Replace High Voltage Battery

[roach]

I have a 2014 REx that I bought new I live in Alabama. After 10 years of ownership I need to replace the high voltage battery. I am doubtful about the local dealer. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get the battery swap accomplished? Also is it possible to install a new battery with a greater range? The existing battery’s range is now 50 miles or less.

 

[alohart]

Several mechanics in Europe have been replacing 60 Ah battery packs with 94 Ah or 120 Ah i3 battery packs, so it's certainly possible but fairly expensive, even when installing a used battery pack. Apparently, installing a 94 Ah battery pack is easier than installing a 120 Ah battery pack.

Unfortunately, the value of your i3 might be less than the cost of replacing its battery pack assuming that you could find someone who could do it. It might make more financial sense to sell your i3 for parts eventually and replace it with a newer model.

At least you have a REx that will extend your range, so your i3 remains usable.

 

[EvanstonI3]

How much are you realistically willing to pay for this?
I'm not asking because I can give you a quote. I'm asking to see what your expectations are.
This is something that many Dealers don't even want to do under warranty where BMW throws money at them.
The last "We don't want to do it" price for an out of warranty battery replacement at a Dealer was $41K at this thread:
https://www.mybmwi3.com/threads/41-578-38-for-new-battery.18742/

 

[mojo]

When you think about it, this is BMW shooting themselves in the foot, isn't it? One of the worst criticisms of EVs in general is that they become scrap once the factory-fitted battery reaches end-of-life. EVs are very much at the centre of their future range, but BMW seem to be determined to turn them into an environmentalist's worst nightmare.

 

[Simoni3]

Mechanic in chec Republic can do this

 

[tongsli]

There is a guy on the Facebook BMW I3 group who has changed (3) batteries on his fleet of I3's. He lives near me in Baltimore. Jeff Fahringer is his name. See if you can find him.

 

[roach]

My car is in excellent shape. It has about 50,000 miles on it. In the 10 plus years that I have owned it it has cost virtually nothing to keep it going, tires, 12 volt battery, services to the Rex. Even if the swap cost me $20,000.00 it would make financial and environmental sense.

You are right about BMW kicking themselves. They designed and built a very good means of transport but never actually supported their vision.

The car is best viewed as a disposable (throw away) design. It has less easily recyclable content then a standard manufactured auto and less ability to be maintained as an operating vehicle then my 1953 MG TD.

When I bought my present car I did not consider BMW as a viable alternative because of their lack of support for the I3 and their lack of commitment to support the principles (vision) they said they stood for when the marketed the I3.

I’ll keep the I3 until something fails and then give it away.

 

[gremlintech]

I don't think BMW has done anything wrong here other than refusing to open up the battery BMS communication to third parties. Replacing the battery is actually quite simple in theory except for...

* Getting high quality cells or battery pack. Since i3s are no longer in production, a third-party vendor would need to front the development and manufacturing cost of these replacement packs, or refurbishment of existing packs.
* Getting a quality battery BMS that can communicate with the car and be coded to it. From what I've heard, the coding is the major hurdle to replacing the battery packs on the BMW i3s.
* Creating a list/group of shops that have the capabilities to replace the battery packs and are actively advertising these services at a reasonable cost.

I think unfortunately the i3 will never be the car that will have 3rd party battery support in the long run. I can imagine that higher production cars aimed at the general consumer market (Chevy Bolt) will ultimately drive this industry, as the secondhand market for EVs will push companies to develop drop-in refurbished packs that can be swapped into these cars.

Not to make a political stance, but something does need to happen on the federal level to open up maintenance for electrification. Both in terms of maintenance for the EVs and their components themselves, but also the charging infrastructure. I think federal grants for companies looking to spin up battery refurbishment centers would be wise as I don't believe any automaker is particularly concerned about battery replacement costs for their fleet.

 

[vinc]

Fortunately, it seems that more independent shops are getting into the business of repairing batteries. A few are popping up in the West Coast, and you might be able to find some around your area also.

For instance, these guys are in the LA area, but it might not hurt reaching out.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/united-hyb...opup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

 

[Martin Pacejka]

Mechanic in chec Republic can do this

https://www.i3upgrade.cz/cz/

Mr, Havrla

 

[nickp]

I have a 2014 REx that I bought new I live in Alabama. After 10 years of ownership I need to replace the high voltage battery. I am doubtful about the local dealer. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get the battery swap accomplished? Also is it possible to install a new battery with a greater range? The existing battery’s range is now 50 miles or less.

Assuming you still have 50 miles range on your battery, that's about 72% of the original 72 miles range. Also, You have the Rex so what's the harm in driving till the battery is still giving you 50 miles?
Do you drive more than 50 miles a day? If not, then why worry? And even if you do that's where your Rex kicks in. Literally

 

[Clanduncan]

I know of the Czech guy Havrla, but came across this YouTube video recently. No indication of cost, just the suggestion of a 54Kwhr battery and 400km range. I asked, and they replied that they're using CATL modules, probably same as Havrla once suggested he was looking into. Also not mentioned was how much 'coding' may be required, just the swap out of modules etc. So, nice as the idea seems, this is I think going to be wishful thinking. Unless you have a shop to do it in yourself, and are competent. Plus, of course, you've got to be able to handle refrigerant removal and replacement.

 

[Oldsparks]

I know of the Czech guy Havrla, but came across this YouTube video recently. No indication of cost, just the suggestion of a 54Kwhr battery and 400km range. I asked, and they replied that they're using CATL modules, probably same as Havrla once suggested he was looking into. Also not mentioned was how much 'coding' may be required, just the swap out of modules etc. So, nice as the idea seems, this is I think going to be wishful thinking. Unless you have a shop to do it in yourself, and are competent. Plus, of course, you've got to be able to handle refrigerant removal and replacement.

Hi there is a guy in the UK who does HV battery upgrades using upcycled i3 batteries , alsodoes all the necessary coding etc 60 to94 is£3500 and to 120 is £5.500 He specializes in Breaking EVs can be found on Ebay selling i3 parts and Tesla parts based in Downham Market Norfolk. tesla_parts online.

 

[kd7iwp]

Assuming you still have 50 miles range on your battery, that's about 72% of the original 72 miles range. Also, You have the Rex so what's the harm in driving till the battery is still giving you 50 miles?
Do you drive more than 50 miles a day? If not, then why worry? And even if you do that's where your Rex kicks in. Literally

Interesting that the video is already removed.

 

[Clanduncan]

Yeah, I was suspicious about such an easy seeming job too. Hopefully will be many years before I even have to start considering it...
The British eBay chap seems like a better bet all round.

 

[808Pants]

I watched that video a few months back, thinking as an experienced DIY engineer and all-around tinkerer, I'd be inspired to do the pack rehab myself some day. But the video wasn't so much a "here's how it's done" as it was a "here's why you don't want to try this yourself" (and presumably the guy isn't in business to inspire competition.) There were no shots from below the car, just from high up on a wall of a very clean pit-equipped garage, much of it in time-lapse, showing a pack being positioned in the pit, the i3 then rolled over where needed, pit-covers being adjusted and used as jacking points later on, etc.