I had the pleasure of sitting in an I8 today...

[Rev]

I took my car to Sycamores in Peterborough for a service and whilst waiting to be picked up wandered across to the showroom.

I'm friendly withe the guy in charge and he showed me the new I8. I sat in it with him and he offered me a drive, but I hadn't got time (Sadly).

It is awesome!

I started the engine and there wasn't a sound to be heard. Just the lights on the dash and the rev counter etc lighting up.

Completely odd.

The fit of the car and the feel though is fabulous. LED lighting all around. Like a space age thing.

I'm back to collect my car on Friday. Might have a trip then!

Update if I do!!

 

[David Cullen]

whats an 18 Rev? Renault?

 

[Rev]

i8.. BMW. The capital letter has thrown you, Sorry.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/BMW_i8_IAA_2013_04.jpg

 

[David Cullen]

oooooooooo god dam you must have pics Rev.... or get some please what an amazing car, did you bother asking how much with trade in ;-)

 

[Rev]

I have no pics, and certainly they would not be better than the internet pics. They start at 100K upwards, but are trading at £30k premium at present.

I have no interest in trading mine for one. They are lovely, but they are not a Z8 nor limited. I adore the "Z8" and the incognito factor the car brings. I've owned cars where you're hassled by all and sundry at every petrol station and photographed driving along. It's fun for a while but wears thin. People jockeying for position to have a look just causes aggravation. Roundabouts are the worst spots. Much nicer to toddle along where most people don't realise that you're car is special. Funny, but true! People just say with the Z8... thats nice. They have no idea of value or really what it is. I've been asked if its a 2.5 litre before. Doesn't bother me at all. I just take my pleasures from the car.

I drove through Reims this year and we were going down a dingy back street. Lots of young hoodied youths and a feeling of grimness. We had the roof down and were feeling a little vulnerable to say the least. As we went by I heard a guy go.... Wow! Cheered my day! I suspect he didn't know what the car was, but it just looks nicely.

 

[David Cullen]

it is nice to drive something different alright and you come across many genuine people who appreciate that fact, from old to young, and it does make you feel good and love your car even more nice to have something special Rev

 

[Zeti]

I don't know how fun it is to not hear the engine at all.......I'm not a fun of roaring engines (thus I like the sound of a Cobra from time to time), but it's cheerful to hear the engine, at least in a take over or when climbing a slope....
Of course the LED is another 21 st century's prerogative and looks good on modern cars, but nothing compares with the classic light of the classic bulb on the position lights at night......

 

[Googy]

gorra say it is rather stunning specially in white

 

[Brian4]

I don't know how fun it is to not hear the engine at all.......I'm not a fun of roaring engines (thus I like the sound of a Cobra from time to time), but it's cheerful to hear the engine, at least in a take over or when climbing a slope....
Of course the LED is another 21 st century's prerogative and looks good on modern cars, but nothing compares with the classic light of the classic bulb on the position lights at night......

On the options list :- exterior sound £85 make a sound as you drive up to 30 kph

 

[FRANKIE]

I took my car to Sycamores in Peterborough for a service and whilst waiting to be picked up wandered across to the showroom.

I'm friendly withe the guy in charge and he showed me the new I8. I sat in it with him and he offered me a drive, but I hadn't got time (Sadly).

It is awesome!

I started the engine and there wasn't a sound to be heard. Just the lights on the dash and the rev counter etc lighting up.

Completely odd.

The fit of the car and the feel though is fabulous. LED lighting all around. Like a space age thing.

I'm back to collect my car on Friday. Might have a trip then!

Update if I do!!

I remember you dropping me off in the parking lot when we parted and watching you drive away. There were several young men seated at tables nearby. I think they were all together. As you drove by, someone said something and they all jumped up to see your car. You really turned heads. It was quite a sight. I really felt good for you. Frankie

 

[Aceman]

I had a good look around the i8 at the classic motor show at the weekend and I have to say I was extremely smitten with it.

 

[Rev]

It's a very cool car.

My friend is the top guy there and his only reservation is the battery life. He reckons the desirability will go as the expected life on the batteries diminishes.

If they were limited numbers they would be worth a shed load in the coming years, but they will sell as many as they can, so it'll never be worth a fortune. But a lovely car and not a collectors car.... Yet! It will be though, it is a bit of an icon.

 

[metalmickey]

Yes, a damn good looking motor. There were two on show at a recent Classic Car show at Hampton Court Palace but no representation from BMW at all so no chance to climb in and out and twiddle the knobs. Never thought about battery life but having just purchased a Lithium ion battery powered Mountfield mower I realise that it might cost as much to replace the battery as it did to purchase the mower in the first place.
Maybe they will launch a combustion engine driven model although I think it has an LPG dual fuel option but not quite the real thing.
MM (Mike)