A definitive guide to the REx fuel flap not opening would be a huge hit! Hopefully getting my fuel tank pressure sensor recalibrated soon, but a video from yourselves would be good for confidence. 😀
As you say, the issue is usually only a matter of software calibration of the pressure sensor. However, we may make a video discussing the most common REx problems in the future.
An issue you have mentioned before is the LED lights on the climate control panel flickering but also stated you have a workaround fix as opposed to replacing the panel, could you please create a video showing how? Many thanks and keep up the good work! 👍🏻
Hi, I am trying to trouble shoot the windshield fluid...I used compressed air to check the line and can hear the pump, fluid does not come out. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!
I now consider you one of the best i3 experts, both on mechnicals and reselling. Allow me to ask your opinion. What would be the best age to sell an i3. I would only imagine that as an i3 approaches 8 years of age that its value will plummet. Is your facility planning to do battery swaps using either used 94 or 120 Ah batteries, or new rebuilt packs? Because of the odd size of tires that the i3 car uses, do you think we will have problems finding the tire in 3 to 4 years. Thanks for your opinions (if you venture).
Thanks for your feedback, very kind! On the contrary to what you're thinking, the older an i3 is the easier it is to sell... but that's not to be confused with easier to prepare for sale! There are a lot more people with £20k to spend on their next car than £40k, and a lot more people with £10k to spend than £20k etc) so this means that there is greater demand at the bottom end of the spectrum. Also we can't reverse time and increase the number of cars sold 7ish years ago, so the availability pool stays constant (in fact reduces due to cars being damaged) yet every day more and more people are waking up to EV and competing for those cheaper examples. Also, in terms of battery health nothing we have seen suggests that the performance of these cells will nosedive after a certain number of years / miles... the BMW packs have a very sophisticated BMS and it would not surprise us if they are still usable after 15+ years. Of course, as they get older there will be more failures / faults (as with any electromechanical item) and it may be that 3rd party battery options will soon enter the market at a competitive price point (the actual replacement itself is very easy). Though, in our opinion unless the total cost gets down to sub £3k the uptake will remain low as most people will prefer to simply replace the entire car (not just battery) for a younger example. It's similar to iPhones when they first came out before cheap Chinese replacement batteries became readily available. Even now there are very cheap battery swaps available, most people still prefer to just upgrade to the latest model rather than trying to keep alive an older example with less functionality etc. Regarding tyres, just this year Michelin launched their e Primacy tyre in BMW i3 sizing which is not something they would have done if they only saw a few more years of demand. Everything is in place for i3's to remain usable (and appealing) for many years to come :)
Are oil leaks common on the rex as I have oil on the undertray surrounding the exhaust silencer, so I am naturally assuming rex related? Thanks for all of the great videos!
thank you my friend for helpfull video , i have wird proplems with my i3 , wen i release the accelerator pedal the car tack longs time to stop than normal ..... ..... and it keep moving slowly and does not full stop , what the problem ?
To replace the drive shaft, after removing the 17mm Allen that holds in it the break, did you first pop the axle out of the transmission or first free the shaft completely from the brake?
You who are an i3 specialist. For filling gearbox oil without cap. Is it possible to fill through the air vent above the box? thank you for your repons
Hallo, I just buy i3 form US and have a big problem with my wheel power steering. When start car feel the steering wheel is softer but when drive and make for example U turn the steering not to back to start position. When drive faster every little move of the steering make my car start to turn what is very dangerous. Could you help me? I heard that soft changing could be helpful. Any suggestions….
Hello I’m seriously thinking of purchasing a 2017/18 i3 Rex. I am a driving instructor and therefore would need to have dual controls fitted. I’ve found very little information on the net regarding i3 and dual controls. However I have been advised by one installer that they can only be factory fitted. In your experience is this true, and if this is the case, why?
Hi! Here is some general info that might help. Prices are correct at time of writing: Stickers: approx 2 hours per side - A pillar: £30.25 + vat - Roof: £41.09 + vat ... you will also need a few clips / fitting hardware but we had these lying around from a previous job Door seals: approx 30 mins per side - Left hand door seal: £91.98 + vat - Right hand door seal: £47.93 + vat Driveshaft: approx 2 hours per side - Driveshaft: we don't have the exact price to hand, but just over £1k - Replacement collar bolt: £7.61 + vat - Replacement shaft seal: £9.81 + vat Indicator: approx 15 mins - We removed a speaker from a spare binnacle so £0 Windscreen chip: approx 1 hour - Cost: we use a professional, retail cost is between £50-150 depending where you go
I'm buying a low mileage 2016 i3 REX Terra tomorrow in Los Angeles. Can you tell me your general thoughts on the reliability of the 2016 i3 REX? Am I going to have to make expensive trips to the dealer in a couple years to replace faulty parts? Just looking for your general opinion on reliability. Thank you :)
We will try to make a dedicated video on the REx covering it in more detail, but generally, they are reliable, especially if prepared properly before sale. Worst case scenario, just make sure the warranty covers items like oxygen sensors etc.
It’s not something we ever played about with. The motor should be pretty quiet in normal operation + because it’s in the back you don’t hear much of the sound anyways. Before going ahead with anything advanced, make sure that you do the simple things: rear seats up and in the most reclined position, parcel shelf installed and the boot “liner” placed in correctly.
@@wiselyauto thanks :) Yes, it's quiet but the rear motor Tesla 3 seems ultra quiet. That was the first one I drove. I need to find a parcel shelf on eBay or similar. Thank you for the highly informative videos!
Could you make a video on how to repair an iDrive button that is stuck? I can't find anyone online that has clear instructions but it seems like a common issue. Spilled beverage + iDrive = frozen/stuck buttons! :)
Hi Nick, unfortunately BMW do not offer the boot on its own. You can use 'universal' repair kits which have a cut one down side and are glued closed once fitted over the joint, however in our experience these are good for nothing more than a quick MOT patch. As such, reluctantly, replacing the whole driveshaft is the only comprehensive option.
We have a “non-issue” problem, as the engine fault indicator comes on after using the range extender for more than a few minutes. BMW service says it is a problem with the power cable, which is rather expensive. But I don’t trust that as everything is working perfectly, just having the engine fault light come on. We have driven with the extender for a long trip with no issues, but it is annoying then to have the engine fault light up and stay on until reset. Any clue what the real problem could be?
We have seen a few problems with the HV cables in i3's. If the Rex is running fine, and the fault only appears once it is started, it does seem like BMW is right. (of course, it could be many other things as well, such as oxygen sensors, etc.) If you want to be sure, you can always book the car to be checked by a 3rd party, but given it's a recurring fault, we would definitely stick to someone with the full BMW diagnostics kit.
@@wiselyauto I don't see why I should stick with BMWs interpretation of this fault, as there is no real error. REX works perfectly and the estimated range is achieved, so there is no errors, except there is somekind of software or sensor fault. It can't be the power cable as it charges perfectly from the REX. Therefore, BMW must be completely wrong.
Is it possible to remove the silver sticker that runs along the roof of the car without removing the trim piece? Maybe just using a heat gun and by peeling it off?
The problem - as shown at 0:56 - is that the silver stickers 'tuck in' behind the trim pieces by about 1cm so it is not possible to fully remove them properly without removing the A pillar piece. You could peel up to the joint and cut very carefully.
@@wiselyauto I see, thanks i recently purchased one and I’m looking to remove the sticker but I want to make sure I do it the right way. Do you have any videos that shows how to fully remove the trim?
Great video and very insightful re the silver flash on the roof. I don't have an i3 (yet) but am not a fan of the silver flash and didn't realise it is just a sticker. Surprised more people dont just remove it. Is it because without the silver sticker the roof looks unfinished?
It's mostly down to preference. The stciker is only present on the newer facelifted (LCI) non-S cars. In fact, we couldn't decide what we like more for our car, so if you look at the finished shots you will see that one side has diamond cut wheels + the sticker to keep with the light theme, whereas the other side is all dark with black wheels + no sticker. Hope that helps with your decision... ruclips.net/video/Urt0i4lYa-M/видео.html
Heater failures are unfortunately a common failure on the BMW i3, so that's most likely the problem in your case, but would definitely need full diagnosis to confirm the cause.
We have to outsource that job to an automotive glass specialist. Always good to find a reputable one as many chips / scratches can be repaired without having to buy a whole new windscreen.
The car had done approximately 56,000 miles, although for clarity the driveshaft itself was in perfectly fine order its just the bellow/gaiter which protects the CV joint was torn. This is not common, and the only time we have come across this in 350+ i3s.
OK, I love my i3, but these cars have far too many problems for me to recommend them to friends - sorry BMW, but you took a great idea and cut too many corners on the implementation. Such a shame, because this could really be a fantastic car. Next time it will be a Tesla for me - probably wait for the Model '2, or whatever they end up calling it.
I am considering purchasing a used I3, and I really find your videos very informative! Keep up the great job!!!
I bought my I3s from Wisley this year. Brillant experience. Great car loads of info very relaxing sales experience.
@@colintwyning9614 thank you Colin! We hope you're enjoying your stunning i3s! :)
Just working back through your back catelogue. Martin, you do a great job brining technical things to camera and screen.
A definitive guide to the REx fuel flap not opening would be a huge hit! Hopefully getting my fuel tank pressure sensor recalibrated soon, but a video from yourselves would be good for confidence. 😀
As you say, the issue is usually only a matter of software calibration of the pressure sensor.
However, we may make a video discussing the most common REx problems in the future.
Nice video, there is definitely a need for more vids like this for the i3
Arthur, all...this is great content. Way better than my amateur efforts!
Please show us more videos like this. 👍
I really appreciate you doing this type of video. They are very informative. Keep up the good work and looking forward to more.
An issue you have mentioned before is the LED lights on the climate control panel flickering but also stated you have a workaround fix as opposed to replacing the panel, could you please create a video showing how? Many thanks and keep up the good work! 👍🏻
Hi, I am trying to trouble shoot the windshield fluid...I used compressed air to check the line and can hear the pump, fluid does not come out. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!
I now consider you one of the best i3 experts, both on mechnicals and reselling. Allow me to ask your opinion. What would be the best age to sell an i3. I would only imagine that as an i3 approaches 8 years of age that its value will plummet. Is your facility planning to do battery swaps using either used 94 or 120 Ah batteries, or new rebuilt packs? Because of the odd size of tires that the i3 car uses, do you think we will have problems finding the tire in 3 to 4 years. Thanks for your opinions (if you venture).
Thanks for your feedback, very kind! On the contrary to what you're thinking, the older an i3 is the easier it is to sell... but that's not to be confused with easier to prepare for sale!
There are a lot more people with £20k to spend on their next car than £40k, and a lot more people with £10k to spend than £20k etc) so this means that there is greater demand at the bottom end of the spectrum. Also we can't reverse time and increase the number of cars sold 7ish years ago, so the availability pool stays constant (in fact reduces due to cars being damaged) yet every day more and more people are waking up to EV and competing for those cheaper examples. Also, in terms of battery health nothing we have seen suggests that the performance of these cells will nosedive after a certain number of years / miles... the BMW packs have a very sophisticated BMS and it would not surprise us if they are still usable after 15+ years. Of course, as they get older there will be more failures / faults (as with any electromechanical item) and it may be that 3rd party battery options will soon enter the market at a competitive price point (the actual replacement itself is very easy). Though, in our opinion unless the total cost gets down to sub £3k the uptake will remain low as most people will prefer to simply replace the entire car (not just battery) for a younger example. It's similar to iPhones when they first came out before cheap Chinese replacement batteries became readily available. Even now there are very cheap battery swaps available, most people still prefer to just upgrade to the latest model rather than trying to keep alive an older example with less functionality etc.
Regarding tyres, just this year Michelin launched their e Primacy tyre in BMW i3 sizing which is not something they would have done if they only saw a few more years of demand. Everything is in place for i3's to remain usable (and appealing) for many years to come :)
Great question and great response. Thank you both
Brilliant keep up the good work
Are oil leaks common on the rex as I have oil on the undertray surrounding the exhaust silencer, so I am naturally assuming rex related?
Thanks for all of the great videos!
thank you my friend for helpfull video , i have wird proplems with my i3 , wen i release the accelerator pedal the car tack longs time to stop than normal ..... ..... and it keep moving slowly and does not full stop , what the problem ?
Have you ever done a gearbox oil change? And for filling can we fill through the air vent because there is no filler cap? Thank you for your reply
To replace the drive shaft, after removing the 17mm Allen that holds in it the break, did you first pop the axle out of the transmission or first free the shaft completely from the brake?
You who are an i3 specialist. For filling gearbox oil without cap. Is it possible to fill through the air vent above the box? thank you for your repons
Hi Martin , have you ever experienced heating issues with any I3s mine is working intermittently, thanks
Hi Martin, can you do a tutorial how to remove the silver sticker? Can i remove it all together? Thank you for your effort!
Hallo, I just buy i3 form US and have a big problem with my wheel power steering. When start car feel the steering wheel is softer but when drive and make for example U turn the steering not to back to start position. When drive faster every little move of the steering make my car start to turn what is very dangerous. Could you help me? I heard that soft changing could be helpful. Any suggestions….
4:10 those BMW indicator-speakers are so loud. At least the sound they programmed in is.
Hello I’m seriously thinking of purchasing a 2017/18 i3 Rex. I am a driving instructor and therefore would need to have dual controls fitted. I’ve found very little information on the net regarding i3 and dual controls. However I have been advised by one installer that they can only be factory fitted. In your experience is this true, and if this is the case, why?
Very informative video! How do you pop off the long plastic door seal trim? Just pull up or is it more complicated?
Yes, but you need to remove the 2 overlapping bits of trim along the sill first.
Bmw i3 Sometimes I have start problems. It won't go in D. I have to wait for a long time, then it might work again?
Great video...but could you state how much each repair was in cost? Both labour (man hours) and cost of parts ? Cheers.
Hi! Here is some general info that might help. Prices are correct at time of writing:
Stickers: approx 2 hours per side
- A pillar: £30.25 + vat
- Roof: £41.09 + vat
... you will also need a few clips / fitting hardware but we had these lying around from a previous job
Door seals: approx 30 mins per side
- Left hand door seal: £91.98 + vat
- Right hand door seal: £47.93 + vat
Driveshaft: approx 2 hours per side
- Driveshaft: we don't have the exact price to hand, but just over £1k
- Replacement collar bolt: £7.61 + vat
- Replacement shaft seal: £9.81 + vat
Indicator: approx 15 mins
- We removed a speaker from a spare binnacle so £0
Windscreen chip: approx 1 hour
- Cost: we use a professional, retail cost is between £50-150 depending where you go
I'm buying a low mileage 2016 i3 REX Terra tomorrow in Los Angeles. Can you tell me your general thoughts on the reliability of the 2016 i3 REX? Am I going to have to make expensive trips to the dealer in a couple years to replace faulty parts? Just looking for your general opinion on reliability. Thank you :)
We will try to make a dedicated video on the REx covering it in more detail, but generally, they are reliable, especially if prepared properly before sale. Worst case scenario, just make sure the warranty covers items like oxygen sensors etc.
Have you ever reduced the motor noise with additional sound proofing? I would like to make it inaudible.
It’s not something we ever played about with. The motor should be pretty quiet in normal operation + because it’s in the back you don’t hear much of the sound anyways.
Before going ahead with anything advanced, make sure that you do the simple things: rear seats up and in the most reclined position, parcel shelf installed and the boot “liner” placed in correctly.
@@wiselyauto thanks :) Yes, it's quiet but the rear motor Tesla 3 seems ultra quiet. That was the first one I drove. I need to find a parcel shelf on eBay or similar. Thank you for the highly informative videos!
Please can you let me know how to remove the front door skin as the door will not open
Could you make a video on how to repair an iDrive button that is stuck? I can't find anyone online that has clear instructions but it seems like a common issue. Spilled beverage + iDrive = frozen/stuck buttons! :)
can you share the source for the aftermarket door seal?
Please tell me what you need to do to find a malfunction in the BMW i3 - the rear window heater does not work? Don't you have such a plot?
Could you not replace the drive shift boots? Did the whole drive shift need replacing? If it was just a worn boot.
Hi Nick, unfortunately BMW do not offer the boot on its own. You can use 'universal' repair kits which have a cut one down side and are glued closed once fitted over the joint, however in our experience these are good for nothing more than a quick MOT patch. As such, reluctantly, replacing the whole driveshaft is the only comprehensive option.
We have a “non-issue” problem, as the engine fault indicator comes on after using the range extender for more than a few minutes. BMW service says it is a problem with the power cable, which is rather expensive. But I don’t trust that as everything is working perfectly, just having the engine fault light come on. We have driven with the extender for a long trip with no issues, but it is annoying then to have the engine fault light up and stay on until reset. Any clue what the real problem could be?
We have seen a few problems with the HV cables in i3's. If the Rex is running fine, and the fault only appears once it is started, it does seem like BMW is right. (of course, it could be many other things as well, such as oxygen sensors, etc.)
If you want to be sure, you can always book the car to be checked by a 3rd party, but given it's a recurring fault, we would definitely stick to someone with the full BMW diagnostics kit.
@@wiselyauto I don't see why I should stick with BMWs interpretation of this fault, as there is no real error. REX works perfectly and the estimated range is achieved, so there is no errors, except there is somekind of software or sensor fault. It can't be the power cable as it charges perfectly from the REX. Therefore, BMW must be completely wrong.
Is it possible to remove the silver sticker that runs along the roof of the car without removing the trim piece? Maybe just using a heat gun and by peeling it off?
The problem - as shown at 0:56 - is that the silver stickers 'tuck in' behind the trim pieces by about 1cm so it is not possible to fully remove them properly without removing the A pillar piece. You could peel up to the joint and cut very carefully.
@@wiselyauto I see, thanks i recently purchased one and I’m looking to remove the sticker but I want to make sure I do it the right way. Do you have any videos that shows how to fully remove the trim?
Great video and very insightful re the silver flash on the roof. I don't have an i3 (yet) but am not a fan of the silver flash and didn't realise it is just a sticker. Surprised more people dont just remove it.
Is it because without the silver sticker the roof looks unfinished?
It's mostly down to preference. The stciker is only present on the newer facelifted (LCI) non-S cars.
In fact, we couldn't decide what we like more for our car, so if you look at the finished shots you will see that one side has diamond cut wheels + the sticker to keep with the light theme, whereas the other side is all dark with black wheels + no sticker. Hope that helps with your decision...
ruclips.net/video/Urt0i4lYa-M/видео.html
Our i3 2020 internal heater only blows cold air, switch works ok so where is the heat sensor so I can check this
Heater failures are unfortunately a common failure on the BMW i3, so that's most likely the problem in your case, but would definitely need full diagnosis to confirm the cause.
@@wiselyauto hi thanks for ur reply, I found the sensor and it was a connector issue
Does the speaker in the binnacle do anything other than indicator/hazzards ??
We assume it will also be used for driver alerts on cars with Driving Assistant.
Please explain in detail how you fixed the windscreen chip!
Its not easy to be found at my place
We have to outsource that job to an automotive glass specialist. Always good to find a reputable one as many chips / scratches can be repaired without having to buy a whole new windscreen.
@@wiselyauto Thanks for info. I have one Chip that has gone white, the repair guy said its UV, i thougth it was moisture? any fix for that?
How many miles did the driveshaft last?
The car had done approximately 56,000 miles, although for clarity the driveshaft itself was in perfectly fine order its just the bellow/gaiter which protects the CV joint was torn. This is not common, and the only time we have come across this in 350+ i3s.
OK, I love my i3, but these cars have far too many problems for me to recommend them to friends - sorry BMW, but you took a great idea and cut too many corners on the implementation. Such a shame, because this could really be a fantastic car. Next time it will be a Tesla for me - probably wait for the Model '2, or whatever they end up calling it.