My first plug-in car -a used bargain
Apparent Value loss is my gain. I was thrilled to get this car for way less than the original msrp,as it is a very well-built hi tech and yes practical vehicle. This car is quirky,and not just in appearance. The lightweight frame and very narrow tires mean that you will be spending a bit more mental effort on keeping the steering focused. The car handles very well, though. Very quiet,great seats,love the hatchback design,it mostly gets used as a 2 passenger wagon. After learning the best way to use the REX, I don’t mind longer trips with a bit of charge point preplanning of couse. I also love that the car sits higher than a typical sedan,not as high as an SUV. Perfect,at least for me. It’s compact,but feels quite spacious inside.
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The evolution of the automobile
Purchased the fully loaded i3 Rex 2 months ago. Couldn’t be more impressed. Few reasons, first the all electric power train is silk smooth with tremendous torque available from stand-still, no gears in the gearbox, can run A/C with the car off, no need to warm up the car in the morning, etc. So many advantages over legacy cars. Plus, the BMW design is very innovative, with an interior and that uses high quality materials that look recycled. I feel this car is small and large at the same time. Incredibly tight turning cycle makes it easy to drive through traffic and parking lots. I always had sport sedans including multiple 3 series, Audi A4s, Subaru WRX. I don’t miss those at all and neither does everyone else in my household. We all want to drive this car more than any of the other 3 cars in the garage. In fact I don’t think I will ever purchase an internal combustion engine car again. Lastly, I regret having waited this long to transition to an electric vehicle.
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- Base Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Hatchback w/Range ExtenderMSRP: $9,490161 mi away
- Base Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Hatchback w/Range ExtenderMSRP: $13,998In-stock online
- Base Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Hatchback w/Range ExtenderMSRP: $15,990In-stock online
Compact hatchback with plenty of interior space
Update - 10/20/20 - having driven the car for over a year, I can say that the car has been great throughout - no major issues or repairs. My gas bills have gone down 98% - I run the REx once a month. No complaints, nothing but praise for my ride. I have the 94ah version with Rex. The electric range provides more than enough mileage for my daily commute and various errands. The creature comforts - great seat, cabin space, moonroof and excellent sound system - make for a pleasant ride.
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Perfect as a used BEV
Purchased the '17 i3 94Ah BEV with <13k miles on it earlier this year (just prior to the pandemic's start). I would never spend the money to get it new because I don't feel it's worth the >$50k price, but snagging an off-lease used is easy and affordable, plus you can get one that still has some warranty left on it. I went for the BEV because from everything I had read it's the REX that causes all of the problems (if there are any). Mine is the Terra pkg with full screen, wood/leather/sunroof - basically all of the bells and whistles available. I have no issue with range anxiety as all of my driving is done locally in my suburban neighborhood and in the nearby (less than 30 min away) city, and we installed a level 2 charger so even when "empty" the car can be fully charged in 4.5 - 5 hrs. I love the sparseness of the interior - there's no fuss, it's very functional, and I really love that it's made from renewable materials. Yes there is a lack of storage space, but that's part of what I like because I'm forced to be minimalistic and not compile unneeded junk. The outside of the car looks small, but the interior feels room and there is more than enough headroom even for the taller members of the family. The backseat isn't ideal for bigger people, but for short trips it's not a problem. I don't even mind having to open the front doors to get to the back seat because it's so convenient when loading up the car with groceries or DIY materials (and we've loaded it up with a lot!). The ride is fun: the accelerator reacts quickly and the regen braking is amazing. The ride can be a little stiff over bumps, but again I do all of my driving in-city so I'm not worried about going over rocky roads or offroading. I have the 20" tires and they are my only worry: I had to get a new set right after purchasing the car because they were bald, and have already been "nailed" 2 times, but I've got a tire center near my home that filled and fixed them immediately and I've just become more observant of what's in road (avoiding boards, etc.). Overall I love my little BMW BEV and do not regret the purchase. I first saw the i3 in 2014, basically drove the owner crazy with my questions, and knew that I would be driving one one day. They are rare in my neighborhood - I've only seen 3 in the last 6 months that I've owned it, and I find it a shame that more people don't know what an amazing vehicle it is.
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Yes!
UPDATE: Sold it. I bought a golf tdi instead. 50 to 60 mpg is enough for me. This way I don't worry about owning two BMW engines in one car. TBH the main reason I sold was because the skinny small tires and the wheelbase make for a jitterbug ride quality on highways. Loved the concept, but already lagging. Updated dash with bigger display, unlocked the ability to charge at steady state less than 75%, and added CarPlay. I’ve owned or leased over 40 cars, and this is one of my favs. Only knock is the stiff ride, but I can appreciate the functionality over form. Well thought out. Will be a classic someday when they speak of early electric.
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