Goodbye BMW
06/16/2021
The space has become available, the two BMW sports cars have new owners. I covered around 6000 to 7000 km in each of the two cars over two and three years respectively.
With the 2001 BMW Z3 2.8i Coupé, I was driving a robust and reliable youngtimer that was a lot of fun on the country road and didn't mind long journeys. At around 8.5 liters per 100 km, the handy "sneaker" could be driven moderately, faster trips demanded a certain express surcharge.
Apart from maintenance, only one ABS sensor and a few light bulbs had to be replaced in the three years or so that the car was on the road - not a matter of course for a 20-year-old car. And the Z3 didn't lose any value in the three years. The Z3 will continue to make its way, especially as a coupé, because it combines a lot of driving pleasure with a certain utility value and, above all, an incredibly attractive rear design.
With the 2016 BMW i8, I also wanted to drive a "classic pearl of the future" and a technology/innovation statement at the same time. Furthermore, wing/scissor door cars have always appealed to me and there aren't many alternatives.
The i8 manages the balancing act between saloon car comfort and cornering performance like almost no other super sports car. With less than six liters of premium gasoline and just over 3 kWh per 100 km, it was already a smooth ride; German highways revealed a stupendous sprinting ability, but also significantly higher fuel consumption. A drive over the Flüela Pass remains unforgettable, on which the i8 showed what it was capable of, but on which it was also unable to hide its significant understeer.
Some electrical and electronic problems had to be fixed in the two years and a complete set of tires, which was already due at 18,000 km, easily cost over EUR 1500 / CHF 1800. The loss in value was minimal, as I was able to benefit from the enormous depreciation of the previous owner as a second buyer and had to pay less than 40% of the new price in 2019.
Although the i8 is more suitable for everyday use than almost any of its competitors, its enormous width and lack of visibility meant that I also drove the car less than I intended. You also don't like to leave it in an exposed position, because the interestingly designed bodywork is all too easily damaged by contact with the enemy.
After my own experiences, do I still think the i8 is a classic pearl of the future? Actually, yes, but it depends very much on BMW how well the owners are supported in maintaining it. Visually, the car has hardly lost any of its appeal and younger classic buyers will definitely have their eye on it, even if the instrument display is a graphical disappointment and not worthy of a super sports car ...
However, the built-in technology is not for mechanics and even demands a lot from the BMW service center. Quote from a technician: "Nothing goes quickly with this car ...".
Incidentally, the space in the garage did not remain empty for long. But more on that another time ...
