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...
We Would Never Buy One Because It Is Overhyped, 1/10
The i8 is overhyped despite its technology, aesthetics, etc. It is only as quick as a less expensive M4 and just as comfy as a less expensive 6-series. Yes, it has odd doors and other features, but for $121,000, folks could have purchased the ZR1 Corvette C7.
While the 840i starts at $85,000 and the previous 6-series was similarly expensive, both are significantly more comfortable and easier to use on a daily basis than the i8, which is more of a grand tourer. Additionally, the M8 rival starts at nearly $140,000, only slightly more than the i8, but it is much faster and just as comfortable. Here are fifteen sports vehicles we’d pick over the i8.
Guide to buying a nearly new BMW i8
What you’re looking at is really a six-year-old design, however it could theoretically be considered a concept automobile for the future. The BMW i8, which has actually already stopped production, combines lightweight materials, sophisticated aerodynamics, and hybrid technology to produce a more ethical sports automobile that can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 4.5 seconds.
The BMW i8 employs a 228bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine that is positioned behind the cabin and powers the back wheels rather than a sizable gasoline engine like competitors like the Porsche 911 and Audi R8. A 129 horsepower electric motor connects to it and drives the front axle.
The i8 is made light by the extensive use of carbon fiber, allowing it to accelerate quickly up to the 155 mph limiter. The i8 is actually thrilling to drive, especially when the three-cylinder engine produces a surprisingly satisfying symphony. Although it doesn’t provide as much sensation through the steering wheel as its Porsche and Audi rivals, it nonetheless handles admirably.
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
Cost and Which One to Purchase
For the unique open-air driving experience offered by the 2020 i8 roadster, we would pay more money. Those choices are already decided for you because there is only one powertrain available and standard all-wheel drive. Every model comes with luxuries like leather upholstery, Apple CarPlay compatibility, a head-up display, heated front seats, and a Harman/Kardon audio system. The Tera World option, which adds ceramic controls, black brake calipers, blue seatbelts, and a special brown upholstery, is what we’d use to liven things up. With the exception of the Crystal White paint with accents in blue or grey, the majority of exterior colors are free alternatives. The adjustable LED headlights with what BMW refers to as Laserlight are a good option for anyone wishing to increase the i8’s wow factor.
What makes the BMW i8 unique?
The BMW i8 was the first BMW production model to be powered by a three-cylinder gasoline engine, and the resulting specific output of 115 kW (154 hp) per liter of displacement was the highest of any engine manufactured by the BMW Group and on par with high-performance sports car engines.
Is the BMW i8 a decent car?
The BMW i8 is a one-of-a-kind and intensely fascinating vehicle on many levels. The i8 can be a very pleasurable vehicle to drive, from its design to its engine and even the ease with which you can push it to its substantial limits. But the i8 can seem cumbersome while not charging when traveling or at home.
Why did BMW stop producing the i8?
On Thursday, the final i8 to be produced rolled out of the Leipzig BMW facility. Actually, the PHEV’s manufacturing was scheduled to stop in the middle of April. However, because of the factory’s closure due to the coronavirus outbreak, manufacturing was delayed until June.
Since manufacturing on the i8 began six years ago, exactly 20,448 vehicles have been sent from the factory. According to a press release from BMW, the final vehicle was an i8 Roadster in “Portimao Blue” and it was sold to a buyer in Germany.
The i8 was the first plug-in hybrid vehicle in the whole BMW Group when it made its debut in 2014. The hybrid sports car was never successful outside of its specialized market due to its intricate carbon body and six-figure base price. The i8 “embodies the departure into electric mobility like no other car,” according to Hans-Peter Kemser, head of the BMW plant in Leipzig. The model served as the inspiration for the current variety of plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Currently, one shift of production for the Leipzig-based BMW i3 produces 116 units per day. Hans-Peter Kemser, the plant manager, claims that if demand for e-cars in Germany increases, production of the i3 might be expanded to two shifts and thus boosted to 250 units per day.
There won’t be a straight replacement for the i8. In the interim, there have been rumors that the 2019 Vision M Next concept car may be produced in large quantities. The BMW board of directors reportedly decided against the 441 kW sports car, also against the backdrop of the Corona crisis, primarily due to “costs and the volume,” according to media reports. However, the hybrid sports car (this time with a four-cylinder petrol engine instead of the three-cylinder in the i8) did not get beyond the planning stage.
The BMW i8 is useful, right?
Given its eye-catching design, the BMW i8 was never going to be the world’s most useful vehicle, and it falls short of more practical sports cars like the Porsche 911.
Only 154 liters of luggage can fit in the trunk, which is significantly less than what you get in a Volkswagen up! city vehicle. However, BMW does provide a set of exclusive Louis Vuitton luggage that will help you make the most of the available space. But because some of the luggage is made to fit across the back seat, fitting this reduces the i8 to a two-seater.
BMW i8: A supercar or not?
Electric and hybrid vehicles were originally considered to be fairly plain and uninteresting. Then, a few of the most well-known and prosperous automakers in the world got engaged, assuring that the future of electric and hybrid vehicles was no longer depressingly dark. One of such producers was BMW, which unveiled the amazing i8 in 2014.
The BMW i8 is a futuristic sports automobile that is frequently referred to be a supercar, despite its eco-conscious character. Given its striking appearance, this is not surprising at all.
But ought to you purchase one? Does it live up to its appearance? Does it merit being referred to in the same sentence as a supercar? Discover our eight (get it, i-eight…) justifications for why it is a great deal on a “supercar” by reading on.
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.
A BMW i8 draws attention, right?
When cruising around in a hot vehicle like a BMW i8, you should be prepared to attract a lot of attention. On the other hand, it is undoubtedly undesirable to receive an excessive amount of unfavorable attention, such as from the police. Even less appealing is drawing police notice as you prepare to drag race your expensive Mercedes against a Mercedes C3 AMG IPE and a Porsche 911 GT3. Thankfully, technology can be used to address practically any issue in the 21st century.
Before tearing up a quarter mile of pavement, take a look at how this stealthy BMW i8 makes its license plate instantly vanish.
How much does a BMW i8 need to be maintained?
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.
The BMW i8 will be replaced, but when?
For the 2024 model year, the i8 M—or whatever name BMW chooses for its upcoming hybrid sports car—will be completely new. As we come closer to the car’s release date, which is anticipated to be somewhere in 2023 as a 2024 model, we anticipate learning more.