I01 BMW i3 2014–2021 I01

Overview

Engines

Electric motor, 22 kWh battery, Electric motor, 33 kWh battery, Electric motor, 42 kWh battery, i3s electric motor, 33 kWh battery, i3s electric motor, 42 kWh battery, 0.6L two-cylinder range extender

On record

6 warnings, 8 recalls

Sold as i3 with Range Extender, i3 60 Ah (2017), i3s (2018–2021), i3s with Range Extender (2018–2021)

The story

The i3 began as the Mega City Vehicle of BMW's Project i and launched BMW i, a sub-brand sold apart from BMW and Mini. It drew on BMW's field tests of the Mini E and ActiveE, above all for its battery, range and one-pedal driving. A published reference

Production began in Leipzig in September 2013, and the first US customer took delivery in May 2014. The i3 was the first mass-production car with most of its structure and body made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, on an aluminum chassis that carries the battery and motor. A published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)

The range extender, a scooter's two-cylinder engine that only charges the battery, was designed for California's rules, and US cars had part of its tank locked out at first. The battery grew for 2017 and again for 2019, and the sportier i3s came for 2018. Edmunds, a published reference

BMW ended US sales after the 2021 model year, replacing the i3 with the i4 and iX there, and stopped building it in July 2022. Edmunds, a published reference

Colors

• Ionic Silver Metallic with BMW i Frozen Blue accents2016
• Solar Orange Metallic with Frozen Grey accents2016
• Platinum Silver with BMW i Frozen Blue accents2016
• Melbourne Red Metallic with Frozen Grey accents2020
• Jucaro Beige Metallic with Frozen Grey accents2020

Interiors

• Carum Spice GreyLeatherette and cloth, Mega World, 2016
• Cassia and Carum Spice GreyLeather and cloth, Giga World, 2016
• Dalbergia BrownLeather, Tera World, 2016
• Deka DarkCloth, Deka World, 2020
• Carum Spice Grey and Brown HighlightLeatherette and cloth, Mega World, 2020
• Brown Natural and Carum Spice GreyLeather and cloth, Giga World, 2020
• Dark Truffle VernascaLeather, Tera World, 2020

Sources: Edmunds

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
• i3 60 Ah (2017): Electric motor, 22 kWh battery, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
• i3s (2018–2021): i3s electric motor, 33 kWh battery, i3s electric motor, 42 kWh battery, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
• i3s with Range Extender (2018–2021): 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, 22 kWh battery Edmunds, a published reference

  170 hp and 184 lb-ft, with 81 miles of EPA range, or 72 miles with the range extender · 2014–2017

• Electric motor, 33 kWh battery Edmunds, a published reference

  170 hp and 184 lb-ft, with 114 miles of EPA range, or 97 miles with the range extender · 2017–2018

• 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, 33 kWh battery Edmunds, a published reference

  More power and torque than the i3, with 107 miles of range · 2018

• 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
• DC fast charging (2014) Edmunds, a published reference
• Harman Kardon premium sound Edmunds
• 20-inch wheels Edmunds
• Power glass sunroof (2017–2021) Edmunds
• Wireless charging pad (2019–2021) Edmunds
• Edition RoadStyle (2020) Edmunds

Figures

• 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

Years and what changed

1. 2014

   The i3 arrives in Mega World, Giga World and Tera World trims, with a 22 kWh battery and an optional range extender. Edmunds, a published reference

2. 2015

   Heated front seats, satellite radio and DC fast charging become standard. Edmunds

3. 2016

   No change recorded

4. 2017

   A 33 kWh battery raises the EPA range to 114 miles and the range extender's to 97, and the 22 kWh car stays on as the cheaper i3 60 Ah. Edmunds, a published reference

5. 2018
   Refresh

   A facelift brings new bumpers and standard LED headlights, the sportier i3s arrives, and the 60 Ah car is dropped. Edmunds, a published reference

6. 2019

   A 42 kWh battery raises the EPA range to 153 miles, parking sensors become standard, and new colors and trims arrive. Edmunds, a published reference

7. 2020

   An Edition RoadStyle is offered, with no other significant changes. Edmunds

8. 2021

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

Watch out

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

• Battery capacity loss 2014–2018

  One source so far

  Check: Ask for a battery state of health report, read with BMW's diagnostic software or a suitable scan tool.

  Euro Premium Parts says the 22 kWh battery loses the most range with mileage, and that the 33 kWh battery holds up better but shows wear past 70,000 to 90,000 miles. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• 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)

• Motor electronics recalls 2018–2019

  Check: Make sure the motor electronics recall was done.

  NHTSA lists recalls for 2018 and 2019 cars whose electric motor electronics can cut the high-voltage power supply, fixed by a new module. NHTSA

• Range extender fuel vent recall 2014–2017

  Check: Make sure the fuel vent line recall was done.

  NHTSA lists a recall for 2014 to 2017 cars with the range extender whose fuel tank vent line can rub through and leak fuel vapor. NHTSA

• 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

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2019 Recall 19V599000

  A circuit board fault in the electric motor electronics can cut the high-voltage power supply. Dealers replace the module. NHTSA

• 2018 Recall 19V310000

  A circuit board fault in the electric motor electronics can cut the high-voltage power supply. Dealers replace the module. NHTSA

• 2018 Recall 18V652000

  Capacitors in the portable charger can fail, a shock or fire risk. Dealers inspect the charging cable and replace it if needed. NHTSA

• 2014–2018 Recall 17V720000

  Unbelted small adult drivers may be at higher risk of neck injury in a frontal crash, so the cars do not meet the federal occupant protection standard. Dealers update the driver's airbag control software. NHTSA

• 2014–2017 Recall 17V088000

  The fuel tank vent line can rub through on the battery cable's protective sleeve and leak fuel vapor. Dealers inspect the line, replace it if needed and fit a clip to stop the rubbing. NHTSA

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)

• Watch for

  A high-mileage 22 kWh car without a battery report 2014–2017

  Less sought after One source so far

  Euro Premium Parts calls battery wear on the early cars critical for buyers on a budget, with some owners reporting much shorter range past 60,000 to 80,000 miles. 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