No one asked but since we have both a 2014 BMW i3-REx and 2017 Prius Prime, this forum seems a little thin about this car too. The full details are found in this thread: https://priuschat.com/threads/why-the-bmw-i3-rex.165584/ so I'll try to be brief.
In May 2016, we gave our 2003 Prius to our housekeeper. Our practice is to keep two cars so I went shopping for a replacement. I tried to get a 2016 Prius Level Two ECO but it did not come with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P). The dealer had me test drive a Level Three with TSS-P but could only get 99 MPG and told the salesman, 'not good enough.' Back at the dealer, they offered the car for $28.5k which I knew was close to the $29.5k of an end-of-lease, 2014 BMW i3-REx, 6440 miles that had their TSS-P equivalent.
I flew to Charlotte NC to pickup the BMW i3-REx; coded it to allow the REx enable at 75% SOC, and; drove it 463 miles back home filling up the 1.9 gallon tank 5 times. In September, my wife, her two dogs, and I drove 700 miles each way to Oklahoma over a long weekend. Again stopping every hour and fifteen minutes for gas and a wife/dog break, everything was fine until a planned trip in December when the motor mount bolt broke. The 2014, first model year car, the replacement was a 3/4" bolt replacing the 1/2" bolt and substantially stronger motor mount. But I had to revert to our backup, 2010 Prius and I hated the lack of TSS-P. By the end of the month, I sold the 2010 Prius and bought a 2017 Prius Prime that comes with TSS-P standard.
The BMW i3-REx has +27,000 miles and the Prius Prime, +7,000 miles. Since we have two, plug-in hybrids:
At ~2,900 lbs with 168 hp rear wheel drive, this is pocket rocket. The carbon fiber body mutes outside noise and with the windows rolled up it is very easy to speed. Happily, the optically based, dynamic cruise control reads speed limit signs and shows the last value. Taller, the rear space handles loads easier than the Prime. Parts and tires are pricier but gosh it is a nice ride.
Both cars can handle urban driving in EV but the BMW i3-REx excels. Both cars can handle cross country trips but the Prius Prime excels. With TSS-P, both are a joy to drive.
Bob Wilson
In May 2016, we gave our 2003 Prius to our housekeeper. Our practice is to keep two cars so I went shopping for a replacement. I tried to get a 2016 Prius Level Two ECO but it did not come with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P). The dealer had me test drive a Level Three with TSS-P but could only get 99 MPG and told the salesman, 'not good enough.' Back at the dealer, they offered the car for $28.5k which I knew was close to the $29.5k of an end-of-lease, 2014 BMW i3-REx, 6440 miles that had their TSS-P equivalent.
I flew to Charlotte NC to pickup the BMW i3-REx; coded it to allow the REx enable at 75% SOC, and; drove it 463 miles back home filling up the 1.9 gallon tank 5 times. In September, my wife, her two dogs, and I drove 700 miles each way to Oklahoma over a long weekend. Again stopping every hour and fifteen minutes for gas and a wife/dog break, everything was fine until a planned trip in December when the motor mount bolt broke. The 2014, first model year car, the replacement was a 3/4" bolt replacing the 1/2" bolt and substantially stronger motor mount. But I had to revert to our backup, 2010 Prius and I hated the lack of TSS-P. By the end of the month, I sold the 2010 Prius and bought a 2017 Prius Prime that comes with TSS-P standard.
The BMW i3-REx has +27,000 miles and the Prius Prime, +7,000 miles. Since we have two, plug-in hybrids:
- 2014 BMW i3-REx - a pocket rocket with 72 mile EV range, this is the car when making more than 3 stops on a trip. It can also EV round-trip to all neighboring towns.
- 2017 Prius Prime Plus - a calmer ride, more efficient than the BMW i3-REx, it is the first choice around town for 3 stops or less. But it is also the cross country car because the radar based, TSS-P works in low light and fog.
At ~2,900 lbs with 168 hp rear wheel drive, this is pocket rocket. The carbon fiber body mutes outside noise and with the windows rolled up it is very easy to speed. Happily, the optically based, dynamic cruise control reads speed limit signs and shows the last value. Taller, the rear space handles loads easier than the Prime. Parts and tires are pricier but gosh it is a nice ride.
Both cars can handle urban driving in EV but the BMW i3-REx excels. Both cars can handle cross country trips but the Prius Prime excels. With TSS-P, both are a joy to drive.
Bob Wilson
