Upgrading Charging AC to include Fast DC charge ?

[Minotaur]

Hello
I have a BMW 2015 Rex. Purchased Jan 2024. So far ( fingers crossed ) , its not been too bad. However, the charging is an issue. It only has Type 2 AC charge ( max 7kw )
Whilst it has the Range Extender, I would really like to have a DC fast Charge option put in, if possible

Any ideas if this could be done ? Costings etc ? I am in the U.K so, especially interested if there are persons in the UK who could do it

 

[mojo]

It would probably be best to speak to one of the UK i3 specialists such as Wisely.

Anything is possible if you spend enough money but, on a 2015 car, I doubt it would make financial sense. IIRC it would require a change of KLE module, which is one of the most expensive on the car, plus of course a change to the charging socket and significant changes to the wiring, plus I would expect recoding would be needed. I have no direct knowledge of the cost but, if you can find someone able to do it, I doubt that you'll get a bill for any less than £2k (assuming secondhand parts - with new parts it would be a lot more than that).

 

[tongsli]

It would probably be best to speak to one of the UK i3 specialists such as Wisely.

Anything is possible if you spend enough money but, on a 2015 car, I doubt it would make financial sense. IIRC it would require a change of KLE module, which is one of the most expensive on the car, plus of course a change to the charging socket and significant changes to the wiring, plus I would expect recoding would be needed. I have no direct knowledge of the cost but, if you can find someone able to do it, I doubt that you'll get a bill for any less than £2k.

I think given the cost and effort, it might be better to upgrade the vehicle to a larger battery like a 2019 or newer.

 

[Minotaur]

Cheers for fast replies. Will contact Wisely. I did think about upgrading to larger battery but its a lot pricer I suspect. Also I still would still the module to upgrade to fast charging. Thats my major issue, being stuck on slow charge in case REx fails

 

[tongsli]

Cheers for fast replies. Will contact Wisely. I did think about upgrading to larger battery but its a lot pricer I suspect. Also I still would still the module to upgrade to fast charging. Thats my major issue, being stuck on slow charge in case REx fails

Can you report back here when you find out the costs? You UK guys are so lucky to have Wisely. I don't know if anyone in the USA like them.

 

[Minotaur]

Hello All- Did speak with Wisely. They basically said its virtually impossible. Recommended getting another vehicle with it.
Do wonder about it as there are REx's with fast chargers and certainly, charge modules on ebay .. Oh well

 

[tongsli]

Hello All- Did speak with Wisely. They basically said its virtually impossible. Recommended getting another vehicle with it.
Do wonder about it as there are REx's with fast chargers and certainly, charge modules on ebay .. Oh well

They probably know the numbers and what it would take to do the swap and by the time they add up their labor and parts you could have replaced the vehicle. Will you look for something to replace your current vehicle? or just keep what you have?

Good luck

Lito

 

[Minotaur]

Hi Sorry for delayed reply. Its very difficult I think to decide for me whether to keep or replace. My biggest issues are Range on electric. Summer I am seeing around 80miles or close with aircon running. Extendable by the Rx . I would prefer a longer range and fast charge on battery as I do worry about the rex issues in case there are problems with it not starting, It will then be a big issue to charge at only 7kw/hr.
Overall, I think in another 12months or so, I will likely move to a pure electric. Added problem is that we have a fanatically grasping greedy mayor who is bent upoun screwing any vehicle which has a petrol or diesel engine with extra charges. At moment , I am ok but but

 

[tongsli]

Hi Sorry for delayed reply. Its very difficult I think to decide for me whether to keep or replace. My biggest issues are Range on electric. Summer I am seeing around 80miles or close with aircon running. Extendable by the Rx . I would prefer a longer range and fast charge on battery as I do worry about the rex issues in case there are problems with it not starting, It will then be a big issue to charge at only 7kw/hr.
Overall, I think in another 12months or so, I will likely move to a pure electric. Added problem is that we have a fanatically grasping greedy mayor who is bent upoun screwing any vehicle which has a petrol or diesel engine with extra charges. At moment , I am ok but but

Did you ask Wisely how much the would give you for your I3 and if they have a 2019 with REX for you to acquire?

 

[Minotaur]

The book value of my Rex as per sites.like autotrader , parkers etc, is derisory. Dealers also make similar offers to get their margins. Furthermore, 2019 rex or any rex after around 2017 attract a road tax of around 200. Mine is zero rated. Hence, i would prefer to keep mine as a Rex rather than shelling out a yearly tax. Yes, it might be a thing to advertise for a private sale. I did check what they had for sale, bearing in mind mileage etc, there was nothing whch attracted me

 

[alohart]

Did you ask Wisely how much the would give you for your I3 and if they have a 2019 with REX for you to acquire?

I don't believe that a 120 Ah REx model was ever sold in the U.K. or E.U., so a 94 Ah REx is the REx model with the largest battery pack capacity.

 

[tongsli]

I don't believe that a 120 Ah REx model was ever sold in the U.K. or E.U., so a 94 Ah REx is the REx model with the largest battery pack capacity.

shame