With over 8,000 vehicles sold in the UK since launch, the BMW i3 is the best-selling electric car in the premium compact segment. In 2017 the model had a major refresh including a technology overhaul and the introduction of a new, sportier variant, the BMW i3s. The i3 starts at £33,805 OTR and the i3S £34,805 OTR.
BMW i3 REX 2017, Andy – Owner Review
Surprise us! Tell us something surprising about this car?
Bigger on the inside than you expect from the outside as there’s no engine at the front.
Why did you choose this car?
Availability, price, ecologically-made and fully recyclable, comfortable, reasonable range and different.
What is the average mileage range you achieve from your EV when fully charged?
110 miles
Read the FULL Owner Review here
Two power outputs and optional range extender engine
Following systematic refinement, the BMW eDrive technology aboard the BMW i3 and BMW i3s offers emission-free driving with instantaneous power delivery, efficient use of energy and increased range. Both models draw their energy from the lithium-ion high-voltage battery with a capacity of 94Ah (33kWh). A range-extender engine can be ordered as an option for both models.
Emission-free fun at the wheel: two power options
The synchronous electric motor powering the BMW i3 generates a maximum output of 170hp and reaches a peak torque of 250Nm, all of which is available instantly from a standstill. This means that stepping on the accelerator pedal immediately unleashes a burst of speed. The power is transferred via a single-speed automatic transmission meaning the zero to 62mph benchmark sprint can be achieved in 7.3 seconds. Top speed is limited to 93mph.
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Located low in the vehicle floor, the lithium-ion high-voltage battery provides a range of up to 186 miles* based on the NEDC cycle, 146 to 158 miles** as per WLTP and up to 125 miles*** in everyday use. The combined electric power consumption of the new BMW i3 on the NEDC cycle varies between 13.1 and 13.6kWh for every 62 miles*.
Outstanding driving dynamics: instantaneous torque, superb traction and controlled drifting
The agile handling characteristics of the BMW i3 have been improved still further by the optimised Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system. This faster responding traction control system guarantees confident handling under all driving conditions. The BMW i3 now features a unique form of wheel speed limiting that ensures increased directional stability both under acceleration and on the overrun with strong regenerative braking. Traction during pull-away on snow and wet roads has also been noticeably improved. DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) mode now boosts agility at higher speeds even allowing mild and safely controllable drifts on cornering.
BMW i3 2018, Jeff – Owner Review
Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this car?
- Great acceleration
- No petrol to buy
- Different
Surprise us! Tell us something surprising about this car?
It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing!
What is the average mileage range you achieve from your EV when fully charged?
125 miles
Read the FULL Owner Review here
Sportier BMW i3s
The BMW i3s is powered by a high-performance 184hp electric motor that generates peak torque of 270Nm. Its drive system includes modified motor control and specific taper roller bearings, which have been utilised to further optimise power delivery and the performance curve at higher rpm. At the limits of the motor speed range, the power and torque of the further developed drive system represent an improvement of up to 40 per cent for the BMW i3.
What’s more, the BMW i3s boasts sports suspension with specially developed springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. Drivers can also select SPORT mode using the Driving Experience Control switch which delivers a more direct accelerator response and tighter steering characteristics.
The BMW i3s utilises sports suspension that includes a 10mm drop in ride height. The additional 40mm of track width compared to the BMW i3 is given added impact by the black wheel arch borders. The BMW i3s comes as standard with exclusive 20-inch light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design that are 20mm wider than the previously available versions. They come as standard in Bicolour and are optionally available in Jet Black
The BMW i3s is capable of getting from zero to 62mph in 6.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 99mph. It returns a combined electric power consumption of 14.3kWh per 62 miles on the NEDC cycle. Its electric range runs to 174 miles based on the NEDC cycle, 146 to 152 miles as per WLTP and up to 125 miles in everyday use.
A 38hp two-cylinder range extender petrol engine is available as an option for both the BMW i3 and the BMW i3s. The engine drives a generator that produces power as required while driving to maintain a constant level of charge in the high-voltage battery. This extends the car’s overall range in everyday use by 93 miles, increasing it from around 112 miles to a maximum of 205 miles. The all electric range of the BMW i3 with range extender is 144 miles as per NEDC and 118 – 124 miles as per WLTP. The corresponding figures for the BMW i3s with range extender come in at 134 miles on the NEDC and 115 to 121 miles on the WLTP cycle.
On the NEDC cycle, the BMW i3 with range extender returns combined consumption figures per 62 miles of 11.9kWh to 11.5kWh of electric power and 0.6 litres of fuel (CO2 emissions: 14 –13 g/km). On the same combined NEDC cycle, the BMW i3s with range extender consumes 12.5kWh of electric power per 62 miles and 0.7 litres of fuel (fuel consumption of 403.5mpg imp; CO2 emissions: 14 g/km).
BMW i3 2017, Ryan – Owner Review
Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this car?
- Expensive and limited tyre choices
- Firm ride
Surprise us! Tell us something surprising about this car?
Incredibly agile considering the skinny tyres.
What is the average mileage range you achieve from your EV when fully charged?
115 miles
Read the FULL Owner Review here
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