[Stromfahrer]

$10,000, plus $7,500 federal, plus $2,500 CA, plus $450 additional Edison rebate is a whopping $20,450. Seems too good to be true. Much as I love my Volt, I may have to check this out.

https://www.insideedison.com/stories/residential-customers-can-now-get-10-000-off-a-bmw-i3

 

[Edju]

Stromfahrer,
CVRP $2,500 rebate has income threshold as follows. If you are above the threshold limits listed below, you are not eligible for CVRP rebate:
$150,000 for single filers
$204,000 for head-of-household filers
$300,000 for joint filers

https://cleanvehiclerebate.org/eng/income-eligibility

 

[viking79]

This is how I was able to pickup a 2015 i3 Rex with only 5k miles for a song and a dance. The i3 is a really nice car, I love the interior material in my Tera World. Bolt EV will probably be more reliable and is more powerful. Both are about the same size.

 

[llninja]

$10K seems nice, but then you'd have to be seen in an i3 - which many think looks fugly - it takes a special person to like the way the vehicle looks. Remember, the i3 Rex has a tiny fuel tank, giving you a whole new definition of range anxiety. Not to mention the convenient cutting board built-in to the dash.

You'd have to pay me a whole lot more than $10K to get me into an i3.

Will they give this $20,450k discount off of an i8?

 

[viking79]

Remember, the i3 Rex has a tiny fuel tank, giving you a whole new definition of range anxiety. Not to mention the convenient cutting board built-in to the dash.

I coded my i3 Rex to enable hold mode, this means I can start the engine at 75%. I was easily able to make the 540 mi round trip from CR, IA to Minneapolis at 7-10 mph over the limit (flowing with traffic, 65-77 mph). A Bolt EV would not have made this trip without hypermiling or finding an L2 on the way. Nothing in the way of chargers on that route. Edit: of course had to stop for fuel 7 times. Very quck stops though, just a few minutes each.

The wood trim on the dash is incredibly classy in the Tera interior (dark brown leather). Nice grain matched wood, fairly thick and nice feeling. You don't have to like the style, but the interior quality is what you would expect from a $50k car.

 

[DonC]

There was a similar program where I am last year. Contrary to some, I think the i3 looks OK on the road. Then again I liked the Aztec. The point to keep in mind is that price can be determinative when shopping. Unlike ICE vehicles, all electric vehicles tend to have similar dynamics. so paying attention to price is a very good idea.

Personally the i3 is a little short on range for my taste, but if the range works for you and the price is right then go for it.

 

[dannycamps]

I coded my i3 Rex to enable hold mode, this means I can start the engine at 75%.

Did you also do the second code which allows you access to the full gas tank?

I personally like the interior look of the i3. The exterior...not so much but I'd probably buy one. What held me back was the low total range. With the highest model REX version, you a total range of about 170 miles which is really not all that much.

If you completely exhaust the battery on a main highway where the average speed runs between 75-80mph with service centers spaced 30+ miles apart, you begin to see some potential range issues. Especially as the little gas engine cannot really produce enough power on its own to maintain the driving speeds.

 

[viking79]

Sure, I drove mine back from CA to IA, 2000 miles, before coding. I carried a 5 gal gas tank with me and needed to use it 3 times (35 fill total ups). After I got back and had the necessary OBDII adapter, I coded it setting to 2.2 gallon gas tank (just using easy setting to expand tank size) and enabled range extender, much better on the highway for speeds and range anxiety as the buffer remaining in the battery can carry me the extra little bit to the gas station. Being in Iowa, gas stations are pretty close together. Wyoming or somewhere I would carry extra gas.

Wrote about it here: https://carswithplugs.com

 

[samotlietuvis]

You'd have to pay me a whole lot more than $10K to get me into an i3.

Agreed.
I8 is also a waste of time since one can get Tesla MS for cheaper...

 

[srmarti]

There was a similar program where I am last year. Contrary to some, I think the i3 looks OK on the road. Then again I liked the Aztec. The point to keep in mind is that price can be determinative when shopping. Unlike ICE vehicles, all electric vehicles tend to have similar dynamics. so paying attention to price is a very good idea.

Personally the i3 is a little short on range for my taste, but if the range works for you and the price is right then go for it.

I've seen a i3 in just black. Made a huge difference over the two tone paint jobs. Lots less ugly.

 

[wws]

Sure, I drove mine back from CA to IA, 2000 miles, before coding. I carried a 5 gal gas tank with me and needed to use it 3 times (35 fill total ups). After I got back and had the necessary OBDII adapter, I coded it setting to 2.2 gallon gas tank (just using easy setting to expand tank size) and enabled range extender, much better on the highway for speeds and range anxiety as the buffer remaining in the battery can carry me the extra little bit to the gas station. Being in Iowa, gas stations are pretty close together. Wyoming or somewhere I would carry extra gas.

Wrote about it here: https://carswithplugs.com

Nice trip reports - thanks for the link. Your short trip to Niabi Zoo brings back a lot of memories. I am originally from Rock Island and visited the zoo a lot as a young-un. I've taken my kids there as well.

 

[viking79]

Agreed.
I8 is also a waste of time since one can get Tesla MS for cheaper...

The i8 looks a lot better, and it is about like comparing a muscle car to a nimble sports car.

 

[viking79]

Nice trip reports - thanks for the link. Your short trip to Niabi Zoo brings back a lot of memories. I am originally from Rock Island and visited the zoo a lot as a young-un. I've taken my kids there as well.

Perfect sized zoo for the little ones and the pass also gives us access to a really cool children's museum

 

[wws]

Perfect sized zoo for the little ones and the pass also gives us access to a really cool children's museum

Hopefully you also treated them to a Harris Liquors pizza and some Whiteys ice cream while in the area. If not, maybe next time.

 

[viking79]

Perfect sized zoo for the little ones and the pass also gives us access to a really cool children's museum

Hopefully you also treated them to a Harris Liquors pizza and some Whiteys ice cream while in the area. If not, maybe next time.

Going this weekend. I will check them out. Thanks!