Extending OEM warranty on an i3

[Roman Moroni]

I bought my MY15 REx this time last year. As this was my first foray into the EV world, I got it from an Official BMW Dealer. The car had done 44k when I picked it up; it now stands at 59k. It came with a years Warranty; it's been mechanically faultless but had the rear heated screen replaced as it wasn't working.

I've now been offered the chance to extend the Warranty for another year at a cost of £800. TBH I'm undecided whether to go with it or not, do I pay the money up front for peace of mind or put it away just in case. I really don't know how reliable the i3 is and if anyone has any horror (ie expensive) stories.

My intention is to replace it this time next year.

[BenS94]

£800 for a warranty you've had positive experience of is one to take up.

Good price compared to the aftermarket alternatives.

[ashenfie]

Roman Moroni said:

I bought my MY15 REx this time last year. As this was my first foray into the EV world, I got it from an Official BMW Dealer. The car had done 44k when I picked it up; it now stands at 59k. It came with a years Warranty; it's been mechanically faultless but had the rear heated screen replaced as it wasn't working.

I've now been offered the chance to extend the Warranty for another year at a cost of £800. TBH I'm undecided whether to go with it or not, do I pay the money up front for peace of mind or put it away just in case. I really don't know how reliable the i3 is and if anyone has any horror (ie expensive) stories.

My intention is to replace it this time next year.

I had BMWs for 20 years now and never claimed on the warranty as I never had a reason to. I have been where you have been and mostly decided against and 800 goes a long way to fixing a issue or new tyres etc.

[tr3a]

About a year ago we bought a 2020 i3 with only about 10,000 miles on it. It was a private sale, so no warranty. The heater packed up within two weeks, which cost €1,200 to fix. The steering is a bit stiff, especially in cold weather and doesn't self center very well. May be another big bill coming. Needless to say, I'm not too impressed with BMW quality.

Pre 2017 i3's tend to have more fundamental problems, almost all of them expensive to fix. Think failing plastic motor mounts (many workshop hours to fix), failing bearings in drive motors, requiring a motor replacement and A/C compressors disintegrating, sending shrapnel into the cooling system, totalling the main battery.

I'd go for the warranty if I were you.

[ashenfie]

For sure I wouldn’t go the private seller route these days. There just to many people trying to off load problem cars. Your
Going to pay a premium at the dealers, but at least you have some redressed if things go wrong. Repair wise a good independent will be loads cheaper than the dealer.

[Roman Moroni]

BenS94 said:

£800 for a warranty you've had positive experience of is one to take up.

Good price compared to the aftermarket alternatives.

That was where my original thoughts were.

[Roman Moroni]

ashenfie said:

I had BMWs for 20 years now and never claimed on the warranty as I never had a reason to. I have been where you have been and mostly decided against and 800 goes a long way to fixing a issue or new tyres etc.

I know, £800 is a large some of money (to me) for something I may not use or more then a repair could cost.

[Roman Moroni]

tr3a said:

About a year ago we bought a 2020 i3 with only about 10,000 miles on it. It was a private sale, so no warranty. The heater packed up within two weeks, which cost €1,200 to fix. The steering is a bit stiff, especially in cold weather and doesn't self center very well. May be another big bill coming. Needless to say, I'm not too impressed with BMW quality.

Pre 2017 i3's tend to have more fundamental problems, almost all of them expensive to fix. Think failing plastic motor mounts (many workshop hours to fix), failing bearings in drive motors, requiring a motor replacement and A/C compressors disintegrating, sending shrapnel into the cooling system, totalling the main battery.

I'd go for the warranty if I were you.

That's the sort of story I thought I could/would hear and focus open what I should do.

Thanks

[Roman Moroni]

Apologies for the separate replies, I have no idea who to multi quote

[Bryland]

Roman Moroni said:

I bought my MY15 REx this time last year. As this was my first foray into the EV world, I got it from an Official BMW Dealer. The car had done 44k when I picked it up; it now stands at 59k. It came with a years Warranty; it's been mechanically faultless but had the rear heated screen replaced as it wasn't working.

I've now been offered the chance to extend the Warranty for another year at a cost of £800. TBH I'm undecided whether to go with it or not, do I pay the money up front for peace of mind or put it away just in case. I really don't know how reliable the i3 is and if anyone has any horror (ie expensive) stories.

My intention is to replace it this time next year.

Unless it’s different for the EV models, there’s nothing to stop you getting a BMW insured warranty on a privately purchased car.

I’ve owned a fair few BMWs and found the warranty to be pretty good. Minimal arguments and most stuff has been covered. Only real criticism has been the availability of courtesy cars, which was an issue for services as well as warranty work.

[ScoobyChris]

If it’s the extended warranty, I was advised to pay monthly as it avoids increases year on year…. Have one on my BMW but never had to test it yet!

Chris

[samoht]

My grandfather's i3 developed a charging fault (wouldn't A/C charge), BMW quoted something like £7k to fix, my parents were able to argue them down a few grand but still pricey. I've heard generally of expensive issues on these. So for a manufacturer extended warranty, £800 perhaps isn't too bad.

[Discombobulate]

My two i3s have been faultless over the last 4 years/45k miles, but I would definitely take the warranty on a 2015 Rex.

[Roman Moroni]

ScoobyChris said:

If it’s the extended warranty, I was advised to pay monthly as it avoids increases year on year…. Have one on my BMW but never had to test it yet!

Chris

Thanks for the suggestion Chris.

It is the Extended Warranty.

[Roman Moroni]

@ samoht/discombobulate.

Given your, and a few of the others, comments I think I'll be taking up the option

[samoht]

Enjoy the i3, I think it's a pretty special car and will be seen favourably by history.

FWIW Wisely Automotive have some knowledge about them, AFAIK they know what they're talking about
https://www.youtube.com/@wiselyauto/search?query=i...

[Hugo Stiglitz v2]

What are the exclusions at £800 for the year?

[Roman Moroni]

samoht said:

Enjoy the i3, I think it's a pretty special car and will be seen favourably by history.

FWIW Wisely Automotive have some knowledge about them, AFAIK they know what they're talking about
https://www.youtube.com/@wiselyauto/search?query=i...

I love it. It suits my needs perfectly as a daily; I've covered over 2k in the past 7 weeks. I'm fortunate to have other stuff (996 C4S & a GRY) but the i3 is my go to car for running around in

I'm familiar with Wisely. They're a bit of a trek for me, but I've got friends who live nearby so I may kill 2 birds with 1 stone

[Roman Moroni]

Hugo Stiglitz v2 said:

What are the exclusions at £800 for the year?

Hopefully you can access this: https://assets.website-files.com/61f1303e972551ebf...

[Europa Jon]

I'd rather sell a car I don't trust, instead of bunging out £800 for a warranty.
I've never bought a warranty in over 40 years, or needed one.
My current daily drive is a 67-plate Kia Soul. The original warranty has expired, and in my 4 years of ownership it's needed no warranty work.
Have you considered getting another car that you can trust?