Steve Gmail
New member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2024
- Messages
- 1
Hi all,
Until recently, was a proud owner of a 2015 i3 REX model and as a city commuter, it is totally and absolutely fit for purpose. I took it home for 2 years (Where I live 'off-grid') and the benefits of charging using free solar power was brilliant but let down with minimal to no charge points when I visited the nearest city, some 1.5 hours drive from home. The local BMW dealer didn't have a quick charger but let me use their wall plug using the standard charger supplied with the vehicle. They have since installed a wall charger but where I live in northern Australia, there is very few quick charge points available.
Only 1 major issue with the car when it was 6 months old. A cooling fan died within the battery pack which caused all of the batteries to overheat necessitating a complete battery pack change out under warranty. This took 4+ months to replace due to the fact that the batteries could not be air-freighted so came by slow-boat from Leipzig. At least I was given another ICE car to use for the duration of the lengthy repairs.
BMW Australia gave me an addition 2 years warranty after the repairs were complete
Battery range was......."OK" @ 120 kilometers on a good day, before needing the REX, but the range has dropped off significantly since, and is down to 70 odd kilometers. This is OK as a city commuter but not good for 100+ kilometre trips to the city and suburbs 'cos I'm running the REX back and forth on every trip which is defeating the purpose of having an EV.
BMW have quoted me AUD$31,000 to upgrade the battery and control systems so I'm very envious of the post about the guy in EU who can change them over at half that cost (I really like the car!!)
BMW won't "come to the party" with replacing the batteries under warranty as I have just tipped over the 10 years or 100,000 kilometers conditions so I'm trying to see if they will meet me half-way to do the work....... So far there has been a deafening silence!
I have babied the car since new (I'm an engineer and am fastidious with looking after all of my equipment). It is immaculate and as stated previous, as a short trip city commuter it is perfect but alas, unless BMW Australia meet me 50/50 with the costs, it is just not financially viable to shell out $31K on a vehicle that is worth half that. Looking like I'll be stuck with a car I won't be able to sell which is such a shame unless I get a reasonable offer as a trade in on a later i3 (But with a hefty $$ changeover).
Until recently, was a proud owner of a 2015 i3 REX model and as a city commuter, it is totally and absolutely fit for purpose. I took it home for 2 years (Where I live 'off-grid') and the benefits of charging using free solar power was brilliant but let down with minimal to no charge points when I visited the nearest city, some 1.5 hours drive from home. The local BMW dealer didn't have a quick charger but let me use their wall plug using the standard charger supplied with the vehicle. They have since installed a wall charger but where I live in northern Australia, there is very few quick charge points available.
Only 1 major issue with the car when it was 6 months old. A cooling fan died within the battery pack which caused all of the batteries to overheat necessitating a complete battery pack change out under warranty. This took 4+ months to replace due to the fact that the batteries could not be air-freighted so came by slow-boat from Leipzig. At least I was given another ICE car to use for the duration of the lengthy repairs.
BMW Australia gave me an addition 2 years warranty after the repairs were complete
Battery range was......."OK" @ 120 kilometers on a good day, before needing the REX, but the range has dropped off significantly since, and is down to 70 odd kilometers. This is OK as a city commuter but not good for 100+ kilometre trips to the city and suburbs 'cos I'm running the REX back and forth on every trip which is defeating the purpose of having an EV.
BMW have quoted me AUD$31,000 to upgrade the battery and control systems so I'm very envious of the post about the guy in EU who can change them over at half that cost (I really like the car!!)
BMW won't "come to the party" with replacing the batteries under warranty as I have just tipped over the 10 years or 100,000 kilometers conditions so I'm trying to see if they will meet me half-way to do the work....... So far there has been a deafening silence!
I have babied the car since new (I'm an engineer and am fastidious with looking after all of my equipment). It is immaculate and as stated previous, as a short trip city commuter it is perfect but alas, unless BMW Australia meet me 50/50 with the costs, it is just not financially viable to shell out $31K on a vehicle that is worth half that. Looking like I'll be stuck with a car I won't be able to sell which is such a shame unless I get a reasonable offer as a trade in on a later i3 (But with a hefty $$ changeover).
