[thrifty3]

2017-2021 base i3 has the capability to accept i3S motor software. It's been available for well over a year now through specialists who figured out how to apply i3S software onto compatible base i3 models.

It adds the more aggressive throttle mapping and additional power supplied by the i3S electric motor software. Another extra capability unlocked is a higher speed limiter, now capped at 100mph.

The motor hardware in the i3 and i3S is the same, but the "tuning" as we used to call it in the ICE age, simply delivers more output from it and is exactly what BMW did for the i3S model in terms of power improvement.

That's the difference between enabling sport mode via Bimmercode on a base car which simply gives you another menu option on drive mode selector, vs actually applying the software onto the computer controlling electric motor output.

There have been Draggy and other tests done proving the performance upgrade. It is significantly improved and matches that of an OEM i3S vehicle. The most improvement can be felt in BEV models as they are simply lighter. A 2017 or 2018 base i3 BEV will have the same 0-60 and top speed as a OEM 2018 i3S BEV (the fastest i3 out there).

For those interested in getting this done, a search for Gabor in the main i3 Facebook groups will yield contact information. There is a private facebook group called "PremiumRetrofit- worldwide group" if you cannot find his contact info directly. That's how performed this software update on our i3. There are other companies available to do this work remotely. Cost is quite reasonable and return on investment gets delivered every time you want to stomp on the go pedal.