i3 HVAC Compressor Woes

[gcarrier]

I see a couple of people have gotten non-BMW replacement of the compressor, etc.
My 2015 Rex now has this problem in the Houston area. About $8k quoted from Momentum BMW.
Any alternative garage suggestions? Thanks

 

[tongsli]

Here is mine

 

[i3m3fan]

The compressor went bad on my '14 REX (72k miles) at the end of last year. It was still functional, but made a high-pitched whirring noise - not quite a howl, but more intrusive than the REX - when the AC kicked in, and had thrown out an error code from the main battery. The local exotic car shop I took it to - the i3 felt very downmarket surrounded by Lambos, Ferraris and Porsches! but they also handle BMWs - said there were no metal filings, although they changed out the filter/dryer as a matter of course. Total was $2600 for the compressor itself and ~$900 for labor and the filter. I seem to remember reading somewhere (here, probably) that the BEV doesn't have the same filter/dryer setup as the REX, which might make it more susceptible to shavings, but my memory often plays tricks on me these days so I may be (probably am) wrong.

Your memory is just fine and your correct. The REX has a different filter dryer built into the right side of the condenser. Being placed where it is, IMHO helps massively against recirculation of shards and debris. On the BEV it's a separate unit shaped like a metal jug in the front left corner of the frunk under the headlight.

 

[peabodhi]

I'm now in the midst of experiencing this same issue with my 2015 i3 BEV. Took it to my regular service centre expecting them to easily identify the issue considering a quick Google search of my own showed many people experiencing issues in various threads and YouTube videos with the HV AC Compressor issue as far back as 9 years ago. This is not a new issue.

The service centre took $1,000 just to diagnose the issue and just to find coolant levels were low in the system, metal shavings in the pipes, and a failed compressor.

The coolant system apparently has no leaks. The car has been regularly serviced. And there were no warnings/indicators to indicate anything was wrong.

Now I'm stuck with a $8,000 repair bill for essentially what is a shitty design and quality issue.

Definitely not what you buy a BMW for...