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Why the BMW i3-REx

Discussion in 'EV (Electric Vehicle) Discussion' started by bwilson4web, May 15, 2016.

  1. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Hi Bob,

    Was there ever a chart that shows the i3’s GAS fuel economy at different speeds?

    I am curious if it has a sweet spot where fuel economy is significantly higher than epa
     
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Any speed below 65 mph works but it has a sad slope. In lost trip time is not worth it. But I have some experiments I'd like to run.

    Bob Wilson
     
  3. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Does scangage work?
     
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    2 of: Bridgestone Ecopia EP600 Touring Radial Tire -175/60R19 86Q
    Sold by: Amazon.com Services, Inc

    Condition: New
    $144.38

    Item(s) Subtotal: $288.76
    Shipping & Handling: $62.03
    Free Shipping: -$62.03
    -----
    Total before tax: $288.76
    Estimated tax to be collected: $23.10
    AL State Tire Fee $2.00
    Rewards Points: -$30.91
    -----
    Grand Total: $282.95

    I will make a YouTube video showing the tire mounting using the Harbor Freight, tire changer, $39.99.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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  6. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    That is a common sentiment among Rex owners

    Has BMW fixed the things up in newer models?
     
  7. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I don't know. Perhaps Consumer Reports owner surveys might tell.

    Bob Wilson
     
  8. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Bob how many miles on yours?
    How many trips for repairs?

    From what I’ve been told a good I3 is great and a bad one is terrible with few in the middle.

    I’ve been seeing older Rex models for as low as $9999 and I am tempted to eliminate an aging Cobalt to get one but I can’t justify a money pit either :(

    Seems like the BEV I3’s are more reliable but around here I couldnt make one work, it would always be a spare car without the Rex.

    I’ve been waiting for I3 mods as well like engine tuning and engine heat hacks but those seem to be to far out for the beemer crowd

    Ah well
     
  9. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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  10. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    From memory:
    • June 2016 - After arrive home drive, new tires and general peek and poke.
    • August 2016 - I cracked windshield when wiper came off mount. (fumble fingers)
    • December 2016 - motor mount broke, replaced with much stronger parts.
    • August 2017 - check engine light, low oil level. (now I know how to check)
    • October 2017 - sidewall gouge road hazard.
    • May 2018 - gas pressure sensor replaced.
    Bob Wilson
     
  11. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    BMW just keeps on keeping on, they likely have limits but probably don’t stray far from their normal offerings regardless of market forces. BMW also doesn’t toute much and stays silent.

    Like all things the season changes ,

    Sounds reliable enough for me, I will have to keep an eye out for one that has had the necessary repair visits (engine mounts) but not too many visits and is moderately cheap.

    Word is BMW scraps degraded battery i3’s for export, I wonder if I could intercept one ;)
     
    #551 Rmay635703, Dec 19, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2018
  12. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    loose lips sink ships?

    BMW plans new EVs, may halt i3, i8 production – Punch Newspapers
    This does seem to be the era of putting small cars on the Chopping Block.
    .
     
  13. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I wouldn't call the i8 a small car.
    "Meanwhile, BMW has continued to completely overhaul its main vehicle platforms so that it can be compatible with combustion, electric and plug-in hybrid tech."
    Really, it seems BMW never intended the i series to become a new line of models, but flashy demostrators of future technology. Kind of like the FJ 7 was a one off to celebrate the past FJs.

    In addition to the EV drive trains, the i's were showcases on how far BMW had gotten in making carbon fiber affordable for main stream models. Those new platforms and models will surely make more use of the material, just like the Prime does, which might have had help from BMW for its hatch.

    Cancelling the 2 series in the US would be more in line of cancelling small cars.
     
  14. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    As delivered, the tire size label was buried under the shipping bill of lading:
    [​IMG]

    Left is the inside. I used a white body powder and clear wrapping tape to measure the widths:
    [​IMG]
    The outer grove has a wavy inner surface that made it difficult to get the micrometer teeth into the gap. After a nap, I may have more luck.

    The inside tread grove is obviously shallower than the other two:
    [​IMG]

    Here are my initial measurements:
    [​IMG]
    Notice the outer grove has an unusual pattern in the bottom.

    The next two show how the inside and outside are identified:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    It is all but impossible to get a tire shop to mount them wrong.

    Here is the tire size embossed on the sidewall:
    [​IMG]

    A close up of the inside and middle grove shows they have a uniform surface:
    [​IMG]

    Here is the middle grove with a wear bar. The outside grove has that unusual pattern in the bottom that complicated getting width measurements but the depth appears to be OK:
    [​IMG]

    Bob Wilson
     
  15. bostonbruins8703

    bostonbruins8703 Active Member

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    I know I'm responding to a thread from 2016, but you do you still have I3 Bob? I've been looking into trading in my Prius V for a used 2015 I3 REX. They are quiet a few in my area that are going for $15,000-17,000 with between 23,000 - 35,000 miles. I'm so torn on what to do because the I3 seems like the most logical EV to get for my needs as I can't afford a Tesla. And my daily commutes to work is 54 miles one way, and I do that 5 to 6 times a week, (648 miles in total for the week) plus road trips on the weekends with my family. The thought of having a the Range Extender offers a piece of mind that I'll have a back up if I don't have enough juice to get to my destination. There is a charging station at the Nissian Dealership, which is 20 minutes away from my house, and they are level 2 chargers sprinkled across my driving route for work. Weekend trips usually involve going into the city, which have more than plenty of level 2 chargers available. I'm just torn because I've had my Prius for nearly 2 years and I've had zero issues out of her. I just don't want to deal with paying $25 once or twice a week to fill up my gas tank, plus the cost of maintenance that I'll have to deal with eventually down the road. Is the I3 a logical choice for me?
     
  16. GasperG

    GasperG Senior Member

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    I was also considering i3 REX, until I saw the above video from Transport Evolved.
     
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  17. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Yes but it is at the dealer for a warranty repair of the fast DC charger.

    ... And my daily commutes to work is 54 miles one way, and I do that 5 to 6 times a week, (648 miles in total for the week) plus road trips on the weekends with my family.
    If you can get a charge at work, either 120 VAC @12A or 208 VAC @31A, you'll be set. That can include getting a charge at lunch or on the way home.

    ... The thought of having a the Range Extender offers a piece of mind that I'll have a back up if I don't have enough juice to get to my destination.
    Correct! The Range Extender is what makes this a cross-country car and deals with occupied or broken chargers.

    ... There is a charging station at the Nissian Dealership, which is 20 minutes away from my house, and they are level 2 chargers sprinkled across my driving route for work. Weekend trips usually involve going into the city, which have more than plenty of level 2 chargers available.
    Not all L2 chargers have identical amp ratings and sad to say, these are seldom posted on the unit. The BMW i3-REx maximum L2 charger rate is 31A, 7.2 kW but a lot of L2 chargers have been derated as low as 16A. You may have to survey the L2 chargers to find out. Dealer chargers are nice for lunch but you always have to ask and their chargers suffer from bring ICEd and low current ratings.

    ... I'm just torn because I've had my Prius for nearly 2 years and I've had zero issues out of her. I just don't want to deal with paying $25 once or twice a week to fill up my gas tank, plus the cost of maintenance that I'll have to deal with eventually down the road. Is the I3 a logical choice for me?
    We have both a 2014 BMW i3-REx and 2017 Prius Prime. I prefer to drive the BMW i3-REx except for distances greater than ~200 mi.

    Now I'm going to talk you out of the BMW i3-REx:
    1. Use a VIN decoder to find out what that particular car actually has. You want the 7.2 kW, built-in, AC charger, Fast DC charger, and dynamic cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Automatic parallel parking is a stunt because manual parking is faster.
    2. Maximum remaining warranty is important as we had a motor mount bolt failure. Also, there is no oil pressure gauge so low oil level caused the REx to not come on and I had to return to Huntsville to get it diagnosed and fixed. It uses "Check Engine" instead of useful codes and lights. All trips to BMW dealer take a minimum of 2-3 days because parts have to come from their central depot or 1-2 weeks if from Germany.
    3. Tires barely last over 30,000 miles and are expensive, ~$140/each. Of course I had a 4-wheel alignment with minimum camber front and back and always run at maximum sidewall pressure. Those who follow BMW recommendations are lucky to get 24,000 miles.
    4. No jack, just a goop kit. Mine was missing so I added a 12V pump, plug kit, and vice grips to remove any puncture object.
    5. Best to have a backup car because BMW loaners have to be negotiated.
    6. Premium is recommended.
    7. Undocumented: (1) press and hold gas flap button to get cover to open, and (2) turn car on if fast DC charger, CCS remains locked.
    8. Dealer has to replace 12V battery if (when eventually) needed.
    9. Frunk is not water and leaf proof.
    10. If the wiper comes off the arm, it will snap down and crack the expensive, $1800, windshield.
    Now I'm going to talk you into the BMW i3-REx:
    1. 168 hp, rear-wheel drive, short wheel base - you see where you want to be and 'there you are!'
    2. BMW Connect lets you pre-condition car that takes up to 30 minutes.
    3. Get Bimmercode and iCab WiFi OBD: (1) 75% enable of REx for cross country and preserve EV charge; (2) enable maximum gas tank capacity from 1.9 gal to 2.3 gal; and (3) default 'Eco Pro' mode for more efficient driving as the default instead of 'Comfort' (aka., power mode.)
    4. Based on octane ratings, Plus works instead of Premium and more affordable.
    5. PlugShare.com is the only trustable charger map because it is user maintained.
    6. I replaced the provided, charger, with a $400, dual-voltage, multi-current, 30A rated EVSE. It has adapters ranging from NEMA 5-20 through NEMA 14-50R.
    7. I use a JuiceBox Pro 40 that has a WiFi interface to monitor charging and allows scheduled charging to minimize heat load in the summer and after hours rates if available. At 30-31A, it takes ~2.5 hrs to get a full charge.
    8. No "B" pillar which allows side loading and a lot of interior space.
    9. Receiver hitch, ~$350, provides a great way to carry awkward items like bikes or a wheel chair.
    10. People will ask about your car. In Mississippi it is treated like a UFO.
    11. There are 2.5 gal., spare gas cans that fit in the frunk. Leave it empty unless going where gas stations may be rare.
    12. With windows rolled up, you can very easily speed without noticing it.
    If you can, keep the Prius as the backup car. Alternatively, check out your local Enterprise car rental service.

    Bob Wilson
     
  18. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I'm not Bob and haven't watched the video but I'd warned Bob privately to NOT get an i3 REx in 2016. It was too late.

    See my warnings at Considering trading in for a BMW i3 Rex - My Nissan Leaf Forum and BMW I3 Are the newer REX models bulletproof? - My Nissan Leaf Forum. I've adjusted my FB settings to see no more stuff from ‏‎BMW i3 Worldwide Group‎‏ - مجموعة عامة | فيسبوك any more due to lack of time.

    If nothing else, join ‏‎BMW i3 Worldwide Group‎‏ - مجموعة عامة | فيسبوك and hang out there for a month.
     
  19. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    As I try to explain to friends whose eyes are bigger than their wallets, you can afford to buy the car, but can you afford to own the car.
     
  20. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I saw Bob's comment on replacing the 12v battery and thought Wth, so I did a little searching and ran across this video.