First launched in 2013, the i3 marked BMW‘s preliminary foray into the realm of mainstream electrical automobiles. Primarily designed as a metropolis automotive relatively than a long-distance traveler, it wrapped up its U.S. journey in 2021 with roughly 45,100 models offered on this facet of the pond.

Three years after its demise, the BMW i3 stays a dapper little puddle jumper that isn’t too costly on the used-car market. Like most luxurious vehicles although, and particularly ones from established European marques, it’s not the preliminary value however the lurking upkeep bills that may catch you off guard.

We’ve encountered quite a few i3 homeowners lamenting and reporting that dealerships steadily demand over $30,000 for battery replacements, with one buyer allegedly quoted a staggering $71,000.

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Extra: Mercedes Hybrid Proprietor Left Fuming When Instructed $17k Used Automobile Wants $20k Battery

BMW offered the i3 as each an all-electric car and as a range-extended hybrid with a small combustion engine. Now that the small automotive has left manufacturing, it seems as if sellers throughout the nation are slapping i3 homeowners with big restore payments. The difficulty comes right down to the high-voltage battery used within the i3 design.

Is that this appropriate?
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It consists of eight cells and when only one goes dangerous, the restore invoice can get loopy. One poster on Reddit and one other on Fb declare {that a} supplier confirmed them restore statements of some $33,000 for a full battery. One poster who evidently wasn’t so lucky stated their battery alternative quote was $38,000. Someway, that isn’t the worst of the bunch, not by an extended shot both.

One Reddit consumer merely requested, “Is that this appropriate?” and shared {a photograph} of an eye-watering service quote totaling $71,208.27. Remarkably, this determine not solely exceeds the worth of a spanking -new i3 in 2021, which ranged from $45,445 to $52,495, however it’s as much as 57% over MSRP on the time!

Notably, i3s with the vary extender are lined underneath an prolonged guarantee in California Air Sources Board (CARB) states as Partial Zero Emissions Automobiles (PZEV). That implies that they’re eligible for a 10-year or 150,000-mile powertrain guarantee. That guarantee has saved some clients hundreds.

Extra: Most Individuals Battle With Automobile Upkeep And Can’t Afford Surprising $1,000 Restore Invoice

It’s additionally value contemplating that, in concept, an individual may be capable of discover a third-party store keen to do this sort of work for much much less. Many imagine that of the eight cells in an i3 battery just one sometimes goes dangerous at this kind of mileage. If true, once more, in concept, it may very well be changed by a good store or a talented mechanic for underneath $10,000 since a single module is obtainable for lower than $3,500 from the supplier.

Regardless, it’s clear that typically, the most cost effective BMW i3 doesn’t find yourself being so cheap in the long term. 

Excessive voltage battery alternative
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