$41,578.38 for new Battery

[Keith]

Got a warning light a month ago entitled "Drivetrain" which said "Only Electric Drive Possible" and advised visiting a service center. I have visited service center 4 times: 1st time they replaced fan motor; 2nd time they replace fan module; 3rd time they replaced the 12v battery; and yesterday they said I need a new drive battery and gave quote of $41,578.38. I drove it home and intend to use it without motor but it did strand the serviceman so I'm a little worried that could happen to me. I bought the 2015 i3 from my daughter and I love it. Any suggestions on where to go from here????

 

[mojo]

Is it fair to assume that the "service center" is a BMW main dealer?

It sounds a little bit confused, because "Only Electric Drive Possible" suggests that the problem is with the REx engine, rather than the HV battery. I don't know what the situation at BMW main dealers is like in the US, but I would not be surprised to find that they have little in the way of skilled resource for EV troubleshooting and repair, and that this could just be them choosing to quote for the most expensive component that they can find, as a way to persuade you to go away.

In your position (i.e. with an out-of-warranty car) I would be looking to find an EV specialist away from the BMW main dealer network.

 

[Keith]

Thanks... I'll look around for a specialist. The Service center was BMW North Scottsdale and it's one of the Penske dealerships.

 

[Kentbauman]

Thanks... I'll look around for a specialist Service center was BMW North Scottsdale and it's one of the Penske

 

[Kentbauman]

A few months ago just before my high voltage battery warranty expired on my 2015 i3, I went to the BMW dealership here in Tucson that have a battery checked out. They came back and said it needed a replacement under warranty. They did a good job but when I asked how much it would have cost me if I come in a month later they said probably between $25,000 and $30,000. Yikes!

 

[Keith]

My daughter had the high voltage battery replaced under warranty before I bought the car from her. She also said it would have cost her 25-30K. I think BMW North Scottsdale doesn't want to see me again. Even 25K sounds like a ridiculously high price.... $10,000 is what I have read about in other cars.

 

[Simoni3]

not needed most of the time, one or two cells dud, some one needs to take the pack appart
BMW won't do this

chap in east europe can do this or a swap for you

have you checked with wisely motors in london ?

 

[Keith]

Right now it's running with no warnings so my plan is to keep driving until the next warning light shows up. When that happens I will look for a serviceman other than a BMW dealer to see what they can find.