06-15-2014, 10:05 AM | #1 |
Unloved BMW Addict
86
Rep 1,185
Posts
Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: King County WA
|
Plenty in Stock
Each of my local dealers has over 5 cars!...
When do the deals come out? |
06-18-2014, 12:33 PM | #2 |
Private
0
Rep 87
Posts |
keep your eyes peeled, should be some good stuff coming soon
__________________
product genius at BMW of Mt. Laurel in New Jersey
96 Volvo 850 Turbo 120k |
Appreciate
0
|
06-27-2014, 05:46 PM | #4 |
Unloved BMW Addict
86
Rep 1,185
Posts
Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: King County WA
|
Yes!
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-28-2014, 08:18 AM | #5 |
Major
50
Rep 1,061
Posts |
Given the nature of the vehicle, it makes sense somewhat that as you move away from the densely populated areas, that dealers may have more of these in stock...given their range and design goals, places like out in the great middle or southwest of the USA, where the distances between population centers grows to sometimes immense distances, a city car may not be a very good choice.
The dealer where I have done my business has trouble keeping an i3 in stock, and to get mine, he swapped one with another dealer to get my choice of options and color. |
Appreciate
0
|
06-28-2014, 04:18 PM | #8 |
Unloved BMW Addict
86
Rep 1,185
Posts
Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: King County WA
|
Who's got sales numbers?
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-28-2014, 07:54 PM | #9 |
Major
50
Rep 1,061
Posts |
I'll say it again, if you need a REx version, you probably shouldn't buy an i3! And, it seems those are the ones sitting on the lots.
I kept my ICE (a 535x-drive GT) for longer trips, and on longer trips in the summer, I get around 30mpg with it (not bad for an x-drive), and on the last trip with that mileage, went over 500-miles on each tank. Something you couldn't think about with the i3, at least in any sort of efficient (timewise) way. I suppose if your daily use was right at the edge of the battery capability, the REX would make sure you could get home, but then, I'd want a little more to work with. My big thing about using the i3 for more common tasks was to not have to worry about buying gas (can fill the i3 up at home), or mufflers, or oil changes, or antifreeze. About the only thing that needs to be done to the BEV is brake related and the cabin air filter. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2014, 04:10 PM | #11 |
Private
0
Rep 87
Posts |
__________________
product genius at BMW of Mt. Laurel in New Jersey
96 Volvo 850 Turbo 120k |
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2014, 06:02 PM | #12 |
Major
50
Rep 1,061
Posts |
My dealer sold 4 last week, and I was visiting the BMW dealer in Hyannis, MA on Cape Cod - they had sold their entire allocation, and some they were able to get from other area dealers as well. So, I guess it really depends on where you live, the economic viability, and the environment...it really only makes sense if it can be used as designed, as a city car, or for the vast majority of short trips. If you don't qualify, or the area is rural...it's probably not a viable vehicle, and will not sell well.
The thing is not cheap (verses something like the Leaf or Focus EV, or even the VOlt, but the Volt is sort of in a different class, being a hybrid). So, it takes someone both interested and able to pay for it. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-01-2014, 06:05 PM | #13 |
Major General
4462
Rep 9,160
Posts |
The funny thing is that it's not that much more than a Volt, but it's 2.5-3x as expensive to lease. Sorry, I don't want to buy something that will be outdated in three or four years. BMW has to work out a better lease deal. The Mini E was a much better deal six years ago.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-03-2014, 06:15 AM | #14 |
General
16951
Rep 18,581
Posts |
The base price of a Volt is $34,995 w/ freight. The going prices for the Volt with a few $K of options are in the low 30's before the $7,500 tax rebate. Everyone keeps calling the Volt a hybrid, when it is actually an Extended Range EV. Yup, the engine will drive the front wheels only under one circumstance where the battery is depleted and the continuous speed is above 70 MPH, but to use that to classify it as a hybrid (i.e. Prius) is a bit of a stretch.
Last edited by Efthreeoh; 07-03-2014 at 11:29 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-07-2014, 09:32 AM | #15 |
Brigadier General
547
Rep 3,307
Posts |
Had an odd dream this morning after waking up and going back to sleep (when all of my whacked out dreams tend to happen). An i3 that I apparently had ordered, but didn't mean to order, arrived at the dealership. Went to look at it and didn't know what to say to my CA as I struggled with, 'I wasn't ready to order it, how did this happen, but maybe I want it...' I actually thought (in my dream) about this thread thinking, they should be able to sell it easy enough if I turn it down, no harm no foul.. But that dream sums up how I actually do feel about this car. I kind of want one, but don't know that I'm ready to give up my 335 for it yet (too early in my lease too anyway, but that's awake logic).
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-08-2014, 06:18 AM | #16 | |
General
16951
Rep 18,581
Posts |
Quote:
I've never given the thought to an i3 or a Volt until the building where I work has decided to go "Green" and get "LEED certified". I looked all that up to see what it meant and adding EV charging stations for 2% of the parking spaces in the facility gets the building brownie points towards LEEDness (I thought they may replace all the windows with opening units and give everyone a Vornado fan and a few rocks for paper weights...). So I suggested to the building management that adding some EV charging stations should be part of it's plan to go green. They are working it. Being that my commute is about 82 miles one way, now if I can charge at work the i3 (or Volt) comes into the realm of ownership. I still see the i3 as a second family car, and my use would strictly be for my work commute and rare weekend duty (what my E90 currently endures). But it would work for me. The Tesla is too much electric for me (if that makes any sense) because it carries around too much battery. And the Volt carries too much weight too but it being a more robust range-extender unit. The i3 is a nice balance in between the Tesla and the Volt, anyway for my commute at least. Which has always been your point; if the i3 suits one's usage profile, then it should be considered. Last edited by Efthreeoh; 07-08-2014 at 06:25 AM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-08-2014, 10:18 AM | #17 |
Major General
4462
Rep 9,160
Posts |
Wow, Eft, you really gave it a fair shake. I'd love to see 50% more range without having to resort to the REX, but suppose that's still a few years away.
I actually found the rear seats reasonable, but I apparently like to punish people as we've made a 135i and X1 work for years. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-08-2014, 12:25 PM | #18 |
Major
50
Rep 1,061
Posts |
Given the intended use, the rear seats aren't bad. They certainly aren't particularly viable for a long trip, but then, the vehicle can't make it without stop(s) and fairly lengthy recharging.
There was an article in my local paper today about VT putting in their first DC fast charger. They'd made a commitment to Montreal to provide an electric friendly route. There are more to come, but still, none around me. My i3 is fun to drive, holds me and my folding recumbent trike, and suits my needs. I do not expect a need to stress its capabilities. FWIW, the parking garages in Boston's Logan airport have about 20 or so EVSE installed, and are free (well, no extra charge) if you pay the parking fee. That puts the airport within range for me, but that also assumes you can find a space where the EVSE is free! Since the thing is locked into the car when you lock the doors, you should be assured of having a fully charged car when you return from your trip. My cellphone is not Android or Apple, but I did buy an Android tablet. It's neat being able to check the charging status, make sure it is locked, and tell it to precondition itself prior to leaving so you get into a nice warm/cool car (depending on the season). If plugged in at the time, that also maximizes your range, since you don't have to use precious battery power to do it. The tall/thin tires should work reasonably in winter weather, but as part of my deal, I got the dealer to offer me a winter tire/wheel set at cost, whenever they actually show up in the USA pricebook (hopefully before winter!). I'm a firm believer in dedicated winter tires, and with the i3 being rear-wheel drive with my long, steep driveway, they'll add a little extra bit of usefulness and safety. Depending on the route, the weather, and your driving technique, 84-miles may be a stretch in the winter-time unless you opt for the REx. The heater isn't all that bad, but the electrically heated seats, being resistance verses a heat pump, can suck the batteries pretty hard, if you need to use them (and aren't available if you're in EcoPro+ mode). This assumes you want and ordered the heated seats. Last edited by jadnashuanh; 07-08-2014 at 03:06 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-08-2014, 06:01 PM | #19 |
General
16951
Rep 18,581
Posts |
I tend to give all cars a fair shake being that I own a GM product, a Ford product, a Honda motorcycle, and the BMWs: a 2006 325i and 1997 Z3. I've no propensity for Brand bashing, but conversely I take every Brand's marketing info with a grain of salt and don't swallow the hype so easily. You'd exepect a BMW EV to handle well and I was glad I found it so. However I find the Volt as impressive engineering-wise as I do BMW's i3, but for different reasons, which makes sense since their intended uses are somewhat different. The i3 is a tall vehicle, but that's because of the limitations of a body-on-frame design, cars from the '40s are the same way. I can’t see it getting any better driving dynamics, but they are not bad from my 30 minutes with the car. I’d love to get it on some back roads, but there lies the dilemma, good roads (which I drive every day) are at the i3’s EV range limit. I would purchase a Rex version. I need to drive that to see how differently it drives from the EV version. What I really don’t get is the i3's placement of the charge point; maybe BMW just can’t break tradition…
My real interest for an electric is not altruistic by any means but just merely to get on the grid for a stable fuel price rather than deal with the fluctuations of gasoline (some Arab farts and the price goes up 20 cents - stupid). I need to find a new DD because at 255K on the E90, I want to retire it while it remains in good shape and start removing the miles from its body and components; it is such an excellent car to drive. I see my E90 as the last true classic BMW. I mistakenly gave up my E30 when I bought the E90, I tend not to make mistakes twice (usually ). I know I'm harsh most times, but I'm a car geek and I really love to have good discussions with like-minded car geeks that possess intelligence; I find it in the i3 forum with you gents. Last edited by Efthreeoh; 07-08-2014 at 08:55 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-09-2014, 05:43 PM | #20 | |
Private
0
Rep 87
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
product genius at BMW of Mt. Laurel in New Jersey
96 Volvo 850 Turbo 120k |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-09-2014, 06:18 PM | #21 | |
General
16951
Rep 18,581
Posts |
Quote:
Last edited by Efthreeoh; 07-09-2014 at 06:24 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|