[BMWSKI]

Apologies if this should be in the 'i8' section but I thought I would post in here just in case fellow members were interested... Feel free to move it if needs be

I'm not very good at writing witty and detailed text so please forgive me in advance. I'm also very much an enthusiastic beginner when it comes to cars and car talk so I will no doubt be telling most of you how to suck eggs

So, if you haven't guessed already, I had the privilege of driving the new i8 for an hour this morning
Man alive what a car! For a start this car has immense road presence. EVERYONE that clocked eyes on it couldn't take their eye's off it. Maybe the colour scheme isn't to everyone's taste but overall it's a real head turner.
Some of you may know that I also took out the M4 last week but I left the test drive feeling pretty underwhelmed if I'm honest. Don't get me wrong the M4 is a superb car but I guess it's pretty similar to my 335d for everyday use (I'm waiting for people to say my car is nothing like an 'M' car!) especially as far as the interior goes.

Anyway, enough about the 4...back to the i8
As soon as you enter the car (albeit slightly tricky) and pull down those doors it feels like you've jumped forward 50 years or so. Think Total Recall and that will give you some idea of how it feels.
You press the start button and the dash lights up but nothing can be heard. I'm then told to drive off which is weird. It feels like I've just released the handbrake and I'm now rolling forward towards the main road in a £112k motor.
I leave the dealership and immediately I hear the whirring and whistling of the motor - how cool is that! I would never get bored of hearing that

The car didn't seem as wide as I expected and the driving position felt good. Like I said, everyone that saw it stopped and looked. It was like being in a live TV commercial Visibility was pretty good considering.
A slight press on the pedal and you can hear the tiny petrol engine engage which is absolutely seamless. The car will swap between the two as and when it sees fit and the only time it will permanently use the engine is in Sport. I knocked it into Sport, the dials changed to red and I was then ready to open her up...

This thing sounds awesome! Whether it's a piped sound or not it's not annoying like the M4 was. It just sounds perfect. Well to me anyway. Moving up through the gears was smooth and seamless.
I drove around on a mixture of roads and they were all handled well. Hoofing it round corners felt like it was on rails especially compared to my wishy washy suspension
Booting it on the motorway was very nice indeed although I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to high speed. I love acceleration but I'm too scarred about losing my licence and I'm all too aware of unmarked cars now. I got stopped once when I had a C63 for the morning..

When I finished the test drive I didn't want to get out and hand it back but all good things come to an end.

Would I upgrade my car to this tomorrow?...Of course I would!

Photos are pretty standard but enjoy anyway...

[gtsussex]

Interesting. I'm quite looking forward to trying one. I think you've answered my question with your photos but I'll ask anyway. Was wondering how much space there was in the back. Can I ask, did you take those photos with the seat in your driving position? If so, how tall are you?

Have a nasty feeling sprogs won't fit which means a no no....

[Steven1077]

One of the ugliest cars I've ever seen, who in their right mind would spend over 100k on one? It looks like it was built in someone shed

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

Interesting. I'm quite looking forward to trying one. I think you've answered my question with your photos but I'll ask anyway. Was wondering how much space there was in the back. Can I ask, did you take those photos with the seat in your driving position? If so, how tall are you?

Have a nasty feeling sprogs won't fit which means a no no....

Hi gtsussex. Yes, the photos were taken with my seat in the driving position. I'm 6ft and there appeared to be a reasonable amount of space in the back considering. My dealer was telling me that he had a test drive last week and the guy had his kids with him. They thought it was ace!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Steven1077

One of the ugliest cars I've ever seen, who in their right mind would spend over 100k on one? It looks like it was built in someone shed

If I had 100k to spend then I'd consider it. The looks are a big positive for me, the reviews have been good but sounds like the handling could be a bit more exciting if it's to compete with a 911 though.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Anyone in West Midlands area Benhams in Wolverhampton have one.

Frustratingly I could have drove one, however as I am currently 'handless' declined the invite.
Driving my car with a dodgy hand is one thing, a 100k car is nope, maybe next time.

Looks wise, it's very marmite, I believe first version will be as it is, next versions more standard.

Did sit in it, agreed it is a scene from total recall or blade runner.

It needs a nesspresso though

[JustChris]

Nice write up mate.....but who wouldn't upgrade to a £100k scissor door car

M4 destroys it for performance but for an eco early adopter attention seeker it a techno marvel ahead of the game...as ever. Well done BMW.

[PrinceBarin]

Just seen one driving through London. Looked stunning and turned a lot of heads too. It even sounded pretty good when the driver booted it up the road a bit. I'm sold and managed to sneak a quick pic...

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by PrinceBarin

Just seen one driving through London. Looked stunning and turned a lot of heads too. It even sounded pretty good when the driver booted it up the road a bit. I'm sold and managed to sneak a quick pic...

Yeah, the sound is pretty good

[JoshB25]

My dream car right now. Nothing comes close to wanting one of these!!

[teaston]

Lucky bugger!

How'd you manage to get them to let you drive it?

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by teaston

Lucky bugger!

How'd you manage to get them to let you drive it?

Ha ha. Just getting on well with my dealer at the moment...

[carzaddict]

its definitely not the best looking on the outside. they're trying to be different like Audi did with the R8. never the less, its not horrible.

the interior is fantastic....a futuristic refresh on BMW's standard layout. And yes getting in/out is VERY awkward. good luck with a girl in a skirt....you'll quickly find out what color panties shes wearing (if any)

[dtn]

Very nice! And lucky.

Not really in the top 3 for dream cars, though. Doesn't jaw drop like a Gullstream SLS. :P

[Alkidrew]

i think its a nice looking car, would prefer "normal" doors though...wouldnt want to open those in a multi-storey car park!

Does it seem big compared to a 3 or 5 series?

[B58_Touring]

I seen one in the dealership the other day parked up next to some 3-5 series etc, looked a bit on the small side for me and dare a say, a little bit naff

[JC72]

The reality is £100k doesn't buy you that much anymore when you're getting into proper serious cars.

If I was in the market, I'd take one of these all day.....

[rejhart2]

Saw one in enfield north london and almost dropped the coffee I was drinking. Awesome looking car. I was indoors so couldn't hear the engine but it definitely had presence.

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

i think its a nice looking car, would prefer "normal" doors though...wouldnt want to open those in a multi-storey car park!

Does it seem big compared to a 3 or 5 series?

TBH it didn't feel that big really. Not sure what the exact size is compared to my 3 but I liked it

[zooberoo]

Thanks for the write-up BMWSKI. Great photos too.

I'm not sure about the doors though!

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

TBH it didn't feel that big really. Not sure what the exact size is compared to my 3 but I liked it

For interests sake....

i8

Length: 4689
Width including mirrors: 2039

F30

Length: 4624
Width including mirrors: 2031

Not that much bigger and no where near as big as a 5 series.