The 2014 (60Ah) I3 Rex Vs The 2017 (94Ah) I3 Rex

255 miles of combined range? This reach figurer is likely a trivial more optimistic than existent life, simply I definitely believe 200 miles is possible amongst the novel 2017 i3 REx.

What a divergence iii years makes. I was able to secure ane of the offset 2017 BMW i3 REx cars that made its way into U.southward.A. dealer inventory, compliments of Chris Chang, Sales Manager at BMW of Bloomfield here inwards New Jersey. The vehicle is mostly the same as my 2014 i3 REx, the 1 large exception is it has the novel 94 Ah battery cells, which increment the overall battery capacity from 21.one-half-dozen kWh to 33 kWh without increasing its physical size. That was necessary, since this isn't a redesigned i3, together with so the battery modules had to cheque inwards the existing battery tray.

The 2017 i3 REx inwards Fluid Black side past side to my "Moloughney Red" wrapped 2014 i3 REx

As much as I wanted to depository financial institution cheque out the moonroof option that this motorcar had (last the moonroof is available inwards the USA!), inward that location is no denying the single nearly important improvement I was interested inwards was to notice out how much more than than attain the new model has. The EPA reach rating for the 2017 i3 REx is 97 miles per accuse, as goodness as BMW claims 180 miles of full go far at when combined amongst the added miles from the make extender. The full 2.four gallons of gas is direct available for the REx. Previously it was software express to solely ane.9 gallons so the vehicle would qualify as a BEVx vehicle. My 2014 i3 REx has an EPA rating of 72 miles per accuse, as well BMW claimed a total make of 150 miles including the arrive at extender miles. So the novel i3 REx should offering nearly 35% more than than all-electric gain, if the EPA examine results are accurate. One thing to banking concern neb is the auto manufacturers do the hit testing inwards family unit, together with reports it to the EPA. I hateful many people are under the assumption that the EPA tests the cars, together with they build non. Manufacturers have been known to "massage" these numbers to jibe their needs.

Range Testing

I wanted to perform iii tests. The start was to fully charge the machine inwards improver to endeavor it like shooting fish in a barrel. I didn't hypermile, but I took it a picayune easier than I ordinarily hold. It was 83 degrees, which is favorable for skillful make, exactly I did have the A/C on the entire quaternary dimension. I drove inward Comfort Mode because that'sec pretty much the exclusively way I always motion inwards. I took a combination of highway inward add-on to secondary roads besides basically drove the speed bound with moderate acceleration from stops.

After 100 miles of driving, the auto all the same had 26% terra firma of accuse together with was estimating an additional 37 miles available. I've driven my i3 long plenty to know how far it tin become, within a dyad miles, together with I'i one G certainly enough if I were driving my i3 inward those same atmospheric condition it would pick out gone nigh 72 to 76 miles before the make extender would have got got needed to turn on. This new i3 REx easily beat out out the 35% range increment expected past times the EPA range rating. In fact, based on these results I telephone call dorsum it would alive difficult for me to get less than 100 miles per accuse even if I tried. So that's what I did for the side by side attempt out.

This fourth dimension I was going to endeavor it harder. Not Autocross hard listen yous, merely I'd punch it from all the stops, drive 75 - lxxx mph on the highway inwards add-on to non business organisation concern myself with using the regenerative braking to their fullest reward. Basically, I'd crusade similar I was late to an important meeting. Halfway through, I realized my efforts weren't making much of a difference. At l% SOC I had driven 62 miles likewise the reach reckoner withal showed 62 miles to expire. I did noticed that the gas range guess had dropped from 85 miles to 75 miles though, even without using whatsoever. That's because my driving efficiency was much worse than it had been on the outset 100 mile try.

Seeing how I was yet on my vogue to 120+ miles of make, I stepped upwardly my assault on the tires, inwards add together-on to genuinely thrashed the machine around a fleck. It worked, together with I further reduced my efficiency. I finished upwards this 100 mile trip amongst solitary xiii.v% SOC together with estimated 16 miles remaining. I was able to trim downward the unmarried accuse go far at yesteryear 21 miles, merely I couldn't brand do to move less than 100 miles of reach, which was my goal. In my sentiment this is keen intelligence. Honestly, I don't know how this auto is rated at 97 miles per accuse; that'sec most impossible to get in at unless it'2d existence operated inward mutual common common cold atmospheric condition condition or peradventure beingness driven at a really high charge per unit of speed. I'ane M certain inwards 1 case the wintertime months scroll inwards also the temperature drops it won't live hard to travel less than 100 miles of electric range. However inwards moderate temperatures, I mean nearly people testament e'er live inward triple digits. Based on the experience amongst my automobile, I'k guessing this novel i3 REx testament likely average most 85 to xc miles of all electrical attain inward the wintertime. My automobile solely averages nearly threescore to 65 miles of electrical striking when the temperatures are below 30 degrees Farenheight, therefore 85 to 90 miles sounds virtually right for this novel, longer get in at model.

Even amongst trying to expire less than 100 miles, I all the same managed 100 plus an estimated xvi miles remaining.

The REx Test

The in conclusion essay was to encounter if the hit extender operation was whatsoever unlike. Much has been made over the fact that the i3 REx tin make it Reduced Power way, as good as tedious downward nether certain strenuous driving atmospheric condition. So I depleted the battery, drove it for l miles as well as made surely enough to pick out it upwardly roughly loma climbs at highway speeds. The starting time matter I noticed is the attain extender operates the exact same agency every fleck it always has. It doesn't turn on until the battery land of accuse reaches vi.v%. The "Hold State of Charge" pick is yet disabled hither inwards the U.S. of America, as well as so if yous want that feature, it will notwithstanding select to be unlocked yesteryear coding the vehicle, equally before. There was more than or less speculation that the automatic plough on bespeak of the REx mightiness live at a higher SOC amongst the novel model, but I tin tin tin confirm that's non the instance. However, inward that location were 2 observations that I noticed that were positive.

First, the arrive at extender seemed quieter from inside the cabin. In my machine, the REx motor is pretty tranquillity as well unnoticeable until it kicks into it'2nd highest output fashion. At that point yous tin can definitely hear the scooter engine revving upward high from underneath the convey upwards seats. It'2nd kinda similar you lot're existence chased past times lawnmower. On long highway trips it testament piece of piece of work at its highest grade for well-nigh of the journey together with the noise is noticeable. I'll unremarkably turn the radio upwards a notch to cancel it out. With this novel automobile, driving at a constant 75 mph to eighty mph the motor seemed much quieter than it does on mine. My married woman was with me for ingredient of this test inwards improver to she as well noticed. She truly asked me if the REx was 50-fifty running. It seems to me that BMW improved the REx soundproofing. It does audio but as loud as before from outside the vehicle, only it's definitely quieter on the inside.

Secondly, (too I've reached out to BMW for confirmation on this simply haven't received a reply all the same) it does seem like the REx motor has been tuned for a slightly higher output. I took the vehicle on highway roads that I effort on regularly, together with lead on occasion done so when the REx was operating. The hit extender was able to agree the dry out land of accuse higher, together with under more than than strenuous driving atmospheric condition than my 2014 REx tin tin. There's i detail long incline that I have got every xx-4 60 minutes menstruum. With my automobile, if I showtime at the bottom amongst one-half-dozen% SOC inward add-on to brand lxx mph upwardly to the summit I'll deplete the battery to nearly 2.five%. I did this same essay with the 2017 machine as goodness as I reached the tiptop of the climb amongst v% SOC remaining. I repeated the climb amongst the same results. I likewise noticed that I could drive at goodness-nigh 75 mph on level basis too keep the vi% SOC. My machine can concord the SOC on flat world amongst a constant 70 - 72 mph, but non whatsoever higher or the charge will slow deplete.

I know the half-dozen.v% buffer is directly larger, because it'sec holding ane-one-half-dozen.v% of 30 kWh instead of one-half dozen.v% of good-nigh xix kWh, too and so that extra costless unloosen energy is definitely helping, but to me it appears that the REx motor has a higher output for the 2017 model. The REx motor inward my machine is rated at maximum power output of 28 kW. I wouldn't live surprised it we uncovering out the ability has been increased to nearly 33 kW, merely I don't pick out whatsoever official confirmation on that. I'i thou exactly going on what I've experienced with the previous REx cars as well as how this novel 1 compared to it. Another hint that I may live right is the REx is right away rated at 35 mpg, downward from the 39 mpg which the previous models were rated at. I don't mean the extra 170 lbs lone would crusade a loss of iv mpg. I believe it working harder forthwith to create more than loose energy, which was I'thou guessing was achieved through a software adjustment.

After driving 42 miles on the highway I still had lxx.5% SOC as goodness as an estimates 93 miles or arrive at remaining. My 2014 i3 REx doesn't even kicking the bucket 93 miles per accuse! The hit of the 2017 is a substantially greater than previous i3s, fifty-l more than than than the EPA rating would expression to advertise.

Faster Charging With A New Profile

Previous model twelvemonth i3s were capable of charging at 30amps which, at 240 volts, gave a maximum depict of vii.ii kW. The novel i3s tin tin direct 32 amps which translates to seven.4 kW. Not a huge departure, merely it tin assistance if you're waiting for the motorcar to accuse to a for sure SOC so you lot tin can unplug as goodness as have. I should greenback that nearly public charging stations are express to xxx amps, inwards improver to then it won't make a departure on those units. However at dwelling house, I have got charging stations that tin tin deliver 32 amps too so I was able to monitor the divergence. My automobile unremarkably accepts vii.i to vii.ii kW (depending on the voltage furnish) precisely this novel i3 was consistently drawing 7.3 kW to 7.4 kW, and then I tin confirm the onboard charger upgrade.

The charging profile of my 2014 i3 REx is on the left, as good as the 2017 i3 Rex is on the right.

Both charged from ane-half dozen.5% to 100%. The 2014 motorcar charges fully inward nigh iii.5 hours likewise the 2017 inwards close 4.v hours.

I did discover something interesting spell monitoring the charging profile of the novel i3. Instead of the accuse accuse per unit of measurement of measure gradually tapering off as the SOC reached 90%, as goodness as slowing downward for the terminal xl minutes of charging, this machine took the maximum accuse per unit of measurement goodness-nigh correct upwardly to the halt of the session. I charged it iii times to monitor this together with it behaved the same style all 3 times. I've never observed this on whatever other EV. Normally, the vehicle slows downwards the charging charge per unit of measurement of measurement considerably as it approaches the finish of the session to tardily residue the cells. This takes place one fourth dimension the vehicle is over 90% inward addition to the last 5% to 10% of charging takes much longer than charging at lower SOC. That'2d not happening amongst this vehicle. It solely slows downward slightly, besides lonely for a yoke minutes at the really end. The charging charge per unit doesn't gradually lower until it shuts off, it more than closely resembles falling off a cliff. Interesting.

Finally, a Moonroof

This is fully opened

The moonroof is a novel alternative for the U.southward.. It'sec been available all along for i3s exterior of North America, also similar a shot it's available hither as goodness. The moonroof is a $i,000 pick together with is a carve upwardly version, having 2 openings separated past a solid middle department. Each opening has its ain manually-operated sunscreen, only the moonroof itself is ane slice, together with slides dorsum with a push of a clit. However it solely opens virtually viii inches, slightly more than than than one-one-half of the actual opening inward the roof. It'sec non 50-l large plenty to stick your head out of it - non that you would want to construct that; only the indicate is, it'2d a bag-sized opening. The moonroof does arrive at 2 things, though. It allows more than depression-cal inward the cabin, giving the feeling of it existence more than open up up. It likewise allows you to eliminate side window buffeting past times only tilting the moonroof open up up.

Available Battery Capacity - Surprise!

BMW states that the novel battery is 33 kWh, together with 27 kWh of that is usable. That'2nd lone 81.8% of the total pack, much less than the xc% they allowed to live accesses on the threescore Ah battery pack. When I read that I wondered if it was peradventure sign that the novel 94 Ah cells were less tolerant to deep discharge than the threescore Ah cells were, as good as as well as so BMW was going to live conservative with them. So when I fully charged the battery afterward the kickoff 100 mile try out run, I checked the hidden diagnostic bill of fare as goodness as to my surprise it was showing a total xxx kWh accessible. So BMW is allowing access to or so 90% of the overall pack, only similar they brand amongst the threescore Ah cells. That explains the extra make it at I've witnessed but it doesn't explicate why BMW'2nd official opinion is that inward that location is alone 27 kWh accessible. Perhaps it'sec for battery capacity warranty claims?

While the "Batt.Kapa.Max" isn't an exact mensuration of the available capacity, only it is existent closed. Close plenty to endeavour at that place's much more than than than the 27 kWh that BMW claims is available.

Gained Some Pounds

The alone negative I've constitute is that the novel battery is heavier, inward addition to adds 170 lbs to the curb weight (3,064 lbs to iii,234 lbs). This does case performance a flake. The motorcar doesn't experience quite every chip responsive as my 2014 does. Without testing the functioning times, I'd enjoin it'2d belike some a 1-half a instant slower from 0 to threescore mph. Handling didn't appear quite as crisp as mine either, only that powerfulness non live this motorcar's mistake. It has the xix" turbine wheels, inward improver to my i3 the xx" wheels amongst the sport tires, which are wider as good as take a larger contact spell. I as well lately lowered my machine with sport springs from H&R which hold improved the handling, and together with so it'sec non fair to compare the handling to my motorcar.

My i3 earlier as good as after installing the H&R Sport springs. It dropped the automobile i" inwards the forepart as goodness as .viii" inwards the convey upward.

The other functioning change I noticed is the regenerative braking seems to be blended inwards differently. When driving slow, it seems pretty much the same as my auto does. However at higher speeds the machine will coast more than when releasing the accelerator. The regenerative braking doesn't initially come up upwardly on equally aggressively every combat is does on my automobile. It will acquire progressively stronger if you continue to coast, only initially upon releasing the accelerator, the motorcar freewheels a lot more than than than than previous versions brand. I similar this for highway driving, as freewheel coasting improves efficiency. If you lot slightly depress the friction brake pedal, the friction brakes aren't used, instead the auto used kickoff uses solitary regenerative braking, until yous depress the brake pedal harder.

Summing Up

After a dyad days besides driving over 300 miles I feel it'2nd safety to gild that I believe nigh people testament notice the average usable make it at greater than the EPA rating of 97 miles per accuse. I most wonder if BMW purposely underestimated the go far at a bit inward an endeavor to nether-hope as good as over-deliver. On my 2014 i3 REx, I've establish the attain to live pretty roughly the EPA rated hit of 72 miles per accuse. I do average a few miles more than than that during the warmer months, as goodness as nearly x miles less per charge during the wintertime when it'sec mutual common cold. But this novel i3 has unexpectedly trounced the EPA range rating past a expert for you margin. I intend good-nigh people should average good over 100 miles of pure electrical reach on these vehicles. The gain increment testament undoubtedly forcefulness shut to people deciding on whether to acquire BEV or REx into the BEV military machine camp. I know if I were buying i today I'd get BEV likewise. Getting this multifariousness of arrive at with the REx, I'1000 sure as shooting 125 to 140 miles per accuse would alive slowly to arrive at amongst the 2017 BEV. That, combined amongst the always increasing CCS DC fast accuse networks, would really live all I require for all my driving needs.