02-15-2014, 07:29 AM | #1 | |
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Video: BMW i3 - world's most desirable affordable electric car? by Autocar
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02-15-2014, 09:15 AM | #2 |
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The more and more I see the i3, the cooler it seems to get. Not going to go out and buy one anytime soon, but I might try it out just for kicks.
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02-17-2014, 08:04 AM | #3 |
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I have now driven it a few times extensively and each time it gets a little better. The sensation from the regenerative brakes of the i3 when you depress the accelerator pedal and it starts to slow down as if you stepped on the brakes still takes a little getting used to. Acceleration is quite nice as it's basically all torque from a standstill. Those who watched the drag race video of the i3 versus the E92 M3 Coupe shouldn't be trying to race any sports car, let alone an M3. It's even more obvious the M3 suffered from traction issues which is why it looked like the i3 was able to hang around but daily driving performance is not an issue. I tried to get above 75-MPH but ran out of street after nailing the throttle and waiting 15+ seconds. Handling was actually quite the surprise. I tried to get it to oversteer a few times but I only got it to squirm here and there. Perhaps an aggressive Scandinavian Flick was in order lol. Fair amount of understeer. The tires are so skinny! I think they are 155's lol. Still not thrilled about the styling on the exterior design itself but the interior is a nice place to spend time in. Oh I also did not like the transmission gear lever design.
EDIT: None of the ones I drove were the REX version Last edited by Ghetto2315; 02-17-2014 at 09:34 AM.. |
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02-17-2014, 10:33 AM | #4 |
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wow... I guess the engineers thought to themselves as long as we put a BMW badge on the car we can make it as ugly as we want.
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02-17-2014, 12:00 PM | #5 |
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In my understanding, the gas engine never powers the car. It is only used to charge the batteries, so there is no question of switching to the gas motor - the drive is always electric
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02-17-2014, 12:34 PM | #6 |
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I am sorry, but the i3 is butt ugly and looks like a cross between the Smart Car and the Scion micro van thing. Would not buy one even if it were $15k.
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02-17-2014, 04:25 PM | #7 | |
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02-17-2014, 07:59 PM | #8 |
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In other than the USA, it appears you can choose to turn the REx on earlier if it met your needs. In the USA, to get the HOV and special use things, the programming won't allow you to turn it on early, or if it does, only slightly above the point where it would turn on automatically.
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02-17-2014, 09:17 PM | #9 | |
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If Tesla produced a 300hp electric car the size of the 3 series that looked as good as their current sedan with a range of 240 miles for $60k I would own one today, but if BMW produced an electric 3 series with similar specs I'd buy the bimmer. I do not understand how any man with an eye for beautiful women and cars could ever like the i3! If you find that Chelsea Clinton is a babe then the i3 is probably for you. |
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02-17-2014, 10:37 PM | #10 |
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i3 test drive.
I test drove the i3 this week, just for fun. Very impressive torque. Fun to drive. Awesome vision from the cabin: best of any BMW yet. Very comfortable cabin. Amazing tight turning radius. IMO, the exterior design is better when you see it in person.
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02-17-2014, 10:40 PM | #11 |
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It's a city car. It's got a very well packaged interior. It's not a sloppy package built to conform to expected design history.
I've driven one and while I'm not a huge fan of the design, it's much more appealing to me than an F30 with a ton of batteries and an unused engine bay. Ultimately, the Prius, Leaf and i3 look like they do because of aerodynamics and also to get noticed. It's a strong design, likely to polarize. You clearly fall on one side, I fall on the other. I think having driven it helped to change my mind, give one a shot. |
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02-18-2014, 05:00 AM | #12 | ||
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02-18-2014, 06:22 AM | #13 | |
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02-18-2014, 11:41 AM | #15 | |
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My BMW i3 Blog Last edited by tommolog; 02-19-2014 at 04:43 PM.. |
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02-19-2014, 05:44 AM | #16 | |
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02-22-2014, 05:32 PM | #17 | |
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If this is true about the US i3s with the range extender, that means that all they are good for is an almost "limp mode". |
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02-22-2014, 09:01 PM | #18 | |
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If I understand the OCONUS operations, you can turn the REx on when you want, or if you fail to, it will turn on when the battery level gets to about 18% (I think someone said even in the CONUS units, you could activate it below 20%, so there's a little leeway). The CONUS sales units have disabled that ability to make CA happy and to qualify for special consideration on the HOV lanes and some other factors. What's 'good' for CA, apparently is good for all in CONUS. Now, it's likely software, and there are coders out there. Whether it will be easy to change that setting, we'll have to wait and see. |
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