Forum for the entire range of BMW electric vehicles
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW i8 Forums BMW i8 General Discussion

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-19-2020, 10:40 AM   #1
pjs
Colonel
pjs's Avatar
274
Rep
2,774
Posts

Drives: i8
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NORTH

iTrader: (1)

I8 on track?

Anyone had the pleasure of tracking their car?

I'm keen to know how the battery reacts and how long you can drive before it depletes to zero. I'm well familiar with using sport mode to keep the battery replenished but surely it won't be long on track before you're left with just petrol power ?

Could it for instance do a couple of laps of the Nurburgring for example, asking for a friend ;-)
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2020, 10:48 AM   #2
Leto1701
Private First Class
Leto1701's Avatar
61
Rep
195
Posts

Drives: BMW i8
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

It's on the list for the summer. But the battery afaik doesn't completely drain in S mode, even with high full throttle share tracks. Typically it charges whenever there is some excess power or, if there is none, it will steal some to make sure you can always boost. At least the new version with the large battery. To be confirmed with a test. But I don't expect miracles from 215/245 tires anyway.
Appreciate 1
pjs274.00
      07-20-2020, 09:31 AM   #3
arijaycomet
Private
United_States
46
Rep
84
Posts

Drives: 2020 BMW Z4 M40i
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Cleveland, Ohio USA

iTrader: (0)

Check out my blog post here:
https://arijaycomet.com/2017/08/13/t...ecoming-event/

It covers most of the specifics. If you cannot Level 2 charge at the track then you're not going to probably be happy with the results. Once the battery depletes and you're dealing with no front axle power, it just wasn't great. If you can get the battery recharged between heats, then its a GREAT track car, though the stock S0001 tires leave a bit to be desired.

Enjoy!

PS: There are photos + 2x YouTube videos in my blog post link above, so be sure to check out those videos!
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2020, 12:43 PM   #4
Leto1701
Private First Class
Leto1701's Avatar
61
Rep
195
Posts

Drives: BMW i8
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

What car do you refer to?

"Two electric motors (one at each front corner) controlled by some voodoo coding magic allow you to essentially have a virtual limited slip front axle, pulling the car out of corners with the same agility that Audi and Subaru vehicles tend to exhibit."

That is no i8, the i8 does only have one electric motor in the front and a very small one supporting the 1,5L. in the back.

The i8 is no track day car. But if you arrive with full batteries (which you can instruct the car to do) you shouldn't run out on a tourist drive on the NOS.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2020, 01:24 PM   #5
arijaycomet
Private
United_States
46
Rep
84
Posts

Drives: 2020 BMW Z4 M40i
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Cleveland, Ohio USA

iTrader: (0)

Leto1701 -- you are correct, that article was written in 2017 when I owned the first of the 3x BMW i8. And the prior owner whose lease I took over misinformed me. I later learned about the 280V rear motor as the second motor; it had been suggested to me there were 2x front motors, which I do stand corrected. I never updated my blog post--

Either way, the instant torque of the front motor provided a very nice dynamic, when exiting corners, on the course in Ohio/USA that I ran in the videos noted. I cannot speak to the NOS or other European tracks, but was happy to share my experiences in compared to other petrol cars. Cheers!
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2020, 04:03 PM   #6
Leto1701
Private First Class
Leto1701's Avatar
61
Rep
195
Posts

Drives: BMW i8
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

Very interesting, thanks.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2020, 11:51 PM   #7
Nachbar
Captain
Nachbar's Avatar
Switzerland
8023
Rep
668
Posts

Drives: i8
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Switzerland

iTrader: (0)

Wider tyres (semi sliks) would sure help too.

Sidenote: I was on German Autobahn for over an hour (arround Stuttgart) and repetetly speeding from 150 to 250 kph. No racing, but just having fun. I could not belive, that the battery never went empty. The torque, even over 200 kph was allways there. And it felt much better than the 911 GT3 I owned 10 years ago. Tough the GT3 felt better in corners over 200 kph. But as I noted above, wider semi tyres sure would help here.
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2020, 01:54 AM   #8
Leto1701
Private First Class
Leto1701's Avatar
61
Rep
195
Posts

Drives: BMW i8
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

Well as I described above, works as designed. You loose some peak power so the battery can be charged below a certain threshold. You don't notice that if you are not flat out all the time. In normal operation when you use only a small fraction of the ICE power, the battery charges astonishingly quickly to 75%. I have a routine drive that is with 38km one way too much for the battery for a return drive. I go there all electric and on the way back go to sports until my electric range is a little higher than the distance to the destination and go back to EV mode. 40L. last forever that way, is there an expiration date on the fuel in my tank?
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2020, 01:02 PM   #9
thesubmitter
Private First Class
Canada
16
Rep
151
Posts

Drives: Tesla M3 BMW i8 Acura MDX
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Gonna try lapping this car at the end of the month, will go to 245 and 275 tires ideally before then
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:03 AM.




bmw
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST