of us hay can afford the gas.