The BMW i8 is a bizarre automobile. It’s very fairly, and has butterfly doorways extra befitting a McLaren or Lamborghini than a BMW. On the similar time, it’s not notably fast — relative to these two, anyway — and depends on a little bit of a controversial powertrain to get round. For the reason that automobile left manufacturing six years in the past, whispers of “future basic” have come, gone, and resurfaced. However the truth stays that with only a few exceptions, the BMW i8 has remained a five-figure automobile, by no means actually bringing the cash it did even when it was new — not to mention attaining a “collector standing” premium. Final week, one other low-mile automobile surfaced on the web public sale website Automobiles and Bids. And it’s arguably the i8’s finest shot but at getting large cash.
BMW i8 Pricing and Why This One Issues
The 2020 BMW i8 up for grabs on Automobiles and Bids isn’t the lowest-mile instance to hit public public sale, but it surely’s shut. Its 426 miles carefully rival a 400-mile instance that bought on Convey a Trailer again in 2019. However that automobile didn’t even promote, with bids ceasing at $75,000 and failing to fulfill the customer’s reserve. It’s additionally price remembering that in 2019, you can nonetheless purchase a BMW i8 model new. A significantly better juxtaposition may be so as, then. In 2024, an E-Copper Orange i8 bought for $81,553 with 480 miles on the clock. Nevertheless, there are some good causes this i8 may command much more. And it isn’t simply the mileage.
For one, this automobile is pretty distinctive. Crystal White exterior paint isn’t terribly unusual, but it surely hides a enjoyable E-Copper/black inside. That is ordinarily paired with the outside shade scheme of the identical title. However on this case, it serves as an fascinating distinction to the white paint and in addition remembers the E-Copper coloring that solely turned obtainable late within the automobile’s manufacturing (2017). Which brings us to the automobile’s subsequent optimistic level: it’s a really late manufacturing automobile, with 2020 being the final mannequin yr. Typically, later manufacturing run vehicles are extra fascinating as they get pleasure from the advantages of BMW’s LCI (mid life-cycle refresh) in addition to perceived high quality enhancements. The public sale platform itself can be a possible bolster to this i8’s worth. Automobiles and Bids has a simply barely increased sell-through price on i8’s than rival Convey a Trailer (79% vs. 78%). So, it’s maybe marginally extra doubtless the suitable folks will probably be tuning in.
The Finest Could Be But to Come For BMW i8 Values
In fact, there’s a little bit of a catch right here. Whereas the 426-mile coupe may deliver bought cash if the suitable folks discover, the i8 Roadster is probably going the place true collector appreciation will take maintain. Its decrease manufacturing numbers will doubtless make it the collector sweetheart. In spite of everything, BMW solely ever produced 3,884 examples, making it an order of magnitude rarer than the common i8, of which BMW made 16,581. A 1,000-mile Roadster bought on Automobiles and Bids in 2022 for $105,000, significantly greater than even low-mile coupes have been buying and selling for on the time.
Finally, it’s in all probability unlikely this automobile will make actual waves for the i8 market. What’s extra possible is its position in establishing the trajectory. A sale increased than the 2024 E-Copper automobile will make it clear that there’s a future for collector situation and delivery-mile BMW i8s. In the meantime, an RNM (Reserve Not Met) or quantity considerably decrease than that E-Copper automobile may point out that the i8 nonetheless wants slightly little bit of time to age — a la advantageous wine. You possibly can take a look at the 2020 BMW i8 public sale and observe alongside — it ends January 9th at 11:48 AM PST.
