My CHEAP BMW i8 Is A TERRIBLE EV *And I Have To Fix It*

I've owned my BMW i8 for about a month now and I use it for almost everything. After spending a good amount of time with the car I've got a few bones to pick with it. As a plug-in hybrid it should have some usefulness as an EV. Instead the i8 struggles to simply be a car when you're running it battery only. When the engine is running or when it's on a long trip the car is perfection, but as a daily driver it falls well short of any other plug-in hybrid. It has a carbon fiber chassis, doors that go up, insane good looks, but all of that is coupled with a hybrid system powered by a 3 cylinder range extender. Whether you think it's a supercar or not, I bought this one from @RichRebuilds because I've wanted one since I drove it 3 years ago!
MERCH: shopWatchJRGo.com
Shop Motul: motul.com
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Common Questions:
What motorcycle do I ride? A few. Ducati 1198, Honda Goldwing, Honda Grom, Honda Ruckus
What do I do for a living? Make KZbin videos.
Can you wheelie? No, I suck.
Are you fast? Sort of. I suck mostly though.
Where can I keep up with you off the bike?
Instagram: WatchJRGo
Facebook: WatchJRGo (or JRGo, FB hates my branding)
Do you go to school? College, for 2 classes.
Why do you ride so dangerously? What do mean? I was doing 25.
Do you go to the track? Of course, hopefully there will be videos in the future.
Do you play video games? No, but I might stream N64 Goldeneye at some point. Twitch: WatchJRGo
Are you afraid the police will watch your videos and arrest you? Something something evidence something something warrants and due process of law
#BMW #BMWi8 #CheapCar

[@Cartier_specialist]

In this episode JR says he doesn't want to sell it which = next episode: I sold my BMW I8

[@dewdew34]

6 months tops. The value meter drops monthly ...

[@wdsmauglir4683]

😂

[@Jonny-tr9qo]

So true

[@andrewpanciotti5518]

His channel is rinse and repeat always new junk and always new interest lol

[@chrisjbraithwaite]

Cue next KZbinr - I bought the worst BMW i8 in the world...

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Can Johnny do BMW software updates ?. If so then it could be worth doing all the software updates on the car. Im sure most of the issues have been resolved already. I worked for BMW when these came out and got to go out in one at BMW HQ in the UK. It really was like a spaceship at the time. A BMW test driver also had a blowout in one of the test cars at 150mph. Apparently it rolled about 14 times and he got out and walked away. I did see pictures of it as it was circulated internally in BMW. There was not much left !.

[@Chris-hw4mq]

I think BMW keeps its software secret so you have to use their dealer network

[@smarternu]

The fuse was blown because in episode 187, RICH plugged in a converter and ran a large microwave to make popcorn.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Gotta love the i8. I made your clear engine cover for my i8 and gifted it to Rich when I sold mine, so you have it now. I got so many requests to produce a copy of that engine cover from the public. I had no time. Anyway, hope you enjoy the car!

[@robotbro7187]

this comment should have been pinned

[@Mrflash222006]

Johnny will be able to do a ABS firmware update, that should sort it, the yaw and sas may need recalibration too

[@Scrambleman]

The ideal behavior/scenario on how you want the i8 and or Plug-in Hybrid described in the first part of your videos is exactly how the Polestar 1 functions (75-100 mile electric range, no weird traction light in EV mode, and kicks the engine on and lets it warm up before switching back into Hybrid or full ICE mode)

[@ThisGuyRates]

And my Kia Sportage PHEV for that matter 😂 For... A fraction of the price

[@Bum_Hip]

Maybe you could get something like a Chevy Volt for running errands, and such, and enjoy the BMW for weekend fun?

[@FrossYT]

I wonder if the Carly obd2 can change a setting for that traction problem. Have you tried it?

[@girderbender]

The trcation control turning on is typical for for BMW i-series driving on soft winter tyre at elevated temperatures. The i3 behaves very similary.

[@peterdaniel66]

One day people will realize that the VOLT was beyond better than any other plug in hybrid.

[@WatchJRGo]

I think everyone already knows, I hear every car guy sing it's praises. Volt was great... GM killed it. Bolt was great... GM killed it. GM really knows how to win 😂

[@andrewthomason3857]

@@WatchJRGo Didn’t they lose money on every one they sold?

[@raregmoney]

@@andrewthomason3857 ye

[@aftonline]

@@WatchJRGo That trend actually started all the way back with EV1. GM and EV's have a love-hate relationship.

[@KeithZim]

A small group of people who own large quantities of stock in both oil and automotive manufacturing are working to kill off competition. Like with most problems in the world a greedy billionaire is milking the root....

[@JayNoach]

You want it to be a Volt, except you already have a Volt. -from another Volt owner

[@WatchJRGo]

The Volt is untouchable... it's good at everything 😳

[@RealRickCox]

I heard a lot of complaining about how the car goes back and forth from engine to battery but I didn't hear how you're planning to "fix" this. I suspect this is programmed in to the car somehow. Can you change the programming?

[@TyredCyclist]

Has it been lowered? Could that be contributing to the traction control issues?

[@ryansmithza]

That poor transition between pure electric and the ICE kicking in is in stark contrast to my experience in an i8 I drove. I was shocked by how seamlessly the car transitioned between the different driving modes. I suspect that your problems have something to do with this cars chequered past. I also didn't find the i8 that I drove particularly fast but that may have more to do with how well it produced its performance. Well, whatever the case, I hope you can get yours sorted because if you can have a car that drives as nicely as the one I drove I couldn't see there being a good reason, apart from the cost of maintenance, that would make you want to sell it.

[@ianmuir3640]

But he always buys cars with a dubious history

[@died4us590]

I have been waiting to see how this car would do over time, hopefully you can find a solution to the traction control issue, that would be super annoying. Tell jake i said hi. G-d bless.

[@muramusan]

I dont get why gm cut the volt and bolt right when we needed it the most...they didnt lose money on it makes no sense

[@meomy1937]

Thanks for interesting content, thank you for all the effort you put into your videos.

[@MrHamlet]

DeLorean owner here who's replaced door struts many times. Little bit of lithium grease on the ball to get the strut on. $72 is a LOT for a door strut. I usually get the Stabilus.

[@nathanielcrenshaw187]

I have the same complaints about the traction control on my Gen2 Prius--any braking over rough pavement or when the car is otherwise unsettled activates ESC. Perhaps the relatively narrow tires on these cars contribute to the issue.

[@jerrylittle7797]

Good for you in letting a guy take his prom date out in the i8! One year for my son's birthday, I had a pony, a bouncy house and my good friends C5 Corvette...15 yrs later, he and his friends still talk about the Corvette ride!

[@scottcisney7150]

HELLO JR it has been fun watching you and this I8, do you think and speed sensor might be getting jarred causing the car to try to correct itself?

[@vinniemadrox]

Weird, my 2018 rav4 hybrid does the same thing. Any kind of bump and tc goes crazy, activates abs, and chops the throttle.

[@Monkeyseemonkey79]

7:05 a little silicone spray goes a long way when swapping out struts

[@ua7pyro591]

No kidding 😅

[@EdA-bz3bu]

Right on on moisture. My sister drives like five miles and like an old lady. especially with cheap conventional oil that the lube shops use. They hold more moisture need to look underneath your oil cap if their is white puss your engine is not getting to “operating” temps.

[@mutantryeff]

BMW: Bring My Wallet (even though those fixes were cheap)

[@andrewclark1966]

I know what you were actually saying, but I kept hearing "trash control". 🤣

[@bigboyiams]

Hey JR , in my moms car the accessory 12v fuse blows every time we put a new fuse, what causes thst ?

[@MarkHancheroff]

My I3 had that same popped fuse for outlet issue. getting the fuse i is miserable. thanks BMW. and every new BMW i've seen has that hidden outlet too. it's pretty cool

[@youandiryan]

FCP Euro is great. Timing chain went on my 2012 328i f30. It's a six-speed manual. Anyways I ordered pretty much everything I needed to redo the motor from FCP euro. And it wasn't horrible either

[@jiml6910]

I have news for you, the i8 is not an EV. It’s a hybrid. The point of the traction battery is to make the tiny IC engine perform like a much larger engine. If you go for short drives in an entirely IC car the engine never warms up either.

[@nickhannaford3253]

Very similar to the door struts on my DMC. Would be interesting to see if the i8 door has a torsion bar or spring like the D?

[@06MoeJoe]

Grand Tourer doesn't get groceries well...shocked face.

[@nelsonmcfarland4168]

You are King of the door and hood struts

[@willrowan2185]

OK< so I have an LCi with more EV range, but yesterday I put it in Eco Pro and did a 28 mile round trip yesterday - without the ICE ever turning on. & if you want to run the engine for 20 minutes, put it in Sport, and you'll get some charge in the battery as well. 🙂

[@meomy1937]

Hybrids seems to be rotary phone of cars now, in its day yes. Seems to be way to many drive trains for as good as ICE or BEV are separately.

[@ezesrebuilds1174]

Keep doing the great work, this world needs more of it.

[@recumbentguy]

You imply that the loss of traction causes the engine to start and give you AWD mode because the engine has started. There have been a few reviews of the i8 that say the engine will start under hard acceleration and that is by design. Could the engine activation in your i8 be related to the throttle position of your right foot? I drive a much less sporty PHEV and my engine will start under hard acceleration although the transition is seamless.

[@deathlokr6976]

Hey JR, what steering wheel is on that I8? I thought i saw in this video or the last one had a temp gauge or something digital on the wheel. Thanks.

[@WatchJRGo]

I assume it's a carbontastic, I never asked Rich where it came from 🍻

[@jaaaake777]

I'd suggest that i8s in general aren't terrible. Just this particular example. Matt finish vinyl wraps are usually an indicator of the wrong kind of person owning it on the past. Often covering up poorly repaired accident damage.

[@marvelousme5]

JR what volt meter do you use? Could you please send me the name and a link to where to buy it? I want to get my husband a volt meter like it. Thanks so very much!!!! Take care and stay awesome!!!! 👍🏻😃

[@WatchJRGo]

It's a Fluke 189... I don't recommend that at all, way overkill. A Fluke 107 is likely more than enough, I've never been in a situation where I *needed* the high resolution 🍻

[@marvelousme5]

Thanks so very much JR!!!! I really appreciate it!!!! I also wanted to let you know there was a little feedback buzzing in your video. I didn't notice it until I watched it for a second time. I just wanted to let you know. Thanks again for the information about the volt meter. Take care and stay awesome!!!! 👍🏻😃

[@DFWsCars]

My 2015 doesn’t have the traction issue- so I wonder if tune, tires. etc are causing this.

[@Cartier_specialist]

Those Blizzaks are probably not doing it any favors in the situation.

[@fromer13]

I have a friend that had an i8. The A/C compressor failing is apparently common. Hers went out and it was a $6000 repair. The impeller in the compressor falls apart and sends shards of metal into the system. Worst case scenario is metal shards into the lines that cool the batteries resulting in a $15,000 repair. The batteries have to be pulled to get to those lines and replace. So, you know, content.

[@Digital-Dan]

World's most beautifully designed production car, by a city mile.

[@smarternu]

FORD made a GREAT ev, I bought the Ford C-max because I am tall but it is fantastic. 42 mpg, seamless power and it has an EV only button. You make a good point about the gas engine, I would like a gas engine only button but no got. If I wanted to start the engine and keep it goin it would be easy with a heavy foot.

[@E_LPacked]

Hey JR, what would you say is the best Hybrid or good MPG for 20-24k? New or used? Ordered a Ford Maverick Hybrid but need a car and it’s been 8 months lol

[@WatchJRGo]

That Maverick Hybrid is gonna be hard to beat at 40mpg, of course the new Prius is amazing (but still selling for big markups), maybe an old Camry Hybrid to hold you over? 🤔

[@rmendez011]

I'd be careful on the Ford Maverick, Ford dealers are marking them up like crazy, and most don't have any, ordering has been suspended until September of this year in order to build all the ones already ordered, the dealers that did have one, were asking 30-40k for a base model Maverick, I was looking for a Maverick, gave up and purchased a Mazda CX-5 lmao.

[@hammerhead2558]

Ordered a Maverick too let it go after 8 months of waiting. Dumb me is now waiting on Toyota to come out with one. I guess I need to just build one and be done with it

[@farmoboy83]

​@@WatchJRGomy small european car, basic petrol motor design from the 80s can do 50mpg easily and almost 60mpg if i try hard. Instead of stupidly heavy overcomplex ev manufacters should have tried to go smaller and mainly lighter cars. It would be also better for tire wear, road wear and safer for other road users that keep "old" lighter cars

[@kerrylewis2581]

I purchased my Ford Fusion Titanium with 38,000 miles for $15,000, and it now has just over 100K. It's been a great car, other than needing to replace the rear shocks and mounts. Easy fix. It drives great for the price, and I average 40 MPG in the winter and 45 in the summer.

[@Iherb7365ket]

Can the traction control be turned off or turned down in anyway?

[@thomasaitken4931]

The i3 does the exact same thing with traction control. Every bump or pothole the car would cut power. Very frustrating!!!! At least the i8 looks awesome!

[@69Dartman]

Seems like a pretty cool machine actually but pretty old now. If you want it to run longer probably need a battery upgrade to lithium or whatever it was that Jake upgraded his Insight to. It's only money... 😂

[@bigsteppa298]

i8s came with lithium ion cells. The insight came with NiMh cells, which are heavier and cheaper (but much safer). Switching to lion or Lifepo4 cells is a common conversion with older hybrids because you just cant find new cells anymore and switching from a heavy NiMH pack to a lighter lithium pack will save you 50+ pounds. So changing the chemistry wont affect anything. That being said, for this i8, you'd want to increase the capacity of the battery pack by adding more cells to increase the range (which is another common mod within the hybrid community).

[@davidstewart3868]

Take off the Blizzak “snow/winter” tires, they are gooey/sticky above 70 degrees. The soft rubber compound is made for cold weather.

[@shakymctwitch8615]

Not sure where you get 3.8 0-60. CD and most other reliable rags have it over 4 which is still fast but not "supercar fast."

[@RetroMotiveAdventures]

I found this same issue with a Chrysler minivan plug in hybrid I had as a rental for awhile, the actual EV range was horrendous it was an amazing "hybrid" but as a "EV" for EV mode it was pretty awful.

[@r.weaver3769]

I'm sure the traction and engine run time can be coded through BMW ISTA or IMSA software. Next on the Car Ninja...

[@Watcher369]

Tripod if you are just standing there. Its like you are recording on a cruise ship in a hurricane

[@christopherguzzi1316]

You should buy a Mini Countryman SE. Good point about engine running time. Mine will skip back and forth constantly. Is that bad???

[@alfyer5]

Yes I know it’s no good to only run your engine like one min. Will it really harm it tho?

[@sveip]

DIY Extended battery next! :D

[@fabianhaleem3295]

I watch your content for a while now today I have to subscribe ❤

[@69Dartman]

My 06 Charger RT does the same crap with traction control fully on, chirp for a second then drop power badly, if I turn it off it lets it get more stupid but eventually raigns it in, but doing the key trick to fully disable it it tries to kill me, great fun...

[@Vynncent]

What's the key trick? I knew of the one to pull OBD codes with the EVIC, but not this one...

[@69Dartman]

@@Vynncent you drive over 5mph and turn the key to start and wait 5 seconds and it will chime and say ESPBASE or something similar and traction control is completely disabled so you release the key and the dash and everything comes back on. It will not run the starter while moving. It works for the early cars like mine.

[@Legoman585]

Dude you guys are lucky. In Australia we get in more trouble for having a radar detector than we do for speeding.

[@garyheighway7635]

It sucks for his how much the cars were that depending on the battery size and where the car was the battery was only expected the last 3 to 5 years.

[@ryebread1986]

That was the final boss of hydraulic lift supports. From now on they will all work

[@stephenhartley7219]

It's all about the drive experience, you're not happy nothing else matters that's why Rich ditched

[@kurtzxcvb3481]

Can you disengage the traction control by pulling a fuse?

[@AudiophileStooge]

Very much the same experience on my DeLorean with those pins . Doors are heavier though

[@CHMichael]

BMW should revisit the i8 , make the engine smaller, battery bigger and make the spoilers and air inlets adjustable.

[@douglasbray3563]

Good Evening John Ross

[@Bmeri3]

You should bought an i3 with the REX option. It knows what it is - a great EV that can run on gas if you can’t find a charger. The i8 is not an EV, it’s in the super car category in my humble opinion.

[@pkt1213]

You describe exactly how my 91 year old grandmother drives her Model S.

[@InspiredJJ]

Can you buy an old accord and fix it for old times?

[@MyKeeP81]

i8 is gorgeous and special. dont sell for a long time

[@MB34756]

When Rich posted it for sale i really considered it. I'm glad i didn't and you did :)

[@family-accountemail9111]

I love laying on my back in footwells ! I older now and one day I will get but not out!

[@ThriftMachine]

Is there a Firmware upgrade to fix that? Maybe Johnny has access to it?

[@05Forenza]

12:18 My hybrid Volvo (not plugin) does that same crap. it's so annoying lol

[@hammerhead2558]

I kinda wonder why EVs are set to extinguish the battery and then run on engine. Why not use the electric to get the vehicle up to a speed, say 33 moh and then merge in the engine and use fuel for power after that. I would love to analyze the data on this.

[@jonnyg.5778]

Thats how the new public buses run un Europe. New i mean between 5-10 years now. It leaves on battery, once It get to 10 15mph the diesel engine kicks and goes. As long as i know web hace Volvo and Mercedes. Cool stuff but for me unnecessary because we all pay it with our taxes and all know the shit it is

[@WatchJRGo]

This can but it has 4 drive modes and things vary wildly with in them. I want to drive it in edrive (full electric) as much as possible, but that's where it struggles the most. If you floor it in any mode it will start the engine, in comfort the engine starts at medium loads, in sport the engine always runs, and in eco pro everything is remapped to try and save energy. 🍻

[@joedingman4181]

Just remember Jr you bought and own until you sell it which means you’ll sell it soon

[@Czechbound]

So you're in EV mode, and you stab the throttle. For more power the engine has to kick in at high revs. But the engine is dead cold. Am I understanding that correctly. Is that what blew Samcrac's gasket ? It would be better to have it start in ICE mode, get the engine up to temp, and then revert to EV only, with the engine just kicking in time to time to keep its temp up. CAVEAT : I know nothing. I LOVE how these cars look, and would love to have one for a longterm keeper. But if I'm understanding well, it's like it's designed for the engine to get damaged over time

[@WatchJRGo]

If you never go wide open and its in edrive it won't start the engine, but if you do go wide open yes, it will start the engine and go straight to full throttle (I want to drive it so it never starts the engine, or the engine runs the whole drive) the car needs to last forever. It seems like all the issues from these are from low coolant, not running them hard, but I still try not to run it hard 😂

[@Czechbound]

@@WatchJRGo Thank you for your reply John Ross. Here in prague, CZ I've only seen 3 of them, and that was only when they were new. Up the street there is a small BMW dealership, and they never had one in their display window. But the i8 is such a head turner. It still looks like a futuristic concept car in 2023 ! All the best. LOVE the channel.

[@Daermos]

Could you do a battery upgrade to get longer range?

[@daveh2612]

I feel like JR should have Stabilus as a sponsor at this point.

[@johnsnow1355]

Most hybrid ev have cabin heat supplied by engine coolant so anytime u turn on the hvac system the motor starts up.

[@michaelc2254]

Why is it more harmful to run an engine for one minute versus 20 minutes? Getting to 20 minutes still makes you go through the warm-up phase. I would think that running it for one minute wouldn’t do any harm, unless you hammer it right away.

[@krakrakakakakahah241]

Such a nice car... Love to own one... My dream car... So amazing to see the scene in Mission Impossible.

[@UnknownUnknown-kz9nt]

Them gas struts do have lube wax or grease... helps not to corrode aswell... less resistance through out the years

[@jamesbeckwith780]

Hit it with your purse. 😂😂😂😂 hilarious

[@Shauma_llama]

A BMW with issues? 🤔 Was about to go to sleep, but have to stay up a bit longer. 😀 Glitter in your car! 😮 Is beating children allowed in Kansas? 😆

[@Cartier_specialist]

In Oklahoma they call it stripper dust.

[@noahburnham7240]

What radar sectors do you use?

[@captharis747]

Mini copper engine on it

[@le5.24]

What a surprise that it needs the internal combustion engine to become a good sports car..

[@denreed17]

I hope you find a shop soon.

[@cjzani]

Old habits die hard, our generation will be the last to call the 12V outlet a "cigarette lighter".

[@benschmidt8168]

Someone at some strut company needs to reach out with a sponsorship, that and O`Reilly's

[@bw227]

My 2022 challenger got AWD does the same thing with traction control. Not my favorite thing!

[@johnasbury3261]

Ono Jake's love of evs and BMWs is rubbing off on you

[@kerrylewis2581]

Are new tires for the i8 expensive?

[@yukimasaheppe1079]

Gas strut replacement master technician here😊

[@MrHamlet]

GM had it right with the Volt and they should have improved upon that platform. But 'doing it wrong' is in their blood.

[@jssouthtx]

There will come a day when hybrid vehicles are rare. You have a good example there. I definitely would not sell it.

[@TheCoolDave]

On the Traction control.... Software update ?

[@jonblondell-rv3hu]

Nice of you to let a kid take your supercar to prom! You're lucky all you had to clean up was glitter!! Ha!