BMW i8 Air Suspension Failure Causing Multiple Issues

Hi there! I had a similar issue with my 2017 BMW i3 last year (I have some experience working with cars and doing basic maintenance). The symptoms were almost identical, uneven ride height, rough shifting, and those annoying warning lights. My regular workshop diagnosed it as a faulty air suspension valve, which was causing the system to malfunction. Got it fixed at my trusted mechanic for about 590 Euro, they replaced the defective air bag valve and recalibrated the system. Since then, it's been running smooth as butter. These issues are actually somewhat common in BMW hybrids from what my mechanic told me. What's your current mileage and have you noticed any unusual sounds when the suspension tries to adjust? This info would help me share more relevant details about my experience. Also, have you had any previous suspension work done?

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm at 122128 KM and just had my service last month. Haven't heard any weird noises, but I'm getting those same warning lights you mentioned. Glad to hear it was just the valve in your case, definitely giving me some hope it won't be a major repair. Did your mechanic mention anything about the repair time? Just trying to figure out if I need to make alternate transport arrangements when I take it in.

Hey again! Yeah, from what I remember with my i3, the repair wasn't too time-consuming. My mechanic had it done in about 4-5 hours. Most of that time was actually spent on testing and recalibrating the system after replacing the valve to make sure everything was working properly. Since you're at 122k km, it's pretty much the same situation I was in. These valves tend to wear out around that mileage mark. The good news is, once it's fixed, you shouldn't have any more issues for a good while. Mine's been perfect for over a year now. One tip though, when you take it in, ask them to check the air lines while they're at it. My mechanic did this as a precaution, and it's good to make sure there aren't any small leaks that could cause problems later. As for transport arrangements, I'd say plan for a full day just to be safe. Even though the actual repair doesn't take too long, sometimes parts availability can add some wait time. In my case, I dropped it off in the morning and picked it up late afternoon. The workshop might even offer you a courtesy car, mine did, which made things much easier. Let me know how it goes! Always happy to share more details about my experience if you need them.

Thanks so much for all that detailed info! Yeah, think I'll go ahead and book it in for next week and request a loaner car. You've really helped put my mind at ease about this, was worried it might be something way more serious with the transmission due to those gear shift issues. Good tip about checking the air lines too, I'll definitely mention that when I take it in. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with this. I'll update you once it's fixed to let you know if it was indeed the same valve issue. The whole single-day repair timeline works perfectly with my schedule too. Fingers crossed it'll be a straightforward fix like yours was!