BMW i8 buying guide

What Car describes a single engine and one well-equipped specification, so year and body style are the only real decisions. Early cars have a 7.1 kWh battery and a 23-mile electric-only range, per Autocar. The roadster launched in May 2018, and BimmerBench says both bodies then moved to a bigger pack of 11.6 kWh gross. The front motor got stronger too, and combined output rose from 357 hp to 369 hp. The EPA rates electric range at 18 miles for updated cars and 15 miles for earlier ones.

CarsCounsel calls 2019 the best year, with the larger battery, the extra power and the roadster body. Motor1's writer would look for a 2019 coupe, with the roadster even more tempting if the budget allows. Both are quick: Motor1 gives 4.2 seconds to 60 mph for the coupe and 4.4 for the roadster. BimmerBench counts 16,581 coupes and 3,884 roadsters built, so open cars are the scarcer body. Our pages on the i8 LCI Coupe and i8 LCI Convertible show every one listed.

CarsCounsel rates 2015 to 2017 cars as the budget route, with similar core technology. The 2014 car needs careful inspection, CarsCounsel says, as a first-year build subject to a fuel tank recall. The earlier i8 listings cover those years.

None of these is guaranteed, but they are the faults the sources raise, with the costliest first.

Hybrid battery cost

BimmerBench says the hybrid pack came with warranty cover for 8 years or 100,000 miles, and that complete failures are rare. CarsCounsel warns that replacement outside warranty is extremely expensive, so the car's age and mileage against that warranty matter.

Air-conditioning compressor

The electrically driven compressor has failed, and Motor1 says repairs can become extremely expensive if debris contaminates other components.

Butterfly door struts

Autocar says the door struts have been known to fail and are costly to repair. Motor1 adds that the gas struts and hinges can wear with age.

Fuel flap and pressure sensor

The fuel flap can refuse to open, more often on hot days or around a quarter tank. BimmerBench says a new flap did not always cure it, and sometimes the fuel pressure sensor needed replacing, which means dropping the tank. A backup release cable sits in the trunk. A BMW bulletin extended the sensor warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles.

Turbo coolant line leaks

The O-rings on the turbo coolant lines harden and leak. Unexplained coolant loss is the sign.

Software and rear heater

Autocar says software issues are not uncommon. BimmerBench reports that the rear-window heater elements can fail.

Carbon structure repairs

Motor1 says repairs to the carbon-fiber structure are expensive, which makes any accident history a serious concern.

Exotic Car Hacks puts an i8 oil change at $138 to $250, depending on where it is done. The sources we read give few other service figures, so get quotes from a BMW specialist before you buy.

The large bills are the ones listed above. Autocar calls door struts costly, Motor1 warns the air-conditioning compressor can turn extremely expensive, and CarsCounsel says out-of-warranty battery replacement is too. Motor1's view is that ownership is not inexpensive. Our price guide shows what cars are listed for.

Look for a 2019 i8, coupe or roadster, as the sources most often recommend. It has the bigger battery and the extra power. A 2015 to 2017 car is the other option CarsCounsel backs, but treat 2014 with caution. Start with the used i8 listings.

Insist on a battery health report, a BMW-specific fault scan, clean recall records and doors that work. Walk away from any car with unexplained coolant loss or an unrepaired accident history in the carbon tub.