BMW i3 Brake Warning Signals: Safety Risk or Simple Fix?

Hey there! I had nearly identical issues with my 2018 BMW i8 Hybrid last year. When the brake warning lights started appearing, along with that spongy pedal feel, it turned out to be more than just low brake fluid. During my garage visit, they discovered worn brake pads and partially corroded brake lines. The regenerative braking system had also developed some issues which was affecting the regular braking system's performance. This was actually quite serious, the mechanic said driving with these symptoms could have led to brake failure. The repair involved replacing the brake pads, brake lines, and recalibrating the regenerative braking system. Also needed a brake fluid flush since moisture had contaminated the old fluid. The job took about two days to complete. My advice: Don't wait on this one. These symptoms on the i3 usually point to more than just low fluid. The hybrid braking system is complex, and when those warning lights come on, it's best to get it checked immediately. Better safe than sorry with brakes. Hope this helps!

Thanks for sharing your experience! I went through something really similar with my i3. My mechanic did pretty much the exact same repairs, brake pads, lines, and that whole regen system recalibration thing. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for all that work? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Always good to know what to expect with these repairs.

Hey again! Yeah, absolutely, since you asked about the costs, I remember it clearly because I kept the invoice. For me, it came to 480 € total, which included sorting out those worn brakes and getting everything back in proper working order. The brake fluid level warning is completely gone now, thank goodness! Everything's been running like a dream since the fix, zero warning lights, and the brake pedal feels nice and firm again. It's been about 8 months now, and I haven't had a single problem with the braking system. Really glad I got it sorted when I did. The i8's been performing beautifully on all my drives, and the regenerative braking is working exactly as it should. Just keep an eye on things and do those regular maintenance checks, that's really helped me avoid any surprise issues popping up. These hybrid systems are pretty sophisticated, but once they're properly maintained, they're super reliable. Let me know if anything else comes up with yours!

Thanks for the detailed follow-up! Just got back from my mechanic today actually. Ended up paying around 520 €, a bit more than yours but still reasonable considering all the work done. The experience was way better than my last mechanic visit. You're spot on about the improvement, my brake pedal feels solid now, and those annoying warning lights have disappeared completely. The mechanic explained everything they did, which was reassuring. They even showed me the old brake lines to help me understand why the repair was necessary. I've taken it for a few drives since the fix, and what a difference! The whole braking system feels smooth and responsive again. Really glad I didn't put this off any longer. I'll definitely stay on top of the maintenance schedule from now on. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me know what to expect going in!