EV Thread

[Brannen]

Yeah the exterior actually looks pretty good for a new BMW. The steering wheel is awful looking though. And I'm not sure why they are replacing the dashboard with that dash bar thing (not sure if it has a name). Is any information other side of the car for a passenger?

[Mito Man]

Yes it just repeats stuff from the main screen like temperature and music etc
Apparently it’s 2300kg. For the smallest BMW saloon. It’ll end up paying the SUV levy that’s coming up in many EU cities

[Holley]

I do quite like it, but was expecting this to be a little more out there looks wise.

Not quite as efficient as I thought it would be. 108kwh and 559 miles of range (5.17) compared to Tesla M3 at 75kwh and 466 miles range (6.21).

Probably down to the weight difference (2300kg vs 1840kg).

[simon_g]

Picked up our Honda eny1 yesterday - it's a pleasant thing and I'm very happy for the price. Will do a real-world 200+ miles easily, adaptive cruise and lane keeping works great, plenty quick enough, the massive screen is responsive and easy to use - it helps that it always stays in three zones. Could just do with a bit more regen, but I'm used to the Leaf epedal and the aggressive regen of the i3.

Really need to get the i3 cleaned, photographed and put up for sale ASAP now.

[IanF]

The new BMW iX3 has the same steering wheel as the i3 and the Carwow team don’t mention any injuries but it still looks weird imho

[Jobbo]

I was not a fan of the new iX3 but there was one in the showroom yesterday and I'm won over. It looks very different in the flesh to the X3; much tauter (the new X3 looks bloated in comparison) and the Vauxhall Mokka style front end is much more BMW than it looks in photos. It doesn't look particularly Neue Klasse to be honest; just the way the headlights run into the grille and the way there's reverse rake to the headlight/grille area to evoke shark-nose BMWs of the past. But it works and the interior looks good too.

[Marv]

Matt Prior seems to like it alot

[jamcg]

Renault really are on a roll with the retro styling at the moment

[Shlergen]

Tesla rwd long range test drive today. Hate to say it but I liked. Nice cabin finish, rapid, handling ok and a nice place to be on the motorway.

Not a fan of gear selection being a drag option on screen but otherwise all good.

[jamcg]

[simon_g]

Definitely some of that DNA in the I Vision Circular concept they did a few years ago. https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/a ... anguage=en

Or come and buy the best looking BMW EV ever made. Olwd out yerrand, etc etc

[Matty]

Anyone charge from a 3-pin?

I'm still hovvering over a Honda E for the short hack around town, and was planning to 3-pin charge as it'll be more than enough overnight for a 20-mile round trip. That being said, someone on Reddit has his 3-pin plug burnout and lots of "electrical engineers" are claiming it's dangerous, never to leave it unattended, for emergencies only, etc.

I'm finding mixed opinions online, with many "it depends" situations. I had the house fully electrically rewired 15 years ago, so everythings fairly modern. I just don't really feel the need to spend £1k on a fast charger when it's just not needed for my scenario....

[Jobbo]

I’ve charged my M5 from a 3-pin socket a few times. It only runs at 2kW, so ~9A not the full 13A, which is slow. But it’s still enough to expose anything wrong with your wiring, socket etc. You also don’t get the benefit of smart charging keeping the cost down. It’s also a lot more faff plugging in both ends than using a dedicated charger. Something only for temporary use I’d say.

[Carlos]

I used a 3pin on my i3 Rex with no issues as do many.

As Jobbo mentions they only pull 10a max and the one I had could be set at 8 and 6 if required. I've never heard of a car or charger fire but can see how a long constant load could expose poor wiring. They aren't drawing anymore than a washing machine, dryer or dishwasher.

I also used to plugin at the supermarket which was free at the time and occasionally still is. An hour shop would get 7kw in or if lucky you'd find a 3 phase charger which in the i3 was 11kwh max but some cars will take 22kwh.

[simon_g]

I’d have no worries on modern wiring (RBCO consumer unit etc) and plugging straight in - no extension leads. The charger should have a temp sensor on the 3 pin plug and cut if it did get too hot.

The problems come with dodgy old wiring, there’s still wire fuse boards out there and decades of DIY bodges.

You’ll get 7-8 miles of range per hour of charging so fine for a lot of commutes or as a runabout.

[16vCento]

Both Kuga and Golf are only charged using a 3 pin plug at both old, and now new house and we've never had any problems. (Had the Kuga three years now).

I will probably install a proper charger soon though as new car in September will possibly be a full EV,.

No idea what car I want though, possibly a Ionic 5N or similar might do.

[Carlos]

Fab city car, nice to see the use of essential knobs and buttons

[Explosive Newt]

Anyone charge from a 3-pin?

I'm still hovvering over a Honda E for the short hack around town, and was planning to 3-pin charge as it'll be more than enough overnight for a 20-mile round trip. That being said, someone on Reddit has his 3-pin plug burnout and lots of "electrical engineers" are claiming it's dangerous, never to leave it unattended, for emergencies only, etc.

I'm finding mixed opinions online, with many "it depends" situations. I had the house fully electrically rewired 15 years ago, so everythings fairly modern. I just don't really feel the need to spend £1k on a fast charger when it's just not needed for my scenario....

I often charge from a 3 pin when at my parents' house (truly a granny charger). Bloody slow but if it gives you all the charge you need... the tesla 3 pin limits you to 10A, around 2kw so you can do the maths on your KWH. I have been quite paranoid about using a decent socket / extension with its own breaker, interestingly the tesla charger has its own plug temperature sensor and can throttle the amperage, although the only time this has happened to me I think it was related to direct sunlight.

[Jobbo]

EV benefit today - I was able to park in the closest space to the entrance at McArthur Glen by plugging my M5 in.

[integrale_evo]

One of the reasons I haven’t got an i3 is because of the expense and hassle of fitting a charger as although not ancient ( house is 1930s, wiring is not, and has proper breakers ) apparently fitting a charger would need it upgrading.

Can easily dedicate a normal plug to charging though.