BMW i3 - 34k euro (starting price)

Mr_Sukebe · 23 Jul 2013 at 11:12

Just read that Anandtech are quoting that BMW are suggesting a starting price in Europe of 34k Euro for the i3.

Now I appreciate that the i3 is not designed or meant to be an "ultimate driving machine", but do any of you think the public are actually going to pay any attention to this car at the price?
It will cost a little more than a 3 series, which from a technical POV is actually pretty awesome bearing in mind the materials it's being built of (lot of carbon fibre).

I'm very mindful of Audi's experience with the A2. Just upfront, I've got a real thing about most Audi's and believe that most are using pretty "normal" underpinnings with a nice interior and that the customer is paying through the nose for it. For all that, the A2 genuinely impressed me, ie. all aluminium body. In many ways it was what SHOULD be being built now, instead of the ghastly re-skinned Fabia that is the A1.
Unfortunately, the public didn't care about how clever the A2 was and bought a Golf diesel instead.

Do you guys think that BMW is just about to lose a shed load of money, or will people still buy it because of the badge?

MooMoo444 · 23 Jul 2013 at 11:18

Companies will lap it up. Most company cars are BMW's or Audis these days.

rare · 23 Jul 2013 at 11:30

http://www.worldcarfans.com/113072260442/bmw-i3-officially-priced-in-uk-germany-us

So about 25k. Personally I think it sounds great, I am looking forward to mainstream electric cars, and I am convinced this will sell well.

paradigm · 23 Jul 2013 at 11:52

Still nowhere near enough range in these things.

Matthew.M · 23 Jul 2013 at 12:04

With the ranger extender this should be a viable option for most people - I'm looking forward to seeing if it's popular and if the residuals are low in a few years time this would be a perfect second car for me.

acemastr · 23 Jul 2013 at 12:21

It has a carbon fiber reinforced plastic passenger cell and rides on 19-inch alloys shod in bespoke 155/70 R19 tires.

Cheap tyres then! honestly, 155/70/19... 19"?!?!

peterattheboro · 23 Jul 2013 at 12:33

That is possibly the worst looking car I've ever seen.

Cuchulain · 23 Jul 2013 at 12:38

*bleurghhhhh* http://content.worldcarfans.co/2013/7/5/medium/127026932833862167.jpg

Finglonga · 23 Jul 2013 at 13:32

There will be no competition as Audi have stopped their electric car development as they know it is a waste of time with the current range of the batteries. Cant see the attraction of a car that can do no mileage before it needs a 20hour recharge and then ongoing cost of new batteries every "X" years.

MooMoo444 · 23 Jul 2013 at 13:41

Seen worse cars, cough Multipla, cough.

I wouldn't say no to a free one

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 23 Jul 2013 at 13:50

Just need to get some decent batteries in there!

Until they can invent a different type of battery that lasts a lot lot longer.. these just aren't going to pick up and I don't see why companies are ploughing so much money into it when they could be putting in into the design of the battery's and be the first ones to get it right. Then, they could make a killing in profits.

elmarko · 23 Jul 2013 at 14:09

Why do they keep making electric cars look so terrible?, make it a little longer/curvier & I'm sure they could expand the market - but currently unless you want something that resembles a flash shoebox on wheels they are not going to sell :/.

rare · 23 Jul 2013 at 17:50

Its the dashboard that is going to be the most interesting design feature.

Crimefighter · 23 Jul 2013 at 17:55

elmarko said:
Why do they keep making electric cars look so terrible?, make it a little longer/curvier & I'm sure they could expand the market - but currently unless you want something that resembles a flash shoebox on wheels they are not going to sell :/.

Agreed, it feels like manufacturers are actually competing to see who can make the ugliest electric car. BMW just took the lead.

jigger · 23 Jul 2013 at 18:04

It would make an expensive but ideal second car. I'd probably buy one if the warranty was solid enough and BMW aren't expecting me to drive an ES spec car for £30k.

mattyfez · 23 Jul 2013 at 18:19

Looks appalling, an 19s? Why? something to do with rolling radius squeezing a few more miles out of the battery at cruising speed? Surley that will negate some savings when you have to fit a new pair of 'bespoke 19" rubbers"?

SDK^ · 23 Jul 2013 at 18:22

The UK price is from £25k

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/bmw-i3-uk-prices-announced

Tom_ed1987 · 23 Jul 2013 at 18:25

The current crop of electric cars are overpriced fail. The only reason they sell more than 0 is through subsidy.

shauncr91 · 23 Jul 2013 at 18:32

mattyfez said:
Looks appalling, an 19s? Why? something to do with rolling radius squeezing a few more miles out of the battery at cruising speed? Surley that will negate some savings when you have to fit a new pair of 'bespoke 19" rubbers"?

It's the most important deciding factor for the vast majority of fleet BMW's and Audi's these days: Low spec, white, huge wheels.

They have the market nailed.

Westyfield2 · 23 Jul 2013 at 19:02

Mr_Sukebe said:
I'm very mindful of Audi's experience with the A2. Just upfront, I've got a real thing about most Audi's and believe that most are using pretty "normal" underpinnings with a nice interior and that the customer is paying through the nose for it. For all that, the A2 genuinely impressed me, ie. all aluminium body. In many ways it was what SHOULD be being built now, instead of the ghastly re-skinned Fabia that is the A1.
Unfortunately, the public didn't care about how clever the A2 was and bought a Golf diesel instead.

I know someone who bought a diesel one of them new. He knows nothing about cars but has still got it because it gets good MPG. I only drove one once (courtesy car), it had the diesel engine rather than the clever petrol FSi but I wasn't a fan.

Wonder if the BMW i3 will have the same cult following in then ears time as the Honda Insight.

BMW i3 - 34k euro (starting price)

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