[AutoCar]:BMW i3 and i8 might not be replaced

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Alden_88M

But sitting and believing that electric cars will flop and yada yada that so many are typing here is either wishful thinking or just being afraid of the changes that are coming.

Instead of bashing electric cars...

I don’t see a single post in this thread that expresses the above sentiments. This thread is about the i3 and i8 specifically and all comments appear to be on topic except yours. Let’s not turn every thread into an EV vs. ICE debate please. Thank you.

[dizx]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Only 488, i8's according to these guys...

i8 @ 04:20...

And... 6,276, i3's according to these guys...

http://carsalesbase.com/us-car-sales-data/bmw/bmw-i3/


With all that said... BMW has built over 100K cars(world wise sales) since the i-brand was launched.

Dackel

Spring 2017, there was more than 10,000 registered i3's in Norway. I don't have the current number. Flop? I don't think so 😉

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by dizx

Spring 2017, there was more than 10,000 registered i3's in Norway. I don't have the current number. Flop? I don't think so ��

i3 has done quite well but is too expensive and no doubt too expensive for BMW to be able to build and profit from.

[advantage20]

So while its rivals are developing a parallel range of fully specific fully electrical models (Mercedes EQ and Audi e-tron) yet destined to traditional high-selling segments (sedan, SUV...), BMW seeks to do the opposite i.e. building the bulk of its fully electrical range out of electrifying already existing models (such as X3) while confining the fully specific BMWi range to only a couple of quirky or expensive technological showcase models doomed to a marginal market share?

[wdeerfield]

This included i4, which is expected to be a variant of the future 4 Series GT.

And there goes our beautiful 4er gran coupe.....

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

And there goes our beautiful 4er gran coupe.....

Current inside information suggests the 4 Series Gran Coupe will remain in lineup even when the 3 Series GT becomes the 4 Series GT.

[dmboone25]

This is interesting - I also saw that Mazda is going all-in on developing more efficient ICE for future models (~30% more efficient by 2019 IIRC). I doubt BMW will abandon the electric tech displayed in the i3 and i8, but perhaps they've decided that it will be more of a niche market, rather than mass acceptance?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

I doubt BMW will abandon the electric tech displayed in the i3 and i8, but perhaps they've decided that it will be more of a niche market, rather than mass acceptance?

Quite the opposite. Hence why they are now moving their electric vehicle efforts to the less expensive CLAR (CLAR WE) and UKL (FAAR WE) platforms.

[LemonOne]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

i3 has done quite well but is to expensive and no doubt to expensive for BMW to be able to build and profit from.

Expensive to build? Yes
Expensive to lease or buy? No

My friend is leasing his i3EX for $99 a month for 2 years.

[evanevery]

Originally Posted by rallybull

If they make real electric cars with good range(250+ miles), good acceleration(0 to 60 in lower 4s) in the same price range as the "legacy" cars, then it would definitely sell.

This

...If BMW wants a real seat at the table in the EV market, then they need to start by selling a "useable"vehicle with competitive range (currently 200+ miles). The i3 doesn't come close (range-wise) and the i8 is not a utilitarian vehicle by any means. BMW needs to sell EV's that people actually WANT to own. Otherwise the i3 is a competitive failure and the i8 is nothing more than a cool curiosity.

Despite owning many M cars and being a solid BMW fan, my Tesla ModelX is my daily driver (although I also owned and drove a Chevy volt for many years prior). I also have a paid reservation for my dealer's first i8 Roadster allocation. I would easily buy/own another Chevy Volt before I went to an i3 (which I drove as a service loaner for an entire 4-day weekend).

I love my BMW's and I look forward to my i8 but I also would really like BMW to actually design/build a "competitively usable" EV.

[///My5UV]

I wonder if it's really reasonable for BMW to build electrics as a minor modification of the gas platforms? Tesla gets their range from filling the whole damn floor of the car with batteries... is there enough volume where the fuel tank, transmission, and engine normally go to match that?

I do like the possibility of a hybrid supercar from BMW. Maybe the next i8 will be it?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ///My5UV

I wonder if it's really reasonable for BMW to build electrics as a minor modification of the gas platforms? Tesla gets their range from filling the whole damn floor of the car with batteries... is there enough volume where the fuel tank, transmission, and engine normally go to match that?

Yes. This is essentially CLAR WE.

[ron_jeremy]

We loved our i3 16' model. But sold it since we heard of a «400» km range coming july 18'. Our model would then be the first generation and we thought it might decrease alot in value. As for a new generation i3, i think the original and i division as well, was an answear to a Q asked about a decade ago, Kind of like a experiment. Since then alot have happened. Having owned a EV, i think it is the future, can't wait to see what BMW have planned.

[///My5UV]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Yes. This is essentially CLAR WE.

Bitchin', thanks!

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by evanevery

This

...If BMW wants a real seat at the table in the EV market, then they need to start by selling a "useable"vehicle with competitive range (currently 200+ miles). The i3 doesn't come close (range-wise) and the i8 is not a utilitarian vehicle by any means. BMW needs to sell EV's that people actually WANT to own. Otherwise the i3 is a competitive failure and the i8 is nothing more than a cool curiosity.

I think of those as two vehicles at either end of the spectrum and now BMW is working to fill in the gaps. They displayed the technology with the i8 and the i3. Now they are moving it into more "useable" vehicles. My daily commute is 14 miles each way and a hybrid that could get 30 miles on electric would be enough for daily commute.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

The i3 and i8 were a means to an end. Lets see what the replacement vehicles can do.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The i8 is a lawnmower in a supercar body

My lawnmower takes race gas.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by LemonOne

Expensive to build? Yes
Expensive to lease or buy? No

My friend is leasing his i3EX for $99 a month for 2 years.

You only lease them.

Until there is a good charging network available they are only so grand.

[RBNetEngr]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

the problem with the i3 is they made it very ugly. sure, this is an individual taste, but i have NEVER heard anyone say they like the way it looks. i've heard tons of people say its ugly. uglier than my smart car.

...said the guy who bought a Smart Car...

[clbmw]

i3 too expensive, virtually same price as a 3er
i8 too restrictive on engine/motor options for the price point and competitors

Address this and they will sell better. [prompt rant from owners] ... Argue away but the sales figures and possible discontinuation threat is fairly telling. i8 as a flagship, in particular, should have had at least 3 variants, with a 6cyl in at least one of them. Don't give a rat's backside about the philosophy arguments, it's 2018 not 2038

[Meeni]

Well its about time that EV stop looking like a bad impression of a spaceship from the 70's. Lets have electrical and hybrid drivetrains in the normal cars that have normal level of creature comfort and do not try too hard at looking futuristic.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by dizx

Spring 2017, there was more than 10,000 registered i3's in Norway. I don't have the current number. Flop? I don't think so 😉

Norway has HUGE electric car incentives and taxes the crap out of gasoline powered cars. Not to mention other incentives that promote a near 40% e-car sales market for e-cars.

Yes, BMW has produced around ~45K i3's for world wide production... (recently BMW sold it's 100K i-car, globally) but I was responding to a forum member is the US market. For BMW NA to only sell 6K i3's is not a sales success, IF you ask me. And when an i3 can cost the same as a 5er(say a 528i)... I know which one I would buy.

I like the i3... but it IS too expensive for what it is. I suspect in another year the CPO market will be flooded with them in the USA.

Dackel