Torsion shaft replacement

[Pam Haugan]

My 2017 i3 with REX (32,000 miles) started making a loud noise. The dealership was a little stumped but now thinks it is the torsion shaft and that it needs to be replaced for approx $8300. Have any of you had experience with this? If I choose not to replace this, can I just use the car under electric power? I don't want to put that much money into a car that cost me $17,000 to buy.

 

[alohart]

The REx system warranty should still be in effect. Unfortunately, many BMW dealers aren't aware of this. If you have the Warranty Manual for your i3, take a look at the warranty terms. If you don't have it, a digital copy can be downloaded from the BMW USA Website. This manual states:

"BMW i3 with Range Extender

The following components and/or systems are covered under the Federal Emission Warranty for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

AUXILIARY POWER UNIT (APU)"

All i3's are propelled by an electric motor that gets its power from the battery pack. In addition, REx models can also get power from the REx alternator. Without a functioning REx system, power for your propulsion motor can come only from the battery pack, so you probably won't want to let its charge level decrease as low as when your REx system was working.

You should probably prevent the REx engine from starting since it seems to have a serious mechanical problem. I'll let a REx owner describe how that might be done.