[orion1977]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

What do YOU want?

A lot more than 12 hp four years later.

But, on the other hand, my ‘14 doesn’t feel too outdated compared to the ‘18s.

[Coastali8]

Seems to me that my i8 is plenty fast. I don’t drive around looking to drag race some idiot to prove something, not quite sure what? And look on the bright side. Because the changes to the new model i8 are hardly worth mentioning... it may keep the value higher on a used i8 if I ever wanted to sell the car. Right now I can’t find anything else that i can afford that is a nicer vehicle than my i8.

[ericsi]

Originally Posted by Coastal i8

Seems to me that my i8 is plenty fast. I don’t drive around looking to drag race some idiot to prove something, not quite sure what? And look on the bright side. Because the changes to the new model i8 are hardly worth mentioning... it may keep the value higher on a used i8 if I ever wanted to sell the car. Right now I can’t find anything else that i can afford that is a nicer vehicle than my i8.

Summarises my thoughts exactly.

This new i8 makes a 2nd hand i8 super attractive.

I bought mine brand new and paid full price.

I can't see what else to buy in the same price bracket.

[skinrock]

As others have pointed out, the amazing thing BMW has pulled off here is a model which is able to remain consistent in design and performance after 4 model years (although arguably it is the soft-top that is similar in performance, and the coupe which is now quicker...so hardly a compromise).

Imagine the folks that jumped on the Mustang GT in 05, with a whopping 0-60 in a tad over 5 seconds. Only to see the 5.0 come out in '11. McLaren ran into a similar issue, not exactly knowing what they wanted their lineup to be which offended early buyers of the 12C.

Any argument about it needing to be quicker or more powerful is completely uninformed. Looking purely at numbers, which alone is hardly a metric of the overall experience, it is ridiculous to scoff at 0-60 in the low 4 second range, and 1/4 mile in low 12s. One thing oft not looked at is 50-70 passing, which is quite quick. Properly done, it still snaps your neck back. AWD also provides for consistent power delivery and handling.

The full carbon fiber chassis helps keep the body very stiff, yet the drive is comfortable - I have done numerous 400-800 mile road trips with it. The mileage thanks to the electric motor and small engine is unbelievable: easily averaging in the 45-50 mpg range for a near 500 mile range on the tank.

Equipment and features are well offered, with a few notable things missing. The audio system performs well enough, but lack of upgrades (more power, subwoofer) is unfortunate. Sensors are abound with front, rear and side cameras allowing for top down view, however it doesn't support radar cruise control or even blind spot indicators. Dual zone climate with heated seats offers a lot of comfort, it is only missing seat memory options in this department.

Given this entire package of looks, performance, convenience and accessibility for all under 150k (and typically negotiable), please try to legitimately compare this to something remotely close. Also consider buying options: what else can you finance with 10-15k annual mileage short lease options in the 1000-1400 range? And please stop comparing it to a non-production car that will cost 200k cash.

[vance]

The basic complaints are all still there:

-No memory seats
-No vanity mirror light
-No blind spot indicator
-No adaptive cruise control
-Only 3 color options for interior lighting
-Door sill too high
-No ventilated/cooled seats
-No heated steering wheel
-Super weak subwoofer bass
-Center console cigarette lighter is virtually unusable, passenger side one is pain to use

They would've done themselves a favor by addressing any/all of those

[DanielLee5]

Both are gorgeous, I already jealous the owners! Thanks for the review, here is another detailed report on 2018 i8 Roadster http://www.supercarreport.com/2018-b...ster-revealed/ , the article promises it will be revealed in LA this week, let's see how huge the price is going to be.

[mcc3456]

Over-priced and under-desired by the market. Perhaps will add another 15-20 i8 units sold monthly. Waste of development money until they put a better engine in it.

[jcpca356]

She never "hated" any of my cars (well, except the GT3 ride). Never had a McLaren but judging from her feedback having been on Gallardos, 360 (stage 3 tubi), SL65amg, 911TT (on coilovers, track tuned), I don't think she'd complain about it (I've driven it- loved it but couldn't stomach the maintenance)

Originally Posted by icegbear19

You wife has great taste, but please don't tell me "She Hated the McLaren"

[NGR]

Originally Posted by mcc3456

Over-priced and under-desired by the market. Perhaps will add another 15-20 i8 units sold monthly. Waste of development money until they put a better engine in it.

They won't put a "better" engine in it...until they replace the gas engine and go full electric. To put a bigger engine in now will mess up the efficiency/sustainability ethos.

[orion1977]

To be my own devil's advocate, the engine did get engine of the year consecutively: http://www.bmwblog.com/2017/06/21/bm...hird-time-row/

[NGR]

Originally Posted by vance

The basic complaints are all still there:

-No memory seats
-No vanity mirror light
-No blind spot indicator
-No adaptive cruise control
-Only 3 color options for interior lighting
-Door sill too high
-No ventilated/cooled seats
-No heated steering wheel
-Super weak subwoofer bass
-Center console cigarette lighter is virtually unusable, passenger side one is pain to use

They would've done themselves a favor by addressing any/all of those

-No memory seats - not a problem for most people? I don't often let anyone else drive my i8 anyway.
-No vanity mirror light - Never even noticed it missing!
-No blind spot indicator - I can drive, don't need this
-No adaptive cruise control - Used to have this on a 7 series, was virtually unusable
-Only 3 color options for interior lighting - agreee, and should be an easy software fix
-Door sill too high - that's a carbon tub car for you, buy a 3 series if you want normal
-No ventilated/cooled seats - not a problem for a lot of owners, pre-conditioning cools mine down nicely (on the odd day it's hot enough)
-No heated steering wheel - again, pre-condion, car is toasty warm when I get in
-Super weak subwoofer bass - a bit thin but not super weak, agree should be more substantial
-Center console cigarette lighter is virtually unusable, passenger side one is pain to use - Center one is insane, any muppet could see this would be a waste of wiring! Passenger side is awkward agree but I have a cable plugged in and run it across to the drivers side, it's tucked away near the heater controls so virtually invisible.

[Coastali8]

Originally Posted by vance

The basic complaints are all still there:

-No memory seats
-No vanity mirror light
-No blind spot indicator
-No adaptive cruise control
-Only 3 color options for interior lighting
-Door sill too high
-No ventilated/cooled seats
-No heated steering wheel
-Super weak subwoofer bass
-Center console cigarette lighter is virtually unusable, passenger side one is pain to use

They would've done themselves a favor by addressing any/all of those

Say what?
Vanity mirror, colored lights, heated steering wheel, cigarette lighter?
Boo Hoo

What are we driving here? An SUV for the wife? I thought the i8 was a sports car. Maybe they could put in a miniature washing machine so you can wash your underwear and hang it out the window to dry while you struggle to keep your distance from the car ahead of you without an adaptive cruise control.

[vance]

You guys really haven't taken a girl out in the car that wanted to touch up her makeup and complained about not having a vanity mirror light?

[fishpond]

Originally Posted by vance

-Center console cigarette lighter is virtually unusable, passenger side one is pain to use

I use one of these and it works perfectly in the centre console:

http://www.scosche.com/reversible-mi...ve-extip-ezc12
or
http://www.scosche.com/reversible-mi...ve-extip-ezc12

[stressdoc]

As per Jas, who has actually seen and sat in the 2019 versions:
"Seats are excellent, and have 2 memory presets (thanks to our complaints). Very comfortable too."

As for the rest, really? I was hoping for a hi-tech transmission, 400+hp, cf wheels w wider tires, weight reduction of about 100 lbs.

Originally Posted by vance

The basic complaints are all still there:

-No memory seats
-No vanity mirror light
-No blind spot indicator
-No adaptive cruise control
-Only 3 color options for interior lighting
-Door sill too high
-No ventilated/cooled seats
-No heated steering wheel
-Super weak subwoofer bass
-Center console cigarette lighter is virtually unusable, passenger side one is pain to use

They would've done themselves a favor by addressing any/all of those

[vance]

Originally Posted by fishpond

I use one of these and it works perfectly in the centre console:

http://www.scosche.com/reversible-mi...ve-extip-ezc12
or
http://www.scosche.com/reversible-mi...ve-extip-ezc12

Those are both the same link?

[Carac]

Originally Posted by orion1977

A lot more than 12 hp four years later.

But, on the other hand, my ‘14 doesn’t feel too outdated compared to the ‘18s.

I'm fairly certain BMW hasn't turned a profit on the i8 yet and is probably loathed to spend anymore development money beyond a slightly larger battery pack and a convertible top.

[skinrock]

Originally Posted by LemonOne

You've been repeating yourself for the last 10 posts??
I am still waiting doe
Yes I'm clueless, a hater and have no life.
Bring me the source that says BMW i3 has been a hit.
Maybe I will believe you for once

I guess I missed the part where this switched to talking about it "being a hit". It has sold over 30k units in the US, and while it may not scream impressive, it's not insignificant either.

Regarding the ban, which I thought was the original topic at hand, here's what it literally is: it was a voluntary recall by BMW because it failed a test targeting women in the 5th percentile range when NOT wearing a seatbelt. Yes, a safety test when unbelted. That is because in 18 states, seat belts are second enforcement, and in New Jersey it's not enforced at all.

Hence the comment about how small of a subset it would impact, let alone the stupidity of not wearing a seat belt to begin with...but hey, be dramatic and keep saying "a ban is a ban" as if they did something horribly wrong - it is definitely up there with exploding airbags and stuck ignitions.

Can we ever have an i8 thread on the front page without resorting to this?

[stressdoc]

Please chill on the personal attacks.

[LemonOne]

I would love to see some numbers that says BMW i3 has been extremely successful.

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by c63er

In the face of the new Tesla roadster this does come across as subpar in performance, styling and yes practicality. But let's see how the marketplace speaks.

The i8 will actually be made in sufficient numbers to see one in real life.

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by mcc3456

Over-priced and under-desired by the market. Perhaps will add another 15-20 i8 units sold monthly. Waste of development money until they put a better engine in it.

Apologies, but you’re not getting the bigger picture. This isn’t about M4 economics - “how many can we sell for the development and marketing effort?”.

The whole BMWi sub-branding, technology platform, model range is about being early out of the blocks on the future of mobility. It’s a strategic play that doesn’t follow the standard mass-market economics.

VW never made a profit on the Bugatti Veyron. Porsche didn’t make a profit on the 918. If it weren’t for products like this (and buyers like us) to take things forward, we’d all be in Mondeos forever. So, you’re welcome.