[hugo_nz]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

No. I would not recommend boosting another car using your iX. The iX does not have a conventional starter battery that you typically see in BMWs. Usually in the range of 90-105 amp hours. The iX battery is a 60amp battery if I'm not mistaken.

The user manual also cautions against jump starts.

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

No. I would not recommend boosting another car using your iX. The iX does not have a conventional starter battery that you typically see in BMWs. Usually in the range of 90-105 amp hours. The iX battery is a 60amp battery if I'm not mistaken.

so what if it is a smaller capacity battery than a conventional BMW. I do not see that as a valid reason not to do it.

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by hugo_nz

The user manual also cautions against jump starts.

this is referring to the opposite of what I am talking about doing; jumping/charging the iX 12V battery when it is dead.

My understanding of the way these EVs work, the 12V being dead when the high voltage battery is not empty would be a much more significant issue and boosting/charging up the 12V will not help much cause it will re-empty itself in no time if it cannot be maintained by the high voltage one that still has a decent charge.

If it is dead because the high voltage one is also dead and thus unable to keep the 12V charged, then again, charging the 12V will to nothing to help you out really other than run some of the basic electronics for a little while. Your car will still be stuck and unable to move.

So in those two cases, sure, you need someone qualified to help you either charge the big battery (to then also charge the 12V) or to tow you to a shop.

I am talking about helping the random person who forgot their lights on and can't start their car, or jumping my own E30 if I accidentally wait too long between drives and don't have it on the battery tender.

What is funny is that the iX user manual almost had a starting aid section to it on page 372, which in other cars' manuals details how to connect things to jump start a car... but it is not there. It still shows up in the index no less than 4 times.

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by ggalanis

so what if it is a smaller capacity battery than a conventional BMW. I do not see that as a valid reason not to do it.

I personally would not jump start another car, period.
Not worth the risk.
And with an expensive EV? Not for me.

Just get a jump start battery pack and put in the trunk.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by ggalanis

so what if it is a smaller capacity battery than a conventional BMW. I do not see that as a valid reason not to do it.

Let us know how it goes then. I don't advise it.

[Bird~Dawg]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

Let us know how it goes then. I don't advise it.

In my book, if someone needs a jump start you pull out your phone and call for roadside. Long gone are the days when I had cables in my trunk.

[hugo_nz]

Also, not entirely sure how the A-pillar would get scratched since there’s plenty of clearance.

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

Let us know how it goes then. I don't advise it.

it isn't rocket science. You are just connecting two 12V batteries together. There isn't exactly a ton that can go wrong there. Just don't touch random things under the hood or anything colored orange cause that is all high voltage. Worst case the lack of alternator running to charge it doesn't provide enough power to the other battery for it to work and either I find someone else to boost my E30 or I apologize to the person I am trying to help and go on about my day.

[Bird~Dawg]

Originally Posted by hugo_nz

Also, not entirely sure how the A-pillar would get scratched since there’s plenty of clearance.

The A pillar scratching story is likely something BMW circulated to discourage OCD owners from popping the hood to have a look see.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Bird~Dawg

The A pillar scratching story is likely something BMW circulated to discourage OCD owners from popping the hood to have a look see.

I've literally seen it. They've also made a video about it. I'm not just blowing smoke lol

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by Bird~Dawg

In my book, if someone needs a jump start you pull out your phone and call for roadside. Long gone are the days when I had cables in my trunk.

I don't keep jumper cables in my new cars either. In my 33 year old E30 I do. The most likely case for me is either helping some random person out who has their own cables, as I have done at least once in my X5 since I got it in 2019, or boosting my own car because I accidentally run the battery down because I forgot to put it back on the tender and went too long between drives. This used to not be a common problem for me as I would use it for my daily commute to the train to go to work but since covid sent us all working from home here in 2020, is more likely to happen.

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

I've literally seen it. They've also made a video about it. I'm not just blowing smoke lol

that looks like it is because there is nothing to stop the hood from opening more than a normal one (since owners are not supposed to open it) and it hits the A pillar behind. Such an unnecessarily stupid design decision by BMW IMHO.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by hugo_nz

Also, not entirely sure how the A-pillar would get scratched since there’s plenty of clearance.

When you're closing the hood is when the A pillar paint can get damaged

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

When you're closing the hood is when the A pillar paint can get damaged

closing? how? I am intrigued...

Does the hinge they use not force it to stay it in the normal opening closing path and allows for it to be wobbly?

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by ggalanis

closing? how? I am intrigued...

Does the hinge they use not force it to stay it in the normal opening closing path and allows for it to be wobbly?

The back of the hood points get very close to the A pillar when closing. As this hood is not designed to be opened often and doesn't have a hood shock also. There are repair instructions in ISTA specifically for opening the hood to ensure not to damage anything.

Like I said. The under hood is not designed for any customer operations.

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

The back of the hood points get very close to the A pillar when closing. As this hood is not designed to be opened often and doesn't have a hood shock also. There are repair instructions in ISTA specifically for opening the hood to ensure not to damage anything.

Like I said. The under hood is not designed for any customer operations.

Thanks for the info. Good to know to lookout for that damage if ever the car needs some kind of repair or service done. I mean the techs are human after all. After dealing with car after car after car with hoods that don't require special care to close, a mishap with these seems almost inevitable.

I think we can all agree, that is a bad design by BMW.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by ggalanis

Thanks for the info. Good to know to lookout for that damage if ever the car needs some kind of repair or service done. I mean the techs are human after all. After dealing with car after car after car with hoods that don't require special care to close, a mishap with these seems almost inevitable.

I think we can all agree, that is a bad design by BMW.

I8 is the same way. Hood can be damaged if not lifted properly. No reason for customer to be under hood. Simple as that. No worry for customer if they can't open the hood

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

I8 is the same way. Hood can be damaged if not lifted properly. No reason for customer to be under hood. Simple as that. No worry for customer if they can't open the hood

as I said, even the BMW techs can easily make that mistake. Similarly if I eventually take it to an independent garage or a body shop, they won't necessarily be expecting the hood to be "special" in this way. It was dumb decision for the i8 and I still see it as a dumb choice by BMW on the iX.

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by ggalanis

It was dumb decision for the i8 and I still see it as a dumb choice by BMW on the iX.

For non-consumer serviceable parts, I can see that they would want to simplify the hinge and any hood opening mechanism to reduce weight and cost.
I see nothing wrong with that.

I certainly don't want to carry extra weights for things that I will never use.

[hugo_nz]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

For non-consumer serviceable parts, I can see that they would want to simplify the hinge and any hood opening mechanism to reduce weight and cost.
I see nothing wrong with that.

I certainly don't want to carry extra weights for things that I will never use.

The hinge mechanism doesn't look any more or less complicated than any other modern hood mechanism, and the ball mounts for gas struts were retained on the hood and in the engine bay. BMW has maintained from the start that the hood is not meant to be opened by the customer, which is why they also hide the loops used to open it. Personally I like checking the drains and gutters along the windscreen for debris like leaves and dirt, but if BMW feels confident that these won't be an issue on the iX then that's a bonus.

[Brwilli]

Originally Posted by hugo_nz

The hinge mechanism doesn't look any more or less complicated than any other modern hood mechanism, and the ball mounts for gas struts were retained on the hood and in the engine bay. BMW has maintained from the start that the hood is not meant to be opened by the customer, which is why they also hide the loops used to open it. Personally I like checking the drains and gutters along the windscreen for debris like leaves and dirt, but if BMW feels confident that these won't be an issue on the iX then that's a bonus.

That has been my concern as well--I have to regularly clean out pine needles and tree debris from the cowl area of our vehicles. It mounts up.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by hugo_nz

The hinge mechanism doesn't look any more or less complicated than any other modern hood mechanism, and the ball mounts for gas struts were retained on the hood and in the engine bay. BMW has maintained from the start that the hood is not meant to be opened by the customer, which is why they also hide the loops used to open it. Personally I like checking the drains and gutters along the windscreen for debris like leaves and dirt, but if BMW f other cars that do provide access. feels confident that these won't be an issue on the iX then that's a bonus.

Thought of that as well, so maybe a regular blowout with a reverse vacuum. I expect liability was also a factor in BMW's decision because of all the pretty orange wires, but of course they also exist in the "engine bay" of other EVs that do provide access. Most likely a combination of this and cost cutting. BMW seems focused on saving a penny a car these days.