BMW i3 electric car used prices are looking attractive

[desura]

it looks like you can buy one for around 20-22k right now, used with 15k miles, 2014 model year. Not the greatest deal but not bad either. With the motorcycle engine range extender, it looks more attractive than the Nissan Leaf. And it looks much more spacious than the Chevy Volt. Much less range than the Bolt but from the looks of it it has comparable if not more space, and the motorcycle range extender probably helps a lot. And cheaper, since the Bolt new is close to 40k.

 

[tweakmonkey]

I'm seeing them here in California for 16k but without range extender. They're very cool and drive great. Not sure about reliability but they had issues early on. But still- high tech and really neat car.

I know there's an abundance of Evs coming on leases but these are crazy deals for great commuter cars etc. fiat 500e for $6000. Smart electric for $4000. Amazing bang for the buck.

 

[Mandres]

Wow, even the BMW EV looks like total dogshit. Why are Tesla the only ones making a decent looking electric car? I'm a perfect candidate for this type of vehicle, but I would never spend $20k+ on something that looks like that.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

I think they have issues with maintenance being super expensive, even for a BMW. Stuff like the door emergency releases being crazy hard to use and they break easy.

 

[dirtboy]

I've had an i3 BEV for 2 years now and the only maintenance its needed is a couple software updates.

 

[K1052]

Yea, you can get used i3s for a song. We love ours with the rex and it's basically a perfect city car. Even take the occasional 200 mile trip in it too since we got it coded and took control of SOC and the full fuel tank.

Torn between getting a new one when the lease is up or a pre-owned model S.

 

[Ns1]

^^

How's reliability on those things? If they got standard bmw reliability and maintenance, that's gonna eat up the savings real quick...

 

[K1052]

^^

How's reliability on those things? If they got standard bmw reliability and maintenance, that's gonna eat up the savings real quick...

No problems thus far and the only thing it's been to the dealer for is a software update. The only real issue I'm aware of is the tires will last less than rated milage before the tread is useless, in that vein winter tires are a requirement if one lives where there is any snow. Otherwise it's been an ideal city car.

 

[Fardringle]

Wow, even the BMW EV looks like total dogshit. Why are Tesla the only ones making a decent looking electric car? I'm a perfect candidate for this type of vehicle, but I would never spend $20k+ on something that looks like that.

Agreed. An electric or hybrid vehicle would be perfect for me to use for my daily commute since my only other vehicle right now is a gas guzzling tank (Dodge Durango). The Durango is necessary for me for family trips for the cargo and passenger space, but I hate burning about 14-15mpg driving to work every day.

However, I would have a hard time driving any of the currently available electric cars at a quarter of their prices because they are all absolutely hideous. I don't understand why everybody makes these cars look so ridiculous just so they can scream out "Look at me, I'm electric! But I'm so ugly that I still destroy the environment for everyone that has to look at me as they drive past.."

 

[K1052]

Agreed. An electric or hybrid vehicle would be perfect for me to use for my daily commute since my only other vehicle right now is a gas guzzling tank (Dodge Durango). The Durango is necessary for me for family trips for the cargo and passenger space, but I hate burning about 14-15mpg driving to work every day.

However, I would have a hard time driving any of the currently available electric cars at a quarter of their prices because they are all absolutely hideous. I don't understand why everybody makes these cars look so ridiculous just so they can scream out "Look at me, I'm electric! But I'm so ugly that I still destroy the environment for everyone that has to look at me as they drive past.."

I won't deny that the I3's styling is a bit of an acquired taste but the Model S looks pretty innocuous if a bit futuristic. The E-Golf is basically impossible to distinguish from the gas ones. The now available Bolt also looks like half the modern econoboxes out there. Generally hybrid versions of regular cars are externally identical these days.

 

[Ns1]

I'm seeing them here in California for 16k but without range extender. They're very cool and drive great. Not sure about reliability but they had issues early on. But still- high tech and really neat car.

What city and where at? Less than a handful on craigslist, and Carmax has a few for around the stated 20-22k mark.

 

[tweakmonkey]

Check sfbay Craigslist.

 

[Knavish]

1. A 2014 Leaf with <20k miles is less than $10k. Is the i3 really worth double the price of a Leaf?
2. The REX model is only worth it if you reprogram it to allow you to manually control the REX engine.
3. If you live in California and need the HOV sticker to commute, there is some possibility they will let the green (range extended EV) sticker expire before the white (EV) sticker.
4. I haven't driven the base i3, but I've heard it's a bit stripped down (e.g. crappy stereo)
   
5. FWIW, Consumer Reports says to stay away from 2014 i3's (http://www.greencarreports.com/news...s-avoid-buying-used-2014-bmw-i3-electric-cars)

Full Disclosure: I got one of those $79/month eGolf leases.

 

[tweakmonkey]

To your point #1: I think so but it's apples to oranges.

The i3 is arguably cooler and more advanced. Aluminum/carbon body and more rare and much more wild styling. Sure it's 50-50 hit/miss, but the Leaf is almost 100% miss for styling.

It's a BMW and IMO nicer inside, better materials, nicer wheels, much faster, sportier, handles and stops better, and more advanced electronics / infotainment than the Leaf

RWD vs FWD

I would be worried about the reliability vs a simpler Leaf, but I'm not a big fan of Nissan. I think the battery tech is better on the i3, also the ICE on the rex cars has a really long warranty AFAIK. But I'd go for the BEV since it's way simpler and quite a bit lighter. Then again my commute's 40 miles round trip. I think it's a different shopper that is looking at a used $20k BMW than say, a $6000 Leaf or Fiat 500e.

Good choice on the eGolf, if I had room in my driveway I'd probably have one

 

[NICKel]

Did anyone ever take advantage of this I was seriously thinking about getting one sorry to revive an old thread

 

[Pantoot]

Can't comment on a preowned, but I had one without the REX before the tesla and I loved it. Sure it was goofy looking and I got people asking questions about it (they are way more common now though.)
One warning, since its basically glued together minor damage could result in big bills (or total.) Only had it for 20 months (2 year lease that I ended soon since my tesla finished quicker than I thought it would) but I don't think I took it to the shop once.
If you can get by with 70ish miles of range, I think its worth taking a look at.

 

[K1052]

I was going to buy a preowned one when our old lease was up but my other half wanted a new lease so we got a 2018 with REX built to our spec for a bit more money than we were paying previously. The 40ish mile electric range boost due to the upgraded battery is nice.

 

[bigi]

They already killed this catastrophe. Now, they show a concept of a concept. Amused.

https://electrek.co/2018/05/17/bmw-...-tesla-model-3-competitor-inext-electric-car/