Thoughts on BMW i8 as daily driver | FerrariChat

Thoughts on BMW i8 as daily driver

Discussion in 'Other German' started by plastique999, Sep 7, 2019.

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  1. plastique999

    plastique999 F1 Veteran
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    Nov 9, 2008
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    Edward
    Ok thinking of something fun but practical as a daily driver? Anyone have experience with an i8?
    Things to look for or watch out for?
    I’ve never owned a hybrid ...


    Sent from my 16M
     
  2. Shahaf

    Shahaf Rookie

    Jan 23, 2019
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    Shahaf Galil
    Did 1800km with it from Barcelona to the north coast of Spain and Back in 48 hours.

    It’s super comfy (even that it’s low) handles super nice, all the power you need within legal speeds and then some.

    Pros: comfort, turns super well due to the weight balance, all the electronics you need, economic on fuel.

    Cons: the electric boost is not meant for hard long driving, once it runs out you will wait for it to charge, very low car so be mindful of clearance, scissor doors, no sexy engine sound, liniar acceleration is not as satisfying.

    If you have specific questions I would love to answer.

    Sixt have them for rent in specific markets, take it for a spin and see for yourself.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
  3. Sky Hye

    Sky Hye Formula Junior
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    Apr 2, 2017
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    Ingress-egress is terrible. Cargo room is not too great. I think they hybrid synchronization is better executed than other manufacturers. What’s your objective, cool factor? High mpg? Something different?
     
    anunakki likes this.
  4. freshmeat

    freshmeat F1 Veteran

    Aug 30, 2011
    7,257
    Bruh. Porsche Taycan Turbo S ;)
     
  5. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 6, 2003
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    Ryan Alexander
    You can get used ones for 1/2 price now, I think dealer can put another 4 years of warranty.

    I don't know if you buy your daily drivers used but the CPO and depreciation baked in makes it a fairly low risk proposition. They do look awesome.

    I've said here before a half a dozen times what they need to do is just make one with the 600hp twin turbo V8 that they have in the m5 / M6 cars.
     
  6. plastique999

    plastique999 F1 Veteran
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    Well....trying to be wise and thin the herd....my wife and I have too many dailys so we were going to unload a couple cars and buy a fun daily driver.
    If ingress/egress and low clearance is an issue, then that may be a problem.
    Want something sleek, comfortable and fun to drive...doesn’t have to be fast.


    Sent from my 16M
     
  7. plastique999

    plastique999 F1 Veteran
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    Nov 9, 2008
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    Hah! That’s actually a cool looking car...when’s it supposed to be released?


    Sent from my 16M
     
  8. Jo Sta7

    Jo Sta7 F1 Rookie
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    Oct 13, 2015
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    I daily drove one for 2 years. Great car. Think of it as a way cooler and more fun Conti Gt competitor. It’s a GT/sports car with super car looks.
     
  9. anunakki

    anunakki Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 8, 2005
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    I think you need to rent one for a while first.

    I dont own one but a good friend does so Ive been in it a lot and driven it plenty as well. If you are tall and/or heavy its really difficult to get into/out of without looking like a chimp. Super comfy once you are in it though. I also found it very difficult to see out of. I would not want to parallel park it on a densely packed city street.
     
  10. LI2782

    LI2782 Formula Junior
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    Jul 19, 2010
    915
    Every time I get in one I need to go see my chiropractor.
     
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  11. C50

    C50 Formula 3

    Aug 19, 2016
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    Check the door clearance and consider your typical parking options
    The doors are not quite scissor so you need a wider space to get in/out than either traditional or scissor doors
    If you have lots of wide parking, no problem
    Otw possible problem
     
  12. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
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    Dec 8, 2003
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    Actual US deliveries Q2 '20. Most order slots already filled in US. Pricing from $158K to $185K before dealer pack. Usual Porsche options list adds $30K easily.......


    Re the i8; I only test drove 1 car; straight line was not impressive comp to my R8, ingress/egress extremely difficult for a big person, beware the doors in a parking garage, and BTW wifey no likey that egress part.....:D
    I think a fun car tho if you have others as required.......
     
    plastique999 likes this.
  13. randkin

    randkin Formula 3
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    Aug 2, 2015
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    Randy
    I have heard early 2020. But currently CA is giving big waiting problems (as pay back for diesel gate) to all VW, Porsche, Audi new models consequently no new models are being released timely in the US. So hard to guess how much pain CA will continue to inflict on a new EV from Porsche.:rolleyes:
     
  14. Sky Hye

    Sky Hye Formula Junior
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    Apr 2, 2017
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    Haha abarth it is! Maybe you can rent one off turo? I want my next to be an AMG but I think the gf gets next choice. What are you thinking of selling? Don’t say the Aston


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  15. Sky Hye

    Sky Hye Formula Junior
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    He gives jockeys a run for their money
     
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  16. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 3, 2006
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    A friend has one. It is almost impossible for me to get in or out of, especially on the passenger side.
     
  17. slm

    slm F1 Rookie
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    Dec 5, 2004
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    I have a friend with one. He had me take it for a spin. I really liked it. yes, ingress and egress is challenging, but I previously had a diablo and McLaren, so not too much different.

    If your are looking for an enjoyable daily driver consider the M850. I bought one 6 months ago and love it!! It is my daily. Nicely appointed, comfortable, lots of storage, very fast, all wheel drive, all wheel steering, etc. basically BMWs version of FF/Luso.
     
  18. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie
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    Nov 3, 2003
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    Compared to a Lotus or a 4C the i8 is very easy to get in and out of. There is a trick to doing it, and I am no spring chicken and never had a problem with that part of ownership. My girlfriend is tall and she would always tell me it is not easy to get in and out off the car with heels and address, but we figured out a way. My problem was that my cars always need a purpose and I could not figure out what purpose the car had, it was not a sports car, and there are many cars that are better GT cars. The fake exhaust sounds that did get to me after a while. I agree with the statement above though, get a CPO car and DO NOT buy new, unless you enjoy throwing money away. Buy a CPO save a lot, then give something to a charity. I find that part more satisfying than some of the cars I end up with at times.
     
  19. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie
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    I agree with Steve M, the 850 is a much better choice, and a much better GT car. I have had over 50 BMW's and this is the longest period that I can remember that I do not have one.
     
  20. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie
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    I just bought another i8, going to modify this one. If anyone wants a really interesting 850 gran coupe, I know where there is brand new green one (that is really done well) that I almost bought myself.
     
  21. JoeZaff

    JoeZaff F1 Veteran
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    Aug 5, 2007
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    Joe
    I had an i8 for two years and 20k miles.
    Took it everywhere. City traffic to work, weekend trips to shore house... you name it. Even Stuffed the kids in the back seat and took them to school daily. Splendid car, excellent performance, especially considering I got 45mpg on average. Bulletproof reliability during my tenure too.

    Only issue is that things kind of fall apart performance wise once you exceed 7/10ths. Brakes fade rapidly, car hopelessly understeers and you lose the battery performance boost
    After a few minutes. But aside from those rare occasions when I acted like a fool on some empty back roads, it was not something I noticed during 99% of my drives
     
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  22. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie
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    Nov 3, 2003
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    The throttle controller is in the car, today I am going to code it, and next week it will get its tune. Should be interesting, I am working on getting more rubber on the car (wheel and tire setup car be much better), to help with the handling. My first one was a 2014, this one is a much better car (and I am not exactly sure why yet). Still looking for that 4C spider to take apart too.
     
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