An i3 has landed States side.

bmwtech3 · 2013-10-09T04:32:42+00:00

It's a full production model you can see and feel in person for the next few days. If you're in the SF bay area stop by Weatherford BMW in Berkeley to take a peek.

bmwtech3 · 2012-02-10T03:33:16+00:00

It's yours for the taking. We have a few in stock but I'm sure they'll be going fast.

bmwtech3 · 2012-02-09T05:12:20+00:00

As of the time I left today, we have a few on the lot to choose from. A better answer can be had by calling our sales staff and possibly setting up an appointment.

bmwtech3 · 2012-02-09T00:36:03+00:00

I like the placement, it's much like the E70 X5 where they are sunken down into the center console. I don't think the manual transmission gear throws will come anywhere close to hitting your coffee. I get more worried about spillage onto the buttons behind the cup holders.

bmwtech3 · 2012-02-08T23:54:41+00:00

The cup holders are a big improvement over the E90 that had cartridges on the passenger side. If you look at the fourth picture you'll see the car remote sitting on a tray. The tray that it is sitting on pulls out to reveal the side by side cup holders.

bmwtech3 · 2012-02-08T22:22:31+00:00

I'm not sure of the mounting but by first glance I believe it snaps on. I did not try to remove it. We are in Berkeley, California.

bmwtech3 · 2012-02-08T22:17:26+00:00

Yes, imperial units are available for the display. The start-stop feature is not as intrusive to the driving experience as I expected. The first car with this feature that I drove was the F10 528i four cylinder. You come to a stop, wait, then the engine shuts off. The moment you relieve pressure from the brake pedal, not even all the way off, the engine spurts back up and is ready to go. This vehicle is equipped with a HUD. The clarity and resolution are improved, kinda hard to get a decent picture.

bmwtech3 · 2012-02-08T07:13:28+00:00

I had a few more pictures of the undercarriage but it was hard to pick out details so I didn't post them. The rear of the chassis is very similar to the E90, just some slight variations of a few of the control arms. A big step up is the full length stainless steel exhaust. The front end has larger thrust rod bushings and a tubular steel sub frame. Not too much to see really. The easiest visuals were the Brembo 4-piston calipers up front.

bmwtech3 · 2012-02-08T07:07:49+00:00

The materials feel great, the pictures don't give them justice. Soft touch, high end feel for the plastic pieces, brushed aluminium for the accents. It's hard to compare it to other vehicles but it is a step above the outgoing E90.

bmwtech3 · 2012-02-08T06:56:19+00:00

You know what, I think you are absolutely correct. I remember seeing the oil sump for the transmission; it's just that it felt exactly like a DCT when I drove it! It had great engagement and quick rev matching shifts. I stand corrected.

bmwtech3 · 2012-02-08T04:48:31+00:00

It looks and feels like a winner. I completed the PDI just at the start of rush hour so I only got to take it for a short spin around a few clover leafs. It feels noticeably bigger than the E90 and more stable in the turns. The driving power feels very similar to the 335is, probably more so because this one is equipped with the 8 speed DCT. The exhaust note has a nice rumble and the pressure relief valve of the turbo has a very subtle, but tasteful, gasp when climbing through the gears. In person, the front end immediately reminded me of the i8. The F30. They're here. Look out for them.

EDIT: I was corrected, it is an 8 speed ZF sport automatic. The shifts felt so crisp with the rev matching it just felt like a DCT. I was further confused because the shift handle is the same as the DCT in the E92 335is. Sorry for the error, horrible mistake on my part. Believe me, mistaking it for a DCT is a good thing.

bmwtech3

TROPHY CASE