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The BMW i3 was one of the trailblazers in the switch from petrol and diesel to electric cars. It pioneered many new technologies and materials, some of which are only now being adopted by other car manufacturers. It’s also one of the more practical small electric cars, with space for a family with young children and a decent-sized boot. Lastly, it looks like no other car on the road. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the i3 in this guide.
There are plenty of used examples available. While you’re here, why not check the selection of i3s in stock at heycar?
The most recent versions of the i3 offer a range of up to 190 miles, which is plenty if you live in town and only occasionally need to embark on a long journey. Recharging times are usefully short when using a public rapid charger, too. Older models have considerably less range, so check the details of any used i3 to make sure it meets your needs.
There’s generous space in the front seats, the big windows let in lots of light, the dashboard looks interesting and it’s made from tactile materials. You’ll find space for a couple of children in the back and the boot is big enough for the weekly food-shopping trip and school-run bags.
Interestingly, the back doors open towards the rear of the car. With the front doors open as well, there’s an enclosed space that’s safer and more secure when getting children in and out.
From behind the steering wheel, the i3 feels sprightly and it’s even quite good fun to drive. You get all the features you need and it’s really well made. There are no concerns about reliability, and BMW offers an eight-year warranty for the batteries.
The BMW i3 has enough range for most needs, it recharges quickly, is quite practical, it’s good to drive and the interior is a really relaxing place to spend time. And there’s just something about the i3 – a character, if you like – that makes owning one an enjoyable experience.
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With just two versions to choose from, you don’t have to think too long or hard about what model to choose. The basic BMW i3 should tick all of the necessary boxes, with plenty of performance, the best range and most of the equipment the more expensive BMW i3S has.
If you have some budget to play with and want the sharper-looking and driving i3S then there are no major downsides.
As well as fractionally decreased range compared to the standard BMW i3, the i3S has stiffer suspension that makes the car ride less comfortably. The range extender is sought after among used buyers.
Being an electric car, the i3 is powered by batteries and an electric motor. It also doesn’t have a gearbox as such – all the gear lever does is tell the motor to spin forwards (in drive) or backwards (in reverse). The i3S delivers quicker acceleration and a slightly shorter range.
There are two models in the i3 line-up, the standard i3 and the higher-performance i3S. They have the same standard features, but you can easily tell them apart because the i3S has wide wheelarch extensions that give it a sportier look. It’s worth noting that both models were available with a choice of several interior ‘worlds’: packages of materials and styling details that create markedly different atmospheres, from dark and sporty to light and natural.
The BMW i3’s exterior dimensions are:
The BMW i3’s boot capacity is:
Most BMW i3 models will come with free road tax thanks to the pure EV version's zero tailpipe emissions. The Range Extender model also qualifies for free road tax is it was registered before 1 April 2017. For Range Extender versions that were sold after this date until it was phased out in 2018, they will come with a £180 annual road tax bill.
The i3 is rated in insurance groups 21 to 29 (out of 50 groups in total), which is pretty low for an electric car. EVs tend to cost more to insure than equivalent petrol or diesel cars because they can be more expensive to repair.
Read our full BMW i3 review