Affordable Dream Car: Why Did The BMW i8 Depreciate So Badly, and is it Worth Buying One Now?

The BMW i8 was a revolutionary car. It had genuine concept looks, an innovative powertrain coupling a three cylinder turbo with a potent electric motor and the promise of low emissions.

But, the cars failed to hold money, with examples in the UK losing tens of thousands of pounds of value in the first year. What went wrong, and now you can pick one up for less than half their new price, should you?

#BMW #i8

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[Vonstroke]

There's no dual clutch 'box in this car James. It's a traditional torque convertor.

[crazyfroggie]

Still think this is one of the better looking BMW exterior designs.

[NathanBaker]

The problem was the cost.
The hybrid demographic cant afford such a car.
The car community would rather get something else for that money.

[cullen]

I rented an i8 a little while ago and I want to give my truly honest perspective. This car is drastically misunderstood in the wide scheme of what it is and what it delivers. It receives hate because of its powertrain, but the powertrain is what allows a lot of people to own something that's outside the class of McLaren or a Lamborghini. Sure, those are amazing cars with a very driver-centric feel and deliver the true supercar experience. The powertrain allows you to own the car with much lower maintenance costs than the exotics that it competed with at MSRP. It was much easier on the wallet that way. Was it super great with acceleration? Not really. Did it pull you back so you did feel something fun though through the eBoost torque? Yes. That's what makes it fun. The mid engine configuration and weight distribution is great. There isn't a mid engine option for this price other than a base model used Cayman. Absolutely incredible in the canyons. If you don't care only about straight line speed, then this is an amazing drivers car in the canyons and mountain roads. Brings a smile to your face. Very planted, very predictable.

In the way of it being a daily, it can be done if you're not concerned about too much space. The fuel economy is crazy and you can practically live off just the eDrive mode alone if you're going to and from work within your city. But I wouldn't necessarily say that this car deserves the "supercar" title. I'd say something along the lines of "Exotic GT Coupe."

This car doesn't really compare with the exotics in it's original MSRP range. This is more like a comfortable GT style car that allows you to live under the "supercar" esque status but for less than half the price. The way that this car makes you feel while you're behind the wheel, approaching it, and leaving it is a whole different experience than what you're used to in a normal car. During the time of renting it, I had people pulling out their phones rolling down their windows yelling at me how crazy cool the car was, and coming up to me and asking me if they can have pictures in it. I even had someone come up to me in the gym expressing how cool the car was while it was parked out front, and how it was the most interesting thing he'd ever seen in his 65 years on this earth. This car is a unique bridge between being able to live under the supercar status without having to pay the exorbitantly high supercar price tag.

It absolutely was not worth the original MSRP from when it was released. I see why no one would have ever thought about buying that car when it was new. Is it worth it for around 50-70k as it is? Absolutely. Would I buy this as my daily driver? No. I wouldn't. My Porsche Macan GTS is faster and a lot better as a daily than the i8 is. But the i8 delivers something special. It makes you feel a way no other car could and nearly holds its own class and in it's depreciated market state. It's incredibly worth it. I'm buying one in 2 weeks (from the time I'm writing this comment.)

Sorry for the long rant, I just wanted to be completely transparent! Hope this helps if there's someone here unsure about how to feel about the car or if you're in the market for one.

[tiagob]

Why did the i8 depreciate so badly?

Because it's a car.

[baladan]

This was perhaps one of the most generous reviews of the i8.

[ovfcsde]

He looks like the straight version of James Corden

[evanrice]

The design is beautiful and is still within modern style of today’s cars

[thedrivebygg]

You have to love what BMW did, this was probably developed in 2013, they were years ahead of any other manufacturer and even today it’s a great car

[michaeljamisontigers]

I bought one 4 months ago, and I love it, I bought it too keep it, but mine seems to be the last 2018 that was available mileage is now at 5555km . I do forget how to fuel it up because you never do it . If you want to be happy with it get the one with Laser lights, Display key and a theme to it, Black edition for instance .I am very happy with it, if You feel the power even if You change gears at 3000 rpm You will understand

[Tenths]

A sportscar that looked forward and to the future but kinda had its priorities backwards! 😅

[ianmowbray]

Way over price, should have been a lot cheaper when they first came out.

[ImmrtlPhnx]

I worked at a BMW dealer here in the US in 2014 when the i8 was being hyped up and eventually was rolled out. From the outside, it looks striking and definitely garnered reactions.
Fundamentally it's a car that never quite made sense: it was trying too hard to be a hybrid at the cost of not being sporty like a BMW. It was more expensive than a Tesla Model S which used no gasoline and can go further on a full charge. It's a chore getting in and out of it because it's so low to the ground--and the seating position felt more awkward than natural/ergonomic.
Not sure what BMW were thinking with this one; nevertheless the car looks awesome from the outside and, if nothing else, they gave it a good effort.

[samcourt]

I really like these, I still think they’re a cracking looking thing, it’s a bit confused but also kind of ahead of its time. It seems the people who actually buy them love them and they make a loved sense for commuting into places like London. Running costs seem pretty good too.

[R-Tap]

Beemers struggle when over 100k. Then there is the fear of the tech being superceded the day after you purchase. Nobody wants last year's laptop.

[DamoDrives]

I reviewed the roadster version and that was fantastic, cruising around in the summer with the roof down in all electric was fantastic and a slightly strange experience. Like the looks and the scissor doors. I agree with the pointless rear seats in this model but no rear seats in the roadster but no additional boot space as it’s taken up with the folding roof

[SilliusSodus]

Three cylinders sounds genuinely good when done well. I kinda like the gruff sound.

[carlmaissan]

The whole BMW "i" launch was a massive missed opportunity. The i3 was a fundamentally a good car for its time and would've sold double if it looked desirable not Prius fugly. The i8 couldn't decide if it wanted to be a junior supercar (against the R8) or a GT (alternative to 6-series or S-class coupe), and ended up appealing to neither camp. Combined, they blew what could've been a big lead for BMW in the mainstream-brand EV game

[maccas]

When it first came out it looked very cool until you realise that it is powered by an tuner “Mini Cooper” engine... at that absurd sticker price 99.99% of people went for the R8...

[p.informatico]

I don't think the deprecitation stopped, it's already on freefall.