OK, many points here will have been covered elsewhere but hopefully this will give an alternative view of the i3 that might be helpful:
First off let me say, coming from an aerospace and petrol head and especially last 10 years an ECO technology background, I am impressed that BMW has put the i3 on the market.
It really is a fun car to drive but it has a lot of compromises, many of which could be addressed in a Mk2 at some stage.
In no particular order, but starting with the +VES:
THE GOOD:
1. Quietness! It's very good. It drives like no other car - yes other EVs offer similar dB experiences but the construction and stiffness of the chassis help to make this a rattle free environment.
2. The i3 in comfort mode has excellent handling and steering feel - part of the latter is undoubtedly an algorithm but also down to the narrow Bridgestone tyres.
3. The Driver's fwd visibility is better than expected - the A pillars are wide but no worse than other modern cars. But you still must move your head around these intrusions.
4. The seats are fairly comfortable and I like the 3 levels of seat heating (not available in ECO RPO PLUS).
5. Grip is better than expected - I drove in slippery wet and muddy uphill tarred road conditions and in COMFORT mode there were no issues.
6. The cruise control is intuitive and very useful on Dual Carriageways/freeways.
7. Ride: firm but acceptable - no where near a Citroen DS or Rolls Royce but given the high pressure tyres and stiff chassis it's pretty compliant.
8. Cabin feel: a feeling of space and lightness
9. Acceleration - this side of a Tesla - more than adequate and probably too addictive!
10. Futuristic - most other cars now feel 20th Century after driving one. NB: I still like classic cars!
11. Great tight turning circle!
THE NOT SO GOOD / -VES
1. The doors are very heavy for such a "light" car - this is due to the re-inforcement on both main and suicide doors to allow for B pillar removal - so more a case of style with too much substance - a simpler design would have saved weight
2. If BMW really wanted to make a lighter car then the excesses? The wing mirrors are HUGE by ECO car and aerodynamic stds - they could learn from the VW XL1 and fit cameras as an option with internal viewing flat screens. Why 3 wipers instead of 1 with better rear aero-design (like Audi A2 Cd 0.25)?
3. The car is fidgety on country/back roads in ECO PRO and PRO PLUS (which sounds like a pain killer!) - partly this is where the chassis / braking control electronics are fighting with the driver when he/she demands a more flowing / progressive drive - this is not such an issue in Comfort but range is then affected.
4. Seat Height adjustment - not new for BMW drivers but other will have to get used to lifting their entiure body weight up on the steering wheel (front pax - where's the hand hold?) to raise front seat up.
5. Very poor boot space and little rear pax foot and head room for a car with >2m girth (incl mirrors). Can't take 3 in the back and can't fit the smallest pram/baby stroller in boot/trunk. Could so easily be a five-seater. And why not make rear seats removable?
6. Very limited colour choices - if you want orange then you'll pay through the nose for an interior upgrade just because of a Silver lining! Why not offer orange with the blue stripe like that other Scottish brew " Iron Bru" !
7. Expensive winter tyre option in UK: In Germany a full set of 4 i3 wheels and tyres can be ordered for 900 Euros - it's double that in UK! NB: NO SPARE WHEEL, JACK OR WHEEL BRACE is supplied with UK cars just puncture gloop kit. Latter not always reliable so break down cover essential.
8. Owners will get used to it but start up is slow process for newbies- A2 1.2 has large red LED instructions to put foot on brake pedal before starting.
9. No SOC ! bar chart is not enough BMW!
10. More space given over to Cup holders than luggage space/legroom rear/potential 5th occupant - OK I exaggerate! - but why do we need over sized cup holders in UK?
11. Re-GEN could be more colourful - I managed to find the sweet spot eventually - the i3 manual says coasting is most efficient use of momentum - more than re-gen due to losses. How about an Analogue display more in line with the drivers lookout? Maybe an HUD like fighter pilots use with AoA gauge.
12. Connectivity: By and large it's good - but non bmw owners will take some time getting used to the controls. It;s more windows than mac in the layered menu approach. NB: you can't use iphone app on demo cars as it's specific to owner/VIN. It took me an age to find Heat Pump / battery pre conditioning on over night recharge. Then at work next day lost 6h of potential recharge as it was not in "charge now"mode but on timer (great for economy 7 tariff but useless for out and about!
13. RHD markets: if you are Right handed then the handwriting input device is hard work!
14. Tailgate and Rear View camera gets dirty very quickly in British wet winter conditions!
15. Demo car had LOFT interior - white carpets are a nightmare!
16. Auto parking and Voice Recognition can be fooled - Manual states don't depend on former!
17. Again common to lots of EVs: Most Pedestrans can't hear you! Good part is it forces you to look further ahead at pedestrians near(ing) pavement.
18. English in the handbook seems more Google Language tools than linguist derived!
First off let me say, coming from an aerospace and petrol head and especially last 10 years an ECO technology background, I am impressed that BMW has put the i3 on the market.
It really is a fun car to drive but it has a lot of compromises, many of which could be addressed in a Mk2 at some stage.
In no particular order, but starting with the +VES:
THE GOOD:
1. Quietness! It's very good. It drives like no other car - yes other EVs offer similar dB experiences but the construction and stiffness of the chassis help to make this a rattle free environment.
2. The i3 in comfort mode has excellent handling and steering feel - part of the latter is undoubtedly an algorithm but also down to the narrow Bridgestone tyres.
3. The Driver's fwd visibility is better than expected - the A pillars are wide but no worse than other modern cars. But you still must move your head around these intrusions.
4. The seats are fairly comfortable and I like the 3 levels of seat heating (not available in ECO RPO PLUS).
5. Grip is better than expected - I drove in slippery wet and muddy uphill tarred road conditions and in COMFORT mode there were no issues.
6. The cruise control is intuitive and very useful on Dual Carriageways/freeways.
7. Ride: firm but acceptable - no where near a Citroen DS or Rolls Royce but given the high pressure tyres and stiff chassis it's pretty compliant.
8. Cabin feel: a feeling of space and lightness
9. Acceleration - this side of a Tesla - more than adequate and probably too addictive!
10. Futuristic - most other cars now feel 20th Century after driving one. NB: I still like classic cars!
11. Great tight turning circle!
THE NOT SO GOOD / -VES
1. The doors are very heavy for such a "light" car - this is due to the re-inforcement on both main and suicide doors to allow for B pillar removal - so more a case of style with too much substance - a simpler design would have saved weight
2. If BMW really wanted to make a lighter car then the excesses? The wing mirrors are HUGE by ECO car and aerodynamic stds - they could learn from the VW XL1 and fit cameras as an option with internal viewing flat screens. Why 3 wipers instead of 1 with better rear aero-design (like Audi A2 Cd 0.25)?
3. The car is fidgety on country/back roads in ECO PRO and PRO PLUS (which sounds like a pain killer!) - partly this is where the chassis / braking control electronics are fighting with the driver when he/she demands a more flowing / progressive drive - this is not such an issue in Comfort but range is then affected.
4. Seat Height adjustment - not new for BMW drivers but other will have to get used to lifting their entiure body weight up on the steering wheel (front pax - where's the hand hold?) to raise front seat up.
5. Very poor boot space and little rear pax foot and head room for a car with >2m girth (incl mirrors). Can't take 3 in the back and can't fit the smallest pram/baby stroller in boot/trunk. Could so easily be a five-seater. And why not make rear seats removable?
6. Very limited colour choices - if you want orange then you'll pay through the nose for an interior upgrade just because of a Silver lining! Why not offer orange with the blue stripe like that other Scottish brew " Iron Bru" !
7. Expensive winter tyre option in UK: In Germany a full set of 4 i3 wheels and tyres can be ordered for 900 Euros - it's double that in UK! NB: NO SPARE WHEEL, JACK OR WHEEL BRACE is supplied with UK cars just puncture gloop kit. Latter not always reliable so break down cover essential.
8. Owners will get used to it but start up is slow process for newbies- A2 1.2 has large red LED instructions to put foot on brake pedal before starting.
9. No SOC ! bar chart is not enough BMW!
10. More space given over to Cup holders than luggage space/legroom rear/potential 5th occupant - OK I exaggerate! - but why do we need over sized cup holders in UK?
11. Re-GEN could be more colourful - I managed to find the sweet spot eventually - the i3 manual says coasting is most efficient use of momentum - more than re-gen due to losses. How about an Analogue display more in line with the drivers lookout? Maybe an HUD like fighter pilots use with AoA gauge.
12. Connectivity: By and large it's good - but non bmw owners will take some time getting used to the controls. It;s more windows than mac in the layered menu approach. NB: you can't use iphone app on demo cars as it's specific to owner/VIN. It took me an age to find Heat Pump / battery pre conditioning on over night recharge. Then at work next day lost 6h of potential recharge as it was not in "charge now"mode but on timer (great for economy 7 tariff but useless for out and about!
13. RHD markets: if you are Right handed then the handwriting input device is hard work!
14. Tailgate and Rear View camera gets dirty very quickly in British wet winter conditions!
15. Demo car had LOFT interior - white carpets are a nightmare!
16. Auto parking and Voice Recognition can be fooled - Manual states don't depend on former!
17. Again common to lots of EVs: Most Pedestrans can't hear you! Good part is it forces you to look further ahead at pedestrians near(ing) pavement.
18. English in the handbook seems more Google Language tools than linguist derived!
