02-19-2014, 09:30 AM | #67 |
Brigadier General
67
Rep 3,214
Posts
Drives: f25 X3 AW
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LOS ANGELES, CA
iTrader: (2)
Garage List 2004 e46 M3 AW RETIRED [0.00]
2003 e46 M3 CB RETIRED [0.00] 2013 f25 X3 AW [0.00] 2007 e92 328i SG RE ... [0.00] 2007 e90 335i AW RE ... [0.00] |
nice. congrats OP.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-19-2014, 05:12 PM | #68 | |
Major
51
Rep 1,061
Posts |
Quote:
BUT, the 240vac, level 2 chargers sold in the USA to charge the i3 come with an attached cable that plugs directly into the i3. There's more to it than just a cable and plugs when you go to level 2 chargers...the charger generates a signal and the vehicle responds so that the vehicle and the charger know how fast the vehicle can accept a charge. The 'dumb' line voltage, level 1 chargers aren't as sophisticated. Plus, the level 2 chargers also have an interlock in them so that there's no power on the pins until you lock the connector on the car, but the level 1 cord (as far as I know) is basically like plugging it into the wall like any appliance...there's power as soon as it is plugged in. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-19-2014, 07:36 PM | #69 |
newb
0
Rep 31
Posts |
In the EV world, the term "charger" often gets used incorrectly, which often causes confusion. Most EV's, the BMW i3 included, have the actual charger built in to the car. That box on the wall, its cable, and plug constitute what is referred to as Electric Vehicle Support Equipment (EVSE) which is pretty much a fancy extension cord with logic built in to allow the vehicle and electrical source to negotiate niceties such as max charge rate, and whether or not the EVSE is connected (which prevents the vehicle from driving off while plugged in).
You can easily and inexpensively build your own EVSE cable assembly with any combination of plug you choose (see OpenEVSE). I built mine a couple of years ago for about $200 when J1772 plugs were hard to find and crazy expensive. Probably a bit cheaper now. Last edited by ultraturtle; 02-20-2014 at 06:31 AM.. Reason: added OpenEVSE link |
Appreciate
0
|
02-22-2014, 04:30 AM | #70 |
Major
178
Rep 1,008
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-22-2014, 07:11 AM | #71 | |
General
17365
Rep 18,765
Posts |
Quote:
The choice between a 335i and a Camry is a matter of preference of dynamic performance quality and perceived social status (supplanted by "green" cars saving the plant for some people). Turbos don't limit vehicle performance as does an EV drivetrain. But for me, a person who likes to get 250,000 mile out of a car without major component replacement (engine, trans, etc.), turbos are a not a benefit in my view. Any savings in fuel cost get washed out by increased maintenance cost and inconvenience of down time. If EVs offered the range and rapid refuel capabilities of a petro-powered automobile, at or near the same price, the consumer would flock to them. Most people, in my opinion, don't appreciate the value of the smooth and quite drivability benefits of the EV drivetrain, as outweighing the increase cost and lost practicality of the technology. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-22-2014, 10:30 PM | #72 | |
Private
5
Rep 73
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-22-2014, 11:40 PM | #73 |
Major
51
Rep 1,061
Posts |
If you're looking for one vehicle that is potentially more flexible, the Volt works since it can continue longer distances than a pure EV. But, My goal is a vehicle that does not have the engine to worry about with its attendant issues with spark plugs, oil changes, muffler rotting out. That can do repeated, short trips and never look back. I tried to sit in a Volt, and I just don't fit, which also makes things a no-go.
I have not had a chance to deal with a real i3 yet, but hope it does fit, and for 90% of my driving, it could work very well. There are lots of different vehicles out there for good reason, people's needs and desires vary. Variety is the spice of life...this one is spicy. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-23-2014, 06:21 AM | #74 | |
General
17365
Rep 18,765
Posts |
Quote:
And your right, as any technology progresses and amortization of the development cost get spread over a larger market base, the price usually comes down. One of the Volt's issues is overcoming the perception of poor GM manufacturing quality, which is about 20 years out of date, which keeps buyers away from it. If the consumer could get past that hurdle and take interest in understanding what the Volt is (they too often compare it to the Prius), it would gain more acceptance. Throw in the crap about the financial bailout (I don't see people saying they are going to stop investing in the stock market, or buying milk) and it makes matters worse for the Volt. But when it was introduced the "payback" question was totally on the forefront of the discussion about it. The worst information that got out was that the Volt shared platform design with the Cruze, which led to the payback comparison to a $20K econobox. The Volt an Cruze have in common about as much is they both use various metals in their construction and they both have wheels. The i3 enjoys some market-perceived quality superiority that BMW somehow owns (real owners of BMW know better - I own both late model GM and BMW products), so the acceptance of the i3's tech will not be burdened with the reliability, longevity, and drivability perception issues that the Volt undeservedly does. But your counter comment to the payback question does a disservice to the discussion. You are taking a BMW model and jack it up with BMW's ridiculously expensive option packages to get a base model BMW (I assume a 3-series) price comparable to a $42K i3, when in reality a $32K 1-series, or a $35K 320i, will out perform an i3 in almost any category except fuel use cost. The $10K price delta between a similarly base price 320i ( a perfectly acceptable car w/out fancy options) and an i3 is about 75,000 miles in payback value, which to me and a lot of other consumers is not worth the range and fuel replenishing limitations of the i3. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-23-2014, 12:49 PM | #75 |
Major
178
Rep 1,008
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-23-2014, 05:47 PM | #76 |
Major
51
Rep 1,061
Posts |
I have to agree, something like the Volt could be an only vehicle, where, for most people, the i3 would not. Now, assuming you can afford to have two vehicles, I do think the i3 is a good choice for the more mundane, around-town, day-to-day driving that is at least a moderate part of peoples' use of a vehicle. As I've said before, I am looking for something that can do (very) short trips and not be worried about the engine, oil, mufflers, etc. and their maintenance of an ICE, even a plug-in hybrid. I have a vehicle that I like for longer trips, or where more room is required. My guess is that there is very little required maintenance on the i3 (the REx would have more).
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-24-2014, 07:17 AM | #77 |
Private First Class
26
Rep 126
Posts |
Hello,
Congrats on the car. I just have a question, how does the i3 soak up or cope with imperfect roads? Because most of the very few video reviews out there really only say its a bit stiff and doesn't elaborate further than that. Can you care to put your input on this or anybody that have driven the i3. Thank you. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-24-2014, 07:39 AM | #78 |
Tom Moloughney
44
Rep 243
Posts |
I really don't agree with that. I think it really depends on the person and their driving needs. For instance, in the past five years I've been driving electric, I've driven my electric cars a little over 140,000 miles and during the same time I've driven my gas car about 15,000 miles. So which is my "car number one"? Is it the car I drive every day for work and to run errand, etc, or the one I take to drive the 200mi trip once a month or so?
Being in BMW's e-mobility program I have seen many of the other participants go completely electric after realizing they really didn't need their gas cars anymore. They may have joined a car sharing service or even just rent a car for the rare days they need to drive on long trips. A lot of it has to do which where you live, how robust the public charging infrastructure is and how much inconvenience is "too much" for you to accept. I agree it definitely couldn't be the primary vehicle for everyone, but I do contend that it can be for more people than who may realize so. Lets wait till more people get their i3, and have been driving it for a year or so and then we can do a poll here asking if they consider it the households primary vehicle. The results may surprise many here.
__________________
Tom Moloughney
My BMW i3 Blog |
Appreciate
0
|
02-24-2014, 08:04 AM | #79 |
Major
178
Rep 1,008
Posts |
Already the i3 is my primary vehicle , thats the only one I drive nowadays
But this weekend Im going to the mountains for skiing. Then I use the F11. |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|