In this section, you can find reviews from BMW i8 owners. If you have experience with BMW i8 models, share it with others by submitting a review through the comments form. It will be published right after moderation.
About the Model
The desire to release the i8 began back in 2009 when only the concept of the car was presented. Four years later, in 2013, the i8 went into mass production.
The car features a hybrid powertrain and numerous differences from the «typical» BMW models.
The car's body is significantly lightened by the manufacturer, with the suspension made of aluminum and doors of polycarbonate.
The car is lightweight, accelerates very actively, and has an excellent drag coefficient.
Engineering and design thinking in the BMW i8 are harmoniously combined. There are no critical points where it could be said that this is a weak spot in the car.
In Russia, the car is not a colossal rarity, but it is not purchased actively. Despite the i8 being rare, there are reviews about it.
Review of BMW i8: Pros and Cons Overview
The i8 is a beauty, and for such looks, everything can be forgiven. As I found out at the time of purchase, the color combinations for the i8 are diverse, and you can choose any. The paint job is of very high quality.
The upward-opening doors, the most aggressive design, and the sufficiently large dimensions for a coupe make the car particularly attractive on the roads.
The car's interior and its electronics deserve special attention. The instrument panel is projected onto the windshield, providing additional convenience while driving, eliminating the need for extra movements to view information.
The interior and instrument panel lighting is well-chosen, even in the darkest hours, it is not harsh on the eyes. There is an option to adjust the lighting contrast or tailor it specifically to the driver's vision.
The comfort of the car is enhanced by excellently crafted seats. There is a complete feeling that the seat is made specifically for me.
I also note the high safety of the car. The car's body is reinforced, visibility is at a high level, and there are practically no blind spots. The brakes work well, and brake fluid replacement is not required frequently.
Let's highlight some of the identified drawbacks.
The suspension is low, and the body kit does not allow driving on significant uneven surfaces. The BMW i8 can only be driven in cities with ideal asphalt and after spring road repairs.
Servicing the i8 is very expensive. The replacement of consumables is not as financially noticeable as the replacement of individual parts. Spare parts are not freely available; they must be ordered. Most services simply do not know how to service this car, and in network and official service centers, the prices are significantly higher, leading to additional expenses.
It is not easy to repair the car on your own in the garage. Finding bumpers, glass, mirrors at dismantling sites is practically impossible. It is quite challenging to restore the car after an accident, even if the damage is minor.
Another nuance is the very high tax.
Also: BMW X1 and AUDI Q3: common concept and comparison
BMW i8 — A Cool Car
I bought the car at the dealership, and they described its advantages to me for a long time. Overall, they hardly lied. What amazed me was that the car behaves like a person, immediately indicating where and what «aches» for it. The onboard computer timely and reasonably warns about the need for technical maintenance. You don't need to disassemble the entire car to understand why the service signal is given; connecting the car to a laptop is enough.
Another positive aspect is that the BMW interior can be enhanced. It is easily amenable to changes, for example, adding carbon fiber to the dashboard. I positioned the carbon inserts in a way that made the interior more stylish and vibrant, and it is not even noticeable that these are homemade modifications.
Surprisingly, the car handles well in winter — last winter was our first together. However, it is impossible to drive the i8 to rural areas unless the winter is completely snowless and the roads are perfect. But it is not easy to find tires for winter walks — the wheels are large, the arches are wide, and the rims are very expensive, as is the rubber.
Fuel consumption is a bit of a concern — not less than 10.5 liters per 100 km. The maximum acceleration speed is 250 km/h, with speed limiting set by electronics. In theory, the car could go faster, but it won't because of factory settings. The purpose is unclear.
The seating position in the i8 poses certain inconveniences. The car itself is low, and to get in, you need to fold in half and only straighten up inside the car. Though I'm already used to it.
Overall, the i8 is not as problematic as some other hybrids. However, this car is not really suitable for the realities of Russia.
