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 identical 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 reality 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 reaching a “collector standing” premium. Final week, one other low-mile automobile surfaced on the net public sale web site Automobiles and Bids. And it’s arguably the i8’s finest shot but at getting huge 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, however it’s shut. Its 426 miles carefully rival a 400-mile instance that bought on Carry a Trailer again in 2019. However that automobile didn’t even promote, with bids ceasing at $75,000 and failing to satisfy the customer’s reserve. It’s additionally value remembering that in 2019, you can nonetheless purchase a BMW i8 model new. A a lot better juxtaposition is likely to 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 might 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, however it hides a enjoyable E-Copper/black inside. That is ordinarily paired with the outside colour scheme of the identical title. However on this case, it serves as an fascinating distinction to the white paint and likewise recollects the E-Copper coloring that solely grew to become out there late within the automobile’s manufacturing (2017). Which brings us to the automobile’s subsequent constructive level: it’s a really late manufacturing automobile, with 2020 being the final mannequin 12 months. Usually, later manufacturing run automobiles are extra fascinating as they take pleasure in 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 larger sell-through fee on i8’s than rival Carry a Trailer (79% vs. 78%). So, it’s maybe marginally extra probably the correct individuals might be tuning in.
The Finest Might 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 might carry bought cash if the correct individuals discover, the i8 Roadster is probably going the place true collector appreciation will take maintain. Its decrease manufacturing numbers will probably make it the collector sweetheart. In any case, 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.
In the end, it’s most likely unlikely this automobile will make actual waves for the i8 market. What’s extra possible is its position in establishing the trajectory. A sale larger 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 might point out that the i8 nonetheless wants a little bit little bit of time to age — a la nice wine. You possibly can try the 2020 BMW i8 public sale and observe alongside — it ends January 9th at 11:48 AM PST.


