06-14-2018, 08:44 AM | #1 |
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Upgraded battery for 1st. Gen i8
Hello.
My i8 is constantantly stuck at 18 Kms when fully charged. 2015 65 000 kms. I would really like to upgrade the battery pack to the new coupe spec. Is this possible ? |
06-14-2018, 03:31 PM | #2 | |
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This involves fully charging and then disabling/turning off everything not needed eg heating/aircon, radio. And driving in a particular style across a variety of road types and speeds. If the car won't drive 16 miles under this test then they will look at replacing batteries under warranty. My car did 18 miles. So no new batteries for me! Worth asking your dealer to test the car. But it may be that it is cold where you are (battery range is reduced in cold conditions) and/or that when running on battery only you drive really hard. |
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06-14-2018, 06:04 PM | #3 | ||
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06-14-2018, 10:36 PM | #4 |
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Is your projected range at 18 km or is that your actual range when driving? Aggressive driving can bring down the projected range until you change it by taking it easy. In eco pro I can get 20 miles (32 km) or even a little more if I really try. What mode are you driving in and how do you drive? 18 km of real range seems too low and probably does mean a problem unless you are driving hard all the time. Careful driving should get you nearly double that.
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06-20-2018, 10:05 AM | #5 | |
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Indeed in cold days it seems it’s stuck at 18 km fully charged. In hot weather I get 21 km. This is on startup. When I drive full electric in eco I get consistently more than that ( around 21 (cold) to 25 Hot) so it seems I’m lose to the limit. Anyway I hope the new battery pack can fit my 2015. Love the car. |
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06-20-2018, 10:08 AM | #6 | |
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06-23-2018, 10:55 AM | #7 | |
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But please do let us know what you find out. I’m curious. |
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06-25-2018, 12:27 AM | #8 | ||
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Also heard the Bmw only stock the newest level of batteries and if your cell goes bad they replace the bad cell and just match the newer denser battery with the old ones through software. That way Bmw doesn't have to store older battery tech. The USA currently does not support the battery upgrade program yet ...... sucks. |
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06-25-2018, 05:57 AM | #9 | |
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I presume they have to store them with some kind of conditioning regime which sounds expensive.. |
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07-04-2018, 10:21 PM | #10 |
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There are six batteries. Each one has a list price of about $1100. Google Search Part #61 27 8 678 565
So, assuming they are drop-in replacements (which is NOT reflected in the ETK), for under $9000 ($6600 parts + $2000 in labor--that's a total guess on the labor charge, it's not based on any actual factual data) you could have 10 miles of additional range. $900/mi of added range.
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07-05-2018, 02:34 AM | #11 | |
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Does anyone know if the cell packs are interchangeable with all of the BMW hybrids such as the 330e? If they are, I would expect after-market items to eventually be available at a reduced price.
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07-05-2018, 09:33 AM | #12 |
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In any case, Its likely NOT just the batteries themselves which would need to be changed...
Support systems (charging, cooling) and also software re-coding would likely be involved...
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10-04-2018, 10:55 PM | #15 | |
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Just curious. Seems like a natural progression when dealing with range anxiety. |
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10-05-2018, 05:41 AM | #16 |
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A couple of thoughts...
People have tried using generators and an outlet charger on EVs but found the car doesn't like it because the earth isn't good enough. A metal spike driven into the ground and connected to the generator chassis apparently can work. Might as well add some gas to the fuel tank and charge while you drive. If you try a battery pack (like you've got for a cellphone), you're carrying a lot of weight around to make any meaningful difference - a gallon of gas/petrol would be easier, and you can charge while you drive. I doubt the car would like to charge through the charge-port when in motion, some serious software changes would be needed - and where would you put the power source (on the passenger seat and run a cable out of the window?) Filling the fuel tank sounds like the simple option - use the on-board charger that is built-in from the factory. On my commute, I use e-drive to get to the freeway and try to top up the battery using sport so I've got enough juice to get in and out of town on electricity.
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10-05-2018, 05:00 PM | #18 | |
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01-30-2019, 06:57 PM | #19 |
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Meanwhile i3 and i8 battery packs are used also in boats and other non-car applications.
Keen people have started to upgrade their 60Ah i3 with 120Ah batteries and it seems to work as far what I could read in European forums. It seems not to be the hermetic rocket science some suspect. That's interesting news. So I'm confident we will see 3rd party offers for battery upgrades also for the i8 in the near future. A close to 100km pure electric range would be a bummer and make this fantastic car definitely outstanding (not a 6 cyl engine, who needs that ). |
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01-03-2021, 10:20 AM | #20 | |
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01-04-2021, 03:44 PM | #22 |
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My local dealership (Leeds, UK) tested the batteries for me. It involved discharging and recharging the batteries - they printed an extensive report with a load of figures with voltages of each of the cells and different figures. All within range although annoyingly despite the low age and mileage (20 months or so, and 7000 miles) it was at 91%.
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