iPace Buying Advice

[tunnie]

Thinking of changing the wifes car for an EV, all she does is stop/start town runs, school drop offs, clubs. Perfect for EV use really, with the occasional longer weekend run off to places.

The price of an iPace are very tempting, but are they tempting for a reason? Little research suggests MY 21 onwards might be the way to go, but then again clubs/forms tend to focus more of faults than examples that are fine.

Was looking at something like this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406050429863

[Doctor Gollum]

Will it fit all 3 kids in the back?

Do you have the infrastructure at home to charge it? If not, that's an extra cost to consider.

How does the visibility compare to the Zafira from SWMBOs perspective?

£19k seems like a lot of money for a 5 year old car.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Thinking of changing the wifes car for an EV, all she does is stop/start town runs, school drop offs, clubs. Perfect for EV use really, with the occasional longer weekend run off to places.

The price of an iPace are very tempting, but are they tempting for a reason? Little research suggests MY 21 onwards might be the way to go, but then again clubs/forms tend to focus more of faults than examples that are fine.

Was looking at something like this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406050429863

I had a test drive in one while my XFR was being serviced. White in colour, if memory serves.

Nice car and moderately brisk with 400 BHP.

As you've found out they depreciate faster than jumping off a cliff.

Although £80,000 new, delivery mileage 24 plate cars can be had for sub £50,000.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Maximum charge rate is low by 2024 standards. Not a problem if you have a home charger.

Range of 200 miles, if lucky.

https://youtu.be/CEyfCcAbtKU?feature=shared

[tunnie]

 - Range not a massive issue, as 95% journeys are short.
- Can use my BMW if we do a longer run, as everyone fits in that and done Wales runs with ease.
- Car seats no longer an issue, so opens up a choice of cars. EV's with flat floors mean good space in the back
- Cannot go £50k, but £20k makes them a modern day Omega in terms of depreciation.
- Charger install not a concern for me.

Just wondering about issues, from what I can see:

Pre MY21 cars have 2x 12v batteries and they appear more problematic on forums. Post MY21 they appear better.
Some have had traction cell issues, but they appear rare and would be covered.
Windscreen fault appears to popup a few times.

The cheaper ones are outside JLR dealers, but concerned could be a bit risky if issues popup.

I thought they were like Taycans a used bargain, huge amount of car for the money.

iPace full of nice extras as well, cooling/heated seats, etc.

[Sir Tigger KC]

I'd always be concerned about the condition of the battery with a second hand EV. 

It would be sods law that the battery died on cold dark wet January morning as Mrs T is about to do the school run.............. The day after the warranty expired. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I'd always be concerned about the condition of the battery with a second hand EV. 

It would be sods law that the battery died on cold dark wet January morning as Mrs T is about to do the school run.............. The day after the warranty expired. 

They usually come with an 8 year warranty.

My advice......if it is mainly used for short journeys and you have access to a home charger than go for it. I certainly wouldn't waste my time queueing up for chargers that are broken, or won't accept your card or app.

It would be no good for TB as the battery would be flat as a witch tit after 30 miles.

[Sir Tigger KC]

I'd always be concerned about the condition of the battery with a second hand EV. 

It would be sods law that the battery died on cold dark wet January morning as Mrs T is about to do the school run.............. The day after the warranty expired. 

They usually come with an 8 year warranty.

My advice......if it is mainly used for short journeys and you have access to a home charger than go for it. I certainly wouldn't waste my time queueing up for chargers that are broken, or won't accept your card or app.

It would be no good for TB as the battery would be flat as a witch tit after 30 miles.

OK so the trick is to trade it while it's still got battery warranty? 

Although I guess the residual value is directly linked to the time left of the battery warranty.  IE: no warranty=no value. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I'd always be concerned about the condition of the battery with a second hand EV. 

It would be sods law that the battery died on cold dark wet January morning as Mrs T is about to do the school run.............. The day after the warranty expired. 

They usually come with an 8 year warranty.

My advice......if it is mainly used for short journeys and you have access to a home charger than go for it. I certainly wouldn't waste my time queueing up for chargers that are broken, or won't accept your card or app.

It would be no good for TB as the battery would be flat as a witch tit after 30 miles.

OK so the trick is to trade it while it's still got battery warranty? 

Although I guess the residual value is directly linked to the time left of the battery warranty.  IE: no warranty=no value. 

Also, if it needs a replacement PP9 the cost of the new battery will probably be more than the car is worth. Dilemma.

[tunnie]

I'd always be concerned about the condition of the battery with a second hand EV. 

It would be sods law that the battery died on cold dark wet January morning as Mrs T is about to do the school run.............. The day after the warranty expired. 

I think the main traction batteries are fine, they degrade slightly over time but many, many years.

I'm looking again at brand new, but via a work scheme

[tunnie]

I'd always be concerned about the condition of the battery with a second hand EV. 

It would be sods law that the battery died on cold dark wet January morning as Mrs T is about to do the school run.............. The day after the warranty expired. 

They usually come with an 8 year warranty.

My advice......if it is mainly used for short journeys and you have access to a home charger than go for it. I certainly wouldn't waste my time queueing up for chargers that are broken, or won't accept your card or app.

It would be no good for TB as the battery would be flat as a witch tit after 30 miles.

Yeah charging at home is a must and is ok for us, so no brainer.

£5 to fill up as well vs £60.

It means my her fuel bill will almost become nill. Which can be factored into a cost.

Work scheme ones as well are all inclusive, so tyres and insurance included.

[LC0112G]

There was a thread on another forum I frequent, and the advice there was to get your ducks in a row well BEFORE you buy an EV - either new or used. The issue being that the cheap overnight charging rates offered by Octopus and the like rely on you having a modern Smart Meter, and a decent 4G/5G phone signal in your area. Also if you want a 22kW charger then you will need 3 phase mains supply - and few UK home have these as standard most are single phase. If you only have single phase you will be limited to 7kW charging.

To get 3 phase installed is not an overnight job - you need the agreement of, and work from your local DNO, may need your fuses upgraded (from 60A/80A to 100A), blah,blah,blah before a 22kW charger can be installed.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

If I had one I could charge it for free at work. Dont really want one, and cant afford one anyway, so its a moot point. 

[tunnie]

There was a thread on another forum I frequent, and the advice there was to get your ducks in a row well BEFORE you buy an EV - either new or used. The issue being that the cheap overnight charging rates offered by Octopus and the like rely on you having a modern Smart Meter, and a decent 4G/5G phone signal in your area. Also if you want a 22kW charger then you will need 3 phase mains supply - and few UK home have these as standard most are single phase. If you only have single phase you will be limited to 7kW charging.

To get 3 phase installed is not an overnight job - you need the agreement of, and work from your local DNO, may need your fuses upgraded (from 60A/80A to 100A), blah,blah,blah before a 22kW charger can be installed.

Yes I would get a charger installed first, 7Kw would be enough as each day it would be 'topped up' so rarely need a full from empty.  Phone signal good here as well.

[Viral_Jim]

I can't speak for the iPace issues (we didn't go for one as the rear space was a tad small for a rear facing child seat). But I can relay direct experience of using Octopus for cheap EV charging as we took delivery of a BMW iX last week via octopus (my employer's salary sacrifice provider).

We had a 7kw charger installed by octopus as part of the lease deal and they were very good. The installation was a week later then they said it would be, but was still done well ahead of the car coming. To compensate they gave me a £30 prepaid card to use for public charging. Nice gesture I thought.

The installation team were great and hooked up the smart charger in a morning (only about 15mins with the electric off). The octopus charging is all controlled through the app, I simply set my desired charge level and departure time and octopus schedule the charge slots. This means you can get more than the 6-7hrs of low cost electricity. For example tonight I'd run the battery right down and need to leave by 0730 tomorrow, so it's charging from 2200 all the way through to 0730. All at cheap rate.

So far, it's all worked faultlessly and if it continues, will be much more convenient than an ICE car for us.

As for the iPace, I did a test drive of almost all the premium SUV/crossover EVs and it was the nicest to drive by a good margin. Not as refined as the iX on the motorway but a better drive in every other respect.

FWIW I think they're a bargain second hand.