BMW i8 Check Engine + Fuel Leak: Owner Seeks Solutions

I faced nearly identical issues with my 2016 BMW i3 Hybrid last season. The fuel smell and check engine light turned out to be a defective activated charcoal filter in the EVAP system. The stalling at idle was definitely connected to this problem. Had mine fixed at the garage, they found that the charcoal canister was completely saturated and wasn't properly filtering fuel vapors anymore. The whole ventilation system needed thorough inspection, and they ended up replacing both the filter and some connecting vapor lines that had deteriorated. This isn't a catastrophic issue if addressed promptly, but you shouldn't drive the car much in this condition because the fuel vapors aren't being properly contained. The repair job took about 4 hours at the shop. It's worth having it checked soon, the symptoms will only get worse and could potentially affect other components of the fuel system. Quick tip: Get it diagnosed properly with a BMW-specific diagnostic tool to confirm it's the EVAP system before any repairs begin.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. It's quite relieving to know someone else had the same problem and got it sorted. I'm planning to take it to a shop this week to have it checked out properly. Mind if I ask 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 issues popping up?

Hey there! Glad I could help ease your mind about the issue. I just wanted to follow up, I took my i3 to the mechanic and they confirmed it was exactly what I suspected: the activated charcoal filter in the EVAP system was shot. The total bill came to 275 € for replacing the faulty filter, and I gotta say, it was worth every penny. Since getting it fixed, my car's been running like a dream! No more nasty fuel smells, the check engine light's gone, and the idle is smooth as silk. It's been several months now, and I haven't had a single related issue pop up. Looking back, I probably should've gotten it checked sooner, but you live and learn, right? Trust me, once you get yours sorted, you'll notice the difference right away. The shop I went to mentioned these filters typically need replacing around the mileage you're at, so it's pretty much routine maintenance at this point. Definitely update us once you get yours fixed!

Thanks everyone for your helpful input! I wanted to share how my situation turned out. Finally took my i8 to the mechanic yesterday. You were all spot on, it was indeed the EVAP system. The mechanic found a completely clogged charcoal filter and some worn-out vapor lines. The repair took about 3 hours, and I paid a bit more than expected, around 400 for parts and labor. But honestly, it was totally worth it. The fuel smell is completely gone, the engine runs smoothly now, and that annoying check engine light finally turned off. The mechanic was actually pretty great this time. He showed me the old parts and explained everything clearly. The whole experience was way better than my last mechanic nightmare. Best part? I drove home with no stalling issues, and the car feels like new again. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. It saved me from spending another week worrying about what could be wrong!