2021 BMW i3 I01

Overview

Engines

Electric motor, 42 kWh battery, i3s electric motor, 42 kWh battery, 0.6L two-cylinder range extender

On record

3 warnings, no recalls

What changed for 2021

• Adaptive LED headlights become standard in the i3's last US year. Edmunds, a published reference

Compare 2021 with 2020

Colors

No paint color is recorded yet.

Specs

Badges

• i3 with Range Extender: Electric motor, 22 kWh battery, Electric motor, 33 kWh battery, Electric motor, 42 kWh battery, 0.6L two-cylinder range extender, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
• i3s: i3s electric motor, 33 kWh battery, i3s electric motor, 42 kWh battery, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
• i3s with Range Extender: i3s electric motor, 33 kWh battery, i3s electric motor, 42 kWh battery, 0.6L two-cylinder range extender, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds

Engines

• Electric motor, 42 kWh battery Edmunds, a published reference

  170 hp and 184 lb-ft, with 153 miles of EPA range, or 126 miles with the range extender · 2019–2021

• i3s electric motor, 42 kWh battery Edmunds, a published reference

  181 hp and 199 lb-ft · 2019–2021

• 0.6L two-cylinder range extender W20K06U0 Edmunds, a published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)

  A 647 cc engine from the BMW C650 GT scooter, built by Kymco, that only charges the battery

Transmissions

• Single-speed direct drive Edmunds, a published reference

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference

Trims

• Deka World (2017–2021) Edmunds
• Mega World Edmunds, a published reference
• Giga World Edmunds, a published reference
• Tera World Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

• Technology + Driving Assistant Package Edmunds
• Parking Assistant Package Edmunds
• Harman Kardon premium sound Edmunds
• 20-inch wheels Edmunds
• Power glass sunroof (2017–2021) Edmunds
• Wireless charging pad (2019–2021) Edmunds

Figures for the whole I01

• Built: At BMW's plant in Leipzig, Germany A published reference
• Body: A carbon-fiber passenger cell, the Life Module, on an aluminum Drive Module, with door panels of hemp and plastic A published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)
• Awards: World Green Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year for 2014 A published reference
• US sales: 45,098 by December 2021, second only to Germany A published reference
• Efficiency: Until November 2016 the all-electric i3 was the most efficient car the EPA had rated A published reference
• Range extender tank: 1.9 gallons to 2016, 2.4 for 2017 and 2.3 from 2018 Edmunds

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Range extender wear All years

  Check: Ask for the range extender's oil change records and listen for vibration when it runs.

  Euro Premium Parts says the scooter engine is not built for sustained hard use, can overheat and wear early, and its mounts can loosen around 50,000 miles. Edmunds says the range extender is not meant for cross-country travel. Edmunds, a seller's guide (unofficial)

• DC fast charging faults All years

  One source so far

  Check: Try a DC fast charge, and look at the charging inlet for bent pins or corrosion.

  Euro Premium Parts says some cars refuse to start a fast charge because of a faulty charging control module or a damaged inlet. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Narrow, costly tires All years

  One source so far

  Check: Look at the tire sidewalls for damage and budget for replacements.

  Euro Premium Parts says the i3's narrow, tall tires are easily damaged by potholes and are expensive and harder to find than common sizes. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls

No recall is written up here.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  A 2019 to 2021 car with the 42 kWh battery 2019–2021

  Euro Premium Parts calls the 2019 to 2021 i3 with the largest battery the best mix of range, reliability and value, and prefers the all-electric car to the range extender. Edmunds says to stick with the standard i3 rather than the i3s. Edmunds, a seller's guide (unofficial)

Maintenance

• Brake fluid All years

  Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

  If it was skipped: Euro Premium Parts says the friction brakes are used less with regeneration, so old fluid can sit unnoticed for years.

• Cabin air filter All years

  Replace every 20,000 miles or 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Tire rotation All years

  Service every 7,500 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, as the rear tires wear unevenly A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Battery and drive unit coolant All years

  Inspect every 4 years, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says to replace it as needed, and calls it a commonly overlooked item A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Range extender engine oil All years

  Replace every 25,000 miles, per a parts seller. Or when the car's service indicator asks for it A seller's guide (unofficial)

  If it was skipped: Euro Premium Parts says it is often missed, which wears the small engine faster.

Warranty when new