"365Daytonafan" (365daytonafan01)
02/08/2014 at 10:31 • Filed to: None
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"365Daytonafan" (365daytonafan01)
02/08/2014 at 10:31 • Filed to: None | 0
| 7 |
My friend Chris Ratcliff is a full on Petrol (or gear if you live in the US) head, and drives an E46 BMW M3 as his daily driver. So you would think a drive in BMW's new i3 EV would not impress him. Think again.
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
> 365Daytonafan
02/08/2014 at 10:40 |
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I say there needs to be an i3M
With the engine from the M5
Rico
> 365Daytonafan
02/08/2014 at 10:50 |
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Great read. The i3's interior is a lot more compelling than I expected. However at that price range I would expected no less. Interesting take on the regenerative braking in the city, I wonder if it can be adjusted similar to how you can on a Tesla.
Also this line is why I can't see myself buying a manual:
" While I love the manual, every run up to 40mph involved three gear shifts before going back down the box. It felt like a train driver operating valves and levers to keep the machine running sweetly. "
Where I live most of the time you'll be doing 40mph for no more than a second or 2 unless you're on a highway and there's not a lot of traffic.
Jayhawk Jake
> 365Daytonafan
02/08/2014 at 11:25 |
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I've said it elsewhere: I really want a 0-40 time on cars these days, at least when compared to EVs.
Lets be real: how often do you really need to go 0-60? More often than not, you're going 0-30 or 40. From there you'll go to 60 or 70.
For the type of driving current electric cars do, 0-40 would be more relevant. More to the point, even the slowest electric car will be surprisingly quick to 40 when compared to most internal combustion cars.
I think the i3 would beat most comparable IC cars to 40, if comparable means compact hatchbacks and sedans.
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Jayhawk Jake
> Rico
02/08/2014 at 11:28 |
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I don't see how every run to 40 involves 3 shifts, or going back down the box.
He could start in second, and cruise to 40 with one or 2 shifts. Slowing down just put it in neutral and brake.
I think some people make manual out to be way more physically involved than it really is.
However, if you live somewhere with stop and go traffic on your commute (like LA), I strongly recommend not DD'ing a manual if you can help it. Manual blows in stop and go.
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Rico
> Jayhawk Jake
02/08/2014 at 12:50 |
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Any reason why starting in 2nd is better? Besides having to shift one less time? I assumed his E46 had a pretty short 2nd which is why he's all the way in 3rd by the time he hit's 40.
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Jayhawk Jake
> Rico
02/08/2014 at 15:29 |
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Not really. It probably has a short first. My car has a stupidly short first, I start in second more often than not
Drive Cult
> Jayhawk Jake
02/09/2014 at 02:34 |
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As this is my article and M3 we're talking about, I should clarify...
Three shifts to 40mph? Absolutley, in regular traffic. It will pull away in 2nd, but it feels like a bit of a strain and that's the last thing I want to put on such a highly tuned engine or let it rev too high in traffic for no real reason. It also means the gear changes arn't happening fast at higher revs when the shifts are sweetest, so there's a little footwell shuffle needed to finesse it too.
I love the M3 as a driving machine, but for the job of transport the i3 is easier, quieter and much cheaper!