AutoTrader's Best Kept Secret: Why The BMW i8 Roadster is a Bargain Buy
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Today on the channel - I drive the i8 Roadster. I've previously driven the regular i8, but now get a chance to see how much of a difference taking the roof off makes. Can it turn this into the car it should have always been?
#BMW #i8 #Roadster
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Annnd... IF you watch any 'Throttle House' videos, YOU'LL KNOW that in the intro's they're showing James with a helmet bashing his head getting into the car!!! 🤣🤣🤣 (It was a clip taken from when they did review video on the i8) 😎🇬🇧
Jay...As a huge fan of your reviews and the fact you are living the YT dream many of us dream of, your time is your own, and you do what you love for a living. PLEASE (take this up the right way) try and put the effort you put into your channel into your body too, lose some weight for your health's sake so you can have a long and fruitful life. Why do all of this hard work just to have a heart attack from being a fat mess in 5 or 10 years time?
@@beefmusclelover1236 there is no right way to take feedback like that. You don't know my personal circumstances any more than I know yours - so leave it.
Can’t believe how fresh it looks nearly a decade on
@@teamgeist3328😂
Classy shape I think.
@@teamgeist3328cringe
Bro, you right it's a good looker, but my God it's slow, my neighbour has one, didn't wanna say it to his face but it was hella slow when I rode in it
@@DIRTYGOAT2 you’re right… my wife’s diesel Santa Fe is faster than a I8
10 years old yet better looking than any current BMW...
Not exactly a high bar though to be fair 😂
There’s 1000 better looking BMW’s than the i8!
@jarraandyftm There is no better looking BMW than the i8 Roadster!
@@CorrectingChristians does your Labrador fit in the i8?
@jarraandyftm 2 Pit bulls, and they would never see the interior of my car.
What a fascinating car. I don't know how BMW does it all the time with their sports cars. Nobody wants them when they are new and after 20 years they become collectibles. BMW M1, BMW 850, Z8 and now this. Thanks for the video, Jay.
Except after 20 years this will need a new battery system
507 almost bankrupted BMW in the 1950s. Sold for 9000 (1953 dollars). Now worth 2.5 million on average.
@@Matthew-ll9keThe batteries are pretty small by EV standards, and I doubt it'll be too much trouble as long as there are enthusiasts who can reverse engineer the computerised parts (see: every single classic car conversion using a tesla drivetrain)
Nobody wants them becuase they suck
@@Matthew-ll9ke True. It's the same battery as the i3, so you'd think that creates the volume to make it worth BMW (or someone) offering replacement batteries in ten years or so.
It's a tidy-looking motor; not sure if I'd consider one over a 911 though. Tough choices (not really, I can't afford either).
Appreciate the honesty😂😂😂
😂
Definitely a way worse car compared to 911. Trust me
The fact that the i8 would cost me less than $40 a year in taxes completely discards the amazing 911.
That's my issue, if I'm spending $80-85k on a 2019+ i8 Roadster you're already into 911 Targa territory just maybe 2 years older with less issues, better handling, less depreciation... etc. If these we're going for $60-65k i'd probably go for it though anyway just for the unique experience and add it to the collection.
Can’t believe how right BMW got the looks of this car and then how wrong they have for every car since then!
And I can't believe how they got the looks so right and everything else so wrong!
@truebluemiata they managed to blow it by bit having a sequel with a v6. I3 is amazing too
Paid $78k for a 2019 BMW i8 Coupe and it’s an absolute blast. So many people said don’t buy it but I’m glad I didn’t listen. Gets Lambo attention at half the price
Absolutely sir! Got the Frozen Black edition 2 years ago and man.... what's a Machine! With a Stage 1 tune is a Beast🔥
The i8:is just drop dead gorgeous, full stop. It will still look “wow” in 20 years
Well Jay, I bought one, 2k miles for 65k, done loads of trips in it, it genuinely does 35 miles on a plug in charge, I did 1700 miles touring from UK to the Italian lakes and got Ave 43.5 mpg, I'm now on 10k miles, always gets a look everytime it's taken out, it's also rare only I think around 3.5k roadsters produced worldwide..its a keeper
What is it like driving with its ground clearance, do you get into scrapes?
no not at all, as the overhangs are not too long unlike my 575 which is awful, if you buy one, get the roadster or late one as battery/ electric is much better
Much appreciated Steve
Wreeg o888oreeeev
Yes and only 256 UK cars. Only 10 Roadsters on Autotrader now....the current lowest of £55k will be £155K in two decades. I bought mine with a 38% discount...so it's only done £10k dep.....now its upwards only I suspect. Similarly I bought my Z8 (which at the time, just like a Integrale 24v, AMG SLS, Carrera GT dealers couldn't shift) with a 25% discount @ £59,000 they are now, twenty years on, 3 times that !
This car was definitely ahead of it’s time when it came out all these years ago . Is looks better than a lot of 22/23 cars 👌🏾
Excellent review as always, James. I have been intrigued by these for years. I am so glad to see they really are a sleeper ‘exotic.’ As you said, seeing one really is an event. They are fantastic looking. I need to start looking around to find out a little more! Thanks, James!
Hi Jay, your videos, choices of cars and evident culture are really appreciated. Keep doing so well!!!
2 years into ownership and love my Roadster. ………
Having, very fortunately, owned an i8 and an i3, I can attest to the i3's brilliance too...regret parting with both! Great vid as always. Many thanks.
Used to want one of these when they eventually dropped to something approaching affordable… but then I saw a red LC500 with the tan interior in the flesh. Maybe that will be within reach one day!
Another excellent left field choice
The exhaust sound sounds pretty convincing bearing in mind there's a speaker in the backbox somewhere... Great review as always
You are correct James! I’d love to get my hands on one of these to test those rear seats 🙌
This being one of my potential next cars thankyou for this video👏🏽
Always interesting and informative as all his reviews.
That awful black numberplate needs replacing with a (legal) one of the correct type right now
I'll never understand the custom number plates, whether it's black, pointy edges or those god awful 3D plates. It's the quickest way to make a nice car look like cheap shit.
It’s actually against the law to have black plates with silver letters unless the car was registered before 1st Jan 1975, which this car obviously isn’t.
@@Ze-Germanzuk- yes, those 3-D plates look awful - they cheapen the whole car.
Excellent Review. Well done on referencing your previous trip in an i8, and the terrible about town 'lag' of its accelerator/gearbox on pick up.....buyers beware!!!
just for your guide, the rear boot is significantly larger than it looks, I can get a good size medium 15kg case and some room for coats, inside you can get 2 regular carry on cases on the shelf behind the seats
Right. That’s my wind down Autotrader activity sorted then…! You mentioned the i3 - an amazingly overlooked car for just how important it is/was.I bought an i3s 18 months ago and besides being pittance to run (I charge it off solar), it’s a hoot to drive. Reminds me of the first superminis (106 GTI, Punto hit, Polo GTI, Saxo VTS etc). Perfect for todays roads. You’re more than welcome to come drive, along with my 540 touring which you’ve covered already.
Owned a coupe up until the BMW warranty ran out. Wasn’t brave enough to run one out of warranty though. Wonderful thing and loved the (semi synthetic) noise in the cabin, a mix of petrol engine and electric whine. Glorious sound.
Why weren't you brave to keep out of warranty? Did you have or expect trouble?
The biggie is the AC/battery cooling circuit failing, breaking up and sending debris around the whole cooling circuit. For most vehicles you can ignore the AC failing but it’s not an option when it cools the batteries. Apparently £15k+ repair bill on the i8. I never experienced it on the i8 but did have battery cooling fail on the i3 we also had. The most frightening noise I’ve ever heard from a vehicle (akin to a helicopter taking off on the driveway!).
@@funkymonkey1198 It's a BMW, he made the smart choice. Could have extended it though.
What was it like driving the coupe around with its ground clearance, did you get into scrapes?
@@andyrooot check my post at the top please
It works perfectly in the snow, all season with tires specked for the country you live in, both summer and winter. We never use factory tires specs in Norway, delivered new from dealer with super grip. And with a aftermarked exhaust system it sounds pretty good!
100%. Used mine all winter with in Stockholm even in deep snow. Ran great with narrow Nokians. Was the perfect family car taking my sons child seat in the rear and just enough space to take a city mini stroller in the boot.
For sure, drove mine over the Cairngorms in Scotland a few hours before the snow gates got shut, didn't miss a beat
You really are climbing the ranks of KZheadr car reviewer. You started strong and have kept your way! Very proud to say I’ve been with you from the beginning! And also, loving the series with friends! So entertaining!!
loved the shots of the factory, really impressed with the production value
Thanks! I got lucky and BMW had some great footage to use
Absolutely love these. Saw a blue one this morning, reminded me of just how cool they look. This one in grey with black wheels not so much
I drove one (coupe) at Llandow circuit, really good. It still looks lovely, and I still think that I'd love one (in black) ❤🥰😍 I remember the nice noise, no body roll, but needing to be a contortionist/acrobat to get in it.
It was a brave design and concept. More interesting than just chucking another v12 in.
Cheers Adam, thanks for the video.
Perfect timing, Ive been wondering about a coupe.
my friend has one in skipton and it still stands out from the crowd even now you dont see many up here in yorkshire..about speed though when jayEmm says its no slouch it does not feel very quick to be in but you do feel the heft of it though even with the carbon fibre.
Always liked these. Former BMW i3 driver (and yes they are brilliant!). Dealer let me out in the coupe version of the i8. Drove like a saloon. ie -quite boring. Already could see the depreciation of the ones they had available. Roadster far more sexy, bigger battery and more interesting. Great review.
Sometimes, a new car design comes along and just looks right from the off. It can be relatively humble stuff, like the Mk1 Focus for example or the Alfa 156. This is one of those cars. Cars like this don’t seem to date and styling refreshes rarely improve matters, in fact, often just the reverse. Gorgeous looks. Almost impossible to get in and out of, thanks to wide stills, low roof and those gorgeous butterfly doors, but still a special thing. Kudos to BMW for having the nerve to build it. Same with the i3 for that matter.
the i8 coupe is my "obtainable" dream car rn, i love them and would be a great upgrade over my CRZ (which you still need to get back to me for review btw). I would actually classify the i8 as a GT (especially the coupe as you can dump luggage on the rear seats)
Hopefully the maintenance cost isn't too bad on these. I wonder how they fare outside of warranty.
as James said, there isn't really much going wrong with them@@minibus1351
YOU NEED to do an I3 now. amazing cars with same chassis construction
Agree, love these. Future classic
Well done James, I’m a huge fan of the i8 coupe in white, silver or blue. You have to give it to BMW they really were way ahead of everyone else. Thee boot space in the coupe is tiny, but the build quality, awesome looks, cockpit feel, noises in the cabin and the option of hybrid driving out ways everything else I love it. I must admit at £30 k they are a tempting guilty pleasure to avoid ulez.
‘Looks like it’s giving birth to a 911’! So funny 😂😂 I can’t unsee the 911 now!
I was never sure if I liked these things or not when I first saw one alongside me in a queue on the A720 (Edinburgh City Bypass) a few years ago. Still not sure, but you certainly make it seem a lot more interesting with this review. If only they made an Mi8, or i8 M Roadster, with a straight six, proper M division wheels / tyres / suspension / brakes. Oh well!
Spot on. Mid engine i8M that would be mental
Good update. Thanks,
I just worked out a deal on one. I can’t wait to check it out.
Looks great, drives well, doors are a nightmare in car parks. Would love one as a daily but not enough luggage space, and not sporty enough to have as a toy.
Hi Jay, you mention that you want to do a review of an i3, I have two, a 2014 Rex and a 2020 BEV very happy to let you have use of them.
Send me an email on talk@jayemm.com
I loved this car so much I ended up buying both the coupe and the roadster. I can’t complain, it does very well and neither one has given me any issues. It’s a unique car that’s a thrill to drive!
Hi Jay, your review made me look into buying an i8. On another note, how were you able to get a Black License Plate on it? I mean, I had a 1974 Pantera and because of it's age, I was able to get a Black front and rear license plate registration but on a 5 year old car, I didn't think it was possible?! Please enlighten me. Thanks very much and a great review as usual, keep up the good work.
Ah ha, I suggested this a while ago and you said it was in the pipeline 😄 I want one even more now, just got to shift a Daimler Double-Six first
A fine conveyance.
I was amazed the styling cues from this never permeated the bmw lineup. The front would translate very well to a sedan.
Still looks great all these years later, I was walking through Sheffield the other day and my friend who has absolutely no interest in cars and he saw one parked at the side of the road and said “I don’t know what that car is but I want it”
I never stopped loving this car❤
If this thing had a straight six engine and massive turbo chargers, it would be so much better.
True, but the whole point of the i8 is that it was the first hybrid supercar.
@@peterboczan2116there’s literally nothing supercar about this lol
I'd never noticed that "giving birth to a 911" before you illustrated it. Now it can't be unseen 😆
I missed out on a 2020 model in NZ by 30 minutes a few days - never been more upset at missing a purchase. Really want one.
Its an amazing thing. I love them. Had a look at one. Its the most impracticle thing I've ever sat in and at the time quite expensive. I bought an m140 instead. An equally insane machine. I'm sure i read somewhere the i8 headlamps alone are 5k a pop.
This is BMW we are talking about. My father in laws x4 had an LED headlight go a few years back and main-dealer quoted 4k, as he was only a few weeks out of warranty they agreed to contribute 50%. Will be much harder to source OE parts for this though down the line.
Had an i8 coupe for a while which I loved, but the early cars do have a few well known gremlins - coolant tank sensor = £1k replacement. Fuel tank filler flap sensor failure, door gas strut replacements etc. It's a complicated car - have a look at the assembly line video! The BMW warranty has a big long list if items not included should they fail, so be aware that although these cars are in the main reliable, you need a budget to cover the unexpected, and more than likely not covered by BMW. The car is much wider than say a 911 which does pose some parking problems with the fancy doors. The coupe is better balanced visually IMO as the back end of the roaster is just far too busy. The header rail on the roadster is just asking to be head butted for a tall driver which confirmed my choice of a coupe. I would go for a later model, as a lot of the electrical maladies have been resolved. It's a car that gets under your skin, however, for very long journeys, when you have long ago consumed your EV charge, you can't help thinking that the batteries and electric motor are along for the ride. Banging it into sport will of course re-charge the system, but on a motorway that seems pointless.
For me, the Roasdter was the only choice for a bevy of reasons. Looks, sun & wind in the hair, exclusivity, and the better electric battery for starters. I've managed to strategically drive 550 miles on an 11-gallon gas tank. That's a 50 mpg average! As lovely as the coupes are, they could only dream of such a number.
@@CorrectingChristians Finally a comment from an intelligent driver, thank you for telling us what you got by hyper miling ;) I like to track lorries at 55mph in my 640i GC, - Best ive got is 600 miles from the 63l tank. :)
👍@@Anythingyoulike2013
Very good review. At £55k for a used spider, it is in 2008 997 Turbo price bracket. It would be more appealing as a £35k option to be more easy to sell.
Jay, get yourself a motorcycle trailer that works for packing your gear, then no matter what vehicle you want to own, you always know how your gear can go with you, boot space then is less of an issue.
The intellectual mans super car - no wonder it failed. As a designer, futurist and dare I say it - intellectual, I always loved it. Saw the Vision Dynamics Concept att the IAA in Frankfurt 2009 and that was kind of a religious moment. Stared at it for half an hour or so. BTW, I have driven a few i3's and it is proper fun!
I bought an LCI coupe three weeks ago. The bigger battery is great for EV mode around town
My dream car the BMW i8, when Leicester won the premier League everyone in the 1st team was bought 1 as a gift for winning the league all metallic blue . Heard on a football podcast earlier in the year that some players sold them but some of the players and ex players still have them as a celebration of winning the league. By all accounts the old chairman had 22 lined up at the training ground.
This car was ahead of its time...interms of design This car still looks fresh and modern
I've owned one. A know failure is metal fragments from the A/C lines getting into the shared battery cooling loop which can cause battery failure. The fix requires removing the battery in order to replace the coolant lines, a $25k USD fix
Another great video
despite its faults, I still want one, they look so cool.
Can’t get over the mini engine! The doors help but the price of an m4 doesn’t 😂❤😊
I love the i8 coupe, wish I could afford one!
As an i3 owner I would love to see one on the channel
Have mine a year, the getting in and out again 'issue' is slightly overegged (although without trying to be overly harsh - you look slightly larger than me!) I actually have significantly more issues getting out of my CRX - purely because its so low, despite being barely lowered. The rear seats are definitely for kids only - but they mean the car is more useable in more situations. Having had a true 2 seater (Cayman S) for a while - the lack of rear seats really became an issue.
When production of these stopped, my local dealer had an ex demo car for sale at half new price and a brand new unregistered car with 40% off. Cannot recall if they were coupes or roadsters.
I think the car is beautiful, but for the money i would rather by a cayman s or a lotus
Same here
Fantastic video my friend
Always like one, was even considering getting a certified one; until the horror stories started rolling in on cars out of warranty. Used BMW are iffy for a normal bimmer, the specialized hybrid one could be a nightmare.
Nice review.
I've had a coupe for close to three years now and has been utterly faultless. They feel more powerful than the numbers suggest because BMW always quoted power at the wheels rather than at the flywheel like everyone else due to the two separate drivetrains. Agree that understeer is a weak point as are the brakes, some wider Michelin PS4S tyres are a simple improvement while BMW also make a different upper wishbone for the front suspension that adds 0.5 degrees of negative camber to the front end. Combined with the tyres and it's transformative to the front end grip! Brembo also offer more performance orientated brake pads which are an improvement for sure but am trying to work out what else can be done there. They're amazing all round cars, beautifully balanced on a track yet possible to drive for hundreds of miles in comfort, just wish the fuel tank was bigger!
its the millennial's M1.... 540Nm of torque!!! outrageous. top vid as ever sir!
The mat Armstrong reference was on point lol
Nice review. But for some reason I cant save this to my playlists... ? Anyhow, I happen to own one; 2014 coupe with 82k km / 51k miles. Did over 10k km / 6300 miles during last summer alone. Was my DD for 5 months, gave me zero issues. Gives great MPG when one can charge it at home and at work, or during longer journeys which do. Driving long distances, battery depleted, speeds around 80-100km/h (55-60mph) I'll get under 7L/100km (42-45 UK MPG), if trying to be ... "eco friendly" I'll achieve under 6L/100km (50 UK MPG)! The car has such a great overall "efficiency". I've owned Porsche 911 (997 gen) and a Ferrari 360 Modena. Compared to Porsche this feels 100x more special, unique, "head turner" as Porsches, well those are everywhere - far too common sportscar for my liking. Only thing lagging in i8 is the engine soundtrack... There's plenty of luggage space at backseats, enough for 2 person 2 week road trip. Fuel consumption is ridiculously small compared to Porker not to mention 360 Modena. Driving position really good, I can drive for hours without stopping, longest drive being 5 hours. Servicing is really cheap as many of the parts are from ordinary BMW's or Minis. Insurance is dirt cheap, yearly taxes also. -Cost wisely (European heavy climate tax in fuels etc.) this is really cheap to run and maintain. By far the cheapest "exotic looking sports car" out there. The so called "major service" is much cheaper than for example major service for 997 gen Porsche 911. As the engine only has 3 spark plugs, 3 coils, takes 4 liters of oil and so forth. The brake pads / disks are dirt cheap, from 5 series M-sport models (?), all kind of sensors (lambda etc.) are from 1/2/3 -series BMW, engine is same than in Mini (sensors / parts wise). You doesn't have to pay for ... how to say it, "marque premium" like with Ferraris / Maseratis / or even Porsches. High Voltage hybrid battery pack being only "?" -mark, but I think those will became more and more cheap as the technology goes forwards and various parts will became more common. Nowadays 1 cell is around 1k euros and the battery pack has 6 separate cells. Each cell can be individually replaced and the battery pack "balanced". Of course there's the labour etc but i8 battery pack is more easy to remove than for example an engine of ordinary family sedan. It just drops out from the bottom after various cables / coolant hoses etc. has been detached. Here's more info: wiki.aalto.fi/download/attachments/91692283/high_voltage_batteries_of_bmw_vehicles.pdf?version=1 I think that majority of battery pack issues will come if car is being used with out proper charging / maintaining the charge, regularly maintaining the HV battery charge / charging it via house hold socket / home charging station is really important. But many of the owners just run these with ICE engine; charging the HV battery back only when driving enough. One can ruin even a cell phone / laptop battery under a year if having "I don't care" type of attitude... The i8 does not have soundtrack nor soul like a Ferrari, but also it does not come with £$£$£$ maintenance bills either. The i8 is much more exotic or head turner than many of the German sports cars, especially any kind of Porsche (Boxter, Cayman, 911). Of course AMG GTS / GTR and something like R8 V10 are at class of their own, but such is the price tag also, and overall maintenance. So far I'm really happy of my i8, Jayemm nailed it: (Exotic) supercar look with sportscar performance with supermini running costs!
I got one and love it! Will never sell it!
Regarding the interior, I think the i8 does look different from other BMW models. No other BMW of the same period has that swooping dash, surely!
I’d honestly forgotten that they made a roadster! I like the i8… the tyres look a bit slim though.
Hello. Great video but I couldn't take my eyes of your shirt. Where did you get it? Please let me know in comments as I'd love to get that shirt for my husband. We live in Monaco, but I've never seen that shirt before. Thankyou. Tove. x
My wife has an X1 hybrid as her company car. I'd love the I8 engine in it.
“Giving birth to a 911”? I LOL’d when I saw it!😂
Great vid
Since they seem similar in concept, would the choice be the i8 or the Lexus LC500 (hybrid or V8)?
You mentioning how BMW don't know how to build sports car reminds me of that beautiful Z4 shooting brake concept they are not going to make despite setting the entire internet on fire.
Jay, Everytime I hear the music I imagine you dancing to it. Lol
I'm always dancing!
I just bought one of these today…. It was £2.80 on Tesco Clubcard price. Granted it’s a scaled down version but still an delivery miles i8 though
Have to disagree on the interior - still think about the interior on my friends coupe - felt like Jean Luc Picard every time I drove it. Amazing sweeping lines and lighting to match them, BMW also were first out the gate with the ‘fast mode means dash goes angry’ thing
Agree. I adore it’s beautifully crafted and designed interior.
Worth looking at Samcrac channel for his repair of one. Just getting the engine coolant would have most mechanics opting to slit their wrists instead !
BMW needs to make a new version of the i8. They should roll it out with their "generation 6" Neue Klasse battery packs. They should make it better performing and more useable. Having it a PHEV does add a lot of advantages
Would I change it for my Z4 Coupe? The mini engine is not the best. It looks good though. And I like it. But the cabrio is still expensive. 1.5 versus 3.0. I keep my Z4.
My friend owns one of these and yea, the back seats should honestly just not be there lol. Very fun car to drive though!
Lucky to not get pulled over by plod for the illegal plate.
Amazingly depreciated
Annnd... IF you watch any 'Throttle House' videos, YOU'LL KNOW that in the intro's they're showing James with a helmet bashing his head getting into the car!!! 🤣🤣🤣 (It was a clip taken from when they did review video on the i8) 😎🇬🇧
Still like the original in white/blue more, if anything, rear seats can hold some stuff.
Hi Buddy can you tell me what microphone you use please. Thanks
Beauty Car -- but the 3-cylinder engine seems less tough than other BMW engine designs.