Drove the ActiveE- Intital Thoughts

[bmw]

Just got back from BMWNA headquarters where I attended the ActiveE training. They tought us everything about the cars, then we were allowed to take them on a 15mile test route to feel how they differed from the gas models. Here are my thoughts-

Looks
Apart from the graphics, it looks like a standard 1. All of the 700 cars are identical, same options/colors/ect. AW with Black leather, and cool contrasting blue stitching. There are no fogs, and the center console is a bit different. One notable change is the reduction in trunk space where one of the battery packs is housed. This reduces trunk space much like the active 7.

Drive
Very impressed. Is it going to set any land speed records? No. But the power is instant on and it is still VERY fun to drive in typical 1 series fashion. Kind of sounds like a big golfcart. I had a blast.

The application srocess begins December 1st and its a first come first serve basis to the first 700 units.

Let me know if anyone has any questions or wants one.

Ben

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by bmw

...Let me know if anyone has any questions or wants one.

Ben

Thanks for your impression of the ActiveE. Is BMW still only gonna lease these cars? I heard for $500/month for a three year lease. ?

Seems weird that BMW has made almost as many ActiveE's for the US market as they have 1M's. lol



Dack

[bmw]

Yep. $499/ MO $2550 down unlimited miles for 36 months. Not bad, And I hear you on the 1M thing.

[szcyxzh]

interested in the hood only.

[BrokenVert]

I was about to say. How did you drive one? They arent taking reservations yet. haha
I thought I messed up big there for a second. haha

So that is confirmed on December 1st being that start of the reservation list then?

[doublevanosrc]

Hows the throttle-tip in??

[onkloud9]

Someone please throw an m-sport front bumper on this car. Screw the air curtains.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by ianf2002

Hope it has a plaque 1 of 700 . Sure to bcome a collectable!

Yeah. Collectible...until BMW crushes them all in 3 years...

[dicker]

Awesome man! I go to the Technical Center over here (Not flying across country!!) to drive it tomorrow afternoon.

[dicker]

Originally Posted by bmw

Yep. $499/ MO $2550 down unlimited miles for 36 months. Not bad, And I hear you on the 1M thing.

It's 36 months now? I remember reading 24 months in the training material.

[Dackelone]

I saw two ActiveE's at Leipzig Werk back in late Sept this year. One was a euro spec car and one was a US spec car (orange turn signals). Enjoy!

[bmw]

Originally Posted by szcyxzh

interested in the hood only.

Haha, it looks like a mini M3 hood sans vents.

Throttle tip in is normal, it reacts very similarly to a gasser. The one thing that is strange is the CVT feel, it is one continious gear.

One thing that takes a bit of getting used to is the "coast" position of the accelerator pedal. If you let off, the car slows it self down and it almost feels as if you are on the brakes, because of the re-gen braking system. It does activate the tail lights lol.

[ken1137]

Nice write up...somewhat attractive due to the cost of gas over a 3 yr period. Wheels look small....15"? Are they standard offsets or odd-ball? I assume they thought of Winter tires since I believe they are required in Germany.

[dicker]

The wheels are 16".

Same wheels as the 2010 328i base model and 2011 128i cv base model.

[Cuz5150]

Originally Posted by szcyxzh

interested in the hood only.

See, that can be "pulled off" in New Jersey
A person with AW locates the owner of active E,
Asks if they can swap hoods, for some $$'s.(money talks)
Active E is a lease so...who cares.
I bet money, when the car is returned in 3yrs at some BMW dealership,
NOBODY is gonna notice the "power dome missing"

[Lucky1]

Forgive my ignorance everyone but does BMW think these things will fly apart after 36 months or something? Why force only a lease and on a short period at that?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by bmw

Just got back from BMWNA headquarters where I attended the ActiveE training. They tought us everything about the cars, then we were allowed to take them on a 15mile test route to feel how they differed from the gas models. Here are my thoughts-

Looks
Apart from the graphics, it looks like a standard 1. All of the 700 cars are identical, same options/colors/ect. AW with Black leather, and cool contrasting blue stitching. There are no fogs, and the center console is a bit different. One notable change is the reduction in trunk space where one of the battery packs is housed. This reduces trunk space much like the active 7.

Drive
Very impressed. Is it going to set any land speed records? No. But the power is instant on and it is still VERY fun to drive in typical 1 series fashion. Kind of sounds like a big golfcart. I had a blast.

The application srocess begins December 1st and its a first come first serve basis to the first 700 units.

Let me know if anyone has any questions or wants one.

Ben

I just saw 6 Active-E 1-Series cars driving through Rancho Cucamonga today. I'd like to take one for a spin myself.

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by bmw

Just got back from BMWNA headquarters where I attended the ActiveE training. They tought us everything about the cars, then we were allowed to take them on a 15mile test route to feel how they differed from the gas models. Here are my thoughts-

Looks
Apart from the graphics, it looks like a standard 1. All of the 700 cars are identical, same options/colors/ect. AW with Black leather, and cool contrasting blue stitching. There are no fogs, and the center console is a bit different. One notable change is the reduction in trunk space where one of the battery packs is housed. This reduces trunk space much like the active 7.

Drive
Very impressed. Is it going to set any land speed records? No. But the power is instant on and it is still VERY fun to drive in typical 1 series fashion. Kind of sounds like a big golfcart. I had a blast.

The application srocess begins December 1st and its a first come first serve basis to the first 700 units.

Let me know if anyone has any questions or wants one.

Ben

One more question; will BMW pay for the electrical set up in your garage?

I apologize for my ignorance on the subject...read briefly about this testing program before but I did not review any specifics.

[1speedbike]

It looks good but it would look better with a drop.

Who's gonna be the first active E owner to throw on some coilovers, M3 suspension parts, and some 19" rims??

[ATSR]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Forgive my ignorance everyone but does BMW think these things will fly apart after 36 months or something? Why force only a lease and on a short period at that?

It is usually the case with all these new tech cars (Mini E, Honda FCX, etc). What you are really doing is paying BMW for helping them develop the technology in the real world. The car is really an "almost finished" prototype that needs to go back to the factory at the end of the lease term for them to go over every little thing so when they come out with the "finished" car it has less problems than the prototype, and hopefully more range and shorter charging times.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

It looks good but it would look better with a drop.

Who's gonna be the first active E owner to throw on some coilovers, M3 suspension parts, and some 19" rims??

My dad is trying to get one. If he does weve already discussed this idea.

And I will be throwing my OZs on it and autoxing it a tleast once.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by ken1137

One more question; will BMW pay for the electrical set up in your garage?

I apologize for my ignorance on the subject...read briefly about this testing program before but I did not review any specifics.

No, its like a $1500 charge. Still not terrible.