The average annual insurance quote for a BMW i8 is $2,810, compared to $1,428 for the typical automobile model.
Is a BMW expensive to insure?
A BMW’s cost of ownership extends beyond its above-average MSRP. A BMW’s auto insurance costs $1,788 per year, which is 25% higher than a standard car’s insurance. Because BMW insurance is more expensive than the national average, you should search around for a policy.
Is it expensive to maintain a BMW i8?
If you’re looking for a sports car, the BMW M4 appears to be a good choice. Depreciation strikes sporty BMWs especially hard, despite their $71,800 base price. However, as with the other models on our list, you should keep an eye out for high repair expenses.
We’ll also look at how much Edmunds expects you’ll pay for a 2019 model to keep things consistent. According to Edmunds, the first five years of maintenance on a 2019 M4 would cost you roughly $8,038. You’ll pay roughly $2,561 on repairs, according to reports.
A typical fuel pump replacement costs $1,135 according to Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports estimates that if you have an M4, you’ll pay roughly $3,589 for it. It’s also worth mentioning that, being a performance model, the M4 comes with a number of custom components that you won’t be able to obtain anywhere else for less, thanks to broad availability.
Is the BMW i8 a daily driver?
The stats for the hybrid i8 Roadster (beginning at $163,300) aren’t particularly interesting at first sight. The three-cylinder (yes, just three) engine produces 369 horsepower and 420 foot-pounds of torque, and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. It’s impressive, but not as impressive as a supercar. The new BMW 8 Series convertible, by comparison, packs a monstrous 523 horsepower.
I never felt like I was driving a supercar throughout my time behind the wheel. Instead, it felt like sports car acceleration with the added bonus of a delightful whirl from an electric engine.
It is the electric powertrain that distinguishes this vehicle from other lavishly designed automobiles around the world. It boasts an 11.6 kWh battery and a 30-mile range in EV-only mode under optimum conditions. Sure, it won’t set any Nurburgring lap records, but you’ll be able to cruise around town without scaring the living daylights out of your neighbors.
Again, some folks aren’t looking for that from a supercar. They’re looking for a raucous, bombastic encounter. They want to be heard, just like Harley-Davidson riders who rev their engines for no reason. Their audience consists of barking dogs and car alarms, and they aren’t satisfied until a chorus of chaos follows them. If you fall into this category, the i8 Roadster is not for you.
The i8 is fully capable for the driver who desires a car that attracts attention (and Instagram). More people asked me about the car or took random shots of it (hopefully not of me) throughout my week with it than any other automobile I’ve driven. Way more than the Tesla Model 3, which was the automobile that sparked the most talks until the BMW arrived.
It helps that it appears to have been designed to be launched into space to fight Cylons, the Empire, or even the Robotech baddies (Macross Saga). Then there are the “butterfly” doors, which appear to spew steam or fog when opened.
The i8 is enjoyable to drive while the doors are closed and you’re driving around. Particularly in Comfort mode, when I wasn’t jostled by every crease and crevice in the pavement. Because of this (combined with the very recognizable BMW inside), you quickly forget that the outside looks the way it does while driving through traffic. It’s a capable daily driver, both on and off the highway. It’s enjoyable to sprint through traffic thanks to the smooth acceleration provided by the electric motor, and once the battery is drained, the engine kicks in with a quiet roar.
The dash changes from a soothing blue to a more aggressive orange in Sport mode. The i8’s neutral handling kept it glued to the road around mountain curves. Simply aim the all-wheel-drive i8 Roadster in the direction you want it to go, and it will give incredible traction in a very seamless manner.
I’d say it’s a little too slick. The electric steering of the car lacked the road sensation I expect from a car; it felt more like I was steering in a video game than in real life. BMW has done an excellent job of keeping the car on the road; all I wish it could do now is tweak it with feeling.
While the combination of a tiny engine and an electric motor beneath the hood is attractive, the i8 lacks the fancy driver aid technologies found in other BMWs. That’s not unexpected, given that no one buys a car like this for the purpose of lane-keeping assistance. Furthermore, those amenities add weight to a car, and the increased carbon fiber on the Roadster implies BMW intended to save as much weight as possible. It doesn’t make sense to add more weight to a car whose dash and door jamb seem as if the automaker bought all the lightweight material on sale.
However, a convertible roof adds 132 pounds to the overall weight (compared to the coupe variant). It is, nonetheless, worthwhile. The car looks better with the top down than it does with the fixed roof. BMW did remove the roadster’s back seats (not that anyone taller than a toddler could have fit in them anyhow) and replaced them with cubby holes for storage. I actually only used them for small backpacks and camera cases. It still has a trunk, but once you fill it with carry-on luggage, you’re done; you could use it for a weekend getaway, but pack light.
In the world of automobiles, the BMW i8 Roadster occupies an unusual position. It looks and corners like a supercar, but anything that looks like it will disappoint you in a drag race. Instead, it’s a mobile work of expensive art and technology that gets amazing gas efficiency (up to 69 miles per gallon) and is comfortable enough to drive every day. It’s thrilling to drive around tight turns despite the lack of road feel.
In the end, it’s a sophisticated piece of technology that grabs attention. You won’t need to go to the gas station on a daily basis thanks to technology. It’s entertaining without being obnoxious. It’s also a convertible, which I think is always a plus. Those doors are ridiculous, but they’re entertaining. It’s a lot of fun.
Why is insurance so expensive for BMW?
BMW models might be expensive to insure because they are premium vehicles. This is due to the fact that expensive cars are more expensive to fix and replace.
Is a BMW a good first car for a teenager?
For aspiring young BMW drivers, there are both advantages and disadvantages to consider.
- PHEVs offer outstanding fuel economy and have numerous driving systems to both avoid accidents and assist rookie drivers.
- The majority of models offer more power and performance than a teenager needs There isn’t a “parental mode” available.
Overall, due to safety features and driving assistance, modern BMWs are likely to benefit a teenager.
These features would aid in the prevention of accidents on highways, city streets, and in parking situations.
If money is a concern, though, older BMW models would generally be a better fit for a teenager.
However, keep in mind that they have fewer safety systems and that most earlier BMWs are rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
See also: how long does a BMW X5 last and how long does a BMW X1 last.
Is i8 worth buying?
Owning a used car, of course, has its drawbacks. Owning an out-of-warranty i8 could be difficult. Because it’s mid-engine and there’s no outside access to the engine, all servicing must be done on a lift, making it either extremely impossible to perform yourself or prohibitively expensive at a dealer. Also, components are scarce, as the i8’s market was small at best when it was first released. When you combine those two factors with the likelihood that its battery will degrade over time and its incredibly complex hybrid powertrain may malfunction, you could be looking at a formula for disaster.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. The BMW i8 might be a really exciting, very intriguing secondhand buy if you’re searching for something that will be a lot of joy to own for only a couple of years. Sure, there’s a danger, but so is everything worthwhile. It’s possible that owning an i8 is worthwhile.
Is the BMW i8 a reliable car?
On our most recent meeting, as a member of the German i8 Club, I spoke with numerous owners. The most of them had no major troubles, with the exception of the one where the gasoline tank wouldn’t open. For a car this complex and not standard for BMW, it’s pretty good. However, one man continues to have issues with the drive train and overheating.
How many miles can a BMW i8 last?
The i8 is, as you might assume, an emissions-focused vehicle. It can be driven entirely on electricity for 22 miles at speeds up to 75 mph, or it may be driven using a combination of the two power sources while in EcoPro mode for a total range of 330 miles.
The advertised fuel economy is 134 miles per gallon, but really, you’ll get closer to 35-40 miles per gallon in everyday driving. Since the introduction of new VED regulations in April 2017, it is no longer exempt from both the congestion charge and the VED due to emissions of 49g/km.
The final truth is that the i8 will be more efficient in everyday driving than practically every other conventionally powered car in its class, but those claimed efficiency figures are fantastical at best unless you spend much of your time running around on the i8’s battery power alone. As a result, the i8 is most cost-effective and practical when the owner can charge it on a regular basis possibly at home and at work.
evo Tip
The ability to charge the i8 via a mains outlet on a regular basis is essential for getting the most out of it, as it can then be used in its electric-only mode for shorter trips without consuming petrol.
Over longer distances, the i8’s fuel economy is comparable to that of a conventional automobile, albeit it will prove to be more fuel efficient in the long run than a Porsche 911. When we tested multiple i8s, we got roughly 40mpg on average.