Pretty impressive for a vehicle this complicated and out of the ordinary for BMW. One man, however, continues to experience significant drive train and overheating issues. Might …
In This Article...
The BMW i8’s Resale Value
The BMW i8 was last manufactured in 2020, hence the model year 2020 would be the most recent. You’ll weigh your alternatives and select the one that best suits you.
But occasionally, you may count on a few difficulties. Most of its problems, including those listed above, can be avoided with routine servicing and maintenance.
Although new technology hasn’t been thoroughly tested, the BMW i8 seems well-made.
The BMW i8 was released with a ton of new technology, which made projecting long-term reliability a little difficult than usual. However, no significant issues have been reported in the years since then. The car’s battery has a lengthy guarantee and a BMW TeleServices system that notifies you when the car requires maintenance but also when your nearby dealer has a spot open.
Here are some potential issues with a secondhand i8.
The video’s opening advice from the owner of the involved BMW i8 is to pay strict attention to the battery’s condition. This is due to the possibility of premature wear with these first-generation battery packs. Therefore, a new owner of an i8 could run into serious problems if the battery is not covered by warranty. In fact, the battery on Heidi and Franny’s Garage on YouTube’s i8 completely died. Thankfully, some of the original warranty on their car was still in effect.
It won’t come as a surprise to you to learn that the BMW i8’s windshield is prone to cracking given its status as a sports car. Additionally, a shattered windshield isn’t exactly inexpensive because the i8 doesn’t share any body parts with other BMW cars.
One user on the Bimmerpost site claimed to have experienced serious electrical problems after driving their BMW i8 for 5,000 miles. Later on, a different user replied to the thread and said they had a similar issue as well. The owner ultimately needed a new wire harness to resolve the problem.
As a result, before making a purchase, you should carefully inspect the quality of these affordable specimens. The failure of any of the intricate and important parts could lead to high repair costs.
No specific data are available.
A survey that is emailed to subscribers provides Consumer Reports with its reliability data.
We don’t have a big enough database for some model years, usually those of older or less well-known cars.
A wise automobile buyer can nonetheless investigate the caliber of a car in a number of methods.
2019 i3 BEV, i3 REx, and i8 vehicles are among those that BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling. The Electric Motor Electronics (EME) module’s circuit board issue could cause the high-voltage power supply to be cut off.
What you ought to do is
Owners will be notified by BMW, and dealers will free-of-charge replace the EME module. Beginning on October 11, 2019, the recall. BMW customer care can be reached by owners at 1-800-525-7417.
Owners can also visit www.safercar.gov or call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).
Some 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV, 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles as well as 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance, and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles are being recalled by BMW of North America, LLC (BMW). The TurboCord Portable Chargers’ capacitors could malfunction, posing a risk of fire or shock.
Owners will be informed by BMW, and dealers will inspect the charging cable and replace it free of charge if necessary. beginning on February 22, 2019, the recall. BMW customer care can be reached by owners at 1-800-525-7417.
Although not Euro NCAP-tested, the technology and architecture of this automobile make it exceptionally safe, and BMW parts provide dependability.
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 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+.
With so much cutting-edge hardware inside, it can be easy to worry about the i8’s dependability. Although much of the switchgear will be familiar to BMW customers, the basic structure of this three-cylinder engine has previously been seen in the most recent MINI lineup as well as BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer MPV.
Although the i8 itself wasn’t included in the poll, BMW came in 25th place out of 30 automakers in our 2019 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, indicating there is space for growth. BMW owners were pleased with the interior design and drivetrains of their vehicles, although 22.3% of those polled said their vehicles had problems.
Due to the relative lack of moving components in electric motors, they are generally quite dependable, and the motor’s regeneration over time causes less stress on the brake pads.
Due to its high price and relative scarcity, the i8 hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP and never will, but you can still anticipate it to provide exceptional safety. Front, side, and curtain airbags are standard, and its carbon fiber body and CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) body shell are extremely sturdy. A crash structure provides additional protection for the battery.
It includes ESP and traction control, and a standard head-up display aids in maintaining the driver’s constant attention on the road. The closest headlights can go to genuine daylight are LED headlights, which are also standard equipment and lessen eye fatigue when driving at night.
Blind spot detection and low speed automatic braking are available as part of a paid option for the i8.
Are BMW i8 vehicles dependable?
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.
Why did BMW halt i8 production?
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.
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.
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.