Any BMW Professional Mechanics on here?

Sbflyer20 · 12-31-2022, 07:27 AM

I’m considering a 2017 i3 REX for use as a daily work commuter and I’m noticing a large volume of problems with them online. Kinda appears as though the i3 isn’t reliable.

I like the lowish prices on the used ones and I think the carbon cab is pretty neat but I don’t want to get myself into a car that’s going to let me down and be a regular trip to the expensive dealer. Especially considering it’s not an easy car to work on myself like my existing Toyota Highlander is.

I’m curious if there are any BMW professional mechanics that have an opinion on this based on how many i3’s they get in the shop. Is the 2017 i3 REX going to be a headache or will it be reliable? I’m looking for a broad opinion from someone who has dealt with many i3’s. Thank you!

86Zed · 01-03-2023, 04:12 PM

My recommendation would be to call a few of the local independent mechanics or BMW service centers in your area or the SF/LA regions. By far the largest density of these cars in California vs anywhere else stateside

Coastali8 · 01-04-2023, 01:30 PM

It’s been my observation that owners that are unhappy post their grievances. Owners that are happy just enjoy the ride. You may not be getting the complete picture.
Owned i3s REx now for two years. No issues. Very happy.

VirtualGuitars · 01-04-2023, 07:30 PM

For what it’s worth, one of the sales managers at Momentum BMW here in Houston still drives one on a daily basis.

ptards · 01-18-2023, 07:09 PM

I'm a dealer tech and have owned a tera 2015 Rex for three years and it's my daily driver. I have taken trips of 1,000, 1800, and 750 miles round trip of short duration 3-4 days mostly using the Rex and so far so good. I've also coded, lowered, widened the stance, 15mm front 18 rear and am running Potenza 215/45/20 on the stock 5-1/2" rims in the rear. Moved the stock rears up front.I also recently added Bilstien shocks from Evolve. I also added apple Car-play and performed a tcu upgrade as I use connected services a lot. I also drive it pretty hard. It has 41k miles on it and as I'm 71 it will probably be my last car, unless I hit the powerball in which case it will be replaced by an i4. My wife says I have way too much fun with this car, no such thing!
Debating either a HV battery upgrade or adding a fuel cell.
Hope this helps.

12-31-2022, 07:27 AM	#1
Sbflyer20 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: i3 Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Santa Barbara iTrader: (0)	Any BMW Professional Mechanics on here? I’m considering a 2017 i3 REX for use as a daily work commuter and I’m noticing a large volume of problems with them online. Kinda appears as though the i3 isn’t reliable. I like the lowish prices on the used ones and I think the carbon cab is pretty neat but I don’t want to get myself into a car that’s going to let me down and be a regular trip to the expensive dealer. Especially considering it’s not an easy car to work on myself like my existing Toyota Highlander is. I’m curious if there are any BMW professional mechanics that have an opinion on this based on how many i3’s they get in the shop. Is the 2017 i3 REX going to be a headache or will it be reliable? I’m looking for a broad opinion from someone who has dealt with many i3’s. Thank you!
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01-03-2023, 04:12 PM	#2
86Zed Get off my lawn 932 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: 6MT Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (7) Garage List 2023 GR Corolla [0.00] 2022 BMW X3 M40i [10.00] 2007 BMW Z4M Coupe [0.00] 2002 BMW 325xiT [0.00] 1991 BMW 318is [0.00]	My recommendation would be to call a few of the local independent mechanics or BMW service centers in your area or the SF/LA regions. By far the largest density of these cars in California vs anywhere else stateside
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01-04-2023, 01:30 PM	#3
Coastali8 First Lieutenant 126 Rep 308 Posts Drives: 2015 Crystal White Giga World Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Oregon coast iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW i8 [10.00] 1970 Porsche 914-6 [0.00] 2018 BMW i3s REx [0.00]	It’s been my observation that owners that are unhappy post their grievances. Owners that are happy just enjoy the ride. You may not be getting the complete picture. Owned i3s REx now for two years. No issues. Very happy.
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01-04-2023, 07:30 PM	#4
VirtualGuitars Major General 7861 Rep 5,796 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW XM Label Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW XM Label [10.00]	For what it’s worth, one of the sales managers at Momentum BMW here in Houston still drives one on a daily basis.
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01-18-2023, 07:09 PM	#5
ptards Registered 6 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW i3 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (0)	I'm a dealer tech and have owned a tera 2015 Rex for three years and it's my daily driver. I have taken trips of 1,000, 1800, and 750 miles round trip of short duration 3-4 days mostly using the Rex and so far so good. I've also coded, lowered, widened the stance, 15mm front 18 rear and am running Potenza 215/45/20 on the stock 5-1/2" rims in the rear. Moved the stock rears up front.I also recently added Bilstien shocks from Evolve. I also added apple Car-play and performed a tcu upgrade as I use connected services a lot. I also drive it pretty hard. It has 41k miles on it and as I'm 71 it will probably be my last car, unless I hit the powerball in which case it will be replaced by an i4. My wife says I have way too much fun with this car, no such thing! Debating either a HV battery upgrade or adding a fuel cell. Hope this helps.
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