Convertibles are undeniably oriented towards driving enjoyment. The experience of driving or riding in a convertible allows you to take in the sights and sounds around you, which makes convertibles a big favorite among people looking to drive scenic routes.
We are focusing on one particular convertible which lasted a very short time on the market: the BMW i8 Roadster. This unique-looking convertible is a hidden gem within a hidden gem: if the i8 is already one of the less famous members of the BMW lineup, then its Roadster version is even more obscure, with just two model years to its name and fewer than 4,000 units built.
With its futuristic approach to design and a hybrid powertrain, the i8 and its Roadster version were pioneers of BMW’s electrification efforts. Let’s take a closer look at this rare version of the model, and why it could make the perfect addition to your garage.
The BMW i8 Roadster: Open-Top Driving And Heaps Of Tech
2019 BMW i8 RoadsterBMW
The i8 Roadster was the result of a fairly long development process. Although the production version of the open-top i8 was introduced to the public in 2017, and went on sale for the 2019 model year, BMW had been thinking about creating a convertible i8 for several years beforehand. An early concept version, called the i8 Spyder, had been introduced as far back as 2012. Penned by designer Richard Kim, it was showcased at the Auto China event in Beijing, where it won Concept Car Of The Year. A few months later, the i8 Spyder Concept made another public appearance at the 2013 edition of the Geneva Motor Show.
The amount of attention the concept was getting was not lost on BMW: during the i8’s early years, the company began to work on developing a Roadster version to add to the lineup. The official announcement arrived in 2016, four years after the i8’s production debut: a Roadster variant was on the way.
2019 BMW i8 RoadsterBMW
When the Roadster eventually entered production, it was equipped with an upgraded battery, which was also installed in its coupe sibling. The new battery had larger capacity and allowed the single electric motor (paired with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine) to produce more power. Total combined output went up from 357 to 369 hp; a six-speed automatic transmission completed the powertrain. The coupe’s all-electric driving range rose to 34 miles (up from 15 miles), while the Roadster had a range of 33 miles.
Aside from the introduction of the upgraded powertrain, the i8’s design remained broadly the same: the Roadster carried over all the elements of its hard-top sibling, including the angular lines and the butterfly doors, which further added to its sci-fi-esque look. The interior had a distinctly premium feel, with leather upholstery, an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, ambient lighting, and rain-sensing wipers. The power-retractable fabric roof can open and close in just under 16 seconds.
Sadly, the Roadster did not remain on the market for very long, as the i8’s lifespan came to an end after the 2020 model year. A total of 3,884 Roadsters were produced between 2019 and 2020.
The i8 Lost A Lot Of Money In A Very Short Time
2019 BMW i8 RoadsterBMW
The original price of the i8 Roadster at the time of launch was $163,300 for both the 2019 and 2020 models. If you’re shopping for a used i8 Roadster today, however, you can expect much lower prices as the model has suffered large amounts of depreciates.
The average used price for the first-year fixed roof that debuted in 2014 is currently sitting at $55,320. That’s not a bad deal considering the brand-new Supra costs around $3,000 more, and it’s not nearly as exotic as the i8. The Supra is way more exciting, however.
A low-mileage Roadster has lost roughly half its value, and you can get one with 5,000 miles on the clock for $90,000. But it’s also possible to find models with 30,000 to 40,000 on the odometer for between $65,000 to $72,000. This looks like a great deal, but Chevrolet currently has loads of 2025 and 2026 Corvettes in stock. It has to get rid of them because the Stingray is getting that sweet new 6.7 V8. As a result, you can get a Stingray Convertible with 56 miles on the clock for $75,567. Negotiate a bit, and you’ll get even closer to the price of an i8. And the Corvette has five additional cylinders, and way more power.
And that’s before you even consider used Porsche 911s.
2019 BMW i8 RoadsterBMW
“Despite enjoying the i8, I could not in good conscience recommend it to anyone looking at buying a $150,000 sports car. Back in 2020, that same amount got you in a Porsche 911 Carrera S with $27,000 left over to spend on options. In 2026, you can get an i8 Roadster for $65,000, and an i8 Coupe for even less. Would I have one at this price? Nope, but only because there are loads of 997-generation 911s available at the same price. But I wouldn’t judge you for buying an i8 because I still believe it’s a good car for people who don’t want to be obvious like me and buy the default Porsche.”
-Gerhard Horn, Senior Editor
What To Watch Out For
2019 BMW i8 RoadsterBMW
If you do decide that the i8 Roadster is indeed the right car for you, there are a few things you will need to take into account. With any used car, especially one that’s over five years old, you will need to watch out for potential mechanical issues that may begin to emerge. In order to make your life easier, we have taken a look at the i8 Roadster’s reliability record, so you have a better idea of what to expect.
We started with data from the NHTSA, which collects information regarding recalls and complaints for each model. The 2019 i8 Roadster has a clean record, while the 2020 model has a couple of items to its name. The only complaint on file relates to a fault with the high-voltage battery cells, which occurred soon after purchase and persisted even after repair attempts. The model is also affected by one recall, due to potential debris entering the battery cells during production, which may cause a risk of fire.
We also had a look at the information available on CarComplaints, another highly useful resource for prospective used car buyers, but could not find any information regarding customer complaints for the i8. The extremely low production volume, and the fact that the model is relatively recent, means that there simply aren’t many recorded instances of things going wrong for the i8.
2019 BMW i8 RoadsterBMW
If you do end up with an i8 Roadster parked in your driveway, you can be sure of one thing: you’re going to stand out on the road, whether you’re embarking on a scenic road trip or just going to the grocery store. The i8 Roadster is the perfect car for those who want something a little different, with a futuristic character and a look that’s impossible to mistake for anything else.
The Wider i8 Family: A Short-Lived But Fascinating Model
The BMW i8 hybrid is powered by a combination of a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and an electric motor.BMW
The i8 lineup included the Roadster and the Coupe as far as production models go. However, there were also several one-off i8 concept cars which helped introduce the model to the world. These include the BMW EfficientDynamics (the i8’s earliest ancestor), the i8 Concept, the i8 Concept Spyder (which anticipated the Roadster), and the i8 Coupe prototype (the last to arrive, just a year before the production model’s debut). The i8 represented a major milestone for BMW: it was the company’s very first production plug-in hybrid, and was introduced at the same time as its first full EV, the i3.
Marketed as part of BMW’s new “i” electrified sub-brand, which was later absorbed into the brand’s mainstream lineup as its electrification efforts made progress, the i8 was built to attract attention. It blended the efficiency and green credentials of a hybrid with the fun and performance of a sports car.
The BMW i8 hybrid is powered by a combination of a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and an electric motor.BMW
Here at CarBuzz, our Senior Editor was initially skeptical about the i8. Hopeful that the new model might be powered by something like the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 found in the X5 M, he was disappointed at first when hearing the news about its three-cylinder engine. However, the experience of driving an i8 ended up changing his mind.
“Why on earth would I want something this special to be powered by three cylinders and some electricity? Annoyingly, it won me over. The performance isn’t mind-blowing, but it’s brisk enough to have some fun. The car is severely limited by its OEM eco-friendly skinny tires, and it doesn’t like being pushed too hard. That being said, the feel-good factor was through the roof. The doors are flamboyant, the interior feels special, and I even liked the fake noises. It makes more sense when you look at it as a budget Porsche 918, rather than an expensive plug-in hybrid.”
-Gerhard Horn, Senior Editor
Sources: BMW, NHTSA, CarComplaints
