BMW i3 Electric Car

BMW ended production of the i3 in July 2022, closing out nearly a decade and around 250,000 cars. Since then it has become a sought-after used EV, prized for its carbon-fibre construction, premium cabin and genuine city agility. Among used buyers, the final 42.2 kWh (120 Ah) cars - and the sportier i3s - are the most desirable, thanks to their longer range.

With the i3 now firmly a used-market car, prices have come down, making it one of the more affordable ways into a premium used EV. The petrol REx (range extender) versions remain popular with buyers who want a safety net against range anxiety. As always with an older EV, the key things to check are the battery health and remaining warranty rather than just the headline price.

The BMW i3's range depends entirely on which battery it has. Early 22 kWh cars (2013-2016) manage around 130 km in the real world; 33 kWh cars (2016-2018) about 200 km; and the final 42.2 kWh cars (2019-2022) up to 310 km WLTP, or roughly 260 km in mixed real-world driving. The REx versions add about 150 km more via a small petrol generator.

All i3s are rear-wheel drive and surprisingly fun, with 170 hp in the standard car and 184 hp in the i3s. The i3 does 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds (6.9 for the i3s), with a 150 km/h top speed. Instant torque and a light, carbon-fibre body make it genuinely nippy and agile around town.

The BMW i3 earned a 5-star Euro NCAP rating when it was tested in 2013, helped by its strong carbon-fibre reinforced passenger cell. It comes with multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control and ISOFIX anchors, with parking sensors, a camera and additional driver-assistance features available depending on the year and trim. As it is now a used car, the exact safety kit varies by model year, so check the specific car's specification.

The i3 charges via a Type 2 connector for AC and CCS for DC fast charging. DC charging peaks at around 50 kW, taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 40 minutes - modest by today's standards but fine for a city car. At home, an 11 kW AC charger does a useful top-up in roughly 4 to 5 hours. Note that some very early or base cars had slower charging hardware, so confirm the charging capability of any specific used i3 before buying.

When new, BMW covered the i3's high-voltage battery for 8 years or 100,000 miles. As the i3 is now a used car, what matters is how much of that battery warranty (and any vehicle warranty) is left on the specific car you are looking at - so always check the in-service date and battery health report before buying.