https://www.whatcar.com/news/used-bmw-i3-vs-vw-e-golf/ Used BMW i3 vs VW e-Golf 22 Oct 2017
[images https://whatcar.media/images/uploads/news/e37117a0624c005cce1c19a59907d828485ed6b5.jpg?width=810&resizeStyle=aspectfit&quality=90 http://whatcar.media/jpg/50/0/0/960/640/0/0/0/0/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/images/uploads/inline/cb92a4cad7c46b80409f2e24080e9027e01d7ced.jpg i3 https://whatcar.media/images/uploads/news/963d7759f3b21d8cda2c23af6d2e28aa83f857e5.jpg?width=810&resizeStyle=aspectfit&quality=90 https://whatcar.media/images/uploads/news/4fe3c448aeab0c6f89bb287e4098e687aad8a343.jpg?width=810&resizeStyle=aspectfit&quality=90 http://whatcar.media/jpg/50/0/0/960/640/0/0/0/0/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/images/uploads/inline/2b37cec40c408a39ed4c07bec948817b23f88de5.jpg e-Golf http://whatcar.media/jpg/50/0/0/960/640/0/0/0/0/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/images/uploads/inline/517b21e2755d1a4c565d2b5aea3a6be82b34a004.jpg http://whatcar.media/jpg/50/0/0/960/640/0/0/0/0/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/images/uploads/inline/63f8eeee99ad4dff5bb142fba8ccdf7258e2dea8.jpg ] Used electric cars are becoming more and more widely available, so we’ve put two of the most desirable to the test The Contenders BMW i3 List price when new £30,980 Price today £15,500 Electric motoring doesn't come much more desirable than the BMW i3 Volkswagen e-Golf List price when new £31,680 Price today £16,000 Most of the good points of a normal Golf, but with lower running costs Price today is based on a 2014 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing Electric cars are still a relatively rare sight on UK roads, but as the charging infrastructure grows, so does the number on sale on the used market. And with the increases in range that have come along with the latest battery technology, a used electric car is now a viable proposition for far more buyers than it used to be. The BMW i3 is one of the best, with its sci-fi looks, high-quality interior and surprisingly punchy performance at all speeds. However, here it faces tough competition from the Volkswagen e-Golf. By simply swapping a standard Volkswagen Golf’s engine for an electric motor, Volkswagen has ensured the e-Golf retains most of the standard car’s impressive practicality, but with the bonus of cheaper running costs. But is that enough to give it the edge over its more extrovert rival? Well, that’s what we’re here to find out. Last month, we put the latest versions of both of these cars to the test – but now it’s time to find out whether our verdict still holds true for this pair as used purchases. What are they like to drive? Both cars have three drive modes (Normal, Eco and Eco-plus) that are increasingly restrictive on performance, limiting power, torque and top speed, as well as switching off the air-con to eke out every last mile from the batteries. They also have three levels of braking regeneration, which increases the amount of energy that's put back into the batteries whenever you lift off the accelerator. With both fully charged, the i3 managed 85 miles in our real-world range tests; the e-Golf beat that by only two miles, despite having a notably larger battery. Electric power means no gears and instant acceleration, which means both cars feel extremely punchy at low speeds. However, because the i3 has an extra 54bhp and weighs 300kg less than the e-Golf, it keeps pulling hard at higher speeds, whereas acceleration in the e-Golf starts to tail off above 40mph. In fact, the i3’s 0-60mph time of 6.9sec would embarrass some hot hatches. The i3 is more than just fast in a straight line, too. Its quick, nicely weighted steering and good body control make it feel more agile in town. However, while the e-Golf’s steering is slower, it gives you a better sense of connection with the road. The i3 feels less sure of itself when pushed harder, because its skinny tyres cause its front end to wash wide surprisingly early. This, combined with its quick steering, makes it feels nervous and flighty. The e-Golf’s more relaxed turn-in and lower, wider stance ultimately helps it feel the more confident and means it grips harder in corners. Ride quality is another area where the i3 is second best. It feels firm – although never uncomfortable – over broken surfaces and potholes at low speeds, and it fails to settle at motorway speeds. The e-Golf’s softer set-up can’t match that of a regular Golf, because you feel more bumps. However on most roads, and especially at high speeds, it feels more secure than the i3. The e-Golf is also a more relaxing place to spend time, mainly because it does a better job of dealing with wind and road noise. The i3 is worse in both respects. Used electric cars are becoming more and more widely available, so we’ve put two of the most desirable to the test BMW i3 interior What are they like inside? Tall adults will have enough head and leg room in the front of either car, but the i3’s narrower body means less room for shoulders. There’s a wide range of adjustment on both cars’ front seats, but the VW e-Golf’s backrests adjust using a wheel, meaning it’s easier to fine-tune a position than with the BMW i3’s lever. Forward visibility is good in both, but the e-Golf’s larger rear screen and thinner pillars give you a better over-the-shoulder view. The e-Golf is the more spacious in the back, offering more head and shoulder room, as well as more knee room. The i3 also has only two rear seats, although a couple of adults will sit in relative comfort. Families will find the e-Golf easier to live with because three children can sit across its rear seats, and the conventionally-opening rear doors make access much easier in car parks. The e-Golf’s boot has a wider opening and the load bay is longer, deeper and wider than the i3’s. As a result, slotting in a suitcase can be a tight squeeze in the i3, whereas the e-Golf makes an easy job of it. Both cars’ rear seats split (the i3’s 50:50, the e-Golf’s 60:40) and fold to let you extend the load area. The i3’s seats are more fiddly to fold, although they do lie flatter than the Golf’s when down. BMW has done a superb job with the i3’s dashboard. Its layout is seriously user-friendly and the materials all feel solid – the use of recycled materials offers unique but surprisingly high-quality textures. BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, meanwhile, remains one of the easiest to use on the market, and the i3’s 6.5in colour screen is super-sharp. Aside from some blue detailing on its steering wheel, gearlever and door trim, the e-Golf’s interior is much the same as any other Golf’s. That means the plastics feel dense and solidly constructed, although you might find the design a little dull by comparison with the i3’s. It’s certainly functional, though: the 8.0-inch touch-screen is really responsive, with simple menus, and the climate controls are easy to reach and logically laid out. BMW i3 rear What will they cost? Electric cars might be becoming more accessible on the used market, but they still don’t come all that cheap. Both the BMW i3 and Volkswagen e-Golf will set you back quite a bit more than comparable petrol- or diesel-powered cars of a similar age. And of the two, it’s the Golf that’s the more expensive, albeit not by very much. However, the extra cost of either of these is countered by the low running costs. Neither will cost you much to charge up on a standard household tariff, and as we’ve already discussed, both will travel a similar number of miles on a charge. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that there aren’t that many independent local garages who’ll work on electric cars just yet, so you might have to take it back to the dealership for any maintenance work that does need to be done. That said, servicing and maintenance costs will be minimal, as there are so few moving parts, further mitigating the high purchase prices. Reliability is harder to gauge, too, as so few examples of either car have been sold, which means we’re lacking the data to pronounce conclusively on either car’s dependability. However, we haven’t heard of any major common problems on either car, and with the motors’ relative mechanical simplicity, the chances are they should last a long time. Both cars come with alloys, climate control, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control, rear parking sensors, DAB, sat-nav, Bluetooth, USB and aux sockets and a multi-function steering wheel. The e-Golf adds LED headlights, front parking sensors and benefits from a standard rapid-charging inlet – allowing for half-hour charges if you have access to one. The i3 has been crash tested by Euro NCAP, where it received four stars. The e-Golf hasn’t been tested but the regular model managed five stars and very good adult, child and pedestrians scores. The Golf comes with more airbags (seven versus six), a city braking system and the option of rear side ’bags, but both get tyre pressure monitoring, ESP and an alarm. Verdict The BMW i3 wows with its superb interior, while its strong performance and real-world range also give it plenty of appeal. If you’re after an electric car that stands out from the crowd and makes you feel special, it’s a solid buy. Just be aware that that extrovert styling comes at a price. The i3 is not an ideal family car, with its smaller boot and one less rear seat, and around town its firm ride makes it less enjoyable to drive. The Volkswagen e-Golf is a complete contrast. You’d be hard-pushed to tell it apart from normal Golfs on the outside, and while that might make it bland for some, it gives the Golf its own appeal for more no-nonsense buyers. However, it is a little more expensive to buy – and it’s worth noting, too, that its relative rarity makes it very hard to find. If you can find one, though, the e-Golf is the better car here. It’s considerably more practical, better to drive, has a more comfortable ride, and comes with more standard equipment. With all that in mind, we think it’s worth the small additional cost. 1st – Volkswagen e-Golf For Great to drive; well equipped; spacious inside Against Ride isn’t as good as standard Golf’s; not as quick as the i3 Verdict One of the most convincing electric cars yet Rated 4 out of 5 2nd – BMW i3 For Impressive performance; stunning interior; brilliant infotainment system Against Choppy ride; nervous handling; small boot Verdict Hugely desirable, but the e-Golf makes more sense Rated 4 out of 5 Specifications: Volkswagen e-Golf Battery Li-ion, 24.2kWh List price when new £30,845 Price today £16,000 Power 113bhp Torque 199lb ft 0-60mph 9.7sec Top speed 87mph Official range 118 miles CO2 emissions 0g/km Specifications: BMW i3 Battery Li-ion, 18.8kWh List price when new £30,680 Price today £15,500 Power 167bhp Torque 184lb ft 0-60mph 6.9sec Top speed 91mph Official range 118 miles CO2 emissions 0g/km Price today is based on a 2014 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing [© whatcar.com] For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ {brucedp.neocities.org} -- Sent from: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/ _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
