Swapping the A2 for a BMW i3 - thoughts please

andynics1

A2OC Donor
So my daily work took me to a BMW dealership yesterday and they had a I3 there that reminded me ALOT of the curves and feel of the A2 - bit of course with the electric car twist.

My current situation is I do around 60 miles a day on average - I also have 2 Audi A2 TDIs so for a longer journey I could still use the Diesel.

I'm at a event this weekend where I'll be test driving one and looking at the options available - id love to hear the forum members opinions on the I3 and your thoughts on if I should "go there"

I strangely already have a electric charge point at my house, I had it installed for FREE under a government grant system about 3 years ago and it been toying with the idea of electric car ever since - the Teslar I like, but not quirky enough - the I8 of course I'd love but it's out of the price bracket :)
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Andy Nicoll
07977170544

JDM Import specialists
www.facebook.com/bhpimports
 
One past member Ian now has an i3 Rex and he loves it. He arrived at the opening social in it and was very happy to give a ride in it. The performance is very good and build spec great. The rear door design is not good but workable.
I'm very close to deciding on purchasing one myself but it can get expensive once extras start being added. I would go for the Rex version as it eliminates the "out of power" situation if you can't get a charge. The charging infrasructure is a concern as there are different charging points at differing rates and standards.
They look great and very tempting but I think I'm the wrong kind of end user due to my long distance driving style ie I don't consider distance an issue when social driving at weekends.
BMW have just announced a new battery design for July onwards i3's giving increased range in bother bev and Rex versions so that could reduce values of the older spec cars either new or used.
Good luck Mike
 
I like the i3 too but makes no financial sense to buy one - currently getting ~69mpg from my A2 - how long before the i3 pays for itself in cheaper running costs considering the likely depreciation!

Simon.
 
Perhaps I've just got a good example of an A2, but it doesn't feel like an old car to drive. Having driven lots of other supermini's I'd rather my A2. I couldn't see anything to be gained by buying an i3 other than it being a newer car. I've never driven one mind so what do I know.
 
Not everyone has a charging station at home. I have no idea about electricity costs in the UK. I drove to Land's End this March, though, and it felt like fuel prices were quite high.

If the price of ownership of an i3 makes any sense and one feel attracted by its concept, just give it a try. Leaving a comfort zone is a must, remember?:)
There are some E-Smarts in my company's car pool. I fancy driving them but wouldn't buy it as a diesel suits better for high annual mileages and my driving profile.
 
Iv had a charging point at my home since 2013 when it was fitted for FREE - iv never owned a electric car, lol.

Tbh I'm not doing it for MPG - I don't do a lot of miles and the range is only 100-150 - I just fancy something different, that's why I was attracted to the A2 (and still am) the aluminum frame, the timeless looks - that's why I love my A2 (I'd be keeping one by the way - I currently have 2).

The BMW would be just that, a talking point -

Costs wise it's £1000 deposit plus £265 a month for 24 months btw.

As for the wheels. They are 5J 20s!!! Lol, crazy . No id be opting for 20s that BMW DO standard
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Andy Nicoll
07977170544

JDM Import specialists
www.facebook.com/bhpimports
 
An E-car is perfect for daily commuting. Financial side makes it even more attractive. I would prefer 19" wheels, the penultimate ones, for sake of ride comfort and lower unsprung masses;-)

Servicing is another virtue. No fuel, no oil, no coolant, no filters (if it's all electric)...
 
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I think they're really nice. I specced one up a while back, and it came to £40k though! I'll continue to throw money at my A2 for now, but I love the concept, it's a shame Audi haven't jumped on this bandwagon, and created a new A2.

What's the maximum range on these? Can you run out of juice and then get stranded?

Also 20R 5J? That's like a bicycle tyre, I dread to think how expensive those would cost.

Edit: I had a look, the 155/70/19 tyres cost about £100 each which isn't as bad as I thought. Still a horrible size though
 
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I have been weighing up the i3 to perhaps replace A2. Visited BMW dealers several times but not had a drive yet. Excellent car (the Rex version) and is it somewhat comparable to the A2, but downsides - high price combined with certain massive depreciation. Yes tyres are unique to the car and with no spare a puncture could put the car off the road for some time. Oxford dealer did not apparently stock a new tyre!
Read drivers handbook - endless repetition and much gibberish such as Problems with Charging includes 'current not parallel'. Engine is sealed in and whilst oil level can be checked, an oil top up is a visit to BMW dealer
Salesman told me the Rex can take the car more or less unlimited distances, stopping only at frequent intervals for petrol (tank is tiny). Not sure if performance on the petrol generator alone is somewhat limited. Home charging is a problem for me even on slow charge. Only have a spur to garage and don't like idea of 6-8 amps along a thin cable for many hours. Forget street charging in Oxford.
As A2 Tdi is still as new with only 16k miles .......
 
I think they're really nice. I specced one up a while back, and it came to £40k though! I'll continue to throw money at my A2 for now, but I love the concept, it's a shame Audi haven't jumped on this bandwagon, and created a new A2.

What's the maximum range on these? Can you run out of juice and then get stranded?

Also 20R 5J? That's like a bicycle tyre, I dread to think how expensive those would cost.

Edit: I had a look, the 155/70/19 tyres cost about £100 each which isn't as bad as I thought. Still a horrible size though

The i3 is the perfect city car to run alongside an A2.

Although my A2 TDI is off the road undertaking a engine transplant, it will be used for long journeys where i cant be bothered to use the i3 and stop at a free fast CCS charger for 20 minutes.

Maximum range driven very carefully at optimum outside temperatures and it would return around 100 miles. The new larger battery version will do at least 120 miles, most likely a bit more.

Tyres are around £100 a corner for Bridgestones and the ride comfort on 20's is far better than a A2 on 17's.






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An E-car is perfect for daily commuting. Financial side makes it even more attractive. I would prefer 19" wheels, the penultimate ones, for sake of ride comfort and lower unsprung masses;-)

Servicing is another virtue. No fuel, no oil, no coolant, no filters (if it's all electric)...

I had 19's and now have the 20's.

There is no noticeable difference in comfort. The 20's are less bouncy on country roads.


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Haha

You can always put normal wheels on the i3, although the range would suffer.

The i3 does like to scare you with those skinny wheels on corners with all that instant torque and a timed 0-60 of 6.5 seconds (official 0-62 7.2)


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