Used 2014 BMW i3 4dr Hatchback w/Range Extender (0.6L 2cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD) Consumer Reviews
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Some awesome things, some not so good.
RobertRippee, Las Vegas, NV, 08/13/2016
BMW i3 4dr Hatchback w/Range Extender (0.6L 2cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)
40 of 43 people found this review helpful
The electric I3 is at heart a great BMW car. It is fun to drive, roomy, handles well, and is quite stylish. The range is ok as long as you have a second gas powered car for trips because you're not taking this one anywhere out of town. The range is ok but you learn to change your operating style to maintain the charged batteries where you feel comfortable, for me I don't let it go below about 30% even with the REX. For an urban car its great for anywhere else, I'd think twice. I have had my car for nearly 1/2 year and generally like the car...would I buy another one? Maybe. Here's the rub: The technology is good but not great, the BMW i app that goes with the car is unimpressive; the ratings on the app store are surprisingly bad. It only has a few features that matter and those are pretty predictable. I'm really unimpressed with the integration with smart phone, I expected a lot more on an electric car (see TESLA). One would think, BMW Engineering would do a better job with an app on an all electric car. As to reliability: first, I had software problems with the entertainment system, the XM radio suddenly went dead. The car spent almost 10 days in the dealership while they tried to figure it out finally replacing just about everything...not good. Secondly the tires, this is the second set of Bridgestone's I've had problems with on a BMW. My first were the Bridgestone run flats on a previous late model M3, on that car I replaced 8 tires in 2.5 years for simple punctures. So far the i3 seems on track to beat that record. In 6 months I've already replaced 2 tires for simple punctures. (i3 has no spare) and the i3 are not run flat so the problem gets a whole lot worse. One would have thought that with no spare and no run flat, BMW would have required a highly reliable tire from Bridgestone...they didn't. So overall, a qualified recommend...urban car only, electronics and tire problems, weak mobile app but fun to drive, adequate range and peppy.
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I am an i3 believer!
Kurt, Pelham, NH, 05/21/2017
updated 01/08/2018
BMW i3 4dr Hatchback w/Range Extender (0.6L 2cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)
28 of 30 people found this review helpful
I was looking for a stylish EV that was fun to drive, reliable, and had looks I appreciated. I had read numerous reviews on the i3, had seem them on the streets, and had more than once concluded it was not the car for me. However, when we had arrived at the BMW dealership to test-drive a 2014 3-series diesel wagon (I was getting desperate), there was my car for sale, beckoning my wife and I. Now, my wife knew my checklist, and after asking our questions and taking it for a test drive, she was convinced this was my car. I had my reservations, as I commute around 30 miles to work, and am usually driving an additional 30-50 miles for business meetings each day. Given that this car is rear-wheel drive with no AWD, I had concerns about the snow. Additionally, the list price of the car was a lot higher than Edmunds' TMV and Cars.com's average recent sold price for these vehicles. Lastly, the i Remote app for this car had just horrible reviews. On the positive side, my car had just over 19k miles, includes the Giga and technology packages, was certified pre-owned, and in fantastic condition with no visible wear and tear. After 2 months with it, having driven over 3k miles in snow, rain, freezing cold and 90+ degree heat, I was loving the car. I drive very conservatively, making full use of the one-pedal driving (which had a quick learning curve) and never going above 68 mph on the highway. I typically do a mix of highway with twisty backroads. However, with all the mileage I drive, I hardly use the range extender. Most of my meetings are in Boston, and I can usually find a garage with an available charging station. When I have to fill up on gas (that sounds so odd to type), it was always a 2-second fill, staying under $3 per fill. This car feels incredibly solid to drive - like you're in a tank, it just feels so heavy - yet it is very nimble. The steering is precise and tight. Handling on the curves is fun, but the car feels unstable if you really push it. Surprisingly, without the snow tires, it handles pretty well on snow-covered roads - it even got me out of my uphill driveway without any slippage. You just feel more connected to the road with the i3. Being bottom-heavy and somewhat tall, it can easily be affected by strong winds on the highway. Yes, this is an odd looking car. In my opinion, it looks best from any profile view, and just plain odd from a direct front or back view. The inside is beautifully designed, spacious, and posh. For utility, the overall storage space is not much, but I am able to make my transfer station trips with a full-size plastic garbage can and several square container bins of recycling. As for the i Remote app, it has had its share of bugs, but otherwise works like a charm (I even gave it a glowing review in the App Store). After driving 14k+ miles on this car, and now having owned it for going on 10 months through all New England seasons, do I still believe in the i3? Yes, yes I do. Since my first review of the vehicle here on Edmunds, I have had new revelations about it. First and foremost, the car's battery does not like cold temperatures, and thus I am suffering from the obligatory 'range anxiety.' I have seen a significant drop in mile range on a full battery charge. Where I was averaging between 80 to 90 miles per full charge during the summer, I am now getting between 60 to 70 miles, if that. My maximum distance driven on a full charge is exactly 100 miles, which I achieved during the summer with a mix of highway and city driving using A/C sporadically. Currently, with these cold temperatures in the teens and 20s, it is difficult to get even 60 miles on a full charge. I recently drove a 2017 BMW i3 with range extender in 25 to 35 degree temperatures (Fahrenheit), and observed that its battery is impervious to the cold, on top of its larger mile range. Of course, now I desire a 2017 i3. Secondly, my i3 handles fantastically in the snow with its Blizzak snow tires. I have complete confidence in taking my car out into a snowstorm, having already tested it driving through snowy road conditions on the windy, hilly backroads of southern New Hampshire. Thirdly, my i3's factory speaker system sounds loud and crisp using the radio, but when utilizing its USB or bluetooth capabilities with my iPhone, the auditory volume drops dramatically, thus forcing me to crank up the car's volume control. Lastly, the sun visors are simply too small and are terrible at blocking out the sun through the windshield and door window. In conclusion, I am quite happy with my car, despite its low range in the winter, and happy to have the range extender as a backup. I have had no issues with it otherwise (i.e. nothing has needed repair). My only other concern about it is its depreciation, and hope that the vehicle is not obsolete when it is time to trade it in.
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I LOVE MY USED (NEW-TO-ME) BMW i3!
BrianB Breon, San Luis Obispo, CA, 02/16/2017
BMW i3 4dr Hatchback w/Range Extender (0.6L 2cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
I own a delivery service and drive about 90+ miles per day. My hybrid was costing me $600/mo to own & operate (required maintenance but I knew I would never be stranded by a dead battery. I've been wanting an electric car for a few years now but the range of the EVs that I CAN AFFORD has been too low to take the risk of being stranded. So I discover the 2017 BMW i3...I only discovered the i3 a few months ago and upon reading the configuration of the i3 w/Range Extender, realized that it is perfect for the driving I do. It is always in EV mode and if I use up all of the juice, the generator comes on and keeps me going. BUT I couldn't justify the price tag of the new 2017...it would cost me more to own & operate the i3 over my Honda which would negate all financial benefits of going electric. SOOOO...I started searching for older i3s and found that the oldest ones are 2014. The cheapest one I found was listed at a used car lot 170 miles away. I bought it for $15,900 w/62,212 miles and it was a dealer buyback on the lemon law. I've owned it 6 weeks now and it's been a total dream car! I'm saving $200/mo to own & operate the BMW i3 over the Honda hybrid. I've had more comments on this car than any car I've ever owned my whole life. I'M ATTEMPTING TO BUY A FLEET OF THESE FOR MY EMPLOYEES!
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Long Term Drive
bigv2, Philadelphia, PA, 05/18/2015
updated 05/18/2016
BMW i3 4dr Hatchback w/Range Extender (0.6L 2cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
Routinely getting around 85 miles per charge in city driving. Used about 2 gallons of gas with the range extender in 13,000 miles. After completing the customer satisfaction bulletins and the learning curve with the service technicians, we have had zero maintenance issues. Using the lower output Voltec charger required setting the vehicle charge settings to less than maximum charge...BMW was unaware this would work, and wanted to sell us a higher output BMW charger. A/C works great in Las Vegas. Car is very responsive and fun to drive in the city.
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Unique stylish gas saver, fun to drive!
Patrick, Jacksonville, FL, 06/06/2020
BMW i3 4dr Hatchback w/Range Extender (0.6L 2cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid DD)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Update: beware of BMW dealer prices for regular maintenance, enough to give you a heart attack. After getting my car back with $1000 bill I thought I would be good for a year and then charging door lock actuator was acting up so took it back with quote of $750 to replace and also replace my plastic emergency charging lock release cable which is known to need to be replaced. Parts are about $150 with labor equaling $600 so found video online and will try to fix myself. Still love the car but dealer maintenance labor fees can get very expensive. I am a 40 yr old car guy who has been through about 20 different vehicles personally because I get bored and want to sell and buy something else. I have owned gas savers like the honda fit, geo metro and pontiac vibe and the I3 with Range extended beats them all, especially regarding technology and every other category except storage space :) I would not have this car if I lived in an extreme cold area with lots of snow due to low ground clearance but I bought this car used in FL with 33k on it and I have put 10k on it in 9 months and have loved almost everything about it! I bought a 220amp home charger used for $600 for garage and now it charges completely within 4 hrs. A lot better than the crazy slow charger 19 hrs I believe it was, definitely an investment to make. I get on average 70 miles with AC and mixed driving on both my electric range and another about 70 with mixed driving with 2 gallon gas range extender, all in eco pro mode. I absolutely love the 1 pedal driving feature and rarely use the brake pedal. It is like you are driving a little spaceship that saves you tons of money at the pump. I would still recommend another personal vehicle for long trips as this makes a great every day car around your city. The technology in this car is amazing and everyone is impressed that rides in it and you often get people checking you out on the road with the unique design because there are not tons of them out there. Be careful in parking lots as people cant hear you since it is so quiet but sensors all around the car alert you to objects close by and show you exactly what angle objects are approaching vehicle from. Storage space is limited so make sure you are prepared for that before buying and no spare tire which for me is the most frustrating. I will soon get another wheel and use one of my used tires to make a spare and buy a cover as it will take up my back seat area. Yes, tires are expensive for this car, about $240 per tire I paid. I got them from discount tire with free replacement warranty for hazard damage-highly recommend. I also dont want it towed to BMW for tire issues but to jack it up you need to buy a special adapter to put in jacking points to be able to use a small scissor jack to lift it to change a tire FYI. My dad cut a small piece of wood we used as a temp fix until I order a jack adapter from online Local BMW wont sell that to you, the shop wants your money!!! I did not realize car has hidden 12V battery under front compartment and that cost me $500 to replace at dealer. It has a special battery and it has to be programmed with software so you have to suck it up and take it to dealer. Warning sign was car was charged but funny warning messages came up on my dash one evening when I got in the car and said need to take car to dealer, it eventually started and drove fine that evening but next day vehicle would not take a charge at all and car went completely dead. Car must be towed on flat bed but if car is dead like mine was tell towing company you need them to bring tow dollies so your car can be lifted on sets of wheels. There is no other way to get on flatbed if vehicle will not drive, no safe way to connect chain under car. Battery should last about 5 years I think. Oil change at BMW $150 and only needed once per year, brake fluid flush $150 once every 2 years. I really think these cars are 5 stars if you are looking for a fun stylish gas saver around town and dont mind lack of storage. I feel like bad reviews are from buyers who did not research what they were getting or dont drive it like an electric vehicle. It has amazing acceleration in comfort mode but who wants to punch it and ruin their fuel efficiency :) I do it every now and then with a sports car at the line next to me just for laughs :) I will use the car for local trips or up to 3 hrs away. Any farther than 3 hrs and I am using a regular gas vehicle for long trips so I am not stopping every hr at gas station for another 2 gallons and another 65 miles. Do not let it get down to 5 miles electric or gas range left as it usually will go from 5 to zero. Normally I dont keep cars for more than 1-2 years but I think I may actually keep my I3 for a while. You cannot beat the gas savings (house electric bill may be an extra $25 per month?), technology for my 2014 is amazing and it is now 2020, and unique design will be relevant for many years to come!
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