When choosing a vehicle for your daily commute, we typically look at dependable and affordable solutions that are dependable and functional, and maybe even a little bit opulent. Unexpectedly, the BMW I8 is a viable alternative for a daily driver, and it does it remarkably well.
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Is the i8 Practical for Daily Driving?
No. The i8 is undoubtedly hindered by a variety of issues that keep it from becoming a comfortable everyday driver. It makes many of the same tradeoffs that sports cars do, so this is not surprising. It was further complicated by the fact that the i8 didn’t provide a compelling high-performance or hybrid/electric driving experience that would have motivated me to put up with those inconveniences.
After 11 miles, the battery ran out of power, and the vehicle returned about 30 mpg while using a combination of Comfort and Eco Pro modes, almost matching the EPA’s 28 mpg combined rating. The i8 is not particularly efficient, and it is not at all enjoyable to drive. For a vehicle that costs close to $140,000 (destination included), the acceleration is barely enough, and the handling required significant effort to be rewarding due to excessive turn-in and a lack of steering feedback. The i8 drives more heavier than its 3,455 pound weight would indicate from its light design. It would be more profitable and cost about the same to purchase the hugely fun Alfa Romeo 4C coupe (28 mpg combined) and the all-electric Tesla Model S 70D (EPA 240-mile range).
Does it still make folks crazy to see it?
The i8 generated some buzz when it originally debuted in 2014. That’s a bit of an understatement, I see. In the world of cars, it was more akin to a huge explosion. Never before had a production vehicle resembled a concept vehicle so horribly: this vehicle had outrageous dihedral doors, bizarre U-shaped taillight clusters, and a highly contoured body that allows air to flow through it with a drag coefficient of 0.26 Cd.
what about right now? Has the i8 had enough time for users to adjust? It turns out, absolutely not. I’ve had the good fortune to drive some excellent cars for my work, but none have drawn as much attention as the i8. People you have never met before approach you and ask to look inside. As you drive by, pedestrians turn around and ogle you. As I trudged down the street with my arm outstretched and my mouth gaping in awe at such an alien-looking vehicle, one child even pointed at the vehicle. This isn’t the car for you if you like to keep your distance.
Can a BMW i8 be used on a daily basis?
As a daily driver, the i8 really shines. Comfortable seats, good visibility, and ease of traffic maneuverability are all present. It may throw you around a little on a rough road, but it won’t ruin your trip. The doors are not too bad in terms of quality.
Is the BMW i8 a trustworthy vehicle?
i8 BMW’s dependability BMW placed 27th overall in the 2020 edition (down two spots from 25th in 2019), with 20.4% of owners reporting one or more problems within the first year of ownership.
Are BMW i8s quick?
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.
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.
Is the BMW i8 a rare vehicle?
This BMW has the infamous dual kidney grills up front, but from the side it appears futuristic with lots of angles and curves instead of a large, offensive grill. When viewed from the side, body panels seem to have been molded by the wind. especially when there is a path allowing the wind to pass through the body rather than around, over the rear wheels. Since this is a rare plug-in hybrid, there are no doors that open normally; instead, the doors flip up.
Additionally, the cost of almost $166,000 is a little foreign. The optional Tera World Cooper paint treatment perfectly complements the fall season, and the power roof looks good when it is closed. When driving the i8, allow more time because many people stop to comment and have a look.
The i8 Roadster’s interior is more formal and resembles other BMW vehicles, which is a plus. It is completely covered in leather, but the seats have a pop of color. The seats support you well and keep you in place. When open, those amazing scissor doors can be challenging for little riders to access. Additionally, it displays a carbon fiber tub, which improves safety but makes access and escape more difficult. There is enough room for a wide range of persons. 6’5″ seemed to be the maximum height for a fit with the top up, based on the persons I had sit in the car with.
These days, having easy-to-use climate controls and a few buttons and knobs for the radio is always appreciated. NAV is the norm. It works wonderfully, showing me some interesting commute routes I was unaware of. It was simpler to utilize the I-drive controller than I had previously thought. The most recent drivers’ aids might be where the futuristic ride falls short. Don’t anticipate the newest technology and safety features like Adaptive Cruise and the auto braking like some others since the i8 Roadster is brand new while the i8 coupe has been available for a while.
If you have the money, going green doesn’t have to be dull. The i8 delivers plug-in hybrid efficiency along with sports car performance and those exotic good looks. Your first three years of maintenance with the BMW Ultimate Care will be free, adding to the enjoyment of this cutting-edge vehicle.
Is the BMW i8 cozy?
The BMW i8 features a dashboard with significantly more personality than the conventionally styled Audi R8, Porsche 911, and Porsche Panamera, despite the extreme futuristic design that may not be to everyone’s taste.
With an extremely low set seating position for the driver and passenger, the dashboard almost completely encircles the driver like the cockpit of a fighter jet. The dashboard is covered in numerous blue highlights, which is the color of the BMW I electric car brand. You also get the brand’s iDrive system, which uses a rotary dial to handle things like the stereo and navigation system. The climate control and primary stereo panel are identical to those in other BMWs.
There are three driving modes available for the BMW i8: Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport. The i8’s suspension is softened by Eco Pro and Comfort to create an incredibly comfortable ride. Sport tightens up the suspension to reduce body lean and increase cornering enjoyment in the vehicle.
The BMW i8 has a plug.
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.
Can you use gas to drive the BMW i8?
People will stop wherever you go in the i8 to take pictures of it with their iPhones and, if they have the chance, to talk to you. Despite the wide disparity in understanding of the vehicle, everyone agrees that the i8 looks stunning when parked by the side of the road. Since the i8 has a drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.26, it is obvious that aerodynamics plays a major role in its design. When the gullwing-style doors are opened, the striking appearance causes an even sharper intake of breath.
Once inside, which necessitates some agility due to the relatively small and oddly formed entrance aperture, the interior also exhibits a significant amount of design flare, with numerous curved, layered surfaces. Everything is still where you want it and has the same superior ergonomic design as any other BMW cabin. We haven’t yet discovered a better in-car infotainment control system than BMW’s iDrive controller, but the head-up display is excellent. Importantly, the basic driving posture, like almost all other BMWs, is ideal and offers a wide range of modification.
Surprisingly, there is a good deal of storage space between the seats, in addition to the roomy center tube where the batteries are located. The “2+2” back seats, however, are cramped, and the boot is also quite small.
Things are equally inventive underneath the surface. The i8 is essentially a mid-engined vehicle thanks to its 3-cylinder, 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine, which is located between the rear seats and the rear wheels. The 6-speed automatic transmission used to drive the rear wheels of this power unit, which is based on the engine used in the new MINI Cooper, is lighter than the 8-speed automatic transmission often found in modern BMWs.
However, there is also a 96kw electric motor under the hood that is driven by a lithium-ion battery that runs up the middle of the vehicle. The front wheels are propelled by this electric drivetrain.
The i8 can be powered only by electricity, by gasoline, or by a combination of the two. The car has front-wheel drive if it is only powered by electricity. It has rear-wheel drive if only powered by gasoline. When used gradually, the i8 is all-wheel drive when using gasoline and electricity as power sources.
BMW has made significant efforts, like with the i3, to make the i8 as light as possible. The chassis is made of aluminum, while the passenger structure is made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). The i8 only weights 1490kg despite having 100kg of batteries. Even with all of this complicated packing, BMW was still able to maintain its distinctive 50:50 weight distribution and low center of gravity.