BMW i5 Jerking Issues: Transfer Case Problems?

Hi there! I have some experience with EVs and had a very similar issue with my 2022 BMW i4 (love the brand, also considered the iX). The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I dealt with last summer. It turned out to be defective gears in the transfer case. The workshop diagnosed it pretty quickly because apparently they'd seen it before. The repair involved replacing some components in the transfer case assembly. Set me back about 330 Euro, but at least it fixed the problem completely, no more jerking or error messages since then. Before I share more specific details about my repair process, could you share: How many miles/kilometers are on your i5? Are you getting any specific error codes? Does the jerking happen more when accelerating or at constant speed? This info would help me better understand if you're dealing with the same issue I had.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! My i5 has 29005 KM on the clock and just had its first service last month. The jerking mainly happens at constant speeds, and I'm getting error code P0C57. The symptoms you described with your i4 sound spot-on with what I'm experiencing. Good to know it was the transfer case in your situation, that's really helpful information. Definitely going to get this checked out at the workshop ASAP since it's still under warranty. I'd rather not risk any further damage to the system.

Hey again! Yeah, that P0C57 code is exactly what I saw on my i4 too! After seeing your mileage and the error code, I'm even more convinced it's the same issue I had with my transfer case. In my case, the jerking also started around the 30,000 KM mark, so that's another similarity. Just to add to what I shared before, when the workshop opened up my transfer case, they found that some of the gears had premature wear. The technician mentioned it was likely due to a manufacturing batch issue. Since you're still under warranty, you shouldn't have to pay anything (I was just out of warranty when mine failed, hence the repair cost I mentioned). Quick tip though, make sure they check the surrounding components while they're in there. In my case, they also found some minor wear on the drive shaft connection, which they fixed under the same repair. The whole job took about two days in total. I've put another 20,000 KM on my i4 since the repair, and it's been running smooth as silk. Really hope you get this sorted quickly! Let me know how it goes at the workshop.

Thanks so much for all that detailed info! That's super reassuring to hear your car's been running perfectly after the repair. I've actually just booked it in at the workshop for tomorrow morning, and I'll definitely mention about checking the drive shaft connection too, that's a really good tip I wouldn't have thought about. It's really interesting that your issue also started around the 30,000 KM mark. Makes me wonder if this might be a more widespread issue than I initially thought. Feeling much better now knowing it's likely the transfer case and not something more serious. And thank goodness I'm still under warranty! Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's been incredibly helpful. I'll definitely update the forum once I get it sorted to help others who might run into the same problem.