Leap of faith

[filmfan]

On my way later this morning to order via a lease the BMW i3 REX to replace my Jaguar XF which goes back in October, I drive 30,000 miles each year. I commute 84 miles each way from the Lake District to Knutsford four days a week and will have a charge point at home and work. My test drive in Eco mode proved I could get 70 of the 84 miles to work before I turned on the range extender at 10% and that was back in January with wipers, headlights and heating on all the way. Anyone have a similar commute to me and experience of how the i3 does? Thanks

 

[amateurish]

My experience is not dissimilar. My commute is 60 miles each way, with charging available at each end. The i3 works very well in this situation. I do not have to use the Rex at all. Driving using "eco pro" you will probably be able to do most, if not all, of that journey on battery, provided you don't drive at 80+ on the motorway. On my journey today I used 2/3 of the battery to do 58 miles. So a projected battery range of approx 85 miles. Most of my commute is dual carriageway where I cruise at 70 traffic permitting, but probably average nearer 60 in the rush hour traffic.

You will need to make sure you have 32Amp charging available. Otherwise, you will not have enough time to charge fully on a 13amp regular three pin socket (in my experience).

 

[filmfan]

Thank you that is very encouraging, I have been quoted September delivery and will ensure I have the 32Amp charging facility at both ends.

 

[noakey]

My experience is not dissimilar. My commute is 60 miles each way, with charging available at each end. The i3 works very well in this situation. I do not have to use the Rex at all. Driving using "eco pro" you will probably be able to do most, if not all, of that journey on battery, provided you don't drive at 80+ on the motorway. On my journey today I used 2/3 of the battery to do 58 miles. So a projected battery range of approx 85 miles. Most of my commute is dual carriageway where I cruise at 70 traffic permitting, but probably average nearer 60 in the rush hour traffic.

You will need to make sure you have 32Amp charging available. Otherwise, you will not have enough time to charge fully on a 13amp regular three pin socket (in my experience).

Thank you for posting this... my i3 is due next week and I have a 64 mile each way commute with 3rd each end. . From your experience looks like it's battery power all the way (actually it has to be cos I opted for a bev!)..

Have you noticed much change in range vs temp?

Also would be really interested to see your actual miles travelled vs battery range consumed. ..

Thank you lots...

 

[amateurish]

Hi Neil, I've only had it for a month, so not noticed any particular variation in range. I haven't had any cold mornings yet, or hot days!

My average consumption is about 4 mi/kwh but I don't drive particularly for economy.

64 miles each way should be easily doable.

 

[DerfSdrawd]

You'll be fine. I just did a round trip of 73 miles in my i3 BEV from near Reading to Ealing. Mostly M4 plus some heavy traffic through Southall and a diversion for roadworks.

Starting with a full charge, I had 12 miles of range remaining. ECO Pro was fine and I kept to around 65-70mph on the motorway and a decent part of it is a 50 then 40 limit.

When I arrived in Ealing I had 49 miles range remaining so no range anxiety with a 36 mile return.

I found that my mindset changes a lot compared to driving a car with an engine. The main thing is to be sure that the indicated range is accurate - normally with 25 miles of range I'm looking for the next petrol station but now that I'm confident that the data is right I can take it down to single figures in the i3 with impunity! The 32A charger is a must if you do journeys of this length and want to use the car again soon after. I use the preconditioning feature to heat or cool the car and I haven't seen any variation in range in warm or cold weather.

Just saw another i3 in Henley being charged on street (double yellows) with the cable coming out of a letterbox!

 

[Gonville]

I have been quoted September delivery and will ensure I have the 32Amp charging facility at both ends.

I will be green with envy if you get yours before me......

 

[noakey]

You'll be fine. I just did a round trip of 73 miles in my i3 BEV from near Reading to Ealing. Mostly M4 plus some heavy traffic through Southall and a diversion for roadworks.

Starting with a full charge, I had 12 miles of range remaining. ECO Pro was fine and I kept to around 65-70mph on the motorway and a decent part of it is a 50 then 40 limit.

When I arrived in Ealing I had 49 miles range remaining so no range anxiety with a 36 mile return.

I found that my mindset changes a lot compared to driving a car with an engine. The main thing is to be sure that the indicated range is accurate - normally with 25 miles of range I'm looking for the next petrol station but now that I'm confident that the data is right I can take it down to single figures in the i3 with impunity! The 32A charger is a must if you do journeys of this length and want to use the car again soon after. I use the preconditioning feature to heat or cool the car and I haven't seen any variation in range in warm or cold weather.

Just saw another i3 in Henley being charged on street (double yellows) with the cable coming out of a letterbox!

Awesome. .. its great to have real life feedback of good length journeys... i feel I will have more miles in hand than I thought yee...

 

[DerfSdrawd]

i feel I will have more miles in hand than I thought yee...

Noakey, yes but watch out for the issue raised by this topic:http://www.mybmwi3.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=597

My journey below did include a quick blast away from an Audi TT....

 

[uktechie]

On my way later this morning to order via a lease the BMW i3 REX to replace my Jaguar XF which goes back in October, I drive 30,000 miles each year. I commute 84 miles each way from the Lake District to Knutsford four days a week and will have a charge point at home and work. My test drive in Eco mode proved I could get 70 of the 84 miles to work before I turned on the range extender at 10% and that was back in January with wipers, headlights and heating on all the way. Anyone have a similar commute to me and experience of how the i3 does? Thanks

That is a big change in the size of vehicle also, I know why you want an i3, but how did you sum up change from XF to i3?

 

[Gonville]

I didn't feel like that on the test drive coming from a 5 series. Felt like driving an X5 with the height and space inside the cabin.

 

[filmfan]

Giving up the Jaguar was not an easy decission but the financial saving of £290 per month in car benefit in kind tax and fuel made it easier. The fundamental reason though is to be more eco friendly.

 

[Gonville]

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