The i8’s MSRP sticker price in its final years of production was $148,495 for the Coupe and $164,295 for the Roadster, which was almost as much as an Audi R8 V10 or a 911 GT3. You can see why people thought they got a better deal somewhere else. The BMW i8 was, however, so much more than the sum of its parts.
A carbon fiber monocoque chassis, similar to what you’d find in a McLaren costing twice as much, was hidden beneath its gorgeous polymer exterior. Even though it only had a 1.5 liter, three-cylinder turbocharged engine that was taken from a MINI, it was pushed to almost its breaking point and coupled with an electric motor to drive the rear wheels using a six-speed automatic transmission. The front wheels were then driven by a second electric motor using the previously mentioned two-speed transmission.
The i8 was all-wheel drive despite having no mechanical parts connecting the two axles. This was made possible by excellent software calibration between the two very distinct powertrains that operated the two separate axles. While a few cars can currently do it, almost ten years ago it was magic.
It is therefore astounding that you can purchase a good BMW i8 for less than $75,000. Consider this: for roughly $70,000, you can either get a brand-new BMW M4 or a supercar with a mid-engine plug-in hybrid design that resembles a spacecraft. Is the M4 a better car to drive? Yes. In ten years, will it still be cool? Virtually probably not.
In This Article...
A thorough guide for used buyers of the BMW i8 that includes the i8 Mk1 (2014-date)
The BMW i8 has no significant competitors because the company put all of its effort into developing it. The i8 is a highly sought-after vehicle due to the engineering that went into its creation, the way it drives, the available performance, and the low fuel consumption. The i8 is one of the most technologically advanced vehicles to ever on the road, despite the fact that it is rather expensive. Although the i8 is pricey to purchase, operating costs are acceptable given the performance. It is also demonstrating its dependability, with only a small number of serious flaws revealed.
BMW is known for producing no-compromise automobiles, but many questioned if the German company would ever put anything so outrageous into production when it debuted the i8 concept in 2011.
But only three years later did we see the i8 Coupe, which resembled that demonstration car very little. The i8 was quintessentially BMW with its futuristic look, cutting-edge technology, and spectacular handling, yet this was a vehicle with economy at its core.
To do this, a twin-turbo 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine tuned to produce 228 horsepower provided the majority of the power. The front wheels were propelled by a 129 horsepower electric motor, while the rear wheels were propelled by this. The end result was 357bhp with official fuel economy of more than 100mpg and CO2 emissions of just 49g/km. incredibly impressive
What makes the BMW i8 unique?
Highs Unconventional design that feels swift and light and is comfortable enough for daily wear. Lows Not at all practical, not as swift as it seems, and the interior has too many plastic components. Verdict The i8 is a stylish and economical substitute for genuine exotic sports cars.
What makes the BMW i8 unique?
An illustration of a Personal Contract Purchase: Cash price PS10,000, deposit PS150, and borrowing PS8,500 for 4 years at a representative 7.4% APR (fixed). A total of PS4127.50 will be paid after 47 instalments of PS132.04. PS1833.38 is the total cost of credit. Payable in total is PS11,833.38. 8,000 miles per year as a base. If excess miles is used, there are fees. Finance subject to status; only those 18+.
The BMW i8 offers a combination of style, performance, and efficiency that is unmatched by any other vehicle in its class. It’s not as entertaining to drive as the more affordable, class-leading Porsche 911, but many will find the dramatic style and eco-friendly image alluring.
While it can’t quite match the i8’s supercar-like appearance, performance is by no means inadequate, and there is more than enough power to enjoy driving. However, experienced drivers may find the driving experience to be a little disjointed; if you require a practical daily sports car, there are more roomy competitors available.
The BMW i8 is a novel offering in the market for high-end sports cars. The i8, a Porsche 911 challenger, injects some environmental awareness into the market with the help of its petrol-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Its expensive pricing and affordable operating expenses are both belied by its exotic appearance.
The BMW i8 joins the i3 hatchback as a member of BMW’s I eco lineup. It has a superior carbon fiber construction for strength and lightness, and its 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine and electric motor work together to deliver power to all four wheels. It’s still a relatively uncommon sight, especially given that BMW has been selling the i8 since 2014. The vehicle is not as prevalent as its Porsche 911 competitor due to low production levels.
At first glance, the powertrain idea doesn’t sound all that interesting, especially if you want your supercars to have large multi-cylinder engines. By sportscar standards, the i8’s three-cylinder engine only puts out 228 horsepower, but there is an additional 141 horsepower from an electric motor driving the front wheels to help provide the necessary power.
Is purchasing a BMW worthwhile?
When BMW began promoting its cars as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” in the 1970s, the company soon grew to become one of the world’s top luxury automobile manufacturers.
BMW has a long history of producing eye-catching vehicles and SUVs that receive high praise from automotive writers.
Both auto fanatics and everyday people who just want the best for their vehicles greatly prize them.
Because they are high-performance luxury vehicles with excellent interiors, a smooth ride, high levels of comfort, and some of the best technological features available, BMWs are a good investment. BMW is a brand that embodies high status, and their cars offer an exceptional driving experience.
Is the BMW i8 difficult to maintain?
The BMW M4 appears to be a fantastic alternative if you’re looking at sports vehicles. Sporty BMWs are particularly hard-hit by depreciation while having a starting price of $71,800. You should be aware of high repair expenses, just like with the other models on our list.
We’ll also look at Edmunds’ estimated price for a 2019 model to keep things consistent. A 2019 M4 will cost you about $8,038 in maintenance fees over the course of the first five years, according to Edmunds. You’ll supposedly wind up paying about $2,561 for repairs.
Consumer Reports states that the typical cost of replacing a fuel pump is $1,135. However, according to Consumer Reports, you’ll probably have to pay roughly $3,589 if you have an M4. It is also important to keep in mind that the M4 is a performance model and as such has numerous custom parts that are widely available and hence cannot be found for less.
Why was the BMW i8 withdrawn from sale?
The BMW i8’s production run has come to an end, almost six years after the plug-in hybrid sportscar initially debuted on foreign markets. The i8’s production was supposed to expire in April 2020, but the German automaker was forced to delay it since one of its factories was shut down by the coronavirus outbreak.
The last BMW i8 has just gone off the assembly line, and it is a roadster with a Portimao Blue paint. Additionally, this i8 is allegedly the sole one with that color as a factory option. A 1.5-liter, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine and an electric motor are connected in the sports car’s mid-engine configuration to produce a combined 374 horsepower.
BMW has turned its focus to a new line of custom electric vehicles, including the iX3 compact SUV, i4 sedan, and iNext SUV flagship, despite the i8 leaving the BMW product lineup. Within the next five years, a new sportscar based on the BMW Vision M Next concept that was unveiled last year is anticipated.
The BMW i8 sportscar was introduced in India in 2015 at a cost of Rs 2.29 crore, and it was just recently dropped from the brand’s lineup there. Despite never introducing the i8 Roadster in our market, the automaker again displayed the model at the 2018 Auto Expo.
When was the BMW i8 withdrawn from sale?
In June 2020, the BMW i8’s manufacture came to an end after a little over six years. Alpina lost the opportunity to produce its first hybrid or electric vehicle by abandoning the i8 project. BMW doesn’t intend to create a precursor, but it will soon broaden its selection of hybrid vehicles, opening the door for Alpina to someday enter this market.
Since 1965, Alpina has been in business. In the beginning, the company focused on tuning BMW engines for racing, but in the 1980s it changed into an automaker. Alpina has altered several models of the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, and 8 Series over the years, but it also created a limited-edition Z8 roadster variant.
Now available at BMW dealerships, Alpina models include the B7 and XB7, based on the 7 Series and X7, respectively, in the U.S. lineup.
What does the I in the BMW i8 stand for?
Born Electric served as the tagline for the 2011 launch of the BMW I brand. The letter I which once stood for injection in BMW’s gasoline and diesel engines, is now used to represent the future of mobility. A comprehensive approach to sustainable mobility is embodied by the BMW i. BMW considers not only the final product but also the manufacturing process, which now makes use of 100% green energy, renewable and recycled materials, and digital services while using 70% less water.
The first vehicle in the I Series was the BMW i3, which was introduced in 2014. Due to the combination of aluminum and carbon fiber, the i3 is an eco-friendly electric vehicle for city driving that isn’t any heavier than a regular vehicle. comprising a synchronous electric motor with a single gear and utilizing a 94Ah lithium-ion high-voltage battery (33kWh). It has 170 horsepower, enabling a 0-62 mph time of 7.3 seconds, but it also has a 186-mile range.
Eighty percent of all surfaces visible to front passengers on the i3 are constructed of recyclable or renewable materials, making it a showcase for environmentally friendly products. When it comes to resources, BMW I is also thinking along those lines; starting in 2021, its electric motors will utilize two-thirds less cobalt and no rare earths. One of the most popular high-end electric vehicles in Europe is the BMW i3.
What is the top speed of the BMW i8?
The i8 has a top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in under 4.4 seconds (like most BMWs). As a result, its straight-line performance is comparable to that of a genuine BMW M vehicle.
The i8’s engine, which BMW expertly designed, is responsible for the power. Unbelievably, the 1.5-liter, three-cylinder MINI Cooper served as the engine’s source. However, it has been altered to provide more naughtiness, producing 231 horsepower while receiving an additional 143 horsepower from an electric motor. The i8 is by no means slow thanks to the innovative hybrid configuration.
As a result, the i8 not only has a sharp appearance but also has the ability to move quickly when necessary, and since it is a BMW, the driving experience is also rather good.
Who would purchase an i8?
The i8 achieves excellent MPG since it is a sportier version of the Prius. With just energy, it can travel over 20 miles, giving you an MPG of 35 to 40. That’s fairly decent, considering how attractive the car is. It is cozy as well, more so than a Grand Tourer.
The I8 is much more useful because it has four seats as well. Even though the seats are not the largest, they can accommodate two children, making it ideal for transporting youngsters to school.