Coming from a Tesla Model 3…should I get a lightly used i8 as a daily driver? I’ve always been a BMW guy, this will be my 5th if I pull the trigger. I drive A LOT, and put 40k miles on the Tesla in a year and a half, just getting bored of it. Would going to an i8 be worth it? Just want to hear some opinions and feedback

  • __LordSir__@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    I’ve driven and owned many BMWs and the i8 is by far my favourite driving and looking BMW ever. It’s also the perfect daily if you can get used to the doors and don’t need to carry much luggage around. It looks like a super car, drives and handles like a very quick hot hatch, has nearly the instant torque factor of electric, and if you charge regularly, it gives you really good fuel economy. I’ve put 25k+ miles on mine in just over 2 years of ownership.

      • G-pissy@alien.topB
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        10 months ago

        Low sales figures, mainly because most people shopping for a car that looks like that, want it to be as fast as it looks. I’ve heard a lot of “if only it wasn’t a hybrid”

  • BehemothManiac@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    Have you sat in one? I found a visibility limited (A-pillar blocks a lot of view for me) and it’s hard to get in and out, so it will bother me a lot in a daily.

    Otherwise - why not?

    • Particular-Wing-9971@alien.topB
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      10 months ago

      I daily drive one, and once you set the mirrors up correctly, you have really good visibility. It doesn’t take a quick moment to get used to the dimensions and general awareness around the car

  • Important-Ad3820@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    BMW tech here - see if the a/c compressor has been replaced with the updated one. I thinkkkk the designed changed in 5/2017. The compressor internally degrades and ends up, sending shrapnel through the entire freon system, which also cools the hybrid batteries. The compressor is always on so it’s a common failure item. When it does go to shit, out of pocket service invoices are $12-$16k. Otherwise, they are super solid cars.

    To replace the compressor preventatively, it’s around $4000

    • yungbuckfucks@alien.topB
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      10 months ago

      Is that $4k with labor from bmw? Because honestly, that’s not bad. When considering failure points on other cars some PM easily exceeds $4k in parts.

      • willard_swag@alien.topB
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        10 months ago

        No, it’s not bad. It’s awful. Given that it’s a known failure on a part that is necessary for the vehicle to function, it should be a recall.

      • Important-Ad3820@alien.topB
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        10 months ago

        I’m ballparking, but yes, with labor. It’s only like 2.5hrs + A/C charge. I think the compressor is around $1000ish without the core. You’re “supposed” to also swap out the drier, and perform the retrofit coding, however I never did either of those to my own car and it worked fine for years. I’d probably factor in another $2k (parts/labor) if you do it the “right” way.

        • Vanxsquad@alien.topB
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          10 months ago

          Is there a way to know if there’s shrapnel in the system prior to buying the car?

    • BetterBettor@alien.topB
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      10 months ago

      Is there a similar issue with the i3s? Or anything else along those lines to look out for with those?

  • Cor_ay@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    I used to “hate” on the I8.

    Meaning I didn’t talk shit about it, but I just thought it was kind of a poor attempt at a flex. Then they started showing up to the exotic rallies and I was having some good fun with others who owned one while we were cruising on the highway.

    I would say this is a good move, definitely way better than a Tesla too lol.

    Buy used and drive for bit. If you like it, keep it, if not, sell it.

  • codex83@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    Only if you are shorter than 180 cm and small framed 😄 getting in and especially out of that car daily is not for everyone 😄😄

  • idespisemyhondacrv@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    I8 is the coolest car ever. I got to see one yesterday and the owner even let me sit in it, that things a fucking spaceship

      • 15andreallybored@alien.topB
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        10 months ago

        You don’t need a 7l V8 to be cool, I love driving my dads Lotus and thats a 1.8l but I’d still consider it a cool car.

        • Mironov1995@alien.topB
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          10 months ago

          I need at least 3 liter 400+ horsepower engine with good exhaust in an entry level sportcar, not a joke 1.5l mini cooper engine dude.

          • 15andreallybored@alien.topB
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            10 months ago

            Thats too much for an entry level sport car, you can have a lot of fun with a decent size displacement engine like a 1.8l and they’re not even that slow, you put them down too much.

            Also 3l and 400+ HP how do you afford that? I have a 1.2l 90hp VW polo and I pay £4,000 insurance per year and over $7 a gallon of fuel which is affordable in the 1.2l but when I drive my mums 335i which is a 3l TT 320hp it drinks fuel at an unaffordable rate.

            And why do you need a big loud exhaust? there is no point unless you get a bit more power but then you can pay so much for an exhaust with so little benefit.

            • Mironov1995@alien.topB
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              10 months ago

              What do you mean be „too much”? Today sportcars is 500-600 horsepower and more, my F Type S with its 380 hp is an entry level sportscar and nothing more. And no, you can not have a sportcar with a 1.8 engine.

              Why do i want exhaust in sportcar? Emm, its like asking why i want a burger with meat. Because its how it is made?

              I had 335i before and it’s fuel consumption is great for it’s power.

              • 15andreallybored@alien.topB
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                10 months ago

                Yes you can have a sport car with a 1.8l, the Elise is the definition of a sports car thats why its handling was compared to the Ferrari F50.

                Why do i want exhaust in sportcar? Emm, its like asking why i want a burger with meat. Because its how it is made?

                Its not “how its made” there is plenty of sports cars without obnoxious and loud exhausts.

                I had 335i before and it’s fuel consumption is great for it’s power

                Its still drinks fuel but I will give you that it makes a lot of power.

  • Xzackly-1@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    if you buy it, make sure it comes with a get in helmet for you and your passenger.

  • Darius510@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    Had one for a few years.

    As a daily driver it’s perfectly comfortable and practical as long as you never need to carry more than one passenger or a carry-on worth of cargo.

    It drives great but it’s going to be a step back performance-wise from any model 3. It’s by no means slow, it’s just slower than it looks. Very comfortable in comfort mode, and not too stiff in sport mode.

    I will die on the hill that it’s the most beautiful car ever made. But ultimately that’s why I sold it. It just attracted too much attention. You will feel weird parking it in the mall parking lot. You will not be comfortable parking it in the 7/11 in “that part of town.” Anywhere you go everyone will be looking at who is stepping out of it. It is impossible for it to not make a statement everywhere you go (that statement being I’m rich and I want you to know it.) Whether you actually feel that way or not, that’s the vibe it will give off.

      • Darius510@alien.topB
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        10 months ago

        Any model 3. The i8 is 4.2s to 60mph in launch mode. Outside of that it’s slower than a Prius in EV mode and there’s a noticeable delay in comfort mode before the engine kicks on. And even compared to sport mode, the model 3 will just plain be more responsive, even if it’s a tiny bit slower off the line.

    • Vanxsquad@alien.topB
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      10 months ago

      Doesn’t it technically come with four seats? Or are the two rear seats so small they’re practically just storage space?

  • mikey_rambo@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    As others have said, you will hit your head getting in and out. Aside from that , it’s sweet

  • SukiDobe@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    My client turned in his lease, charged it at home and at work. He loved it to bits and averages like 70mpg. He did however have the comfort of warranty as well