2019 BMW i8 Roadster | Sheldon Cooper Approved

2019 BMW i8 Roadster | Sheldon Cooper Approved | TestDriveNow

Рет қаралды 44,529

5 жыл бұрын

If you’re not famous but seek instant rock star status this car can get you there without ever learning a chord. It’s the BMW i8 and it’s one of the most magnetizing cars I’ve ever driven, now available in top-down style.
MSRP as-tested: $166,795
Click to Subscribe! bit.ly/subTestDriveNow
Check out my SUV and Crossovers playlist! bit.ly [We will create custom playlist link]
Like my Facebook: / testdrivenow
Browse my website: testdrivenow.com/
Follow me on Twitter: / drivetimevideos
About TestDriveNow:
Welcome to TestDriveNow official KZfaq channel! I deliver trusted, top-rated popular car reviews on cars like the Honda Accord, Audi s5, Dodge Durango, Subaru Crosstrek and more! TestDriveNow.com features Drive Time with Steve Hammes offering video program segments showcasing the newest vehicles and industry innovations coming to market.
[Video Title]
[Video URL]
TestDriveNow
/ stevehammes
testdrivenow.com/2019-bmw-i8-...

Пікірлер: 52

@ajlee6933 5 жыл бұрын

Good to see that the i8 hasn’t gotten stale. Kudos to BMW for making such a timeless car that still turns heads 5 years later.

@rodgerlee7302 Жыл бұрын

Excellent review Steve. Obviously, you get it. Thanks for taking time to do it. I've owned a 2019 Roadster for 2 months and I've never been as in love with a vehicle as this one. Here's my background: I also totally agree with Mark Dunsford's comment down the thread below. Until people drive this car for themselves, they will never understand. I drove a friend's i8 Roadster and could not stop obsessing about the experience. He actually owned two 2019 Roadsters. 2 months ago, I pulled the trigger and purchased one from my friend, with 15,000 miles. It's like new and I simply love it. When evaluating road machines, People tend to focus on horsepower and speed to an obsessive degree, in my opinion, and it seems many commenters in these reviews compare numbers on paper. Few seem to have driven the vehicles they critique or the cars they compare with. Reviews like this describe why this car is so special and unique, yet all too many just don't get it and dis the car for not being fast enough. Actually, it is very fast and exhilarating in an overall way. The materials used in this car, all the carbon fiber in the passenger cell and lightweight aluminum chassis can't be had except in vehicles much more expensive. I've raced everything from Go-karts to open wheel/open cockpit classes in SCCA racing and Formula Russell. I've driven a number of high priced, very fast supercars and racetrack ready sports cars. I've spent time in my son's Tesla S Plaid... very fast car! For some background, I was VP & General Manager for the Auto Racing Helmet Division at Bell Helmets for several years and worked around all the top echelons of auto racing; F1, Indy Cars, Nascar, SCCA, IMSA, NHRA, etc., as we sponsored and provided helmets to the the majority of the best racing drivers and teams in the sport. During my time at Bell, I was also afforded the chance to get behind the wheel of a few of these race cars. They are thrilling, no doubt. All of that said, I find the i8 the most overall pleasurable and satisfying vehicle i've ever owned. I don't need or want a racecar for my normal driver. I'll go to the track for that. No road vehicle has ever lured me to the cockpit like the i8, and it's for all the inexplicable, delightful aspects this car offers.

@driliagor 6 ай бұрын

It’s as close to “everyday supercar” as possible. And now 89k for a good used one.

@autohitman 6 ай бұрын

I enjoyed your comment. It was all very accurate in my opinion as well. I’ve owned many cars the main stream car world prefer; such as Viper GTS, 800 HP C7 Z06, Maserati, Porsche’s, etc. etc.. I traded in my 800 HP Corvette Z06 on my BMW i8 and wouldn’t take it back. I did love the Corvette and on paper - ALL my cars pretty much have more power than the i8. Yet, if I need to use that power on the street to pass, go fast, etc. - the tires just spin. The i8 just grips with all wheel drive. In sport mode the electric motors work as a boost which gives you instant torque, allowing the turbocharger in the engine to spool up and it hits well. To be fair; I did hate on the i8 as well when it came out and was never interested due to the reputation and speed - but as you said, I never drove the car. Before I purchased one, I rented one from Turo and that sold me on the car. I like to swap up cars pretty often, I’ve owned my i8 for a little over a year but I have NO clue what I’d replace this car with to be honest. I’ve learned from that experience to not judge a car by most reviewers but by driving it yourself. Hope you are enjoying your i8 if you still have it!

@rodgerlee7302 6 ай бұрын

@@autohitman Thank you for you comment and for sharing your take on the i8 as another happy, bonafide owner. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts and assessment on the i8 and the fact that you have driven a solid stable of "fast cars" to compare it with. Really like your description of instant torque provided by the electric motors as the turbo spools up and joins in. Yes, I still own mine and have no desire to part with at this time. It's still a thrill every time I slide into that cockpit. I too wouldn't know what to replace it with.

@DavidSubiabre-dk1hy 4 ай бұрын

One of the best designs to ever come out of Germany

@CharlieChang 4 жыл бұрын

Great review!! Just bought mine a month ago and loving it. Posted a vid of me picking up the car on my channel :)

@daniel_alexander_ 5 жыл бұрын

4:20pm. I see you Steve... I see you lol

@alejandroaguilar1297 5 жыл бұрын

Finally a car review in my home state of NJ👍🏼

@CEALLIFORNIA Жыл бұрын

Awesome review Steve!

@stevehammes Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@hussilveridico3002 Жыл бұрын

Great Car

@DwainDwight 2 жыл бұрын

great review. I have one & love it. will never sell it.

@stevehammes 2 жыл бұрын

Good choice!

@rodgerlee7302 Жыл бұрын

I will never sell mine either. It is already iconic.

@christopherooo4978 4 жыл бұрын

Nice video 👍

@stevehammes 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@timblaker7138 5 жыл бұрын

The passenger seat is for the mandatory ride- along physical therapist.

@magneto8002 5 жыл бұрын

200k+ in Canada.

@fantomtuba 5 жыл бұрын

I thought the i8 logo projection were USB ports.

@K03sport 5 жыл бұрын

As awesome as this i8 is, I think I'd rather have (both) a Boxster S AND Cayman S for the same money with some change left over. Sure, I know it is a status vehicle, but maybe I'm just not an i8 person, or I don't fully understand its mission. I like it, but I think it is too little car for the asking price. A great novelty if you are an ultimate BMW fan, but not too much else beyond that.

@markdunsford4291 2 жыл бұрын

I had a new Cayman now an i8. It's not in the same league, the Porsche is as unrefined as a tractor in comparison.

@rodgerlee7302 Жыл бұрын

@@markdunsford4291 I totally agree with you, Mark. Until people drive this car for themselves, they will never understand. I drove a friend's and could not stop obsessing about the experience. 2 months ago, I pulled the trigger and purchased a 2019 Roadster with 15,000 miles. It's like new and I simply love it. People tend to focus on horsepower and speed to an obsessive degree, in my opinion when evaluating road cars. Reviews like this describe why this car is so special and unique, yet all too many just don't get it and dis the car for not being fast enough. Actually, it is very fast and exhilarating in an overall way. The materials used in this car, all the carbon fiber passenger cell and lightweight aluminum frame can't be had except in vehicles much more expensive. I've raced everything from Go-karts to open wheel/open cockpit classes in SCCA racing and Formula Russell. I've driven an number of high priced, very fast supercars and racetrack ready sports cars. I've spent time in my son's Tesla S Plaid... very fast car! For some background, I was VP & General Manager for the Auto Racing Helmet Division at Bell Helmets for several years and worked around all the top echelons of auto racing; F1, Indy Cars, Nascar, SCCA, IMSA, NHRA, etc., as we sponsored and provided helmets to the most of the best racing drivers and teams in the sport. During my time at Bell, I was also afforded the chance to get behind the wheel of a few of these race cars. They are thrilling, no doubt. All of that said, I find the i8 the most overall pleasurable and satisfying vehicle i've ever owned. I don't need or want a racecar for my normal driver. I'll go to the track for that. No road vehicle has ever lured me to the cockpit like the i8, and it's for all the inexplicable, delightful aspects this car offers.

@gudalawrence2028 5 жыл бұрын

Nice, but at $160k plus....😏😏

@henrinevermind1695 5 жыл бұрын

Guda Lawrence EXACTLY

@hendelar 5 жыл бұрын

Looks like the side windows aren't able to completely retract into the door and, at least, preventing an arm-resting primary cruising pose and, at worst, presenting a guillotine-edge poised to create a mess for first responders.

@stevehammes 5 жыл бұрын

That is true; they don't fully retract.

@hendelar 5 жыл бұрын

@@stevehammes Consistent with the "new" BMW ethos. There's that.

@adrianharvey3511 5 жыл бұрын

Good review... this is a nice hybrid alternative... but does it sell well I would as it should

@stevehammes 5 жыл бұрын

It's so overlooked! Much like the NSX...another car I love.

@adrianharvey3511 5 жыл бұрын

TestDriveNow Reviews by Auto Critic Steve Hammes I agree.. I’m waiting on your review of the new Acura rl sport hybrid... I think that’s a car that’s is so underrated.. love the nsx

@miguelircontar 5 жыл бұрын

Feel bad for owner when the tech breaks 😬😬

@mituljariwala9821 5 жыл бұрын

Low mileage older models going for $65k nowadays

@campkira 5 жыл бұрын

My pant ripped when I try to get off this thing.... It just not making sense to buy one...

@K03sport 5 жыл бұрын

...ask Heidi and Fran about their experience when the starter battery went flat in their (used) i8

@76carmel 5 жыл бұрын

Last year, you brought the Mercedes-Benz GT R AMG to your sister’s place. She wasn’t too thrilled 😄, see the video here. I wonder how she would deal with the i8.

@stevehammes 5 жыл бұрын

She didn't like it! Wish I had put her on-camera.

@76carmel 5 жыл бұрын

Keep reviewing impractical cars and we’ll see your skeptical sister.

@abc-ov4oh 2 жыл бұрын

Could a get a tax credit if I buy used?

@2010ngojo 5 жыл бұрын

It's a nice car, but not 160k+ dollars good. More like 130k max. And that's for the roadster. Should have included in inline 6.

@user-nc4tq8ir5e 5 жыл бұрын

the price is bc the technology

@2010ngojo 5 жыл бұрын

@@user-nc4tq8ir5e Doubt. The lexus lc500h has a hybrid power train (one less electric motor), and that cost less than 100k. Another motor does not cost 60k.

@user-nc4tq8ir5e 5 жыл бұрын

@@2010ngojo oh okay thx good to know

@cadsux 5 жыл бұрын

But, Sheldon Cooper doesn't drive. He usually had Leonard Hofstadter chauffer him around. Anyway, after 5 years, a used i8 becomes more affordable at around $60k, but those maintenance costs!

@stevehammes 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, but he would have liked it!!

@henrinevermind1695 5 жыл бұрын

WoW a LOT of PRICE for a LOT of nothing.

@markdunsford4291 2 жыл бұрын

You obviously haven't driven one!

@paulthorpe766 2 жыл бұрын

Carbon comp tub, torque vectoring, low weight and c.o.g. clever 3 cyl/link to turbo like Koenigsegg, THE DOORS, fast RS3/A45 wet weather performance and real world 80mpg driving 50 miles a day. These were discounted 40% in 2019/20 like Z8 and AMG SLS were too. The Roadster are now rising in value and will be $500,000 in 40 yrs like my E26 M1 is !

@EZ6FIGURES Жыл бұрын

So says the Honda guy! Lol