Wanting an "exact" i3 Rex

[roperld]

My 2012 LEAF SV was in a major accident last Tuesday; I was not injured thanks to the steering-wheel air bag. I find out tomorrow if it can be fixed or if it is totaled.

I wanted to replace it with the Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive with the Range Package. The closest dealer to me is in Maryland. That dealer has told me that I cannot lease the MBCED because I live in Virginia, but I could buy it. I do not want to buy it.

My 2nd choice is the i3 Rex. If I cannot get almost exactly what I want in an i3 Rex, I will go with another LEAF on a 2-year lease and then make a decision for the next 3 years or longer. That may be the Tesla 3 or the next version of the LEAF or something else.

By “almost exactly” I want the following, with the preferences in order as listed:

Worlds: Giga or Tera
Exterior: Capparis White or Solar Orange Metallic or Ionic Silver Metallic or Andesite Silver Metallic
Packages: Both Parking Assistant and Technology+Driving Assistant
Options: Heated front seats

My nearest dealer in Virginia has not been able to locate "almost exactly" what I want so far. Apparently no i3 Rexs at dealers have Giga or Tera and both Packages, let alone the lighter, or orange, colors.

State Farm Insurance has given me a rental car for 45 days, so life would be best if I could get the i3 Rex I want by then.

Nissan has offered the LEAF that I would want with a $1000 "loyalty" discount. I could get it right away.

 

[WoodlandHills]

What wheel size did you spec to the searching dealer? I was in my LA dealer looking for a similar car and once he added the 19" wheels to the search it went from 40+ cars in their region to zero. It seemed that only the Megas are coming over with the 19"s for the most part and Giga's and Tera's are nearly all equipped with 20"s. I wanted a Giga with every option EXCEPT the bigger wheels and I watched over his shoulder as he made the searches: whenever he specified 19"s the count went to zero.

 

[roperld]

I did not specify a wheel size. The Giga & Tera specify 19" I did say that I did not want the Sport 20" option.

 

[WoodlandHills]

I did not specify a wheel size. The Giga & Tera specify 19" I did say that I did not want the Sport 20" option.

Then the search excluded cars with 20"s and as you found out few Giga's or Tera's were speced with 19"s by BMW in recent shipments.

 

[htownmark]

If you have not seen one in Laurel Gray yet in person, check it out and give it a shot. I just got one in Laurel Gray and I think it looks great - it deemphasizes the two-tone contrast (which I think is a good thing - the car is striking enough) and the dark gray really makes the blue accents pop.

 

[roperld]

Woodland Hills: Thanks for that information. I e-mailed the sales person and asked him to search for 20" tires.

htownmark: I am trying to stick with light-colored exteriors and interiors to cut down on heating the battery and having to use air conditioning. The LEAF S and SL have no choice other than black for the interior; the SV has black and light gray.

 

[Surge]

Call i dealers in a few states and shop around, you'll find the REx you want.

Despite what BMW PR would lead you to believe, the i3 is not a hot seller. There's more supply than demand in the US / Canada. Yeah, some cities will be "sold out", but call a few i-dealers and you'll find what you're looking for.

You have to do the legwork though.

 

[LivingBetterThurEV]

I wanted to replace it with the Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive with the Range Package. The closest dealer to me is in Maryland. That dealer has told me that I cannot lease the MBCED because I live in Virginia, but I could buy it. I do not want to buy it.

Read the articles about the MB B-class having the lowest efficiency (article quoted 2.8miles per kWh) while we typically get 4.5 to 5.1 miles per kWh.

By “almost exactly” I want the following, with the preferences in order as listed:

Worlds: Giga or Tera
Exterior: Capparis White or Solar Orange Metallic or Ionic Silver Metallic or Andesite Silver Metallic
Packages: Both Parking Assistant and Technology+Driving Assistant
Options: Heated front seats

I agree with the other comment. There are more Giga's than Tera's. More White than Orange. More vehicles with Parking Assist and less with Tech driving package. Back in the end of August, western NY dealers were getting in a number of Rex units with Mega world. Come end of the 4th quarter and you will be getting end of the year business spending on vehicles.

Go to at least 3 different dealers.

There is a major difference between the LEAF and the i3 in build and pep.

 

[roperld]

I know all about the efficiency of the various BEVs:

After driving the LEAF for 22,000+ miles, including regular trips from Blacksburg to Roanoke VA, where I have to charge to get back up the mountain to home, I want a BEV such that I can drive a little in Roanoke and get back to Blacksburg without having to charge in Roanoke. I think the MBCED will do that in the long-range mode (~104 miles). The 60-kWh Tesla is too large and too expensive for me. (I have test driven the Tesla 60, the BMW i3 and the MBCED.

I hear today whether my LEAF is totaled or repairable. If the latter I will probably lease the MBCED next May when my LEAF lease expires. If the former I will probably get the i3 Rex soon.

http://www.roperld.com/science/ElectricCarsMusings.pdf