The 2016 BMW electric lineup: two very different cars for two different needs

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. The i3 runs entirely on electricity. The i8 has a petrol engine that kicks in once the battery depletes, so it is not a pure electric vehicle. If you are looking at a used 2016 BMW electric car, you need to know which one you are considering and what that means for how you will actually drive it.

The i3 was BMW's answer to the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S. It was built on a carbon-fibre frame, weighed less than comparable petrol cars, and could recharge at home overnight. The i8 was a different animal entirely—a £100,000+ statement piece that let wealthy buyers drive on battery power for their commute, then switch to petrol for weekend drives. Neither car is common on the used market in the UK, and both have specific strengths and weaknesses you should understand before buying.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2016 i3 is a pure electric car with 114 miles of range; the i8 is a plug-in hybrid with 37 miles of electric range and a petrol engine for longer trips.
  • The i3's battery degrades over time, and a 2016 model will have lost some capacity by now—expect real-world range closer to 90 miles on a full charge.
  • Both cars use BMW's proprietary charging connector, which is less common than the Type 2 standard, so check what chargers are available where you park.
  • The i3 is cheaper to run than petrol cars but has a smaller boot and tighter interior; the i8 costs more to maintain and is impractical for daily family use.
  • Insurance, parts, and specialist servicing for either car are more expensive than mainstream electric vehicles because BMW dealers handle most repairs.

The 2016 i3: range, battery age, and what eight years of use means

The 2016 i3 came with a 22 kWh battery pack rated for 114 miles of range under the old NEDC test cycle. Real-world range was always lower—typically 80 to 100 miles in mixed driving. By 2024, that battery has aged. Lithium-ion batteries lose capacity over time, especially if they have been charged and discharged thousands of times or exposed to heat. A 2016 i3 today will likely deliver 85 to 95 miles of real-world range, sometimes less if the previous owner frequently fast-charged or left it parked in hot conditions.

BMW does not publish official degradation figures for the i3, but owners report losing 5 to 10 per cent of capacity over eight years of normal use. That is not catastrophic, but it matters if your commute is 60 miles each way. You should ask the seller for the battery health report—BMW can pull this from the car's onboard diagnostics—and factor in that you will lose another 1 to 2 per cent per year going forward.

The i3 charges at home using a 7 kW wall box (installed cost around £500 to £1,000) or a standard 3-pin plug (very slow, not recommended for daily use). Public charging uses BMW's proprietary connector, which is becoming less common as the industry standardises on Type 2. You can use a Type 2 adapter at some networks, but availability varies by region. Check the charging infrastructure near your home and workplace before you commit.

The 2016 i8: plug-in hybrid performance and the cost of complexity

The i8 is not an electric car in the way the i3 is. It has a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor, and the battery is small—just 7.6 kWh. That gives you 37 miles of electric-only driving, enough for a typical commute if you charge every night. Once the battery is depleted, the petrol engine takes over and the car behaves like a conventional hybrid, recovering energy under braking.

The appeal of the i8 is performance: the electric motor provides when ready torque, and the combined system produces 357 horsepower. It accelerates hard, handles well, and looks striking. The downside is complexity. You have two powertrains to maintain, two fuel systems, and a battery that still degrades. Servicing is expensive because only BMW dealers have the diagnostic equipment to work on the hybrid system safely. Brake fluid, coolant, spark plugs, and the petrol engine all need regular attention on top of battery monitoring.

Insurance for the i8 is significantly higher than for the i3 or a comparable petrol sports car, partly because repairs are costly and partly because the market for used i8s is small—insurers have less data on claims. Parts are expensive, and if the battery fails outside the warranty period, replacement costs can exceed £5,000.

Battery warranty and what happens when it expires

BMW offered an eight-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty on both the i3 and i8 when they were new. A 2016 car is now outside that window. If the battery fails, you own the repair cost. For the i3, a replacement battery costs around £4,000 to £6,000 fitted, depending on capacity and whether you use a BMW dealer or an independent specialist. For the i8, the cost is higher because the battery is integrated into the hybrid system.

Before you buy a used 2016 BMW electric car, ask the seller for proof of the warranty status and any battery health reports. If the car has been serviced at a BMW dealer, those records will show whether the battery has been flagged as degraded. If there is no service history or the car was serviced independently, you have less visibility into battery condition—factor that uncertainty into your offer.

Charging infrastructure and the proprietary connector problem

Both the i3 and i8 use BMW's proprietary connector, sometimes called the BMW i connector or Mennekes Type 2 variant. This is not the same as the standard Type 2 connector used by most other European electric cars. It means you cannot straightforward plug into any public charger—you need a network that supports BMW's standard or you need an adapter.

In 2024, Type 2 is the dominant standard across the UK and Europe, and many older BMW-specific networks have been decommissioned or upgraded. Before buying, check what chargers are available within a 10-mile radius of your home and workplace using apps like Zap-Map or PlugShare. Filter for BMW i or Mennekes connectors and see how many come up. If the answer is "not many", you will be relying on home charging, which is fine if you have off-street parking but problematic if you park on the street.

Maintenance costs and parts availability

The i3 is simpler to maintain than the i8 because it has no petrol engine, but it is still more expensive to service than a Nissan Leaf or Tesla Model 3. BMW dealers charge higher labour rates, and parts are pricier because they are sourced through BMW's network. Brake fluid, coolant, and cabin air filters are standard items, but if something goes wrong with the electric motor, inverter, or onboard charger, you are looking at specialist diagnosis and repair that only a BMW dealer can safely perform.

Independent specialists who work on BMW electrics exist, but they are less common than Tesla or Nissan specialists. If you buy a 2016 i3 or i8, budget for servicing at a BMW dealer or accept that you will have fewer options if something breaks. Extended warranty plans are available from some insurers and dealers, but they are expensive and often exclude battery degradation.

Practicality: interior space, boot, and real-world usability

The i3 is a compact city car. The interior is tight, the boot is small (260 litres), and the back seats are genuinely cramped. If you have children or regularly carry passengers, the i3 feels claustrophobic. It excels as a solo commuter car or a second vehicle for urban driving, but it is not a family car. The carbon-fibre frame and lightweight design make it feel nimble and responsive, which appeals to some drivers and frustrates others who want more space.

The i8 is a two-seater sports car, so practicality is not the point. It has a small boot (154 litres), no rear seats, and is designed for driving enthusiasts, not families. If you need to carry luggage or passengers regularly, the i8 is the wrong car.

Resale value and what to expect when you sell

The used market for 2016 BMW electric cars is thin. The i3 holds value better than the i8 because it is cheaper to buy and cheaper to run, so there is more demand. A 2016 i3 with average mileage and good battery health typically sells for £8,000 to £12,000, depending on condition and specification. The i8 is rarer and more expensive—expect £25,000 to £35,000 for a well-maintained example, but the market is small and buyers are selective.

When you come to sell, battery health will be the main factor affecting price. A car with a battery health report showing 85 per cent capacity will sell for more than one with no documentation or visible degradation. Mileage matters less for electric cars than for petrol cars, but high mileage combined with poor battery health will significantly reduce value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Type 2 charger with a 2016 BMW i3?

Not directly—the i3 uses a proprietary connector. However, you can buy an adapter that allows you to use Type 2 chargers at some networks. Check with the network operator first to confirm the adapter will work. Home charging requires a BMW-compatible wall box.

How much does it cost to replace the battery in a 2016 i3?

A replacement battery costs around £4,000 to £6,000 fitted at a BMW dealer, depending on capacity. Independent specialists may charge less, but availability varies. This is outside the warranty period, so you would pay the full cost.

Is the 2016 i8 worth buying if I only do short commutes?

If your commute is under 37 miles and you can charge at home, yes—you will run on electricity most days and use the petrol engine rarely. However, the i8 is expensive to maintain and insure, so the running cost advantage over a petrol sports car is smaller than with the i3.

What happens to the range in winter?

Both cars lose 15 to 25 per cent of range in cold weather because batteries are less efficient and cabin heating draws power. A 2016 i3 might deliver 70 to 80 miles in winter instead of 90 miles in summer. Plan accordingly if you live in a cold climate.

Can I tow a trailer with a 2016 BMW i3 or i8?

No. Neither car is rated for towing. The i3's lightweight frame and small battery would be compromised by the weight, and the i8's design does not include towing provision. If you need to tow, these are not the right vehicles.