2017 i3 Rex EME Repair $14,000 USD? Is this for real?

[AlohaSpirit]

2017 i3 Rex EME Repair $14,000 USD? Is this for real?

I've owned 9 BMW's from the same Hawaii BMW dealer over the past 25yrs and this EME repair is incredibly shocking. How does any car after 5 years have a $14,000 repair on only a electronic voltage controller? My main batteries were still charging great at 147 miles on my nightly charge. In perspective, who would have ever thought this EME repair would cost the same as buying a used 2019 i3 with 50K miles for $15K. This is crazy! Any ideas or thoughts from anyone that has had experienced this i3 EME repair would be greatly appreciated? Thank you from Hawaii.

Aloha!

 

[agzand]

You can probably fly in a specialist from Europe and have them fix your car. That is a ridicules number quoted by the dealer.

http://remmington.info/bmw i3 i8 EME.html

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3251969648...V4PJ4NXURg9RjwCnIZ7xOt8gk=|tkp:Bk9SR6y4te_AYQ

 

[Arm]

2017 i3 Rex EME Repair $14,000 USD? Is this for real?

I've owned 9 BMW's from the same Hawaii BMW dealer over the past 25yrs and this EME repair is incredibly shocking. How does any car after 5 years have a $14,000 repair on only a electronic voltage controller? My main batteries were still charging great at 147 miles on my nightly charge. In perspective, who would have ever thought this EME repair would cost the same as buying a used 2019 i3 with 50K miles for $15K. This is crazy! Any ideas or thoughts from anyone that has had experienced this i3 EME repair would be greatly appreciated? Thank you from Hawaii.

Aloha!

Yeah that's ridiculous...report them to BMW...that should no be that expensive...it's a $500 part AT THE MOST.

 

[alohart]

Yeah that's ridiculous...report them to BMW...that should no be that expensive...it's a $500 part AT THE MOST.

You must be thinking of a different module. The EME seems to be the most expensive electronic module in an i3, maybe because of its wide-ranging functionality including converting DC power from the battery pack to AC power for the propulsion motor, converting AC power from the propulsion motor to AC power for the battery back (regen), converting high-voltage DC power to 12 V DC power, etc. It includes its own liquid cooling circuit. High-power electronics aren't cheap. A company in Bulgaria repairs i3 EME's for $2,535 and sells reconditioned i3 EME's for $3,400. This wouldn't be a viable business if a new EME cost only $500.

If the EME in our i3 failed, I would seriously consider shipping it to the U.K. or Bulgaria where companies claim to be able to repair them.

 

[i32014]

AlohaSpirit, what did you end up doing? I got a similar quote from my BMW dealership in Ohio, $14k for replacing EME, Safety box and HV cables after Drivetrain Malfunction. I have 2014 i3 BEV with just under 27k miles. It's shocking because the car was without a problem for 10+ years other than needing a new 12v battery last year.

 

[maclaytodd]

I have a 2014 i3 Rex (Electronaut edition) which had EME failure. In my case, the 12v charging inverter appears to have failed. My experience with this car has not been good as A/C compressor (Visteon) failed and was replaced ($2716) and cabin heater failed and was replaced.

I spent $4764 at dealer having Safety Box replaced and declined spending another $10,000 to have EME replaced. What I've done to put the car back in service is add a 12V 100Ah LFP battery and 40A DC-DC battery charger in the frunk area. At $450, this keeps the small BMW 12v battery charged for at least a couple of hours and this allows using the full range of the HV battery. The i3 low voltage system requires about 10 amps continuous to wake up when doors are opened, 22 amps to run in daylight, 40 amps to run at night with windshield wipers and approaching 50 amps to run all these along with range extender.

This is admittedly a kludge but it makes the car useable for local trips. It does extend the range a little. The one glitch, is sometimes the car does not go to sleep for a few hours so I have to keep the LFP battery on a charger when parked. So far, no error codes.

 

[Dutchi3]

Another solution may be to mount an external DC-DC converter to keep the 12v battery charged, Meanwell has a lot of these. I once needed one in my electric van, because the oem DC converter died. But that car's main voltage was between 130v (nominal) and 190v (balancing NiCad). With 385v on tap in the i3 it may not be everyone's cup of tea to fiddle with the high voltage. This is also not a recommendation, but in theory it could be done.

 

[i32014]

I have a 2014 i3 Rex (Electronaut edition) which had EME failure. In my case, the 12v charging inverter appears to have failed. My experience with this car has not been good as A/C compressor (Visteon) failed and was replaced ($2716) and cabin heater failed and was replaced.

I spent $4764 at dealer having Safety Box replaced and declined spending another $10,000 to have EME replaced. What I've done to put the car back in service is add a 12V 100Ah LFP battery and 40A DC-DC battery charger in the frunk area. At $450, this keeps the small BMW 12v battery charged for at least a couple of hours and this allows using the full range of the HV battery. The i3 low voltage system requires about 10 amps continuous to wake up when doors are opened, 22 amps to run in daylight, 40 amps to run at night with windshield wipers and approaching 50 amps to run all these along with range extender.

This is admittedly a kludge but it makes the car useable for local trips. It does extend the range a little. The one glitch, is sometimes the car does not go to sleep for a few hours so I have to keep the LFP battery on a charger when parked. So far, no error codes.

Thank you for sharing! I am glad you got it running at a reasonable cost albeit via a roundabout way. My i3 is sitting in my garage while I research. The notes about the use of amps are helpful too. Thanks!

 

[Francisco Valle]

Reparación del i3 Rex EME 2017 por 14 000 USD ¿Es esto real?

He tenido 9 BMW del mismo concesionario BMW de Hawái durante los últimos 25 años y esta reparación de EME es increíblemente impactante. ¿Cómo es posible que un automóvil después de 5 años tenga una reparación de $14,000 con solo un controlador de voltaje electrónico? Mis baterías principales todavía se cargaban muy bien a 147 millas con mi carga nocturna. En perspectiva, ¿quién hubiera pensado alguna vez que esta reparación de EME costaría lo mismo que comprar un i3 2019 usado con 50 000 millas por $15 000? ¡Esto es una locura! Cualquier idea o pensamiento de alguien que haya tenido esta reparación de EME de i3 sería muy apreciado. Gracias desde Hawái.

¡Aloha!

 

[Francisco Valle]

View attachment 1884aqui envie la garantia bmw

 

[bum55]

2017 i3 Rex EME Repair $14,000 USD? Is this for real?

I've owned 9 BMW's from the same Hawaii BMW dealer over the past 25yrs and this EME repair is incredibly shocking. How does any car after 5 years have a $14,000 repair on only a electronic voltage controller? My main batteries were still charging great at 147 miles on my nightly charge. In perspective, who would have ever thought this EME repair would cost the same as buying a used 2019 i3 with 50K miles for $15K. This is crazy! Any ideas or thoughts from anyone that has had experienced this i3 EME repair would be greatly appreciated? Thank you from Hawaii.

Aloha!

Just got mine replaced under warranty at no cost on 2014 rex. Covered under emission (California) 15 year warranty which service rep said is honored in all states. This was news to me since i’m in New Jersey. My check engine yellow light had come on and was diagnosed as requiring the eme replacement which they performed at no cost.

 

[Francisco Valle]

Reparación del i3 Rex EME 2017 por 14 000 USD ¿Es esto real?

He tenido 9 BMW del mismo concesionario BMW de Hawái durante los últimos 25 años y esta reparación de EME es increíblemente impactante. ¿Cómo es posible que un automóvil después de 5 años tenga una reparación de $14,000 con solo un controlador de voltaje electrónico? Mis baterías principales todavía se cargaban muy bien a 147 millas con mi carga nocturna. En perspectiva, ¿quién hubiera pensado alguna vez que esta reparación de EME costaría lo mismo que comprar un i3 2019 usado con 50 000 millas por $15 000? ¡Esto es una locura! Cualquier idea o pensamiento de alguien que haya tenido esta reparación de EME de i3 sería muy apreciado. Gracias desde Hawái.

¡Aloha!

 

[Francisco Valle]

View attachment 1884

Aqui esta la garantia de bmw verifica

 

[Gonville]

New Jersey seems to be in that list in the Warranty.

 

[nickp]

Just got mine replaced under warranty at no cost on 2014 rex. Covered under emission (California) 15 year warranty which service rep said is honored in all states. This was news to me since i’m in New Jersey. My check engine yellow light had come on and was diagnosed as requiring the eme replacement which they performed at no cost.

The CARB warranty is honored in all states? Could you elaborate please?

 

[Stevick]

BMW just denied my EME warranty claim on my '17 REX w/44k mi. and I was within the 8/100 battery assembly warranty period. I'm in Florida ( a non-CARB state) If the "all states" policy is true and authoritative, I would certainly like to find out how to confirm it. I was quoted $16k+ for the replacement. And get this, they deemed my EME faulty only because of a permanent internal fault code, but could not explain what was wrong with it. The car has NO SYMPTOMS, it drives and charges as it should and there are no errors of any kind displayed. I even contacted the BMW I series "Genius Team" rep and he was useless. After hearing the full frustrating story, I asked him what he would do if it was his car and he responded, "I'd scrap it"!?!?
Unconscionable!

 

[shinang]

I have a 2014 i3 Rex (Electronaut edition) which had EME failure. In my case, the 12v charging inverter appears to have failed. My experience with this car has not been good as A/C compressor (Visteon) failed and was replaced ($2716) and cabin heater failed and was replaced.

I spent $4764 at dealer having Safety Box replaced and declined spending another $10,000 to have EME replaced. What I've done to put the car back in service is add a 12V 100Ah LFP battery and 40A DC-DC battery charger in the frunk area. At $450, this keeps the small BMW 12v battery charged for at least a couple of hours and this allows using the full range of the HV battery. The i3 low voltage system requires about 10 amps continuous to wake up when doors are opened, 22 amps to run in daylight, 40 amps to run at night with windshield wipers and approaching 50 amps to run all these along with range extender.

This is admittedly a kludge but it makes the car useable for local trips. It does extend the range a little. The one glitch, is sometimes the car does not go to sleep for a few hours so I have to keep the LFP battery on a charger when parked. So far, no error codes.

Hi maclaytodd, my i3 has the same issue, so I try to buy LFP battery and DC-Dc charger, would you show me the image of what you have done from Frunk area? I think it's probably possible to connect rear engine bay, any reason you have placed the Frunk area? Any tips you want to share for me or potential drivers? Thanks in advance.

 

[Gonville]

BMW just denied my EME warranty claim on my '17 REX w/44k mi. and I was within the 8/100 battery assembly warranty period. I'm in Florida ( a non-CARB state) If the "all states" policy is true and authoritative, I would certainly like to find out how to confirm it. I was quoted $16k+ for the replacement. And get this, they deemed my EME faulty only because of a permanent internal fault code, but could not explain what was wrong with it. The car has NO SYMPTOMS, it drives and charges as it should and there are no errors of any kind displayed. I even contacted the BMW I series "Genius Team" rep and he was useless. After hearing the full frustrating story, I asked him what he would do if it was his car and he responded, "I'd scrap it"!?!?
Unconscionable!

As I understand it the EME isn’t ‘part’ of the battery - so that warranty doesn’t apply. The EME does seem to blow a fuse so charging only happens via the KLE.

If it drives and no errors? What is the charging? AC or DC ? Usually it charges on DC as it needs no rectifier but doesn’t charge or only half speed on AC. (240v)

 

[B. Driest]

I have a 2014 i3 Rex (Electronaut edition) which had EME failure. In my case, the 12v charging inverter appears to have failed. My experience with this car has not been good as A/C compressor (Visteon) failed and was replaced ($2716) and cabin heater failed and was replaced.

I spent $4764 at dealer having Safety Box replaced and declined spending another $10,000 to have EME replaced. What I've done to put the car back in service is add a 12V 100Ah LFP battery and 40A DC-DC battery charger in the frunk area. At $450, this keeps the small BMW 12v battery charged for at least a couple of hours and this allows using the full range of the HV battery. The i3 low voltage system requires about 10 amps continuous to wake up when doors are opened, 22 amps to run in daylight, 40 amps to run at night with windshield wipers and approaching 50 amps to run all these along with range extender.

This is admittedly a kludge but it makes the car useable for local trips. It does extend the range a little. The one glitch, is sometimes the car does not go to sleep for a few hours so I have to keep the LFP battery on a charger when parked. So far, no error codes.

That is an incredible workaround, and I bookmarked this for future reference. Thank you for posting.

Just a random thought or question outside of the BMW i3 community: Could this be a possible solution/workaround for other Hybrids or EV manufacturers that rely on 12 volts to run miscellaneous systems besides the Larger DC motors for the drivetrain?

 

[Stevick]

As I understand it the EME isn’t ‘part’ of the battery - so that warranty doesn’t apply. The EME does seem to blow a fuse so charging only happens via the KLE.

My research had also indicated it was not part of the battery under warranty. However, when I advised my local dealer's service advisor of the singular EME fault code, he had me bring it in for a courtesy diagnostic, surprisingly suggesting it may be under the "battery assembly" defect warranty. Turns out, BMW disagreed. Because BMW has an appeal process for warranty denial (requiring evaluation by another BMW dealer), I spoke with a service advisor at another dealership, described everything, and asked if they believed the EME might be under warranty. They would not say one way or the other, and instead urged me to bring the car in for a $275 diagnostic before the one week remaining on the 8-year "emissions" warranty expired, in order to find out. I passed.

I can't comment on a blown fuse, but it seems the dealer technician or BMW I-team guy would have figured that out, or it would have caused some symptom or additional, more-specific fault code. As for charging, see below.

If it drives and no errors? What is the charging? AC or DC ? Usually it charges on DC as it needs no rectifier but doesn’t charge or only half speed on AC. (240v)

I've described this in other threads, but here goes. Yes, it drives great, with no warnings, glitches, problems, or symptoms of any kind. Likewise, it AC charges at level 1 (w/BMW charger) and level 2 (@24 amps w/my home charger) just as it should. I even confirmed a level 3 DC fast charge at the dealership worked as it should. Were it not for the anomalous scanned fault code of "EME: 222A0C Internal Fault" that will not clear, both I and BMW would be totally unaware of an issue at all. The BMW code lookup states that the fault is due to a faulty internal EME sensor and the service plan for that error code states: "If no fault memories are logged for undervoltage/overvoltage: Replace EME if the fault is currently present or in the event of customer complaint." No one has been able to tell me what exactly is wrong with the EME when it seems to operate as it should, nor justify a $16k EME replacement or scrapping of the car. So far, the service advisor, service manager, visiting BMW engineer, and the BMW I-series Genius team rep. have all been stumped. It seems that they are no more informed that I, a layman with a scanner and code lookup site. So I continue to use the car normally, but knowing that its resale value has now been significantly diminished by the unsubstantiated and dubious claim by BMW that it is in need of a repair costing well more than the value of the car. The dealer even claimed that the car cannot have its software updated, as an integration level software update to all modules must be performed, which will not run with the fault code present. Needless to say, BMW has been no help to me whatsoever, and that is disappointing, to say the least.