The 2016 BMW electric lineup: two very different cars

BMW sold two electric vehicles in 2016: the i3, a small city car with a 114-mile range, and the i8, a plug-in hybrid sports car with 37 miles of electric range. They share almost nothing except the BMW badge and the "i" nameplate. The i3 runs entirely on electricity; the i8 has a gas engine that kicks in once the battery drains. If you are looking at a used 2016 BMW electric vehicle, you are almost certainly looking at an i3, since the i8 costs three times as much and was built in much smaller numbers.

Both cars were designed around the idea that electric motors could do something different than just replace a gas engine. The i3 was built to be light and efficient in city driving. The i8 was built to prove that an electric motor could make a sports car faster and more interesting. Neither was designed to replace a conventional sedan for highway driving.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2016 i3 is a small electric car with a 114-mile EPA range, designed for city driving and short commutes, not highway trips.
  • The 2016 i8 is a plug-in hybrid with 37 miles of electric range and a three-cylinder gas engine, marketed as a sports car rather than a practical vehicle.
  • The i3 uses a carbon-fiber body and rear-wheel drive, making it lighter and more efficient than conventional electric cars of the same size.
  • Charging a 2016 i3 at home on a standard 240-volt outlet takes about 7 hours for a full charge; public fast chargers can add 80 miles in 30 minutes.
  • Used 2016 BMW i3 prices typically range from $12,000 to $18,000 depending on mileage and condition, while i8 models cost significantly more.

2016 i3 range, charging, and real-world driving

The EPA rated the 2016 i3 at 114 miles per charge. In practice, that number depends heavily on how you drive. City driving with frequent stops and starts—where electric motors are most efficient—can stretch that to 120 miles or more. Highway driving at 65 mph or faster will cut it to 90 miles or less. Cold weather reduces range by 20 to 30 percent. If you are considering a used i3, the first question is whether your daily commute is under 100 miles round trip, because anything longer means you will need to charge at work or plan a charging stop.

Charging at home on a standard 240-volt outlet (the kind used for electric dryers) takes about 7 hours for a full charge. A standard 120-volt household outlet takes 20 to 24 hours. Public DC fast chargers—found at shopping centers and along highways—can add 80 miles in 30 minutes, though the last 20 percent of the charge slows down significantly. The 2016 i3 does not have the fastest charging speed of any electric car, but it is adequate for a second car or a commuter vehicle.

The i3's unusual design and what it means for owners

The 2016 i3 is built from carbon fiber, not steel, which makes it about 1,000 pounds lighter than a conventional car of similar size. The rear doors open backward (called "suicide doors"), and the back seats are genuinely cramped—this is a two-person car with a small back seat for occasional use. The trunk holds about 10 cubic feet, roughly the size of a large suitcase. If you need to carry passengers regularly or haul cargo, the i3 is not the right car.

The lightweight carbon-fiber body is also the reason the i3 is efficient enough to reach 114 miles on a battery that would give a heavier car only 80 miles. It is also why repair costs can be high if you damage the body—carbon-fiber panels are expensive to replace, and not every body shop has the equipment to work on them. When shopping for a used i3, ask about accident history and have a pre-purchase inspection done by a shop familiar with BMW electric vehicles.

The 2016 i8: a plug-in hybrid sports car, not a practical vehicle

The i8 is a two-seater sports car with a three-cylinder turbocharged gas engine and an electric motor. It can drive up to 37 miles on battery alone, which covers a short commute. After that, the gas engine takes over and the car behaves like a conventional hybrid. The i8 was not designed to be practical; it was designed to be fast and to prove that electric motors belonged in performance cars. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 4 seconds.

The i8 has a tiny trunk and no back seat. It is a weekend car or a commuter car for someone with a very short drive and access to charging at home. Used 2016 i8 models typically cost $50,000 to $70,000, depending on mileage and condition. Maintenance and repair costs are high, and parts availability can be limited. If you are considering an i8, you should already be comfortable with sports car ownership and the costs that come with it.

Battery condition and degradation in used 2016 models

The 2016 i3 battery is a lithium-ion pack with a capacity of about 42 kilowatt-hours. After six to eight years of use, most i3 batteries retain 85 to 95 percent of their original capacity. That means a car that originally had 114 miles of range might now have 100 to 108 miles. Battery degradation is gradual and predictable; you will not wake up one day with half the range.

BMW covers the battery under an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty on the original owner, but that warranty does not transfer to a second owner. When you buy a used i3, you are buying the battery as-is. Ask the seller for the battery health report if they have one—some BMW dealers can pull this information. A battery that has been charged to 100 percent every day and fast-charged frequently will degrade faster than one that was charged to 80 percent most of the time. If the car has high mileage (over 80,000 miles), expect the battery to be noticeably degraded.

Maintenance, insurance, and long-term ownership costs

Electric cars have fewer moving parts than gas cars, which means lower maintenance costs. The i3 has no oil changes, no transmission fluid, no spark plugs. The brakes last longer because the car uses regenerative braking—the electric motor slows the car and captures energy instead of using friction brakes. Routine maintenance on a used i3 typically costs $300 to $500 per year for tire rotation, cabin air filter replacement, and brake fluid checks.

Insurance for a used 2016 i3 is usually 10 to 20 percent higher than for a comparable gas car, because the repair costs are higher and fewer shops can work on electric vehicles. Get a quote before you buy. Tires wear out at normal rates, and replacement tires for an i3 are not significantly more expensive than for other small cars. If the battery ever needs replacement outside of warranty, expect to pay $5,000 to $8,000, though this is rare in cars that are only six to eight years old.

Where to find a used 2016 i3 and what to check before buying

Used 2016 BMW i3 models are available through BMW dealers, independent used car dealers, and online marketplaces. Prices typically range from $12,000 to $18,000 depending on mileage, condition, and local market. Cars with under 50,000 miles are generally priced at the higher end; cars with over 80,000 miles at the lower end. The i8 is rarer and more expensive, usually found through BMW dealers or specialty sports car dealers.

Before you buy, have the car inspected by a BMW-certified technician or an independent shop that works on electric vehicles. Ask specifically about battery health, charging system function, and any accident history. Test the charging system at home if possible—bring a portable charger and verify that it works. Check the condition of the tires and brakes. Ask the seller for service records and whether the car has been in an accident. A well-maintained i3 with under 60,000 miles and no accident history is a solid used car for someone whose driving needs match its range and size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a 2016 i3 on a long road trip?

Not without planning. The 114-mile range means you will need to charge every 90 to 100 miles on the highway. Public charging networks exist, but charging takes 30 minutes to an hour at a fast charger. A 500-mile trip would take 8 to 10 hours of driving plus 3 to 4 hours of charging time. For occasional long trips, renting a gas car is usually more practical.

What is the difference between the i3 and i3 REx?

The i3 REx is a version with a small gas engine (called a "range extender") that kicks in after the battery drains, extending total range to about 200 miles. The 2016 REx costs more upfront but is useful if you occasionally need to drive longer distances without charging. Both versions have the same 114-mile electric range; the REx just adds a backup engine.

How much does it cost to charge a 2016 i3 at home?

Charging costs depend on your local electricity rates, but typically run $2 to $4 per full charge. That works out to about 3 to 4 cents per mile, compared to 10 to 12 cents per mile for a gas car. If you charge during off-peak hours (usually late night), the cost can be even lower. Ask your utility company about time-of-use rates for electric vehicle owners.

Is the 2016 i3 still worth buying in 2024?

Yes, if your needs match the car. The i3 is reliable, efficient, and inexpensive to operate. The main limitation is range—if your commute is under 80 miles round trip and you have access to home charging, the i3 is a practical and affordable used car. If you need more range or frequently drive long distances, a newer electric car or a plug-in hybrid makes more sense.

What happens if the battery dies while I am driving?

The car will not suddenly stop. As the battery drains, the car will alert you with a warning light and reduce power output to extend range. You will have time to find a charging station or pull over safely. The i3 REx has a gas engine that automatically starts to prevent this situation. The standard i3 requires you to monitor the battery level and plan charging stops, similar to how you would plan gas stops in a conventional car.