Bringing this back from the dead. Weary - didn't you end up getting rid of the i3? Why? I've been thinking about them, but recall you having a bad experience.
Bringing this back from the dead. Weary - didn't you end up getting rid of the i3? Why? I've been thinking about them, but recall you having a bad experience.
Man I was just writing this up for next week.
Short lease but a wonderful car as long as it is under warranty. I have like 2 months remaining on the lease till it get turned back in I think. I paid it all in advance so I need to check my notes.
I have had three major issues.
1) The wall charger died and it was a serious pain to prove that the charger that was under warranty was broken and not my house wiring. (Sending them a video with me running a welder on the same circuit did it)
2)I have had to have it reprogrammed at least 5 times to get it to get the mileage it is supposed to and it is still not right. I get ~55-60 to a charge pretty constantly in 70f weather without the AC on. Now in 45 mph traffic I get 80+ but once you get up to say 70mph the range drops off a cliff. 65mph of the freeway out here will get you killed.
3) So many software bugs, and this is the big one. Sometimes my Pandora works, sometimes it does not. I would prefer if the car did not reboot on the freeway. IE all lights off on the interior reboot sound and everything. Milegae call completely off, things like you have 10 miles left of range and then the reX motor kicking on and chraging the battery which is now at 4%.
In all fairness I got like the 1st i3 they ever made, it was sitting on the lot forever and I am paying ~320$ a month all in with insurance and electricity to drive a 55K car. I am going back to my truck for a while then getting something gas powered. M2 or something like it, the new one has the range that I want and I can lease it for like 200$ a month out of pocket but after all the trouble I am not that happy.
I am paying ~320$ a month all in with insurance and electricity to drive a 55K car.
Wow. Sounds like if they got some of these issues sorted out that anyone else able to get the same deal on the financial aspect would probably be pretty happy.
In reply to wearymicrobe:
The first one ever produced? That sounds like a future-collectible to hang onto. 
petegossett wrote: In reply to wearymicrobe: The first one ever produced? That sounds like a future-collectible to hang onto.
My garage is full of stuff that is first year I am a early adopter that is for sure. The dealer has said its the earliest VIN that they have worked on so far. Not the first for sure those all went to Europe but its a early car.
So I have gotten loaner i3's in the past and they have been flawless. But and its a big round butt. I leased the car, 55K new price, 10K off sticker from BMW, then another 5K in lease discounts on top of that. Residual value was like 36K give or take so BMW was playing with the numbers clearly. Real trade in residual value, which I did for fun on a F-Pace for the wife, after 24 months is ~14.7K market value. ~75% total loss off sticker for 2 years and ~12K miles. That is a kick in the face. Same thing with the leaf, I can buy a used leaf for sub 7K if I really look around. Heck If I could buy mine at say 15K with another two year warranty I would its that good of a car when it is running. Plus I have not had a software issue in ~6 months since the last flash.
Now that the 22Kwh cars are out for the 33kwh battery I bet it drops even lower.
But I did put some cash down on an early Continental which I told myself I would buy if I did not like the CT6. Again I am leasing. I can do a CT6 allegedly for 3K down and 499 a month on a 3.6 car in premium with the big sunroof but it drives odd. Leasing deals are nuts right now. BMW has literately nothing and Audi is giving away Q3/5's, hell you can do a Bentley on a 6-7K mileage for like 999 and 15K down for 24 months right now.
wearymicrobe wrote: 3) So many software bugs, and this is the big one. Sometimes my Pandora works, sometimes it does not. I would prefer if the car did not reboot on the freeway. IE all lights off on the interior reboot sound and everything. Milegae call completely off, things like you have 10 miles left of range and then the reX motor kicking on and chraging the battery which is now at 4%.
Holy crap. That right there would have had me on the phone with BMW corporate telling them to bring a trailer and pick up their car.
The0retical wrote:wearymicrobe wrote: 3) So many software bugs, and this is the big one. Sometimes my Pandora works, sometimes it does not. I would prefer if the car did not reboot on the freeway. IE all lights off on the interior reboot sound and everything. Milegae call completely off, things like you have 10 miles left of range and then the reX motor kicking on and chraging the battery which is now at 4%.Holy crap. That right there would have had me on the phone with BMW corporate telling them to bring a trailer and pick up their car.
We had words, lets leave it at that. It spent another week at the dealership over that. Was fixed with a software update. Car drove just fine but it was a major hickup that is for sure.
wearymicrobe wrote: 1) The wall charger died and it was a serious pain to prove that the charger that was under warranty was broken and not my house wiring. (Sending them a video with me running a welder on the same circuit did it)
That sir, is an awesome move. One they probably don't see too often.....
I was getting our X3 serviced at BMW of Riverside last week and the young lady who checked me in offered that they call them cupcakes.
I ask because I found a local guy who has 9 months left on his all electric i3 lease. He is looking for someone to take it over. Plenty of mileage left and he is willing to supplement the monthly payments with a lump sum upfront. I'm tempted, as I am between DDs right now and don't drive many miles per day or in general.
We have ReachNow (BMW Car Sharing service) up here in Seattle, and i3s are some of those cars. Nifty, and prety fun to drive. I think they look ridiculous with the 20 inch skinny tires, but driving it around, the torque pull is hard to ignore. I have driven a few, feels like an electrified mini to a certain extent. Maybe an electrified Fit?
LifeIsStout wrote: We have ReachNow (BMW Car Sharing service) up here in Seattle, and i3s are some of those cars. Nifty, and prety fun to drive. I think they look ridiculous with the 20 inch skinny tires, but driving it around, the torque pull is hard to ignore. I have driven a few, feels like an electrified mini to a certain extent. Maybe an electrified Fit?
The 0-40 is insane in the i3 and since I live in a major city and deal with 0-45mph traffic like 80% of the time its amazing. Same with the radar cruise control. My only complaint with my car is the stereo, get the Harmon Kardon upgrade if anybody reading is looking at getting one.
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