REx test driveI recently test drove the i3. My main interest

[roperld]

I recently test drove the i3. My main interest is in the i3 REx, which I hope to test drive as soon as possible. However, I see a problem in driving the REx in the U.S. in that the small engine does not turn on until the battery is almost depleted. So, a test-drive i3 REx must be nearly battery depleted in order that a prospective customer can experience the REx in operation. Will dealers be required to have a REx in a nearly depleted battery state for prospective customers to drive?

 

[cab]

Ironically, you may have the opposite problem. With the Volt it wasn't uncommon to show up at the dealer and find Volts w/o a charge.

 

[fdl1409]

Why do you need to test? It works without flaw. There are plenty of drivers in Europe with REx. Unless you have to drive up a very high mountain it is perfectly OK if the REx only starts at 6.5% SOC. You can still drive 75 mph on flat roads and overtake with full power.

Frank
Germany
expecting i3 REx early June

 

[Gonville]

I think it's called "REX Anxiety". I avoided it by going BEV. .

I think trust in German engineering is undermined by years of Detroit smoke and mirrors and a need to see it to believe it. Test it before you need to rely on it.

Understandable culture difference?

 

[roperld]

Here are some of the web pages I have found that discuss the REx:
http://bmwi3.blogspot.com/2014/01/to-rex-or-not-to-rex-that-is-question.html
http://insideevs.com/bmw-i3-rex-1100-mile-road-test-review/
http://insideevs.com/video-review-bmw-with-range-extender-a-big-step-forward-but-not-five-stars/
http://www.hypermiler.co.uk/car-reviews/bmw-i3-rex-range-extender-review
http://insideevs.com/bmw-i3-range-extender-to-offer-up-to-87-more-miles-decreases-performance/
http://insideevs.com/video-bmw-i3-rex-range-test/
http://www.mybmwi3.com/bmw-i3-range-extender-engine-nearly-flat
http://ecomento.com/2014/04/28/buying-a-bmw-i3-range-extender-read-this/

None of them give details about driving many miles with REx running.
Do any of you know of web pages that do?
In case you are interested I have created a web page to help me decide whether I will lease a BMW i3 REx when my 2012 LEAF lease expires on 7 May 2015:
http://www.roperld.com/Science/BMWi3.htm
I anxiously await the EPA numbers for the BMWi3.
I also am studying the Mercedes B-Class ED as an option:
http://www.roperld.com/Science/MercedesBClassED.htm
I anxiously await the EPA numbers for the MBCED.

 

[viking79]

I wouldn't buy a car without test driving a $4000 US feature. That would be like buying a 4WD truck that you plan to drive in 4WD without at least driving it in 4WD mode.

I am slightly unhappy about the REx in US as well, there are a lot of areas where you might want to maintain speed on a hill and cant tolerate a sudden drop in speed. Especially anyone living in Colorado, or even other areas might run into this. I would want a car I could drive across country (even if it means stopping for gas every hour) if I was getting REx feature, but not sure if it will work well for that in US. Looks best for people where their commute or drive might be say 50 miles one way and they might not be able to recharge at work, or maybe make an occasional short road trip.

I would like the feature, but I might just go without if it can't extend my range indefinitely (and worry about passing power or going up hills or dealing with strong winds).