If I’m being really honest, buying a used BMW i3 isn’t a good choice for most individuals. Yes, it is inexpensive and you can purchase an all-electric, carbon-tipped BMW for a very little cost. But besides having a tiny cabin and a very limited range, it will also see some very severe depreciation. One group of individuals, nevertheless, would profit from having an i3.
I’ll admit it; I’m one of them. Everything I need is within five or ten miles of where I reside. Sometimes, a maximum of 25 miles. I also hardly ever drive if I’m not testing a press car. I can leave my car unlocked for a full week. In addition, my driveway is large enough to house a Level 2 charging station. Therefore, I could always have the i3 charged and only seldom use it, saving a ton of money on petrol. My wife has a small crossover (the Volkswagen Tiguan), which makes things even simpler by providing us with a family vehicle when necessary.
A BMW i3 would undoubtedly come in handy for someone like me who lives in a city or a small town, has convenient access to charging stations, and only travels short distances. A secondhand i3 is unexpectedly an excellent choice for someone like me who wants an affordable second vehicle. For everyone else, however, there would be numerous issues that would need to be resolved, and numerous concessions would need to be made. Which probably makes it a bad idea.
In This Article...
Should you choose the REx or the ordinary i3? What year model?
A 2018 BMW i3 that has been certified as pre-owned is a great deal at half the price and offers great handling, rapid acceleration, and, most importantly, a three-year bumper-to-bumper guarantee.
The starting price of the BMW i3 REx after its makeover in 2018 was $49,300, but used car prices today are much, much lower. This evaluation vehicle, a 2018 i3 REx with the “Giga World” interior and the add-on sunroof, was given by Hendrick BMW Charlotte. Expect to pay a little bit extra because it is the range-extender model, specifically around the low to mid $20s. Prices can drop as low as $20,000 without the range-extender. It is crucial to comprehend the distinctions because the price difference is around several thousand dollars.
A buying service is offered by What Car?
The standard equipment for the primary trim level includes a sat-nav, heated front seats, rear parking sensors, climate control, a digital radio, a USB port, Bluetooth, automatic headlights, and wipers. However, the Loft interior, which has lighter cabin materials with blue highlights to assist lighten the inside, and the improved Professional sat-nav system with its larger screen are also recommended.
All of the i3’s basic equipment is included in the i3s model, along with 20-inch sports wheels, a second Sport driving mode, an A-pillar and roof painted in high-gloss black, a more aggressive front bumper, a black kidney grille, and—most importantly—sports suspension.
Driving can be enjoyable, though. The later 2019-on i3 offers a respectable 168 horsepower, which can propel you from zero to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds and make it easy for you to keep up with moving traffic. The i3s feels incredibly nimble and is even faster thanks to an additional 13 horsepower, reaching 62 mph from a stop in just 6.9 seconds.
It’s incredibly addictive to accelerate quickly from a stop, and the handling is fairly secure—although, to be honest, it can’t be compared to BMW’s more conventional, sportier products—in that regard. Most of its more contemporary competitors ride better than it does, especially on 20-inch wheels where its ride is a bit firm. If you can, search for an i3 from the 2018 model year because these vehicles underwent suspension upgrades that significantly boosted ride comfort.
Inside, it’s quite modern with an open layout, great visibility, and a razor-sharp screen display in front of the driver instead of traditional dials. Even the coach doors have a futuristic appearance, but because the front door must be unlocked before the rear ones can be opened and because of the high floor, access to the back seats can be a little difficult.
What you may expect to save when purchasing a used 2015 BMW i3
Although the 2015 BMW i3 lacks many of the features included in the 2020 model, it still offers the majority of the features found in the 2019 model, making it a must-see used vehicle. Choosing a used 2015 model won’t be too stressful because the pricing is great and about 60% less than the original price. But without all of the cutting-edge technology, you’re essentially purchasing a BMW electric car without the wow.
Verdict
The BMW i3 is still stylish and futuristic after several years on the market, and as it was one of the first electric vehicles, it may someday be considered a classic. However, because of their extremely limited range, the very first versions are only somewhat functional (which will have further decreased with age).
Because of this, we suggest the updated model with the 33kWh battery as a daily driver. There are many used i3 computers available, and reliability appears to be solid because the model did well in the UK. Although it isn’t the most affordable choice, it is one of the more intriguing and appealing ways to purchase a used electric vehicle.
Review: A used BMW i3 is the best EV available thanks to steep depreciation.
Given how inexpensive used and CPO vehicles are, the BMW i3 might be the most economical EV on the market right now.
In West Los Angeles, electric vehicles have taken the place of hybrids as the preferred eco-conscious status symbol. A Toyota Prius used to be waiting around every corner; today, a Tesla Model S, 3, X, or Y passes by every few seconds while sluggishly moving through traffic. Fortunately, I don’t have to commute to work, and when I’m not evaluating automobiles, I mostly drive for fun or to run errands—that is, when I’m not on road trips to the desert or to the mountains for ski season.
Although the dual-motor torque and all-wheel-drive combination seem too wonderful to pass up, both the Model 3 and Model Y may get quite pricey pretty soon, which just serves to reinforce my notion that I’ll never own an electric car. But I’ve been interested in the BMW i3 as a city car alternative for a while, so I was thrilled when I recently got to drive one around town on the streets of Los Angeles.
Is the BMW i3 a trustworthy vehicle?
Is a pre-owned BMW i3 hatchback trustworthy? The i3 placed fourth out of nine electric vehicles in its class, receiving a score of 94.1% in our most recent dependability study. A solid achievement for BMW as a brand, placing 13th out of 30 manufacturers.
Is the BMW i3’s maintenance pricey?
The BMW i3 is a fantastic choice for individuals seeking a more environmentally friendly vehicle because it is an all-electric vehicle. However, compared to more conventional BMWs, the i3 will need slightly different upkeep, which will cost owners an average of $1,173 a year.
The most common fault with the 2017 BMW i3 is that the adaptive cruise control does not function well, despite the requirement for more specialized maintenance. Despite this, the i3 remains one of BMW’s most dependable cars. Electrical issues are also reportedly occurring. There haven’t been enough reported problems, yet, to calculate an average repair cost. The i3 has also been subject to recalls, the most recent of which was for the 2019 model year due to a potential crash-causing unexpected power shutdown.
Could I still purchase a BMW i3?
The manufacture of the BMW i3, BMW’s first I brand EV, will end later this summer after nine years and more than 250,000 sold units. Even so, the eccentric little compact can depart with pride since the electric future it foresaw has come to pass.
Along with its I stablemate, the BMW i8, the BMW i3 debuted as a concept in 2011 and was boldly futuristic. The recently introduced I brand projected a futuristic image of a world filled with electric vehicles. It was a future that ultimately never materialized because our current reality is superior. Almost all new cars in this future are electric, yes, but they are the standard.
According to the Electrify America ad campaign, EVs are now commonplace. In 2011, a year before the first Tesla Model S vehicle left the factory, they weren’t normal, and the BMW I vehicles didn’t even make an effort to be normal. Even with the i3 equipped with Rex, they were happy to be unusual and even avoided being labeled as hybrids.
There won’t be a direct competitor to the BMW i3 that utilizes the same high-end, expensive, lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber structure. Instead, the iX1, an all-electric version of the BMW X1 crossover that sits just below the iX3, and an electric version of the next-generation MINI Cooper will subtly replace the i3.
BMW executives agree that the brand’s new EVs will benefit the i3’s followers. The Mini Electric or the future BMW iX1 will be ideal for today’s customers who want a fully electric city car that is precisely fitted for urban driving or a small but roomy vehicle for an active lifestyle, a BMW UK spokeswoman told Autocar. The BMW Group will have six BEV cars available on the market by the end of this year, and 13 by 2023.
With what does BMW plan to replace the i3?
As a sort of successor to the i3, BMW teases the new electric BMW iX1, which will make its appearance later this year alongside a new ICE X1.
The innovative, if somewhat dated, BMW i3 will likely continue to be sold until 2024, according to BMW. However, they later had a change of heart and announced last year that i3 manufacture would stop in July. But what will take the i3’s place?
Therefore, we need to look at the BMW X1 as the foundation for an i3 replacement. It will be updated this year and will be available not only in ICE versions but also as the BMW iX1 with an EV drivetrain. As BMW’s EVs start to really roll out, any i3 will now be a saloon take on the i4.
BMW has created a teaser sketch (above) to give us a preview of that arrival later this year. Although we already know what it will look like without the need for a BMW insider.
The new IX3 isn’t that dissimilar from the current model, which has a large kidney grille that has been squared off, blue highlights around the grille, and air vents that are likely to be closed off.
Although there are currently no data on the power or battery capacity, BMW claims that the iX1 will have a range of 250–270 miles and share its platform with the ICE X1 vehicles.
In the weeks and months ahead of the iX1’s release, which will happen shortly after the new ICE X1 comes, expect additional information about the device.
How far can a BMW i3 travel?
The EPA estimates that the BMW i3 has a range of 153 miles. The electric-only range is reduced to 126 miles when the two-cylinder gas engine range extender is added, but the overall range is increased to 200 miles. The Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt are still ahead in terms of battery-electric automobiles.
The BMW i3 is being retired for what reason?
It is extremely heartbreaking to see BMW discontinue its little electric hatchback after nine years on the market given how great it was.
In 2011, as interest in electric vehicles increased, the BMW i3 was first unveiled as a concept car. The design was later evolved into a working model that was released for purchase in 2013 as a 2014 model. The BMW i3 has enjoyed considerable success since that time. The compact electric hatchback from BMW has sold over 250,000 units and was named the World Car Design and World Green Car of the Year winners at the 2014 World Car Awards.
Unfortunately, all wonderful things must eventually come to an end. BMW terminated the i3 in all markets in July 2022 after ceasing manufacturing for the US market in July 2021. The company cited consumer demand for larger-than-the-i3 electric automobiles as justification for the withdrawal. Another reason is that the manufacturer wants to move away from the i3’s distinctive appearance and produce electric vehicles with more traditional styling. The BMW i4 and BMW iX models are taking the place of the i3 as a result. We are sad to see the i3 depart, but there are other reasons as well.