BMW i3 bids goodbye to the U.S. market this July 2021

I've always liked the look of the i3, to me it was very "European" looking, I also liked the suicide doors for entering the rear.

 

I was just talking about "foot-pound" (energy) versus "pound-foot" (torque) with someone, and how "pound-foot" isn't really used. And there it is in print!

(We were commiserating about US customary units versus the metric world.)

 

I always thought the i3 was atrocious (personal taste), but had no idea bout the suicide door. Now I kind of like it. I love the suicide half-door in my 2014 MINI Clubman.

 

I'll take a Cooper SE long range edition

 

I love the i3, but it is way too expensive. I looked at used 2017+ models when shopping for the SE.
The i3 won on style, practicality, and interior. The SE won on repairability, warranty, and driving experience. The micro tires on the i3 gave me some misgivings about 75+ highway travel.

Still, I would love to pick up a used i3 in the future.

 

I looked into the i3 as well. It was a very strong contender. It was a bit costly by comparison though. The Mini is more my style though.

A 4 dr version like a Clubman please. That would totally be our next EV.

 

My hubs would agree with you, he thought the car was ugly ugly ugly. There's a saddle for every butt.

 

It must be very heavy.

 

Google says the range extender for the i3 adds 264 lbs.

 

Sad the i3 will be gone, was hoping they have replacement model

Dan

 

I'd argue the SE is the replacement. BMW has the other EV models that fit in better with their product line.

 

I will pass. I don't want the extra cost or weight to lessen all of the fun I have been having!

I am turned off by how high the i3 sits. I really wanted something lower and more planted. I actually cross-shopped the eGolfs, particularly the newer version with >100 mile range and DCFC. Amazingly those cars really hold their value. I couldn't find one for less than what a brand-new Mini costs (after incentives)!

 

I hear that. Coming from an F56, I really appreciated the feel and drive of Minis vs the i3.

I wasn't able to even locate an eGolf used to try. Though I did look.

 

I've only test driven an eGolf once, and it was the older model back in 2016. It really is a well made car, and drives like a Golf should. Which is to say composed and responsive.

That model had 83 miles of range, and an 85kW motor. Then in 2018, they upgraded to 125 miles of range and a 100kW motor. It's the latter I wanted. But it cost more than a brand new 2021 SE with 110 miles of range (close enough) and 135kW motor (woot!). Not to mention the SE is a 2-door with a sunroof, both things I prefer.

 

Car & Driver: "The e-Golf feels zippy but in our testing it delivered a zero-to-60-mph time of 8.5 seconds" I frequently lord my SE's quicker acceleration over my friend with an e-Golf. Then he points out his GOM tells him he can go 140 miles on a charge. Then I...

 

I was willing to look. The Nissan Leaf I drove does 0-60 in the 7 range IIRC. Still the SE is a vast improvement!

 

Yup, there is no question that the SE is quicker. Although acceleration is less important to me than handling. But again, the SE wins there too. The eGolf rates pretty high in handling amongst its contemporary EVs. I was really looking at it thinking I could save thousands of dollars buying a 3-year-old car versus buying brand new, but nope!

 

My sister in law did have an eGolf. The biggest issue she said she had over real range anxiety (she had one that was closer to only 70 miles) was the highway acceleration. Getting on the ramp at times and also 50 to 70 acceleration. When her eGolf lease was up, she did not go for another, but the Bolt instead. I wanted to see myself about the eGolf but came up empty. While 0-60 isn't #1, power when needed is important.