Used BMW i8 Coupé 2014-2020 reliability
Category: Coupé
The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car that does things completely differently, and it's a great used buy.
What should I look for in a used BMW i8 coupe?
As a sports car with a six-figure price when new, the i8 is the kind of car that owners tend to look after. Even so, it’s worth checking the wheels for scrapes and scratches, looking for any bodywork damage (particularly around the doors, which require a lot of space to open) and ensuring the tyres are in good condition with plenty of tread remaining.
It’s also worth assessing whether the car’s tiny boot will suffice, because it makes a Porsche 911 look like a Volvo estate by comparison.
There have been three recalls concerning the i8 to date. The first affected cars built in 2014 and related to a possible fuel leak. The second was for cars built in October 2015 to address a faulty sensor that could cause the car to understeer when braking, and the third was to address a possible airbag problem with cars built towards the end of 2016.
What are the most common problems with a used BMW i8 coupe?
Electrical issues
While some owners have had to return their i8s to dealerships to address warning lights, it tends to be for isolated cases rather than any faults that are common to all i8s. The fact the petrol engine has been proven in the Mini means it shouldn’t give any problems, the six-speed automatic gearbox is proving to be robust, and many of the other controls have been taken from other BMWs, so they've been thoroughly tested.
Doors
Many owners find the butterfly doors can be a real pain in car parks, because they need a lot of room in which to open. As a result, some owners will only park at the end of a line of cars to avoid the risk of someone parking so close that they can’t open the door.
Is a used BMW i8 coupe reliable?
The i8 wasn't included in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, but BMW as a brand ranked 16th out of 32 manufacturers.
