"you'll never want to get out. mostly because you'll have to look at the exterior styling (MUSIC STOPS)" hahaha. Such a great video Kyle. Keep up the great work.
Good review and I agree, I picked up a used i3 and it was a tremendous value. There are a couple things you are mistaken about. First, the range extender engine is not connected to the drivetrain at all, it is a generator to make electricity for the high voltage battery. Second, you can adjust the distance for the adaptive cruise control.
Completely Agree with this. We picked up a 2017 BMW i3 94ah REX with about 22,000 miles on it for under $20,000 about 6 months or so ago. My Wife drives it and she loves it. Crazy to buy new, but awesome used deal for an EV.
I traded my smart 451 electric for a 33kWh i3 about two weeks ago. Can’t decide which one I love the most. Yet the smart only has the small onboard charger. That’s why I traded it. Now my mom drives the smart and has a whole lot of fun.
The 2014 BMW i3-REx was the gateway to our Model 3 and taught many valuable lessons. We did snap an early motor mount bolt that was repaired under warranty with much stronger, solid mounts, and bolts. Also, BMW parts always take two or more days. Minor technical corrections, my REx rpm uses one of four bands depending on speed and load. Also, my coding only gets 2.3 gallons. Regardless, it is a great backup for our Model 3 and can easily handle local and cross country needs.
Correct on the four bands, the way I drive though it’s just maxed out all the time 🤣 - I’ve managed to squeeze 2.4 gallons pretty regularly into that tiny tank! The i3 was the first i3 in the family when my dad got one years ago, started the whole electric thing for us.
I got one pre-owned too! The car I got stickered for 56k new, and I got it for less than a third of that two years later with low miles and two years of factory warranty remaining. I love that little car. Prices have crept up along with every other pre-owned car out there, but they're still a great buy.
My last car was a (used haha.. wouldn't buy it new) BMW i3 with range extender. It wasn't a bad car, and I enjoyed the heck out of it and got it for a cheap price. I tossed it after two years for a few reasons: 1) BMW tax. NOBODY will touch this car except a BMW dealer. (not even independent BMW shops) Have fun paying over $2,000 for that replacement AC condenser after a stone hits it. I did the work myself and had it replaced for ~$400 in parts + tools. 2) Range on the smaller packs. 82 Miles for a charge is fine... except after range loss kicks in. After a few years you can easily be down to 60-50 miles of electric range... which sucks.
You touched on some very important points that other long term reviews haven’t. The software limited acceleration, the wet handling, the adaptive cruise following distance, and automatic braking.
A) the suicide doors function exactly like the one in my old Ranger truck. Not a problem. B) skip the REX for full electric. Not a problem. C) didn’t buy this car to be a wannabe dragster. Not a problem. D) I don’t use cruise control like autopilot. Not a problem. I bought my 2014 i3 BEV used for my 20 -30 miles of daily commuting. I purposely skipped the REX, so no issues there, and with the Used EV Rebate from the feds, I got a $50k car for $8k spec’d out with the leather & wool Lodge interior, Harman-Kardon premium sound, Driver Assist package, and heat pump for winter. Oh, and there’s free charging at work, so I have yet to pay for public charger, or run mine at home. Truly the perfect car for me.
Buy the one without REX, it will be a classic, particularly because there won’t be a new model and we will not see another car with carbon fibre monocoque any time soon
So its me again...I sold my 2017 and bought another 2015. Thats how much I love these cars. At about 250 kms in the summer of combined range, it fits my needs EVEN if I decide to do a long distance trip as this one has DC FAST charging.
So you sold the 2017 with the longer range for a 2015? I'm considering a 2017 REX due to the longer range but the 2016's are such good deals. More comparison insights would be greatly appreciated.
@DonSol yes I sold the 17 and bought a challenger...had many issues and wasn't the car I had hoped,and when I started getting the itch for an electric, drove another i3, and since the condition was mint and low kms I bought it. Not as much range..about 130 to 140 city and 110 highway (kms) and less in the winter..about 25%..and my 17 would get about 40-50% better range. Total range in the su mer on my 15 is about 245 (with the range extender which has been coded to turn on when i wish anytime below 75%)..kms and on the 17 was around d 325 kms
@@johnnyzee383 thanks for this info. Wow 40-50% more range on the 2017 sounds great. I noticed the 2017s also have less features on them like smaller screen. I live in Florida where its always warm so I think an older (except 2014) would be a better buy. Do you know if there is any difference between the 2015 and 2016? Also I think I have to get the REx for a tad less range anxiety.
@@DonSoledadGroup I dont think theres a whole lot a difference between a 2015 and 16. The smaller screen was standard and the bigger screen was the updated package...however I know that in some years BMW had some supply issues with the larger screens and they stuck the smaller one in there instead. I have the smaller one, but I tried a larger one and it worked with a simple coding procedure.
Yeah...well, I had leased a 2015 rex, loaded, $55K, with a trade and BMW of Tuscon discount it was $250 a month. 4 inch tires are twitchy at best and the rears wore quickly, like 14000 miles quick. Roomy, quiet, quick...yes. Electronics, suck. Back up camera went out and no one in the States had one? Over a month wait and returned it the day I picked it up because of 12 volt battery problems. Replaced the battery twice in 30 months. I've many photos of that vehicle on a flat bed. It was my 2nd BMW and my last. Radio controls disappeared, gas door wouldn't open, gas line replaced, night I brought it home it beeped in the garage a few times while parked...was lonely I guess. Any way, many other issues I won't go into. I was relieved to give it back. All issues repaired under warranty, got loaners, but 22 miles to the closest dealer got old. Was on a first name basis with a few there...will miss them...not the i3. Always wondered who bought that one...in my prayers.
You were unlucky...this car rated one of the best ev's...and my 2015 went 22000 kms with no issues, except glitchy software...in other words, says there is a problem then turn it off and its gone...other than that very reliable.
I’d love to get a used EV, I’m a commuter (when it isn’t a pandemic) and really care about TCO. Any owners have input on how the i3 compares to a used leaf or e-golf (or anything else affordable) in terms of TCO? I’ve never owned a BMW, and am concerned tires and dealer service will eat up the electric savings.
I’m not a fan of the range extender. It adds 300lbs of weight, lowers battery-only range by about ten miles and slows 0-60 acceleration by about a second. Also, the car handles better without it. From what I’ve heard, people with the range extender hardly ever need it so they lug 300lbs around everywhere just to avoid the slight chance that they might need to stop at a charger some day. Oh, and the range extender engine needs maintenance as well. I understand the attraction to it for first time EV buyers, but I would bet most REX owners would get the BEV next time around. Lastly, the range extender option is like $5K or something ridiculous like that. I always said that the REX is for wimps.
it only adds 200lbs because the REx versions is 2800lbs and the BEV is 2600lbs.. Anytime you had passengers, a baby seat etc., it adds weight and cuts into your range... If you are buying used, the REx comes with the used price. $17K for a used 2016 with low miles and a REx is a great deal..
You are absolutely correct. I bought the latest i3s without REX even as the dealership was offering me a FREE Rex upgrade. In the very first 4 weeks I have already driven 9000 KMs in this little pocket rocket. Range is not an issue if there are plenty of AC or DC chargers. The range readout is also pretty accurate at all times. It automatically adjust to the actual usage pattern of the driver very quickly. I plan to hand this i3s down to my son once he is old enough to drive. No REX = No mandatory service EVER.
I was really thinking about getting one because you can get it for such a good deal now. But if anything goes wrong with it at all, you can only take it to a BMW dealer and pay their $150hr labor rate.
Or less if you drive like me. I think I get about 40-50 miles out of my electric smart driving like my hair is on fire and it’s way more than I ever need driving around my city. The i3 has the perfect range for city / suburb driving. And if you need more, there are bigger battery options that obviously cost more, but since it has the REx and it’s good to use it often, I’d say just get the small battery and not worry about it
Code Code Code...lol...Dont need a computer ..I bought a vgate obd2 tool and the bimmer code software on my phone and in 3 mins I coded the tank to the full capacity and had the range extender menu pop up so i could turn it on anytime i wanted below 75%. For me, my 2015 although no problems going 22000 kms, doesnt quite have the range because I plan on doing a road trip to new mexico so am trading in for a 2017 which has 50% more battery (combined 320 kms range).PLUS the 96ah or 33 kwh battery in the 2017 is rated for 4600 cycles or..get ready for it...over 500000 miles lol..Ill take one please...
what is the real world range ? I found it annoying that every car maker gives you the 100% charge range in a laboratory. Then tells you that you can charge the battery up to 80% within 3h. Great. So what is real world range with 80% charge ? Nobody says it. The real world mileage is really depends on where you live. I had an i3 like this, the REX and smaller battery. Promised range was 90 miles. The most we got out of it was 67. Reason ? Heating. It was in the winter and we used the heat. But on the summer days you use a/c. So you never really get the whole range. Tesla does about 78-79% of its range and MB does about 83% and Kia does 93%.
damnit....what was your range when you didn't need heat or the aircon? what was your range in the city in stop and go traffic? what was your range on the freeway? did you use Comfort Mode often? did you normally drive alone or with passengers? what was the percentage of battery degredation?
Great video. I've been reading a lot about issues with replacing the tire that sometimes it takes a real long time for them to restock how much do you know about that?
Hi Kyle, I really like your review and your videos on EV's. A question for you. What are your thoughts about the 22kwh vs 33kwh i3's? The smaller battery is a pretty good deal and the bigger is more expensive. Do you think the smaller battery i3 is still worth it?
When it comes to tires I believe BMW i3 has unpractical ones - too narrow for decent grip and too expensive. However Tesla tire choices are not much better with a too low profile getting smashed in any one decent pothole at once. And then EV community wonders why EV revolution does not happen yet when most EVs on the market do not have practicality at all.
well done. I wonder how well the extender does if you don't use it that often. Do you put any stabilizer in the fuel just in case it's sitting for a month or more?
Nope, the fuel tank is pressurized to help preserve longevity - you have to depressurize the tank before fueling every time by clicking a fuel door unlatch button
I hate how he just glosses over the issues with the range extender for pre 2016 models. I am about to purchase a range extender 2014 model and am now concerned. Please go in to detail for those of us that are buying older models.
It is a good 50% more than any similar ranged, mileage, yeared EV if not 100% more. RWD is also a poor choice in northern climates. I think I'd prefer a Golf EV even if the Golf wasn't $5000 less.
They didn’t buy them and sell them after 4 years. Most i3 are leased and the residual buyout is too high. So now the market is flooded and the price has dropped. Doesn’t help that the i3 is a butt ugly Smart Car clone.
honestly (im not trying to sound mean) ... for 45k, WHY would anyone get THAT over a Tesla? im being serious.. im not even trying to be funny lol. it seems like the Tesla (thats cheaper) is better in literally every way possible.
no one in the world paid $45K for an i3.... And the Tesla isn't $35K either, its more like $45K and its proven to be problematic.. If you're a college kid that needs a car to get around the community or your daily commute is within 50 miles round trip, a used i3 is a good deal for under $18K. The i3 is still modern enough and it has all the latest technologies. What other EV or ICE has what the i3 has for $18K?
Here in Australia the base Model 3 with no option is around USD $49K. BMW i3s full spec is USD $42K. Hyundai Kona full spec is USD $45K. Nissan Leaf full spec is $43K. Hyundai Ioniq full spec is USD $38K. Tesla Model S full spec is USD $95K. Tesla Model X full spec is $107K. 70% of EV buyers here choose the Model 3. I bought the BMW i3s because my first 2016 Tesla Model S was a lemon. In the entire country of Australia there are only 4 used i3 for sale right now. Tesla however are flooding the used market. All the Model S owners are upgrading to Model 3. Nobody wants the Model S.
Depends on what you need and where you are, you could be right. For me however, the latest i3s has been one of the best EVs I have ever driven. My last EV was a Model S. Ran itself into the brick wall in my garage on very first day. Auto pilot some times just decide to end my life on highway. Range is miserable whenever I drove it fast. Handled like a drunken sailor around corners. Can not complete even 1 freaking lap on local race track without overheating. Dealership was 1 hour away vs 10 mins for BMW. I could go on but you get the idea.
For me it’s an interesting buy, if you want an EV without spending much money (below 10000 €). I like the interior and it has a lot of space inside. Later it can be used as a second car. There are also battery upgrades (not official). So maybe 400-500 km could be realistic in a few years.
5:30 - that car must be defective, because every i3 I've driven jams on the brakes in an emergency. First it shows a red light on the dash, then it beeps at you and if you still haven't taken evasive action it brakes hard. Also, the 'distance' between it and the car in front can be adjusted with the active cruise control so it won't leave a big gap... same as other BMWs and vehicles with the KAFAS system.
I've "tested" the 2018 i3s I have for this and it will indeed not react to stopped vehicles, even with the maximum following distance set. I came within literal inches of rear ending a truck. Only one test was good enough for me. I believe it has to do with when/if it picks the vehicle up, and seems to not classify it as a vehicle if it sees it the first time and it's already stopped. This would be dangerous if for example the vehicle in front of you switched lanes quickly because of a stopped vehicle in front of it.
Darn it, I wish these reviews for the i3 with range extender would actually say this is the Rex version in the title. This is the second or third one in a row I've come across that didn't.
Just make sure your local BMW dealer can service it. For me I found only ONE dealer in St Louis can service it and I live in Illinois. Do your homework before writing the check.
What type of servicing would you need? I thought that was part of the appeal of EV, the almost zero maintenance (assuming you take the non-range extender)?
Very fair review. I can agree on every single point. As a new owner of the latest i3s, I have waited few years for BMW to improve this amazing product. Personally I would not buy any i3 with REX. However USA is a huge country and for this kind of money, there is simply no better EV out there.
I really like how you did this one Kyle. I'd love to see you go back to the short format every once in a while. I like your reviews because I trust them and understand your methodology..unfortunately, I don't always have 30mins to an hour to watch five parts each on the Rivian.
Great review! I was looking forward to you hitting the track in it but you substituted the shots of your old i3. One video I’d love to see is a review of driving this and other electric cars daily or weekly drives. A video of people driving EVs on their daily commutes everyday. Seeing what their routine is. Also seeing a drive of all available EVs in the US driven til they run dry! Like those guys across the pond did. We need the US version of that.
Hi Kyle. Great review. It's one of my favorites on the i3. I live in MN. I was wondering what your thoughts are about a 22kwh i3 rex working in the upper midwest when we get very cold in the winter?
The best cheap EV to buy now is the 2020 Mini EV. After tax credits, it is $20,000 for a brand new EV with i3 technology that does not look like a panda. It makes no sense to pay $17K for this car when you can buy a brand new mini for $3K more. A used 2016 i3 is not worth more than $12K.
a used 2016 i3 with low miles and with a 0.5% battery degregadation and all the options available is worth $17K especially if it has the REx.. The Mini 'e' does not have as many features and options and it certainly does not have BMW's answer to Tesla's AutoPilot like the i3 has (TJA). I was very much interested in buying the new Mini 'e', however, it just does not have the features I want and it does not drive and perform like a BMW.. The are many 2016 i3s with only 10k miles.
Thanks for the video. If I wanted to get one for my 90 year old parents to drive around a small town would it be better to buy an used 2014 with lots of miles or pick up a lease transfer of a newer 2018 that would be for a year at $350/month ? The idea is just to the, to try the car and they will probably not drive too many more years from now. They have larger BMW for distance drives and a 2000 Passat currently. Is there any adapter to use car battery to power the house in a power outage ? Last Fall in northern CA they shut off everyone’s power for 3 days.
I got the 2018 i3s on a good lease that worked out to about $300 a month. There's no vehicle-to-grid for it that I'm aware of, and the battery is just not that huge anyway to be honest. I like driving it as almost as much as I do my Z4M (if only it were a convertible too :) - it really will outrun the M from a traffic light up to about 45mph. BMW nailed the regenerative braking feel IMO.
This is the stupidest car hence it came up on used market so much... wouldnt buy it even if was $700 cause it’s dorky, annoying suicidal doors, rear glass doesn’t go down, no fifth seat, lower range , no heated steering ... the list is endless ... buy a nice car for your gf dude
@John Edwards He never replied, guess you made your point. He's just some idiot that for some reason feels the need to run his mouth, but most like has never driven either car.
How would you classify crash safety for this car? I can't seem to find much crash test data or if they are even crash tested. In your opinion, do you feel it's a safe car? I would like to get one for a daily 33 mile commute to the city which means being on the interstate every day. So just a little concerned about crash safety. Thanks!
5:02 it does have sonar... it's what's also used for self parking, but the range is very limited. (I agree though, the ACC is too primitive... the gap is WAY too much) I have lots of times when it just shuts off... and I'm not talking about when the sun hits the camera. Personally, I rather like the back doors. You need to try to see it from BMW's point... the car is very short... there was no way to have a back door other than this.... you get used to it. (at least, my family did). I got my 2015 Terra World for about $18k, with every possible option EXCEPT the Rex (on purpose!), with 21k miles in Nov. of 2019. It was first in service in May 2016, so the original warranty expires at 50k miles or in May 2020... but I also got TWO years of CPO warranty extension. I still plan on enabling the Euro TJA, but I may wait until I get a 2017 upgrade... I need the extra battery range now. (I was only commuting 35 miles/day when I bought it, now I have an 89 mile daily round trip, which means charging at home and at work... especially when it's below freezing when I only get 50 miles/charge at my rapid rate of travel) As a lifelong design engineer, I really love this car... BMW thought deeply about the design and construction... "it's a modern day equivalent to the Model T" ua-cam.com/video/uDr4L6BzpP8/v-deo.html
I am thinking of buying one of these. I am leaning towards the regular model without the Rex. My question is about the electronics. Some people complain about the shoddy quality of the electronics in the other BMW models. These cars sound like such a great deal used with all the features and extras, but I don’t want to buy a lemon. What do you suggest. My other option is the LEAF, but that car is boring looking and slow.
get off you @ss and go and inspect the car you are interested in... Check the health of the battery, the health of the REx, the health of the 12v battery.. Get all the service records and call up the shops that worked on the car and find out what work was done on it... And if you do get an EV, just buy a EV specific warranty.. All modern cars have electronics that can go bad..
"you'll never want to get out. mostly because you'll have to look at the exterior styling (MUSIC STOPS)" hahaha. Such a great video Kyle. Keep up the great work.
Great review; short and too the point without missing anything significant. Well done.
Good review and I agree, I picked up a used i3 and it was a tremendous value.
There are a couple things you are mistaken about. First, the range extender engine is not connected to the drivetrain at all, it is a generator to make electricity for the high voltage battery. Second, you can adjust the distance for the adaptive cruise control.
Completely Agree with this. We picked up a 2017 BMW i3 94ah REX with about 22,000 miles on it for under $20,000 about 6 months or so ago. My Wife drives it and she loves it. Crazy to buy new, but awesome used deal for an EV.
James Lindstrom awesome. Do you have any worries on battery life?
@@RussellHogan like with any late model used car, don't buy one without a power train warranty.
An instant classic. Great job Kyle. :)
I traded my smart 451 electric for a 33kWh i3 about two weeks ago. Can’t decide which one I love the most. Yet the smart only has the small onboard charger. That’s why I traded it. Now my mom drives the smart and has a whole lot of fun.
Why cant all car freaking reviews be like this!?!? 😖
Who knew you were such an amazing car reviewer?! Loved the video and I hope there’s more reviews in the future!
There will be!
I can’t wait!
The 2014 BMW i3-REx was the gateway to our Model 3 and taught many valuable lessons. We did snap an early motor mount bolt that was repaired under warranty with much stronger, solid mounts, and bolts. Also, BMW parts always take two or more days.
Minor technical corrections, my REx rpm uses one of four bands depending on speed and load. Also, my coding only gets 2.3 gallons. Regardless, it is a great backup for our Model 3 and can easily handle local and cross country needs.
Correct on the four bands, the way I drive though it’s just maxed out all the time 🤣 - I’ve managed to squeeze 2.4 gallons pretty regularly into that tiny tank! The i3 was the first i3 in the family when my dad got one years ago, started the whole electric thing for us.
Great review format and epic value on an EV. Some classic Top Gear influence present in your presenter and editing style.
I got one pre-owned too! The car I got stickered for 56k new, and I got it for less than a third of that two years later with low miles and two years of factory warranty remaining.
I love that little car. Prices have crept up along with every other pre-owned car out there, but they're still a great buy.
My last car was a (used haha.. wouldn't buy it new) BMW i3 with range extender. It wasn't a bad car, and I enjoyed the heck out of it and got it for a cheap price. I tossed it after two years for a few reasons:
1) BMW tax. NOBODY will touch this car except a BMW dealer. (not even independent BMW shops) Have fun paying over $2,000 for that replacement AC condenser after a stone hits it. I did the work myself and had it replaced for ~$400 in parts + tools.
2) Range on the smaller packs. 82 Miles for a charge is fine... except after range loss kicks in. After a few years you can easily be down to 60-50 miles of electric range... which sucks.
The REx would be nice if it had closer to an 8 or 10 gallon tank for road trips.
just buy a gas powered car... the i3 is an electric car, if it had a 10 gallon tank it would be a heavy hybrid.
CA limits how much (usable) gas a car could carry and still be called electric.
You touched on some very important points that other long term reviews haven’t. The software limited acceleration, the wet handling, the adaptive cruise following distance, and automatic braking.
Best i3 review I’ve ever seen!
Excellent review. No hype or wanna be stand comedy. Just chill and facts. A+
A) the suicide doors function exactly like the one in my old Ranger truck. Not a problem.
B) skip the REX for full electric. Not a problem.
C) didn’t buy this car to be a wannabe dragster. Not a problem.
D) I don’t use cruise control like autopilot. Not a problem.
I bought my 2014 i3 BEV used for my 20 -30 miles of daily commuting. I purposely skipped the REX, so no issues there, and with the Used EV Rebate from the feds, I got a $50k car for $8k spec’d out with the leather & wool Lodge interior, Harman-Kardon premium sound, Driver Assist package, and heat pump for winter. Oh, and there’s free charging at work, so I have yet to pay for public charger, or run mine at home.
Truly the perfect car for me.
Buy the one without REX, it will be a classic, particularly because there won’t be a new model and we will not see another car with carbon fibre monocoque any time soon
So its me again...I sold my 2017 and bought another 2015. Thats how much I love these cars. At about 250 kms in the summer of combined range, it fits my needs EVEN if I decide to do a long distance trip as this one has DC FAST charging.
So you sold the 2017 with the longer range for a 2015? I'm considering a 2017 REX due to the longer range but the 2016's are such good deals. More comparison insights would be greatly appreciated.
@DonSol yes I sold the 17 and bought a challenger...had many issues and wasn't the car I had hoped,and when I started getting the itch for an electric, drove another i3, and since the condition was mint and low kms I bought it. Not as much range..about 130 to 140 city and 110 highway (kms) and less in the winter..about 25%..and my 17 would get about 40-50% better range. Total range in the su mer on my 15 is about 245 (with the range extender which has been coded to turn on when i wish anytime below 75%)..kms and on the 17 was around d 325 kms
@@johnnyzee383 thanks for this info. Wow 40-50% more range on the 2017 sounds great. I noticed the 2017s also have less features on them like smaller screen. I live in Florida where its always warm so I think an older (except 2014) would be a better buy. Do you know if there is any difference between the 2015 and 2016? Also I think I have to get the REx for a tad less range anxiety.
@@DonSoledadGroup I dont think theres a whole lot a difference between a 2015 and 16. The smaller screen was standard and the bigger screen was the updated package...however I know that in some years BMW had some supply issues with the larger screens and they stuck the smaller one in there instead. I have the smaller one, but I tried a larger one and it worked with a simple coding procedure.
Yeah...well, I had leased a 2015 rex, loaded, $55K, with a trade and BMW of Tuscon discount it was $250 a month. 4 inch tires are twitchy at best and the rears wore quickly, like 14000 miles quick. Roomy, quiet, quick...yes. Electronics, suck. Back up camera went out and no one in the States had one? Over a month wait and returned it the day I picked it up because of 12 volt battery problems. Replaced the battery twice in 30 months. I've many photos of that vehicle on a flat bed. It was my 2nd BMW and my last. Radio controls disappeared, gas door wouldn't open, gas line replaced, night I brought it home it beeped in the garage a few times while parked...was lonely I guess.
Any way, many other issues I won't go into. I was relieved to give it back. All issues repaired under warranty, got loaners, but 22 miles to the closest dealer got old. Was on a first name basis with a few there...will miss them...not the i3.
Always wondered who bought that one...in my prayers.
You were unlucky...this car rated one of the best ev's...and my 2015 went 22000 kms with no issues, except glitchy software...in other words, says there is a problem then turn it off and its gone...other than that very reliable.
@@johnnyzee383
Sounds like you were the lucky one. No more bimmers for me.
I’d love to get a used EV, I’m a commuter (when it isn’t a pandemic) and really care about TCO. Any owners have input on how the i3 compares to a used leaf or e-golf (or anything else affordable) in terms of TCO? I’ve never owned a BMW, and am concerned tires and dealer service will eat up the electric savings.
I have 2 of the 2017 BWM i3 w/ the 33kw battery. They are the "perfect citydweller car.
I’m not a fan of the range extender. It adds 300lbs of weight, lowers battery-only range by about ten miles and slows 0-60 acceleration by about a second. Also, the car handles better without it. From what I’ve heard, people with the range extender hardly ever need it so they lug 300lbs around everywhere just to avoid the slight chance that they might need to stop at a charger some day. Oh, and the range extender engine needs maintenance as well. I understand the attraction to it for first time EV buyers, but I would bet most REX owners would get the BEV next time around. Lastly, the range extender option is like $5K or something ridiculous like that. I always said that the REX is for wimps.
it only adds 200lbs because the REx versions is 2800lbs and the BEV is 2600lbs.. Anytime you had passengers, a baby seat etc., it adds weight and cuts into your range... If you are buying used, the REx comes with the used price. $17K for a used 2016 with low miles and a REx is a great deal..
You are absolutely correct. I bought the latest i3s without REX even as the dealership was offering me a FREE Rex upgrade. In the very first 4 weeks I have already driven 9000 KMs in this little pocket rocket. Range is not an issue if there are plenty of AC or DC chargers. The range readout is also pretty accurate at all times. It automatically adjust to the actual usage pattern of the driver very quickly. I plan to hand this i3s down to my son once he is old enough to drive. No REX = No mandatory service EVER.
Would anyone buy one of these now that the early ones have no warranty on their battery?
Beautiful video!!
Thank you!
Great review Kyle.
Nice video Kyle. 👍
I was really thinking about getting one because you can get it for such a good deal now. But if anything goes wrong with it at all, you can only take it to a BMW dealer and pay their $150hr labor rate.
Not in Australia, the price still very high, around 35K for a 2016 i3.
yes to can get 80 miles range but with heater or AC on your down to 60
Or less if you drive like me. I think I get about 40-50 miles out of my electric smart driving like my hair is on fire and it’s way more than I ever need driving around my city. The i3 has the perfect range for city / suburb driving. And if you need more, there are bigger battery options that obviously cost more, but since it has the REx and it’s good to use it often, I’d say just get the small battery and not worry about it
Code Code Code...lol...Dont need a computer ..I bought a vgate obd2 tool and the bimmer code software on my phone and in 3 mins I coded the tank to the full capacity and had the range extender menu pop up so i could turn it on anytime i wanted below 75%. For me, my 2015 although no problems going 22000 kms, doesnt quite have the range because I plan on doing a road trip to new mexico so am trading in for a 2017 which has 50% more battery (combined 320 kms range).PLUS the 96ah or 33 kwh battery in the 2017 is rated for 4600 cycles or..get ready for it...over 500000 miles lol..Ill take one please...
John Zoccano I use BimmerCode. My code doesn’t last. Often have to re-code the tank.
what is the real world range ? I found it annoying that every car maker gives you the 100% charge range in a laboratory. Then tells you that you can charge the battery up to 80% within 3h. Great. So what is real world range with 80% charge ? Nobody says it. The real world mileage is really depends on where you live. I had an i3 like this, the REX and smaller battery. Promised range was 90 miles. The most we got out of it was 67. Reason ? Heating. It was in the winter and we used the heat. But on the summer days you use a/c. So you never really get the whole range. Tesla does about 78-79% of its range and MB does about 83% and Kia does 93%.
damnit....what was your range when you didn't need heat or the aircon?
what was your range in the city in stop and go traffic?
what was your range on the freeway?
did you use Comfort Mode often?
did you normally drive alone or with passengers?
what was the percentage of battery degredation?
Great video. I've been reading a lot about issues with replacing the tire that sometimes it takes a real long time for them to restock how much do you know about that?
Atleast now i can feel better about not tryna race at a light, Ima just say I can't bro, too much torque holding me back🤣
Hi Kyle, I really like your review and your videos on EV's. A question for you. What are your thoughts about the 22kwh vs 33kwh i3's? The smaller battery is a pretty good deal and the bigger is more expensive. Do you think the smaller battery i3 is still worth it?
When it comes to tires I believe BMW i3 has unpractical ones - too narrow for decent grip and too expensive. However Tesla tire choices are not much better with a too low profile getting smashed in any one decent pothole at once. And then EV community wonders why EV revolution does not happen yet when most EVs on the market do not have practicality at all.
thanks for the review! how big is your dog (lbs) ?
I am looking to buy one🤗
Is it reliable ?
Great review! But, I have to say, your dog appeared somewhat miserable (panting). Do you truly recommend the i3 for dog owners? Thanks
well done. I wonder how well the extender does if you don't use it that often. Do you put any stabilizer in the fuel just in case it's sitting for a month or more?
Nope, the fuel tank is pressurized to help preserve longevity - you have to depressurize the tank before fueling every time by clicking a fuel door unlatch button
Love the walmart fan.
I hate how he just glosses over the issues with the range extender for pre 2016 models. I am about to purchase a range extender 2014 model and am now concerned. Please go in to detail for those of us that are buying older models.
they leased em, I doubt very many people bought em
It is a good 50% more than any similar ranged, mileage, yeared EV if not 100% more.
RWD is also a poor choice in northern climates. I think I'd prefer a Golf EV even if the Golf wasn't $5000 less.
good for you...
How far can one travel before needing to fuel up the range extender?
If everything is full about 160-180 miles
Nobody bought these cars for $45K+, they were all leased
Most were, yes
People who sell cars after 4 years of ownership are part of the problem....
Because god forbid others wanting to buy 4 year old vehicles be able to find any.
They didn’t buy them and sell them after 4 years. Most i3 are leased and the residual buyout is too high. So now the market is flooded and the price has dropped. Doesn’t help that the i3 is a butt ugly Smart Car clone.
honestly (im not trying to sound mean) ... for 45k, WHY would anyone get THAT over a Tesla? im being serious.. im not even trying to be funny lol. it seems like the Tesla (thats cheaper) is better in literally every way possible.
That was the whole point of this review. Why would anyone buy one new? Idk... it’s stupid. Most of them were cheap leases though which did make sense
no one in the world paid $45K for an i3.... And the Tesla isn't $35K either, its more like $45K and its proven to be problematic.. If you're a college kid that needs a car to get around the community or your daily commute is within 50 miles round trip, a used i3 is a good deal for under $18K. The i3 is still modern enough and it has all the latest technologies. What other EV or ICE has what the i3 has for $18K?
Here in Australia the base Model 3 with no option is around USD $49K. BMW i3s full spec is USD $42K. Hyundai Kona full spec is USD $45K. Nissan Leaf full spec is $43K. Hyundai Ioniq full spec is USD $38K. Tesla Model S full spec is USD $95K. Tesla Model X full spec is $107K. 70% of EV buyers here choose the Model 3. I bought the BMW i3s because my first 2016 Tesla Model S was a lemon. In the entire country of Australia there are only 4 used i3 for sale right now. Tesla however are flooding the used market. All the Model S owners are upgrading to Model 3. Nobody wants the Model S.
and with that, lets see how fast it goes around our track DEAD STARE, CUT AWAY TO HOT LAP WITH PUN INFUSED COMMENTARY
Check out TFL car, I3 was track tested and surprisingly ends up in the middle of the pack.
💲
BMW I3 rear doors .... good to see Germans enjoy a joke....
and road noise on the motorway at 70 mph+ is appalling this really is a city car only...
So.... basically the car 🚗 sucks ass!
I would have to say the i3 is the worst EV you could buy, new or used.
Depends on what you need and where you are, you could be right. For me however, the latest i3s has been one of the best EVs I have ever driven. My last EV was a Model S. Ran itself into the brick wall in my garage on very first day. Auto pilot some times just decide to end my life on highway. Range is miserable whenever I drove it fast. Handled like a drunken sailor around corners. Can not complete even 1 freaking lap on local race track without overheating. Dealership was 1 hour away vs 10 mins for BMW. I could go on but you get the idea.
For me it’s an interesting buy, if you want an EV without spending much money (below 10000 €). I like the interior and it has a lot of space inside. Later it can be used as a second car. There are also battery upgrades (not official). So maybe 400-500 km could be realistic in a few years.
5:30 - that car must be defective, because every i3 I've driven jams on the brakes in an emergency. First it shows a red light on the dash, then it beeps at you and if you still haven't taken evasive action it brakes hard. Also, the 'distance' between it and the car in front can be adjusted with the active cruise control so it won't leave a big gap... same as other BMWs and vehicles with the KAFAS system.
I've "tested" the 2018 i3s I have for this and it will indeed not react to stopped vehicles, even with the maximum following distance set. I came within literal inches of rear ending a truck. Only one test was good enough for me. I believe it has to do with when/if it picks the vehicle up, and seems to not classify it as a vehicle if it sees it the first time and it's already stopped. This would be dangerous if for example the vehicle in front of you switched lanes quickly because of a stopped vehicle in front of it.
Hmmmm. I don’t consider any cars with a tail pipe (range extender) as “EV”. Guess I’m a bit of an ev snob?
Darn it, I wish these reviews for the i3 with range extender would actually say this is the Rex version in the title. This is the second or third one in a row I've come across that didn't.
Why they drive identically?
Kyle is a great presenter, who balances his videos with facts, humour and interesting comments. Great channel!
Just make sure your local BMW dealer can service it. For me I found only ONE dealer in St Louis can service it and I live in Illinois. Do your homework before writing the check.
What type of servicing would you need? I thought that was part of the appeal of EV, the almost zero maintenance (assuming you take the non-range extender)?
Sorry, NOT like a 911. 🤠
What was the issues you specifically had with the range extender for 2014 model?
Exactly what I was looking for.
Disappointing there was no reply to your question. He owes an answer since it was not included in the review.
Sometimes we gotta thank the wealthy for breaking the ice and making us buy it for a better price later on
i feel sorry for California drivers who have to have those ugly stickers on their cars
So is hybrid
Very fair review. I can agree on every single point. As a new owner of the latest i3s, I have waited few years for BMW to improve this amazing product. Personally I would not buy any i3 with REX. However USA is a huge country and for this kind of money, there is simply no better EV out there.
Curious how much discount did you get off MSRP
Is it true that you can’t run the A/C while charging?
Hey bro, I really like your attitude in the video, hope you all the best!
Thanks for watching!
I really like how you did this one Kyle. I'd love to see you go back to the short format every once in a while. I like your reviews because I trust them and understand your methodology..unfortunately, I don't always have 30mins to an hour to watch five parts each on the Rivian.
Great review. You touched on all the points of ownership.
Great review! I was looking forward to you hitting the track in it but you substituted the shots of your old i3. One video I’d love to see is a review of driving this and other electric cars daily or weekly drives. A video of people driving EVs on their daily commutes everyday. Seeing what their routine is. Also seeing a drive of all available EVs in the US driven til they run dry! Like those guys across the pond did. We need the US version of that.
Hi Kyle. Great review. It's one of my favorites on the i3. I live in MN. I was wondering what your thoughts are about a 22kwh i3 rex working in the upper midwest when we get very cold in the winter?
Problem: it's a BMW and it will constantly be broken
This. I had one and was in a loaner BMW for half my ownership of the car.
@@ccvr6 An i3 or another BMW?
@@JustifyJustin I had an i3.
The best cheap EV to buy now is the 2020 Mini EV. After tax credits, it is $20,000 for a brand new EV with i3 technology that does not look like a panda. It makes no sense to pay $17K for this car when you can buy a brand new mini for $3K more. A used 2016 i3 is not worth more than $12K.
a used 2016 i3 with low miles and with a 0.5% battery degregadation and all the options available is worth $17K especially if it has the REx.. The Mini 'e' does not have as many features and options and it certainly does not have BMW's answer to Tesla's AutoPilot like the i3 has (TJA). I was very much interested in buying the new Mini 'e', however, it just does not have the features I want and it does not drive and perform like a BMW.. The are many 2016 i3s with only 10k miles.
Thanks for the video. If I wanted to get one for my 90 year old parents to drive around a small town would it be better to buy an used 2014 with lots of miles or pick up a lease transfer of a newer 2018 that would be for a year at $350/month ? The idea is just to the, to try the car and they will probably not drive too many more years from now. They have larger BMW for distance drives and a 2000 Passat currently.
Is there any adapter to use car battery to power the house in a power outage ? Last Fall in northern CA they shut off everyone’s power for 3 days.
I got the 2018 i3s on a good lease that worked out to about $300 a month. There's no vehicle-to-grid for it that I'm aware of, and the battery is just not that huge anyway to be honest. I like driving it as almost as much as I do my Z4M (if only it were a convertible too :) - it really will outrun the M from a traffic light up to about 45mph. BMW nailed the regenerative braking feel IMO.
I saw one 2017 for $13k... REX
Great music choices, what songs did you use?
Thank you, very informative!
Also, the regenerative braking does not turn the brake light on. So the car behind can be caught by surprise...
Yes it does
How do you unlock the 2.4 gallon fuel tank?
I’m about to buy a used 2018 one.
You have to get the car tuned by a shop, they hook up a computer with special software that can read all the options
This is a hybrid.
No it rear motor like a Smart Car lol
there is no smart car that has 170HP...
This is the stupidest car hence it came up on used market so much... wouldnt buy it even if was $700 cause it’s dorky, annoying suicidal doors, rear glass doesn’t go down, no fifth seat, lower range , no heated steering ... the list is endless ... buy a nice car for your gf dude
It has very good heated seats 🤣
@@OutofSpecMotoring he probably doesn't have $700, and never been in a electric car, lol
IMBECILE
@John Edwards He never replied, guess you made your point. He's just some idiot that for some reason feels the need to run his mouth, but most like has never driven either car.
ok, well stand your @ss at the bus stop while I diss you as I drive by in my BMW i3...
How would you classify crash safety for this car? I can't seem to find much crash test data or if they are even crash tested. In your opinion, do you feel it's a safe car? I would like to get one for a daily 33 mile commute to the city which means being on the interstate every day. So just a little concerned about crash safety. Thanks!
There are many crash test videos on this car.
5:02 it does have sonar... it's what's also used for self parking, but the range is very limited. (I agree though, the ACC is too primitive... the gap is WAY too much) I have lots of times when it just shuts off... and I'm not talking about when the sun hits the camera. Personally, I rather like the back doors. You need to try to see it from BMW's point... the car is very short... there was no way to have a back door other than this.... you get used to it. (at least, my family did).
I got my 2015 Terra World for about $18k, with every possible option EXCEPT the Rex (on purpose!), with 21k miles in Nov. of 2019. It was first in service in May 2016, so the original warranty expires at 50k miles or in May 2020... but I also got TWO years of CPO warranty extension.
I still plan on enabling the Euro TJA, but I may wait until I get a 2017 upgrade... I need the extra battery range now. (I was only commuting 35 miles/day when I bought it, now I have an 89 mile daily round trip, which means charging at home and at work... especially when it's below freezing when I only get 50 miles/charge at my rapid rate of travel)
As a lifelong design engineer, I really love this car... BMW thought deeply about the design and construction... "it's a modern day equivalent to the Model T" ua-cam.com/video/uDr4L6BzpP8/v-deo.html
I am thinking of buying one of these. I am leaning towards the regular model without the Rex. My question is about the electronics. Some people complain about the shoddy quality of the electronics in the other BMW models. These cars sound like such a great deal used with all the features and extras, but I don’t want to buy a lemon. What do you suggest. My other option is the LEAF, but that car is boring looking and slow.
get off you @ss and go and inspect the car you are interested in... Check the health of the battery, the health of the REx, the health of the 12v battery.. Get all the service records and call up the shops that worked on the car and find out what work was done on it... And if you do get an EV, just buy a EV specific warranty.. All modern cars have electronics that can go bad..