The BMW i3 is a fantastic choice for individuals seeking a more environmentally friendly vehicle because it is an all-electric vehicle. However, compared to more conventional BMWs, the i3 will need slightly different upkeep, which will cost owners an average of $1,173 a year.
The most common fault with the 2017 BMW i3 is that the adaptive cruise control does not function well, despite the requirement for more specialized maintenance. Despite this, the i3 remains one of BMW’s most dependable cars. Electrical issues are also reportedly occurring. There haven’t been enough reported problems, yet, to calculate an average repair cost. The i3 has also been subject to recalls, the most recent of which was for the 2019 model year due to a potential crash-causing unexpected power shutdown.
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Overview of BMW i3 DIY Maintenance: How challenging is it really?
The i3 was BMW’s first all-electric vehicle when it initially debuted in 2014. Apart from the exotic i8, the i3’s stablemates (as well as goods from other brands) had relatively little in common with it due to its unique chassis design, drivetrain, vehicle control, and even tires.
Some adventurous people could be inclined to get their hands dirty and do DIY maintenance as more BMW i3s came off warranty. However, some people could be deterred from doing so because they think these autos are too complicated.
These vehicles are obviously sophisticated. Almost everything is managed by computers. The BMS (Battery Management System) controls the instantaneous charge/discharge rate of the hundreds of individual battery cells that make up the battery pack. To achieve the desired torque during acceleration, the BMS cooperates with the motor controller and supplies the electric motor with the appropriate quantity of power. When the driver demands that the car slow down, the reverse is done. The climate control system performs a dual function by controlling the temperature of the battery cells. Through proprietary network bus technologies, communication between relevant control modules is accomplished.
Since repairing these devices involves specialist (and expensive) tools and experience, it would probably be easier to bring such a car to an authorized BMW service center or a specialized workshop in the event of failures. But the majority of contemporary cars also fit this description. Many do-it-yourselfers are curious about how difficult it will be to maintain them on a regular basis.
In actuality, these cars require much less maintenance than their gasoline-powered cousins. Combustion engines, multi-speed transmissions, and radiators are not features of standard i3 cars. Spark plugs, air filters, engine oils, oil filters, automatic transmission fluids, and coolants are therefore not required. They do have final drives with a single speed reduction and Lifetime fluids. This indicates, in the words of BMW, that they won’t require replacement for the duration of the car. The only things that require routine replacement are the cabin air filters and brake fluids.
Regardless of mileage, it is advised to flush brake fluids every two years because they gradually accumulate moisture from the ambient air and high water content brake fluids are easier to boil and can destroy internal brake components. They may be completed quite easily with the addition of manually resetting the BMW CBS (Condition Based Service) system.
Activated carbon is used in recent BMWs’ cabin air filters, particularly those in the i3s, to improve their filtration efficiency. Unfortunately, activated carbons have shelf life and decrease their efficacy over time, which is why regular replacement schedules are advised.
Although far less frequently than the ordinary combustion-engined car, brake pads do wear out with use. This is such that the regenerative braking system on contemporary Electric Vehicles can frequently provide a sizable percentage of our deceleration needs.
Gasoline engines are installed in models with range extenders, therefore they require maintenance like spark plugs, oils, and filters. However, because they serve as electrical generators (and are therefore only seldom employed at their most efficient rpms), they often require less maintenance than engines found in non-EV cars.
Overall, for the seasoned DIYers, pretty much achievable. Just keep in mind that these vehicles should be handled with care because they were constructed using cutting-edge techniques and unique materials.
The i3 is still a fantastic vehicle and one of the best early EVs, but its complexity could make it difficult to purchase used.
After the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 was the second-best selling electric car globally about six years ago. It was extremely well received because it gave a lot, was superior to most EVs of the time (remember, it was introduced in 2013 and is still in production today), and offered few compromises because it was built from the ground up as an EV (other than its not-so-great range).
The i3’s use of CFRP in construction has to be among its coolest features (carbon fiber-reinforced plastic). If the car is in an accident, this gives it strength, torsional stiffness, and doesn’t weigh that much, albeit it is a tremendous nuisance to fix. One of the editors of CarGurys UK has opted to sell his i3 due in part to the exorbitant repair bills, according to him.
Chris Knapman has owned his i3 range extender for more than 18 months, but due to the aforementioned repair expenditures, he has chosen to sell it. He gestures toward a car mirror that needed to be changed and for which the BMW dealer asked PS800 (about $1,130). It was unsettlingly expensive, and the construction of the i3 and the materials used to make it contributed to some of the cost.
Chris claims that for the time he has owned the car, he has not experienced any substantial battery degeneration. Overall, it has been a pretty decent car with low maintenance expenses and the occasional opportunity to travel farther thanks to the range extender engine. See the entire list of justifications for selling the i3 in the video.
The BMW i3 was more expensive to purchase new than some less expensive competitors, but daily operating costs are the lowest of any EV.
When looking to get the longest range possible for your money, the BMW i3 is an expensive vehicle to purchase. The Nissan Leaf and Renault ZOE appear to be even better values than the Hyundai Kona Electric, which travels longer on a full charge for a comparable price.
Of course, no competitor can match the prestige or stylish design of the BMW, and the i3’s success implies that drivers are willing to pay a premium for that luxury. The cost of overnight charging an i3 is only a few pounds, and company car drivers are exempt from paying Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax until at least April 2024.
Is the BMW i3 a trustworthy vehicle?
Is a pre-owned BMW i3 hatchback trustworthy? The i3 placed fourth out of nine electric vehicles in its class, receiving a score of 94.1% in our most recent dependability study. A solid achievement for BMW as a brand, placing 13th out of 30 manufacturers.
What is the lifespan of a BMW i3?
The typical battery lifespan of a 2021 BMW i3 is 3 to 5 years, but this might vary significantly based on the battery’s type, size, weather, and driving habits.
The BMW i3 is being retired for what reason?
It is extremely heartbreaking to see BMW discontinue its little electric hatchback after nine years on the market given how great it was.
In 2011, as interest in electric vehicles increased, the BMW i3 was first unveiled as a concept car. The design was later evolved into a working model that was released for purchase in 2013 as a 2014 model. The BMW i3 has enjoyed considerable success since that time. The compact electric hatchback from BMW has sold over 250,000 units and was named the World Car Design and World Green Car of the Year winners at the 2014 World Car Awards.
Unfortunately, all wonderful things must eventually come to an end. BMW terminated the i3 in all markets in July 2022 after ceasing manufacturing for the US market in July 2021. The company cited consumer demand for larger-than-the-i3 electric automobiles as justification for the withdrawal. Another reason is that the manufacturer wants to move away from the i3’s distinctive appearance and produce electric vehicles with more traditional styling. The BMW i4 and BMW iX models are taking the place of the i3 as a result. We are sad to see the i3 depart, but there are other reasons as well.
Where is BMW i3 produced?
After eight and a half years and 250,000 units produced, the production of the BMW i3/i3s has ended.
The BMW i3 was created in the BMW Group facility in Leipzig, Germany, and distributed to more than 74 nations.
It was a ground-breaking vehicle for the business as it was one of the first standalone all-electric models to hit the market and the first series battery-electric model from BMW.
A passenger cell built of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and an aluminum chassis made the BMW i3 a distinctive vehicle.
The business also marketed a REx (range-extender version) of the i3/i3s, which has a small gasoline engine for emergency use, in addition to the 100% electric i3/i3s (sporty version). The car’s battery capacity increased over time, from 21.6 kWh in the first iteration to 33.2 kWh (27.2 kWh useable) and 42.2 kWh for up to 307 km (191 miles) of WLTP range.
According to BMW, it is also the most popular electric vehicle in the world in the premium compact sector with 250,000 units sold worldwide.
BMW i3 production ceased at the end of June 2022. The last 10 are unique BMW i3s HomeRun Edition models. The completion of the automobiles in the assembly hall was open to customers.
HomeRun Edition trim for the BMW i3:
- Frozen Dark Grey or Frozen Dark Red II are two new BMW Individual paint colors.
- Double-spoke light alloy wheels measuring 20 inches in diameter
- a glass roof that is electrically powered
- solar-controlling glass
- LED headlights that can adjust
- Vernasca Dark Truffle leather upholstery, a leather instrument panel, a leather steering wheel with galvanized detailing, a Carum Grey roof lining, ambient lighting, and the welcome light are all examples of the high-quality interior design of the suite.
- The Comfort package, Driving Assistant Plus, Professional navigation, wireless charging for phones, a Harman Kardon hi-fi sound system, and online entertainment with music flat rate are all included.
Some BMW i3/i3s electric vehicle components, such as battery modules or drive units, were also utilised in other EVs. The MINI Cooper SE specifically uses e-drive components (although in the front-wheel-drive configuration). Additionally, battery modules can be found in Torqeedo electric motorboats, Turkish Karsan electric buses, and Streetscooter vehicles used by the German postal service.
Due to the planned release of the next-generation fully electric MINI Countryman, the BMW Group Plant Leipzig will become the first BMW Group facility to produce both BMW and MINI vehicles.
How frequently does a BMW i3 need maintenance?
Compared to gasoline or diesel vehicles, the majority of electric vehicles require far less regular maintenance. For the Renault Zoe2, for instance, Renault recommends intervals of 18,000 miles as opposed to 9,000 miles for its petrol vehicles.
Like combustion-engined vehicles, Volkswagen electric vehicles, such as the ID.3 and ID.4, have a defined maintenance plan, with the first inspection necessary after two years. After that, a service is advised to be performed annually or every 18,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Hyundai’s petrol and hybrid vehicles have identical electric vehicle service plan intervals at 10,000-mile intervals in the first year, 20,000 miles in the second year, and so on, depending on which milestone is reached first. The service intervals for the BMW i3 are two years or 18,000 miles.
The fact that almost all auto manufacturers provide an electric vehicle service plan makes servicing an electric vehicle easier. Similar to a cell phone contract, they can be paid monthly or up front and give you access to a set list of features.
For three years and 30,000 miles, Renault’s Zoe electric car service plan costs PS299, compared to PS499 for a petrol or diesel car over the same time period.
Service contracts for Audi’s selection of E-tron models start at a one-time cost of PS299.25. This covers one servicing, one replacement of the pollen filter, and one brake fluid replacement. For a 2.0-liter combustion model, a service package costs PS449.25.
Vauxhall provides a core electric car service for the first year of ownership starting at PS90 and going up to PS239 with the addition of a cabin filter check. The three years of servicing that come with a new Vauxhall EV, however, should save you from having to pay anything.
The first, second, and third yearly services, two years of Vauxhall Roadside Assistance, and the first MOT are all included in a brand-new combustion Vauxhall service plan, which starts at PS19 per month for a three-year term.
Generally speaking, ‘wear and tear’ items like brake parts, tires, and windscreen wiper blades are not covered by service plans.
Additionally, you might be able to lower the expense of maintaining your EV. For instance, driving for extended periods of time with a battery charge of less than 20 percent can reduce battery life.
An EV battery typically comes with an eight-year warranty. The technical warranty for the automobile itself, which is often three, five, or seven years, is far shorter than this, which is reassuring.
While under warranty, an electric vehicle must be serviced by a franchised dealer. Once this has passed, though, you might discover that it is less expensive to take it to a separate garage for repairs. Finding a specialist qualified to perform maintenance can be more difficult because EV technology is still relatively new, but the good news is that it’s not insurmountable.