It has come to my attention that there is a SMOKING HOT deal on a BMW i3 here in California, and I’m struggling to resist it. I should, because $15,000 isn’t cheap, but it’s for a 2019 BMW i3, which has twice as big a battery as my 2014, yielding twice the EV-only range. I could probably sell mine for $10,000ish, but would it be worth it? Help me decide!
Apple Carplay, twice the range, roughly half the odometer mileage, the new fascia, a less-worn steering wheel — these are a few of the benefits I would get if I bought the 2019 BMW i3 for sale near me. I’d have to plunk down $15 large, which will be a hard pill to swallow, but I’d get a $1000 rebate from my power company, so that’d be $14,000 plus tax, probably bringing me to about $15,500. I could sell my current i3 for probably $10,500, so all in I’d probably have to drop $4 or 5 grand to get those benefits. Is it worth it?
It might be? I mean, look at this beautiful golden-brown carbon fiber range-extended electric car:
Here’s the interior:
I love my dark gray 2014, too, and I prefer both its 19-inch wheels and its Giga World interior to the 2019’s above:
In fact, I love the car so much, I just made this effusive Instagram reel:
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You’ll notice that my i3 has the bigger screen and Harman Kardon audio system. Really, when it comes to the interior, this 2019 would be a downgrade. But the cabin still looks cool, plus it has Apple Carplay and I guess I could swap the seats and door panels…
But I don’t really need 150 miles of range. My i3’s 70-80 miles gets the job done 99 percent of the time, and that once percent isn’t using so much fuel that spending $5 grand on the 2019 would pay off anytime in the next decade.
That said, my i3’s original battery only lasted 135,000 miles and nine years; if I plan to keep this car for a while (and I do), buying a 2019 could allow me to put off replacing a battery for at least another nine years. In truth, I think the 2019’s battery pack will last even longer, as it’s an improved chemistry.
But now we’re talking almost a decade in the future. Who knows what the world’s battery situation will look like then; maybe I should just hold onto my $4-5 grand, keep enjoying a car whose problems I’m familiar with (it’s pretty much problem-free), and Love The One I’m With?
But that bigger battery and Apple Carplay are so tempting.
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Images of 2019 i3: Facebook Marketplace
I’d say if you can find a buyer for $10k-ish, it’d be worth it to cut down on the overall mileage. Knowing what the i3 can do and wanting it to stick around before old Bimmers get bad, go for it!
I’m in a similar boat. Mine is a 2017, with the mid-sized battery good for about 100 miles.
I’m wondering if it makes more sense and less hassle to just keep running yours and eventually swap in a bigger battery? they will probably get a bit cheaper, I’m guessing. Also as Mark Kress suggested here, selling it may yield less than we would hope. with today’s interest rates the car market is a bit slow.
I mean hell, I’m picking up a 2012 Golf TDI from San Diego this afternoon and I was able to talk the price down by 12% because the seller is tired of waiting on offers.
Hate to break it to you but you’re probably not getting $10.5k for that. Prices have come down drastically on these earlier i3s.
David, the only logical answer is buy the 2019 and keep your current one too.
It is a BMW: retrofit the speakers and amplifier, as well the screen, as well anything that you find desirable.
I think you should leave it. Your current car seems to wok out fine for you and the battery has already been replaced for free. Keep it for 5-6 years or whatever and when it is done for you may want something newer anyway.