i8 as a DD?

ezmaass · 09-02-2018, 09:35 PM

I'm considering what comes after my 650 GC. I've liked the i8, but certain things have held me back - wondering if you guys/owners can comment:

- I live in the northeast, so winter is a thing here. I don't drive daily (as I work from home), but I do have to venture into the snow at times. My DD's are always just wearing all season rubber. I don't see an all season tire option for the i8, and I'm not going to put up with swapping summer/winter wheels (just have better things to do with my time). Am I missing a good all season option?

- How is reliability? I don't drive a lot (have about 6k miles on my two year old 650 GC), but when I do... it needs to work.

- My 650 is fully loaded, and I'm wondering how much I may miss things like B&O, night vision, active cruise control... even blind spot detection. Looks like the i8 lacks quite a bit in the luxury tech department. Any owners here have regrets in that regard?

- Anything else I should be considering?

Appreciate the thoughts!

vance · 09-02-2018, 09:39 PM

My 2016 i8 is my daily for the last year. I’ve only had 3 warranty issues come up with it: fuel pressure sensor failure, windshield fluid motor failure, and moisture in one tail light assembly. Other than those, no issues and has run great. I drive really spirited and I still average about 28mpg. The tech isn’t the best, but it’s not bad either. No blind spot detection but the visibility in the car is pretty good by itself. The main thing you’ll obviously lose out on is cargo space. You won’t be able to fit any large objects like full size luggage bags in the car unless you put it on top of the passenger seat maybe.

Sophisto · 09-03-2018, 03:31 AM

I couldn't find any offers so far but I never wouldn't mount all weather tyres to my i8.
Not really good on snow and ice and not enough grip in summer. Always a compromise.
Changing wheels is not a big job and done in minutes by any garage.

Wouldn't the new M850i be the better choice for you?
It has all the luxury gimmicks that you will miss in an i8 and should be very sportive to drive with the full M package.
Options like heated armrests and steering wheel willl make you happy in winter.

Jo-Sta07 · 09-03-2018, 07:04 AM

I daily my i8 and it's no problem. I do have an SUV for if winter gets really bad.

drlonline · 09-03-2018, 07:16 PM

I also DD my i8 and have had very few concerns. I came from a loaded 550i, but don't really miss the features that aren't on the i8 other than the memory seats/electrical adjust steering wheel.

BTW, regarding the M850i option, one thing to be aware of is that the rear seat passenger clearance is no better than the i8. Some of the early marketing literature for the 8 series indicated it would be a true 4-seater rather than 2+2, but having sat in one recently, I was surprised how poor the back seat clearances (head and leg room) are.

ezmaass · 09-03-2018, 10:18 PM

Yes, I've been considering the 850, as well - it's essentially the evolution of my current 6, I believe, so I'm sure I'd be happy with it. The down side is that I just don't know how different of an experience it might be. I was hoping for something a bit different.

As for the all season tires, yes - they're a compromise. But I've never had a problem with them. The technology has gotten pretty sophisticated, so you get decent grip in all conditions. I don't drive my DD in any radical fashion (I have a summer sports car for that kind of fun), so I just really want to make sure the DD is prepared for any weather condition.

Have any of you fitted a different tire than the summer tires that come on the i8?

rastaman777 · 09-03-2018, 11:10 PM

I DD my i8 as well.
No issues whatsoever.
It makes an excellent daily driver in my opinion.
I love tech options, but don't miss them at all, as the pure fun driving makes up for it.

evanevery · 09-04-2018, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rastaman777

I DD my i8 as well.
No issues whatsoever.
It makes an excellent daily driver in my opinion.
I love tech options, but don't miss them at all, as the pure fun driving makes up for it.

I have a Tesla Model X that I use as my Daily Driver. 250 miles of pure EV range, much easier to get in/out of, seats 7, and has lots of storage space.

My i8 Roadster is my touring/summer fun car. Limited EV range, no useful storage to speak of, but very comfortable for (and capable of) long trips.

09-02-2018, 09:35 PM	#1
ezmaass Lieutenant Colonel 372 Rep 1,698 Posts Drives: '17 650xi GC / '15 Audi R8 V10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	i8 as a DD? I'm considering what comes after my 650 GC. I've liked the i8, but certain things have held me back - wondering if you guys/owners can comment: - I live in the northeast, so winter is a thing here. I don't drive daily (as I work from home), but I do have to venture into the snow at times. My DD's are always just wearing all season rubber. I don't see an all season tire option for the i8, and I'm not going to put up with swapping summer/winter wheels (just have better things to do with my time). Am I missing a good all season option? - How is reliability? I don't drive a lot (have about 6k miles on my two year old 650 GC), but when I do... it needs to work. - My 650 is fully loaded, and I'm wondering how much I may miss things like B&O, night vision, active cruise control... even blind spot detection. Looks like the i8 lacks quite a bit in the luxury tech department. Any owners here have regrets in that regard? - Anything else I should be considering? Appreciate the thoughts! __________________ 2017 BMW 650xi Gran Coupe \| MSport \| Exec Package \| Driver Assist Plus \| ACC Stop & Go \| Adaptive Drive \| B&O \| Night Vision \| Cold Weather \| Active Seats 2015 Audi R8 V10 \| Brilliant Red on Black \| S-Tronic \| Carbon Sideblades \| Carbon Trim \| Full Leather \| Sport Exhaust \| Illuminated Doorsills \| I-Pod \| Contrast Stitching Previous: '14 550xi, '07 335i, '01 325i
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-02-2018, 09:39 PM	#2
vance Private First Class 36 Rep 157 Posts Drives: BMW i8 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	My 2016 i8 is my daily for the last year. I’ve only had 3 warranty issues come up with it: fuel pressure sensor failure, windshield fluid motor failure, and moisture in one tail light assembly. Other than those, no issues and has run great. I drive really spirited and I still average about 28mpg. The tech isn’t the best, but it’s not bad either. No blind spot detection but the visibility in the car is pretty good by itself. The main thing you’ll obviously lose out on is cargo space. You won’t be able to fit any large objects like full size luggage bags in the car unless you put it on top of the passenger seat maybe.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2018, 03:31 AM	#3
Sophisto Private First Class 51 Rep 100 Posts Drives: BMW i8 / BMW 850iA Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: German Autobahn iTrader: (0)	I couldn't find any offers so far but I never wouldn't mount all weather tyres to my i8. Not really good on snow and ice and not enough grip in summer. Always a compromise. Changing wheels is not a big job and done in minutes by any garage. Wouldn't the new M850i be the better choice for you? It has all the luxury gimmicks that you will miss in an i8 and should be very sportive to drive with the full M package. Options like heated armrests and steering wheel willl make you happy in winter.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2018, 07:04 AM	#4
Jo-Sta07 Captain 474 Rep 687 Posts Drives: Ferrari 458, BMW i8, Acura NSX Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Scottsdale/Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	I daily my i8 and it's no problem. I do have an SUV for if winter gets really bad.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2018, 07:16 PM	#5
drlonline Lieutenant 138 Rep 514 Posts Drives: 2019 i8 Coupe Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: L.A., CA iTrader: (0)	I also DD my i8 and have had very few concerns. I came from a loaded 550i, but don't really miss the features that aren't on the i8 other than the memory seats/electrical adjust steering wheel. BTW, regarding the M850i option, one thing to be aware of is that the rear seat passenger clearance is no better than the i8. Some of the early marketing literature for the 8 series indicated it would be a true 4-seater rather than 2+2, but having sat in one recently, I was surprised how poor the back seat clearances (head and leg room) are.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2018, 10:18 PM	#6
ezmaass Lieutenant Colonel 372 Rep 1,698 Posts Drives: '17 650xi GC / '15 Audi R8 V10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Yes, I've been considering the 850, as well - it's essentially the evolution of my current 6, I believe, so I'm sure I'd be happy with it. The down side is that I just don't know how different of an experience it might be. I was hoping for something a bit different. As for the all season tires, yes - they're a compromise. But I've never had a problem with them. The technology has gotten pretty sophisticated, so you get decent grip in all conditions. I don't drive my DD in any radical fashion (I have a summer sports car for that kind of fun), so I just really want to make sure the DD is prepared for any weather condition. Have any of you fitted a different tire than the summer tires that come on the i8? __________________ 2017 BMW 650xi Gran Coupe \| MSport \| Exec Package \| Driver Assist Plus \| ACC Stop & Go \| Adaptive Drive \| B&O \| Night Vision \| Cold Weather \| Active Seats 2015 Audi R8 V10 \| Brilliant Red on Black \| S-Tronic \| Carbon Sideblades \| Carbon Trim \| Full Leather \| Sport Exhaust \| Illuminated Doorsills \| I-Pod \| Contrast Stitching Previous: '14 550xi, '07 335i, '01 325i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2018, 11:10 PM	#7
rastaman777 Lieutenant 71 Rep 449 Posts Drives: 2020 i8 coupe,2019x5,2019 740i Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I DD my i8 as well. No issues whatsoever. It makes an excellent daily driver in my opinion. I love tech options, but don't miss them at all, as the pure fun driving makes up for it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote