BMW i3

[nozferatu]

Hardly hearsay, that was an official dealer quote for someone pricing the car. It certainly includes some extra dealer markup, and I agree that it will never fly at that price.

Who got this quote? What dealer? Where? When? Where are the official numbers?

Should all be in the link I provided a page or two back. If it wasn't in that one, it was in a similar article at GreenCarReports.com, Plugincars.com., or green.autoblog.com.

That's not official but I did read those articles.......however where's the actual pricing from BMW?

 

[benwa]

Wow, I had a chance to drive the BMW i3 and took it out on the I-5 through Encinitas and Carlsbad CA. What a ride And only $40,000 I might have to try it next? I Loved it nevertheless!

 

[nozferatu]

Wow, I had a chance to drive the BMW i3 and took it out on the I-5 through Encinitas and Carlsbad CA. What a ride And ony $40,000 I might have to try it next? I Loved it nevertheless!

yeah it's a nice EV...the naysayers honestly don't know what they are talking about in this case:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDrWL0d1img

 

[Nashco]

I test drive it last week. It's a great mid point in value between the current crop of econobox EVs and a Tesla...but I kept asking, "Is it worth twice the price of my Spark EV?" That's probably why I've never had a BMW, I'm not their target customer. My wife really liked it, but I think she's too cheap to get one...she really liked it until the salesman said the lease would be 2.5 times her Leaf lease price.

I think as an EV the BMW isn't that competitive. As a EREV/REX, I think it's probably going to be great. Unfortunately, I haven't had an opportunity to test the REX version to judge that accurately.

I was pretty surprised they had Euro versions in the test drive instead of American spec versions.

Bryce

 

[fengshui]

I moved a bunch of non-i3 QuickCharge related posts from here into the DC Fast Charging Thread. Let's try to keep this thread (roughly) on-topic.

 

[cwerdna]

The i3 isn't a subcompact..categorizing it in the same class as a Spark EV is highly inaccurate..

If the i3 isn't a subcompact, then what EPA size class is it? Have sources for that?

The Spark EV is a subcompact per http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=33640 and since both seat 4 and both have somewhat limited cargo room, I expect the i3 to be classified as either subcompact or compact, at best.

Let's agree to disagree...it's a much bigger vehicle even though it carries 4. The i3 is going head to head with MB's B-class EV...which is substantially larger than the Spark EV. The Spark EV is just barely larger than a Fiat 500...and let me tell you..owning one of those...that's a small car.

I got a crack at driving the i3 at the LA Auto Show...totally different size class and if the EPA does classify it as sub-compact, they are flat out wrong.

From the pics at http://insideevs.com/bmw-i3-bev-official-epa-rating-range-81-mpge-124/, this strongly implies that the i3 received subcompact.

 

[xylhim]

EPA gives the i3 an estimated range of 81 miles. I'm really surprised at that, given it's lighter and has more useable battery than the spark. I wonder if real world range will be significantly higher....


http://green.autoblog.com/2014/05/02/bmw-i3-epa-81-mile-range-delivered/ :evil:

 

[gra]

EPA gives the i3 an estimated range of 81 miles. I'm really surprised at that, given it's lighter and has more useable battery than the spark. I wonder if real world range will be significantly higher....

http://green.autoblog.com/2014/05/02/bmw-i3-epa-81-mile-range-delivered/ :evil:

I don't remember offhand if the i3 has more usable battery than the Spark or not, but the lighter weight will mainly benefit it in urban driving. At constant freeway speeds drag is more important.

 

[tigger19687]

All I am going to say is .................. It's UGLY !!!!

I love BMW, but really ? If someone wants a BMW, then they want something that is sleek, stylish . Or at least I would

 

[blownb310]

I like the new cutting edge look. I'm glad it doesn't look just like all of the other BMW's, which are so common and that I find a bit boring.

 

[buickanddeere]

I like the BMWi3 for being rear wheel drive , having a larger interior,double sized 6.6KW on board charger and the optional on board gasoline electrical generator. The Chevy Volt is a super complicated dual generator, dual electric motor and IC motor drivetrain. The BMW has a simple motorcycle engine that produces limp home DC power if caught short between charges.
The price of spark EV vs BMWi3 however and the dealer being 2hrs away instead of an 1/2 hour away is a concern. The BMWi3 is a hands down simple choice over the Chevy Volt from what I've seen and heard thus far.

 

[supcrds]

I like the BMWi3 for being rear wheel drive , having a larger interior,double sized 6.6KW on board charger and the optional on board gasoline electrical generator. The Chevy Volt is a super complicated dual generator, dual electric motor and IC motor drivetrain. The BMW has a simple motorcycle engine that produces limp home DC power if caught short between charges.
The price of spark EV vs BMWi3 however and the dealer being 2hrs away instead of an 1/2 hour away is a concern. The BMWi3 is a hands down simple choice over the Chevy Volt from what I've seen and heard thus far.

I can see advantages for the i3 but with current pricing isn't the volt at least $10,000 less? Rydell Chevy has 130 volts in stock at $5000 off sticker so any option or package is reduced. Currently starting at $29,995 so comparing to i3 with options could be up $15,000 more. I sure hope it is really nice. Now if you are the type to buy a 330i already then you might feel the price priumium is worth it, not me. That is a 30-40% increase.

What is the range for the i3 with range extender? I know it is less than the ev version but I don't recall what it is. I am assuming it is greater than the volts.

 

[TonyWilliams]

What is the range for the i3 with range extender? I know it is less than the ev version but I don't recall what it is. I am assuming it is greater than the volts.

81 EPA miles with batteries

There isn't an EPA rating yet for the oil burner version, but it will be less.

 

[buickanddeere]

Interesting that the spark EV being so deeply discounted. Nobody will purchase them ?We are still waiting for the Spark EV to make it into the Ontario dealerships.
The up front price difference certainly will weigh between Chevy and BMW. I just totally and completely dislike FWD . Creapy torque steering mongrels .

 

[cwerdna]

Interesting that the spark EV being so deeply discounted. Nobody will purchase them ?We are still waiting for the Spark EV to make it into the Ontario dealerships.

From http://insideevs.com/monthly-plug-in-sales-scorecard/, they are not exactly selling like hotcakes.

You can compare those numbers to http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2014/05/usa-all-vehicle-nameplates-ranked-april-2014-ytd-sales-figures.html and http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2014/01/usa-vehicle-sales-rankings-by-model-december-2013-year-end.html, for example.

Are you in Canada? I spotted a reference to Canada in an old post and "colour". There is an Ontario in So Cal... but I'm now guessing you're not referring to that.

If so, here are Canadian Leaf sales, which are absolutely PUNY compared to US sales. I don't know what's the story behind them but if you were to adjust Spark EV sales down to be commensurate w/Canadian Leaf sales, then Canadian Spark EV sales would be REALLY tiny.

2012 (and 2011): http://nissannews.com/en-CA/nissan/canada/releases/nissan-reports-canadian-sales-for
2013: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1285497/nissan-group-reports-december-and-2013-year-end-canadian-sales
2014 YTD: http://nissannews.com/en-CA/nissan/canada/releases/nissan-group-reports-april-2014-canadian-sales

 

[gra]

Interesting that the spark EV being so deeply discounted. Nobody will purchase them ?We are still waiting for the Spark EV to make it into the Ontario dealerships.

From http://insideevs.com/monthly-plug-in-sales-scorecard/, they are not exactly selling like hotcakes.

You can compare those numbers to http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2014/05/usa-all-vehicle-nameplates-ranked-april-2014-ytd-sales-figures.html and http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2014/01/usa-vehicle-sales-rankings-by-model-december-2013-year-end.html, for example.

Are you in Canada? I spotted a reference to Canada in an old post and "colour". There is an Ontario in So Cal... but I'm now guessing you're not referring to that.

If so, here are Canadian Leaf sales, which are absolutely PUNY compared to US sales. I don't know what's the story behind them but if you were to adjust Spark EV sales down to be commensurate w/Canadian Leaf sales, then Canadian Spark EV sales would be REALLY tiny.

2012 (and 2011): http://nissannews.com/en-CA/nissan/canada/releases/nissan-reports-canadian-sales-for
2013: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1285497/nissan-group-reports-december-and-2013-year-end-canadian-sales
2014 YTD: http://nissannews.com/en-CA/nissan/canada/releases/nissan-group-reports-april-2014-canadian-sales

I would expect the Spark to sell proportionately better in Canada than the LEAF. Having a TMS that will cool and _heat_ a battery should make the Spark's range considerably better in winter conditions, even though its LiFePO4 chemistry is more affected by cold temps. I'm still amazed that Nissan doesn't allow the battery heater to heat the battery to its ideal operating temp, instead of just protecting it from freezing. How dumb is that, especially in Canada?

BTW, the post buickanddeere referred to is talking about VOLT discounts, not Sparks.

 

[buickanddeere]

Excellent links , put them right into bookmarks.
Gra you beat me to it about the vehicle per-heat or pre-cool. We have people here that don't seem to know what a block heater is and leave the cord under the hood or dangling . The entire life of the vehicle without using it. The same people wail about the price of fuel as they use the remote start to heat and clear frozen over windshields.
We had an usually long, cold and precipitation intense winter of 2013-2014. Even though we are flatlanders at approx 800ft elevation.Last Saturday there was still snow drifts in shaded areas. We had snow storms from November into early April. Not unusual for drivers to be stuck in vehicles and be rescued by snowmobile.
We see the occasional Prius but in order to find an electric vehicle. One much make the trek to a dealership and wipe the dust off the EV to see it.
4x4 pickups and mini vans in the rural areas. SUV's, mini vans and econo boxes in the city.
The Canadian market consists of almost the entire Canadian population of a mere 30 million located in less than 20 liberal urban centers. most cluster along within 100-200 miles at most from the US border. The remaining small percentage tend to be conservative and reside in the agricultural areas close to the US border. The vast majority of the country is boreal forest, wandering moose, black flies, mines , logging, hydro electric sites,tundra and snow. With the occasional small remote villages . Some are accessible only by air, winter roads or river barge.

 

[cwerdna]

BMW i3 REx EPA Testing Complete – BMW Expects i3 REx Deliveries To Occur By End Of Week:
http://insideevs.com/bmw-i3-rex-delayed-epa/

The BMW i3 Lease Deal You Want: $499/month, $549 For The REx:
http://insideevs.com/bmw-i3-lease-deal/

 

[cwerdna]

i3 REx versions finally get Monroney sticker and US deliveries began:
http://insideevs.com/bmw-i3-rex-cleared-us-deliveries-first-delivery-set-later-today/
http://insideevs.com/bmw-i3-rex-official-epa-ratings-electric-range-72/
http://insideevs.com/first-us-bmw-i3-rex-delivery/ - I believe Tom is Electronaut #1 and the 1st ActiveE customer. He's definitely VERY active in the BMW EV community.

Also, some ActiveE's headed to the crusher: http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/3711-BMW-Active-E/page26?p=664310&viewfull=1#post664310. I saw this on their FB group. I know some of them became DriveNow cars but not clearly not all...

 

[cwerdna]

The i3 isn't a subcompact..categorizing it in the same class as a Spark EV is highly inaccurate..

If the i3 isn't a subcompact, then what EPA size class is it? Have sources for that?

The Spark EV is a subcompact per http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=33640 and since both seat 4 and both have somewhat limited cargo room, I expect the i3 to be classified as either subcompact or compact, at best.

Let's agree to disagree...it's a much bigger vehicle even though it carries 4. The i3 is going head to head with MB's B-class EV...which is substantially larger than the Spark EV. The Spark EV is just barely larger than a Fiat 500...and let me tell you..owning one of those...that's a small car.

I got a crack at driving the i3 at the LA Auto Show...totally different size class and if the EPA does classify it as sub-compact, they are flat out wrong.

From the pics at http://insideevs.com/bmw-i3-bev-official-epa-rating-range-81-mpge-124/, this strongly implies that the i3 received subcompact.

Specs tab of http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=33640&id=35207&id=35247&id=34699 confirms the BMW i3 is classified as a subcompact. It also lists the Mercedes B-Class ED as a midsize car w/slightly less passenger and luggage volume than a Leaf.

Per http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=33640&id=35207&id=35247&id=34392. Fiat 500e is classified as a minicompact, which is smaller than a subcompact.