ryandesign said:
Looks like a 6-hr trip, assuming no stops. I don't recommend attempting that. You can read about my Houston-to-Austin trip in my i3 BEV here: http://www.mybmwi3.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2329&start=10#p21551
You'll have a much easier time in a REx than I did in a BEV but you still won't enjoy stopping to charge or refuel every 60 miles, or running in reduced power mode on the REx if you can't find a charging station.
If you get the professional navigation system (part of the technology & driving package) and your BMW client advisor can activate your navigation system before you leave the dealership (mine couldn't), it can help you plan your trip, but has not so far impressed me with its ability (or inability, rather) to find charging stations.
ChargePoint has a trip planner on their web site: https://na.chargepoint.com/cpn_plan_trip
So does PlugShare: http://www.plugshare.com/ (click Trip Planner in the top navigation bar)
Thank you for the links and your comments, it took me so long to get my response written that others responded too. See big post below all of the responses.
rtanov said:
My PlugShare app is not showing any fast chargers between Atlanta & Memphis, so you might have to rely on the Rex. If that is the case it would be much easier if you had the Rex hold function coded and even better if you also had the hidden 0.5 gal in the gas tank unlocked. Then, after you state of charge falls below 75% you can just turn on the REX and run until dry, then stop at the next gas station, refill and so on. You won't have to worry about limp mode on the long hills as you would have enough charge. The state of charge level will creep down but starting at 75% you would have an adequate buffer. Coding the Rex hold & fuel tank is easy and fast if you know how to do it and have the cable and software. However, it is very dependent on the car SW version as additional files are needed to be able to code newer versions. You can ask the dealer for the SW version, buy the cable and coding software but have to prepare very well to be able to code without any problems. There are web sites that would code these functions fort you for about $150 (I believe you just need to give them the VIN), put it on a flash stick and then all you have to do is plug in the stick to activate the functions. I think this might be a more viable option. I cannot recommend one as I've done my own coding but you can see references in this forum and on the i3 Facebook page. Good luck.
BTW, I got my BEV from Chicago, 300 miles away, but driving it back wasn't an option
just rented an U-haul truck&trailer and hauled it home - was pretty painless.
I spent awhile making up some routes and then I had to do some other work, my research shows the same thing, no fast chargers, which sucks. Thank you for the additional info, I wish I had more experience coding, I've had my e46 for almost 9 years, but I don't have a windoze computer anymore and I thought that was part of the requirement, or perhaps it was for older BMW's. I'll look a bit further into it but if you don't mind, see my huge post below and tell me what you think, are my charging times unrealistic? I still haven't googled if Nissan dealers care if you charge at their plugs, I tried to keep highway range with a full battery under 110 miles including full tank of REx. We have a CRV with a 3500lb hitch on it, but uHaul won't rent us a trailer to pull it back on, unfortunately that is the only vehicle we have available with a hitch.
WoodlandHills said:
See my post about my 500 mile daytrip to Tucson in my REx for tips on techniques.... Just bring the dvdinmotion files on a thumb drive, load them in the parking lot when you pick-up your car, and then turn on the REx at 75% SOC. Then you can just drive home at 65. For a one-off road trip, stopping for gas every hour or so is no great chore and you could always carry a 1.5 gal gas can in the frunk of you are worried about running out between stations. Unless you are stopping for a meal, you should have no need to plug the car into a charger if you use this method: I was able to arrive at my destination with over 50% SOC remaining and did not charge along the way.
I will indeed check out your post, thank you for responding. I'll look further into the coding just as rtanov suggested too, it might be worth the money to go ahead and get someone to make me one and send it to me as long as it works, lol. I would assume it would be best to ask and verify that the dealer has updated it to the latest software and then have someone make me a thumb drive for that software. I'll have the VIN when I start making the deal, they have two twins, but I'll ask for it to get insurance rolling and then verify before ordering the thumb drive. Check out my long post below I put together about routes and times, if I don't get it coded or if the thumb drive doesn't work right, I might have to use one of these two routes as a backup.
__________________
I started mapping a route taking advantage of our free place to stay in Lebanon but it worked out to being a 3-day trip with 12 hour days, maximizing battery usage, called it Method 1, easy first day, then two long days back to back. Then I mapped out a route, Method 2, just going back through Birmingham, the way we would go to ATL. 2 days, still long, but not optimizing battery usage, just getting home. I then revised my first route, Method 1, making day 1 more time efficient, but then it seemed to make day 2 a loss until I realized that it would give us a chance to spend some time with part of the family as opposed to just crashing while the car is charging and leaving the next day. Method 1 shows a 3-day trip attempting to optimize battery usage for the first two days until its time to get on home. Method 2 gives us an extra day (Sunday) should we need it, right now we plan to leave on a Friday.
These plans assume the following.
Max range full charged 125 interstate miles (including REx).
3.5-4 hour level 2 charging time.
________
Method 1
Day 1
Memphis to Atlanta through Birmingham, 400 miles in our e46 ZHP meeting the new owner of the e46 in Atlanta. (6 hours)
Deliver e46 to new owner. (1 hour max, maybe have him meet us at the dealership)
Take delivery of i3. (? hours, should have everything ready, hopefully)
Dealer to Chattanooga, TN 105 miles. (2 hours)
Charge at or near a hotel for the next day, better half can get us a free or cheap room no problem.
Approximately a 10 hour day.
Day 2
Chattanooga to Murfeesboro, TN 105 miles (2 hours)
Charge for a bit, top off the tank (1 hour max)
Murfeesboro, TN to Lebanon, TN 33 miles (1/2 hour)
Charge point doesn't specify what capabilities are at the cracker barrel or the senior center in Lebanon, perhaps have the future father in-law check them out. If level 2, have him meet us there, leave the car to charge, return in 3.5-4 hours.
Tool around with the better half's dad and significant other in the car, he will love it, spend the evening, night and morning with them.
Charge overnight 110v charger.
3.5 hour day if we leave the car and let it charge up on its own, still weary of doing something like this, bonus, spend time with the future father in-law, recover from previous day, prepare for following day.
Day 3
Lebanon, TN to Dickson, TN 75 miles (1.5 hours)
Nissan dealership, will they let you charge there? If not, this leg will be very difficult
If yes, charge for about an hour, top off tank if needed. (1 hour)
Dickson, TN to Holladay, TN 50 miles (1 hour)
Top off tank, look for a plug, take a 1 hour break (1 hour)
Holladay, TN to Jackson, TN 50 miles (1 hour)
Level 2 charger, charge for an hour or two, top off tank (1-2 hours)
Jackson, TN to Mason, TN 50 miles (1 hour)
Top off tank, look for a plug, take a 1 hour break (1 hour)
Mason, TN to home 40 miles (1 hour)
Thats a 10-11 hour day.
________
Method 2
Day 1
Memphis to Atlanta through Birmingham, 400 miles in our e46 ZHP meeting the new owner of the e46 in Atlanta. (6 hours)
Deliver e46 to new owner. (1 hour max, maybe have him meet us at the dealership)
Take delivery of i3. (? hours, should have everything ready, hopefully)
Dealer to Oxford, AL (90 mies) 2 hours
Charge at the Nissan Dealership if they will let me, finish charging at a hotel room if possible overnight.
10-12 hour day
Day 2
Oxford, AL to Birmingham 60 miles (1 hour)
Top off battery at a Level 2 charger (2-3 hours?)
Birmingham to Hamilton, Al 100 miles (2 hours)
Top off tank, try to find an outlet and take a break. (1 hour)
Hamilton, Al to Tupelo, MS 50 miles (1 hour)
Tupelo, MS to New Albany, MS 40 miles (1 hour)
Top off tank
New Albany, MS to Holly Springs MS 40 miles (1 hour)
Top off tank, try to find an outlet and take a break (1 hour)
Holly Springs, MS to Memphis International Airport 40 miles (1 hour)
30 minutes of free level 2 charging (1/2 hour)
Top off tank at fuel center near airport
MIA to Home 20 miles (1/2 hour)
Thats a 12-14 hour day.