Is a used BMW i3 a good buy?

The BMW i3 has been around since 2013, but it hasn’t changed much over the years. That’s great news for fans of BMW’s first all-electric car who might be looking to save money on an early version.

While the tech may not be quite as up to date, choose a BMW i3 and you get a car that still looks striking plus along with the street-cred of driving an electric car

Conceived in the days when electric cars were distinctly ‘alternative’, the BMW i3 took a radical approach to both its design and construction. It's a five-door hatchback similar in size to the VW Polo or Ford Fiesta, albeit offering a far more upmarket feel.

It does away with traditional pressed steel construction instead making use of a lightweight carbon fibre body and aluminium chassis. This lightweight setup not only boosts the BMW i3's range, but also makes it faster than you might expect.

We mentioned the BMW i3 was alternative and it exhibits a number of unusual features. The small rear doors are rear-hinged for easy access to the back seats - and can only be opened once the front doors have been swung out.

Meanwhile, the body itself is tall and boxy, although due to its compact size it’s still a little cramped for adults in the back. The boot is constrained too, by the need to house batteries and a motor at the back, so you actually get more luggage room in a Ford Fiesta.

Improvements in battery and motor tech over the years mean later BMW i3 models feel quite a bit faster than early ones. That said, even the early models zoom silently to 62mph in around eight seconds, with later models cutting that to nearer seven seconds. Meanwhile, the more powerful i3S has reduced that to 6.9 seconds.

Which used BMW i3 should you buy?

The BMW i3 rides comfortably and handles corners well, though it's not the most satisfying car for enthusiastic drivers on their favourite B roads. If you spend more time darting around town and enjoy zooming away from traffic lights in silence, however, the i3 is still undeniably agile and fun to drive, proving comfortable, quiet and stress-free.

It may not be far off a decade old now, but it's still a radical-looking thing, as newer electric cars play it safe to appeal to a larger number of drivers. Indeed, BMW didn't directly replace the BMW i3 when it came to the end of its life – its focus is now on electrifying mainstream models.

All the more reason, therefore, to enjoy the BMW i3 while it’s still state-of-the-art. Although all versions of the BMW i3 look similar, there have been various options and upgrades available over the years.

While there are no trim levels as such, BMW does offer the BMW i3 in a variety of colour and trim setups called ‘worlds’. Theese are 'Loft', which is upholstered in a mixture of greys and browns, 'Lodge' which adds a mix of leather and woollen cloth, and the most expensive 'Suite', which has luxurious full leather.

The BMW i3's standard specification includes a digital dashboard display instead of traditional dials and lots of creature comforts including nav, parking sensors, heated seats and climate control. Keep reading to decide which type of i3 is best for you.

What used BMW i3 trim levels are available?

The BMW i3's standard specification includes a digital dashboard display instead of traditional dials and lots of creature comforts including nav, parking sensors, heated seats and climate control. Keep reading to decide which type of i3 is best for you.

BMW i3

The standard BMW i3 is the most popular on the used market with a wide choice. The first thing you need to know is that early BMW i3 models came with less energy-dense batteries than the car gets today. The original 60Ah/22kW battery is quoted as having a range of 80 to 100 miles, driving through a 170hp electric motor.

With a 7kW charging point, you can be 80% charged in less than three hours. The final 20% takes longer as it’s harder to stuff electrons back into a nearly full battery.

If you’re using an ordinary plug, however, charge time is a lengthy eight hours. On the other hand, use a public rapid charger and you can be up to 80% in less than 30 minutes. A battery upgrade on 2017 cars saw the introduction of a 94Ah unit with a 120-mile range, while more recently in 2019 a 120Ah battery was introduced with a 190-mile range.

BMW i3 Range Extender

For drivers who needed a greater range, from 2013 to 2017 the BMW i3 was offered with a petrol engine alongside the electric motor – but it only kicks in to help charge a low battery and doesn't drive the car itself. Though the BMW i3 has a tiny petrol tank, this does mean that you can keep topping up the tank to stay mobile should you be unable to find a plug.

The small 650cc two-cylinder engine originates from BMW’s motorbike line-up, and it sits underneath the boot floor. Paired with a 60Ah battery, these 'REx' models promise around 120 miles of range. While this is less impressive than the latest battery-only 120Ah model, drivers could opt to fill up the petrol tank in a few minutes and continue with their journey more quickly, charging on the go.

BMW i3s

If you’re looking at a newer BMW i3, keep in mind that BMW tweaked the BMW i3’s suspension in 2018 to improve ride comfort and handling. That’s also when the BMW i3S model was introduced, which has lowered sports suspension, grippier, wider wheels and tyres plus a marginally more powerful motor with Sport drive mode which improves acceleration but knocks the range back a little.

For 2019 models onwards the standard BMW i3 will do 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, while the BMW i3S passes the same milestone in just 6.9 seconds – not bad for an eco-warrior city car. This might sound like a small advantage over the standard car, but the BMW i3S looks and feels a bit sportier, while the instant acceleration makes it feel faster than you might expect.