Sometimes you have one shot at the grail, and you have to decide whether or not to take it. That opportunity came last month when I saw the ultimate BMW i3 go up for sale as a lease turn-in; I knew I had to act immediately or it would be gone, and I would never find it again. Should I pick up the phone and spend an exorbitant sum on the Holy Grail BMW i3 or should I let it pass? I picked up the phone. Here’s why.
You may recall a few months back that I was deliberating whether or not to buy a 2019 BMW i3S — a vehicle that, at the time, I considered The Holy Grail of i3s. I passed on that car and regretted it for months. Why? Because the BMW i3 — especially the range-extended model in the right trim — is more than just a car to me. As someone who has engineered cars and driven pretty much every EV on the U.S. market and some from China, I still find myself enamored by this carbon fiber wonder from Leipzig even 10 years after it launched.
The i3’s story is a car-geek’s dream. About 15 years ago, the Bavarian automaker handed over $2.5 billion to its engineers and designers and gave them the chance at a moonshot. What they delivered was a concept car called the “Mega City Vehicle,” which BMW introduced in February of 2010, writing in a press release:
The BMW Group is once again breaking new ground with the Megacity Vehicle (MCV), due to come onto the market in 2013: “The Megacity Vehicle is a revolutionary automobile. It will be the world’s first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon. … Indeed, this concept allows us to practically offset the extra 250 to 350 kilograms of weight typically found in electrically powered vehicles.” says Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board of Management for Development.
[…]
The LifeDrive concept consists of two horizontally separated, independent modules. The Drive module integrates the battery, drive system and structural and crash functions into a single construction within the chassis. Its partner, the Life module, consists primarily of a high-strength and extremely lightweight passenger cell made from CFRP. Furthermore, the new vehicle architecture opens the door to totally new production processes which are both simpler and more flexible, and use less energy.
The BMW Group is also aiming to be the force behind the best drive systems over the years ahead – systems boasting outstanding efficiency, performance and smoothness, even if it is electricity rather than fossil fuels that are converted into propulsion. To this end, the BMW Group is vigorously driving forward the technical development of electric powertrains. The BMW Group’s centre of expertise for electric drive systems brings together development, manufacturing and procurement specialists under one roof. All their efforts are focused on the implementation and typically BMW interpretation of the new generation of drive systems. Ultimately, electric vehicles not only provide a zero-local-emission and low-noise form of propulsion; their ability to deliver a totally new and extremely agile driving experience is also impressive.
The new architecture of the MCV also gives the vehicle designers additional freedom when it comes to creating a new aesthetic for sustainable urban mobility solutions.
Here’s what the concept looked like in 2010:
Within a year and a half, BMW had a physical concept car:
And then within two years BMW blew everyone’s mind, showing off a machine that looked very much like a concept car — a weirdly-designed carbon-fiber bubble with a crazy interior featuring all sorts of sustainable materials including a eucalyptus dashboard. Except it was a production car.
It was a moonshot in every way. The way it was built, the exterior styling, the cabin design, the powertrain with an integrated range extender. It was, according to engineering expert Sandy Munro, the Model T of our time:
Anyway, enough about the i3’s story. Many of you have heard it before. The real question is: Why buy another i3 if I already have one?
Well, after having owned my 2014 for a year, I realized that the i3 is going to be my forever car. You see, the i3 blends my long-held love for gasoline with a new inevitable electric reality, especially here in California. I’ve driven EV after EV — R1T, Taycan, Model S, Lightning, Ioniq 5, Cybertruck, EV6 — and while they’re fantastic machines that I’d recommend to many, none of them truly stir my soul. Only one electric car has done it for me, and that’s the BMW i3. It’s the carbon fiber chassis, it’s the insanely gorgeous interior, it’s the fascinating history, it’s the compact size and range-extender system that doesn’t rely on a giant battery to be practical.
The i3 is everything I believe in, all wrapped in a singular package: Cars should be small and light; commuters should probably be electric; you don’t need a huge battery pack for your daily driver, and a small gas engine as a backup will solve your range anxiety; great build quality is paramount; cabins are where you spend your time and should therefore feel special; great crash performance is important. And I could go on.
To have found a car that one connects with on this level is a rarity, so, after driving my 2014 (see above) for a year and falling head over heels, and realizing in the past year that I have to get rid of a number of my vehicles since my life has changed from the Michigan days (I no longer have as much time to wrench due to me running this website and maintaining a relationship with Elise, my wonderful girlfriend), I figured: “If I’m going to get rid of many of my cars, and I plan to keep an i3 forever, it should be the very best one.”
What have I done?! pic.twitter.com/lSHqpRIPiH
— David Tracy (@davidntracy) May 27, 2024
And the ultimate i3, to me, is a Galvanic Gold 2021 BMW i3S Rex with Giga World interior and max options (sans moonroof, which adds weight and gets rid of the carbon fiber top; some also complain about heat getting in through the closed sunroof). It’s a car that many didn’t think actually existed. Comb the i3 forums, and you’ll see that, due to COVID, 2021 i3s with the Harman Kardon sound system (a must in these cars) are extremely difficult to find due to parts shortages.
BMW only ever sold 1,476 i3s in the U.S. in 2021 according to Goodcarbadcar. Yes, under 1,500. Of those, maybe 200 were Galvanic Gold (only available in ’21), maybe 50 of those had Giga World interiors, maybe 30 of those had the range extender (which you want in my opinion; the i3 is an only-OK EV but a world-beating range-extended EV), maybe 10 of those were the “S” sport model, maybe five of those were fully decked out with the Harman Kardon sound system and big screen and other nice interior tech.
And since BMW stopped selling the Range Extended i3 in 2019 outside of the U.S., it’s possible that this fully-loaded Galvanic Gold 2021 i3S Rex with Giga Interior is a one of five in the world. It honestly could be a one-of-one.
So how did I land it if it’s so rare? Well, first, the i3 is an acquired taste, beloved by only the nerdiest of car nerds. To many, it’s a pug-nosed compact car not worth a second glance. But to enthusiasts, it’s sensational. Those enthusiasts would snap this car up in a moment if it hit the open market. The only reasons why I was able to nab it were: 1. It was a lease turn-in, so it wasn’t a private seller putting the car on the market, it was a BMW dealer. 2. The BMW online used-car portal had listed this car with no photos. I saw the listing, ran the VIN, and was surprised to see what this car was. 3. As soon as I ran that VIN, I contacted the dealer and put a deposit down, figuring the car was in decent shape since it was a lease turn-in. 4. The car was expensive, and not everyone wants to drop $30 large on an i3 given that you can buy some 2021s for only $20 grand these days and 2018s for $15 grand (heck, you can buy an Ioniq 5 or a Tesla Model 3 for less than this i3).
It was luck that brought me to the grail, which was one of the final cars built (manufactured in June; the i3 left production after July) and cost $57,500 when it was new three years ago (see above). If this vehicle had been sold by an individual who knew what it was and who posted it with photos, the car would have sold in a heartbeat. A year ago, a Gold i3S just like mine, but with a moonroof instead of the Harman Kardon sound system and the dark brown interior instead of the Giga World sold for $39,000 pretty much instantly.
That’s not to say that this was a sound financial decision, because it was not. BMW i3 values are tanking, and the vehicle is a niche one. Even if it’s worth $30 large today, it’s possible it will be worth only half that in five years. But I didn’t buy this as an investment; I bought this because I think it’s the best car in the world for an enthusiast who lives in a city and can charge at home. And if you have a chance to drive what you legitimately think is the best car in the world, you take that chance.
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Because it’s a 2019+, this i3 has a 42kWh battery instead of the 22 kWh one in my 2014 (so 130 miles of range instead of 75, and it should last my lifetime). It’s got a new iDrive system with Apple Carplay built in, it has adaptive LED headlights, LED cornering lights, a slightly different seat fabric, 14 extra horsepower over the standard on-sport i3, and the sport suspension (which actually rides better than my non-sport suspension on my ’14, though that car has 145,000 miles). I’m excited to compare the final model-year i3S with my first model-year i3. Expect that article soon.
I haven’t driven my new i3 much, but I’m already head over heels. It looks amazing (I’m planning on having it XPEL PPF‘d), it rides well, it’s quick, it’s roomy and comfortable in the cabin, it’s nimble and easy to park, and it solves my other BMW i3’s biggest Achilles Heel — tires. I’ll explain more on that in a later article. But for now, I’m in love. Bankrupt, but in love.
I can see why you bought it. Damn the depreciation! Depreciation only matters if you’re going to sell it. PPF that thing and drive it all the time my friend!
Cars are an item you own but don’t always control the decision to sell.
Eh, in my experience people are too flippant about getting rid of cars unnecessarily.
Sweet and yes to PPF, top that off with a high quality ceramic including the wheels and barrels of. In water restricted Cali you probably can get by with no rinse wash products, the clean up is so much easier when coated.
This represents what I enjoy most about this place – it celebrates the automotive experience generally while simultaneously distilling it to something very specific for each specific person. And that even means that the specific can change as people change, and they’ll still be included as part of that celebration without missing a beat.
There are very few places on the net that can pull that off as successfully as does the autopian.
Now…where’s that Aztek?
We’re on the hunt for an Aztek! I already have the tent!
Mobile meth lab. You know you want to.
That other site had a slideshow this morning on what readers thought were worst car quality and the i3 made the list, curious what david felt about that comment lol
Good for you man, she’s a beauty!
You gave them clicks? haha. Sucker.
lol, you looked at a slideshow there?
I know whats wrong with me?
just thinking about it for a minute, I would imagine it’s like with AI now, where the people responding on stuff there now is just giving bad info on purpose.
ugh, never even thought about that, lol
was complaints about body twist causing door sensors to go off
Do you want us to send the goons round, because this will make us send the goons round. Matt likes baseball. A lot. Is all I’m sayin’
Damn. A fixer, goons, dresses all in black, and is a little deranged. I guess Autopian has a super villain on staff.
“A little”
[citation needed]
[not the Chevy]
yes lets do it!
I’m waiting for Sunday’s slideshow that will link to today’s slideshow.
Congratulations! Great piece and great choice. Looking forward to all the future i3 content!
I always take the long and relative view with my fleet. Each bargain bought is an offset for “overpaying” once in a while. I’d wager David is still way ahead on this ledger.
Also, if a journalist buys a car to write about: tax write-off?
If you decide to sell the old one, LMK.
I don’t want to start a bidding war, but have been seriously shopping for a while – I don’t have the fever strong enough to spend $30k, but if I can find a decent Rex for a fair price I am joining the i3 club soon.
The i3 may have its appeals (I’ve never driven one) but this is an incredibly bold statement.
If you like it, that’s really all that matters, but I can’t imagine making that claim about *any* car, let alone one with so many downsides.
“for an enthusiast who lives in a city and can charge at home.”
It’s really not that bold of a claim, IMO. But also, it’s an opinion; it’s the best car in the world for me in my circumstances.
I’d add someone who has no kids to your list.
I guess like I implied in my first comment, I’d personally struggle to call anything the best car in the world unless perhaps I had driven every car in the world.
But in case it wasn’t clear enough from my first post (as others seem to be confused), I am unambiguously happy that you found something you love to drive; after all, that is the dream for all of us here.
Well, I have – except, ironically, an i3, so I really couldn’t say that either.
Depends on how many kids. You could fit two kids in the back just fine.
Albeit, if they are small enough to require a car seat, it could be inconvenient, even if doable.
No kids… yet. I think Elise has Plans for him. Health foods, exercise, things like that. I used to due the same for my stud horse
Omg
So, some internet dude, without any valid experience on the specific topic, shits on another dude’s happiness? Get real.
“No one needs to have an opinion on everything” -Marcus Aurelius (sorta)
Let the guy live.
It’s all good. I’m just glad you’re all here.
The purpose of a comment section is to share opinions.
If someone’s happiness can be significantly impacted by someone else quibbling with an objectively strong opinion they post in the article, that would seem to me to be a shame.
I don’t get bent out of shape when someone doesn’t agree with my takes either.
Totally fair. Just think about what your take implies. Often times, one’s “take” is unnecessary and glib. No matter your opinion of others, it’s the opinion of yourself (looking back after several years) that makes your thoughts valid.
There is a saying I read the other day: All opinions and morals feel the same, until one reflects back and sees the truth. Being right feels great. Being wrong feels terrible.
Don’t feel terrible on purpose.
David’s statement feels like an empirical argument. EVERY car has compromises and downsides. But you can measure that against its fit for purpose and its ambition. And in that context, he may be right.
But then there is that elusive, non-quantifiable x-factor when it comes to cars that probably carries way more weight for all of us here than for the regular buyer – how it makes us feel.
It’s completely emotional, or at least perceived by us as such, and can be the reason why something otherwise empirically perfect isn’t so in our actual lives.
In that vein, I can see both David and V10omous being correct.
It seems like a good choice as long as you sell the other one.
I totally get it, you’ve identified that car you want and stumbled upon a fantastic find that was “hidden”. It’s your Holy Grail, so hats off for finding a sweet one.
Also, you bought a car from the most successful used car salesman of all time. Good luck with that part.
(I bought it from Hendrick BMW in NC, and had it shipped to CA)
Yup, that’s who I’m talking about.
Oh really? Do tell.
I bought a 2009 E63 from Hendrick MB a few years ago that was in fantastic shape, overall a great experience. Good dealer network from my experience.
Just one of those occupations where you want someone who’s bad at it. And Rick Hendrick sure ain’t bad at selling cars.
So, is that good or bad?
Well, ok, so if you need a lawyer, you want a good lawyer. If you need a doctor, you want a good doctor (definitely).
But when you need a car salesman, wouldn’t you rather have one that maybe isn’t so good at his job?
Pretty good at racing them, too.
I think I saw that one when I was leafing through certified i3 REX inventory a week or so ago, and it was the closest I e to my home. Did it have 27,000-ish miles?
20,000.
What? You didn’t drive it across the country? Missed story opportunity!
I bet there are plenty of readers here who would let you stay over and charge up your car.
Beautiful little car! The black wheels are definitely not my cup of tea, but that’s the only (minor) downside. I’m also falling in love with the i3, but all around here are barebones and too expensive for what they are.
Great write-up, Larry David!
Because if one is good, two would be better. 🙂
So, now he needs to buy 2 more; ‘cause as my late buddy used to say “if X is good, 2X is better and 4X is just right”.
My ex said the same thing.
was that the first ex, the second ex, or the fourth ex?
It was Ex XIII.
DT staring off over a lake after taking delivery: I wish I knew how to quit you!
Autopian readers: …
(Hopefully someone gets the movie reference)
Seriously though probably worth every penny for your happiness, so enjoy it.
He is wearing a blue shirt in the lead image…
When the i3 came out, I recall being really disappointed that they invested in all that advanced technology to … produce the same compliance car range as everyone else.
And also have it (and the i8) exist in the shadow of the Tesla Model S and be outsold by it by a wide margin.
I’m sure more than a few BMW execs were really pissed off at Tesla over this.
Why should they be pissed off at Tesla, they should be pissed off at themselves and/or engineers that put out such a vehicle.
“they should be pissed off at themselves and/or engineers that put out such a vehicle.”
Yeah but that’s not how it works. In reality, OEMs in the 2010s spent their time laughing at and dissing Tesla.
With the i3 and i8 (which I personally think is a very cool car from a design and style perspective), BMW was going for getting the ‘green vehicle’ crown that Toyota had with the Prius.
And I’m pretty sure from BMW’s perspective, this new two-bit company named Tesla stole that crown from them.
Thus, I’m reasonably sure that at least a few BMW execs were pissed they lost the green crown to a new upstart.
I know that’s how I would feel if I was the exec behind the i3 and especially the i8.
I’m sure they were pissed but again they should be pissed about the piss poor job they did not that someone else, with far fewer resources, did a better job.
Eh, the Model S looks like a car and sits a family of 4 comfortably, while the i8 looks like a race car. The Venn diagram of the market for each of those is two distinct circles.
“The Venn diagram of the market for each of those is two distinct circles.”
Not exactly. There is also the “green image car” factor. Essentially in the 2000s, many bought the Prius because it was the most ‘green’.
That crown went to the Tesla Model S when it came out. And BMW was gunning for that crown and Tesla stole it from them.
Nah the Model S never had the green image car factor that the Prius had, it was far to expensive and always had the rich person car image.
Like the Fiat 500, the i3 makes a lot of sense as a City car in Europe. For that role, it doesn’t need 250 miles of range!
Sure, but the first version had EIGHTY miles of range, barely more than a Leaf and less than an e-golf. They made a very efficient car that could have had a real differentiator (say, 100+ miles when everyone else was 80) but instead chose to save money on the battery.
Is now the time we get DT on the Mirai bandwagon? Where he starts collecting first generation Mirais, before eventually also acquiring second-gen Mirais?
Also, David, have you considered a DT/DT article, where you have David Twohig join a discussion about the i3? Twohig worked on the Renault Zoe and there was a lot of benchmarking against the i3, and he certainly has a lot to talk about both vehicles.
The Mirai actually does seem way more autopian, but maybe as something Torch would own, end up having a friend at UNC who works at a lab produce hydrogen for him?
Producing hydrogen is one thing, that is doable if impractical and expensive.
Compressing it to 10,000 PSI is another matter altogether.
“Is now the time we get DT on the Mirai bandwagon?”
Why, so he can be stranded with a hydrogenless boat anchor?
I wish you many years of happiness with your new ride. It looks like a nice city car.
Considering it has a rang extender I think it’s a great investment car wise.
Too many people hear the word investment and only think monetarily, to me this is an investment in having a reliable, future proofed, luxury and sporty automobile.
Good on you man, enjoy it.
Very true. No matter what happens, I can drive this car for the next 20 years. Maybe gas prices in CA will go crazy and a ICEs will become prohibitive. Or maybe I’ll end up in a position where charging isn’t easy. Either way, the i3 will get it done.
I’d expect the battery to last 15-20 years after the manufacture date before it is only at 75% capacity, if you take proper care of it. We shall see.
When the battery does go out, fixing it with OEM components may not be possible, or if it is, it will probably be cost prohibitive. It’s possible but extremely unlikely that BMW could have an upgrade package available in the future to replace that battery when the time comes.
When the battery does die, you also have an excellent chassis with which to gut all the BMW battery/drive system/electronics from and rebuild it into something more crude and repairable with off-the-shelf open-source hobbyist components, if you want.
I like how it’s rear wheel drive. It may not be the fastest thing on the road, but it will still hoon.
I look forward to reading of your adventures with it.
Nice looking car. I really like the color combination, particularly with the black wheels.
Also, this is not a terrible financial decision. A $30k gently used BMW is at worst a suboptimal financial decision (assuming it wasn’t purchased using a 96-month loan at 15% interest… then it would be a terrible financial decision).
For a car he knows he’ll absolutely love I think it’s reasonable.
Honestly, even if he didn’t love the car I think it would be a decent purchase. It is somewhat expensive, but it is reasonable to expect this car to be reliable transportation for 15 years. Plus, EVs are dirt cheap to drive and require minimal maintenance.
I think people spend far too much money on cars, but I actually think this car makes financial sense at $30k, assuming he didn’t have to take out a long-term or high interest loan.
I wish my dream cars were as practical as an i3. It is far harder to come up with a scenario where a Lamborghini Huracan is a good financial decision.
If you’re happy we’re happy. Good for you David, not many of us will ever be in the position to pull the trigger on the one car that we want, so enjoy it!
Will you be able to park it under the Aztec tent?
I can try to fit the Aztek tent…
If not, he’ll just have to get a Case-IH sprayer.
IF you’ve truly solved the i3 tire problem, I’m in the market. I’ll be trolling the ads all day tomorrow in anticipation, looking for a 2019 Panda i3s REX, but I’m not too picky about exterior colors.
Believe me, it’s solved. I have three sets of tires in my garage right now.
Three sets of i3 tires could tuck into the space in between the tool chest and the garage wall.
‘Cuz they’re so skinny.
I’ve been considering an i3, but the tire issue might have completely turned me off. Can you give any more details? Do the i3s’ come with different, more compatible tire sizes? Or did you find alternate wheels that fit?
Bingo. The i3S’s extra wheel-width and track width are key. I’ll write about the solution tomorrow, but the short of it is that MOMO tires are dirt cheap.
How easy would it be to fit i3S tires on a regular i3? As far as I can tell the arch flares are just little plastic bolt-ons, is there anything that would stop you from just swapping out the wheels to get the same benefit?
You mean in the bank of 12 spots in Elise’s apartment building’s underground garage that you’re subleasing from cosmopolitan executives who own the whole top floor but never even visit and use Uber Black anyway when they do?
I am all about buying a car to drive it, but 1 in about 5! I’d be nervous. Good on you for putting miles on it! Did you keep the old one, or trade it? Might be nice to have a beater version.
“Elise” wants me to keep the other as a beater! But… I dunno!
You should give your old i3 to Torch. Be bi-coastal electro beemer buddies.
She sounds like a winner!
And by “Elise” you mean “David”
time to sell the Leaf!
That’s the right choice!!
At this point, I think he’d have to give it away. It’s funny how that car divides the staff. Thomas and I think his Leaf is appalling. It’s every late 2000s rental Nissan’s interior combined with range that could be beaten by a kid on a bicycle. 🙂
That Galvanic Gold is really something. My 2018 i3s (moonroof, HK sound, brown interior) came murdered-out and I just can’t bring myself to shell out the money for a wrap.
DT’s right – it’s a heck of a car. I wish him many kilometres of fun and practicality!
Ah, the 2018 i3s: The quickest i3 ever made.
The last of the 33.2 kWh interceptors. Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, but I’ll accept it.
We are very happy for you, David…but where is the Aztec?!
WHERE IS THE AZTEC DAVID?!?
Why does everyone misspell Aztek?!
Mostly because GM misspelt Aztec as Aztek for… reasons unknown to me.
And yeah where is the Aztek???
Why do people want to see an ass-tick so bad?
Mostly for the lulz.
GM was fully aware of the number of people they’d offend if they didn’t change the spelling.
I can’t imagine anyone sees that ‘k’ and says “Phew! I was about to be offended, good thing they spelt it wrong!”
That being said I’d be willing to believe that GM went with the ‘k’ for that very reason. Not that it’s a good one, but that’s GM marketing for ya.
Infiniti has entered the chat…
Don’t be pedantic to try and change the subject ????
Since when do Autopian editors care about spelling?
Jk that was a low blow
However–where is the Aztek??
buy with your heart