[afadeev]

The BMW i3 electric car will get a longer range next year [...] chief executive says.

http://valleycentral.com/news/auto-m...-year-ceo-says

The question remains - what else do you want to see in the LCI i3?
- fix software annoyances: disable door/hatch auto-lock? Remember preferred driving mode between last ignition cycles (Comfort vs. Eco Pro)?
- fix rear suicide door hinges to open independent of front doors?
- better handling for some (via a Sports package) or all i3's to make them more highway worthy?
- interior/exterior updates?
- what else?

a

[arctic330i]

I would love to see:

Range of 100-150 with range extender option for another 60-90 miles.

Power seats with memory for at least driver

Slightly wider tires for more grip, I slide around in the rain frequently and it can be slightly terrifying.

More highway capable if range is extended, right now short jaunts on the highway can be slightly terrifying if it's windy out. It blows all over the road.

LED front indicators

Lane assist coupled with the smart cruise control for semi hands off driving when on the interstate or long drives.

[X3paul]

Originally Posted by arctic330i

I would love to see:

Range of 100-150 with range extender option for another 60-90 miles.

Power seats with memory for at least driver

Slightly wider tires for more grip, I slide around in the rain frequently and it can be slightly terrifying.

More highway capable if range is extended, right now short jaunts on the highway can be slightly terrifying if it's windy out. It blows all over the road.

LED front indicators

Lane assist coupled with the smart cruise control for semi hands off driving when on the interstate or long drives.

And a big v10 engine at the back. I think you are missing the point of the i3. Small wheels + no electric seats means less weight. The only thing I could fault the i3 is the engine noise is too intrusive. Thats it. And even then for what I intend to use it - getting one in 12m time - i hope to not use the engine that often

[arctic330i]

Originally Posted by X3paul

And a big v10 engine at the back. I think you are missing the point of the i3. Small wheels + no electric seats means less weight. The only thing I could fault the i3 is the engine noise is too intrusive. Thats it. And even then for what I intend to use it - getting one in 12m time - i hope to not use the engine that often

I completely understand the point of the i3, it is my daily driver. And I only hope they make small changes and improve the car so more people will purchase them and continue the i sub brand. Besides the power seats my main critiques of the car are safety related.

[SunnyD]

Originally Posted by arctic330i

I would love to see:

Range of 100-150 with range extender option for another 60-90 miles.

+1...I'd like to see at least 100 miles, maybe 120 miles on the range for the next gen BEV. 80 miles just doesn't cut it for some of my slightly longer weekend drives.

[-c-]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

+1...I'd like to see at least 100 miles, maybe 120 miles on the range for the next gen BEV. 80 miles just doesn't cut it for some of my slightly longer weekend drives.

Especially in winter!

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

+1...I'd like to see at least 100 miles, maybe 120 miles on the range for the next gen BEV. 80 miles just doesn't cut it for some of my slightly longer weekend drives.

Allow me to up the ante, and insist that BMW finds a way to deliver 200-250 mile range on the i3 update, else my next commuter EV will be Tesla Model 3:

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...e-range-report

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[afadeev]

The latest - same 22KWh battery, but greater power density to increase range to 200 km (~124 miles).
http://www.caradvice.com.au/398731/b...y-soon-report/

Bad news - it's enough to stay competitive with Lief, but not with Tesla 3.
Good news - it will be retrofitable to older i3's.

[-c-]

Originally Posted by afadeev

The latest - same 22KWh battery, but greater power density to increase range to 200 km (~124 miles).
http://www.caradvice.com.au/398731/b...y-soon-report/

Bad news - it's enough to stay competitive with Lief, but not with Tesla 3.
Good news - it will be retrofitable to older i3's.

That's cool!!

Well I guess that silences all the nay Sayers about if BMW would make a retrofittable battery for the older cars!

Also as a retrofit option I wonder if they will offer special pricing! Basically make it cheaper rather than just buying the batteries on their own. Just like their winter tire package for the i3 at 1400 it's cheap considering the wheel alone is over 400 by itself and no tire.

[plymjack]

Well if the battery upgrade becomes an option that would be good.

We have gone with winter tyres to improve winter stability.

They cant make drive options defaults due to it being a speed limiter.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by plymjack

Well if the battery upgrade becomes an option that would be good.

The pricing of that is the key to how the existing customers are likely to respond to this offer.
Today, the i3 battery back consists of eight (8) cell blocks, part #61277625066. The list price for that cell block is somewhere around $1,800, so 8x that will hurt. A lot.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=61_3166
http://www.bmwpartsupply.com/OEMPart...277625066.html

a

[-c-]

Originally Posted by afadeev

The pricing of that is the key to how the existing customers are likely to respond to this offer.
Today, the i3 battery back consists of either (8) cell blocks, part #61277625066. The list price for that cell block is somewhere around $1,800, so 8x that will hurt. A lot.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=61_3166
http://www.bmwpartsupply.com/OEMPart...277625066.html

a

Indeed.

I do think that since they thought about reverse compatibility that a Special upgrade price could see the light of day. Same way as their winter tire and wheel set is also priced better than buying the wheels and tires alone.

1400 for the wheel and tire package vs 2000 for all the parts separate.

[plymjack]

Well I guess the question willl be how much would you pay for an uprated battery?

If it gives 50% more range then given there should be residual value in the fitted battery as well - I can see it costing £2500 ($3700) which may be acceptable?

[-c-]

Originally Posted by plymjack

Well I guess the question willl be how much would you pay for an uprated battery?

If it gives 50% more range then given there should be residual value in the fitted battery as well - I can see it costing £2500 ($3700) which may be acceptable?

That's what I'm thinking as they said the batteries will have a second life so they may give you a credit for your old batteries.

Even if they don't I'd probably spend 7 to 8k for the longer range though it's not a big deal just a nice to have. The downside is usually longer charge times. But still be nice for the winter months as then I could see a solid 80 miles in the winter vs 40

[IcemanNorway]

They should throw out the petrol engine and get more room for extra batteries.
And also fit a electric motor in the front, so that the i3 would become a ExDrive. How cool would the i3 be with four wheel drive, say 250 hp and 200 miles range. Awsome!

[Ryan9095]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Allow me to up the ante, and insist that BMW finds a way to deliver 200-250 mile range on the i3 update, else my next commuter EV will be Tesla Model 3:

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...e-range-report

a

I couldn't agree more. They need to find a way to significantly increase the range to make it more competitive as a daily driver. I can't drive it anywhere on the weekend even if I wanted to!

If Tesla really pulls off ~300 mile range that will be a game changer.