The BMW i8 Roadster remains one of the rarest modern BMW models, combining open-top driving with plug-in hybrid technology in a production run that lasted just two model years. With fewer than 4,000 examples built, the convertible version of the i8 has become an overlooked model that helped showcase BMW’s early electrification ambitions.
A Rare Chapter in BMW’s Electrification Journey
Convertible sports cars are designed to enhance the driving experience, allowing occupants to enjoy the surrounding scenery and atmosphere. The BMW i8 Roadster brought that experience together with futuristic styling and hybrid technology, creating a distinctive entry in BMW’s lineup.
Although the production Roadster debuted publicly in 2017 before going on sale for the 2019 model year, BMW had explored the idea years earlier. An early concept, the i8 Spyder, was unveiled in 2012. Designed by Richard Kim, it debuted at Auto China in Beijing, where it received the Concept Car of the Year award, before appearing again at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
The positive reception encouraged BMW to continue development, and in 2016 the company officially confirmed that a Roadster version of the i8 would join the lineup.
Hybrid Performance With Open-Top Driving
When production began, the BMW i8 Roadster received an upgraded battery that was also introduced on the coupe. The larger-capacity battery increased the output of the plug-in hybrid system, which pairs a single electric motor with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine.
Total system output increased from 357 horsepower to 369 horsepower, while power was delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission.
The updated battery also improved electric driving capability. The coupe’s all-electric range increased from 15 miles to 34 miles, while the Roadster achieved an all-electric range of 33 miles.
Visually, the Roadster retained the coupe’s dramatic styling, including its angular bodywork and butterfly doors. Inside, it featured leather upholstery, an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, ambient lighting, and rain-sensing wipers. Its power-operated fabric roof could open or close in less than 16 seconds.
Production ended after the 2020 model year, with a total of 3,884 BMW i8 Roadsters built between 2019 and 2020.
Depreciation Has Changed the Value Proposition
The BMW i8 Roadster carried a launch price of $163,300 for both the 2019 and 2020 model years. Since then, the model has experienced significant depreciation in the used market.
According to the article, low-mileage examples with approximately 5,000 miles can be found for around $90,000, while vehicles showing between 30,000 and 40,000 miles are available for roughly $65,000 to $72,000.
The article also notes that Chevrolet currently has large inventories of 2025 and 2026 Corvette Stingray models, with one Stingray Convertible listed at $75,567 with only 56 miles. It further mentions that used Porsche 911 models are also available as alternatives for shoppers in the segment.
Reliability and Ownership Considerations
Prospective buyers should evaluate the condition of any used vehicle, particularly one that is more than five years old. The article references data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to assess the i8 Roadster’s reliability history.
The 2019 model has no reported complaints or recalls listed. The 2020 model has one customer complaint involving high-voltage battery cells, with the issue reportedly continuing after repair attempts.
The 2020 Roadster is also subject to a recall involving possible debris entering battery cells during production, creating a potential fire risk.
The article also notes that CarComplaints contains no customer complaints for the BMW i8, likely reflecting the model’s limited production numbers and relatively recent introduction.
The BMW i8’s Legacy
The BMW i8 family consisted of both Coupe and Roadster production models, supported by several concept vehicles that introduced the design before production. These included the BMW EfficientDynamics concept, the i8 Concept, the i8 Concept Spyder, and the i8 Coupe prototype.
The i8 represented an important milestone for BMW as the company’s first production plug-in hybrid. It debuted alongside the BMW i3, the brand’s first fully electric production vehicle, as part of BMW’s “i” electrified sub-brand before those technologies became integrated into the company’s mainstream lineup.
The article concludes by noting that although CarBuzz’s Senior Editor initially questioned the i8’s three-cylinder engine, the driving experience ultimately changed that opinion.
Conclusion
With its limited production, distinctive styling, plug-in hybrid technology, and short production run, the BMW i8 Roadster remains one of BMW’s most unconventional modern sports cars. Its combination of rarity, advanced engineering, and unmistakable design continues to make it a unique option in today’s used performance car market.
