BMW i5 Power Issues: Electric Performance Decline Alert

Hey there! I had a similar situation with my 2021 BMW iX3. After getting a third-party performance tune to boost power output, I experienced exactly what you're describing, power drops, jerky acceleration, and error codes popping up. Turned out the aftermarket chip tuning was incompatible with the vehicle's power management system and caused conflicts with the motor control unit. Had to get it sorted at a certified shop. They had to reset the entire system and remove the third-party modifications. The original factory settings were restored, and they had to recalibrate several components. It was quite a serious issue since it could've damaged the electric motor and battery management system if left unchecked. The car's been running smoothly since the fix, and I learned my lesson about unofficial tuning on EVs. Based on your symptoms, I'd strongly suggest getting it checked at an authorized BMW service center. These electric systems are complex and really need proper diagnostic tools to identify the root cause. Best of luck!

Thanks for sharing your experience! That definitely sounds similar to what I'm dealing with. It's good to know I'm not alone with these symptoms. I'm curious, do you remember roughly how much the repair cost you at the authorized dealer? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other quirks pop up? Just want to know what I might be in for. Thanks again!

Hey again! Good news, my car's been running perfectly since getting it fixed! It cost me 180 € to get the faulty chip tuning sorted out at the authorized dealer. They identified and cleared the fault code, and everything's back to normal now. Trust me, it was worth every penny. I've put about 15,000 km on it since the repair, and there hasn't been a single problem. The power delivery is smooth again, no more jerking, and most importantly, no more error codes popping up. Honestly, I learned my lesson about messing with third-party tuning on these electric vehicles. Looking back, I should've never tried to modify the factory settings in the first place. These modern EVs are pretty sophisticated machines, and it's best to leave the technical stuff to the certified pros. Hope this helps with your decision-making! Let me know if you need any other info.

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! I bit the bullet and took my i5 to an authorized BMW service center today. You were right about getting professional help, turns out my battery management system needed a software update, and there was an issue with one of the power inverters. The final bill came to a bit more than yours, but honestly, the peace of mind was worth it. The car's running like new again, no more power drops or jerky movements. The technicians were super professional and even showed me exactly what they fixed. What a relief to have this sorted! Definitely learned my lesson about trying to save money by going to non-specialized mechanics for these high-tech EVs. Thanks again for pushing me in the right direction. Really appreciate your help with this!