The BMW i8 is apparently going to be a lot rarer than expected.

"Battery Tender Unnecessary" (carac)
09/16/2013 at 12:09 • Filed to: BMW i8

Even large dealers may only get 1 or 2.

I recently sat down with the manager of one of the largest BMW dealerships in the state. They sold one of the first US M1s back in the 70s. He was told by corporate to expect only 1 i8. And that there was a very slim chance for a second. Given it's apparent rarity they're making a big deal about it's arrival, with a reception and "grand opening" of the i portion of the dealership. Which is way rarer than I was expecting. He also said that only dealers that are qualified "i" dealers will be getting one. To qualify they have to commit a portion of their showroom floor specifically for i vehicles, similar to the way Mini dealerships were chosen at the beginning, where you had to devote showroom space to sell them. Members of the service dept will also require special training. They were fuzzy about the last requirement but I believe each i dealer is also obligated to install a customer quick charge station. This means smaller dealerships where floor and lot space is at a premium to begin with will not be getting any.

Needless to say, it appears seeing one in the wild will be a rare occasion.

DISCUSSION (17)

liquid_popcorn > Battery Tender Unnecessary
09/16/2013 at 12:10

Wow; that's intense.

That said, being in the DC area, I feel like my chances to see one are decent. I am excited.

Party-vi > Battery Tender Unnecessary
09/16/2013 at 12:11

So about that deposit...

Battery Tender Unnecessary > Party-vi
09/16/2013 at 12:13

Heh. I guess I should have mentioned that I'm the one at that dealership. Said to expect delivery in Feb/Mar. Options/color list to come soon. Just a few conditions to prevent flipping it immediately, which I'm not planning on doing anyway, so they were moot points in my case.

Party-vi > Battery Tender Unnecessary
09/16/2013 at 12:18

Sweet. I'm hoping to see a write-up on here after you get it ;)

Jayhawk Jake > Battery Tender Unnecessary
09/16/2013 at 12:20

I take it you're trading in the SLS for it?

Battery Tender Unnecessary > Jayhawk Jake
09/16/2013 at 12:22

Nope. Keep it forever. It's going to replace the daily driver, a 17mpg Range. I've been waiting for a hybrid that isn't some half-assed conversion of an existing model and isn't bore your brains out dull. The i8 appears to fit the bill. The jump from 17mpg to 94 should be interesting.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > Battery Tender Unnecessary
09/16/2013 at 12:38

Well I guess being #2 on the list for my dealership may not be as good as I thought.

Jayhawk Jake > Battery Tender Unnecessary
09/16/2013 at 12:38

Awesome. I think you win Jalopnik with that decision...

Victorious Secret > Battery Tender Unnecessary
09/16/2013 at 12:46

You know, if you ever need anyone to take that SLS off your hands

Wink wink nudge nudge

Battery Tender Unnecessary > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
09/16/2013 at 12:51

In my contact with a couple dealers, it's only the ones that are already planning or executing on become i dealers that know anything about the situation. One dealer wanted a non-refundable $5k deposit to be 3rd or 4th on the list and said they knew nothing except what was in last week's press release.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > Battery Tender Unnecessary
09/16/2013 at 13:32

Huh. Well my dealer contact is the owner of the dealership (who is himself #1 on the list). He told me that he didn't need a deposit until option selection time, that it would be nominal (I was ready to hear any number up to $10k). We didn't talk about "refundability" but non-refundable is in my experience not the way these things are done - what would that mean, that they keep the money if you don't ultimately buy the car AND can sell it to someone else? That would be weird.

Battery Tender Unnecessary > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
09/16/2013 at 13:41

Yeah, it's weird. The deposit is non-refundable, but transferable, which means they hope you'll just buy another vehicle you don't want if you can't get the one you do. The Mercedes dealer next to them wanted a $50k deposit when I was looking for a SLS allocation back in 2011.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > Battery Tender Unnecessary
09/16/2013 at 13:58

I debated putting a deposit on a 1M a while ago (and eventually bought one off a lot - one of the benefits of living in the Bay Area). Every discussion of deposit involved the word refundable.

Do you live somewhere that it is likely the dealer would be unable to move a high-end car like an SLS to another buyer? Otherwise I find that somewhat odd.

Battery Tender Unnecessary > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
09/16/2013 at 14:02

The terms were reasonable.

Refundable deposit, sticker price, I let them keep in the in showroom for a week for their event and to show their VIP clients. And right of first offer, which just says if I decide to sell it, I offer it to them first, no obligation after a good faith offer.

Battery Tender Unnecessary > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
09/16/2013 at 14:04

That dealer was in Knoxville, Tn. A couple hours from me. I think the reason for their caution is that they were stuck with a McLaren SLR Roadster for over a year, and eventually sold it to a dealership in California.

Battery Tender Unnecessary > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
09/16/2013 at 14:51

The dealership where I have a deposit on the i8 had sold through their allocations of 1M Coupes by the time I got around to ask them. I think they had similar terms with their 1M orders. Said he recently offered one guy $64k for his 1M coupe he paid $49k for, but he's holding out for $72k.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > Battery Tender Unnecessary
09/16/2013 at 15:17

Someone's already bored of their 1M? Heck, I run through cars pretty quickly, but I'm keeping that guy. (Although, I suppose everything's for sale for the right price, but $72k isn't that close.)