Took the i3 to the old Grumman R&D Center. Photos inside!

BrokenVert · 02-18-2015, 08:57 PM

We never see proper photo threads for the i3. Allow me to change that.

BMW sells the i3 with the tagline "Hello Future". What better place to celebrate the future of the 21st century than one of the places that made the future of the 20th century possible. So we drove out to Grumman's former R&D facility on Long Island and took some photos. Everything from the Navy Hellcat and Tomcat to the Lunar Excursion Module were built here. This place has quite a history with high technology.

JasH · 02-19-2015, 03:36 AM

Nice pictures

MalibuBimmer · 02-19-2015, 11:17 AM

Yes. As if they were taken by a professional.

Vintage · 02-19-2015, 11:29 AM

thank you for the great pictures!

BrokenVert · 02-19-2015, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasH

Nice pictures

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintage

thank you for the great pictures!

My pleasure!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

Yes. As if they were taken by a professional.

Did my watermark give that away?

Zeroblade · 02-20-2015, 09:47 PM

lol first i have to say sweet vanity plates XD

frosty i3, how's it been in the snow/ice in the New York Tundra?

BrokenVert · 02-21-2015, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeroblade

lol first i have to say sweet vanity plates XD

frosty i3, how's it been in the snow/ice in the New York Tundra?

Thanks man! Way better than the ugly NY Yellow plates. Apart from the range issues its been very solid. It needs a decent set of snow tires though, the factory all seasons are useless.

RichP · 02-23-2015, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Thanks man! Way better than the ugly NY Yellow plates. Apart from the range issues its been very solid. It needs a decent set of snow tires though, the factory all seasons are useless.

What kind of snow tires did you get? Glad to hear its good in the snow (with the right rubber... so many people don't understand how important snow tires are on any vehicle)

Is it acceptable in the snow or actually a good snow car? hard to tell because so little has been written.

jadnashuanh · 02-24-2015, 12:14 AM

I have the OEM Bridgestones, and they're decent. The only other winter tire that I've found that was designed for the i3 is one made by Nokian. IT's kind of neat in that it has micro crystals embedded throughout the tread compound. Claims 30% improvement in rolling resistance, so should not be an impact on range and have good traction as well, especially on ice. FWIW, in the USA, the tire/wheel/sensor package of winter tires ends up cheaper than just buying a spare wheel, should you damage one and need replacement - it's like you're getting the mounting, sensor and tire for free over individual prices. Course, the wheels aren't the prettiest things, but they are okay. Tirerack's are maybe prettier, but probably not as aerodynamic and actually cost more with the same tires once you buy the sensors. And, then, you won't have BMW's warranty if something should go wrong (say a bad sensor, or something).

There are some YouTUbe videos of i3 in the winter if you look around...it goes pretty well.

BrokenVert · 02-24-2015, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichP

What kind of snow tires did you get? Glad to hear its good in the snow (with the right rubber... so many people don't understand how important snow tires are on any vehicle)

Is it acceptable in the snow or actually a good snow car? hard to tell because so little has been written.

I have a set of Blizzacks on it. I got stuck in a 3 inch snow drift that I slide into two months ago. Thats how bad the all seasons are. I lived with my 135 in Syracuse for 5 years, im not new to snow (In case you were thinking that).

So I said eff this and found snows.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

The i3 is acceptable in the snow. Its a bit light, and you cant turn the very intrusive TC completely off. You also lose about a quarter of your range in the winter. Which also sucks. Though the tires make up for a lot of the turning and driving issues.

jadnashuanh · 02-24-2015, 04:41 PM

IF you want TPMS for your wheels, and don't want to dismantle the stock ones on your car each season, the BMW winter tire package is a few hundred dollars cheaper than TireRack's price with wheels and sensors. TireRack's tire selection may look nicer, but would likely be harder to keep clean in the winter. Really, while direct from BMW often is the more expensive option...for whatever reason, tires are very reasonable especially in a package.

m3lover1 · 02-25-2015, 01:20 PM

Insane pictures. Seeing these makes me kind of want your color instead of the white I got. Lovely car you have there!

RichP · 02-25-2015, 07:35 PM

Thanks jadnashuanh and BrokenVert for the feedback. I have an i3 loaner this weekend, and if I decide its the right choice, this car will need to be driven all year. Sounds like the car is just about as competent as anything else, given the right rubber.

Im a firm believer in snow tires. I do have to say, the RWD BMWs and my porsche cayman I survived some pretty bad winters in with a good set of snow tires.. my A7 with snow tires, only car I've really gotten stuck (actually marooned it over some packed snow in an unplowed driveway)

02-18-2015, 08:57 PM	#1
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 477 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	Took the i3 to the old Grumman R&D Center. Photos inside! We never see proper photo threads for the i3. Allow me to change that. BMW sells the i3 with the tagline "Hello Future". What better place to celebrate the future of the 21st century than one of the places that made the future of the 20th century possible. So we drove out to Grumman's former R&D facility on Long Island and took some photos. Everything from the Navy Hellcat and Tomcat to the Lunar Excursion Module were built here. This place has quite a history with high technology. __________________
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02-19-2015, 03:36 AM	#2
JasH Lieutenant Colonel 621 Rep 1,646 Posts Drives: McLaren & Ferrari & i8 & i3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Kent, UK iTrader: (0)	Nice pictures
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02-19-2015, 11:17 AM	#3
MalibuBimmer Founder, Knights of the Roundel website 967 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 and 2018 AMG GT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Santa Monica Mountains, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Mercedes AMG GT [0.00] 2018 Audi Q3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M4 [10.00]	Yes. As if they were taken by a professional. __________________ Previously: 2014 i8; 2013 650i convertible; 2013 650i Gran Coupe; 2013 X1; 2010 550i GT; 2010 535 GT; 2010 Z4 3.5; 2008 535ixt; 2007 M6 convertible; 2006 650i convertible; 1996 Z3; 1980 633CSi; 1978 630CS; 1972 3.0CS; 1971 Bavaria. (1971; 1979-2005 & 2017 - ? -- the Mercedes years.)
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02-19-2015, 11:29 AM	#4
Vintage Colonel 378 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	thank you for the great pictures!
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02-20-2015, 09:47 PM	#6
Zeroblade Explodes on impact 209 Rep 552 Posts Drives: 2006 Mazda3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Behind the wheel iTrader: (0)	lol first i have to say sweet vanity plates XD frosty i3, how's it been in the snow/ice in the New York Tundra? __________________ Yea... yea I got an M(azda)3.... <.< work in progress
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02-24-2015, 12:14 AM	#9
jadnashuanh Major 50 Rep 1,061 Posts Drives: 535iGT x-drive; i3 BEV Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I have the OEM Bridgestones, and they're decent. The only other winter tire that I've found that was designed for the i3 is one made by Nokian. IT's kind of neat in that it has micro crystals embedded throughout the tread compound. Claims 30% improvement in rolling resistance, so should not be an impact on range and have good traction as well, especially on ice. FWIW, in the USA, the tire/wheel/sensor package of winter tires ends up cheaper than just buying a spare wheel, should you damage one and need replacement - it's like you're getting the mounting, sensor and tire for free over individual prices. Course, the wheels aren't the prettiest things, but they are okay. Tirerack's are maybe prettier, but probably not as aerodynamic and actually cost more with the same tires once you buy the sensors. And, then, you won't have BMW's warranty if something should go wrong (say a bad sensor, or something). There are some YouTUbe videos of i3 in the winter if you look around...it goes pretty well.
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02-24-2015, 04:41 PM	#11
jadnashuanh Major 50 Rep 1,061 Posts Drives: 535iGT x-drive; i3 BEV Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	IF you want TPMS for your wheels, and don't want to dismantle the stock ones on your car each season, the BMW winter tire package is a few hundred dollars cheaper than TireRack's price with wheels and sensors. TireRack's tire selection may look nicer, but would likely be harder to keep clean in the winter. Really, while direct from BMW often is the more expensive option...for whatever reason, tires are very reasonable especially in a package.
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02-25-2015, 01:20 PM	#12
m3lover1 Second Lieutenant 82 Rep 212 Posts Drives: BMW i3 BEV Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Insane pictures. Seeing these makes me kind of want your color instead of the white I got. Lovely car you have there! __________________ i3 BEV\|Capparis White\|Giga Cassia Natural Leather & Carum Spice Grey Wool Cloth\|Giga World\|Tech + Driving Assist Pkg\|20in BMW Sport Wheels\|DC Fast Charging\|Heated Seats
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02-25-2015, 07:35 PM	#13
RichP Major 144 Rep 1,184 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (4)	Thanks jadnashuanh and BrokenVert for the feedback. I have an i3 loaner this weekend, and if I decide its the right choice, this car will need to be driven all year. Sounds like the car is just about as competent as anything else, given the right rubber. Im a firm believer in snow tires. I do have to say, the RWD BMWs and my porsche cayman I survived some pretty bad winters in with a good set of snow tires.. my A7 with snow tires, only car I've really gotten stuck (actually marooned it over some packed snow in an unplowed driveway)
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