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Why the BMW i3-REx

Discussion in 'EV (Electric Vehicle) Discussion' started by bwilson4web, May 15, 2016.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    FYI, I still like both plug-in hybrids:
    • 49% one
    • 51% the other
    Bob Wilson
     
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    [​IMG]
    BMW enjoys a higher ratio of EVs in the EV markets than their diesel and ICE cars in the ordinary gas/diesel markets:
    • 24,490 - BMW plugins, ~6.8%
    • 361,307 - total USA plugins
    Bob Wilson
     
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Does a used i3 REx maintainance cost drop to match the under $20k price tag.
     
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  4. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    An AC pump failure costs about $25,000+ because metal shards get blown into the battery coolant lines. This issue has been reported twice since December

    Engine mounts are about $5k

    So yeah BMW parts and labor pricing going on.
     
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  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Just got the BMW i3-REx back after, "SAME ISSUE AS LAST VISIT."

    "CHARGING PORT FAULTY ON THE VEHICLE COMPLETED SHORT TEST ON THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAULTS FOR DC FAST CHARGE. DROVE VEHICLE TO NEAREST DC FAST STATION AND FOUND IT COULD NOT COMM. WITH VEHICLE. FOUND A KNOWN GOOD I3 AT THE DEALER AND ROVE TO THE SAME CHARGING STATION. FOUND THE KNOWN GOOD VEHICLE TO CHARGE. COMPLETED PUMA 64662152 AND WAS PROMPTED TO REPLACE THE CHARGING SOCKET ASSEMBLY. CLEARED FAULT MEMORY AND DROVE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DC FAST CHARGER. FOUND IT TO CHARGE AND COMM. WITH THE VEHICLE NOW."

    "PLEASE PAY THIS AMOUNT 0.00"

    Bob Wilson
     
  6. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I can't think of a car whose maintenance costs drop in relationship to the cost of the purchase. Remember the Metro convertible? People were picking these things up for a grand and then getting sticker shock when they found out a new roof went for $4500. :eek:
    [​IMG]
     
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    For those curious, search the i3 FB group for motor mount (you need to join it first).

    I found
    Code:
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/permalink/2306265589447289/
    of one guy's motor mount damage on his BEV i3. Damage was $13.2K worth. Another guy had his motor mounts break at least twice. Here was one of them:
    Code:
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/permalink/801727249901138/
    . I don't think it'll be easy for me to find his pics of his receipts for those repairs. Lots of stuff got damaged by the breakage each time.

    This guy had a particularly terrible REx.
    Code:
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/permalink/2029112447162606/?comment_id=2029119523828565&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R4%22%7D
     
  8. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Actually I hang out at: BMW i3 Forum - Index page

    This forum is more oriented to solutions. Facebook has a place but permanence isn't high on the list.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #568 bwilson4web, Jan 15, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2019
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    FYI, my broken motor mount story: Why the BMW i3-REx | Page 17 | PriusChat

    Feel free to ask questions.

    Bob Wilson
     
  10. el Crucero

    el Crucero Senior Member

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    I am not a fan of Bummer or the i3 Rex, but in fairness, social media is where you will see an inordinate number of people with issues complain. You never hear about all the people who are happy with their i3 without someone accusing them of "drinking the kool-aid" or being a "fanboi."
     
  11. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    questions .... yes good idea back on topic. Bob, how is the i3's traction pack thermally managed - cooling fans? or liquid. I presume - you being the man - that you will know.
    .
     
  12. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    It is liquid cooled with a resistance heater. Sad to say, the cabin is only resistance heated on the REx but heat-pump on the BEV.

    I really like how the Model 3 has all HVAC in a single system. REx coolant does not warn cabin.

    Bob Wilson
     
  13. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    A diagram I saw had the engine coolant loop for the Rex piggy backed on the traction motor's. If the radiator for that is located somewhere in the rear, it would be a hassle pumping a heater core in the front for just the REx.
     
  14. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    & that only makes sense - because when YOU are freezing or roasting - a big ol'
    battery will be likewise.
    .
     
  15. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Here you go. Look at page 26 and we can go over the details.

    Bob Wilson
     

    Attached Files:

  16. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    My most recent coding redefines the "panic" button into "preconditioning." Like the "A/C" button on our Prius Prime, it is a one-click solution to make the car much nicer in the winter.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  17. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    "Winter" lol :)
     
  18. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    Thanks - Not only is this modification very useful, it also offers a direct alternative to the "Connected" smartphone app which is subject to BMW's flakey network services.
     
  19. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    So this morning leaving at 5:30 AM, the "drive train malfunction" light comes on. The pop-up says you can continue but need to take the car into the dealer (boat payment due?) Regardless, I run my errand and driving to the fast DC charger, enabled the REx that comes on and it works normally. Huh.

    While on the charger, I plug in the iCar OBD device and fire up BimmerLink:
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]


    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    You'll notice the three dots in the upper right on the main screens, hitting this brought up the options to "Clear Errors" or "Send a report."

    [​IMG]

    • Info memory
      49 errors

      TRSVC
      1 error
      800BD6: ECU_RESET_REASON

      RE_EME
      2 errors
      21DDD0: REME INVERTER, REDUCED-POWER OPERATION: TEMPERATURE
      THRESHOLD EXCEEDED
      21DDD0: REME INVERTER, REDUCED-POWER OPERATION: TEMPERATURE
      THRESHOLD EXCEEDED

      ZGW
      8 errors
      100600: FLEXRAY PROTOCOL STARTUP TIME IS TOO HIGH
      100601: UNEXPECTED ASYNCHRONOUS STATE ON FLEXRAYBUS
      100604: A FLEXRAY ERROR HAS ACCUMULATED
      100100: CONTACT TO FZM SLAVE LOST
      100104: HW WECKGRUND ZGW
      100300: COMMISSIONING COULD NOT BE PERFORMED AS TAS ALREADY EMPLOYS
      100203: DM SOFTWARE ERROR INFO WARNING
      100204: MESSAGE MONITORING: SYSTEM CONTEXT SIGNAL FAILED

      1

      LIM
      1 error
      805543: PLC_ERROR_REASON

      KLE
      2 errors
      21E688: PARTIAL NETWORK OPERATION
      21E689: ERROR

      EME
      5 errors
      E89400: MESSAGE (VEHICLE CONDITION, 0X3A0) IS MISSING
      22280A: HV POWER MANAGEMENT: SHUTDOWN REQUESTOR CAT 2
      22280B: HV POWER MANAGEMENT: SHUTDOWN REQUESTOR CAT
      22282E: CHECKCONTROL 557: SECURE VEHICLE AGAINST ROLLING AWAY!
      22282A: CHECKCONTROL 244: ENGAGE THE GEAR BRAKE PEDAL!

      2

      TFM
      1 error
      1D0001: MESSAGE (VEHICLE CONDITION, 0X3A0) IS MISSING

      SAS
      3 errors
      030807: FAS - FUNCTIONAL DEACTIVATION
      030809: FAS - BRAKE - OPERATIONAL READINESS
      482EBB: IPDUM_E_TRANSMIT_FAILED

      PMA
      1 error
      8032A0: PMA ABORT FUNCTIONAL WITHOUT CCM

      EPS
      2 errors
      4822C6: ASSIST FIREWALL TOUCHED
      4822D4: ASSIST FIREWALL FAULTMODE

      3

      CAS
      5 errors
      400030: EWS COMMUNICATION PRIMARY: TIMEOUT REDUNDANCY
      804000: RESET FOR UNKNOWN REASON
      804002: RESET BY EXTERNAL
      80402C: NVM EEPROM DRIVER ERROR
      8040BC: IBS WAKEUP: WAKE-UP SIGNAL IMPLAUSIBLE

      FZD
      1 error
      801A20: CAN_E_TIMEOUT

      KOMBI
      6 errors
      B7F67C: COMBI: CAN INPUT BUFFER, DATA LOSS
      B7F669: COMBI: INFO ERROR 1
      E12C2F: INTERFACE HU (ACKNOWLEDGMENT REQUEST COMBINATION, 0X172):
      SIGNAL FAULTY
      E12C30: INTERFACE HU (STATUS SERVICE CALL TELEX, 0X30F): SIGNAL FAULTY
      E12C3C: INTERFACE DME, DDE (STATUS CONSUMPTION FUEL MOTOR, 0X2C4):
      SIGNAL INVALID
      E12C4A: INTERFACE HU (FORECAST ROUTE TARGET, 0X3C7): SIGNAL INVALID

      4

      ECALL
      8 errors
      610019: NVM INTEGRITY CHECK FAILED
      E14405: TIMEOUT CAN MESSAGE GPS_CTI_MOST
      E14406: TIMEOUT CAN MESSAGE GPS_PO_EXTS_MOST
      E14409: TIMEOUT CAN MESSAGE TERMINATION
      E14426: INVALID SIGNAL IN CAN MESSAGE GPS_PO_EXTS_MOST
      E1442C: INVALID SIGNAL IN CAN MESSAGE STAT_ZV_KLAPPEN
      E14413: TIMEOUT CAN MESSAGE STAT_GANG_RUECKWAERTS
      E14414: TIMEOUT CAN MESSAGE STAT_ZV_KLAPPEN

      KLIMA
      3 errors
      07802B: COMM_E_NET_START_IND_CHANNEL_0
      078107: EDH INVALID INDEX
      078100: EKMV ALIVECOUNTER

      5

    Without a timestamp, a list of errors could have been collected over a long period of time. We don't have causality. Otherwise, the car worked normally. It could have been a transient. So my practice is to reset all errors and see if the problem returns.

    The error indicator remained so I put the car on a charger and got breakfast. When I came back, the error indicator was clear. We call that "Cleared while testing."

    Bob Wilson
     
  20. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    The i3 does have a tendency to announce issues which have a way of fading away with time. I've been avoiding BimmerLink, choosing to see no evil. Hoping to get another 18 months of mostly trouble free use before exploring my options.
     
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