BMW i8 Hybrid Electrical Nightmare: Multiple Systems Fail

Hey there! I've got some experience with hybrid cars and I had a similar issue with my 2017 BMW i3. The symptoms sound very familiar to what I faced last year. My car started showing multiple electrical gremlins, weird dashboard errors, system failures, the works. Took it to my trusted workshop and turns out it was indeed a software issue. The control unit needed reprogramming, something about corrupted software affecting multiple systems. Cost me 240 Euro, but it fixed everything. Before jumping to conclusions though, would you mind sharing: Have you noticed any pattern when these issues occur? (like after starting the car or during specific weather), Did you recently get any updates or work done on the car? Are you getting any specific error codes? BMWs can be tricky with their electronics, but usually it's fixable. With your i8 being a more complex system than my i3, it's worth getting it checked by a BMW specialist who knows their way around hybrid systems.

Thanks for sharing your i3 experience! I'm at 95984 KM and had my last service just two months ago. The issues started popping up out of nowhere, no specific pattern that I can spot. It's super frustrating because these problems come and go. Sometimes everything works fine for a few hours, then suddenly the whole system goes haywire. No recent updates or work done except for that routine service. Haven't been able to catch any specific error codes because the messages flash too quickly on the display. The navigation system is completely dead though, won't even start up anymore. I'll definitely take your advice about seeing a hybrid specialist. Did your reprogramming fix last? Just wondering if I should expect this to be a one-time fix or if it might become a recurring headache.

Hey again! Glad to help further with your i8 situation. You know, when I had those similar issues with my i3, I was also around the 90K mark, so that's quite a coincidence! The reprogramming fix has actually held up really well since then, it's been about 14 months now with no repeat issues. Though I have to say, before getting it fixed, I experienced exactly what you're describing, that unusual on-off behavior was driving me nuts! Some days the car would run perfectly fine, then suddenly everything would go crazy with errors. Just a heads up though, when they reprogrammed my control unit, they discovered that part of the issue was related to some conflict between the hybrid system's management software and the main vehicle control unit. The technician mentioned that the i8 has an even more sophisticated system than my i3, so they might need to do a more comprehensive update. One thing I learned from my experience, make sure they check all the system interfaces, not just the obvious stuff. In my case, they initially thought it was just the infotainment system acting up, but it turned out to be more integrated than that. Quick question, have you noticed any changes in how the hybrid system performs when all these electrical issues pop up? Like any weird behavior with the electric motor or when switching between electric and gas mode?

Thanks for that detailed follow-up! It's really reassuring to hear your fix has lasted over a year now. You've actually made me realize something, I have noticed some hesitation when switching between electric and gas modes lately. It's subtle, but definitely there. Sometimes there's a slight jerk when the transition happens, which never used to happen before. I've gone ahead and scheduled an appointment with the BMW hybrid specialist across town. Your experience has given me more confidence that this is likely a software issue rather than a major hardware problem. I was honestly worried I'd need to replace expensive components, so hearing about your successful reprogramming fix is a huge relief. I'll make sure to mention the system interface check you suggested, sounds like that could've saved you some time in your diagnosis. Really appreciate all your insights about your i3 experience. I'll update you once I get it looked at!