New owner of a 2022 i3s

[anp]

Hello, got myself a 2022 i3s with 18000k. All black (will add photos in due course).

Must say i'm loving the car but have a few question regarding extras on it..

It's got hk sound , sunroof but missing several basic (to me ) amenities.

Was wandering how it could be and if i can retrofit some of them.

Doesn't have :

1.Interior ambient lighting
2.Vanity mirror lights
3. Reading lights (only the main cabin lights)
4. Keyless entry

Also missing android/apple and front and rear cameras (all of which i am already going to install) and no adaptive cruise control which i dont mind .

Find it weird for it not to have any ambient interior lights though...

Have already ordered the evolve suspension pack (i do find the ride a bit jittery)

Would love any feedback abt the extras and if they can be retrofitted!

Thanks!

 

[mojo]

Sorry to have to say it, but retrofitting 1, 3 or 4 would be complex - probably not worth the effort. I looked at 3 (and have the necessary part) but wiring and coding is not going to be easy, and I've shelved the project (probably indefinitely). 2 might be easy enough - I've never checked.

 

[Kippy]

Have you installed the Evolve suspension yet? If so, I am very interested to hear your thoughts on it and how the ride is now.

 

[Oldsparks]

Have you installed the Evolve suspension yet? If so, I am very interested to hear your thoughts on it and how the ride is now.

Hi I have had the Evolve Suspension upgrade done because I live very near to Luton Ihad them installed by Evolve, I must say the ride is much improved and the steering is much improved too I'm very pleased with the service from Evolve, they certainly know everything about BMW's highly recommended and free coffee etc while you wait.

 

[Mg012]

Hi I have had the Evolve Suspension upgrade done because I live very near to Luton Ihad them installed by Evolve, I must say the ride is much improved and the steering is much improved too I'm very pleased with the service from Evolve, they certainly know everything about BMW's highly recommended and free coffee etc while you wait.

Did you get just the dampers or springs too? Anything else?

It’s interesting that ride and handling of the i3 are definitely not up to the usual excellence I’m used to from BMW.

Thank you
Michael

 

[Kippy]

Did you get just the dampers or springs too? Anything else?

It’s interesting that ride and handling of the i3 are definitely not up to the usual excellence I’m used to from BMW.

Thank you
Michael

So I just had the Evolve dampers installed with my OEM springs by an independent shop near me for a little under $900 (which included an alignment).

I was actually surprised at how much of a difference there is. The car feels so much more "controlled" when driving over these terrible Michigan roads now. You can still feel most bumps, but it feels like the "top edge/peak" has been taken off (if that makes sense) and is much more bearable to drive now. It doesn't feel like the car is going to shake itself apart now when I go over a pothole or poor roads. I am also on the 20" wheels so I imagine it would feel even better if you're on 19".

When driving on the highway, It could just have been windy conditions but it felt like the car was a little less stable. Interested to see if others have had the same experience.

The shop also said the car sits a little higher now? I don't notice it but it's worth mentioning. I opted out of doing the Evolve springs just because lowered cars have never really been my thing, I don't want to sacrifice any comfort, and I like the consistent spacing around the wheel and the fender.

For $1600 this upgrade might not be for everyone but if you're comfortable doing the upgrade yourself and have all the required tools, then 100% I think it's worth the $700.

 

[rcpmac]

i am puzzled that the damper only upgrade could change ride height. Ride height typically is related to spring loading

 

[Marty]

If the dampers are gas filled,it can raise heights slightly

 

[Saltkjelen]

Congrats with your new car!

All of your missing things, except of the Comfort Access is a doable thing.

You probably have "low" version of the FZD (roof function center) and need to get this replaced by a "high" version. The new roof light with reading light should then be plug and play. Your vanity lights requires two vires (pos/neg) from FZD high. The ambient lighting is the most tricky part (because you have to disassemble almost the whole interior), but doable (if you have little knowledge about retrofittings).

 

[mojo]

The new roof light with reading light should then be plug and play.

Not quite plug and play - the connectors on the FZD are different if you have the ambient/LED lighting option. You can't just unplug one and plug in the higher spec version.

 

[Saltkjelen]

Not quite plug and play - the connectors on the FZD are different if you have the ambient/LED lighting option. You can't just unplug one and plug in the higher spec version.

So then repin and get the correct connectors (it's almost plug and play). If the connector stops you from this retrofit, then retrofitting is not your thing. Retrofitting FZD with reading lights and run wires for the vanity light is a pretty easy retrofit. You do also need new sun visors, as your sun visors does not have the vanity lights built in.

 

[mojo]

Ok, no problem. That's just a different interpretation of "plug and play". Typically if you have to change to a different size/shape of connector, move pins around in a connector (on both the FZD and the body control module) and install new wires between the two (i.e. from bulkhead area, up a windscreen pillar and to the centre of the roof) then that is a little more than some people's idea of "plug and play".

I only mention this because some people might interpret what you wrote and think that they could just unplug their old FDZ and plug in a higher-spec FDZ. But in the overall scheme of things - compared for example to fitting a Porsche flat-six to an i3 - it is, of course, almost trivial...