never had so much positive feedback on a car.

Soldato
Joined
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I have had my I8 for quite some time now and I'm still enjoying it. Obviously its not a real drivers car but its really fun to use day to day.

People seem to love the car, random strangers stop to talk about the car all the time and young kids want to jump in to have their photo taken.


Found this a few days ago
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I recently had the pleasure of spending some time in an i8 at Knockhill.

Always loved the looks of the car but the chat of "piped sound", the awkward looking doors and an interior that stirred memories of my old 840ci wasn't making me overly excited about the experience. How wrong I was. What a great car, loved every minute of it and came a way with a totally different view on the future of the automotive industry.

The one thing I did get right is that it in every way it reminded me of my old 8 series. Like the 8 series (850csi excepted), for a car with that price tag I expected a bit more of a punch from the right foot. But you soon realise that's not what it's about and that's not how the power is delivered. Like the 8 series, it's an awesome fast cruiser that can be pushed on if that floats your boat and it does it very well and effortlessly. Like lots of similar cars, the feeling of speed is lost until you look at what speed you're actually doing......quick.

The only other car I drove on that day that was "better" was the M2, I would have left with one if I could have. That said, the i8 is an amazing car and if I wasn't skint I'd have one in a heartbeat.

One question though, the BMW guys were having to go out on to the track and "charge" the cars quite often, I didn't quite get a full explanation of it but assume it's some sort of energy recovery. Why would they have to do that? Do you have to be pushing really hard or is there a technique to charging on the move?

I envy your car choice! Nice one.
 
One question though, the BMW guys were having to go out on to the track and "charge" the cars quite often, I didn't quite get a full explanation of it but assume it's some sort of energy recovery. Why would they have to do that? Do you have to be pushing really hard or is there a technique to charging on the move?

I'd imagine it's the same as any car. When pushed hard, they drink fuel. Battery probably gets hammered on a track. Range figure is usually based on normal driving.
 
Whenever I see an i8 I always have to have a second glance or stare. Whilst not being superbly fast they're just a brilliant looking car all round.
 
I'd imagine it's the same as any car. When pushed hard, they drink fuel. Battery probably gets hammered on a track. Range figure is usually based on normal driving.

Not sure, they were doing something specific over a 2 lap run to "charge" the cars again. I assumed if they were pushed harder they would "charge" but the car I was in needed "charged" after I was out in it and it got pushed hard.
 
Are they all in that colour? :p I don't think I've seen one in anything but.... either that or it's the same car I keep noticing :D

They're certainly eye catching but not had the opportunity to drive one.
 
They're slow, sound naff, impractical, have a boring BMW interior and have too skinny tires for the performance it's aiming at. Oh and it's overpriced.

Not sure what's to like really. It's a gimmick just so BMW could tick the hybrid box.
 
They're slow, sound naff, impractical, have a boring BMW interior and have too skinny tires for the performance it's aiming at. Oh and it's overpriced.

Not sure what's to like really. It's a gimmick just so BMW could tick the hybrid box.


So you don't have one then?
 
They're slow, sound naff, impractical, have a boring BMW interior and have too skinny tires for the performance it's aiming at. Oh and it's overpriced.

Not sure what's to like really. It's a gimmick just so BMW could tick the hybrid box.

Ever driven one?

I have. It was absolutely incredible.
 
A slow gimmick that's sold over 2,000 units in the UK alone and does 0-60 in 4.4s on "too skinny tyres". OK then.

Example, a BMW M140i starts from a quarter of the price, does 0-60 in 4.8s, is vastly more practical and has a better engine.

You'd be mad to buy an i8 at the price range it is. F-Type / TTRS / Cayman are all better coupes at much cheaper price points.
 
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