BMW i8 Hybrid Running Rough, MAF Sensor Issue?

Hey there! I've got some experience with hybrids and went through something really similar with my 2014 BMW i3. My other car is actually a BMW 530e. I had pretty much identical symptoms, rough running, poor acceleration, terrible fuel economy, and that annoying check engine light. I've got some experience working on cars, but this was definitely beyond my DIY skills. My trusted mechanic diagnosed it as a faulty MAF sensor. The whole thing, including labor, set me back about 365 Euro, but it fixed all those issues. Car's been running perfectly since then. Before I share more specific details, could you share: Have you scanned for error codes? Does the problem get worse when the engine's warm? Have you noticed any smoke from the exhaust? These details would help me understand if you're dealing with exactly what I faced.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My car's at 162,598 KM and just started having these issues despite regular servicing. I haven't noticed any smoke from the exhaust, but yeah, the problem definitely gets worse after the engine warms up. I did scan for codes using my 's OBD reader, got P0171 and P0174, which apparently point to a lean condition. That's why I'm leaning towards the MAF sensor theory. Good to hear replacing your MAF sensor solved similar issues, gives me hope it might be a straightforward fix. Mind sharing how long the repair took? Just trying to plan around getting it fixed since I need the car for work. Thanks for offering to help troubleshoot this!

Hey again! Glad to help further with your i8 situation. Yeah, those P0171 and P0174 codes are exactly what I saw on my i3 too, definitely screams MAF sensor issues. When my mechanic did the job, it took about 2 hours total, but that included some diagnostic time to be absolutely certain. Just wanted to mention, with your mileage being similar to what mine was when this happened (I was at around 158,000 KM), it's a pretty common wear point for these sensors. The fact that your symptoms get worse when warm matches my experience perfectly. I remember being really nervous about the repair costs, but honestly, it was worth every penny to get the car running properly again. Quick tip from my experience, while you're getting it fixed, have them check the air filter too. My mechanic found mine was pretty dirty when doing the MAF sensor, and replacing both at the same time made sense since they were already in there. The whole setup has been running like new for about 35,000 KM now. Let me know how it goes when you get it fixed. If you need any other specific details about my repair experience, just ask!

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! That's super helpful knowing it was only a 2-hour job, and I really appreciate the tip about checking the air filter too. Makes total sense to handle both while they're in there. It's actually reassuring to hear your car had similar mileage when this happened, makes me feel like this is just normal wear and tear rather than something more serious. The fact that your car's been running great for 35,000 KM after the fix is exactly what I needed to hear. I've got a trusted mechanic, so I'll give them a call tomorrow and schedule this in. Just hoping they can fit me in soon since I really need the car running properly. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's given me a much clearer picture of what I'm dealing with. I'll definitely update once I get it sorted. Thanks again for all the help!