Few hybrids turn as many heads as the BMW i8 did when it arrived in 2014, with supercar styling and butterfly doors it was always going to be more universally interesting than a sedan or SUV hybrid.
The problem was that although many people wanted one, they were expensive - very expensive.
Back in 2014, $135,000 for any car was a lot, in 2022 that kind of money equates to around $160,000; so it was Ferrari money for a hybrid with a quirky engine, from a German manufacturer with little supercar heritage.
But that was the appeal, a futuristic supercar with great styling, strong performance and the ability to cruise on electric power alone around town.
Beyond that, it was the quirkiness and exclusivity (there was nothing else like it at the time) that would earn it the most cool points.
This car would have gone against the R8 and Porsche 911, but despite it not being as strong a performer as these kinds of cars it offered something else entirely.
The BMW i8 Is An Affordable Supercar With Futuristic Tech
When we say affordable, it’s relative of course, but as this car is up to 8 years old it can be bought for a fraction of the price.
A late 2019 model will generally cost you around $100,000 depending on mileage but if you’re willing to go for an early 2014 or 2015 model you can get into an i8 for as little as $55,000 – a saving of $80,000 off the initial minimum retail price.
For an early model, you still get the laser headlights, butterfly doors, carbon fiber shell and sophisticated aerodynamics.
In addition, you get the drivetrain which is arguably the highlight of the car once you get past the styling; a 130 hp electric motor with 184 lb-ft of torque and a 230 hp 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 236 lb-ft of torque for a total of around 360 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque – healthy numbers.
This was effectively all-wheel-drive with the electric motor powering the front and gasoline motor for the back, the whole setup enabled a 4.4-second 0-60 mph time and more than 100mpg combined.
BMW i8 Makes A Great And Quirky Used Buy
The thing is, when the 18 miles of electric-only range was finished, the 27 MPG gasoline economy was all you had left, but for a pseudo-supercar, this was good, even though you were then stuck with 230 hp.
For the brave (or wise) there’s this: a 2014 i8 for just $55k on AutoTrader with a whopping 150,000 miles on the odometer, but it’s clean, with the car only showing its age through slightly sagged driver’s seat leather and the small-by-today’s-standards infotainment screen.
That battery’s life could be a concern, but the petrol engine is strong though and should not give you any trouble, while BMW’s generally-solid cabin and good construction will do you well.
It’s worth remembering that this car was the only ‘hybrid supercar' at the time, with Honda’s NSX being the only other performance car with a hybrid-infused drivetrain.
For a middle of the road example, with fewer miles, you could try a nice 2017 BMW i8 like this one on Autotrader again with around 30,000 miles for $80,000.
Average mileage varies; most cars for sale look to have less than 50,000, though you could argue that is still a lot for an early battery pack which is now up to 8 years old.
A roadster could also be yours from 2019 for around $100,000, this BMW i8 for sale on Car Gurus has 20,000 miles on the clock.
If we’re going to buy a BMW i8 though, surely the attraction now is that you can get one for $60,000 and at the same time acquire all that style, power and those doors, plus you likely won’t see another one on the road.