02-16-2014, 10:46 AM | #24 |
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Congrats!
I test drove an i3 3 weeks ago and yes: it was really fun to drive! I didn't expect that before the test drive. It pulls really hard from 0 to 60kph.
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02-16-2014, 11:46 AM | #26 | |
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But I slightly disagree with Tom's statements because I think most people buy a car that meets their needs, and one they enjoy to drive and can afford. Driving an EV is an eye opening experience as mine was when I drove the Volt; but with my commute, it's not the most economical choice. I've done extensive calculations on both the Volt and the Tesla S to fit my commute, which is unique to say the least, but not terribly uncommon, the numbers just don't work out. A reasonably priced, fuel efficient, sedan still beats both the Volt and Tesla when total ownership costs are considered. The high purchase price has been one of the negatives put against the Volt, but on a BMW i3 Forum, this point is rarely made. To be honest regarding the environment, EV owners also need to accept that battery manufacture and disposal has its own impact on the environment and world political stage (lithium production) and that most electricity (in the US at least) is not produced without some carbon emissions. From what I've researched, the payback on EVs is quite high and dependent upon battery longevity. EV battery systems are warranted anywhere between 80,000 - 120,000 miles, which in most instances is below the payback period for the vehicle price differential at current fuel prices. With statements such as "Welcome to the future" and "Electronaut" and "spaceship", it got a bit thick for me; it's good to deal in reality once and awhile. I am happy for the OP and his ownership of the i3; it has obviously made him very happy, which is most of the point of a car purchase in the beginning. Last edited by Efthreeoh; 02-16-2014 at 11:52 AM.. |
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02-16-2014, 11:48 AM | #27 |
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Loving the i3, but god alive, when will we see some of those sexy Orange ones on the roads?
Even in shows BMW is playing it so safe now. I absolutely love the i3 in that color, I think it needs a little something different to stand out. |
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02-16-2014, 11:50 AM | #28 |
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snow black
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02-16-2014, 01:39 PM | #30 | |
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Congrats to the OP Enjoy! |
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02-16-2014, 01:51 PM | #31 |
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<3 for the i3. Congrats OP. Though I hate to think what future elecricity rates will be once this technology takes off. Heck, the power grid here can hardly handle cold snaps during winter, and I'm already paying thru the nose as is.
Last edited by pimple; 02-16-2014 at 01:57 PM.. |
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02-16-2014, 02:29 PM | #33 |
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Love the thought of electrical vehicles, but the range and costs don't fit my needs. This will be for those who want to be environmentally friendly, but have the cash to do it. And it's definitely not a tuner car lol.... To each their own.
Congrats on your new baby OP! |
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02-16-2014, 02:46 PM | #34 |
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Or when the Terrorists take down the grid!
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02-16-2014, 03:02 PM | #35 |
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Congrats on the new ride! I liked seeing the video of the I3 playing in the snow, I didn't expect to see that. The I3 does not make sense for my commute/needs and I could not afford it along with an M2 in couple years. Regardless I still think it is a very cool car and it will go a long way towards EVs being a viable option. If the situation was right it would be great to have an I3 for the DD and keep an M car at home waiting for the weekends.
Keep us informed and give us an update in a month or so on how you are integrating it into your routine. I'm really interested to see how new I3 owners will make the best of the limited range and access to a recharge station.
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02-16-2014, 03:05 PM | #36 |
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02-16-2014, 03:36 PM | #37 | |
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02-16-2014, 03:50 PM | #38 |
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Since I retired, over 90% of my driving is local, and since I do live in a small city, everything is within 10-miles, and often much less (the grocery store is like 1/4-mile away and the mall about a mile). So, I'd like an EV so my ICE doesn't get hit by all of the short trips where it does not have a chance to get fully warmed up...I think there are a fair amount of people in my situation where something like the i3 makes sense, maybe not as an only car, but something to take the excessive wear off their 'trip' car, where they need to go further, carry more people or luggage, or just want to. While I'm not ready to make an i3 my only vehicle, if I opted for the option to either rent or pre-pay BMW to use one of their vehicles, it might, but that may not work out in the near term. Still need time to try one out and check out the fit.
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02-16-2014, 04:30 PM | #39 |
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I charge at work for free, its about 15km/hour. But now its winter, probably better when the temperatures increase.
The i-remote app is pretty cool. Can check how the charging is doing, start heating, check where the car is for the moment, etc. Nice feature when my daughter is using the car Last edited by Touring; 02-16-2014 at 04:43 PM.. |
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02-16-2014, 07:59 PM | #41 |
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I have to say, watching the c-net video of the orange one, pretty cool looking little car actually. More VW-esque than BMW IMHO, but a cool little car. Better looking in the videos than pics.
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02-16-2014, 08:52 PM | #42 |
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Depends on what you consider low and the type of charger you're using (there are three) - in the USA, home line voltage - about 8-hours from 'empty'; with a 240-vac (electric dryer type circuit) and charging box, about 3-hours; with a commercial (unlikely to get one of these for your home) DC-Fast charge, about 20-minutes to 80%, then it switches to more of a trickle charger to top it off, so it depends. It comes with a cord you can plug into a standard 15A electrical plug in the USA, and, if you want the DCFC option ability, you have to order it with the car. There aren't many of those around but many more are promised in the next year.
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02-16-2014, 09:13 PM | #43 | |
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What is intriguing to me about this car, would be if there is ever an i-x5 or whatever that would be called (electric X5). This would be great for my wife, as most of her driving is local. But the family car is also what we'd be using for vacations and weekend trips, so 80 - 100 miles wouldn't cut it unless we knew we could charge along the way without it adding 50% or more to our travel time (no desire to keep the kids in the car longer than we need to!). I did hear something on the c-net review about a program BMW offers to give you gas vehicles for long trips, so maybe there's promise there. But they'd have to make an i version of the X5 first, or at least an i5 or something, in wagon format. Last edited by chrisny; 02-16-2014 at 09:20 PM.. |
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02-16-2014, 09:59 PM | #44 | |
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