04-15-2020, 10:08 AM | #1 |
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Are i8’s difficult to sell?
I know this is the worst time to be buying/selling a car , but are i8’s difficult to sell in the U.K. generally?
It seems they were less popular here than in other countries and they depreciate like a M5 in the first year, despite limited numbers. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one on the road. They are unusual in the sense that they are not electric, so the Tesla crowd aren’t interested, and because it has a 3 cylinder 1.5, it is not a rival to the 911, AMG GT or R8. I really like them personally after initially being very unsure. I think the price point was too high new, hence the savage depreciation? All the reviews I’ve watched are positive, but my lack of knowledge on i8’s is making me unsure. I normally buy cars I’ve been looking at and researching for a while, but the price of i8’s surprised me and now I’m trying to find out as much as I can. |
04-15-2020, 12:12 PM | #2 |
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You already mentioned the unique aspects of the i8 and in the end the question is, how many people are thrilled by its unique special nature, have the trust in the reliability and the money to maintain it.
I have however no doubt it will become a sought-after collector's car and that at least I'll not have a loss on the 50'000 Euros I spent for it here in Switzerland. |
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04-15-2020, 12:23 PM | #3 |
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All cars depreciate and the i8 is no exception to this.
I’m now back in an i8 after a few years of not having one as imho well cared for used i8 are good value for money. Suggest you try one and if you like, find the i8 spec wise for you and enjoy to the Max. |
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04-15-2020, 01:31 PM | #4 |
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I agree all cars depreciate. Well most anyway, but 911 and R8 hold their money much better.
It’s exciting to be looking at a car I’m not familiar with. I’m just wondering how quickly they normally sell, and what a fair offer would be at the moment? It’s easier to judge with 991’s as I’ve been watching them since launch, waiting for them to fall into my price range. I have no idea of the demand for i8’s so I’m not as confident making a offer on one as I am other cars I know more about. |
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04-16-2020, 07:03 AM | #5 |
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Any £40K+ car that's also impractical is going to be a nightmare to sell privately in the UK at least.(probably harder than the R8/911 as finding a mechanic to service it is also that bit harder)
As a trade in, I cant see it being any harder than most car's but you have to be prepared for the dealer cut as normal. Should be a good time to buy in a few weeks once/if global downturn hits |
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04-16-2020, 11:27 AM | #6 |
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I nearly bought a 911 as I needed the practicality of 4 seats to squeeze in if necessary and similar size boot/trunk rather than the less practical R8.
In the Uk I could only buy a 2012 911 3.8s with around 40k miles vs a much newer 2015 i8 with only 17k miles in much better condition. What put me off was the running costs of the 911. Everything is so much more expensive so factor that in the depreciation which now seems to have steadied out. Also depends if a daily driver and how many miles you do. The 911 might hold its value a little better but as I said, factor in the thousands a year running it. 911 vs i8: High uk road tax vs free Sub 20 MPG vs 40-80 Mpg (my 8 miles each way commute is elec mainly) High Porsche servicing vs my local BMW specialist averaging £300-400. My Uk insurance much cheaper. Uk used prices now good value and steady. Performance figures of all cars you mentioned very similar. So far, it’s the cheapest running cost car I’ve ever owned! Last edited by Swiss tone; 04-17-2020 at 06:49 AM.. |
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04-16-2020, 02:39 PM | #7 |
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I don't think this is the time to try selling an i8. First because car sales in general are down, but also because with the end of production we are probably seeing the low point in sale price. As time goes on, fewer will be available and the price will go up. The car has had a limited production, is unique, and it is reliable so its value should increase year on year.
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04-18-2020, 11:22 AM | #8 | |
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I go by the old saying - Everything sells at the right price!. who dictates that price is usually the man with the cash in his pocket - unless of course a particular seller isnt willing to sell at the buyers price. Any car at this price point with a technology thats unknown to many traditonal buyers of fast cars is likely to hit a reluctance of sales further down the line which may not affect the more usual Porsche as an example. Im in the market to buy a Roadster version at the moment and im not seeing any horror stories of the cars themselves- they seem to be fairly robust so far, however due to parts costs and the complexity of the car, I wouldnt take the risk of buying outside of warranty and if keeping hold of the car, id be wanting to extend the bmw warranty which is around £1300 per year after the 3 year manufacurers warranty expires. If you like the car and can find one within your budget ( keep in mind you average corner garage cannot fix these if the electronics / high volts system goes wrong ) and you can afford to maintain it at bmw or buy the warranty and keep it valid, then just buy the car and enjoy!. It a unique vehicle, I like that they are not 2 a penny like the porsche cars are and i very much like the silent driving that the electric only gives. go for it if you like it! |
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04-18-2020, 11:34 AM | #9 | |
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Drives: BMW i8 2017, Crystal White
Join Date: Jan 2017
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2017 Abarth 595 Com ... [0.00] 2020 Audi S3 Sportback [0.00] 2017 BMW i8 [0.00] |
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05-03-2020, 11:33 AM | #10 | |
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The trouble is most people don't understand the car. It looks like a supercar, so it is unfairly criticised for not having supercar performance. It didn't help that BMW went overboard on its eco credentials (narrow wheels and tyres, plus tiny brakes). If they had just got that aspect right, the mid level power would not have mattered. |
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05-04-2020, 05:06 AM | #11 |
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Im wondering if the i8 Roadster will be easier to sell than the coupe, with it being a convertible, rather than a coupe - esp here in uk. The Uk - oddly with its wet climate, is one of the largest markets in Europe for convertible cars!. Just a thought!
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05-04-2020, 03:54 PM | #12 |
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2015 used i8 I bought 6 months ago in the US for 58000 USD
The drop in price is what lured me in, and of course the look. I still have my old 550i when I need to carry anything bigger than a roll of paper towels, but I love the i8, thats true it is very economical to run, I cant remember the last time i went for petrol. One thing that helped was in the US at least, the High voltage batteries are warranted for 8 years or 100000 miles.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) warrants the high-voltage lithium-ion battery assembly against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 8 years/100,000 miles, whichever occurs first. And that was a good thing since I needed to get 4 of them replaced. Just some info. |
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05-04-2020, 07:32 PM | #13 | |
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