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Amazing in so many ways
This car has exceeded all my expectations. It's the 2017 Rex Terra world. Most of my driving is highway and oh what fun it is. Looks small from outside, especially from the rear, but inside you feel you are in a spacious car of the future. The handling and comfort are most surprising for an electric car and even more surprising is the acceleration and control you have. Some things about the car take a little time getting used to, such as the regenerative breaking. But after a few days, it becomes so natural you soon realize this should be in all cars. The back seats fit only two adults but in the two times in the eight months I have owned the car, I have had someone in the rear seats only twice and they were quite comfortable. I'm glad I got the Rex which provides a generator to charge the batteries as you drive to go an additional 80 to 90 miles. That's more than an hour of driving until you find a gas station. I've only been to the gas station a few times. Most drivers would not even need the Rex but it does help with the Range Anxiety. The maintenance on this car is just about none. I drive 80 miles to work and back each day. I have enjoyed the quiet comfortable ride every day. My average speed is 75 mph on the highway and I look forward to driving every day. It's just so much fun... Well, I just changed my rear tires at 37,000 miles. I'm sure many of the very quick takeoffs (rear wheel drive) had some negative impact on the tire wear. The front tires look like they have another 15,000 to go. Update Sep 2019: I now have 53,000 miles on the car and it looks and drives like new. Still very happy. Update Sep 2020: I now have 71,500 miles on the car and I took it in for service. No problems were found. Oil change in the range extender and suggested replacement of the rear tires. Replaced those but the front tires are still in good condition and good tread. The car looks great and drives like it did when new. Still enjoying my i3 very much. Update Sep 2022: Have 104,400 miles on the car and I have had no problems yet. I did get the brake lines drained and new fluid replaced as required every 5 years. I had to replace the front tires and will soon need to replace the back tires maybe in about 6 more months or so. The car drives and looks as though it is brand new. No rattles or squeaks yet and I guess this is due in part to the frame being carbon fiber instead of steel. The brakes are seldom used and so far the original rotors have many more miles still left on them. I have notice the distance I can drive has gone down about 10 miles from the original 114 to now about 104 on average. The electric cost has averaged about 3.4 cents per mile. My only disappointments are that the car should have come with Blind Spot Monitor and the cruise control is too often unavailable. What I love most is the fun to drive, how quite it is. The Forward Collision Warning and Brake Assist have come into play several times and kept me from an unexpected collision. All cars should have this. So far I am very happy and plan to keep this car for many years. Update March 2024: My car now has over 123,000 miles and still enough battery capacity when fully charged to go just over 100 miles on a full charge. I do take a couple of trips each month to Lake City from Jacksonville Florida and so for that I do use the Range Extender. I'm scheduled now to get a new set of front tires. I got my new front tires at 83,505 miles. I got about 40,000 miles on this set I now have. I find that keeping the tires inflated about 35 (front) seems to work best for me. I am also scheduled to have my brake pads replaced for the first time. I also had to replace the top rubber gasket at the top of my windshield as it was cracked and broken in a few places. This caused some wind noise. I did the replacement myself and it was not as easy as it looked on YouTube. The car remains to be in great condition inside and out. I am still very happy with my i3 and still plan to hold on to it for a few more years at least.
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Love our i3 REX's
We have had short-lease ownership of both a 2017 and a 2018 model, They are virtually identical, with the main difference being that the 2017 did not have the backup camera. From 2018 on, all i3's now have the integrated camera, and it is a good one. Now that the lease is up on the 2017 model, we got a nice promotional offer from a New England dealer, and took them up on it. So, we will now have a 2019 model, with the larger battery pack. Obviously we enjoy the car. It is particularly fun and zippy around town. Highway driving is okay, but sketchy on days when there is a strong crosswind. This car is not for everybody, of course. But none of our routine drives are more than 75 miles, and we have a level 2 charger in our garage at home. As an experiment, I once drove round-trip 650 miles in one day, to visit my daughter at college, using frequent gas fillups. This is not ideal, but it is possible, if you don't want to find chargers. Try driving a Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf 650 miles in 13 hours. People get hung up on the list price of the car. As if that is what you really have to pay. The pundits don't seem to grasp that virtually nobody BUYS a new i3. The lease deals are too attractive. With some effort, you can lease one for less than $300 per month. Particularly if you are buying at the end of the model year. You have the option of "buying out" the car at the end of the lease, but I suspect that nobody does that, either, because the pre-determined 'residual value' is set at an artificially high level, in order to decrease the monthly lease payments. These are fun cars. But because they are so fun to drive, the tires will wear out. if that bothers you, stay away from this car. It is a very odd tire size, and no other car on the planet uses that size. As a consequence, there is only one company that manufactures that tire size for all-season tires. (there are two other companies that make winter tires for the i3, but only in the 19" rim size). At first, when I realized I might have to buy new tires on the 2017 that I turned in, with about 18000 miles, I was a tad upset. But then I realized that it is a high-performance car, and the rear-wheel drive dynamics do put a lot of stress on the rear tires. In the end, the dealer who accepted the car at the end of the lease commented on the worn rear tires, but let it pass, ultimately. And I am okay with buying new tires, if I have to. And I will be putting on Nokain R3 winter tires on my 2018 this winter, both for winter safety, but also to save the tread on the summer tires. Again if you hate buying tires, and you want to own this car, then drive gently, corner reasonably, and avoid jack-rabbit starts. Hard things for me to do. If you test drive this car, you will want one. I have now "test driven" over 20K miles, and I am sold. It is an electric car 98% of the time. But it has neutralized range anxiety with the backup gasoline power. I rarely use gas, but it's nice to know that I can. That beats a Chevy Bolt or a Nissan Leaf, as far as I'm concerned. And it comes pretty close to beating a Tesla, from range-anxiety point of view. ======================================= I do live in an area with a handful of available high-amperage DC chargers. These will fully charge a depleted battery in about 40 minutes. But most owners charge at home, or at work, if they are lucky enough to have an enlightened employer. ======================================== Buying a used i3 REX is a totally valid option. They all have warranties out to 48 months, and the first 36 months includes free dealer service, including inspection stickers. So any car that you will find has been well maintained (though you will want to do your own due diligence on that). The gas engine requires an oil change about once a year, if it is used at all. The battery and electric powertrain should last ten years or more, without being touched. You just have to keep up with tires, wiper blades, and changing the hydraulic brake fluiid every couple of year. But if you are buying used, be aware of the battery size. The battery size has jumped every two years of production. And be sure to get a backup camera. You can tell if a used car has a backup camera in the dealer's photos, because the little fish-eye is in the middle of the bumper. And rumor has it that BMW will stop making these in a year or two. And it seems likely that they will not increase the battery size beyond what is is now (2019 and 2020 model years) It is a unique car, remarkably quiet inside, remarkably good ride, considering it is a small car. Remarkably tight turning radius. I can make a U-turn in places were no other car could possibly do it. Even if you never own one, you should make an effort to drive one. It is unique.
- s Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Hatchback w/Range ExtenderMSRP: $26,999483 mi away
- Base 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $20,488741 mi away
- s Plug-In Hybrid 4dr Hatchback w/Range ExtenderMSRP: $28,5901,627 mi away
Great update for 2017
While I think some more tweaks are needed to set the car apart, overall this is a great car. It's my second electric (previously had a Leaf) and the Bimmer is an exceptional commuter. No range anxiety with this especially with the new battery. I've driven over 100 miles and still had 37% percent battery charge left. The new color option of protonic blue is a great step forward. Pick-up 0 to 30 is outstanding though you will feel the road and bumps a little much. Previous reviews on ride comfort hold true for the battery refreshed 2017. Overall a great car for suburbanites and urban dwellers. Getting 5 miles per kW hour.
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Love the quiet
It's been a great first month. The car has had no issues. Acceleration is amazing and the quiet is just sublime. Good sound insulation also protects the interior from external noise as well as the lack of engine noise. We've had no problems; range is as advertised. Installed a 220 v 40 amp charger in the garage that is very convenient. Haven't had to use the Range extender yet, though my wife told me she got a notification that the engine was cycling, presumably just to keep the fluids from settling too much. Enormous headroom; I'm 6'4 and have another 2" beyond the top of my head. Visibility is excellent. The rear seats are quite usable but wouldn't buy it if we anticipated using them a lot. Lots of trunk space. Only gripe is that the BMW technology integration is a bit wonky and takes some getting used to. Would have loved to have electric seats, but I suspect that would have added significant weight. Carbon fiber body is really nice as is the interior wood. Seats are very comfortable.
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Great car - only one of its kind!
I've had my 2015 i3 Rex for a little over a year now. Others have pretty well covered the high quality of materials and how much fun the car is to drive. I'll comment more specifically on the REX engine. BMW is the ONLY electric car to include such a thing. Every other plug-in hybrid includes a full-size engine to drive the wheels when you're out of power. All that weight and complexity leaves very little room for a decent-sized battery. BMW built the i3 as an electric car first, and added the range extender for even more capability. I live in a medium-sized town, and typically am able to stay within my electric range. When I travel to neighboring towns, however, I almost always kick in the little REX engine on the highway, allowing me to save my electricity for city driving. This is an important point - in the United States, the car is programmed ("coded," in BMW-speak) so that the REX engine won't come on until you're down to your last few miles of electricity. It was originally designed, however, for you to be able turn on the REX engine at will below 75% charge, and works that way in Europe. It's easy to re-code it to the European specs (search You Tube) and turns it into a MUCH more useful car. I took my i3 on a 250-mile trip to a large city today, and although I had to stop about every hour to fill up the tiny gas tank, I was able to make the trip with ease and always had plenty of electricity to use when I needed it. In short, the range extender + recoding turns it into a REAL car if you want to use it that way.
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Perfect Car for My Daily Needs
The BMW i3 has character, style, and class. It’s most certainly never boring. You’d think with its small stature that my 6’2” frame would feel cramped inside, but not so. This is true even in the back seat, which is easy to access via the suicide doors. Upon delivery there was a fit and finish issue that the dealer quickly corrected. (A wire got caught in front of the speaker in the door and was vibrating.) I also experienced a puncture in my flat tire at fewer than 200 miles. Thankfully the dealership went above and beyond and replaced it at no cost. As an added bonus for those who have range anxiety, BMW has provided two years of free charging at ChargePoint’s network of fast charging stations. (Most in my area seem to be found at Whole Foods Market.) My local dealership also has a program where you can drop off your i3 when you’re going on a longer trip and they’ll give you a loaner running on gasoline. I highly recommend getting the Technology & Driving Assistant Package. The updated iDrive display is definitely worth it, as the base display looks sad. The package also comes with convenient features like adaptive cruise control. Love this car and do not regret my purchase one iota.
2018 Protonic Blue i3S 94ah - 2nd i3
Let me start out by saying this is our 2nd i3. We have a 2017 94ah fully loaded in all black. That vehicle is very nice but there were things about it that you don't really notice until you drive or own the 2018 i3s model. Don't get me wrong the 2017 model is great and we are very happy with it. The 18 i3s feels better at highway speeds, more planted in windy situations and the personality of the vehicle has changed, specifically in sport mode. Our 2018 is Protonic Blue (Last year of this color) with the 20' wheels and iBlue seat belts. It is a head turner and it really stands out on the road. With the lower ride height, 44 mm wider track, slightly wider tires and suspension tweaking it feels more like a BMW and less like an EV in the handling department. Off the line both are 17 and 18 are very quick, the i3s pulls harder in sport mode especially above 40 mph and is better in the corners. Our 2018 is also fully loaded and love the BMW stop and go cruise control, it is very effective and easy to use. In regards to charging the vehicle, we have a level II charger that we use between both vehicles and works great. The occasional use or basic charger that comes with the vehicle will work fine but earns you 5 miles per each hour charged, whereas a level II charger will get you 26 miles per each hour charged. I commute work 21 miles each way with a combination of expressway and city driving. The i3s is better on the expressway than the standard i3. Both of our i3's are leased and had MSRP's of $58,695. Our lease payments are effectively $302.00 per month w/no money down for 36 months. Please note that each state is different with state incentives in addition to any federal incentives and BMW loyalty or corporate programs. Items that I wish the i3 offered, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Heated and Power Seats. Is this i3 and i3s a vehicle that I would recommend, absolutely yes. I think the engineering , build quality and green ethos truly set the vehicle apart. It may not have the longest range but you will have a top notch EV, that is unlike any other vehicle on the market.
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2017 - Electric Shadow (our first EV)
- SEP 2017. Wow, I finally picked-up our 2017 i3 REX specially ordered from BMW’s “I” plant in Germany (highly recommend designing and ordering your own, it’s fun and worth the wait). We chose Fluid Black with Blue Accent exterior and it is beautiful (the only current USA solid color option for the i3). I thought Fluid Black may blend in with all the other similar size/style cars but it is still very distinctive and like no other car on the road with thanks to BMW’s design and using accent colors like the electric blue. However, I still miss the Black Sapphire Metallic paint quality. We also selected the Deka World interior and it matches the exterior colors perfectly (really, it’s above our expectations and we are VERY picky!). We also selected the 19 inch “428” style rims for the tires and they are awesome! We couldn’t be happier with the color choices. We waited to order our i3 so we could have the larger 94ah battery, the i3 moonroof, and the new turbo charger option for home charging. I fully loaded the i3 with all the options including premium sound (which kicks!), moonroof, parking assist and technology packages. We immediately tinted the windows and are completely satisfied with the appearance. The i3 turns heads! I do wish factory tinted windows were an option, tinters struggle significantly with the i3 windows and a factory product would be much better. I travel to and from work daily around 50 miles per day so the i3 is ideal. - Before buying an EV we had to transition our minds to understand the design focus on weight reduction and power use. We asked ourselves; “how much will miss the big BMW tires, the extremely full feel of and comfortable seats that adjust with a touch of buttons, the Heads-Up Display (HUD), Blind Spot Indicator System (BLIS), etc.”? You can get allot of GOOD amenities with “todays” fuel powered vehicles and when weight really doesn’t matter. However, the i3 is so different that it’s an easy transition to make and is so simple to use! Do we miss those items? Yes and no. It’s actually fun to embrace helping earth be just a little less negatively impacted (e.g. meeting the global goal of reducing carbon monoxide). Please know I researched the i3 for months and watched every on-line review and consumer feedback… well, I’m sure I came close. I also test drove an i3 and thoroughly researched where BMW is headed in the future. I feel confident to say that "today" BMW is a front leader in EV investments and are just a few years from a dramatic upgrade in overall capacity, which is why I leased over buying (technology is RAPIDLY changing every year). - I have to admit, I love the way BMW is making information/content of value available in the drivers decision-making domain (dashboard/windshield). I'm a big consumer and believer in hands free information of value on-demand e.g. I want to speak what I want and then see it or receive it in a way that does not interfere with safe driving. I also want driving to be as effortless as possible. Power is important but driving in America, unlike other countries like in Europe limits speed and therefore for me amenities matter more (but I still go 0-40 in the i3 in 1.8 seconds; can you imagine how fast it will be in 2020!). I also want excellent visibility and a brand I can depend on. BMW service is important to me and is above average compared to others. The i3’s two floating dashboard displays are easy to see and I am so glad they’re NOT touch screens. Touch screens distract drivers and the last thing I want is another screen to clean daily. I plug the i3 in, it charges during low rates for Georgia electric and I’m never out of electric fuel. I can tell the i3 with my iPhone to cool off, heat up, lock or unlock, fuel during certain hours, etc. The i3 parks itself and the cruise control is incredible as it automatically keeps the distance between vehicles and adjusts speed based on that vehicles speed in front of you. We are surprised about the interior storage for running errands and the i3’s rear doors make accessing the rear seats so easy. I find it hard to be critical of anything so far because BMW did such a good job thinking this design through the “driver/occupant” challenges/wants. I encourage everyone thinking about an EV to research it and think seriously about a BMW, especially with the federal and other rebates still available (helps reduce cost of ownership). Overall, we easily give it 5 out of 5 stars but we will see over time. If the scale was 10, I would say a 9 out of 10. A 10 for me is extremely hard to achieve…. I wish the i3 was equipped with Heads-Up-Display and BLIS (just to increase safety). I also wish there was mesh storage on the back of the seats. And, I can’t help wishing it had run flat tires and a solid metallic paint option. Other than these personal wants, the i3 is so far, well-above expectations. GREAT job BMW! Love the i3! 100% electric fun!
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Love my i3
I bought my car as a previously one-owner (likely lease return) CPO vehicle from the dealer. I had to order it from the dealer network and had it shipped. Upon receipt it had not been taken care of in the way that is typically seen in leased luxury cars. Luckily, BMW honored its CPO expectations and fixed all scratches, dings, and even a cracked windshield. The interior, upon receipt, was filthy, but with minor detailing cleaned up beautifully -- well beyond expectations -- this is good, because the cloth is likely to get a little dirty with use and I was happy to see it can be cleaned easily with a little care. Handling is so much fun, I love this car. It is perfect for someone like me, small city driving, I have a level 2 charger in my garage and only have to charge twice a week. I get a a great discount from my electric company - as long as I use high capacity electric use on off-peak hours - which is something that is synergistic with the desire to transition to EV. Note I do have access to an ICE car for long trips. The current price for these i3 cars great, they are in classified in the luxury class; cost is especially nice if you can afford one still in the 2-year range, as the car will still be covered under warranty. With CPO and an extended and enhanced warranty I will have this car covered for everything for nearly 5 more years. The battery warranty is great at 8 years. It is clear that BMW has made a substantial investment in the future, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of their vision -- especially for city driving.
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Driving a spaceship
This is my second i3, and the extra battery range is a game-changer. I also got the REX this time, and it really does make this feel like a "normal" car for my driving. I love the dark interior woodwork, and I feel like I'm driving a spaceship to work every day. I love it!
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Innovative
I have driven and owned most every BMW made. The i3 is not the nicest BMW I have had but is the most fun to drive. I have had the i3 1 year as of today and have 11,500 miles on the vehicle. It has not been back to the dealer since purchase. I live in the snow belt and have Blizzak tires. NO issues. It goes beautifully in the snow. The acceleration is linear and stress free. I do have the REX but the engine just goes on once a month for 10 minutes. It is so nice to go to gas stations for coffee and not fuel. I have used the DC charging when I travel any distance and is no hassle and quick. I installed my own 240 Clipper charger in my garage which is efficient and convenient. Would I purchase the i3 again, Yes. I have gotten interesting comments from my peers because of it appearance but I am an adult and smile. EV is and will continue to be the direction of the future. Addendum: Still the best all around BMW I have driven. Runs great. Nothing to service after 30,000 plus miles. When purchase again. Good in snow with Blizzac tires Whorls be a good vehicle to purchase Pre owned.
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Excellent automobile!
Innovative and interesting automobile by a top brand. It is quite exciting to drive while offering comfort and luxury. The exterior may be polarizing, but the interior is efficient and spacious - feels larger than it looks. Highly recommend it!
Second I3, 2019 this time!
I still LOVE my i3. Nothing comes close to it for handling or parking, and the 150+ miles (up to and over 200 with the REX, but I never use the REX support, I have plenty of miles as it is). Comfort and solid build are 100%. I am devastated that BMW stopped making this car in 2021. We need small well made electric cars with the power and turning radius of this one. Nothing, NOTHING compares! Really two years and a bit since the last review. My 2017 I3 was plowed into (while I was driving down a country road), by an intoxicated driver, and totaled. This car saved my life. Thank you BMW for being so conscious of safety in your build! I was able to buy a 2019 I3 right away. It looks like the older one (I cried buckets over the loss), but this is a RX, which I didn't want, and still do not see the need of, but not a big issue. The 2019 only had 5000 miles on it, and not the leather seats that I really liked, but that being said, I love this newer one even more. The distance on just an electric charge is 150+ miles, and the technology is super nice. The sound system even seems better. I feel safe, electric, and continue to have a blast driving. I really don't understand the critics of this car. Yes, it would have been too expensive if I had paid the original price, but it is perfect in every way, which is hard to beat. Really, the criticism I have seen just makes me laugh. Some people want a regular back door? Crazy. This reverse door is one of the most convenient parts of the design. I open my door and then open the back door and my dog jumps right in, no muss no fuss. I love the turning radius, that gets me u-turn out of many a corner or dead end street. There is great visibility too, the windows are placed thoughtfully (a little lower in the back seat), so that I never have an issue with seeing in any direction. OK, you want better milage on the all electric? Try driving slower but not a lot slower. At 75 on eco-drive on the freeway I now get 160 miles per charge, comfort drive I get less, 150 miles per charge. If I want more I take back roads and use the eco+, and can get as much a 175 miles per charge. This is more than enough for local driving, and it accelerates like a dream, and maneuvers around curvy roads with skill and ease (reminds me of my Mini Cooper ). The interior is spacious, and the seats are super comfortable. You can also plug this into ANY plug, although I have a 2nd tier charger at home. Granted that will take longer to charge-up if you plug into an ordinary plug, but in a pinch you never have to worry about running out of energy, anywhere. I doubt I will ever use the RX function that charges the battery with an internal small gas motor (this is NOT a hybrid)for an additional 75 miles. If you care about the environment as I do, and want a dependable, comfortable and fun drive, this is absolutely for you! Did I mention that it is darn cute? It is. I bought my first I3, just a month before the pandemic hit, so I got a deal on it. If I had sold it before the collision it would have been worth more than I paid. I couldn't afford a Tesla (ever), and test drove one for fun before I bought the I3, and I didn't like the way it feels, I LIKE the sense that I am driving the car, not a passenger in the Tesla. I wanted an electric car for ethical, environmental reasons, and I liked the idea of the smaller size. I was concerned about the range (114-124), but I needn't have. This car was used, but had only 14000 miles, leather, wood, and felt right. It is white, and normally I find white cars boring, but the style had enough contrasting black to win me over. Aw, but now I am a huge fan. The suicide door was thoughtfully designed, not opening unless the front door is open, and so much safer than if that had not been true. The seats are comfy, and adjust 'up' enough for this small person. The inside has lots of light, and the windows design creates unbelievable visibility. When I drove the Tesla (just for fun)I felt removed from driving, and thought the inside was cold and sterile, this car is the opposite. Yes, I do have a back-up camera, and navigation (which I don't use), and a lovely sound system, but I also had beautiful dark leather heated seats, and a wood dashboard. It felt modern and still invitingly comfortable, warm in design. I am not mentioning the acceleration, which is stellar, or the turning radius, which is amazing, only because everyone else will. There are three driving modes, which is one of my favorite options, giving me the opportunity to engage in my driving experience. There is the 'comfort' mode, which does not give the longest distance per charge, but is most prompt to speed, 'eco' mode, which gives me an extra 10 or 15 mils per charge but limits me to 75 mph, and a little hesitation off the mark, or 'Eco+' mode which is for city driving, limiting me to 53 MPH but gives me up to 125 miles per charge. The awesome thing is that I can go from one mode to another as I choose, and that turns out to be lots of fun. I love the iconic design on the front that is a nod to the BMW grill, and the way this car loves to slide into the smallest parking spaces. This is probably the best choice I have ever made when buying a car. I couldn't be happier.
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Almost perfect electric vehicle
Fun too drive. Supet quiet. Zero emissions. After this great experience with first electric car, I don't think I could go back to another internal combustion vehicle. Electric range of 200+ miles and a 5th seat would make it perfect.
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Quiet drive and comfortable
Quirky styling, not for everyone. I like the seating position up high, great visibility. High quality materials. I have the REX model and can't even hear it when it kicks in at highway speeds. Going in to my second year of lease, has been reliable and comfortable. I have no complaints.
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It would be perfect with 16kw more battery power
Drives like you'd expect a BMW to drive. Solid. Very peppy. Range short of the 180 mile highway round trip on battery range that I'd like. Another 16 kw added to the present battery capacity would give you that range and still allow a Level 2 charger to fully charge an empty battery overnight. I get about 3 miles per kw hour. A bit less a highway speeds in cold weather. Very quiet. Hardly ever use brakes, as the motor brakes solidly and optimal energy management is easily learned. Interior is comfortable. Hatchback on my i3s gives me plenty of room for storage. Driving an electric means learning an entirely new mindset as one plans routes that include DC supercharging during 30 min rest stops. The range extender works fine for an extra 60 miles or so on 2 gallons of premium gas. Just wish the battery had a smidge larger capacity.
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Surprisingly Complete “City Car”
I was nervous about buying an i3 without a range extender. This car proved me totally wrong! It is pure electric. I always have plenty of reserve for my local errands. The thing is a pocket rocket! No one can out run me at a stop light! It is short, with the tightest turning circle of any car on the market. If you can’t get into,that super tight parking space, it will do it for you. Though limited on storage, there is plenty for every day needs. I LOVE this car! I wish I’d bought one years ago..
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I enjoy the ride very much!
Amazing car, so much fun to drive. It is very fast and handles very well. The car has huge windows with nearly 360 degrees view all around. At the same time it is very bad for sunny days as my body exposed to the sun from chin to shins and I always feel hot even with Ac on. Upgraded sound system is amazing and xm radio has good reception. While the seats look small and have very little cushion they feel super comfy. The interior is roomy , so much headroom, legroom, shoulder room. Even a tall person feels very comfortable. Amazing design of the steering wheel location allows comfortable grip and distance for legs, feet and arms. Back seats and back windows are very small and claustrophobic. Navigation screen is very small and all infotainment features are complicated, not intuitive and pretty much useless for me except for the backup camera. All pedals in the car are slippery when the shoes are wet. The front door and back door open opposite to each other blocking access to the car when you park close to the next car. Also the car tilts at high speed which is less noticeable for a driver but feels a lot to passengers. Overall the car is super cool and is a great choice for one person to drive. The joy from driving it overweight small negative things.
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Best city commuter
Don’t assume you’ll need to install L2 charging equipment. Have been driving this car for almost 3 years plus a Soul EV, both used for commuting in a two person household, charging on a single 120v receptacle has been working fine.
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rating on getting in/out is completely wrong
How can a two door Honda Civic Coupe get a better rating by Edmunds for back seat access than an i3? I'm assuming Edmunds didn't learn that there's a headrest lever to allow back seat passengers to get out, which explains why i3 got such a bad rating. And having 4 doors is an advantage when loading large items from the side of the car. It's also easier to manage child car seats in an i3 than any 2 door car, and many 4 doors. Letting people that don't know how to operate carriage doors review an i3 is like having a dog review catnip.
A sporty version of the most polarized EV
The price is high but Costco manufacturers ncentive helped the purchase a lot. One of the few rear wheel driven EVs on market. The range is sufficient for daily commute. If you are a tall person the tall interior will make you smile. Visibility is awesome. The carbon fiber frame is so strong and stiff there are creaks.
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Quiet Screaming Electric Bimmer
Careful if you have a heavy foot - You’ll be going 80mph before you know it! It’s one of the fastest cars off the line I’ve ever driven plus it’s quiet - It’s a joy to drive! Very roomy for a small car & fits nicely in our tight garage. I hardly think I could have gotten a better car for my needs.
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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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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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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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30 months with our first electric car
On the positive side, the i3 is a blast to drive in a straight line, in town, on freeways, and somewhat curvy roads. It's cool looking, spacious, easy to drive and park and I feel good getting into it. The latter comment surprised me actually, since it's mainly my wife's car and in the past I just didn't want to drive her cars - Audi A3, Mercedes E320, Mini S Cabriolet, etc. I always felt that they were not in sync with my sense of style and quality (I drive a Land Rover). I don;'t know if it's because it's electric, it's styling or what it says about it's driver, but the i3 transcends in many ways and the style and quality ques are so bizarre that it's hard to reject the weirdly cheap looking recycled plastic dash and interior components that in any other car at even half this price I would flatly reject as substandard. At first I was thinking that BMW had a lot of nerve charging almost $60k out the door for a economy subcompact with such a lame interior pallette (save for the cool bent wood dash). The lease was descent and frankly, it's the only car that I liked that fit on my tiny Venice CA driveway. After 30 months with it, I find myself jumping into readily and happily. It's great for quick trips where I would feel guilty cranking up my Land Rover's V8. It's plenty big enough for four adults and my 6-1 son never gripes in the back (and he did in our old Mini S) The only negatives are that the bike tires don't stop fast in an emergency, they roll over and play dead in tight fast turns, and they wear VERY fast. The suspension is bouncy, soft and not well dampened, so it's really not comfortable in performance driving situations or on potholed roads. The seats are manual so no memory, which is ridiculous for a high end car regardless of weight issues, and the car is just not versatile enough - it's just a city car, period. I told myself that it was time for a bigger electric when I realized the lease was already up, but the only real choice for me, the Tesla 3, is actually too large. The Bolt is OK-cool on the outside (not nearly as cool as the i3) and interior is the usual Chevy-Rubbermaid collaborative disaster. Bolt feels totally non-transcedent and cheap, like any other econobox. So based on size and style, it's likely going to be another i3 for the family which is too bad because the Tesla i3 runs circles around the i3 in every department - range, versatility, size, interior luxury, technology and many would say looks (although I would disagree) . Personally, the only reason I can see someone choosing the i3 is because they love the styling, it's tiny and it's electric.
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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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I really want to like this car, but...
So, where to start? The pros: I don't have to stop for gas...ever. It isn't parking challenged like my Ram 1500 truck. That's all. The neutral: it isn't the most attractive think on the road, but it's a darn sight better than any Prius. Fit and finish is good; about what one would expect from the likes of BMW. The interior is space efficient; it feels larger than it is. And the interior materials are generally of good quality. Now, the cons: and here's the problem. None of the car's distractors really reveal themselves until one has driven the car for a while. The interior ergonomics are awful. The window and mirror switches don't fall naturally under one's hand. One must reach back to find them. They are also on a downward sloping armrest, so they are invisible when sitting in the seat without leaning forward. Similarly, the door lock switches are hidden in the door panel. One must hunt for them to use them. The sun visor is tiny, doesn't extend (a failure of many cars), and only covers the front third of the door window, which makes it useless. The visor mirror cover is impossibly difficult to open; one must dig into the visor to open it. The seats are good for about 30 minutes before the squirming begins and their isn't much lumbar support. The pedals and foot rest are too close to the seat, which only exacerbates the comfort issues with the seat. There just isn't a way to adjust the seat and steering wheel to gain a really good driving position. Fortunately, the range of the car relegates it to commuter status, so that somewhat mitigates the problem. The rearview mirror is positioned too low such that it blocks a significant part of the view out the windshield. The right windshield wiper only clears half of its side of the windshield. The windshield washers only spray at the bottom of the windshield, which causes the wipers to streak in the driver's field of vision. The adaptive cruise control is borderline dangerous. It doesn't know what to do in any traffic situation other than open road. That causes its operation to be unpredictable, and thus, unusable (this system works very well in my wife's Volvo). BMW was nice enough, though to allow one to disable the adaptive functions and revert it to 'dumb' cruise control. That works well, so it is how I now operate it. The ride quality is very poor. What the car lacks in wind noise is more than made up in road and surrounding traffic noise. The suspension picks up every little imperfection in the road and amplifies it into the cabin. It tracks ruts in the roads like nothing I've ever driven. Add crosswinds into the mix and it makes for an unstable driving experience. Overall, it is reminiscent of a Japanese car from the 1970's (i.e. VERY unrefined). My truck is quieter and smoother riding that this thing. The infotainment system is lacking as well. Settings are frequently placed in illogical locations. On the map page, for example, one cannot pan the car's position. The only way to 'look ahead' is to zoom out, but that results in lost details. One must zoom in too far to see secondary street details. I have an iphone and the only way I can use it is through CarPlay, which is a separate little subtile accessible only be scrolling the tile screens to the extreme left. It is obviously a last-minute afterthought. That happens to be no where near the 'Communication' tile, where it should be. Oh, and that Communication tile has almost nothing to do with communications. It displays weather instead. Huh? The instrument display (I won't call it a panel), shows far too much information concurrently. There are a myriad of tiny enigmatic icons that seemingly come and go at will. It makes for a very busy and cluttered screen. The owner's manual is a joke. It was clearly written in German originally, as one might expect. The problem is it was translated into English by someone who neither spoke German nor English. The result is descriptions that frequently make no sense, confuse the issue more, and leave one better off to just play with the function to (hopefully) eventually figure it out. I've come to the conclusion this car was likely a high school or junior college graduation project; BMW built the powertrain, which is outstanding, then decided, "hey, let's let the kids design a car around this!" The result is a poorly conceived, poorly executed, box on wheels. I could go on, but it would be pointless. If this is the direction they are going they are in serious trouble. I had a 1985 BMW 535i, which I owned over ten years. While it certainly had its foibles, I put 200k miles on it and even though this car is 33 years newer, that 535 was overall a much better car than this one. I'm just thankful now that the salesman talked me into leasing this car vs. buying it. In two years I can walk away with relief. I've only had the car for about three weeks. Maybe this thing will grow on me over time, but it doubt it.
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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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Still Loving Our i3 — A Fantastic Commuter in 2025
We've now owned our 2020 BMW i3s with the range extender for over two years, and it continues to be one of the best car purchases we’ve made. The odometer just rolled past 36,000 miles, and the car has performed flawlessly. The only maintenance we've done has been a new set of tires—not a single mechanical issue or unexpected service visit. We use the i3 to commute 37 miles each way to work, and the car is perfectly suited to this role. We charge daily at work for free (a nice employer perk), so the car costs us almost nothing to operate. The savings on fuel alone have been substantial (we estimate our commuter fuel cost savings to be about $3,500 over the last 2 years). The i3 is also genuinely fun to drive. It accelerates quickly, feels light and nimble, and is surprisingly smooth and quiet. The interior is comfortable, well laid out, and still feels modern in 2025. Despite its compact appearance, it has more than enough room for my daily needs. And it still turns heads—people ask about it more often than you'd expect. A lot of the negative reviews out there just don't seem to understand the i3's design intent. It's not a road-trip EV or a Tesla competitor—it's a purpose-built, premium commuter. And in that role, it's exceptional. If your daily needs fall within its range envelope (especially with the REx), it’s hard to beat. If you're considering a used i3, don’t hesitate—just be sure the one you’re looking at was properly maintained and cared for. We love ours, and it continues to exceed expectations.
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Bmw i3
It's Not for everybody. I feel I got more than a car I have technology
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Most fun car I have ever owned....
Not much more to say than the title. The care feels spacious on the inside. Drives so snappy and with a little practice the break pedal is hardly touched. My advice to BMW: Come out with an i4 by just stretching the i3 a bit wider and longer....
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Little Giant
My I3, which I purchased new, is a hoot to drive. The electric motor makes max torque right out of the box, and it handles like a rat with sneakers. I love getting next to some driver with a hot-rod car, and blowing his doors off when we take off from a standstill. The only downside is that it currently offers only the stock Bridgestone tires, which I'm not particularly impressed with. Otherwise, it's an excellent vehicle. The primary competitor is Tesla, (my nephew owns one of these) but the instrument panel on it is, to my eyes, more a distraction than a useful information center.
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IS NOT A LEMON IS A LEMONADE
Problem after problem and dealer know not much about. Luchy for them that they stop production. Tire last 25/30000 mile $180 each. Back doors when you open and a car is park next you get very challenger get out. Warning light came on without a reason. Electric motor move back and for forth, replace support bushing, only last for 2 weeks. And more. And more, very disappointed for a car that has a BMW logo. 1 star is to much, i can't leave blank.
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Practical Car
The car is a little quirky, but overall I love it. Suicide doors are nice in some circumstances and in others not so much. Kids have a little step to get over when going in and out but overall I feel they are very safe in it since the rear seats are so low. The car shelters them. Drives fantastic and has the basic automotive accoutrements for a local commuter. Most folks don't need a local commuter to go more than a 140 miles in a day. This thing is great for that. I don't need something that goes 300 miles, nor do I want that. The pricepoint is perfect for an electric, "first-timer" vehicle. It has unique tires but they last quite a while. There is no maintenance on the car! Change the break fluid and tires, and that's it. I hvae put 17,000 miles on the car. Winter is a bit of a power suck, so plan a little for that. Spring, summer, and expecially fall maximize the economy of this car. I really enjoy driving it. The power is great and it rides smooth. Regenerative braking works like it should. I don't even use the actual brake pedal anymore...my wife still can't grasp that concept. The other unique feature about this car is that it is the only car out there that is made entirely from recycled materials. It's a great little car; I think you would be surprised.
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Zero Gallons Per Mile
We’ve had our i3 for three years now. What a great car. My only complaint is that they quit making them.
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Pretty good car
I have had my i3 for a little over a year now. For the most part, I do like it. However, I will be on the lookout for a different car soon. PROS Fun to drive, nice stereo, comfortable seats, no stopping at gas stations, and storage is great! CONS Limits how far I can travel due to limited range. Back seat is challenging to get in and out of and it gets HOT due to no air vents back there. Any maintenance is EXPENSIVE! (4 new tires cost me $1400) In one year, I have had to take my car into the shop three times for repairs. If you are looking for a fun electric 2nd car, this is a nice choice. If you are looking for a new single car, you may want to look somewhere else. You may be disappointed once you have it a while.
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BMW i3 (REX)
Simply Adorable
Happy so far!!
So far so good in my new I3. Peppy and sporty and great handling.
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i3s experience
Price is over by10k flat, no electric seat total fup. Primium Radio should be on all trims, that is just lame. 60k and you ate fitting the thing with two spearkers. i was pist with this archaic trim tone down. What saved the sale, the car technolgy is just amazing. It drives like a total BMW and it beat super sport cars on the road out flat.
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Perfect commuter
In a world of $4.00/gallon gas, this car makes more sense than ever. The range extender makes an electric car practical for everyone
Love the car
Excellent car so far. Fits my travel needs perfectly. Handles nice. With the REX no range anxiety. Roomy interior that's elegant but not extravagant.
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Best little car on the road!
BMW’s quirky little i3 is destined to become a collector’s item as EVs all start looking like regular cars. This was BMWs prototype. The first ev they ever sold! It had a production run of 10 years before being discontinued. The 2021 was the most advanced model they made. It fits ANYWHERE. The turning circle is amazing. This car has the highest trim level (Tera) with a dual sunroof to boot. With only 15,000 miles on it, the car is like new.
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RE ARRANGE YOUR THINKING
BMW is the master. After owning a sl 500 benz this i3 is the most outstanding city car i have ever dreamed of owning. Drop the mic!!!!!!!!
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Love it!
I love this car. It fits very compatibly when parking, no gas fee, and very quiet !
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Hands down best car I've ever owned!
I've owned and driven many vehicles in my life, and this is my first EV, and I have to say I love this car more than any vehicle I have ever driven or owned. I bought my 2019 BMW i3 Rex with 14K miles and have since put 6K miles on it. I have driven it from Detroit to Chicago 4 times already, and having the range extender is an absolute game changer. Zero range anxiety and the flexibility to charge when you want or when you can. Level 3 fast charging capability and wireless Apple Car play make this a great road tripper. Surprisingly larger interior than you think. I wish they would keep producing this vehicle and it will be sad to part ways with it down the road.
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