The BMW i8 is a strange car. It’s very pretty and has butterfly doors that would be more befitting of a McLaren or Lamborghini than a BMW. At the same time, it’s not particularly fast – at least compared to the other two – and relies on a somewhat controversial powertrain to get around. Since the car stopped production six years ago, rumors of a “future classic” have continued to surface. But the fact is that, with a few exceptions, the BMW i8 has remained a five-figure car and, even when new, never really made the money it deserved – let alone commanding a “collector status” premium. Last week, another low-mileage car appeared on online auction site Cars and Bids. And it’s arguably the i8’s best chance yet at making big money.
Prices for the BMW i8 and why that matters
The 2020 BMW i8 up for grabs on Cars and Bids may not be the lowest mileage example ever sold at public auction, but it’s close. With 426 miles on the clock, it competes strongly with a 400-mile example sold at Bring a Trailer in 2019. But this car didn’t even sell as bidding ended at $75,000 and the buyer’s reserve price was not met. Also remember that in 2019 you could still buy a brand new BMW i8. Then a much better comparison might be in order. In 2024, an E-Copper Orange i8 sold for $81,553, with 480 miles on it. However, there are some good reasons why this i8 could offer even more. And it’s not just the mileage.
For one thing, this car is pretty unique. The Crystal White exterior color is not uncommon, but hides a fun E-Copper/Black interior color. This is usually combined with the exterior color scheme of the same name. But in this case it serves as an interesting contrast to the white paint and is also reminiscent of the E-Copper color scheme that was only available late in the car’s production (2017). This brings us to the next positive point about the car: it is a very late production car, with 2020 being the last model year. In general, later production vehicles are more desirable as they enjoy the benefits of BMW’s LCI (Mid Life Cycle Refresh) as well as perceived quality improvements. The auction platform itself can also increase the value of this i8. Cars and Bids has only a slightly higher sell rate on i8 than competitor Bring a Trailer (79% vs. 78%). Therefore, the right people may be slightly more likely to tune in.
The best for BMW i8 values may be yet to come
Of course there is a small catch here. While the 426 mph coupe could make money if it catches the eye of the right people, the i8 Roadster may be the real collector’s item. Its lower production numbers will likely make it a collectors’ favorite. Ultimately, BMW only produced 3,884 examples, making it an order of magnitude rarer than the regular i8, of which BMW produced 16,581 examples. A roadster with 1,000 miles on it sold for $105,000 on Cars and Bids in 2022, significantly more than even low-mileage coupes were selling for at the time.
Ultimately, it’s probably unlikely that this car will make much waves in the i8 market. More likely is its role in determining trajectory. Sales higher than the 2024 E-Copper car will make it clear that there is a future for BMW i8s in collector condition and with delivery miles. In the meantime, an RNM (Reserve Not Met) or a number significantly lower than the E-Copper car could indicate that the i8 still needs some time to age – a la fine wine. You can watch and follow the 2020 BMW i8 auction – it ends on January 9thTh at 11:48 a.m. PST.
