BMW i3 (2013 - 2022) 120Ah Loft Interior World auto 5d Owner Review

Having dipped a toe into the world of electric motoring with a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, the advent of the longer range 120Ah BMW i3 meant it warranted serious consideration once they started appearing on the used market. We found a nice, two prior owner (BMW fleet) 2019 i3 at a good price. Unless you are doing more than 150 miles a day (or more without access to a rapid charger) then the i3 really should be on your list - even to just try out - if nothing else for the hoot it is to drive. Performance is great, the range is sufficient for anything other than long journeys - and if you do go further afield it’s easy with Zap-Map app and with a rapid charge taking just c. 35-40 minutes. I think I’m safe saying that there are plenty of folks for who this car will save a shed load of cash. Initially we just charged it overnight at home from a 13A socket. That worked remarkably well, and I didn’t miss the wallet emptying trips to the petrol station. A 32Amp dedicated charger (7.4kW) now means that usually the car is returned to full after getting home in around 2 hours - because it’s rare to get home with no charge left. Even if you do drain the battery - a 7.4kW home charger will go from 0-100% in around 5 hours. I nearly always sleep that long... We do have another, ICE car - but honestly, we’re so impressed with the i3 - we may get rid of the diesel (tier 6 low emission) and stick with the i3. It’s funky inside, and a really nice place to spend time. The seats are comfy, the Harmon Kardon sound system is great and the ride is taught, slightly firm but quiet. It’s a zippy thing around town and on all the little country roads where we live in the sticks. Motorway driving is OK at say 70-75 - but faster than that has an effect on range as the inverse square law applies (as you exponentially increase the force needed for the air you have to shift for a relatively small linear speed increase). They say that once you have driven an EV - you are less likely to go back to an ICE car. I think we’re now proof of that and the i3 is the primary reason why. It’s really very good indeed. Remarkably so.