What Spec to Order?

[AndyUK]

Hi I'm looking to purchase an i3 REX, what spec should I choose? 19 or 20 inch wheels for a fluid black exterior finish. What looks best? Should I stump up the extra money for suite interior over loft? Also what other extras should I consider. Thanks

 

[Sparky]

The 19" wheels offer a quieter and more comfortable ride. If that is important to you, make the decision on function as opposed to looks.

 

[jadnashuanh]

Drive one with both the 20" and the 19" tires. At least in the USA, and I think it is the same in the UK, the 20" tires are summer performance tires. Even though you may not get a lot of snow in most of the UK, it does get cold, plus the car does ride a little stiffer with the 20" tires. The 19" are all-season.

The adaptive cruise control is nice. The version with leather interior is only available in one color...if you like it, fine. I have what's called the Loft interior in the USA, and find it comfortable. Too early to tell how well it will wear.

Personally, I don't like sunroofs, partly for the headroom, partly for the potential leaks and noises, and partly for the cost. Some find it an essential option. Given I use mine for mostly short-distance running around, long distance travel isn't an issue, and I did not find them a big deal, nor did I find the REx option useful. Your results may differ considerably. England has lots more effort into CCS charging stations than most of the USA (none close enough to me to ever use), so you may find the CCS charging critical.

 

[janner]

If AndyUK means you are in the UK then definitely worth getting Rapid CCS charging; there are now lots of charging points available, most are free. Even for a ReX, you'll get the electric bug and want to charge instead of motor.

I don't like sunroofs. I also didn't opt for leather - for me it's cold in winter and warm in summer so has a bigger impact on range than anything else - not everyone agrees, though.

Drive Assist Plus is great. I didn't get Park Assist as I had it on two previous cars and never used it but I do miss front sensors.

Wheels and colour are personal choice.

If I were to buy again I think I would get Harmon Kardon stereo - I've never opted for stereo upgrade on any previous car but on the i3 the 'standard' sound can get a bit muddy when driving.

 

[Blue20]

I would get the 19". 19" come with all seasons, whereas 20" go with summer tyres.

 

[alohart]

I would get the 19". 19" come with all seasons, whereas 20" go with summer types.

I believe that in some markets (but not in North America), i3 buyers have the option of either summer or all-season 19" tires. Had I had this choice, I would have ordered 19" wheels with summer tires because 19" tires are higher profile (i.e., a taller sidewall) than the 20" tires which makes the ride a bit more comfortable but probably at the expense of slightly less crisp handling.

 

[AndyUK]

Thanks for all your responses. I'm thinking about going with the following spec: fluid black, either Loft or Suite, 19 inch wheels, sport pack, media pack. Not sure whether to add Sunroof & fast charge prep on a REX. I have a young daughter and I'm concerned about the wear & tear of a fabric interior like Loft, which is steering me towards suite. How are your loft interiors fairing after a year or two of use?

 

[janner]

In the UK, you'll regret not adding Rapid CCS charging and, I believe, it will significantly hit your residual.

 

[PluviaPlumbum]

Andy, I would probably not bother with the sunroof if configuring again. As Janner said you will regret not having DC prep, but have a look at Zap Map to decide on that especially if there are fast chargers on your regular routes. At the moment they are free to use and it does change the way you use the car.

 

[ASUN]

The new fluid black colour sure is nice. I just got my BEV Arravani Grey 3 weeks ago. I have the 20's on. I do admit they do cause a harsh ride, but it's normal, and I like the look. I am a bit worried about having the summer tires on during winter. I don't get a lot of snow here in Vancouver, BC, but it does get really wet. Not sure how the tires will hold up.

You must get the DC fast charge option. This is planning ahead as more DC fast chargers are becoming available, and you can't add this option once the car is built.

I like the soft leather of the Suite interior rather than the Loft's half cloth half leather. The colour is a little strange. No choice anyways. Most importantly is the steering wheel being black. The Loft interior has a white steering wheel, I bet it will get dirty very easily.

 

[S3RDP]

Hi I'm looking to purchase an i3 REX, what spec should I choose? 19 or 20 inch wheels for a fluid black exterior finish. What looks best? Should I stump up the extra money for suite interior over loft? Also what other extras should I consider. Thanks

Hi Andy. I concur with janner and PluviaPlumbum that DC prep is essential. I would certainly choose 19" wheels as many owners complain of the hard ride and noise from the 20". Spec choice I guess is influenced by budget and personal preferences. First choice would be the Prof Sat Nav as it does lift the ambience. The standard interior will limit your choice of options. I was originally going for Suite but changed to Lounge as I thought the full leather made the interior rather dark and gloomy. Lounge comes with light steering wheel which is easy to keep clean but with black mats (unlike Loft). Driving Assistant Plus is a more useful option than I expected (it constantly displays speed limit) but I'm not sure I would go for the sunroof again as has a split aperture and not nearly as big as that on my previous MINI. I'm a a bit disappointed with the lights. As I live in the country and drive on unlit roads I would spec LEDs next time. HK really depends on its value to you and how much driving you will be doing on your own. Sign up to the BMWi3 UK Facebook page where you will find lots of helpful and friendly advice. i3 is a really great little car.

 

[spinball]

I bought my i3 in June with 20" wheels. Ride is completely acceptable to me and the look is (in my opinion) easily the best of the options offered. I did buy another set of wheels with winter tires for the winter but I was going to do that regardless as we get a lot of snow here and I'm not going to take any chances with a RWD car and all season tires.

I consider the pro nav essential as the smaller display on the base model really looks out of place in the car.

 

[janner]

In England it's quite rare for anyone to buy winter tyres, certainly in the South however, when we do get snow my experience of my recent ICE cars is that front-engine/rear-drive is hopeless whereas front-engine/front-drive is much better. I assume that this is down to weight over the driving wheels. With the i3 the driving wheels are at the rear but so is the motor and hence the greatest weight is over the rear wheels. I haven't had my i3 when there's been any snow (and it's 14 degC at the moment so not much chance of any) but how does the i3 cope?

 

[alohart]

In England it's quite rare for anyone to buy winter tyres, certainly in the South however, when we do get snow my experience of my recent ICE cars is that front-engine/rear-drive is hopeless whereas front-engine/front-drive is much better. I assume that this is down to weight over the driving wheels. With the i3 the driving wheels are at the rear but so is the motor and hence the greatest weight is over the rear wheels. I haven't had my i3 when there's been any snow (and it's 14 degC at the moment so not much chance of any) but how does the i3 cope?

I think you've described the situation accurately. I haven't driven our i3 in snow, but I drove rear-drive/rear- and mid-engine vehicles, both of which had more than 50% of their weight over the rear wheels, in heavy snow and ice for 10 years. I never got stuck and never slid off the road. They handled just as well, on average, as front-engine/front-drive cars. When trying to start from a stop while turning, a front-drive car might be better because the motive force is in the same direction as the turn whereas a rear-drive car would push straight forward which could cause the turned front wheels to lose traction. But when using regen to decelerate while turning, the i3's braking force would be on the rear wheels only allowing the turned front wheels to maintain traction better than if the front wheels were both braking and turning.

I've read several reports of the i3 handling well in snow and ice when equipped with snow tires, certainly better than the usual front-engine/rear-drive vehicle.