Motor defect

[mvxvm]

Dear community,

I have the following problem: after I've noticed unusual sounds in the car I brought it to the BMW service. They've found out that the whole electric motor should be changed. So, it's not clear yet if the fabric takes over the costs - 8k euro. I'm very nervous cause the repair price is almost the half of the buying price (I've bought it used).

Do you have any advices? Or maybe someone had the same "technical problem"?

Cheers Max

[RexMan]

I have not heard of any motors failing in the i3.

Sounds more like, they couldn't be bothered taking it apart to find the actual problem and could be assuming/wishing the new motor , at your great expense will fix the problem with minimal effort on their part but hey, I could be wrong.

I'd definitely take it to another dealer and don't say you were with another dealer.

[PBNB]

I did hear of another motor failing several months ago. Poster said that the noise got louder and louder until it couldn't be ignored. I am not too sure about the details but it seamed that the dealership didn't want to do anything until the noise was unbearable.

[RexMan]

Motor failing or bearings and motor replacement being the easiest solution ?

[metaflash]

Motor replacement is the easiest man, I just recently replaced mine.

[i3Houston]

Arent the motors covered under 8years/100K miles warranty.

[AndrewDebbie]

Arent the motors covered under 8years/100K miles warranty.

Current UK warranty is

3 years unlimited milage with these exceptions:

Wheel alignment and balancing are covered for first 12,000 miles. All other adjustments are not covered.

Battery 8 years / 100,000 miles with a net capacity of at least 70% of original.

12 years anti-corrosion


** I haven't read the fine print...

[Crispin]

I have the same problem, Motor Bearing failure, requires a replacement Motor! 4100GBP.

39000 miles and 6 months out of warranty.

I am waiting a reply from BMW to see if they will pay for this on goodwill.

[CBoserup]

After only 86k KM my i3 started to make noise - they told me eTransission needed replaced - once done, they told me ohh by the way eMotor is defect too. ~about $6k + $10k in total --- I'm VERY concerned, but not yet upset, because I trust BMW will own the fact that they priced and sold this i3 to be able to go more then 86k KM based on the normal high BMW quality - therefore if it turns out I only got half the car I paid for they should come up with a goodwill based resolution. I'll let you know how it goes once I hear back

[alohart]

After only 86k KM my i3 started to make noise - they told me eTransission needed replaced - once done, they told me ohh by the way eMotor is defect too.

Which is more probable?
1. both the transmission/differential unit and the propulsion motor are defective at the same time, or
2. the dealer misdiagnosed the problem that is more likely caused by either a bad transmission/differential unit or propulsion motor but not both.

Sounds like the dealer replaced the transmission/differential unit first which did not fix the problem which they then discovered was due to a bad propulsion motor.

Whichever is true, it's still an expensive repair. What year is your i3?