Is The BMW i8 PLAYED OUT? What Would YOU Get Over The Flagship BMW Instead?

One vehicle that had a meteoric rise to fame was the BMW i8. With a design that looked futuristic, efficiency of an economy car and the performance capabilities of an M3, there was plenty to like about it.

But rare they are not.

If you are in New York's Manhattan or Los Angeles' Beverly Hills, be prepared to see these things littering every street corner. Is it necessarily bad for BMW? No. Is it bad for the owners who ponied up top dollar or event paid a mark up? Absolutely.

On my daily commute it's fairly common to see at least one i8 on my ride from the suburbs into the concrete jungle. And, every time I see one the sleek design seems to be blunted on me more and more.

So, I have to ask: Is it ME or is the BMW i8 PLAYED OUT?

SanJoseDriver - 4/25/2017 1:24:44 AM

+1 Boost

It is still one of the most unique designs on the road today. Don't see too many in Silicon Valley, maybe it is less popular over here than LA or NYC. I have a friend that got one because they are more far more rare than other premium cars (and he really likes the design).

Yes, I did try to convince him to get a Tesla, but I do see his point. Here is a photo from this morning: http://i.imgur.com/VifLBXO.jpg

TheSteve - 4/25/2017 1:51:44 AM

+1 Boost

To me, it has all the charm and charisma of an attention-seeking 16-year-old high-school girl.

The styling, though "unique," looks awkward. It's like it's trying too hard to get noticed and be different, for the sake of different. The piped-in engine sound, done via the sound system, is a fraud, perpetrated to make it at least *sound* like a sports car to the driver. In one reviewer's words (paraphrased), "operating the i8 is not so much like driving a sports car as it is playing with a sports car app."

If YOU like the i8, and you get one, then great on you! I won't be sneering at you or calling you names. It just has not won my admiration, sparked my inspiration, or even piqued my interest.

mre30 - 4/25/2017 7:47:53 AM

-1 Boost

It is great for BMW that the i8 is a sales success. For a daily driver exotic, its actually a good choice. BMW also treats its customers well and its easy to service and pretty durable.

No the i8 is not played out - it is however due for a refresh and enhancement.

SanJoseDriver - 4/25/2017 11:45:15 AM

+2 Boost

It is a pain to get in and out of, especially the back seat. Pretty comfortable when you are in though. If they dropped the motor and made it a pure EV I think it would perform much better as well as being more competitive for the cost. The tiny motor is holding the car back.

MDarringer - 4/25/2017 8:33:04 AM

+2 Boost

The i8 is played out either that or it never caught on. Either way it's a turd for sales. 1500 last year is a 40% sales collapse over the pervious year, but even that is a pointlessly irrelevant number for sales.The fact that it looked like a next-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse didn't help matters. For many people the trendy styling was too trendy.

pmrmd - 4/25/2017 11:41:05 PM

+3 Boost

The design is just too polarizing. I wouldn't even think about considering the i8 for my garage.

quizz - 4/26/2017 2:23:20 PM

+1 Boost

For the same price, I'd rather buy and drive a 1997 Porsche 911.

TheSteve - 4/26/2017 3:07:02 PM

+1 Boost

quizz: Or a nicely-appointed 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4, or a 2017 Porsche Carrera 4 GTS with some options.