Those not familiar with the i8 you should know it looks like one of those Italian exotics named Ferrari or Lamborghini but this one is from Germany and not quite as finicky to live with. However, it’s not without it’s quirk as this is a hybrid. That’s still a relatively new concept by definition and certainly even newer in the sports car category.
It’s German heritage makes it a little easier to live with as there is certainly both form and function. On the latter note BMW actually put a back seat in this car but I’d argue that’s more form than function as no normal sized human can sit back there. It does however add to the airiness of the cabin space so it’s more comfortable to sit in and commute than any of its exotic brethren.
The theme with this car inside and out is modern luxury and BMW type driving performance. When you enter the car it has doors that flip upwards similar to another Italian exotic. There’s theater anytime you enter or exit and the degree of difficulty will create some awkward to embarrassing moments until you get use to it. Once you get in if you’ve had a BMW before it won’t take long to get familiar. If BMW is new to you then be sure you have the owner’s manual and allocate an hour of reading time if you want to pilot this spaceship with some degree of knowledge and comfort.
MSRP Range New: $140,700.00
PMPR (Poor Man Price Range): $95,000.00
Current Min Savings Against MSRP New: 33%
Current Body Style: Yes
Total Listed Nationally : 68
For: Only one year after it’s debut this car can be found certified pre-owned for more than 30% off the MSRP new. It’s unique and delivers M3 like performance which is more than you will need for the streets and looks great doing it. While it doesn’t have a real usable back seat it does add to the airiness of the cabin and small children can certainly fit for short trips.
Against: Unlike the Italian exotics, when you push the start button there is no rush because absent is the immediate roar of the engine, vibrations of a massive eight or twelve cylinder engine sitting behind you going through your entire body delivering a sensation that can only be explained by experiencing it. The deep base sound of the throaty exhaust that creates this visceral sensation as you grasp the steering wheel is also part of what is missing. BMW does attempt to replicate it by making use of technology to replicate the audio. However, you’ll have to mash your right foot on the gas pedal to make up for the lost of the old school experience and be prepared for a new modern luxury performance.
Hybrid technology is still early stage and electric batteries will continue to advance so you could be stuck with either a future collector car or an eight track tape deck. If you are younger than 40 replace that eight track tape deck reference with a Motorola Flip phone.
Single Poor Man POV: Be prepared for theater whenever you enter or exit as the car alone will bring attention but when those doors go up the spotlight shines. It will attract both wanted and unwanted attention.
Married Poor Man POV: Your wife will likely find it to be an attractive nuisance on nights out as it will become a smartphone picture taking magnet. Since it has an automatic mode wifey will be able to drive it if she wants to or has to and that alone carries plenty of baggage. If you have small kids you’ll be able to pack them in and go for a drive and give the wife some “me time”. You won’t be able to do any aggressive driving with the kids on board but you’ll still be driving in an i8 nonetheless!
Divorced Poor Man POV: If you still see your ex wife she’ll see you have moved on and having fun. If you don’t see her every time you hit the start button and put the car in drive you will thank yourself for the separation and be reminded about how much fun life is again!
Curb Appeal: 9 with the turbine looking wheels, 8.5 with the other stock offerings and potentially a 10 with the right aftermarket wheels 21s or 22s.
Bottom Line: This is the thinking man’s supercar and one of the best looking exotics on the planet. It is certainly polarizing as there is no in between for this car. People love it or hate it. I think if you’ve got $100,000.00 to spend and looking for performance aside from the Porsche 911 and possibly the Audi R8 there aren’t any other sports cars offering this type of value and the current body style.
BMW i8 Online Forum:
BMW Certified Pre-Owned Program Details:
Covers you for 2 years/50,000 miles whichever comes first, after the expiration of the 4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty for a total of 6 years/100,000 miles.
Includes up to 6 years of 24/7 Roadside Assistance and BMW Assist™ Emergency Call, which includes automatic collision notification, and TeleService.
BMW Certified Pre-Owned Elite: These are newer model year, lower mileage (more than 300 miles but less than 15,001 miles) vehicles. This warranty covers you for 1 year/25,000 miles* after the expiration of the 4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty or for a total of 5 years/75,000 miles.* This includes up to 5 years of 24/7 Roadside Assistance and BMW Assist™ Emergency Call, which includes automatic collision notification, and TeleService.
Did You Know?
BMW new car warranty is 4 years or 50,000 miles, which ever comes first.
2014 is the first model year for the i8 Coupe and it will likely have the convertible version as a 2018 model and no later than 2019.
It’s 0-60 time of 4.0 seconds is on par with the current M3/M4.
Only available transmission is a 8 speed automatic that can be shifted manually with paddle shifters off the steering column or put in automatic mode.
The i8 has two electric motors and one three cylinder engine
Global sales since mid-2014 totaled more than 10,000 BMW i8s by early November 2016, making the i8 the world's top selling plug-in electrified sports car.
Other Poor Man Options In Same Price Range:
Audi: 2011 R8 Coupe
BMW: 2015 7 Series Sedan
Maserati: 2016 Quattroporte S Q4 Sedan
Mercedes: 2014 S 550 4-Matic Sedan
Mercedes: 2014 GL 550 SUV
Porsche: 2015 911 C4S Convertible
Poor Man Options Slightly Outside Price Range Of A 2015 BMW i8 :
Aston Martin: 2012 Vantage Volante (Convertible)
Mercedes: 2014 S63 AMG Sedan