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emiltiger5

BMW i3 Suspension Failure Causing Multiple System Issues

Transmission slips/shifts erratically

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Bumpy ride

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Error message in the speedometer

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Vehicle is not standing upright or is leaning to one side

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Fault stored

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The vehicle's air suspension no longer lifts

Hey there car enthusiasts, my 2022 BMW i3 Hybrid (38k km) is giving me serious suspension headaches. The car's sitting noticeably lower, tilting to one side, and the ride has become super rough. Getting error messages in the dash, and the gearbox isn't shifting smoothly anymore. Last mechanic visit wasn't great, so I'm wondering if anyone has dealt with similar symptoms? Pretty sure it's the air suspension bellows valve, but would love to hear your experiences and recommendations for trustworthy mechanics who know their way around BMW i3s. Thanks in advance!

4 comment(s)


isabellaschmid92

Hi there! I had nearly identical issues with my 2019 BMW i8 Hybrid last year. The symptoms you're describing match my experience exactly, uneven ride height, rough driving, and transmission hesitation. Turned out my air suspension valve was indeed defective and needed replacement. The mechanics found corrosion had damaged the valve assembly, causing air leaks in the system. It was affecting the car's overall stability and transmission behavior because the car's computer was trying to compensate for the uneven height. It's definitely a serious issue that needs prompt attention, leaving it unfixed can damage other suspension components and potentially the transmission. My repair took two days at the garage since they had to order specific parts. My tip would be to get it checked ASAP at an authorized BMW service center rather than a general mechanic. These hybrid systems are quite complex and need specialized diagnostic equipment to properly assess and repair. Hope this helps with your decision! Let us know how it goes.

emiltiger5 (Author)

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! Your situation sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with right now. It's really helpful to know that fixing the air suspension valve sorted out both the suspension and transmission issues. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other problems pop up?

isabellaschmid92

Hey there again! Happy to give you an update! Since I got my BMW i8 fixed, it's been running like a dream, honestly, it feels like a completely different car. The whole repair cost me 590 € for the faulty air suspension bellows valve, and I can tell you it was worth every penny. I'm actually really glad you asked about any follow-up issues because I can confidently say there haven't been any! The suspension is perfectly balanced now, no more tilting, and the transmission is shifting as smooth as butter. It's been about 8 months since the repair, and I've put on quite a few miles without a single problem. The authorized BMW service center did a fantastic job diagnosing and fixing the problem. They even showed me the old corroded valve, it was in pretty bad shape! Looking back, I should've gotten it checked sooner, but at least now I know what to watch out for. You're making the right move getting this sorted quickly. Trust me, your car will thank you for it! Let me know if you need any other info about the repair process.

emiltiger5 (Author)

Thanks a lot for the detailed follow-up! You've really put my mind at ease about getting this fixed. The repair cost sounds reasonable considering it's a specialized job. Funny enough, I actually just got back from a mechanic today, took your advice and went straight to an authorized service center. Turns out you were spot on! They found the same issue with the air suspension valve. Got it all sorted now, and wow, what a difference! The car's riding perfectly level again, and that annoying transmission hesitation is completely gone. Best of all, no more warning lights on the dash. The whole repair ended up taking just under two days, just like you mentioned. The mechanic was super thorough and even showed me the damaged parts they replaced. Really glad I didn't wait any longer to get it fixed. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me make the right decision. Time to enjoy my smooth-riding BMW again!

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