Popular cars from BBA can drop from over 300,000 to just over 100,000. Four years ago, this seemed unimaginable. But in the era of electric vehicles, it feels normal. Take the BMW i3. Its price ranges from 353,900 to 413,900. Recently, rumors surfaced. The i3 has a limited-time discount price of 159,000. The down payment is 31,700, and the daily payment is only 109. Is this true? Let’s visit the BMW dealership to find out!
What discounts are available for the BMW i3? According to BMW, the price over 150,000 is a marketing tactic by some dealers, not an official reduction. This discount is only available at certain local dealerships in Zhejiang. There are also requirements like housing fund contributions.
What discounts are available in most areas? We learned from a 4S store in Shenzhen that the i3 costs 170,000 yuan (23400$) after discounts. Buyers need to take out loans and utilize various government subsidies. Notably, the sales staff revealed that the top model is hard to find. Customers buy up all the new cars. The 2024 eDrive 40 L sports package, originally priced at 413,900 yuan (56960$), drops to just over 200,000 yuan (27520$) with trade-in, government subsidies, and other policies.
Netizens have mixed opinions on BBA’s electric cars. However, objectively, you can now buy a car worth over 400,000 for just over 200,000. That’s a real discount. Would you pay for it?
Is the BMW i3 worth buying? In the past year, i3 sales reached 49,800 units. This number isn’t huge, but it’s significant in the electric vehicle market. For comparison, NIO ET5T sold 48,400 units, and Zeekr 007 sold 45,000 units. Many criticize BBA for entering the electric vehicle market late, calling their electric cars “no-name brands.” However, the sales figures tell a different story. In the first half of this year, BMW sold nearly 180,000 electric vehicles, a 34.1% increase year-over-year.
Buying a BMW i3 now has clear pros and cons. One major advantage is the brand effect. At least with BMW, you can count on reliable after-sales service. Many domestic brands frequently face issues and go public. Investing hundreds of thousands carries risks. Brand reliability offers important assurance.
The second advantage is clear. If you love the 3 Series and want an electric car, you will enjoy the i3. It has a rear-mounted electric motor. You can choose between two power versions: 286Ps and 340Ps. It comes standard with air suspension. BMW excels at tuning driving dynamics. The i3 offers smooth acceleration and deceleration. It even recovers energy seamlessly. Unlike Tesla, it doesn’t feel stiff or jumpy.
Let’s see if it suits you. The entry-level battery is small. It has a 526 km range under CLTC conditions. After adjustments, the real range is about 400 km. Even the mid-high version doesn’t exceed 600 km. However, this range is enough for daily city commutes and occasional short trips. Now, look at the interior space. The car measures 4872 mm in length and has a wheelbase of 2966 mm. These specifications are better than the Model 3. We measured the rear space. At 176 cm tall, I had nearly a fist of headroom and three fists of legroom. The seat angle is just right, so it doesn’t strain the back. The downside is the high middle floor, making it uncomfortable to sit in the center.
The smart level features an integrated screen. It supports CarPlay. It does not focus on high-tech trends. It leans towards practicality.
I recommend the 2024 eDrive 40 L Night Package. After discounts, it costs less than the base Model 3. It offers a longer range of 592 km and more power, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.6 seconds. This version includes more safety features. It has a 360-degree panoramic view, L2 full-speed adaptive cruise control, automatic lane change, automatic parking, and tracking reverse. Basic functions like smart keys and keyless entry are also available only in this version.
Written at the end.
The home mid-size car “Blue Sky White Cloud” now starts with the number 1. Who would have thought? If you had the chance, would you buy the BMW i3 now? Share your thoughts!