BMW i3 Electric Steering Column Failure, Help Needed!

Hey there! I've got some experience working with cars and actually faced a similar issue with my 2015 BMW i8 Hybrid last year. Trust me, these electric steering column problems can be super annoying. In my case, it turned out to be a faulty cable connection to the adjustment motor. My regular workshop found that the plug had gotten loose over time and wasn't making proper contact anymore. The fix was pretty straightforward, they replaced the wiring harness and checked all the connections. Cost me around 95 Euro, and it's been working perfectly since then. I've also owned a BMW 5 series before, and these electrical gremlins can sometimes be tricky to diagnose. Could you share what error code you're getting? Also, have you noticed any other electrical issues or warning lights? That would help me give you more specific advice based on my experience.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Actually, I just had my latest service done last month at 67647 KM, and they didn't spot any issues with the steering column then. The error code just popped up yesterday. I'll definitely check the wiring harness like you mentioned, makes sense since the car's getting up there in age. I've had pretty good luck with this i3 overall, but these electrical quirks can be really frustrating. Did you have to remove any specific panels to access the wiring in your case? Just wanting to understand what I might be looking at repair-wise.

Hey again! Glad my previous info about the wiring harness was helpful. For your question about accessing the wiring, yes, in my i8 we had to remove the lower steering column cover and part of the dash trim to get to it. It's a bit fiddly but not super complicated. The interesting thing is, my issue also came up suddenly like yours, despite having regular services. These electrical problems can pop up without warning. Since you mentioned your car's at 67647 KM, it's right around the age where these things start happening. With my i8, we actually found some slight wear on the wiring insulation too, which wasn't visible during regular maintenance. One thing I learned from my experience, before you start taking things apart, try checking if the fuse is okay first. I know it sounds basic, but I wish I'd checked that before assuming the worst! Also, while you're at it, listen for any unusual sounds when you try to adjust the steering column. In my case, there was a slight clicking noise that helped the mechanic pinpoint the issue. Let me know what you find, I'm really curious if it's the same problem I had!

Thanks for all the detailed tips! Really appreciate you taking the time to explain everything. I just checked the fuse like you suggested, it's actually good, so looks like I'll need to dig a bit deeper. And yes, now that you mention it, I've been hearing that clicking sound too when trying to adjust the steering! Guess I'll need to bite the bullet and get those panels removed to check the wiring. At least I know what I'm getting into now, and it's reassuring to hear it's not some massive repair job. I might get my mechanic to look at it this weekend, will definitely keep track of what they find and share it here later for anyone else who runs into the same problem. Thanks again for walking me through your experience, super helpful!