BMW i3 Electrical Gremlins: Navigation & Controls Failing

I can relate to your situation. Had a similar problem with my 2016 BMW i8 Hybrid last month. Started with unusual infotainment shutdowns and warning lights, just like yours. Took it to the garage where they diagnosed a faulty cable connection between the main control unit and the BUS system. The connection had deteriorated over time, causing intermittent communication failures between different control modules. It was actually a serious issue because it affected multiple systems, including safety features. The mechanic had to replace the main harness connector and reprogram several control modules to get everything working properly again. The symptoms you're describing match exactly what I experienced, unusual failures, warning lights, and unresponsive systems. Have a professional check the cable connections and BUS system communication. These issues typically don't go away on their own and could lead to more problems if left unchecked. One thing though, make sure you go to a shop that specializes in BMW electrical systems, as general mechanics might miss the root cause.

Thanks for sharing your experience! The cable connection issue sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Mind if I ask how much the repair ended up costing you? Also curious if you've had any other electrical problems since getting it fixed. Really appreciate the tip about finding a BMW specialist, definitely don't want to waste time with someone who's not familiar with these complex systems.

Hey there! Just wanted to update you, since getting it fixed, my i8 has been running perfectly with no electrical issues whatsoever. The repair was actually quite reasonable at 155€, just needed to sort out that faulty cable connection to the BUS system. The specialist really knew their stuff and pinpointed the problem straight away. I'm so glad I went with a BMW-certified shop, they fixed it right the first time, and all those annoying warning lights and system failures are now completely gone. It's such a relief not having to worry about the infotainment system out of nowhere shutting down anymore or seeing those pesky warning lights pop up on the dash. If your symptoms are similar to what I had, you're probably looking at the same fix. Honestly, it was worth every penny to get it sorted properly. Best of luck with yours, let us know how it goes!

Thanks so much for the follow-up! I actually took your advice and got it sorted at a certified BMW shop last week. You were spot on about the cable connection issue, turned out that was exactly what was causing all my problems. The tech found some worn-out wiring that was messing with the whole system. Cost me a bit more than yours, around 200 bucks, but totally worth it. Car's running like a dream now. No more unusual shutdowns or warning lights popping up. The infotainment system works perfectly, and I'm not constantly worried about what's going to fail next. Really glad I reached out here and got your input. Would've probably wasted more time and money at my regular mechanic who wouldn't have known where to look. Sometimes it really pays to get advice from someone who's been through the same thing! Thanks again for helping me dodge that bullet. Now I can finally enjoy driving my i3 again without all those electrical gremlins!