The BMW i8 is a fantastic example of why BMW is one of the most coveted luxury car brands in the world. This gorgeous car is a plug-in hybrid, though you wouldn’t be able to tell by the way it tears up the highway. Of course, if you want luxury, you have to be prepared to pay for it. The $148,495 to $164,295 price tag is enough to make even the most affluent buyer blink twice.
We believe everyone should get behind the wheel of an i8 at least once in their life. If purchasing one isn’t in the cards for you, renting one might be the best solution to help you sate that craving. Why should you rent a BMW i8, and what do you need to do to make this dream rental happen?
Serious Hybrid Power
When you start talking about plug-in hybrids, vehicles like the Prius usually come to mind — utilitarian, but not necessarily powerful or luxurious. The i8 blows all of those hybrid stereotypes right out of the water. Under the hood, it has a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine. That doesn’t sound like much, but when you add two electric motors powered by an 11.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, you’ve got a plug-in hybrid that can accelerate from 0-60 in 4.1 seconds.
The i8 manages 35 miles to the gallon and can travel up to 22 miles solely on battery power. As with most BMWs, you also have access to their top-of-the-line driver-assistance technology. This includes emergency braking, collision warnings and parking sensors on both the front and rear of the vehicle.
It’s a fantastic little sports car, but if you don’t have $150,000 to drop on a new ride, renting is a great option. What do you need to do to rent a car like the i8?
Renting an Expensive Car
Renting an exotic car like the i8 isn’t as simple as heading down to your local Enterprise or Budget Rent-A-Car. There are specialty rental car companies that specialize in these cars, as well as apps like Turo that match drivers with exotic car owners wanting to rent out their vehicles. It’s kind of like Airbnb for luxury cars.
Expect to meet a lot of restrictions during the rental process. Most exotic rentals require the driver to be over 30, and you’ll likely have to put down a large deposit before you can get your hands on the keys.
Insurance is also a concern because unfamiliar drivers behind the wheel of a luxury vehicle are 29% more likely to get into an accident than they are in their own car. The BMW i8 starts at just under $150,000, so the repair or replacement costs after an accident will be substantial. Your standard policy likely doesn’t cover exotic car rentals either, which is an additional motivator to avoid being on the hook for thousands of dollars in repairs.
Getting Behind the Wheel
Driving a BMW i8 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it doesn’t need to be contingent on whether you can afford to purchase one. Rent an i8 and see what all the hype is about for yourself.