06-30-2020, 02:02 PM | #1 |
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AC Compressor failures on the rise
I've received five messages in the past month from i8 owners who have indicated that they hear strange sounds from under the front bonnet, and after I refer them to the shop to have the problem diagnosed, I'm receiving feedback that the Air Conditioning (AC) compressors are failing. In some cases, the failure was so catastrophic that the AC compressor had an internal failure, scattering metal fragments inside the refrigerant lines. I posted this on the BMW i8 Facebook group and 8 people replied saying it happened to them, one of which said he had metal scattered throughout the refrigerant lines and it cost him $8,000 USD to have it repaired.
I'm going to reach out the genius email for BMW USA before doing a video on this to see what they say about their latest AC compressor parts. If this is going to cost $8,000 USD to repair when there is a failure, i8 values are going to tank.
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Last edited by patsgarageonline; 06-30-2020 at 03:25 PM.. |
06-30-2020, 09:00 PM | #2 |
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I prefer windows down, AC off...
But this is cause for BMW to take responsibility for a potential flaw.
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07-01-2020, 03:11 AM | #3 |
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Actually, not regularly operating the AC (because it's warm, the roof open, etc.) is not rarely causing issues with the AC. I suggest to use it from time to time. To be honest I don't believe in a systematic problem of a unit that is most likely operating in millions of cars. It sounds more likely that there is a higher number of wrongly treated units in i8s, especially roadsters, but also rarely used Coupés or such who have rare operation of the AC because of eco pro mode or AC off driving to extend electric range.
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07-01-2020, 12:53 PM | #4 | |
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07-01-2020, 04:16 PM | #5 |
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Folks, the batteries are cooled by the air conditioning refrigerant. Whether you use the AC inside the car or not, it's running and it's required in order to drive the car. If it fails, you'll get a check engine light or drive train warning. I just spoke to someone who was quoted $18k but ended up paying $8k to replace all the refrigerant lines because the AC compressor sent shrapnel throughout the system. Imagine having every AC line replaced, requiring removal of radiators, the air distribution inside the dash, and the refrigerant lines inside the battery enclosure. That's the issue.
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07-01-2020, 06:31 PM | #6 |
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I was one of the ones from the Facebook group to have this failure. For what it's worth, this is very obviously a defective batch of parts or a faulty design. I bought a 2015 i8 last fall and drove it near 700 miles home. The car only had 900 miles at the time of purchase. The A/C did not make any bad noises, just quit functioning. I had a check engine light at the time as well, and the EME and wiring harness was replaced at the same time as the compressor.
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07-02-2020, 01:47 AM | #7 | |
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07-03-2020, 01:27 AM | #9 |
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I think we can be reasonably sure the electric AC is different in the PHEVs that need to cool batteries. I don't rely on Internet messages about issues to identify a systematic problem. On the internet you only have posts if there is a motivation to post. And a lot of i8 customers will be no digital natives. I would rather like to understand if there is a design issue or a PHEV specific usage pattern that increases AC issue probability. Of course a bad batch of compressors is always an option as well.
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07-03-2020, 02:22 AM | #10 | |
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08-26-2020, 03:03 PM | #11 | |
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Thank god I have my warranty on place. |
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08-27-2020, 03:10 AM | #12 | |
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And I have no idea to turn it on in eco pro mode! |
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08-27-2020, 04:54 AM | #13 |
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yes, i posted earlier this year that there is no way of just having the fan on without the AC as well with the roadster that i have. all or nothing. A nuisance, but obviously not related to the root cause of this post's issue.
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08-27-2020, 06:35 AM | #14 | |
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08-27-2020, 06:36 AM | #15 | ||
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09-24-2020, 07:24 PM | #16 |
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I have a 2014 with 17,100 miles. I wonder if the cars affected are higher mileage, driven hard/ constant use of launch control, warmer climate region and specific Model year? What are the common denominators? I live in the Bay Area, California that has moderate climate temperature all year round.
My I8 is out of coverage. I am contemplating of purchasing an extended warranty. I got recently quoted $9,200 for 3 years/ 36,000 miles of extended warranty coverage by BMW Dealership. Is it a good or bad deal? Last edited by nuyockerinsf; 09-24-2020 at 07:38 PM.. |
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09-25-2020, 04:35 AM | #17 | |
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BMW dealerships mark up their extended warranties. Try to negotiate 25% off, preferably on the last day of the month when they have the chance to compare profits to what they can afford to discount.
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09-25-2020, 06:48 PM | #21 | |
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09-25-2020, 07:06 PM | #22 |
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FWIW, I have read a handful of reports that the early i3's also suffered from grenading/fragging AC compressors. In one case, BMW offered the owner something like $2,500 as compensation for an essentially totaled car.
i3 owners are putting stone guard screens in their lower air intakes, to keep the condenser from getting punctured by stones and road debris. Cheap insurance if it also works for the i8, even if there is no direct correlation between stone hits on the condenser and compressor shrapnel.....
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