[Three Pedal Steve]

We are on the fence between an i8 or an M6 Coupe.

Every time I have seen an i8 in the wild, there is a small crowd. In traffic, other cars are erratic and when parked people are touching and feeling.

I would imagine the cops are itching to get a hold of one as well- not that I ever break any laws.

While the new M6 looks pretty much like every other BMW and goes un-noticed.

Do you i8 owners have any light to shed on this topic?

[twm6]

as a owner of both i8 and 14 m6 I can say no one ever notices my m6, however if you dont like the constant attentions the i8 gets then it isnt for you

does the attention ever get old for me? nope, after 6 months of daily driving, it still puts a smile on my face every time it put a smile on others

[shadi500]

Honestly it was cool the first few weeks but then it got old. Anytime you need to fill up gas expect people to come up to you, ask for pictures, ask questions, etc. Anytime you park somewhere expect someone to come up to you. In my opinion, it's not a car you can take anywhere but that's really up to you. The attention can get really annoying and slow you down a bit but the car is just too amazing for me not to drive because of it. Definitely not the best car for introverts.

[MalibuBimmer]

Nobody looks here in L.A. I've had more enthusiasts strike up a convo when I'm driving the M4.

[Carac]

The attention and BMW doubling production/bottom of market falling out are the two major reasons I got out of the i8. It was fun to begin with but became unbearable after a couple months. People would literally block me in at gas stations to stop and get pictures cars would make circles around the car on the interstate taking pictures/video, Cars & Coffee crowds were so thick people had problems taking pictures. Someone rear-ended a car staring at a stop light one time. It was dangerous. If you are the least bit annoyed by unwanted attention, get the M6.

[YWGT3]

One of my initial trepidations about purchasing the i8 was the attention it may garner. After 10 months of ownership in the San Francisco Bay ****, the attention that I've received has been positive - a lot of thumbs up, smiles and an occasional question or two at the gas pump. For me, that's a small price to pay for driving a fascinating and evolutionary piece of machinery produced by BMW.

Attention aside, the M6 and i8 are two vastly different vehicles. I'd recommend a test drive comparison between the two before deciding which vehicle is right for you.

[Hitz101]

It honestly depends on the kind of person you are & if you don't mind the talks, the questions, the looks & people freaking out every now & then.

To me its all good. Makes me happy to see others happy about it & let them check it out whenever they want. One of the biggest attention getting car designs on the market for sure.

if your not in to that or think it will get old for sure don't go that route because its going to happen ha. But for me...i don't like to blend in with the rest & have something that looks like every other model or car in the line out there.

I have a 6 as well & I even made that one look nothing like the normal with a wide body kit amongst tons of other mods lol.

[kip1]

It gets too much attention, but the good side is it is all good. Can you blame them, I stare at my car all the time...

[jcpca356]

No haters for my i8. Not when I had Lambos and Ferraris...lots of negative attention there

[formulagt]

Coming from a Lamborghini I had initially hoped this car would get less attention...seriously.

Well, I was wrong LOL. If you're looking to stay low-pro, def not the car for you, go with an M6.

Also depends on your area/local - we've got some pretty nice stuff here in OC and people still look and want to take pics, but as someone said above - it's all positive. Ultimately you gotta do you - people are going to think what they want to think and you have to live with seeing it everyday so make yourself happy.

[YWGT3]

Originally Posted by jcpca356

No haters for my i8. Not when I had Lambos and Ferraris...lots of negative attention there

Same here. Especially from pedestrians that didn't appreciate their exhaust notes when driven in the city. During my visits to London (super car mecca), where the table was turned on me - being the pedestrian recipient of the loud reverberating noise, allowed for a stark realization as to how the throttle noise outside the vehicle may be perceived as obnoxious and overbearing to others. Perhaps that's why I'm constantly getting the thumbs up driving the i8 in either comfort and e mode while in San Francisco's urban districts.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by Three Pedal Steve

We are on the fence between an i8 or an M6 Coupe.

Every time I have seen an i8 in the wild, there is a small crowd. In traffic, other cars are erratic and when parked people are touching and feeling.

I would imagine the cops are itching to get a hold of one as well- not that I ever break any laws.

While the new M6 looks pretty much like every other BMW and goes un-noticed.

Do you i8 owners have any light to shed on this topic?

It sometimes gets old when I'm tired or in a hurry but I try to always try to remember that I was once on the other side of the fence and most enthusiasts very kind to me when I was a kid.

On the issue regarding the police, most have been very nice when they see the car in the wild. I have only been stopped once, just as we were in cool-down mode after a spirited drive for 60 in a 45. I legitimately thought that I was in a 55 mph zone. I got my license, registration, and proof of insurance out, swung open the door and waited for the LEO.

He commented on how nice the car was and asked for my stuff and if I knew how fast I was going. I told him and was genuinely surprised that the speed limit dropped from 55 to 45. When he took a look at my license and saw that I lived in the parish he said, 'Oh, you're from here...have a nice day and pay a little closer attention to the changes in the limit'. My brother just shook his head in feigned, disgust.

Cheers-mk

P.S. Best (Actually worst) attention story: I parked in a cut-out at the local mall to dash into the Apple Store. I'm inside 5 minutes and I come out to a handful of people around the car which included a couple with cameras. I cut through the group and grab the handle to open the door and the oldest member of the crowd tells me that his son (present with him) is an aspiring rapper and would like to stand in front of the car as they filmed around the car for a moment. I was too flabbergasted to say anything but I'm in a bit of a hurry and don't get the license plate number. It took about 3 minutes. I wish I had them back.

[Three Pedal Steve]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. The i8 is certainly a looker.

At our local car show last summer an i8 was the obvious show stopper. It was amazing how people would walk right past a trio of 300SL Gullwings to get a closer look at the i8!

[ian_i3S_iX]

I don't know about others in the UK but when I had one on loan had little interest in the car on the move or when parked.

Had it my wife would have said NO WAY are we getting one of these

[Aye-eight]

I suppose it depends on where you live. In America, where everyone seems to be way in the "E" spectrum of Myers-Briggs, maybe it can get annoying. Wouldn't know. My i8 is over here in the Zurich ****. It gets attention, but rather subtle. A boy may take a picture, some girls may turn their heads, a 25 year-old pimp-like AMG driver may look like he just realized he bet on the wrong horse.

Nothing that comes even close to detracting from the joy of ownership. On the contrary. It's fun to be in a car that suprises people in a positive way.

[shawnmkrt]

I live in Los Angeles, and drive a protonic blue one and hardly get any attention

Then again I have a 458 Italia and a McLaren 12c --Those cars hardly any attention also.

When I go to touristy spots like rodeo drive that's only place I get really any attention.

People here are used to exotic cars, are purposely don't want to give any attention.

I took my 458 on a roadtrip to phoenix last year, and it got absolutely insane attention.. Here in LA hardly none. Sometimes someone will casually snap a shot, or a chic will smile but that's not everyday.

Also If I take my cars to OC I get more attention.... San Diego a TON more attention.. but LA nothing.

[twm6]

Originally Posted by shawnmkrt

I live in Los Angeles, and drive a protonic blue one and hardly get any attention

Then again I have a 458 Italia and a McLaren 12c --Those cars hardly any attention also.

When I go to touristy spots like rodeo drive that's only place I get really any attention.

People here are used to exotic cars, are purposely don't want to give any attention.

I took my 458 on a roadtrip to phoenix last year, and it got absolutely insane attention.. Here in LA hardly none. Sometimes someone will casually snap a shot, or a chic will smile but that's not everyday.

Also If I take my cars to OC I get more attention.... San Diego a TON more attention.. but LA nothing.

I have my protonic blue here in OC and I get pictures taken, asked daily

[Twitch Massacre]

It's a little annoying sometimes, like when I get stopped for a conversation while I'm trying to leave a gas station or walk into a store but on the road it doesn't bother me. I actually like the fact that people get so excited when they spot it. With so many of them in South Florida (at least 7 or 8 I've seen or know about, most white with blue accents) one would think people would calm down after a while but the attention is still crazy here. Mine does look a little extra crazy lowered, wrapped, and on wheels which doesn't help divert any of the attention away from it though. I tinted my windows pitch black to make sitting in it at a light while people stare a little more bearable.