EV general discussion

sovietspybob said:
Ah interesting i didn't know about that, tbf i think i'd rather get a Tesla Model 3 at this stage as i can get one with a tow bar, looks like you can only tow with the facelift MG5 and by that point im in to Tesla money anyway
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Sorry, to make it clear they can but you have to pay for the upgrade part if you're is too old/ early.
But yeah if you're after towing then tesla could well be the better option.
 
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Going to be looking at some second hand evs over the next few months (car failed MOT and after repairs it’ll probably cease to be economical once the Mazda rust finishes off the sub frame).

Is there a mileage / age threshold where red flags would start to rise? I’m completely unfamiliar with degradation on EVs.
 
montymint said:
Going to be looking at some second hand evs over the next few months (car failed MOT and after repairs it’ll probably cease to be economical once the Mazda rust finishes off the sub frame).

Is there a mileage / age threshold where red flags would start to rise? I’m completely unfamiliar with degradation on EVs.
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Apart from leafs, most EV batteries are doing better than most expected. I would check the battery/drivetrain warranty as most are greater than 5 years, 100k miles(Tesla’s are 8 years if I recall) but it’s not really the battery/drivetrain that fails the most it’s the cars electronics, suspension and entertainment systems(basically the same sort of stuff that goes wrong in ICE cars).

Next look at your mileage per year, how often you do jounerys>150 miles(3 hours driving) in one go and if you could charge at home. If the answer to the last question is no, and you dont have workplace charging then EV’s probably won’t work that well for you.

Don’t get hung up on range, it’s your usage that is more important.
 
Most have roughly the same 8 year/100k miles warranty on the battery & drive train, so anything outside of that will have no warranty. Whether that puts you off or not I guess depends on your appetite for risk and how much you end up paying for the car.

You should be able to got a battery SoH (state of health) report from the dealer, or I believe there are various apps which can read this via the OBD2 port, so that's something probably worth checking.

Other than that, it's much the same as any other car, buy on condition/"feel" for the seller, as much as any age/mileage criteria
 
Right all you EVheads (not really petrolheads innit)

Looking to canvass some opinions.
My 440i has a trade in value of about £18k, so I'm not looking to get a car more than £25k

So I've been looking at some options:

Model 3 LR AWD (pre-highland 350bhp 75kwh)
Pros: Tesla, bigger than the Polestar 2, cheapest of the lot
Cons: build quality, ergonomics, most expensive insurance (£850)

Polestar 2 (pre-facelift 402bhp 78kwh)
Pros: best interior, hatchback, same external dimensions as my 440i, average insurance (£660)
Cons: poorer range than the Tesla, servicing might be an issue with limited dealership?, same price as the xc/c40

Volvo XC/C40 twin recharge (pre-facelift 402bhp 78kwh)
Pros: SUV, looks good (esp C40), cheapest insurance (£550)
Cons: Dated infotainment (P2 better), lowest range of the lot, same price as the P2

Anything else / any car I should consider?
My head says P2, my heart says pony up for a highland refresh 3, but my wallet says a pre-refresh 3 :/
 
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BMW I4 will be one to add on the list imo. Also look at the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ionic 5.

Posher EV's like the Ipace and Etron, should be in that budget aswell.
 
You can service a Polestar at most (any?) Volvo dealer. Polestar 2 is an XC40 recharge under the body.

The Kia and Hyundai are decent cars but the interiors are a small step down from the Tesla (IMO).

Make sure you test drive the polestar 2 as the centre console can impinge on your left leg space which may be an issue for you.
 
Polestar 2 not got the greatest access via the rear doors, i'm vertically challenged and even i have to fold myself to get in the rear.
The rear doors won't open that wide, so if you're fitting a child seat -try before you buy.
 
tamzzy said:
Thanks guys, I'll need to try them out. the C40 looks really smart, if the P2 doesn't suit may try that out instead :cry:


Too ugly, I just couldn't :cry:
(F36 owner here)


ah yes, will have a look.
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Shame you can't get beyond the looks of the i4, it does grow on you, as it's a better car than any on your list aside from possibly the model 3, especially to be in, but they both have their positives and negatives. I've drien all bar the the Tesla.
The volvo's are hardly a pretty car either and the Polestar just looks a bit odd with lots of bodywork and small windows. It also has quite a hard ride.
 
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m4rmite said:
But you wouldn't save the 15k difference in fuel over that mileage by using an ICE.
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amusingly another £5k ev video (maybe youtubes giving me 5k stuff) , more miles 270K/10years/75%bat,
fixes didn't look expensive but didn't see how much they cost, doesn't mention tesla insurance cost, a real world concern;
at 10years old probably some of the battery degradation is calendar ageing, would be interesting to know whether efficiency he gets matches a newer car
for remaining battery capacity, or whether charged Kwh/mile is decreased.
500bhp and FREE FUEL FOREVER for £5k - Why I bought the UK's Cheapest TeslaThe Late Brake Show

--

[ more interesting - a podcast on the current car financing scam,
so they rekon £14Bn liability by likes of black horse for financing that involves undeclared commissions, and exorbitant apr's
the example of a 81K vehicle financed with buyer unknown £16K of commissions;
govt consider a payout/redress would be unfavourable for uk investment - lol
www.bbc.co.uk

File on 4 Investigates - Car finance - BBC Sounds

Helen Catt investigates commissions in the world of car finance.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
]
 
Why would the effciency be any different?

Think about it, the capacity of the battery will be smaller so you'll have less range but the power needed to move the car will be the same.
 
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jpaul said:
amusingly another £5k ev video (maybe youtubes giving me 5k stuff) , more miles 270K/10years/75%bat,
fixes didn't look expensive but didn't see how much they cost, doesn't mention tesla insurance cost, a real world concern;
at 10years old probably some of the battery degradation is calendar ageing, would be interesting to know whether efficiency he gets matches a newer car
for remaining battery capacity, or whether charged Kwh/mile is decreased.
500bhp and FREE FUEL FOREVER for £5k - Why I bought the UK's Cheapest TeslaThe Late Brake Show

--

[ more interesting - a podcast on the current car financing scam,
so they rekon £14Bn liability by likes of black horse for financing that involves undeclared commissions, and exorbitant apr's
the example of a 81K vehicle financed with buyer unknown £16K of commissions;
govt consider a payout/redress would be unfavourable for uk investment - lol
www.bbc.co.uk

File on 4 Investigates - Car finance - BBC Sounds

Helen Catt investigates commissions in the world of car finance.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
]
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If you watch his other videos your questions will be answered.
 
cuke2u said:
Shame you can't get beyond the looks of the i4, it does grow on you, as it's a better car than any on your list aside from possibly the model 3, especially to be in, but they both have their positives and negatives. I've drien all bar the the Tesla.
The volvo's are hardly a pretty car either and the Polestar just looks a bit odd with lots of bodywork and small windows. It also has quite a hard ride.
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Haha I do like the look of the c40 personally :cry:
Maybe just ponying up for the highland 3 is the best
 
tamzzy said:
Haha I do like the look of the c40 personally :cry:
Maybe just ponying up for the highland 3 is the best
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I also had an interest in the c40 because of the 'coupe' styling, but it's a tad bulbous from the rear and once driven the issues with the adaptive brakes become apparent as it is either off or full on and you have to be really cautious with the throttle when coming up to junctions if on, better just switched off really. Whereas the adaptive braking on the i4 is set it and forget it and also works from the GPS, it seems quite intuitive.
Everything is also touchscreen on the c40 and some whereas at least the i4 retains a controller wheel, and the start stop button from the ice versions of the c40 is merely blanked off, thus as soon as you're in the drivers seat the engine is good to go.
I test drove the Polestar 2, the c40 and it's smaller version the 30, on one day, all were the twin engine versions and to be honest I wasn't really taken by all of them. I've also test driven the Skoda Enyac Coupe and the MG EV4 but the quality of the interiors were a big step backwards from the the m235i I owned then.
I guess my choice came down to what I was used to and I just wasn't prepared to compromise on the interior.
 
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cuke2u said:
I also had an interest in the c40 because of the 'coupe' styling, but it's a tad bulbous from the rear and once driven the issues with the adaptive brakes become apparent as it is either off or full on and you have to be really cautious with the throttle when coming up to junctions if on, better just switched off really. Whereas the adaptive braking on the i4 is set it and forget it and also works from the GPS, it seems quite intuitive.
Everything is also touchscreen on the c40 and some whereas at least the i4 retains a controller wheel, and the start stop button from the ice versions of the c40 is merely blanked off, thus as soon as you're in the drivers seat the engine is good to go.
I test drove the Polestar 2, the c40 and it's smaller version the 30, on one day, all were the twin engine versions and to be honest I wasn't really taken by all of them. I've also test driven the Skoda Enyac Coupe and the MG EV4 but the quality of the interiors were a big step backwards from the the m235i I owned then.
I guess my choice came down to what I was used to and I just wasn't prepared to compromise on the interior.
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It’s a hatchback. I got lambasted and corrected for saying a i4 was a sedan shaped. Now coupe shaped is ok ?

Hypocrite :)
 
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cuke2u said:
I stated coupe in inverted commas because reviews state a coupe styled roofline. Pay attention ;)
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‘but it’s a hatchback ‘

Anyway much more useful than a boot. Couldn’t fit a box in my 3 series the other day but the bigger opening and diagonal load helps a lot.

For the C40 it’s a bit lost in the world of EVs I think
 
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Anyone reckon if an electrician/ev installer would be allowed to run ev cable on top of stones but underneath a door sill? Not sure on the rules for ev cable installs. Our incoming supply is to the left of our front door, the driveway is to the right. There is a gap under the front door sill that can accommodate a cable but it would be resting upon small stones, the cable can be secured on the wall either side though.

F0qeuwhm.jpeg
 
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